Chapter 365: Relying on Each Other for Survival
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
When Ding Wan mentioned earnings, Zhou Wen’e immediately thought of the salary and bonus from the tofu factory. After all, the amount the factory workers was indeed desirable.
Zhou Wen’e was ecstatic as she widened her eyes and perked up her ears to listen. She was afraid of missing out on any information. To her, Ding Wan was there to deliver good news. With hard work, Zhou Wen’e knew she could earn money, and life at home would be much better.
She wanted to say something but was so excited that she could not speak. She held Ding Wan’s hand tightly, her lips trembling. After a while, she finally said, “Madam Ding, I believe in your niece and will do my best.”
Zhou Wen’e did well to avoid asking about an exact salary. She knew that working with Su Binglan was already good enough.
Dong Xiaolei asked, “Didn’t you hear what Madam Ding said, Mother? They will hire more people when the embroidery shop is complete.”
However, not everyone could get in at that time, even though they tried their best.
Ding Wan patted the back of Zhou Wen’e’s hand, trying to calm her down. “Don’t worry, Wen’e. Listen to me first. Binglan said our shop’s basic salary would be two copper coins daily.
“That’s the basic salary, meaning you’ll get at least 60 coins monthly. However, the more work you do in the embroidery shop, the more you earn. You can earn more if you make more products. You can even charge extra for specific items.
“If everyone does well, there will be subsidies. It means you can earn much more monthly if you work hard.”
Zhou Wen’e was so excited that she could barely speak. Instead, she calculated her potential earnings in her mind. After a while, she said in a trembling voice, “Madam Ding, you said we’ll earn more the more we do, right?”
Zhou Wen’e could earn at least 60 coins monthly, not to mention the extra she would earn from making more products. She was in so much disbelief that even her voice trembled.
She was never usually like this, but it was a special occasion. Her family’s days would improve if she could continue earning money with this job. Then Dong Xiaolei would no longer have to work so hard.
Ding Wan smiled and nodded. “Yes, Wen’e. I understand that you’re a diligent person who works seriously. You just have to work hard, and your days will improve.
“When the time comes, you can save enough to build a big house. You should also eat better foods to nourish your body.”
Ding Wan heard from Su Binglan that Zhou Wen’e’s body was weak due to malnutrition. She often got dizzy because she did not eat well.
Zhou Wen’e sobbed. “Yes, Madam Ding. Thank you. I never expected you to think of me when such a good job opportunity came up.”
She could guess that Su Binglan had entrusted Ding Wan to manage to embroidery shop since Ding Wan was the one who had come looking for her. After all, Su Binglan was too busy and would not have time to manage too many things at a time.
Since Shen Qiuhua managed the tofu factory, Su Binglan had to find someone to manage the embroidery shop.
“From what you said, you only know little about embroidery and needlework.
Still, I know you’re also diligent and honest, so I thought of you.”
Zhou Wen’e was delighted but suddenly thought of something and said nervously, “M-Madam Ding, I haven’t done embroidery for so many years, so I’m probably a little rusty. I don’t know what to embroider, either.
“Don’t worry,” Ding Wan explained patiently, “It’s just some simple needlework. You don’t need to use any complicated embroidery techniques. I’ll teach you later. I know you can learn it.”
“Yes, thank you, Madam Ding.” Zhou Wen’e was relieved. She did not know how to thank Ding Wan.
“This was all Binglan’s idea,” Ding Wan said smilingly, “If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have thought of this. Binglan is a kind-hearted child who wants to help our village and its people.
“The embroidery shop isn’t complete yet, so she asked me to contact you guys to make some things first.” Ding Wan remembered to mention Su Binglan’s good points, gratifying everyone.
Zhou Wen’e nodded thoughtfully. “Madam Ding, I don’t know how to thank Miss Su.”
“It’s okay. Just do your job well. That’s the best gratitude you can show Binglan.”
“Yes.”
Meanwhile, Dong Xiaolei burned more wood at the stove for the brick bed. Typically, the family could not bear to burn firewood when they were home alone.
However, they had a guest over, and Dong Xiaolei was observant. She took more firewood to burn so the bed would remain warm.
While burning more wood at the stove, she heard the conversation between her mother and Madam Ding in the inner room. Dong Xiaolei became so excited that her heart started beating wildly.
When she put the wood into the stove, she forgot to remove it and almost burned her hand. That was how excited she was. Still, she thought she had misheard the conversation since there was a door in the way.
Although the door was old and a little broken, it was not soundproof.
Nonetheless, Dong Xiaolei was still skeptical about what she had heard. Dong Xiaolei had only done needlework alongside her mother when she was a child, so she did not know if she could do it anymore.
When Ding Wan exited the room, Zhou Wen’e followed suit to see her off.
“Wen’e, you don’t have to send me off,” Ding Wan said softly, “Just go to the house Binglan used to live in tomorrow. We’ll start making things then.”
She was also holding a contract that Su Binglan had prepared. After signing it, Zhou Wen’e would have a guaranteed job at the embroidery shop.
“Oh, good.” Zhou Wen’e did not know what else to say.
Dong Xiaolei also followed her mother to send Ding Wan off. She wanted to say something, but she felt that she should not.
Ding Wan was a thoughtful person and noticed the little girl’s expression. She gently asked, “Xiaolei, do you have something to say?”
Dong Xiaolei raised her head and looked at Ding Wan. “Can I tell you what I’m thinking, Madam Ding?”
She was afraid she would misspeak and make Ding Wan unhappy, causing her mother to lose her job opportunity.
Ding Wan looked at the little girl’s careful expression and felt terrible. She put her hand on Dong Xiaolei’s head and said, “Of course, you can speak your mind. You know, I even carried you when you were a child.”
“M-Madam Ding, I…” Dong Xiaolei started. “I-I know needlework too. Can I help my mother make things too? I’ll take it seriously.”
The little girl did not know what was happening with her father, and her mother had painstakingly taken care of her grandparents, but they had passed away. After that, Dong Xiaolei and Zhou Wen’e could only rely on each other.
Dong Xiaolei’s only remaining relative was her mother, and she was worried her mother would exhaust herself. Therefore, Dong Xiaolei thought she should work too.
Zhou Wen’e’s nose twitched. After all, how could she not know what her daughter was thinking?
“I can do these things just fine. You should stay home. Embroidering is not tiring at all since it’s not physical work.”
Ding Wan looked at Dong Xiaolei, and her expression softened. She knew the little girl was caring and dutiful. “Of course,” she said, “Come and learn with your mother tomorrow.”
Dong Xiaolei did not expect Ding Wan to agree. She was stunned for a moment before regaining her senses and said excitedly, “Thank you, Madam Ding..”
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