Chen Qin was taken aback, clearly not expecting Cheng You to speak.
After all, they had only known each other for less than a week, and this was only their second meeting.
"I was kicked out of Hui Chun Tang. Can you believe me?"
What if he was fired for incompetence, and Cheng You hired him back? That would be a loss.
Cheng You blinked with a smile, "I'm lucky. The people I meet are never too bad."
Chen Qin chuckled. It wasn't luck, it was sheer naïveté.
Considering Cheng You had readily bought his family's house, helping her out wasn't impossible.
"But let's be clear. Whatever salary I got at Hui Chun Tang's pharmaceutical factory, you have to pay me more here."
Cheng You readily agreed, "When you come to Zhen Shan Tang, you'll still be the director. The pharmaceutical factory matters will be yours to manage. Your salary will be one hundred a month, and there will be holiday benefits. How's that?"
Chen Qin hadn't expected her to be so agreeable, especially since he was only making eighty a month at Hui Chun Tang.
Later, Pei Kesheng arrived and reduced his salary to sixty.
He had made quite a fuss about it.
"Fine. As long as you dare to hire me, I'll make sure your pharmaceutical factory runs like clockwork!"
Cheng You extended her hand to him, "Mr. Chen, shall we have a pleasant cooperation?"
Chen Qin felt awkward shaking her tender hand. In a gruff voice, he said, "We don't need such formalities. I'll be there tomorrow to measure the place and draw up the plans for you."
Starting a pharmaceutical factory wouldn't be easy. He didn't have high hopes for it.
After bidding farewell to Cheng You, he went home with the money.
Old Man Chen rushed out, "Qinzi, hurry to the Chinese medicine hospital. Your wife is about to give birth. I'll pack up here."
Chen Qin was so startled that the money fell from his hands. "What?"
The old man lightly hit his head, "What are you standing there for? Go!"
Chen Qin quickly picked up the bag, "Dad, keep the money safe."
The old man didn't ask too many questions. He handed Chen Qin the packed belongings.
Fortunately, he had returned. Otherwise, it wouldn't be appropriate for him, the father-in-law, to accompany his daughter-in-law to childbirth.
Chen Qin didn't have time to say more. He grabbed the things and rushed out.
Old Man Chen looked at the money in his hand, stroking his head. Had he not reached an agreement with the people at Hui Chun Tang?
The next day, Cheng You waited and waited at the pharmacy but Chen Qin never showed up.
She couldn't wait any longer and went to find him at the address he had left.
Only Old Man Chen was there.
"Oh, dear girl, is there something wrong with our shop?"
Cheng You quickly waved her hand, "No, Uncle. I'm looking for Mr. Chen. He resigned from Hui Chun Tang, and I've hired him for our Zhen Shan Tang. We agreed yesterday, but he didn't come to the shop. I waited for a long time."
The old man then said, "My daughter-in-law was giving birth. He went to be with her."
She had given birth last night. It was a grandson.
He hurried home to slaughter a chicken and cook, to bring some chicken soup.
Cheng You thought, this was a joyous occasion. It would be impolite not to visit.
"Uncle, which hospital is it? I'll go see sister-in-law."
Old Man Chen nodded, "Come with me. I'm also going to bring food."
On the way, Cheng You bought a bag of bright red, large apples.
Chen Qin's wife was in a shared ward with two other mothers.
As soon as Cheng You walked in, she felt the mother next to her staring at her with a strange expression.
It was as if she recognized her.
Cheng You couldn't help but look over. Their eyes met, and she held out an apple.
"Sister, would you like one?"
The mother quickly shook her head and turned her face away.
Cheng You felt even stranger. She put down the apple and went to look at the baby.
Chen Qin introduced Cheng You to his wife, "I won't be working at Hui Chun Tang anymore. I'm going to work for Cheng You. Don't let her age fool you, she's my boss now."
Chen Qin's wife was a plump, rosy woman with a kind and approachable demeanor.
Cheng You stayed for a while and then saw a nurse walk in, calling out, "Wang Fang, get up for your check-up."
At first, she thought the nurse was calling Chen Qin's wife, but then she realized it was the woman who had been staring at her earlier.
Wang Fang...
This name was not unfamiliar to Cheng You.
The woman who framed Qi Chengyan was named Wang Fang, wasn't she?
It was a pity she hadn't met her.
But Cheng You couldn't help but be wary.
The next day, she visited again.
Chen Qin's wife murmured, "Cheng You is such a kind girl."
To Cheng You's surprise, the comrade named Wang Fang had already been discharged.
Chen Qin said in confusion, "It was a difficult childbirth for her. The doctor wanted her to stay for a few more days, but she insisted on leaving, clamoring to be discharged."
Cheng You also found it strange. Logically, if this "Wang Fang" was the same Wang Fang who framed Qi Chengyan, she shouldn't recognize her.
Thinking hard, she couldn't come up with any ideas.
Chen Qin thought she was worried about the pharmacy. He said, "My wife is just recovering these few days. Once she's discharged, I'll come find you."
Cheng You waved her hand, "There's no rush. Let sister-in-law rest well. You can focus on working for me once your family matters are settled."
Cheng You left the hospital and took the bus home.
Seeing the door open, she thought Qi Chengyan must be back.
Her eyes lit up, and she ran inside.
Upon seeing Qi Chengyan, the longing she had suppressed for so many days erupted, and she threw herself into his arms.
"You're back!"
Her happiness was palpable.
Qi Chengyan smiled and hugged her, kissing the top of her head.
His longing was no less than hers.
"I had a day off, so I came back."
Cheng You pulled away from his embrace and looked him over.
"You've lost weight."
He looked energetic, his eyes even sharper.
Qi Chengyan chuckled, "We train every day in the army. I haven't lost weight, I've just gotten stronger."
Cheng You pouted, "You were already strong. Do you think I wouldn't know if you'd lost weight?"
He had definitely lost weight.
Perhaps the food in the army wasn't good.
As Cheng You was thinking, she noticed another figure beside him.
"And this is..."
"Sister-in-law, you can just call me Liu Zi."
He felt a bit awkward. It was his first time witnessing such an intimate moment between a couple.
Cheng You smiled and nodded, "You're a soldier too, right? Come in and sit down. I'll go buy some groceries later. We'll eat at home today."
Liu Zi seemed a little restrained.
It wasn't his first time at the Siheyuan, but it was the first time he had seen such a beautiful young wife as Cheng You.
Even though she was younger than him, she spoke like an elder.
Cheng You quickly poured him some tea and then said to Qi Chengyan, "I'm going to buy groceries. Will you stay here with Liu Zi?"
Qi Chengyan shook his head, "I'll go with you."
He had finally gotten out, and he wanted to spend every moment with Cheng You.
Cheng You looked at Liu Zi.
Liu Zi quickly said, "Sister-in-law, you two go. I'll be fine by myself. I'll guard the house for you."
Cheng You smiled and gave him two more apples.
"We'll be back soon."