Back to the 1970s: Building My Fortune Through Time Trading

Chapter 206: Currying Favor with Su Xiaoxiao

Can’t a person have a peaceful meal around here?

Su Wenbing stood up to open the door.

Could it be that Second Aunt and her son have shamelessly come back?

"Grandpa Wang?"

Luckily, it was Grandpa Wang from the village standing at the door this time.

Grandpa Wang peered into the house: "Wenbing, is your third sister at home? I have something to ask her."

Grandpa Wang had always been good to them since they were kids. Back when Father Su passed away and the family struggled, he even lent them food voluntarily.

Seeing him, Su Wenbing felt a warm sense of kinship growing in his heart: "Grandpa Wang, please come in quickly, it’s chilly outside."

Grandpa Wang chuckled and patted him on the shoulder as he followed him inside.

Upon seeing it was Grandpa Wang, Liu Cuilan’s expression softened.

"Jianwu, hurry up and get a stool for your Grandpa Wang to join us for dinner."

After instructing Su Jianwu, she turned to Su Jianwen: "Go make a bowl of egg boiled in sugar water for Grandpa Wang."

She had always kept Grandpa Wang’s past kindness in mind.

Grandpa Wang quickly waved his hand: "You girl, I came to eat a meal, don’t make the kids busy. Save it for the kids to eat; it would be wasted on an old man like me."

Liu Cuilan glared: "Look at what you’re saying! How is that a waste? If you hadn’t lent us food back then, how could we have the good days we do now? The family is well-off now, and we can afford an egg boiled in sugar water."

Unable to refuse the hospitality, Grandpa Wang accepted the bowl of egg boiled in sugar water but insisted on not sitting at the table to eat.

After bustling around for a while, Liu Cuilan remembered to ask, "Uncle Wang, what do you need with our third child?"

Remembering his purpose for coming, Grandpa Wang felt a bit awkward. He rubbed his hands and looked at Su Xiaoxiao.

"Isn’t it that I’ve heard Grandma Liu had your Xiaoxiao help buy a sewing machine? It’s the electric kind; a tiny thing that works when plugged in, no need for a foot pedal."

"My grandson is getting married soon, and I’m thinking we need one too. Xiaoxiao, could you help think of a way?"

Ever since Grandma Liu bought an electric sewing machine from her, she had been spreading the word to everyone.

Anyone who visited would definitely get to see the sewing machine in action.

Su Wenbing and Su Fusheng were still clueless about the electric sewing machine, completely puzzled: "What’s an electric sewing machine? Aren’t those only used in factories? How could one be so small?"

Su Jianwu immediately straightened his back, looking disdainfully at his older brothers: "Look at you two, acting like you’ve never seen the world. That’s called a mini sewing machine, and our third child can help get one."

"Who’s calling me the third child? No respect!"

Liu Cuilan unceremoniously gave him a slap.

Su Jianwu pouted, covering his forehead: "Got it, third sister."

Grandpa Wang looked at Su Xiaoxiao with surprise: "Xiaoxiao girl, can you help me get one too?"

Su Xiaoxiao also had a good impression of Grandpa Wang, so she immediately nodded: "Alright, Grandpa Wang, I’ll give you an answer about the sewing machine tomorrow."

She couldn’t immediately agree because the word she spread before was that she needed someone to buy it on her behalf, so she needed to keep up appearances.

Although the family was a bit troubled by Zhang Guifang’s visit that evening, they still managed to have a good meal, and the family reunion wasn’t too affected.

After dinner, the family went to bed early.

Good food leads to a good mood, which naturally leads to a good sleep.

...

"Comrade Su, this is a chive pie my mom made for you to try."

"Comrade Su, I just bought some soup dumplings, they’re super fragrant, have one."

"Comrade Su, freshly baked osmanthus cake, it’s really good, try some."

In the morning, as soon as Su Xiaoxiao arrived at the department store, she was surrounded by a crowd.

Each person was eagerly trying to give her something.

Su Xiaoxiao was a little overwhelmed by the flattery. Since when had she become so popular?

Just then, Zhang Yulan walked in with her bag and frowned at the crowd around Su Xiaoxiao: "It’s about to be work time, what are you all doing gathered here? Trying to snatch work at the grocery counter?"

Someone pouted: "Sister Zhang, why do you sound so harsh? We’re all colleagues at the department store, what’s wrong with us getting close to Comrade Su?"

Zhang Yulan looked disdainful: "Why didn’t you get close before? Just because Xiaoxiao’s family recently got the canteen contract, you’re all eager to give gifts? Afraid others don’t know what you’re up to?"

"If you want a job, rely on yourself and work with your skills. If you only think about scheming and going through back doors, even if you get a job, no one will respect you."

These words made the surrounding people blush with embarrassment.

They indeed approached Su Xiaoxiao with the intention to curry favor, hoping for a job for their family members, since her family recently got the canteen contract.

Jobs were scarce in the city those days, and many former educated youths were returning to the city; everyone had one or two relatives struggling to find work.

They thought that cozying up could secure a job for a family member, which would be good.

But nobody was shameless enough to say it directly.

Then Zhang Yulan came and bluntly exposed their little schemes.

Now, no one wanted to continue sticking around.

Someone said, "Comrade Su, don’t misunderstand, I didn’t mean anything else, just wanted to be friends."

"Yeah, yeah, we’re definitely not trying to have you find jobs for our family members."

"Yes, yes, we’re all colleagues, just having a normal chat, don’t overthink it, Comrade Su."

Having said so much, Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t say much more.

But to avoid future issues and stop anyone from secretly seeking her help, she needed to drop a hint.

Work was already tiring enough, dealing with people trying all sorts of tricks was even more exhausting.

She cleared her throat and said: "Rest assured, everyone, I know my limits and won’t mistake your intentions. This canteen belongs to our department store. My mom and sister are essentially working for it, but they don’t have the power to decide who gets employed. They were just lucky this time. Since the leaders value them, they’ll definitely work hard at their jobs. I hope everyone can look after my mom and sister in the future, and any feedback is welcome. I’m thanking you all in advance on their behalf."

She spoke sincerely, letting everyone know that hiring employees in the canteen wasn’t related to her mom and sister. If anyone needed to talk about jobs, they should go to the leaders.

With these words, everyone quickly understood that the department store’s canteen decisions were up to the higher-ups, and currying favor with Su Xiaoxiao wouldn’t help.

Expressions on their faces tightened, and after bidding farewell to Su Xiaoxiao, they dispersed.

Su Xiaoxiao playfully winked at Zhang Yulan beside her: "Sister Zhang, thanks for stepping in just now."

The two were about to head back to the counter when an angry voice shouted from behind.