“The situation isn’t settled yet. It’s just that I submitted the proposal I wrote yesterday, and this morning Station Chief Yang talked to me, expressing high regard for my proposal and entrusting me with full responsibility for the next steps of the work. I’ve just gained a little bit more authority, that’s all.”
Authority in hand, what does the position matter anymore? It’s only a matter of time.
Speaking of which, Li Jian felt that Lin Chuxia was truly his benefactor. He had been working at the vegetable station for four or five years, always on the front lines, until he met Lin Chuxia, and just a few words from her got him a minor position, and now Station Chief Yang was personally naming him.
This promotion was different from the previous ones. Being handpicked by Station Chief Yang meant that even if he was still sitting in the same spot, his status at the vegetable station was different.
Moreover, the task he held was a major matter for the station. If he managed to accomplish it, the next position he’d receive would definitely not be a low one.
With this information, Lin Chuxia had a clear idea in her mind. Seeing that he had other matters to attend to, she didn’t hold him up any longer.
It was too late for today, so Lin Chuxia found a secluded spot, and using her handbag as a shield, she put the money into her space.
She didn’t rely on the space for living, but having this convenience to reduce some risks was still necessary to use.
The next morning, after busying herself with the Bun Shop, Lin Chuxia took Su Wensong to find the homeowner and went to the Housing Authority to handle the property transfer procedure.
The deed had the man’s father’s name on it, and some other procedures were also processed until the transfer was completed in the afternoon.
Holding the deed with the changed owner’s name as they exited the Housing Authority, Lin Chuxia let out a long sigh of relief.
After a few busy days, the house was finally in her hands.
The two hadn’t eaten much for lunch, and now that the task was completed, they headed straight back to the Bun Shop.
Before reaching the Bun Shop, from a distance, she saw a loitering figure under the big tree opposite the shop.
Lin Chuxia handed her handbag to Su Wensong and gestured for him to stay silent, then tiptoed behind the person and gave a light tap on the shoulder, “Hey, Old Master.”
“Ah! You little rascal, trying to scare me to death, huh?”
Old Master He’s beard curled up, and his eyes glared at her.
Lin Chuxia gave the old man a once-over; knowing him for so long, Old Sir He had always worn dingy, patched-up clothes that looked as if they had not been washed in ages.
Today, he not only was without patches, but his clothes were also clean, and upon a closer look, his hair and beard appeared well-groomed, too.
“You’re dressed up so nicely today, Old Master. Don’t tell me you’ve taken a fancy to someone’s granny?” She then covered her mouth as if she had an epiphany, “No wonder you look so sneaky, Old Master, this isn’t right…”
Old Master He’s beard curled even more, fuming.
“You impudent girl, no respect for elders at all, what granny, sneaking around…, lacks discipline.”
With hands clasped behind his back, he huffed coldly and headed towards the Bun Shop.
Lin Chuxia smiled and winked at Su Wensong, tilting her chin. Su Wensong laughed and shook his head helplessly.
There were no customers in the Bun Shop at that time. Old Master He chose a table in the middle and sat squarely.
Seeing Lin Chuxia come in, he went straight to the point, “Girl, didn’t you want to take me, the old man, as your master? Come, bow to your master. Wensong, go call your granny over, let her witness this.”
Not only Lin Chuxia, but even Su Wensong didn’t expect this.
Su Wensong knew more about Old Master He’s situation than Lin Chuxia. To have Old Master He actively take Lin Chuxia as an apprentice was a sign that the old man was ready to come out of his shell.
“Alright, I’ll go right now.”
Lin Chuxia stopped Su Wensong, leaned in close to Old Master He, and asked cheerfully, “How did you have a change of heart? You haven’t been to the Bun Shop these past few days. I thought I had scared you away. So you weren’t scared off, but were instead preparing a gift for your apprenticeship?”
Old Master He’s face was full of proud coyness, “What, without a gift, you won’t accept me as your master? Are you stopping Su Wen’s boy because you want to go back on your word? If that’s the case, then I, Old Master, have misjudged you. I’m leaving.”
After saying that, she really was about to storm off when Lin Chuxia grabbed her.
“Where do you think you’re going? Look at you being all stingy, I’m just thinking that since I’m taking you as my master, it should be done formally. In a bit, I’ll cook personally and make you some delicious dishes, and bring out a bottle of wine. Granny Su will be our witness. Everyone at the Bun Shop is invited to witness this event. As Lin Chuxia’s master, you’ve got to have some prestige.”
Old Sir He’s expression finally eased, and his face showed a bit of unnaturalness, “That… That’s not necessary. Nowadays, we’re in a new society, those old customs aren’t a thing anymore, just give me a couple of respectful toasts for the apprenticeship, and that’s good enough.”
“No problem. Are you going to sit in the shop for a while or go chat with Granny Su? I’ll go and make some delicious food for you. Is there anything in particular you’d like to eat?”
Lin Chuxia felt that this old master was really easy to coax, the softer the person’s heart is, the tougher they pretend to be.
It was probably for that reason why in his last life, he ended up on a desperate path after losing his loved ones.
Old Master He waved his hand nonchalantly, “Anything is fine, it’s up to you.”
“Got it, you love meat.”
“You little brat…”
Old Master He kept a stern face while walking towards the backyard, but he couldn’t hide the smile on his face.
“Boss, congratulations,” Su Wensong was the first to offer his felicitations.
Lin Chuxia indeed felt happy, “Today is a double celebration. Go to the meat shop and see if they have ribs or pork knuckles. Also, buy a fish. If the seafood shop has any fresh stuff, grab some too.”
After giving instructions to Su Wensong, she said to the three busy in the kitchen, “Lanlan, Granny Sun, Third Brother, start wrapping things up, we’re closing early today.”
Sun Lanlan was the first one to come out, “What’s the matter, Chuxia? Is there something going on?”
“There’s a happy event. I’m about to formally acknowledge a master. We’ll have a lively celebration tonight.”
Granny Sun leaned in, “Are you really going to take that weird old man as your master?”
She used to sell buns at the train station too and knew about Old Master He. In their eyes, he was a bit of an oddball with some mental issues.
Lin Chuxia nodded.
“Wow, Boss Lin really has a good heart, I heard he’s just a lonely old man.”
Lin Chuxia didn’t explain much. Since Old Master He didn’t want to practice medicine anymore, she guessed he also didn’t want others to know his identity.
She wasn’t taking Old He as her master expecting to gain anything; as long as the old man could have something to focus on and enjoy his twilight years, that was enough.
If some regrets can be avoided, then her having lived through life a second time would not be in vain.
For dinner, Lin Chuxia personally cooked braised pork knuckles in soy sauce, braised ribs, steamed fish, blanched shrimp, and several other main dishes, along with a few home-cooked dishes.
The table was set up in the Su Family courtyard, and the Bun Shop didn’t make many buns in the afternoon and closed early.
Just as several people were happily gathering around the table, someone knocked on the door of the Bun Shop.
“I’ll go have a look,” Sun Lanlan said as she stood up.
Lin Chuxia nodded, “Go ahead and tell whoever it is that we’re closed for the rest of the day and will resume normal business tomorrow.”
Closing early today was bound to raise questions from regular customers.
The Bun Shop had a door opening onto the street. When Sun Lanlan opened the door, she saw a policeman in uniform standing outside, about to knock again.
“Hello, today the Bun Shop is closed for half a day. If you want to buy buns, please come back tomorrow, we’ll be open as usual.”
Sun Hao looked at the unfamiliar girl and smiled, “I’m not here to buy buns, I’m looking for my mom.”