Chapter 82: Ready to Go – The Daily Gossip of a Sickly Aunt in the Compound

Chapter 82: Ready to Go - The Daily Gossip of a Sickly Aunt in the Compound

On the day of the exam, Lin Qing, unusually, got up together with Cen Xi.

"Do you want to sleep a bit more? It's still early!" Cen Xi asked, looking at the bleary-eyed Lin Qing.

Lin Qing remembered that she had to get up for the exam and shook her head, squinting.

"The exam starts at nine, and it's only seven now. We live close to the factory, so there's no need to get up so early!"

Lin Qing sat motionless, her eyes closed, unsure if she was even listening.

"Lie back down and wake up a bit more. I'll call you later!" Cen Xi still thought it was too early. Although his wife had gone to bed early yesterday, she might still be a bit unaccustomed, so he let her lie back down for a while longer, hoping she could open her eyes better later.

Lin Qing seemed to understand and lay back down on the bed!

Cen Xi went about his usual morning routine, repeating the same tasks he did every day.

After stepping out into the yard, Cen Xi noticed the yard was bustling with activity!

Everyone was already awake, including the young women who were supposed to take the exam. However, since it was still early, there was no rush, and he didn't turn back to wake his wife.

Unfortunately, some people just couldn't let him have a peaceful morning!

"Cen Gong, is your wife still not awake? Today is the recruitment exam! If you miss the time, it'll be too late!" Jiang Da Sao stood at the door of the west wing, speaking in a snide tone.

Cen Xi checked his wristwatch right in front of her and replied with a serious frown, "No, it's only a quarter past seven. The exam starts at nine sharp. From our yard to the factory, it takes less than ten minutes if we hurry. So even if my wife gets up at eight-thirty, takes ten minutes to freshen up and eat, and another ten minutes to get to the factory, there's still enough time!"

Cen Xi presented the facts and reasoned with her, leaving Jiang Da Sao speechless.

What to do? He made so much sense! She was suddenly at a loss for a comeback.

Maybe noticing that Jiang Da Sao had nothing more to say, Cen Xi didn't press further. Instead, he picked up the bedpan and headed to the toilet.

Yes, he had been on his way to the toilet and to empty the bedpan when Jiang Da Sao stopped him.

"You..."

Cen Xi's unflappable attitude only made Jiang Da Sao angrier, and she threw a fit.

Can't he have a bit more ambition?

What kind of man starts his day by emptying a bedpan? Who else is as spineless as him?

"Wife, let's be real here. If Cen Gong is considered spineless, then what does that make me? A good-for-nothing?" Jiang Hai suddenly chimed in from the side.

Oh, so she had accidentally muttered her thoughts aloud, and Jiang Hai had heard everything.

"Isn't it pathetic that he does the household duties that women are supposed to do every day?" Jiang Da Sao thought so in her heart.

"Wife, Cen Gong is a factory engineer, the pride of our factory. If he's spineless, then what counts as ambitious?"

"..."

Was that what she meant?

What she really wanted to say was that Cen Xi always helped Lin Qing with the household chores she should handle, which is why she called him spineless and pathetic!

Who was even talking about work?

When it comes to work, few can match him!

"I want to say..." Jiang Da Sao tried to speak her mind, but Jiang Hai cut her off without listening.

"Cen Gong is a top-notch engineer; you can't call him a loser or a pushover. If he's not promising, then we might as well be... uh... probably useless!" Jiang Hai explained in a flurry.

Jiang Da Sao was so mad she was fuming. "Alright, if you think he's so great and capable, then as a great engineer, he can do these things. Can't you, a mere worker, do them too?"

"What things?"

"Empty the bedpan every morning and help me make breakfast!" Jiang Da Sao said coldly.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Hai immediately frowned. "Isn't that women's work? Why call me?"

"Hmph! What do you mean by women's work? The accomplished Cen Gong you mentioned does these things daily. How come you can't do what he can?"

"Anyway, that's not my responsibility. If you make me do these, my mom definitely wouldn't agree." After saying this, Jiang Hai fled back to his room!

"So, when you can't win an argument, you bring up your mom, huh?"

Jiang Da Sao was furious again, this time to the point of not wanting to speak to him.

Lin Qing wanted to get up with Cen Xi, but she was too tired to open her eyes. However, she could still process external signals in her mind, so when Cen Xi made the suggestion, she thought about it for a while and agreed.

After lying back down, her mind started to clear, and twenty minutes later, she opened her eyes.

She checked the watch under her pillow—just past seven-thirty, still early.

This time, she didn't linger in bed and got up to wash up.

"Qing Qing, are you up?"

"Yes. What are they having for breakfast?"

"Come sit down, I made some steamed buns; they'll be ready soon. Put these condiments on the table; they're almost ready." Cen Xi directed while watching the fire.

"Okay!" Lin Qing looked at the situation, and it indeed seemed almost ready.

Their breakfast was simple but filling.

After the couple finished breakfast.

"You head to work first; it's about time!" Lin Qing hurried Cen Xi.

"Want to come along?"

"Why should I go so early?" Lin Qing was a bit puzzled.

Cen Xi didn't know how to respond; he just wanted his wife to come with him.

"Don't worry, go ahead to work! I'll head to the factory later!"

"What if you get lost?"

"Ah! So many people from our compound are taking the exam; how could I get lost?"

"Well, that seems like an overreaction!"

After a pause, Cen Xi decided not to push her further. "Alright, I'll head out first."

"Go on, go on!"

"Well... maybe I should leave the bike for you?" he said before leaving.

"Oh, no need, no need. I'll walk with the folks from our courtyard, at least I can figure out the way!"

"Alright!" Cen Xi finally headed out to work.

Twenty minutes after Cen Xi left, Lin Qing got ready, closed all the windows and doors, and prepared to walk to the factory.

"Xiao Lin, are you heading out now?" Mother Li happened to be in the front yard checking the situation.

"Yes, I'm going early, I'm worried I might not find the place!"

"Then wait a moment, the wives of my eldest and second son will go with you!" Mother Li turned around and shouted to her house: "Wives of the eldest and second son, come out quickly, go with Xiao Lin to the factory, it's good to have company."

At this moment, Sui Auntie stuck her head out, "Wait, wait, my two daughters-in-law will also go together!"

Soon, Lin Qing was waiting in the courtyard with Mother Li and Sui Auntie's daughters-in-law.