Cheng Suâs little restaurant was thriving, and it didnât really need any advertising. After all, the location wasnât far from the military compound, so there were always people passing by who might drop in, and some did. And with Li Qiulan working there, a casual word from Li Qiumei was all it took for the whole compound to know that Cheng Su was making a lot of money.
No matter the era, when youâre doing well, there will always be those who canât stand it, those who will be envious. The talk turns mean, with accusations of pandering and insincere flattery, and then comes the disdain for private entrepreneurs not being presentable.
"Even if you earn more money, youâre still reeking of copper, uneducated, a vulgar upstart," they said.
In the Southwest Ladderâs kitchen, such gossip was stirring, and it was Hualing who spoke these words.
"If you ask me, it still doesnât compare to Daheâs wife, who properly goes to the factory to work. At least sheâs recognized as a worker, and that carries a better reputation. When she retires, sheâll comfortably collect her pension and live the good life," Hualing said while washing the vegetables to Guiying.
Guiying responded lightly, "Look at what youâre saying. Working in a factory is still working. How can that be better than being your own boss? Besides, the factory wages arenât like those at the hospital, only around twenty or thirty yuan, and they deduct your pay if youâre late. I heard from Li Qiumei that Sister-in-law Qi is paying Qiulan sister twenty yuan. Thatâs just for the probation period. Once sheâs official, itâll be thirty yuan, plus thereâs a year-end bonus. If I hadnât already gotten a job, Iâd be tempted to be a server there myself!"
"Twenty yuan a month?" Hualing paused slightly, "Just to be a server?"
As a nurse, she made only thirty-four yuan a month and had to pay for her meals in the canteen, too. Could it really be that a server earned such a high salary?
"Thatâs what I heard," Chunhua nodded, "And food is included. What isnât there to eat in that restaurant? Itâs only been a few days, and I can see that Qiulan sisterâs face has gotten rounder."
Detecting the envy in her words, Hualing curled her lips and said, "You didnât go to work in the factory, you can go too."
Being a server, whatâs so good about that? Itâs just pouring tea and handing out water, humbling yourself, and from their talk, it sounds like they think itâs something to brag about.
"I do want to go, but look at this," Chunhua pointed to her belly, three months pregnant already.
Hualing rolled her eyes, "You canât even see the belly yet, canât you still work?"
These days, who isnât working whilst showing a bulging belly? Only she thinks sheâs so precious. Her husband, Liang Shurong, isnât even a squad leader, how much could his allowance be?
"Iâve been married for years and only just got pregnant. Old Liang is so anxious, he doesnât let me work. Otherwise, I wouldâve gone already. Now with the reform and open-up policy, life is getting better, but things are also getting more expensive. Old Liangâs allowance isnât much, and weâre really tightening our belts," Chunhua said, somewhat disheartened, yet enviously looking at her, "Not like you, with Platoon Leader Chenâs high allowance, and you have a salary from working at the hospital. If you take a red envelope too, thatâs even better. Didnât Chen buy you a fan recently?"
Proudly, Hualing lifted her chin, "Thatâs right, a respectable job and a caring husband make for a comfortable life."
"If you ask me, the most comfortable life is Sister-in-law Qiâs. She runs her own business, earns more money, buys whatever she wants, and she and Commander Qi are so affectionate," Guiying chimed in.
Hualingâs proud face fell, "An uneducated upstart reeking of copper, whatâs there to admire?"