Cheng Su hadnāt expected that her job posting would draw inquiries in less than half a day, but upon reflection, it made sense since her shop was located near the train station where foot traffic was at its densest. Moreover, there were plenty of travelers seeking work, who, if they were paying attention, would naturally spot it.
As she sized up the two people once again, Cheng Su was about to speak when the woman said, "I can do anything."
Cheng Su pursed her lips and said, "Why donāt you come in and sit down first?"
The woman nodded eagerly, took her daughterās hand, and followed Cheng Su inside.
"Would you like some water?" Cheng Su, noticing their lips were somewhat chapped, casually offered.
"If itās possible, then thank you," the woman replied after swallowing.
Cheng Su glanced at the large insulated container in the dining area, poured two cups of water, and placed them in front of them.
The woman immediately took the cup and drank it up, as did the little girl; clearly, both were desperately thirsty.
"Did you just arrive in Qing City? Just got off the train?" Cheng Su started to inquire.
"No, we came here yesterday. Iāve been going around looking for a job ever since, but to no avail," the woman replied.
"Whatās your name?"
"My name is Shi Ling, this is my girl, Xiaohua. We both come from Ning County in the Shu region," Shi Ling said.
Ning County, wasnāt that the place that had just experienced an earthquake?
Cheng Su paused, then said, "There was an earthquake over there, you..."
Shi Ling lowered her head and said, "Yes, in the earthquake, our home was destroyed, and... my man died. I had no choice but to come out to work."
Cheng Suās heart tightened as she said, "The government will provide relief, and afterward, reconstruction will allow you to return home and start over."
"No..." Shi Ling reacted strongly, shaking her head, "I donāt want to go back there, itās a nightmare for us. We donāt want to go back."
Cheng Su fell silent, seeing how closely the little girl clung to Shi Ling, appearing timid, and couldnāt help feeling a twinge of softness in her heart.
"So thereās no one else in your family?" Cheng Su asked.
Shi Ling shook her head and, embracing her daughter, said, "Itās just the two of us now, there is nobody else."
Cheng Su sighed inwardly.
"I can do anything, wash dishes, sweep floors, all of it," Shi Ling emphasized once more.
"I am indeed hiring, but as you know, this is a restaurant, and we serve during two meal times a day. You also have a child with no one to watch her. What will you do with your child while youāre working?" Cheng Su asked, her eyes filled with pity as she looked at Xiaohua.
Shi Lingās expression changed as she said, "My Xiaohua is very well-behaved. She just needs a stool to sit on, and she wonāt run around." After a pause, she added, "Xiaohua is also very sensible; she usually helps me with washing vegetables and cooking. She wonāt get in the way of my work. If possible, she could even help with peeling garlic."
Xiaohua blinked at Cheng Su and said, "Auntie, Iāll be good."
"Boss, Iāve been looking for the past two days. Others, upon hearing I have a daughter, are unwilling to hire me, but Iām really out of options. I, Iām out of money," Shi Ling suddenly knelt down in front of Cheng Su, pleading, "If youāre willing to hire me, you donāt have to pay me right away. Just providing us with food and a place to stay would be enough."
Cheng Su was taken aback and quickly stepped aside, then reached out to help her: "Hey, hey, sister, please get up."
"Iām begging you," Shi Ling started crying, "We really have nowhere else to go."
Her crying set Xiaohua off too, and the noise disturbed the people resting upstairs.