CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35: NIU TIANTIAN

"Captain, what are the strict requirements to strive for this spot? Please share them with us, so we can prepare."

The captain had no choice but to honestly inform them.

Lin Xiang wasn’t aware of these things. She kept making sweet potato flour with Lin Yun until night fell, and only went to bed after washing up when it was too dark to continue.

The next day at noon, Lin Xiang spent ten cents to take Sun’s ox cart to the town.

Chef Shen had given her an address yesterday, so Lin Xiang went directly to that place today.

It was a house in the middle of a small alley. Lin Xiang found the corresponding door number and raised her hand to knock.

Soon, a neatly dressed middle-aged woman opened the door. Seeing Lin Xiang, she smiled and asked, "You must be Lin Xiang, whom my brother mentioned? Come in quickly."

The woman led Lin Xiang to the living room and served her sunflower seeds and peanuts, topped with a few White Rabbit candies. "Tiantian will be back soon, have some snacks first."

"Thank you, aunt." Unable to refuse, Lin Xiang took a few sunflower seeds.

The woman sat across from Lin Xiang and got straight to the point: "I’ve heard from my brother about your situation. Are you really planning to sell this spot? Any regrets?"

Of course, Shen Aihua trusted her brother because, being family, he wouldn’t deceive his sister and niece.

But eight hundred yuan wasn’t a small amount for the Niu Family, so Shen Aihua’s concern about Lin Xiang changing her mind midway was understandable.

"Aunt, as for the origin of this spot, I’m sure Chef Shen has explained it to you. The leadership granted me a chance to reenroll and recommended me to retake sophomore year at the Town First Middle School. The cotton spinning factory job opportunity is from Director Chen, who offered it to me as a favor."

"I’ve benefited from Chef Shen’s help; I not only made money but also got such a great opportunity. So, I thought of reciprocating his kindness by asking him first if he needed anything. As for any changes, you need not worry. After we clarify everything, I will personally take you to the cotton spinning factory for onboarding."

"Once the job is secure, you can give me the promised compensation."

In this way, the Niu Family wouldn’t have to worry about any changes once the job is secured.

Lin Xiang also wasn’t concerned about the Niu Family backing out. Not to mention Chef Shen was there, she could also directly approach Director Chen to reclaim the spot.

With this assurance, Shen Aihua felt at ease, continually offering Lin Xiang sunflower seeds and water.

In no time, Shen Aihua’s daughter, Niu Tiantian, returned home.

"Tiantian, this is Lin Xiang, why don’t you two have a chat?"

Niu Tiantian, who seemed about the same age as Lin Xiang, was clearly a well-raised girl, polite and not arrogant even though the spot she got was bought. She expressed her gratitude to Lin Xiang.

Far better than Yu Fang.

After they exchanged a few words, Shen Aihua went to prepare lunch.

"Aunt, no need to prepare food for me," Lin Xiang hurriedly said, "Once we finish the main business, I’ll head to the hardware store to buy some things, then I need to go home, I still have stuff to do."

Shen Aihua peeked her head out from the kitchen, "What are you buying at the hardware store?"

Lin Xiang honestly replied, "I want to sell sweet potato flour at the market, but making it by hand is too slow, so I want to make a machine to help, and I need some hardware."

Niu Tiantian looked at Lin Xiang with admiration, "You can even make machines? How impressive!"

Lin Xiang smiled sheepishly, "I just drew up some plans, my brother will have to actually make it since I’m not very handy."

"But knowing how to make machines is impressive in itself!"

Lin Xiang was usually the one to compliment others, so receiving such praise made her feel quite embarrassed.

Shen Aihua laughed, "Tiantian’s dad works at the hardware factory. He’s coming home for lunch later; you can tell him what you need, and he can get it for you from the factory."

"Sure, the hardware factory will have a better selection. That would be a big help, uncle."

While Shen Aihua was cooking, Niu Tiantian kept chatting with Lin Xiang.

She instinctively thought Lin Xiang grew up in the countryside and might have limited perspectives, but after talking for a bit, she realized she was the one with narrow views.

"When my uncle came to tell us about it yesterday, I was wondering why someone would give up a job at the cotton spinning factory to go study instead?"

"Even though college entrance exams have resumed, isn’t the purpose of studying eventually to get a job? You could go straight to work and earn money, why waste years in school?"

Although college graduates are assured employment upon graduation, the assigned job might not be better than a factory girl’s work.

So Niu Tiantian couldn’t understand why Lin Xiang would choose the longer path when there was a shortcut available.

Lin Xiang carefully organized her thoughts before explaining to Niu Tiantian, "The ultimate goal of studying is indeed to get a job, but studying can enrich my world. In other words, I got this spot because I can speak a foreign language and serve as a translator; my opportunities didn’t come from nowhere."

"As I learn more, I master more skills, which increases the likelihood of seizing new opportunities. When such chances arise again, I’ll seize them even more tightly, right?"

One opportunity leads to a second, a third.

Lin Xiang did not consider working as a factory girl as her ultimate fate.

Though she didn’t know how long she would remain there, securing a better future for her current self was her way of repaying for using this body.

After hearing Lin Xiang’s analysis, Niu Tiantian gave her a thumbs up, "You have a broad outlook, I’m sure you’ll have great success in the future!"

Unlike herself, who could only rely on her family’s money to get this spot.

Seeing Niu Tiantian feeling down, Lin Xiang consoled her, "But you’re very fortunate, you have family who loves and cares about you. As soon as Chef Shen heard my offer of the spot, he made the decision for you without any hesitation."

"Eight hundred yuan is no small sum, but your parents were willing to spend such a sizable amount to secure you a job, proving their genuine affection for you. Compared to many others, you’re already very, very blessed. Not everyone is as fortunate as you."

Hearing Lin Xiang’s words, Niu Tiantian perked up again, raising her chin with a proud expression, "Indeed, my family really loves me!"

Just as they were talking, Mr. Niu returned, carrying a bag with two cans of malt powder and a few shriveled-looking apples.

Malt powder is easily bought, but the apples, although ugly, were limited in supply, costly, and not everyone with money could buy them.

"Dad, you’re back!"

Niu Tiantian went over, taking the net bag from Mr. Niu’s hands, "Why did you buy two cans of malt powder? Didn’t I say to buy one and wait until it’s finished to buy another? It doesn’t keep well if it sits too long."

"Who said both cans are for you? A bit greedy, huh?" Mr. Niu teased, playfully pinching Niu Tiantian’s nose.