Chapter Thirty-Five: Niu Tiantian

"Team leader, could you tell us what the specific requirements are for competing for this spot? We’d like to be prepared."

The team leader had no choice but to tell them the truth.

Lin Xiang knew nothing of this. She and Lin Yun had been making sweet potato starch noodles until late into the night; only when there was absolutely no light left did she wash up and go to sleep.

The next afternoon, Lin Xiang spent a dime to ride Old Man Sun’s ox cart into town. Chef Shen had given her an address yesterday, so she headed straight there.

It was a middle unit in a small alleyway. Lin Xiang found the corresponding house number and knocked on the door.

Soon, a well-dressed, middle-aged woman opened the door. Upon seeing Lin Xiang, she smiled and asked, "You must be the Lin Xiang my brother mentioned, right? Come on in."

The woman led Lin Xiang to the living room and served her melon seeds and peanuts, topped with a few White Rabbit creamy candies. "Tiantian will be back soon; have something to eat while you wait."

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

The woman sat across from Lin Xiang and got straight to the point: "I’ve heard about your situation from my brother. Are you really going to sell this spot? Won't you regret it?"

Shen Aihua naturally trusted her brother; after all, they were blood relatives, and he certainly wouldn't cheat his own sister and niece. However, eight hundred yuan was no small sum for the Niu family, so it was reasonable for her to worry that Lin Xiang might change her mind halfway through.

"Auntie, I believe Chef Shen has already explained the origin of this spot to you. The leadership gave me a chance to re-enroll in school and recommended me for the second year of high school at the town’s No. 1 Middle School. The job opportunity at the textile mill was given to me by Director Chen as a favor I could pass on."

"Chef Shen helped me, and because of that, I not only earned money but also gained such a wonderful opportunity. I wanted to return the favor, so I asked him first if he had anyone in need. As for changing my mind, you needn't worry. Once we’ve settled the details today, I will personally take you to the textile mill to report for duty."

"You can pay me the agreed-upon amount once the position is finalized."

This way, the Niu family, having secured the job, wouldn't have to worry about any last-minute changes. Lin Xiang wasn't worried about them going back on their word either; not only was Chef Shen involved, but she could also go directly to Director Chen to reclaim the spot.

Satisfied, Shen Aihua relaxed and kept urging Lin Xiang to eat and drink. Shortly after, Shen Aihua's daughter, Niu Tiantian, returned.

"Tiantian, this is Lin Xiang. Why don't you two have a chat?"

Niu Tiantian was about the same age as Lin Xiang and clearly a girl well-raised by her family. Her personality was steady and polite; even though the spot was bought with money, she expressed her sincere gratitude to Lin Xiang. She was a thousand times better than Yu Fang.

After a few minutes of conversation, Shen Aihua went to prepare lunch.

"Auntie, please don't make a portion for me," Lin Xiang said quickly. "Once we finish our business, I need to go to the hardware store to buy some things, and then I must head home. I have things to take care of there."

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

Lin Xiang answered honestly, "I want to sell sweet potato starch noodles at the market, but making them by hand is too slow, so I want to build a machine to help. I need some hardware parts."

Niu Tiantian looked at Lin Xiang with admiration. "You actually know how to build a machine? How are you so talented?"

Lin Xiang laughed sheepishly. "I just tinkered and drew up a blueprint; my brother will have to do the actual construction. I’m not very handy."

"But knowing how to design a machine is impressive enough!"

Lin Xiang was used to praising others, so being praised herself felt a bit embarrassing.

Shen Aihua smiled and said, "Tiantian's father works at the hardware factory. He’ll be home for lunch soon. Just tell him what you need, and he can pick it up for you at the factory."

"That works too; the hardware factory would have a better selection. I’ll trouble your husband, then."

While Shen Aihua cooked, Niu Tiantian chatted with Lin Xiang. She had subconsciously assumed that since Lin Xiang grew up in the countryside, her perspective would be narrow. But after a few sentences, she realized she was the one with the narrow view.

"When my uncle came home yesterday to talk about this, I was wondering why anyone would be so foolish as to give up a job at the textile mill to go to school."

"Even though the college entrance exam has been restored, isn't the end goal of schooling just to get a job? You could have started working and earning money immediately; why waste years studying?"

Although university graduates were guaranteed job placements, there was no guarantee the assigned work would be better than being a textile worker. Niu Tiantian simply couldn't understand why Lin Xiang would choose the long, winding road when there was a shortcut.

Lin Xiang gathered her thoughts before replying: "It’s true that the end goal of schooling is to get a job, but education enriches my world. To put it another way, I only have this spot because I know a foreign language and can serve as a translator. My opportunities didn't just appear out of thin air."

"The more I learn and the more skills I master, the higher my chances of seizing future opportunities. If another chance like this comes along, I’ll be even better equipped to grab it, wouldn't I?"

If it happened once, it could happen a second or third time. Lin Xiang didn't believe that being a textile worker was her ultimate destiny. Although she didn't know how long she would stay here, securing a bright future for the original owner of this body was the price she paid for borrowing it.

After hearing Lin Xiang’s analysis, Niu Tiantian gave her a thumbs up. "Your perspective is so broad. I believe you’ll definitely achieve great things in the future!"

Unlike her, who had to rely on her family's money to secure a spot.

Sensing Niu Tiantian’s low spirits, Lin Xiang comforted her: "But you are very lucky; you have a family that loves and cares for you. As soon as I mentioned the spot, Chef Shen didn't hesitate for a second to secure it for you."

"Eight hundred yuan is a lot, but the fact that your parents were willing to spend such a large sum to buy you a job shows they truly cherish you. Compared to many people, you are already very, very happy. Not everyone is as fortunate as you."

Hearing this, Niu Tiantian perked up. She lifted her chin, looking quite proud. "That's true, my family loves me so much!"

As they were talking, Niu’s father returned, carrying a net bag containing two cans of malted milk and a few shriveled-looking apples. Malted milk was easy enough to buy with money, but even ugly apples were in limited supply and expensive; many people didn't even have the eligibility to buy them, regardless of how much money they had.

"Dad, you're back!"

Niu Tiantian greeted him and took the net bag. "Why did you buy two cans of malted milk? Didn't I tell you to buy one at a time? If they stay open too long, they won't taste as good."

"Who said both cans were for you? You’re getting a bit greedy, aren't you?" Niu’s father said, affectionately pinching the tip of her nose.