Chapter 154 Why Are You Standing There?

Chapter 154 Why Are You Standing There?

Mrs. Zhou handed over the money but didn't leave immediately. Instead, she fixed her gaze on his ducks.

She thought to herself that this young man was quite unrefined, keeping so many ducks in the yard. The smell must be pretty strong.

"How much for the ducks?" she asked.

Lai Liuzi replied, "There are ten ducks in total here. Three of them are for my sister-in-law, five have been reserved by others. How many do you want, Mrs. Zhou?"

Mrs. Zhou did a quick calculation and said, "Can I have the remaining two?"

"Sure, ducks are cheaper than chickens. I'll charge you nine cents per pound. If you want them, I'll weigh them now."

Mrs. Zhou quickly agreed, "Weigh them!"

Jiang Yu had really taken her to the right place. She didn't care if Lai Liuzi was dealing in the black market or not. All she knew was that her family couldn't afford meat, and it was thanks to him that they could eat.

She felt grateful to the person who had made it possible for her family to eat meat and wear cotton-padded clothes.

Mrs. Zhou paid the money without hesitation.

When Jiang Yu heard that he had reserved a few ducks for her, she quickly declined, "Keep them for yourself. Why give them to me?"

Lai Liuzi said, "If it weren't for you and Brother Yue helping me, I wouldn't have been so successful."

These ducks were also collected by him. While gathering cotton, he found a large reed marsh where many families raised ducks along the riverbank.

They didn't raise many, about twenty to thirty ducks per household.

He collected a few from each family and brought back twenty ducks.

Not long after returning, he had almost sold them all.

He was mindful of the kindness Jiang Yu and He Tingyue had shown him and had decided from the start to reserve a few ducks for Jiang Yu.

Seeing this, Mrs. Zhou felt even more that Lai Liuzi was dependable.

"Then I'll go home first and wait for you to bring the things over."

Lai Liuzi readily agreed, "Don't worry, Mrs. Zhou. Sister-in-law, I'll bring your ducks over later so you don't have to carry them."

Jiang Yu couldn't refuse and had to accept them.

"Then call Tie Niu and come to our house for a meal. I'll have Brother Yue cook and stew a duck for everyone."

Lai Liuzi initially felt embarrassed, but upon hearing that He Tingyue would be cooking, he couldn't resist.

"Then Tie Niu and I won't stand on ceremony."

Jiang Yu chided, "Why be polite with me?"

Lai Liuzi saw them off, feeling deeply satisfied.

He had been an orphan since childhood and was now completely alone.

Tie Niu was like a brother to him, but he wasn't an orphan.

Both his parents were alive, but his father favored the eldest son, and his mother favored the youngest. He was stuck in the middle, with no one to truly care for him.

At home, he was always being pushed around, and whatever money he earned would be taken away. It's better to come out and hang out with Sixie.

Everyone calls them loiterers or troublemakers, saying they don't do proper work, and they wish to stay far away from them.

Because of this, the warmth and kindness he felt from Jiang Yu made him want to repay her wholeheartedly.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yu and Mrs. Zhou came out of Daxin Alley, and Mrs. Zhou started talking to her about the job openings at the Second State Cotton Mill.

Jiang Yu nodded with a smile, "I just saw it; they said they need a recommender."

She couldn't say she already knew from Xie Jinchang, to avoid causing him trouble.

Mrs. Zhou was about to tell her that Factory Director Zheng would recommend her when a voice interrupted.

"Seeing it is useless, Jiang Yu. Don't dream about it; this job won't come to you."

Jiang Yu looked up and thought, *What a small world, running into Duan Yuzhen everywhere.*

She and Yan Wenxuan were carrying things, but through the bags, it was unclear what they were.

Mrs. Zhou shot a sharp look, "How funny, if it's not for her, then it's for you? The recruitment also tests character, and you would fail first."

Duan Yuzhen was furious and cursed, "You old hag, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Mrs. Zhou scoffed, "Everyone gets old—what's wrong with that? You might not even get the chance to grow old, so better watch your mouth!"

Duan Yuzhen wanted to argue more but was stopped by Yan Wenxuan.

"Why bother with her? Don't you see where she came from?"

Yan Wenxuan had just seen Mrs. Zhou and Jiang Yu come out of Daxin Alley, and everyone knew what kind of place that was. In the old society, Daxin Alley was known for its brothels.

Later, with the change of dynasties and new systems, that trade was banned.

