Cheng Su hadn’t 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 don’t you co in and sit down first?"
The woman nodded eagerly, took her daughter’s hand, and followed Cheng Su inside.
"Would you like so water?" Cheng Su, noticing their lips were sowhat chapped, casually offered.
"If it’s 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 imdiately 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 ca here yesterday. I’ve been going around looking for a job ever since, but to no avail," the woman replied.
"What’s your na?"
"My na is Shi Ling, this is my girl, Xiaohua. We both co from Ning County in the Shu region," Shi Ling said.
Ning County, wasn’t 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 ho was destroyed, and... my man died. I had no choice but to co out to work."
Cheng Su’s heart tightened as she said, "The governnt will provide relief, and afterward, reconstruction will allow you to return ho and start over."
"No..." Shi Ling reacted strongly, shaking her head, "I don’t want to go back there, it’s a nightmare for us. We don’t want to go back."
Cheng Su fell silent, seeing how closely the little girl clung to Shi Ling, appearing timid, and couldn’t help feeling a twinge of softness in her heart.
"So there’s no one else in your family?" Cheng Su asked.
Shi Ling shook her head and, embracing her daughter, said, "It’s 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 al tis a day. You also have a child with no one to watch her. What will you do with your child while you’re working?" Cheng Su asked, her eyes filled with pity as she looked at Xiaohua.
Shi Ling’s expression changed as she said, "My Xiaohua is very well-behaved. She just needs a stool to sit on, and she won’t run around." After a pause, she added, "Xiaohua is also very sensible; she usually helps with washing vegetables and cooking. She won’t get in the way of my work. If possible, she could even help with peeling garlic."
Xiaohua blinked at Cheng Su and said, "Auntie, I’ll be good."
"Boss, I’ve been looking for the past two days. Others, upon hearing I have a daughter, are unwilling to hire , but I’m really out of options. I, I’m out of money," Shi Ling suddenly knelt down in front of Cheng Su, pleading, "If you’re willing to hire , you don’t have to pay 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."
"I’m 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.
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