QTIMP -Chapter 29 Character Persona – Greedy (Part 29)

Qiao Shengnan moved swiftly through the crowd—taking orders, calculating totals, collecting money and ration coupons—all at lightning speed. In no time, everyone was seated, waiting for their share of food.

Si Qiu stepped forward and leaned casually against the counter. “Tsk tsk, our Sister Shengnan is getting more and more imposing by the day.”

Qiao Shengnan suddenly looked up and shot her a glare. “What do you want to eat? Why didn’t you come earlier? Even the celery glass noodles with shredded pork are sold out now.”

Si Qiu waved lazily. “Sigh, I’m not here to eat today. I need a favor.”

“You need my help? Is it about making something tasty for you?”

“No, no.”

“Then what is it? Hurry up and say it. Other than food, I can’t imagine you’d come to me for anything else.”

Si Qiu pursed her lips. This girl had a fiery temper and great strength. When she talked, she would casually slap someone on the arm hard enough to make it sting.

“Didn’t you say before that your dad wanted to take on an apprentice? Would that count as an apprenticeship position here? I have a friend looking for work.”

Qiao Shengnan lowered her head, grabbed a handful of pumpkin seeds, and set them on the counter. “Wait a moment. I’ll go ask my dad. I didn’t really pay much attention before.”

Si Qiu grabbed her sleeve. “So many customers just finished ordering—who knows how busy it is in there? I’m not in a hurry. Ask later.”

As she spoke, she took out an aluminum lunchbox from her bag. Inside were grapes. “Take these home for Auntie.”

Qiao Shengnan’s mother was frail and unable to work. She spent nearly a third of every year bedridden.

Qiao Shengnan quickly emptied her own lunchbox and poured the grapes in. “Thanks, Qiuqiu. You always think of me whenever you get something good.”

Si Qiu rolled her eyes in imitation. “Cut it out with that mushy stuff.”

During the rush, many of the dishes were semi-prepared, so they were served up quickly. Qiao Shengnan called out the dish names, and the diners came up to collect their plates themselves.

When things settled down a bit, she shot Si Qiu a look and slipped into the kitchen. A moment later, her head popped out from behind the kitchen curtain.

“Qiuqiu, come in.”

Si Qiu entered just in time to see Chef Qiao plating the last dish, while Qiao Shengnan carried it out.

Si Qiu greeted him first. “Uncle Qiao, sorry to disturb you.”

Chef Qiao wiped the sweat from his face. “You’re too polite, girl. It’s too hot in this kitchen—let’s talk in the back.”

Si Qiu nodded. There were still two kitchen helpers inside, so it wasn’t a good place to talk. They exited through the back door into a small courtyard.

Chef Qiao wiped his sweat again and got straight to the point. “Shengnan said your friend wants to apprentice here?”

“Yes. The young man is sixteen. He doesn’t really have family anymore. He’s clever, and he genuinely likes cooking, so I thought I’d introduce him to you. But whether it works out depends on whether he catches your eye. And of course, what needs to be given shouldn’t be lacking. If it comes too easily, he might not cherish it.”

“Haha, you really know how to talk, kid. Fine. Since you’ve put it that way, bring the boy over tomorrow and I’ll take a look. But like you said, even though it’s an apprenticeship, what’s due still can’t be shorted.”

After saying her goodbyes, Si Qiu headed to the small courtyard she had visited at noon. It was late summer moving into early autumn, so the sky was still fairly bright. When she arrived, He Kuang was in the middle of cooking.

“Sister Qiu, you’re here! Come inside. I’m just making dinner. Stay and have a bite. There’s no meat, but you can at least try my cooking.”

“No need to fuss. I asked about the chef position for you. Tomorrow morning, let’s go a bit early. Whether it works out or not depends on the head chef meeting you. After that, you two can discuss the details.”

Si Qiu didn’t go inside. She planned to leave right after delivering the message. It wasn’t dark yet, but it was getting late.

“Okay, okay, great! I’ll wait for you tomorrow morning in front of the state-run restaurant.” He Kuang was visibly excited.

With her errands more or less settled, Si Qiu returned to her residence in a relaxed mood. Most families were having dinner, so there were hardly any people downstairs. She immediately spotted Chen An standing by a bicycle with two others.

The moment she arrived, they saw her. Chen An tossed his cigarette butt to the ground and crushed it under his shoe. “Xiao Qiu, you’re back.”

“You came pretty fast.”

“This is my fiancée, Liang Yun, and the one next to her is Shen Jianguo. The job is for him. They’ve both agreed to your terms.”

As he spoke, he handed over a red-lacquered wooden box. “There’s 300 yuan in here, and a mountain ginseng about fifty years old. Take a look…”

Si Qiu was straightforward. She set her bundle down, took the box, and opened it for a glance. The ginseng was wrapped in red cloth, though the crown was exposed. Beneath it lay stacks of mixed old and newer “Great Unity” banknotes.

She closed the box and slipped it directly into her bag. Then she took out the registration form and handed it over. “I’ll ask for two hours off tomorrow morning and take you to handle the paperwork.”

This was practically bonus service. Normally, once she handed over the registration form, her responsibility ended. But Chen An was her colleague, and he had helped her more than once in the past.

For small matters like this, she was willing to lend a hand.

Hearing her promise, the three of them couldn’t hide their delight. Even Chen An felt particularly proud.

Liang Yun stepped forward and took her hand. “Xiao Qiu, since he calls you that, I will too. We’ve set our wedding date for the eleventh lunar month. You must come.”

“Of course. For someone as beautiful as Sister Yun, I’ll definitely come and share in the happiness.”

After a few more words, more people began finishing dinner and coming outside. The three of them pushed their bicycles away and said goodbye.

“Xiao Qiu, you just got back? Three people came looking for you earlier and waited downstairs for quite a while. Did you see them?”

“I did. Sister Yun’s getting married. They came to give me the news. Auntie, have you all finished dinner?” Si Qiu replied while heading upstairs.

She had no desire to get dragged into neighborhood chatter—it could easily last two or three hours without pause.

“We’ve eaten, we’ve eaten. You’re back late—haven’t had dinner yet, right? Hurry upstairs.”

The auntie didn’t mind her brisk departure and instead began gossiping with the others nearby.

“It was that girl with the long braid—quite pretty and neatly dressed. Looks like her family’s well-off. I was even thinking of introducing her to my second son. Who knew she’s about to get married.”

“Oh, give me a break. Didn’t you see the young man beside her? With that build and appearance—how could your second son compare?”

Their voices faded behind her. Back in her room, Si Qiu first poured herself a glass of water. Then she began unwrapping the not-so-large but surprisingly heavy bundle.

The moment it was opened, the contents spilled across the table.

“What a packing genius. How did all of this even fit inside?”