But in places where the sun doesn't shine, some still secretly engage in that trade.

Yan Wenxuan's disdain was evident, looking down on Mrs. Zhou.

Jiang Yu coldly mocked, "When you're filthy yourself, everything looks dirty. Mrs. Zhou, why bother with him?"

Mrs. Zhou snorted, "I won't bother with him. I'm going home; you should go back early too."

"Alright, Mrs. Zhou, take care."

Yan Wenxuan patted Duan Yuzhen, "Let's hurry; we don't want to be late."

He and Duan Yuzhen came out today also for the job openings at the Second State Cotton Mill.

Duan Jianren didn't have the ability to get them a recommendation, but he gave them a lead.

He said that Factory Director Zheng's wife, Miao Shilan, is the department head of the finance department at the mill.

They couldn't reach Factory Director Zheng, but maybe they could go through Miao Shilan.

So Yan Wenxuan and Duan Yuzhen prepared some things, hoping to use Duan Jianren's name to visit and get a recommendation.

Yan Wenxuan wasn't doing this for Duan Yuzhen, but for himself.

He had a clear plan. If he could really get the recommendation, he would definitely put his own name forward. A permanent position was far more appealing than his current gig as a substitute teacher.

As they walked, Yan Wenxuan was surprised to find that Mrs. Zhou was actually heading in the same direction as them.

Neither of them spoke, and the air was thick with tension.

But when they reached South Street, Yan Wenxuan's heart skipped a beat.

Could their destination be the same?

Duan Yuzhen, however, didn't overthink it as much as he did. The two of them arrived at Director Zheng's doorstep.

Mrs. Zhou glanced at them and said in surprise, "You're here for this house?"

Duan Yuzhen retorted disdainfully, "Mrs. Zhou, you're not here to see Director Zheng too, are you?"

"Not at all," she said. She was just going home.

Duan Yuzhen then said, "Then don't just stand here blocking the way; step aside."

Mrs. Zhou gave an "oh" and stepped aside.

Duan Yuzhen stepped forward, adjusted her expression, and then knocked on the door.

Watching her switch from an arrogant scowl to a sweet, polite smile in the blink of an eye, Mrs. Zhou couldn't help but click her tongue in amazement.

The one who came to open the door was Miao Shilan, who recognized Duan Yuzhen because Duan Jianren was also in the finance department, under her supervision.

"Is this Yuzhen? The last time I saw you, you were still very young. I heard you got married?"

Duan Yuzhen covered her mouth and laughed, "Miao, the department head, you still remember me? Yes, I just got married recently. My brother wanted to invite you, but he was afraid of disturbing you."

Miao Shilan smiled. Her earlier remark was merely polite chatter. Everyone knew that Duan Yuzhen got married, and no one from the Duan family attended, let alone her.

"So, what brings you here today..."

Before she could finish, she caught sight of Mrs. Zhou being pushed aside and was surprised.

"Mom, why are you standing there?"

Duan Yuzhen was startled and exchanged a glance with Yan Wenxuan.

They both exclaimed in unison, "Mom?"

Mrs. Zhou snapped sternly, "They told me to move aside, so I made way for them."

Miao Shilan immediately stopped smiling and quickly pulled Mrs. Zhou inside.

"This is your house. No need to step aside for strangers."

Then, she turned to Duan Yuzhen and introduced, "This is my mother-in-law. She speaks her mind, Yuzhen, don't take it to heart."

Duan Yuzhen didn't dare to take offense. She never expected that this seemingly unremarkable Mrs. Zhou was actually Director Zheng's mother!

She was inwardly mortified. Before even setting foot inside, she had already managed to offend the man's mother.

Fortunately, Yan Wenxuan kept his composure and stepped forward to apologize, "So this lady is Director Zheng's mother. We were very rude earlier."

Mrs. Zhou wasn't buying any of it. Without a word, she turned and went inside.

Miao Shilan had no doubts; it was definitely Duan Yuzhen who had caused offense.

"Yuzhen, today's not a good time, so we can't invite you in. We'll catch up another time."

Without waiting for a reply, she shut the door on them.

Yan Wenxuan looked upset. "How many times do I have to tell you to watch what you say? You never listen, and now look what happened!"

Duan Yuzhen, wide-eyed, shot back, "How is this on me? How was I supposed to know she's Factory Director Zheng's mom! You were the one who said she came from Daxin Alley, making her sound shady!"

Embarrassed and furious, Yan Wenxuan stormed off.