Chapter 239: Gratitude

Chapter 239: Chapter 239: Gratitude

What Jiang Moli called "medicinal herbs" were actually Cordyceps, ginseng, Lingzhi, and antler!

The Cordyceps were kept in a fist-sized glass bottle, and there were a little over thirty of them.

While not a large quantity, each one was thick and plump with a golden hue, a quality that was very difficult to find on the market.

It was the same for the ginseng, Lingzhi, and antler. The quantity was small, but the quality was excellent.

In addition to these, there were also two pieces of Purple River Carrot.

Chen Lan’s son had been born with a weak constitution and needed Purple River Carrot to build up his health.

But this item was very difficult to obtain, which had been a huge headache for Chen Lan.

Jiang Moli’s gifts were not only immensely sincere, but they also addressed her most pressing need.

What was even more impressive was that Jiang Moli had forgone any flashy, impractical packaging, instead using a simple cloth bag. It was low-key and inconspicuous, perfect for avoiding gossip.

This level of thoughtfulness and consideration gave Chen Lan a very favorable impression of her.

She graciously accepted the gifts. "Since you went to the trouble of bringing these all the way here, I won’t stand on ceremony. However, regarding your father’s job, there’s someone else you need to thank."

From Chen Lan, Jiang Moli finally learned the inside story of how her father had landed the section-level position.

After reviewing Jiang Dahai’s resume and learning that his son-in-law was a battalion commander, Chen Lan’s husband, Gu Cheng, had readily agreed to give the technical instructor position to Jiang Dahai.

However, Yang Lijiong had suggested that Gu Cheng establish an Agricultural Machinery Section. She broke down for him all the benefits that establishing such a section would bring for his personal development and promotion.

Having reached the position of vice-commander at such a young age, Yang Lijiong’s ability and vision were beyond doubt.

She not only convinced Gu Cheng to establish the Agricultural Machinery Section, but also recommended Jiang Dahai to serve as its chief.

...

Yang Lijiong opened the door, a little surprised to see Jiang Moli standing outside.

"What brings you here?"

Jiang Moli smiled and peeked behind Yang Lijiong. "Is this a bad time?"

"Not at all."

Yang Lijiong stepped aside and invited her in.

"Should I change into slippers?"

Yang Lijiong wasn’t usually so particular, but she opened the shoe cabinet and got a pair of slippers for Jiang Moli anyway.

Yang Lijiong lived in the housing complex for agency staff—a two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment with a balcony.

Many flowers and plants grew on the balcony. It was hard to tell if it was due to the cold or neglect, but they were somewhat withered, and many of their leaves had yellowed.

The living room furniture had a dated look, but everything was kept very clean.

Yang Lijiong poured her a glass of water. "Is there something you needed, coming over this late?"

Jiang Moli placed the items she had brought on the coffee table. "I heard all about it from Chen Lan. My father’s job transfer was all thanks to your help. The weather’s gotten cold, so I brought you some bird’s nest soup. You can stew it when you have free time. It’s nourishing, good for the skin, and helps you stay young."

Yang Lijiong glanced at the bird’s nest on the coffee table and said, "I appreciate the thought, but I don’t usually have time to prepare things like this. You should take it back."

Jiang Moli made an "OK" sign with her hand. "I get it. That was thoughtless of me. I’ll just stew it at home and bring it over to you. How about twice a week? Just a little sweet? I know you don’t like sweet things, but it won’t taste good without any sweetness at all."

Under the warm yellow light, Jiang Moli’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, looking utterly charming and guileless.

Yang Lijiong didn’t refuse. "Suit yourself."

Jiang Moli sipped from her cup, her bright almond eyes scanning the living room. "This apartment is really nice. It has a great layout, and it’s so bright. Do you live here alone?"

"Yes. My grandfather left it to me."

Knowing that Yang Lijiong’s grandparents were no longer living, Jiang Moli didn’t press the subject.

"Vice Yang, why are you so good to me?"

Yang Lijiong lowered her gaze to the steaming cup in her hands.

