Chapter 542: Chapter 542: Stepping Up at the Critical Moment
Yi Chichi, with her sharp ears and eyes, spoke without lifting her head, "You wouldn’t want to work for nothing either."
Ning Jiandong, "... I didn’t say you were wrong."
Honestly, there’s no need to rush in and confront him aggressively.
"You do your job well, I’ll play with your son."
With someone to take care of the child, Yi Chichi had no reason to refuse.
Wen’s mother and Qin Jiu also wouldn’t refuse.
No other reason than that Wen Yi’s energy was simply too abundant. Having napped during the day, he wouldn’t sleep for a while.
Facts proved their premonition completely accurate.
Wen Yi, taken by Ning Jiandong to the warehouse for a shopping spree, came back and played until after ten, completely exhausting himself before falling into a deep sleep.
Both Ning Jiandong and Gu Xinghua had dormitories, so their offices were not suitable for resting, only for working.
When Wen Yi wasn’t asleep, Wen’s mother and the others could stay, as they had to watch the child.
Now that Wen Yi was asleep, Wen’s mother, carrying Wen Yi, called Qin Jiu to return to the guesthouse to rest.
By now, it was almost eleven. Gu Xinghua and Ning Jiandong, worried about them going back alone, purposely took a trip to escort them to the guesthouse.
Thus, in the large office floor of the Friendship Store, only Yi Chichi was left burning the midnight oil.
A half-hour later, the two brothers, having sent Wen’s mother back, returned with the intention of assisting Yi Chichi, only to be resolutely refused by her.
"The work I’m doing isn’t something you two can help with. I appreciate the gesture, but it’s not needed. You uncles should hurry back to the dormitory to rest."
Realizing they couldn’t help with anything, the two were momentarily disappointed but quickly bounced back.
As the saying goes, there’s specialization in every field. They’re not good at drawing or embroidery, but they’re good at other things.
"Are you hungry?"
"If I’m hungry, is there food?"
Yi Chichi looked up, and Ning Jiandong nodded, saying there was. She immediately perked up, "I want to eat meat."
Daring to wish, at this hour, where would they find meat for her?
"We don’t have any, you’ll eat what we prepare for you."
"...Alright."
After realizing that nightlife and midnight snacks weren’t really available yet, Yi Chichi, disappointed, accepted their offer.
Then, she ate some malted milk, biscuits, and milk candies prepared by the two big men. After stretching for over ten minutes to ease the discomfort from sitting too long, she returned to her desk to continue working.
Later, after a sleepless night, she finished her work before Ning Jiandong and the others started their shifts.
She laid the embroidery pattern on the table to dry, made herself a cup of hot tea to refresh, and waited for about half an hour until Ning Jiandong arrived at work.
"Mission accomplished, check if there are any issues. If not, I’ll go brush my teeth and wash my face first."
Yi Chichi handed over the organized drawings. Even after a long night, her spirits remained high, though her eyes were a bit red.
There was also a hint of fatigue on her face.
"Okay, we’ll check them first."
As the two examined the drawings one by one, Yi Chichi watched their expressions. Seeing their smiles gradually broaden, she knew it was settled.
Her task was successfully completed.
Indeed, after reviewing everything, Ning Jiandong nodded in satisfaction, "Just as expected, you’re really reliable at critical times."
"Gotta keep the clients happy, or I’d feel guilty making money."
She jokingly replied, making Ning Jiandong laugh helplessly, "Alright, alright, stop subtly reminding me about the payment. I never intended to shortchange you."
Offending anyone else would be one thing, but offending a master like Yi Chichi, skilled in both painting and embroidery, would mean no chance of updating the embroidery designs on his end.
Blocking the chance to earn foreign exchange for such a small amount is something only a fool would do.
Although Ning Jiandong doesn’t consider himself the smartest, he certainly isn’t a fool either.
So, he promptly called the finance department to settle the embroidery account with Yi Chichi, then reminded her, "Have fun in Beijing, but don’t forget your work."
