Xue Ling gathered her emotions, lifted the quilt, and put on her coat.
Ouyang Mei just said that she heard some noise here in the afternoon, which proved that the set of footprints coming from the alley earlier belonged to her sister-in-law.
It was freezing cold and it was her first time in the county. Where else could she go?
Yesterday she quietly heard her asking her brother for money, saying that she had no money left.
Cheng Tianyuan gave her five yuan with a sullen face, telling her that she couldn't spend money randomly if she didn't make money, and didn't ask her specifically what she was going to do.
Xue Ling just gave her thirty yuan a few days ago, and she went shopping with Ouyang Mei the next day.
Now that I have no money, I still run out alone - something is wrong!
That guy Lin Cong is still in the county town, living in Taolin Lane not far from the entrance of the big alley.
When she called home last month, her mother asked her if she had visited her distant cousin.
Xue Ling didn't want to say too much, but explained that she was young back then, the county had changed a lot, and many places were unrecognizable.
My mother didn't take it to heart after hearing this, saying that she just met him by chance and couldn't find her.
Brother Yuan, on the other hand, knew better and quietly told her that after Lin Cong left the cooperative in Chengjia Village, he worked as an accountant in the cooperative in the county.
I heard that he asked for leave every three days and his whereabouts were uncertain. The president of the cooperative had a strong opinion of him.
Cheng Tianyuan has been working in the supply and marketing cooperative for many years and knows many people in this line. He secretly asked for information about Lin Cong, so he knew this.
Xue Ling didn't need to guess to know that the guy was idle and only wanted to have sex, so he was not willing to sit in a cooperative and earn more than a hundred yuan a month.
My sister-in-law ran away several times in the past few days, probably looking for him again.
Xue Ling had no choice but to remind Cheng Tianyuan and ask him to take good care of his sister. If it didn't work, he quickly sent her back to Chengjia Village. After all, the road was not convenient at this time and the communication was not developed, so it would be fine if they were separated.
It was quiet downstairs, except for the slight sound of Cheng Tianyuan kneading dough.
Xue Ling walked down and found that her sister-in-law and Ouyang Mei were gone. Only Cheng Tianyuan was making ramen, and the bone soup was boiling in the pot, which smelled very fragrant.
Cheng Tianyuan seemed to have guessed her doubts and explained quietly: "I drove them to the next door to avoid being upset by looking at them."
Xue Ling nodded.
Thinking of the words they had just scolded her, she felt angry. Having the two of them here must have been very off-putting.
Cheng Tianyuan said: "I said, since you are here to work and Ouyang Mei personally recruited you, your food and accommodation must be provided by your employer. Since you don't listen to your family and want to work independently, then you
You have to learn to be independent. As an elder brother, I cannot always be responsible for your three meals."
Xue Ling couldn't help but ask: "So... they went next door to cook by themselves?"
"Yeah." Cheng Tianyuan said angrily: "We're just acquaintances, eating and drinking at our house all day long - that's outrageous!"
Xue Ling's eyes moved slightly and he whispered: "I told you about my sister-in-law just now, but you still have to take it to heart."
Cheng Tianyuan nodded and replied: "It's snowing outside again, and the road must not be open yet. I plan to find a donkey cart or tricycle to take her back. When the snow stops, we will set off immediately."
He frowned and said solemnly: "I have to go to work, and you have to go to work. It's impossible to watch her 24 hours a day. She doesn't know how to love herself, and there's nothing we can do about it. The only way is to send her back, don't stay here
county seat."
Xue Ling smiled bitterly: "That's the only way it can be!"
Cheng Tianyuan made the noodles and they were cooked quickly.
The two of them drank the noodle soup warmly and rested early.
Early the next morning, Cheng Tianyuan made breakfast for the two of them, packed it up, and drove Xue Ling to work.
The snow was a bit heavy last night, there was a lot of snow on the ground, and the bicycles stopped and went.
When Xue Ling arrived at the office, it was exactly eight o'clock and found that many colleagues had not arrived yet.
Director Liu rubbed his hands, stamped his feet, and quickly ordered the heater to be lit.
"The weather is really cold and cold! There is a lot of snow on the road. Colleagues must pay attention to safety when commuting to and from get off work. It doesn't matter if it's a little late. Just arrive before 8:30. Of course, you can't get off work until your job is completed."
Everyone responded well and praised Director Liu for being considerate of the people.
The old aunt in the kitchen came in to pour water and said with a smile: "The weather is too cold and there is no heater outside. Let's all eat in the office from now on! Director Liu agreed to put an extra table in the middle and asked me to cook more for everyone."
A portion of hot soup will keep you warm while drinking it.”
Colleagues all cheered and said yes!
It would be great to have some hot soup in the middle of winter!
The old aunt smiled and said: "How about some seaweed soup first? Put some meatballs in it, I guarantee you will like it."
Colleagues arrived one after another, shivering from the cold, and ran to the stove to rub their hands to warm themselves up.
Xue Lingnuan had enough, and quickly gave up her seat and started working.
Deputy Director Zhen came, stomped his feet and looked around the office. He couldn't help but frown and asked, "Why hasn't Wang Qing come yet? You're already late!"
Liu Xing muttered: "The director said, just arrive before 8:30 in the future. There will be long delays on the road in winter."
Xue Ling smiled and explained: "Wang Qing's home is a bit far away. Maybe there is too much snow and the bus can't go fast."
Deputy Director Zhen glared at them coldly and said in a deep voice: "Did I ask you something? You are too talkative!"
After saying that, she walked quickly back to the office.
Liu Xing rolled his eyes and cursed a few times.
Xue Ling shrugged and didn't take it seriously.
When it was almost nine o'clock, Wang Qing finally came. His little face was red from the cold, and his shoes were wet. He said he had walked all the way because the bus was not running.
Xue Ling clicked her tongue twice, quickly helped her take off her shoes and socks, pulled her to the stove to keep warm, and chatted casually.
Deputy Director Zhen happened to come out to pour water. Seeing the two of them in this situation, he couldn't help shouting: "Xue Ling, are you lazy by nature?! Wang Qing, you are almost an hour late and you dare to nag your colleagues.
?!"
The office suddenly became quiet, and everyone raised their heads and looked at them.
Wang Qing was timid and lowered his head in a hurry.
"……I'm sorry!"
Xue Ling was a little angry and couldn't help but said: "Deputy Director, isn't it okay to talk to your colleagues about work? Why are you always picky?!"
Deputy Director Zhen was usually like a gun. Except for Director Liu, everyone else was spared.
She had long disliked Xue Ling. She always felt that she was too bright, got married early, and was someone who did not put her career first.
And because of Xue Ling's request for leave last time, she was scolded by Director Liu, which made her lose face and she always hated Xue Ling in her heart.
However, Xue Ling was usually rigorous in doing things, never had any problems at work, and was on time when going to and from get off work, so she could never find a chance to punish Xue Ling.
This time, I heard that Xue Ling dared to retaliate against me in public. I was so angry that I walked over quickly and angrily.
"You are lazy at work and you dare to accuse me of being critical?! What is your attitude?! Huh?"