Chapter 21: Could Something Unexpected Have Happened?

Shen Chutang went to see Ling You again, asking about several rare medicinal herbs.

Ling You sighed softly, "Little junior sister, I really don’t have what you need, but perhaps you could ask uncle."

Shen Chutang sighed as well—how could she not know? The issue was, uncle now fled at the mere mention of her name, refused her calls, still bitter about her emptying out the medicinal plants on his mountain when she was a child.

Ling You patted Shen Chutang’s shoulder. "I’m afraid I can’t help you with this. By the way, remember I said I’d help a woman find a job? It’s settled. When will you bring her over to take a look?"

"Alright, I’ll go now."

Shen Chutang headed to Second Alley. From afar, she heard the sounds of an argument. As she drew closer, she realized the rent had been raised, and Wang Shaofen couldn’t pay it on such short notice. They were tossing all her and her son’s belongings out.

"Just give me a few more days. I barely stay here, the room’s clean!" Wang Shaofen pleaded.

The rent collector, cigarette dangling from his lips, sneered, "I don’t care how long you stay. If you want to rent, pay up!"

Wang Shaofen was anxious. She’d planned to settle her wages today, but the Shen family had delayed payment, leaving her with not a single cent.

Their things were strewn across the ground. The other party paid no heed to her protests, even shoving her aside.

Aunt Zhao, though distressed about the money, tried to mediate, "Shaofen, we’re all in the same boat when it comes to housing. You’d better pay up, or someone else will rent out the room soon."

For some migrant workers from the countryside, as long as they had a place to sleep at night, they hardly cared where it was.

Qi Zi quietly gathered their belongings, standing to the side, holding onto Wang Shaofen’s sleeve, looking rather pitiful.

Aunt Zhao continued, "Besides, you don’t even have a job now. Are you planning to sleep on the street with your child? Why not… marry Xiao Yang? At least his place is better than here!"

Shen Chutang stepped forward. "Sister Wang, I managed to find you a job. Pack up and come with me."

Wang Shaofen nodded with delight, "Alright, alright!"

Aunt Zhao shot Shen Chutang an unhappy glance—why did she always have to ruin her plans?

"Shaofen, are you sure you don’t want to reconsider? You know, employers won’t take you with a child. Your previous job paid a third less just so Qi Zi could stay with you."

Wang Shaofen grew nervous. "Miss Shen, can I bring Qi Zi to this new job?"

Shen Chutang nodded. "Don’t worry. I’ve checked: room and board are provided, a base salary of five thousand plus commission. If you’re unhappy with the pay, you can negotiate further."

Wang Shaofen was stunned. A base salary of five thousand was higher than what she earned at the Shen household!

"I’m very satisfied, very satisfied!"

Aunt Zhao’s eyes nearly popped out. She instantly smiled, "Miss, is there still an opening? I can work too—anything is fine!"

Shen Chutang looked at her and smiled, "You’re obviously blessed with a husband to rely on. This position isn’t suitable for you."

Wang Shaofen, with Qi Zi, quickly packed and joined Shen Chutang. Since room and board were covered, she could cancel the rental, save money, and buy Qi Zi new clothes.

Shen Chutang led them to the location. Along the way, Wang Shaofen remained anxious, worried that the people at this place would change their minds after seeing her.

Shen Chutang brought her to the entrance of a five-star hotel and asked, "Can you read?"

Wang Shaofen quickly nodded, "I can!"

"Good. You’ll handle the front desk cashier. Nothing else. Just don’t make mistakes with the money."

Wang Shaofen was dumbfounded. Being a cashier at a five-star hotel, without having to do chores, procurement, or sales, was already a huge relief.

"I… I’m afraid…"

"Don’t be. Try it first. There’s also a staff dormitory. I specifically applied for a single room for you. Come take a look."

Normally, single dorm rooms were reserved for married employees and their spouses. She never expected Shen Chutang would arrange one for her!

Walking in, Wang Shaofen could hardly believe it—the conditions were so much better than her current place!

The room wasn’t large, but every essential was present: living room, kitchen, balcony, private bathroom… She couldn’t have imagined having a room of her own here.

Qi Zi was clearly thrilled, running around inside. "Sister Chutang, can I really live here?"

"Of course. Just focus on your work here."

Wang Shaofen, with Qi Zi, bowed deeply to Shen Chutang. "Thank you, Miss Shen!"

"Alright, no need to thank me. You only got into trouble for helping me. This is nothing. The rest depends on how you perform."

Leaving the hotel, Shen Chutang finally breathed a sigh of relief and headed home by taxi.

No sooner had she gotten in than her phone buzzed with a message from Shi Hanhan: "Sister, could you come visit me at the hospital?"

Could something unexpected have happened?