"No worries, I’m always very serious about my work."
Yi Chichi put the money in her pocket, grabbing the breakfast they brought and starting to eat.
"Who will take us to the station later?"
"I will."
Discussing the matter, Gu Xinghua’s demeanor turned serious, "Quick, finish eating so we can head to the guesthouse to pick up your mother-in-law."
"Okay."
The breakfast Ning Jiandong and the others brought was for five people and was from the canteen.
The variety was quite large, including rice rolls, barbecued pork buns, and boat congee.
After Yi Chichi finished her portion, she got up, wiped her mouth, accepted the train ticket Ning Jiandong handed over, and urged Gu Xinghua to set off after taking the breakfast along.
"Uncle, let’s go, I’m done eating."
"Alright!"
Gu Xinghua responded, grabbed his briefcase, and after greeting Ning Jiandong, went with Yi Chichi to the guesthouse.
When they arrived, Wen Yi was holding a milk bottle, munching away, while Wen’s mother packed, and Qin Jiu watched Wen Yi and helped out.
Hearing the knock on the door, he came to open it.
Yi Chichi’s voice came through the door, "Xiao Jiu, are you packed?"
Before Qin Jiu could answer, Wen Yi, who was excited to hear his mother’s voice, couldn’t care less about eating, dropped the bottle, and shifted from sitting to crawling, babblingly trying to come over.
Wen’s mother hurried over, "My dear grandchild, you really aren’t afraid of falling."
Before she finished speaking, Yi Chichi and Gu Xinghua entered the room.
"Mom, I’ll take over. You and Xiao Jiu hurry and finish breakfast so we can leave."
Yi Chichi went forward to pick up the inexplicably excited Wen Yi, placed the milk bottle by his mouth, "Son, eat."
However, seeing Wen’s mother open the rice roll, Wen Yi lost interest in the milk formula, his little chubby hands pointing at Qin Jiu’s boat congee, babbling to eat.
Qin Jiu looked at Yi Chichi, "Sister, should I give it to him?"
"Just a little bit."
Thus, Wen Yi ate the boat congee fed by Yi Chichi.
Gu Xinghua, pulled to give a helping hand, helped take out the packed luggage organized by Wen’s mother from the guesthouse and put it in the car.
There was quite a bit, as Wen’s mother, having gone to the warehouse last night to pick defectives, acted like a mouse in a rice bin, wanting to buy everything she saw.
Therefore, she bought quite a lot.
Among them were two bottles of alcohol.
These were bought for Mr. Song, who has a habit of drinking two ounces of alcohol daily.
Gu Xinghua made two trips to load everything into the car.
By then, Wen’s mother and the others had almost finished their breakfast, and the bottle Wen Yi drank from had been washed by Yi Chichi and filled with cooled boiled water ahead of time.
At 9:30 in the morning, Yi Chichi and her group arrived at the station, and Gu Xinghua busily sent everyone and everything onto the train, even running to find a conductor to instruct them. He then went back to the soft sleeper compartment to remind them, "You have elderly and young people, after the train departs, close the compartment door. I’ve informed the train police, if you need water or food, feel free to ask them to bring it."
"Okay."
Since the resumption of the college entrance exams, many educated youths who could either pass the exams or had work returned to the city, those who couldn’t, sneaked back.
Many unemployed individuals gathered, making problems inevitable.
Given today’s security, it’s hard to be overly optimistic.
Even if the train is a closed environment, it’s still the same.
Thus, Yi Chichi listened to the advice.
"Okay, uncle, we’ll do our best not to leave the compartment."
"Alright, the train is about to depart. You’re off, I’ll head down first. Once you reach Beijing, remember to send a telegram or make a call to let us know you’re safe."
"Okay."
Yi Chichi readily agreed. Seeing this, Gu Xinghua got off the train, didn’t rush to leave but instead stood by the window, chatting until the train let out a sharp whistle and started moving, before finally departing.
And so, Yi Chichi and her companions officially embarked on their journey to Beijing.
