Lin Chuxia casually asked about her situation. Even though Huamei Mall is extremely busy during the year-end period, if Jiang Hong wanted to request leave to go back to her hometown, Wang Tianxue would still approve it for her.
After all, last year, Jiang Hong didnāt return home for the New Year because she was heavily pregnant.
Jiang Hong already had plans. "Iām definitely not going back home for the New Year. You have no idea; Manager Wang mentioned earlier that anyone who stays to work at the mall during those days will get an extra bonus. Even without this bonus, our Huamei Mall earns commissions from selling clothes. You have no idea; so many people have been coming in to buy clothes lately as if our clothes are free. Thanks to our large stock from before, but even so, many styles are sold out. Iāve calculated that the salary I can earn this month is double that of any other month. No way Iām going to waste such a good opportunity to make money. I told my Li Wei if he wants to go home for the New Year, he can go alone and also take his mom and son with him. Iām staying here to make money."
As she spoke, she scooted closer to Lin Chuxia. "I previously mentioned working at your place, but he just thought I was bored and didnāt take my earning potential seriously. Guess what happened when last monthās salary was issued?"
Lin Chuxia blinked with curiosity, and Jiang Hong smiled triumphantly.
"Last month, I earned 82 yuan, and Li Weiās salary was only 80 yuan, two less than mine. You should have seen Li Weiās face, as if I was lying to him. He refused to believe I earned that 82 yuan and accused me of borrowing money from my colleagues to deceive him. I threw the payslip in his face, and after looking at it twice, he finally believed that I can not only earn money but earn more than him. Oh, after so many years, I finally got to relish in a bit of pride. And not just that, ever since then, if I get off work late, he would come to the mall to pick me up. He even started helping with reheating meals at home. Chuxia, you have no ideaāto have him set foot in the kitchen is a miracle. Even when I was pregnant and couldnāt stand the smell of cooking oil, he would still only bring food back from the cafeteria. I never thought one day heād actually cook for me. Oh, the feeling of turning the tables..."
Lin Chuxia was also amused by her demeanor.
"Iāve come to understand that the economic foundation really determines the superstructure. So, Iām not going home for the New Year; Iāll just stay in Yan City and earn a lot of money, buy whatever I want, and never rely on those stinky men again."
"You have ambition," Lin Chuxia gave her a thumbs-up. "In the end, did Li Wei actually take your mother-in-law and son back home?"
Jiang Hong chuckled again in satisfaction. "No way, let me tell you something you might laugh at," she looked around before lowering her voice to Lin Chuxiaās ear, "heās worried that if he leaves me here alone, Iāll be snatched away by another man. Lately, heās been acting weird, not even letting me wear new clothes to work. When he sees me in new clothes with lipstick, he gives me the glare, as if Iām out there cheating on him. He should really think it over; look at meāwith a kid and everythingāwhat man would be interested?"
Lin Chuxia just smiled without saying anything. Naturally friendly, Jiang Hong quickly got along with her colleagues in the mall.
The salesgirls in the mall are mostly young and fashionable, so sheās changed quite a bit with them.
And since she deals with clothes all day, her fashion sense has definitely improved from before.
Just look at her outfit todayāshe stands out wherever she is.
With a wife like her and also a wife who can make money, itās only natural for Li Wei to feel a sense of crisis.
Thatās why they say women should always be self-reliant and independent, not just clinging to someone like a morning glory, so the other side will always be on edge.
Lin Chuxia, carrying the preserved plums Jiang Hong brought, grabbed her luggage and headed straight to Qinās Restaurant to pick up Little Ningning.
Ningning was already on winter break and usually spent most of her time at Old Mrs. Jiaās. When she heard they were going back to Qin Family Village early, the little girl was overjoyed, quickly packing her bag and clothes, waiting at the restaurant for Lin Chuxia to pick her up.
Before Lin Chuxiaās jeep even parked at the restaurant entrance, the little girl had already run out.
Qin Juan and Jia Liang followed behind, constantly reminding her to slow down, but she didnāt decrease her speed at all.
The restaurant wasnāt busy at the moment, so Lin Chuxia, feeling lazy, just lay against the car window speaking to the people outside.
"Big Sis, rest assured as I take Ningning. In a few days when the restaurant officially closes for vacation, Iāll have Qin Yang come pick you up, along with Jianjun and Master. Theyāll return together too."
Qin Jianjun still had to wait until the end of the year for his market job to let him off, and Sister-in-law Gong still had two acupuncture sessions before the New Year, plus Old Sir He couldnāt manage without him.
Luckily, Qin Jianjun was staying with Old Sir He, so Lin Chuxia didnāt have too much to worry about.
Qin Juan smiled and agreed, while Jia Liang stood beside, itching to speak.
Lin Chuxia gave him an out, "Is there a problem? Do you think the restaurantās vacation is too early, or is it just hard to manage staff scheduling?"
Jia Liang: "..."
This wasnāt quite the out he was hoping for.
Sometimes, Jia Liang thinks Mr. Lin can be quite bad, being so smart and knowing exactly what he wanted to say.
Purposefully diverting the topic, evaporating all the courage he had mustered.
Seeing Lin Chuxiaās smiling eyes, Jia Liang took a deep breath, deciding to be straightforward. "Iāll go back together with Master then, Mr. Lin, would you mind informing Uncle and Aunt for me?"
Upon his words, Qin Juan quickly turned her head, her face immediately turning red.
Lin Chuxia blinked, "Why do you want to return together with Master? Havenāt you already sold your house in An City? What about Aunt Jia if you go back? And why are you asking me to inform your uncle and auntātheyāre not even people I know."
Jia Liangās face turned bright red as well. Qin Juan couldnāt stand it any longer and went back to the restaurant without even a word to her daughter, her head hung low.
Jia Liang, face flushed with a helpless smile, said, "Mr. Lin, please... please donāt tease me. Juanzi finally agreed to it."
Qin Yang couldnāt bear his silliness anymore and started the engine, "Letās go."
As the jeep gradually pulled away from the restaurant, Lin Chuxia could still see Jia Liangās bewildered look in the rearview mirror and chuckled softly.
"So simple, I really donāt know what my big sis sees in him," Qin Yang quipped from the side.
Before Lin Chuxia could reply, Little Ningning from the back chimed in.
"Uncle Jia is not silly at all; Uncle Jia is very nice. He buys toys and treats for me, and he picks me up and drops me off from school. Many of my classmates think heās my dad and donāt dare to bully me. Even Chun Cao asked me if she could borrow Uncle Jia for a few days. She wants a dad who seems really strong and cool too."
"And how did Ningning respond?"