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Chapter 42
"Did you bring the ginseng?" Liang Zhiwei was now convinced of An ZhiXia's story, of course, this was on the premise that he would have to see the ginseng first before saying anything.
"I brought it." ZhiXia acted like a complete novice, immediately reaching to rummage through her bag after hearing this.
Liang Zhiwei quickly stopped her, "Don't move yet, let's go over there to talk about it."
Liang Zhiwei took Zhao Jingyun's arm with one hand, and led the way to the quiet place behind them. ZhiXia hurried to follow.
The thick trees cast shadows down, blocking out the moonlight and starlight. ZhiXia carefully took out the wrapped ginseng from her bag with both hands, and passed it over gingerly.
Liang Zhiwei brought it around to the slightly brighter area in front to inspect it carefully after unwrapping the red cloth around the ginseng.
Zhao Jingyun's illness was caused by complications from a previous miscarriage. She often felt physically weak, and part of it was also caused by psychological issues. She would feel unwell over the slightest upset, sometimes even too unwell to get out of bed, so she could only rest well to recuperate.
Although Zhao Jingyun came from a well-off family background, she had resolutely followed him when Liang Zhiwei had nothing. Their relationship had always been very good even until today.
Even after knowing Zhao Jingyun could no longer conceive after the miscarriage, Liang Zhiwei still treated her the same as before. He had tired every effort to find ginseng to nourish her.
But this stuff was rare to begin with, and older ones were even harder to find.
Despite looking closely, Liang Zhiwei actually had no clue at all.
"Did you get someone to look at this ginseng? How old is it?"
ZhiXia: "No, I just dried it at home and put it away. I didn't dare let anyone see it."
Liang Zhiwei said: "Little girl, why don't we do this - leave the ginseng with me for now. I'll get someone to authenticate it tomorrow. If it's real, don't sell it anymore. You wanted a job right? I'll give you a job in exchange for the ginseng, what do you think?"
Zhao Jingyun walked over to touch his arm, clearly disapproving of how he was bullying others.
"Really? You won't lie to me right?" ZhiXia did not seem to notice at all, and asked innocently.
Liang Zhiwei laughed, "Since you already found out about my family, what else would I lie to you for?"
"Then I'll trust you. But don't forget, if the ginseng is real, you must arrange a job for me. Otherwise I heard people without jobs can't stay in the city." ZhiXia's acquiescent manner made Liang Zhiwei even more certain that she would not dare lie to him.
People tended to be arrogant, especially considering his current status and position. Although not a very high office, his power was quite extensive.
Even those with higher positions, with the right pretext, could be brought down if he wanted.
Zhao Jingyun felt he was bullying others too much. Or perhaps she also felt ZhiXia was too pitiful, so she spoke up, "ZhiXia, what kind of job do you want? Do you have something in mind?"
"I didn't go to school so I don't know what I can do. But I'm very good at cooking, and I like cooking too." ZhiXia looked expectant, "I heard there's a state-run restaurant near where my third brother works at the hospital. I'd be so happy if I could have the chance to learn cooking skills there."
Liang Zhiwei looked at her and said, "You're pretending to be silly, but you're actually quite shrewd, even daring to think of a job at a state-run restaurant. You have great ambition!"
But the Ans were a family of scholars, the eldest son was even a military man, yet the daughter wanted to be a cooking apprentice.
Although others thought working at a restaurant was a good job with food and lodging secured, An JingZhi might not see it that way.
After all, the Ans were not lacking food. Back in the days, even famous chefs in Jin City worked for them!
How things have changed.
This was truly interesting, very interesting indeed.
Seeing his smug manner, Zhao Jingyun secretly pinched his waist again, "Since ZhiXia wants to work at the state-run restaurant, do you have connections there? This child has had it rough too. Let's help if we can."
"I do have connections, but I still need to confirm if the ginseng works first." Liang Zhiwei thought for a moment, "Let's do this - come to the state-run restaurant on Peace Road at noon tomorrow and wait for me there. As long as I confirm the ginseng works, I'll help settle the job issue for you while I'm there."
"Thank you so much Director Liang, and Teacher Zhao. You are both good people." ZhiXia bowed 90 degrees in gratitude.
Liang Zhiwei laughed out loud, "It's late, unsafe for a girl to walk alone at night. Go home early, An. I truly hope we can continue this harmonious chat tomorrow."
That would mean the ginseng was real.
People always said he was crafty and scheming. No one had called him a good man in a long time.
On the way back, Zhao Jingyun reminded Liang Zhiwei again, "This girl seems pretty decent to me, and pitiful too. After you settle the job for her tomorrow, give her 200 yuan too. We can't bully her just because she's young."
"Alright, I'll listen to you on family matters. As long as it can nourish you back to health, 200 yuan is nothing. I'd even give my life for you." Liang Zhiwei added, "Don't think we're taking huge advantage either. This is a mutually beneficial thing. Didn't you hear her say she didn't even dare let the Ans know about the ginseng? That shows her situation at the Ans isn't good. By arranging a job for her, I'd be helping her big time. Otherwise if I just gave her money and she had to figure out work herself as a girl, she might get tricked and end up with nothing."
The more Liang Zhiwei thought about it, the more he felt her real objective was probably the job all along. Otherwise how could she have decided where she wanted to work already.
But Liang Zhiwei did not feel anything was amiss. It was only normal for her to have demands. It would be weird if she readily gave him the ginseng and asked for nothing in return.
"She's a pitiful child too. Let's help if we can, it'll be blessing ourselves too."
After finishing up, ZhiXia headed back the way she came. She was walking steadily at first, then started hopping and skipping happily.
The first task went very smoothly. Next was to see how An MeiYun's progress went.
She truly hoped An MeiYun and Lin Hao's relationship would develop quickly, and they would fall in love and be together forever.
After all, their marriage this life was two years earlier than the last. Without enough feelings, how could the radish be pulled out with the mud?
But waiting two years for them to develop feelings was really too long. She would run out of patience.
Pei Jing was riding out on his bicycle to look for someone, and saw this scene from afar.
The girl was skipping and jumping ahead excitedly, her round eyes filled with laughter, occasionally cheering and flailing about.
It looked...a little abnormal, silly and not too clever.
Pei Jing rode up to ZhiXia and stopped in front of her, "You seem very happy?"
ZhiXia froze instantly, recalling the embarrassing actions she made thinking no one was around. She really felt like finding a crack to burrow into right now.