QTIMP -Chapter 13 Character Persona – Greedy (Part 13)

During the meal earlier, Si Qiu had noticed something. Director Li was picking at the vegetables and hadn’t touched any of the meat. It seemed she was saving it all for that brother-and-sister pair.

“Alright then, Director Li, if Xiao Xue is in a bad mood, you can have her come see me. It’s been so long since we last met. Even though she’s on holiday, she hasn’t come to visit.”

Director Li patted her shoulder. “You’re such a thoughtful kid.”

The two of them left the office and saw that everyone else had arrived. After exchanging greetings, Director Li took her lunchbox and left.

“Xiu Qiu, where did the director go? And what were you two talking about in the office for so long?”

Si Qiu looked at Zhao Sui’s curious, gossiping expression and sighed inwardly. This girl truly had no ill intentions, but she was quick-tongued and quick-handed, never thinking things through.

“Nothing much. Didn’t we finish reviewing the files earlier? I just wanted to ask the director where I’d be assigned for publicity work.”

Hearing this, Sister Zhao immediately wailed. “Can’t we skip sending me to that big shared courtyard again? That group of old ladies is never easy to deal with. Every time I hand out the publicity files, I end up pulling out handfuls of hair.”

Others who had been eavesdropping got carried away too, and the topic successfully shifted. Everyone had their own publicity tasks, and no one’s job was easier than another’s.

After all, nowadays, not many people were literate. If someone didn’t properly understand the publicity files and something went wrong, their superiors would hold them accountable.

But expecting those people to fully grasp everything was practically impossible. Otherwise, the director wouldn’t have had to use factory recruitment as leverage.

After work, Si Qiu headed to the library first. Counting her wages of 291.5 yuan plus some vouchers, she planned to use the money to treat herself at a private restaurant she had visited before.

But the place was too far. Taking the bus wasn’t a problem, but returning home after the meal would be troublesome.

She decided it would be better to wait until the day after tomorrow, Saturday. After all, they only had a half-day of work then, so going in the afternoon would be perfect.

After two consecutive days of policy publicity, the entire neighborhood committee was exhausted. Fortunately, for some reason, Director Li was in a much better mood on Saturday and allowed them to work only a half-day as scheduled.

Si Qiu had initially planned to postpone her visit to the private restaurant, but she had already arranged to meet Qiao Shengnan. Feeling a bit down, she walked out of the office and immediately saw Li Qingxue, her eyes red from crying.

Si Qiu hurried over. They were just about to leave, and with police officers and neighborhood committee staff coming and going, it wasn’t ideal for others to see them.

She reached out and held Li Qingxue’s hand. Li Qingxue then hugged her and sobbed.

Even Qiao Shengnan, who had caught up, was momentarily stunned by the scene. But she quickly covered their view from the others.

“Come on. I’ll tell Aunt Li, then take you to eat something delicious. Treat all the frustrations as venting—just chew and swallow them.”

Si Qiu took out a handkerchief to wipe Li Qingxue’s face, then ran back to inform Director Li at the committee. After that, she led her to the bus stop.

She also called back to Qiao Shengnan, “Sister Shengnan, come on, or you’ll miss the bus.”

Qiao Shengnan, a little dazed, hurried along. Once on the crowded bus, the three of them stayed quiet. When they got off in the west side of the city, Si Qiu led them through a winding path to a brown wooden door.

The faint aroma drifting from inside caught all three of them, momentarily distracting them from everything else. Si Qiu knocked rhythmically on the door, and a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old boy peeked out.

“Sister Qiu, you’ve come. Sister Xiao Xue is here too.” The boy was dark-skinned and thin, which made his teeth look especially white.

“Is it busy today?” The three of them stepped over the high threshold and entered.

“Not too busy, not too empty either—just two tables at the moment,” Lin Ye said, closing the door behind them. Seeing the two girls following Si Qiu, he offered a brief explanation.

“My father said the world isn’t very safe these days, so it’s better to be cautious.”

The three were led into a room that was modestly decorated, not luxurious, with a touch of simplicity. On the kang (heated brick bed) was a small square table. Against the wall of the kang was a window covered with rice paper.

Opposite them was a spacious area with a round table and four chairs. A tea set sat atop it, with faint steam curling from the spout of the teapot—clearly, the tea had already been brewed.

But the three of them didn’t care to admire it; the rich aroma that hit them upon entering had already captivated their senses.

After discussing the menu, they ordered four dishes. Qiao Shengnan hesitated and said, “Maybe I should just step out for a bit.”

Li Qingxue quickly wiped her face and, with a quivering voice, said, “No need. There’s nothing to worry about. People will see that you and Qiu Qiu are close; it’s not like they’ll spread lies.”

Qiao Shengnan hurriedly nodded. “Don’t worry—I promise not a single word will leave my mouth.”

Si Qiu poured half a cup of water for each person, taking her time and not rushing Li Qingxue.

As they came in, three men happened to be passing by from the side. Judging by the way their hands swung, it was clear they had just finished washing up.

“That’s your sister, right? Sergeant Feng?” Wang Kai nudged the other with his elbow, but before he could answer, he added, “Why is she with my Xiao Xue?”

Feng Fan had never been to a place like this before; he didn’t know how his sister even knew about it.

“Your sister just had a breakup, so she came to meet her—shouldn’t their relationship be pretty good?” Xing Huaien chimed in. After all, the three of them had hired people to pretend to be ruffians and corner this little couple.

That man immediately showed his true colors. After several threats and blows, he actually tried to force Li Qingxue to the small ruffian.

In the end, it was all over, though Wang Kai knew his sister was truly upset.

Hearing his buddy say this, Wang Kai became a little anxious. At that moment, Lin Ye was escorting people inside and came back out; the three intercepted him.

“Xiao Lin, was that my sister who just went in?”

Lin Ye shrugged his shoulders. “Brother Kai, yes, that was Sister Xiao Xue and her friend.”

Wang Kai put in some effort, and the kid got pulled closer; Wang Kai didn’t mind his grimacing. “Arrange a room closer by—I’m a bit worried about my sister.”

Lin Ye gave him a disapproving look. “Sister Xiao Qiu is a good person; why would you be worried? I don’t know that girl, but if she’s hanging out with Sister Xiao Qiu, she can’t be bad.”

“It’s not that—I just want to know what my little sister thinks. She just got scolded at home by our mother.”

Lin Ye admired this brother and nodded, moving their dining spot to another room just one window away.

The windows were covered with rice paper. During the day, they let light through but blocked the view. Soundproofing wasn’t great, though—what was said there could be heard clearly here.

After a while, Li Qingxue finally calmed down. Grabbing Si Qiu’s hand, she said, “Qiu Qiu… I was tricked by a huge scammer.”