Wu Jing Village couldn't find enough people, so Cheng You went to Qili Village.
She still didn't mention the pharmaceutical factory, directly stating that her own pharmacy needed staff.
Preferably someone with some basic knowledge.
Old Mr. Jiang readily agreed and immediately asked Jiang Dingcheng to post an announcement in the village.
Compared to Wu Jing Village, the people in Qili Village were much more enthusiastic.
Almost as soon as the announcement was posted, someone returned with Jiang Dingcheng, saying they wanted to apply.
Coincidentally, Cheng You was there, and she randomly selected several medicinal herbs for them to identify.
Only those who passed the test could stay.
Everyone understood, after all, Cheng You ran a pharmacy, and it wasn't a place just anyone could join.
Those selected were overjoyed. Everyone knew Cheng You's medicine was good, and Zhen Shan Tang would surely prosper in the future.
Working with Cheng You meant boundless prospects.
Those who weren't selected were secretly envious, thinking they would study at home and find Cheng You for an interview another day.
Cheng You only recruited thirty people this time; she couldn't manage more.
It was first come, first served, and those behind wouldn't get a spot.
They left disappointed, asking before they went, "When will you recruit again?"
Cheng You replied, "It's unclear for now. I'll notify you if I need more people later."
Those who didn't participate shook their heads, lamenting their bad luck.
They could only wait for the next time.
Cheng You had everyone register their basic information, which included Yang Saozi's son, Yang Tianle.
He had dark skin but appeared very spirited, showing a hint of nervousness when looking at Cheng You.
"Cheng You, you saved me before, and I haven't thanked you yet. My mom asked me to invite you home for a meal."
He finally understood why his mother always muttered at home, wishing Cheng You were her daughter-in-law.
With such looks and abilities, few men wouldn't be moved.
Cheng You smiled and said, "Let's skip this time. Maybe another day."
Yang Tianle nodded, "That's fine. We have plenty of time. You two can come over for a meal together when you're free."
"Okay!"
After Yang Tianle left, Jiang Dingcheng rubbed his nose, thinking the kid was quite forthright.
Otherwise, he would have suspected Yang Tianle of trying to poach Qi Chengyan's girlfriend.
After the registration was complete, the second aunt pushed the shy Jiang Wanrou forward.
"Youyou, your cousin also wants to apply. Can you..."
Cheng You chuckled, "Of course."
Her quick agreement surprised Jiang Wanrou.
"But I don't have any foundation."
She wouldn't even pass Cheng You's initial assessment.
Cheng You shook her head and said, "That's okay. You're my cousin, so I can make an exception for you. But there will be another assessment in half a month. If you don't pass then, I won't give you special treatment anymore."
Jiang Wanrou hesitated, but her second aunt happily agreed, "Naturally. Just this once!"
As Cheng You was about to leave, she remembered something and couldn't help but remind her, "Cousin, weren't you in your third year of high school? Why aren't you going back to school?"
After all, the college entrance examination would be restored next year, so it was still possible to study.
Jiang Wanrou's expression immediately turned grim, feeling that Cheng You was deliberately mocking her.
"Do you not know why I'm not going back?"
Cheng You blinked, "Why would I know?"
"Qian Dazhi married someone else and ended up in prison. I've lost all face!" Jiang Wanrou said, her tone filled with resentment.
How could she have the face to go to school, only to be mocked?
Cheng You found it amusing. Was she blaming herself?
"Then what do you mean? Did I make you date Qian Dazhi? Or did you want him to shirk responsibility after getting someone else pregnant? Or perhaps, he injured my brother, and Qian Dazhi shouldn't pay the price?"
Each sentence left Jiang Wanrou speechless.
She knew it was Qian Dazhi's fault, but she was still resentful, feeling that Cheng You had ruined her marriage prospects.
The second aunt wished she could slap her. What was Cheng You wrong about? Jiang Wanrou was simply unreasonable!
"Youyou, it's my fault for not raising her well. I apologize on her behalf."
Cheng You shook her head slightly. If it weren't for her concern for her uncle and aunt, she wouldn't have given Jiang Wanrou any face.
"Auntie, I'll be going back now."
Liao Hongmei brought out a bag of baked flatbreads from the house. "Just baked, still warm. Take it back to eat. I know you like pickled vegetable filling, so I made extra."
Cheng You smiled and accepted, "Then I won't be polite."
"Silly child, why be polite with your aunt?"
Watching Cheng You ride away on her bicycle, everyone else went inside.
Liao Hongmei glanced at Jiang Wanrou and earnestly advised, "Wanrou, don't hold a grudge against Youyou. She's a straightforward person and won't harm you."
The old man snorted coldly, "Falling down in the same place is one thing, but getting up and examining your own issues is crucial, not shifting blame."
Jiang Wanrou's face turned pale, and she mumbled, "Yes."
The second aunt didn't say anything more, hoping she would figure it out herself.
She was such a good student before, but she became like this because of Qian Dazhi.
She hated Qian Dazhi to death.
Meanwhile, Cheng You, having sorted out the recruitment, hummed a tune and returned to the village.
Now that she had recruited thirty people, after screening, there would likely be about ten left. That wouldn't be enough to send to the pharmaceutical factory. She would have to wait for the second batch in half a month to gather thirty people to send.
Cheng You returned to the pharmacy and took a drink of water.
When Zhou Yunru asked about the recruitment, she said, "Thirty people. I'm thinking this place might not accommodate so many, so we'll need to find another location."
Zhou Yunru chuckled, "That's simple. This village has plenty of space. Just find an abandoned old house."
However, it also depended on who they chose. If the landlord was difficult, there would surely be more trouble later.
Cheng You thought for a moment and set her sights on the empty house next to the educated youth point.
With Uncle Li acting as an intermediary, the arrangement was quickly made, with a monthly rent of two yuan.
Just as she reached the educated youth point, Cheng You thought of giving Sun Xiaowan and Duan Liping some food.
Before she could even knock, she saw the door ajar. Peeking through the crack, she saw two people...kissing!
Upon closer inspection, it was Sun Xiaowan and Song Jingtang.
Cheng You realized why she had felt something was off between them before; there had been signs all along.
But she vaguely remembered that although this Song Jingtang was Qi Chengyan's friend, he was quite a ladies' man, having dated two or three women already.
In this era, dating usually meant marriage, and two or three previous relationships was a lot.
To avoid embarrassment, Cheng You took a few steps back and called out, "Xiaowan, are you there? I've come to bring you something."
The two people inside, unwilling to part, were startled and immediately separated, blushing and avoiding eye contact.
Then, Sun Xiaowan came out to open the door, her face red.
"I'm here. What did you bring?"
With her flushed lips, it was obvious what had happened. Cheng You didn't want to expose her.