When Director Liu mentioned the “deputy director,” there was a subtle change in everyone’s expression, and their smiles faded.
Xue Ling caught this and guessed that the deputy director might not have great popularity, making a mental note of it.
Director Liu instructed the personnel department to register her for work today, so Xue Ling took the opportunity to start her job and familiarize herself with her colleagues and tasks.
After tidying up her desk, Wang Qing handed over all the materials for the English column. Since the column was relatively new, with only a few issues published so far, the materials were limited, and the handover was quickly completed.
Lunch was provided by the newspaper, and it was served promptly at noon.
The gatekeeper and the kitchen lady each carried a large bucket and distributed two aluminum lunch boxes to each person, one containing rice and the other with vegetables and meat. The portions were generous, and Xue Ling couldn’t finish it all.
Wang Qing, seated beside her, kindly reminded her in a low voice, “This is a benefit from the newspaper, and everyone gets the same amount. Girls usually can’t finish it, and many people take the leftovers home. The lunch boxes are collected when the lady brings hot water in the morning, so it won’t be wasted.”
Xue Ling noted this and smiled, saying, “In that case, I’ll leave some of the meatballs and sausage. Eating too much meat can make you gain weight.”
After spending these days together, she had noticed that Cheng Tianyuan was extremely frugal and rarely ate meat. Whenever they went out to eat, he would order mostly vegetarian dishes.
If she were to buy food directly for him, he would probably refuse. However, if it was leftovers from lunch, he was so thrifty that he wouldn’t want to waste it.
Thinking about this, she secretly smiled to herself.
After a one-and-a-half-hour lunch break, afternoon work began.
Xue Ling was a graduate in English, well-versed in her field, so she quickly went through several issues of the column and even prepared a summary.
When one gets busy, it’s easy to lose track of time. In the blink of an eye, it was already 4:30, and her colleagues started leaving one by one.
Liu Xing explained with a smile, “We start work at 8 in the morning, and it’s usually fine if you’re a bit late, as it’s only a ten-minute walk. We have a lunch break of over an hour, and we finish work at 5 in the afternoon. If there’s unfinished work that needs to be rushed, we can arrange for overtime on our own.”
Xue Ling nodded, remembering this, and began packing up to leave as well.
Ronghua County had introduced city buses around the town last year, but there were only three routes, and Xue Ling, being new to the area, wasn’t familiar with them.
Wang Qing was a local and commuted by bus every day. She mentioned that she stayed in a small inn near the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, so she proactively informed Xue Ling to take Bus Line Three.
“It’s been more than ten minutes, why hasn’t the bus arrived yet?” Xue Ling muttered impatiently.
The town wasn’t large, and it seemed like she needed to buy a bicycle for commuting. Waiting too long for the bus was time-consuming.
Wang Qing smiled and said, “You’ll get used to it. It’s not like the big cities in the capital. By the way, are you planning to rent a place nearby?”
Xue Ling replied, “Yes, the newspaper doesn’t have dormitories, so I plan to look for a place nearby.”
Wang Qing thought for a moment and suggested, “A few days ago, I went to eat on Songming Road with a friend, and I saw two houses for rent next to the restaurant. You can check them out.”
“Songming Road? Alright, thanks!” Xue Ling replied with a smile.
Wang Qing blushed slightly and whispered, “But those houses are quite spacious, so they might not be cheap. If they are too big for you, you can consider sharing with someone.”
A glint of excitement flashed in Xue Ling’s beautiful eyes, but she quickly concealed it.
Cheng Tianyuan lived in the dormitory above the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. His mother had mentioned before that several men shared a room, and it was quite cramped with poor hygiene. However, he was frugal and reluctant to rent outside. When he left, his mother suggested that if Xue Ling were to join him in working there, it might be better for them to rent a small house together. It could provide both a place to live and convenience for their meals.
That might be a good idea!
After waiting for a while, the bus finally arrived.
Xue Ling hurriedly got on the bus and reached the inn at around 5:30.
After finishing work, Cheng Tianyuan borrowed a bicycle from a colleague and eagerly arrived at the inn.
When he knocked on the door, there was no response. So he took the key and opened the door to find the room empty and cold.
Thinking that it was her first day at work and she might have had to adjust to many things, he patiently waited in the room.
After about fifteen minutes, hurried footsteps echoed in the inn’s staircase.
Cheng Tianyuan stood by the window, noticing that the sky was getting dark, and his thick eyebrows furrowed slightly.
He still had to do odd jobs in the evening, and it seemed he wouldn’t have time to take her house-hunting tonight. Well, he’d have to let her stay one more night.
The door suddenly burst open!
Xue Ling rushed in, panting heavily. As soon as she entered, she bent over, hands on her knees, and took several deep breaths before recovering.
Cheng Tianyuan turned to her, a hint of sympathy in his eyes.
“Why did you run so fast? It’s not that late. Is your job confirmed?” Xue Ling nodded, catching her breath as she replied, “Yes, I started work today, and it went quite smoothly.”
Cheng Tianyuan secretly rejoiced for her. Finding a relaxed job that quickly was not easy.
“You look tired. How about we wait until tomorrow to look for a house?”
“No! I wanted to come back to look for a house, or else there would be no need to rush like this,” Xue Ling said, placing her work bag down and explaining with a smile, “This bag is from the newspaper.”
Cheng Tianyuan didn’t entirely agree but explained, “It’s getting dark, and house-hunting is no small matter. Let’s wait until tomorrow.”
Xue Ling thought for a moment and asked, “Do you know the area around Songming Road? I heard there are houses for rent there. Would you accompany me to check it out?”
Staying in the inn cost six yuan a day, and if she could find a place to rent by tomorrow noon, she could save on a few days’ meals.
Cheng Tianyuan, seeing her determination, thought about having a bicycle and how it wasn’t far to that area. He nodded in agreement.
The two of them quickly went downstairs.
Xue Ling looked at the somewhat rusty rear seat and, despite its dirtiness, didn’t mind. She hopped onto it and wrapped her right arm around Cheng Tianyuan’s waist, leaning against his back.
Cheng Tianyuan’s back instantly stiffened.
She was sitting so close…
Xue Ling was very aware of Cheng Tianyuan’s reaction, but she concealed her amusement and put on a concerned expression.
“Big Brother Yuan, let’s hurry!”
Cheng Tianyuan cleared his throat and replied with a faint “Mm,” then pushed off the ground with a long leg. The bicycle wobbled briefly before smoothly speeding forward.
He was skilled at riding, and they quickly navigated two streets before turning onto a major road.
“Songming Road is just up ahead.”
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