Sun Ling was so angered by the two of them ganging up on her that she nearly fainted. She glared fiercely at Chen Lishu and Zhang Xue, her nostrils occasionally puffing out rough breaths.
Chen Lishu looked at her and said with a half-smile, "What does Yang Lili's money have to do with you? Why should she explain it to you? You lost money, and she happened to have some, so it must be yours? How can you be so presumptuous?"
Sun Ling wanted to speak, but Chen Lishu gave her no chance, continuing, "If we follow your logic, anyone who can produce over thirty yuan is a suspect. I guarantee there aren't many in the class who are innocent, are there?"
Sun Ling choked, "Who would be so idle as to carry so much money around?"
Chen Lishu smiled, "Aren't you one? Otherwise, how did your money disappear?"
Sun Ling was speechless.
Zhang Xue chimed in, "I've always carried money on me. I never knew it was dangerous to do so! Besides, I saw Wang Yang and Gao Hongqi ahead. Their hands clearly had more money than Yang Lili. You didn't say a word about them, but you're fixated on Yang Lili. This is clearly targeted!"
The two classmates Zhang Xue pointed out immediately panicked, "This is our own money; it's not stolen from Sun Ling."
Sun Ling glanced at Zhang Xue, then pointed at Yang Lili, "She's someone who's so poor she can barely afford to eat. Doesn't it seem strange that she suddenly has so much money? If I don't suspect her, who should I suspect?"
Yang Lili, who had been silent all along, suddenly looked up. Her eyes swept across the seated classmates. In the class, apart from Chen Lishu and Zhang Xue, not a single person spoke up for her.
Finally, her gaze landed on Sun Ling, "Don't you just want to know how the money in my hands came about? I'll tell you right now!"
As Yang Lili spoke, she rolled up her sleeves. On her arm were two bruise-like needle marks that had yet to fade.
"I neither stole nor robbed. This is what I earned by selling my own blood. Are you satisfied now?"
After Yang Lili finished speaking, she could no longer bear it. She covered her mouth and ran out of the classroom.
Watching her sorrowful retreating figure, the classroom fell into a profound silence.
The classmates who had been sitting aside, harboring doubts and watching the spectacle, now felt a flush of shame on their faces.
Sun Ling hadn't expected such an outcome. Seeing the condemnation in everyone's eyes, she glared back, unrepentant, "What are you all looking at me like that for? If she had explained things clearly from the start, would I have wrongly accused her?"
At this point, she still spoke like this. The classmates' gazes towards her shifted from condemnation to utter contempt.
When Yang Lili ran out crying, Chen Lishu and Zhang Xue, fearing she might do something rash, followed closely behind.
"Just two days after school started, I received a letter from home saying our child was ill... When I went home for the New Year, my husband and I had a huge argument. I know he regrets it..."
Yang Lili spoke to herself for a while, then finally wiped her face with her hand. Looking at their worried expressions, she smiled sheepishly, "I feel much better after saying it. Don't worry, no matter what happens, I can handle it."
Chen Lishu: "If you encounter any difficulties, just say the word. After all, besides being classmates, we are also friends."
Yang Lili smiled and nodded, "Let's go. The bell should be ringing soon. We absolutely must not be late."
...
For the next two days, Chen Lishu attended classes as usual. After class, she focused on reading professional books to prepare for the trade fair in Yangcheng.
Wang Aixiang was very efficient. Within a couple of days, she found someone for Chen Lishu.
"Sister, this is Zhao Qiuyue. She used to live in the same compound as me. She's two years younger than me, twenty-five this year. She's diligent and quick with her work. Like me, she has bad luck. She married a man who worked in a mine, and he died in an accident within two years. She has no job and no children, so she was kicked out by her in-laws. She couldn't keep living at her parents' house forever, as her brother and sister-in-law were constantly making snide remarks. I just mentioned it, and she agreed immediately."
Chen Lishu listened to Wang Aixiang's introduction and then carefully observed the person. She had an ordinary appearance, her hair neatly tied back with a rubber band. She looked quite simple and honest. She was wearing a patched and faded outfit. Her exposed hands were covered in blue and purple frostbite marks, but her fingernails were trimmed cleanly.
Zhao Qiuyue felt Chen Lishu's gaze, and she stood with her feet together, her body stiffening with nervousness.
Chen Lishu had a good impression of her, so she smiled and said, "Aixiang sister must have told you the terms, right? The salary is fifteen yuan a month, the work isn't much, and it includes food and lodging. The probationary period is one month."
Zhao Qiuyue nodded, "Aixiang told me everything."
And so, that afternoon, Zhao Qiuyue moved in with her meager two sets of clothes.
Since there were only two rooms in the house, Chen Lishu had to temporarily set up a plank bed for her in the living room, planning to buy a proper bed when she had time off.
Even so, Zhao Qiuyue was overjoyed, feeling that this sleeping space was simply too spacious. Most importantly, she no longer had to squeeze into bunk beds with a large family.
Zhao Qiuyue was very grateful for such a good job opportunity and worked very hard. As soon as she moved in, she thoroughly cleaned the entire house. She also made dinner.
Perhaps due to her living habits, she preferred making stewed dishes and used very little oil. When Chen Lishu mentioned this during dinner, Zhao Qiuyue immediately stood up fearfully, "I'm sorry, I thought I could save some oil."
Chen Lishu smiled and gestured for her to sit down, "It's not a big problem. Just pay attention next time. If we run out of oil, tell me, and I'll get some fatty meat to render."
Chen Lishu would have preferred soybean oil, but the oil ration was limited, with only two liang per person per month. So, they had to buy fatty meat for cooking oil. However, the rendered lard was delicious, especially for making dumplings.
With a new member in the household, Chen Lishu indeed had less to worry about and could dedicate more time to her studies.
After a few days of observation, Chen Lishu felt that Zhao Qiuyue was a good person. She handed over the shopping list and meal expenses to her, making her fully responsible for grocery shopping and cooking from then on.
"Tomorrow is the weekend. I'll take Rui Rui home for a visit. I'll also give you a day off to go home and see your family."
The two-day weekend hadn't been implemented yet, and Rui Rui's kindergarten only had one day off per week.
"I... I get a day off?"
Seeing Chen Lishu nod, Zhao Qiuyue still couldn't quite believe it.
She really didn't expect her luck to suddenly improve. The main family was simple and had a good temperament. Now, she even had a day off. She secretly resolved to work hard so she could have a long-term position here.
The next day was Saturday. Since she had no classes in the afternoon, Chen Lishu specifically went to the market to buy groceries first, then picked up Rui Rui from kindergarten. The mother and son returned home together.
...
On the other end, Lin Xiaohui saw the tall figure waiting for her by the entrance as soon as she got off work, and her heart filled with sweetness.
Especially when she saw the envious glances from her colleagues, it made her feel even more proud.
"How are you? Are you tired? Was the child fussy today?"
Lu Chengming's gaze fell on her slightly bulging belly as he asked with concern.
Lin Xiaohui pouted, "It's hard work taking care of so many children. It's not easy."
"Why don't we just quit? You have to live at your sister's place while working, and I can only come to pick you up to stay home one day a week. Both the adults and children are suffering."