’Hearing the neighborhood aunties spreading gossip about Jiang Moli had made her quite angry.’

’The Jiang Moli she knew was sincere and enthusiastic, beautiful and interesting.’

’Arranging a better position for Jiang Dahai was her way of shattering all the criticism and slander directed at Jiang Moli.’

’She was just protecting Jiang Moli in her own way.’

She looked up at Jiang Moli. "Don’t overthink it. I just don’t want your work to be affected by your family’s situation."

Jiang Moli dabbed at the corner of her eye. "No matter what, I’m really touched. So... can I just not pay back that twenty yuan I borrowed from you?"

Yang Lijiong was baffled. "When did you ever borrow money from me?"

"Is it too late to borrow it now?"

Yang Lijiong laughed in exasperation.

Yang Lijiong had already eaten dinner, but when she learned that Jiang Moli hadn’t, she went into the kitchen and boiled a bowl of noodles for her, adding in some of the preserved meat Jiang Moli had given her last time.

After eating her fill, she returned home around 9:00 p.m.

Lu Deyao, An Hui, and Ma Hongmei were sitting on the sofa, looking at her as if she were a rare treasure.

Jiang Moli touched her face. "What is it? Did I grow money on my face or something?"

Lu Deyao chuckled and gave her a thumbs-up. "Moli, you’re a real talent! You completely turned the tables and got your father an even better position."

Jiang Moli made a playful fist-and-palm salute. "Birds of a feather flock together. Takes one to know one!"

Lu Deyao roared with laughter at her antics.

An Hui didn’t say anything, but the look she gave Jiang Moli was filled with affection.

’For the past two days, people in the compound had been gossiping endlessly about their family behind their backs.’

’Even Wu Miaoyun had come to their door, overtly and covertly criticizing the third son’s wife, implying he had poor judgment for marrying such a trouble-making jinx.’

’In her opinion, those people on the outside were the ones with no judgment.’

’The third son’s wife was beautiful and talented, not to mention smart. She was a lucky star, not a jinx!’

...

「The next morning」

Jiang Qing left home to go to work at the factory.

She hadn’t gone far when she ran into a female colleague from the machinery plant, who congratulated her.

"Jiang Qing, congratulations!"

Seeing the woman’s overly eager smile, Jiang Qing’s heart skipped a beat.

’Could it be? Did I get made a permanent employee? Yang Dong didn’t say anything about it beforehand, though.’

’But I was sick and stayed home from work yesterday. Yang Dong probably just hadn’t had a chance to tell me yet.’

Jiang Qing steadied herself. "What are you congratulating me for?"

"What, you haven’t heard? Mr. Jiang was transferred to the Agricultural Bureau to be the new chief! From now on, you’re the child of a cadre!"

In those days, being the child of a cadre brought a significant sense of superiority. They could walk with their heads held high.

The fantasy and excitement that had filled Jiang Qing’s heart were instantly doused with ice-cold water.

’Jiang Dahai got into the Agricultural Bureau? And as the chief?’

’How is that possible?!’

But she soon found out it was true.

All the way out of the residential area, every employee and family member she encountered greeted her with welcoming smiles, warm pleasantries, and flattering words.

Jiang Qing put on a false front of civility, but inwardly she was so furious she could have coughed up blood.

’She had thought that Jiang Moli’s reckless actions would get Jiang Dahai fired from the machinery plant, just like how he’d lost the house.’

’Who would have thought that overnight his fortune would reverse so dramatically, landing him an even better job!’

’Why did all the good things have to happen to the Jiang family?!’

’She had exhausted every trick and every ounce of energy, only to end up helping that father and daughter achieve an even better life?!’

After the initial wave of anger passed, Jiang Qing gradually calmed down.

’Jiang Dahai entering the Agricultural Bureau wasn’t necessarily a bad thing for her, actually.’

’The status of a cadre’s daughter, even if it didn’t bring any tangible benefits, would at least spare her from being looked down upon or slighted at her work unit and at school.’