Courtyard House: Purchasing Agents' Comeback from the Great Famine

After finishing her cooking and getting off work, Qin Jingru went straight back to Courtyard No. 95.

As soon as Qin Jingru entered the front yard, the three older women stopped her and offered to lift the back seat of her bicycle for her.

"Oh, it's Jingru back."

Qin Jingru smiled and nodded: "Third Aunt, is there anything I can help you with?"

The third auntie grinned and said, "Jingru, I heard you got a job at the steel rolling mill and became the head chef of the third canteen. You're really capable."

Qin Jingru frowned slightly. She hadn't expected that the news of her becoming a chef at the steel rolling mill would spread so quickly throughout the courtyard.

"Auntie, is something wrong? I need to get home quickly to cook for my husband, Wang Feng."

The three women grinned and said in a fawning tone:

"Jingru, I heard from my husband Jiecheng today that you flipped the wok for him in the cafeteria. Auntie San knows about it. You suspect that my husband Jiecheng strangled your chicken, but Jiecheng swore a solemn oath. You should believe Auntie San, this was definitely not Jiecheng's doing. We are neighbors in the same courtyard. Please don't flip the wok for Jiecheng anymore, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Jingru frowned and said coldly, "Third Aunt, don't talk nonsense. I have never flipped the wok for anyone. There are so many people serving food, and sometimes it's too busy, so it's normal to serve more or less food than usual."

"Yes, Auntie, don't wrong Jingru. Jingru is such a good girl. Why would she let someone else flip the wok?" Aunt Wu said as she walked over.

"Jingru, congratulations."

Qin Jingru smiled sweetly: "Thank you, Aunt Wu."

When the third aunt saw Aunt Wu speaking up for Qin Jingru, she snorted coldly:

"Aunt Wu, don't talk nonsense if you don't know the situation. My Jiecheng just told us that Jingru tossed the food in the wok for him at noon today. He ordered three cornbread buns and a cabbage, and Jingru picked out three of the smallest cornbread buns for him, smaller than two normal ones. The cabbage was just some watery bits left, with only two leaves. Tell me, what else is that if not tossing the food in the wok?"

Qin Jingru snorted coldly and said, "Third Aunt, I already told you that it's normal for the amount of food served to vary. If Yan Jiecheng is not satisfied, he can go to another window or eat at another cafeteria."

After saying that, Qin Jingru didn't even glance at the third aunt, smiled and nodded at Aunt Wu, then pushed her bicycle and walked towards the central courtyard.

When she arrived at the Intermediate People's Court and saw that her door was locked, she knew that Wang Feng should be in courtyard number 28.

Just as he was about to turn around and head to courtyard number 28, Qin Huairu opened the door and came out.

"Jingru, wait a minute, I have something to tell you."

Qin Huairu had been looking out the window from inside the room; she had been deliberately waiting for Qin Jingru today.

Qin Jingru turned around and saw Qin Huairu walking towards her. She frowned and asked:

"Qin Huairu, what's wrong?"

Qin Huairu came to Qin Jingru's side and said with a smile, "Jingru, what's wrong with you? You're not even calling me 'sister' anymore? I'm your own cousin, haven't you forgotten how you used to pester me to take you to play when you were little?"

"And also, Jingru, when you were little..."

Qin Huairu was still rambling on and on when Qin Jingru raised her hand to interrupt her. She could smell a foul odor coming from Qin Huairu.

Qin Jingru covered her nose and said coldly, "Qin Huairu, how dare you call yourself my cousin? The day after I married into the family, she came to me to borrow money and food. Your mother-in-law beat and scolded me, and you just stood by and watched. Is this something a cousin would do?"

"Qin Huairu, what's wrong with you? You stink all over. Did you fall into a latrine? Alright, get to the point. I'm busy."

Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu wasn't angry; instead, she explained with a pitiful expression:

"Jingru, you know my family's situation. My mother-in-law was punished by having to clean the toilets for a month, so she made my sister do it. Waaah, Jingru, my life is so hard!"

As she spoke, Qin Huairu began to cry.

"My family is really struggling. Banggeng and Xiaodang are always crying for food. And you know my mother-in-law's personality. I really don't dare to help you. Otherwise, when I get home, I'll get a beating from her again."

Fearing that Qin Jingru wouldn't believe her, Qin Huairu rolled up her sleeves, revealing her snow-white arms, which were covered in bruises and looked extremely eerie.

Seeing this, Qin Jingru was also shocked. It seemed that Qin Huairu's life in the Jia family was even more miserable than she had imagined.

"Qin Huairu, I just got off work and haven't eaten yet. Do you have something to say? I don't have time to chat with you," Qin Jingru said, frowning.

Seeing that Qin Jingru was somewhat impatient, Qin Huairu asked directly:

"Jingru, I wanted to ask you how you got into the steel rolling mill, and who taught you your cooking skills? I never realized you were such a good cook before, you could even be the head chef in the factory."

"Also, Jingru, since you can get into the steel rolling mill, do you think of a way to get your sister into the steel rolling mill too? It would be best if she could work in the kitchen as well."

Upon hearing this, Qin Jingru laughed. She thought Qin Huairu was just trying to chat with her, but she didn't expect Qin Huairu to be holding back a big move, trying to take advantage of her again.

Qin Huairu tried to grab Qin Jingru's hand, but Qin Jingru dodged it.

"Jingru, sob sob, please help your sister. If I can get a job at the steel mill, I'll have a voice in the Jia family, and my mother-in-law won't beat me so easily anymore. Jingru, please help your sister this once. Banggeng and I will definitely repay you for this kindness in the future."

Qin Jingru sneered, "Qin Huairu, all you ever think about is taking advantage of others. Do you know how much a workstation in a steel rolling mill is worth? At least eight hundred yuan. You're just talking nonsense, trying to get me to get you into the steel rolling mill. Do you really think this steel rolling mill is my family's property?"

"Or are you asking me to pay for your workstation? Do you really think I owe you something?"

"Qin Huairu, don't bother me anymore. It's always about borrowing money or food, and now you want me to buy you a workstation? You... I don't even know what to say to you."

With that, Qin Jingru turned to leave. She was annoyed just seeing Qin Huairu, who did nothing but think about taking advantage of others all day long.

"Waaaaah, Jingru, your sister really has no other choice, Jingru, please help your sister."

Qin Huairu wiped away her tears and cried in grievance. When she saw that Qin Jingru had walked three meters away, she became anxious.

"Jingru, please help me. Once I start working, I will slowly pay you back the money I spent on the workstation."

Qin Jingru turned around and scoffed, "Qin Huairu, do you even believe what you're saying? When has your Jia family ever paid back the money and things they borrowed? Besides, I don't have any money. This is only my first day at work, where would I get the money to buy you a workstation? Even if I have money in the future, I still have an older brother. Won't I buy him a workstation?"

After saying that, Qin Jingru didn't give Qin Huairu a chance to speak, and pushed her bicycle towards the front yard.