Song Tan's Notes

Huo Xueying had wanted to change jobs for a long time.

I used to be single, so I could tolerate it, but now that I'm in a relationship, I don't have much time to spend with my boyfriend, and my stingy boss always wants me to do the work of three people, so I'm working more and more overtime.

But for someone like her with no outstanding professional skills, jumping from job to job means encountering pretty much the same bosses, so it's just a thought.

I've finally resigned after much deliberation, but I haven't heard anything about a new job yet, which is putting a lot of pressure on me.

Upon seeing Song Tan's message, she habitually declined: "I haven't decided on a new job yet, and I plan to take this opportunity to go for a couple more interviews..."

Song Tan knew the hardships of working people, so she didn't try to persuade him further, only saying simply:
There are frequent high-speed trains from Ningcheng to Yuncheng, and the journey takes two hours. From the station to my home, there's a village shuttle bus that takes about 70-80 minutes.

[A guesthouse where you don't need to bring anything and can check in directly—or you can stay at my cousin's place if you feel too shy.]

You can eat with me every day, or if you're still shy, you can eat at the canteen on the mountain.

If you're unhappy, come stay for a couple of days after you get a job offer. You can come after get off work on Friday night and go back on Saturday night.

After posting all that, Song Tan thought for a moment and added another sentence:
It's okay if you don't have time. I'm about to pick peaches anyway, so I'll send you a box when I'm done.

Huo Xueying: ...

Her expression was wistful when she suddenly reached out and tugged at her cheek—ouch! It didn't hurt! That proves she has thick skin!

So she quickly sent a message: "Can my boyfriend drive there?"

She hasn't even put her driver's license into practice yet!
After thinking for a moment, he added, "Please, rich woman!"

……

Zheng Qu hadn't even finished get off work when he received a call from his girlfriend: "We're going to Yuncheng on Friday, to Song Tan's house. Are you free? If you are, think about what you can bring from home!"

Zheng Qu: ...? ? ? So suddenly? Today is Thursday!
"I haven't asked for leave yet..." he said instinctively, but his girlfriend was already anxiously saying:

"No need to ask for leave. I'll drive there Friday night and come back on Sunday night. Song Tan said it'll cover food and accommodation—if you're not going, I'll take the high-speed rail myself!"

Zheng Qu remembered the handful of fried rice his girlfriend would only share with him, and chuckled, "Are you planning to eat some and take some with you?"

Otherwise, with her secretive way of speaking, she would never have shared this good news with me.

Huo Xueying retorted confidently, "Just tell me whether I've been thinking about you or not!"

There must still be some.

Zheng Qu quickly said, "Then don't rush to prepare things. There are still a lot of gifts from people in my dorm. I'll pack them all into the car tonight."

Huo Xueying thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll prepare some local specialties and snacks..."

To my shame, I can't afford anything more expensive. After years of hard work, I'm still so poor.

After hanging up the phone, Zheng Qu was also full of anticipation. Recently, the higher-ups had been very busy, but their secretariat was doing well. They could go on trips within the province on Saturdays and Sundays without any problems!

It's a good opportunity to take a photo with Song Tan's family photo wall and see how our big boss is positioned in the corner.

He was overjoyed, but when he returned to his office, he saw Director Wang's back again and was taken aback: "Is there a mission?"

My colleague shook his head: "No, I just asked about some things that happened this week..."

I guess they're making work plans for next week. Sigh, being a leader, especially one who wants to get things done, is really not a quiet job.

Meanwhile, Secretary Wang happily took her teacup to see her boss: "I've confirmed several times that there are no urgent matters to be done this week—boss, shall we depart on Friday or Saturday?"

The leader hesitated for a moment: "Friday, I think. I remember the peak tourist season is on Saturdays and Sundays? I'll have to find some time to check out the village's current profit model."

“Okay,” Secretary Wang said expectantly, “I’ll book the room first. I’ll also make an appointment with the doctor while I’m at it.”

The leader is traveling discreetly, so it's definitely not just the two of them. He also has to arrange which car they'll be driving.

As Secretary Wang considered all these arrangements, a sense of anticipation grew within him.

……

Their decision was swift and decisive, but it earned Song Tan another scolding from Wulan:

"Look, I asked your friend if she was coming, and you said she didn't have time, but she came as soon as I asked! Next time, be more sincere and give her a call! Or video chat!"

Song Tan: "..."

"Mom, we young people today don't like this way of greeting. If you have something to say, just say it. Why do you need to video chat or make a phone call?"

Ulan scoffed at this: "If you don't say it to their face, but just ask a couple of questions, people will think you're not sincere and will be too embarrassed to come."

"Come on! Invite all the other friends over. We have help this year, so we won't be too busy to entertain everyone."

Another thing is that the debt is gone, so people no longer need to pay money to look at the crops in the fields, and they are more generous when giving them away.

In short, although Wulan often scolded Song Sancheng for being too lenient, in reality, two people can't sleep in the same bed, and she was no exception.

Hearing Song Tan repeatedly emphasize that there was no one else, she sighed, "When I was young, everyone was struggling financially, but I still had several friends. How come you're not even as well off as me? Don't you have any classmates worth calling?"

Song Tan thought about it carefully.

I have finished thinking.

She said solemnly, "The one I remember among my classmates is Teacher Xin's ex-girlfriend, my rich classmate Qianqian."

Ulan couldn't agree: "I saw Qianqian when she came to harvest rice last time. No wonder she and Teacher Xin aren't meant to be. She looks so slow-witted..."

"No, no, don't invite her. No matter how rich she is, don't invite her."

“Our Xin Jun is good-looking and a good person, so we need to find someone who has all the right qualities to be suitable.”

That's a very fair way to put it; it's clear they genuinely treat him like family.

Remembering this topic, Ulan also became a little anxious:

"If Yanping can get a job, why hasn't Teacher Xin made a move yet? There are still too few people in our village..."

Just then, Zhang Yanping arrived and immediately became displeased upon hearing this: "What do you mean by 'Yanping can talk about it'? I'm a handsome, knowledgeable, and cultured young man, okay?"

He looked fierce, his face contorted with malice, and instead of showing any sign of grievance, he exuded a sense of threat.

Ulandu subconsciously lowered his voice: "Then, shall I say it again?"

Zhang Yanping: ...I feel wronged!
I feel so wronged. Surely my girlfriend isn't the only one in the world who can recognize a good quality?

He turned away angrily, his face tense and menacing as he walked toward the clinic.

Ulan gazed at his retreating figure, then hesitated and said, "Many of Dr. Guo's patients are regulars, so they shouldn't be afraid, right?"

But no one responded to his words.

Upon closer inspection, Song Tan was showing Lu Chuan her phone screen:
"The college students asked, 'Can we bring our family members?'" (End of Chapter)