If no one from Wujing Village could fill the positions, she would have to recruit from Qili Village.
With the pharmaceutical factory backing her, she could cause as much trouble as she wanted, and someone would always cover for her.
Cheng Tianhua did mention the matter to everyone, but his words were clearly discouraging.
"Cheng You is just playing house; how can she afford to pay so many people? Besides, you'd be working for free at first. If you really decide to go, don't say I didn't warn you."
His words made everyone abandon the idea.
However, Cheng Tao wanted to come. She felt that since she had learned from Uncle Li for a while, she should at least be selected.
Also present were the rarely seen widow Lin and Pan Yu.
Ever since the landslide incident that collapsed their home, and Song Yulian refusing to let them stay long, they had returned to their maiden homes.
Coincidentally, as soon as they returned, they heard that Cheng You was looking to recruit people.
Pan Yu's thoughts began to stir again.
She had learned from Uncle Li for so long and had a foundation; she would surely pick things up faster than others.
Widow Lin's situation was that she had been staying with her parents for a long time, and her brother and sister-in-law were tired of her just eating without working.
Life as a dependent was truly difficult.
Only three people came from Wujing Village, and none of them met Cheng You's criteria.
She was somewhat speechless.
Cheng You's outright rejection angered widow Lin.
Just as she was about to throw herself on the ground and make a scene, she saw a pair of legs appear before her.
Following the long, well-defined legs upward, she saw Qi Chengyan's smoothly chiseled jawline.
Widow Lin quickly got up and awkwardly brushed off her pants.
After all, Qi Chengyan was a man she had once fancied, and it was embarrassing to make a scene in front of him.
She waved to a stunned Pan Yu, "Since they aren't hiring us here, let's go."
They would look for work elsewhere.
Pan Yu stared blankly at Qi Chengyan, unable to move.
Qi Chengyan ignored them all and walked straight in.
"All done?"
Looking at Cheng You, his gaze was like melting ice.
Cheng You nodded, a little dejected.
She hadn't recruited anyone; was her place so unattractive?
"Let's go home. We'll try again tomorrow."
If there were still no applicants, she would have to go to Qili Village.
At least Grandpa Jiang wouldn't be a hindrance like Cheng Tianhua.
Leaving Uncle Li's house, she glanced at Qi Chengyan and said, "You still have a lot of influence."
Qi Chengyan turned his head to look at her, his eyes filled with confusion.
Cheng You gave him a playful glare and said coquettishly, "If you hadn't come, widow Lin and Pan Yu wouldn't have been so easily dismissed."
Qi Chengyan furrowed his brow, his gaze teasing, "A bit jealous."
Cheng You swatted his hand away, "Jealous? I'm not jealous at all!"
"Mm, you're not jealous."
He clearly didn't believe her.
Cheng You pouted. Qi Chengyan was so popular, it made her feel insecure.
Qi Chengyan took her hand, looking at her puffed-up little face, and chuckled softly.
"You're the only one in my eyes."
He didn't even remember what that Pan Yu looked like.
A single sentence dispelled Cheng You's anger.
"Then you're not allowed to talk to them in the future," Cheng You said fiercely.
"Alright, no talking."
"Avoid them if you see them!"
"Okay, I'll avoid them."
He agreed good-naturedly, but Cheng You still felt it wasn't enough and held out her hand.
"Pinky promise."
Qi Chengyan disdained such childish tactics, but he indulgently extended his hand.
"Pinky promise."
Cheng You was satisfied. She swung their linked fingers back and forth as they walked home together.
The next day, Cheng You still waited at home for applicants.
After waiting all morning, no one showed up.
Cheng You began to doubt herself, "Is my salary not enticing enough this time?"
For people like Zhou Yunru, who were still in the learning phase, their salaries were low, similar to an internship.
Now, Zhou Yunru's salary had increased to thirty yuan, and others received twenty yuan.
Cheng You was shocked; twenty yuan was no longer attractive?
Zhou Yunru chuckled, "It's because of your dad. He told them upfront that there would be no salary initially and they should think carefully."
The learning phase would only last ten days to half a month; how much effort could that take?
Once they learned the skills, the salary would be better than toiling in the fields.
To put it bluntly, Cheng Tianhua was also a short-sighted man.
Cheng You rested her chin on her hand, "Then forget it. I'll go see my maternal grandfather tomorrow."
In the afternoon, Zhao Lifang actually came.
She had also heard Cheng You say she was recruiting and wanted to join Cheng You.
Cheng You was a little surprised, "Don't you have a job?"
Director Qian valued her unborn child greatly and had arranged a job for her soon after she got married.
Zhao Lifang said, "Zhao Yunlin and my mother are shameless. They constantly go to my factory, causing trouble, wanting to transfer my house to Zhao Yunlin's name. I told Qian Dingzhong that after the baby is born, I'll sell the house and return to Wujing Village to build a new one."
But she couldn't do manual labor, so she needed a job to support herself.
She happened to hear that Cheng You was recruiting.
After experiencing so much, her mind had become clearer. Following Cheng You was definitely the right choice.
Cheng You agreed immediately.
"But let's be clear from the start: I treat everyone equally. If you don't perform well and can't pass my standards, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Zhao Lifang snorted, "I'm a high school graduate, you know."
Although her grades weren't outstanding, they were above average.
Cheng You nodded, "Alright, then in Wujing Village, we've only recruited you. You can follow Yunru sister from now on."
"Okay, I'll listen to my sister-in-law."
Zhou Yunru glanced at her belly, "Your due date is soon, isn't it?"
Zhao Lifang nodded, "A few more days."
"Then come after your confinement period. No rush."
After the confinement, she could leave the baby with the Qian family. Zhao Lifang would be on her own and free to come and go.
The location of the pharmaceutical factory was not far from Wujing Village, and it was said that the water quality here was good and met the requirements.
They would also build a dormitory for workers nearby. If Zhao Lifang had nowhere else to go, she could stay in the worker's dormitory.
"Won't that be too late?"
Zhou Yunru shook her head, "It's never too late to learn. Your health is important. Without good health, how can you have the energy to work? We don't want your water to break here, and then we have to worry about your childbirth."
Zhao Lifang chuckled, "Okay, then I'll come after my confinement."
After she left, no one else came to apply.
Cheng You sighed. She would go to Qili Village tomorrow.
"Yunru sister, you should pack up and go home too. I'll go to Qili Village tomorrow."
Zhou Yunru smiled, "Don't be too discouraged. Someone in Qili Village will definitely be willing."
Cheng You hummed in agreement. However, Wujing Village was her hometown, and she naturally had a preference.