Three days passed.
Wang Huan, with her two younger sisters, nervously followed Tian Jing and her husband to the reception area.
The receptionist was already waiting.
Upon seeing the frail figures of the three Wang sisters, the receptionist grew even more indignant about the Tian family that they had inquired about.
He always felt that his parents hadn't been good enough to him. After learning about the plight of the three Tian sisters, he apologized to his own parents.
After this candid conversation with his parents, his relationship with them became very harmonious, as if returning to childhood.
“Aunt Tian, the captain is in the backyard. He has prepared some ingredients and asked Tian Dayazi to cook.”
“Alright.”
Tian Jing nodded, then turned to encourage Wang Huan, “I believe in you. If you can get out of the Tian family, you won’t fear any difficulty. Keep going.”
“Mhm.” Wang Huan took a deep breath and led her two sisters to the backyard.
Tian Jing and Li Zhengguo waited in the lobby of the reception area.
About half an hour later, the three Wang sisters came out.
Wang Huan, tearfully excited, said, “Boss Tian, we’ve been hired.”
“Excellent, excellent! This is wonderful news. When are you supposed to start?”
“Tomorrow. We’ll go back to pack our things now.”
Packing revealed quite a few items. Tian Jing told them to leave behind the tattered ones.
Wang Huan refused, “These can be used to make shoe soles.”
A poor home is still worth a lot.
Tian Jing didn't interfere further, as a van would be available to transport them.
“Did the captain say if he hired you or if you’d be contracting a canteen?”
Wang Huan grinned, “The captain said we should start first, and then we’ll see if we’ll open two canteens later.”
“For now, it’s one hundred yuan a month for me, and fifty yuan a month each for my second and third sisters. This will increase with outside wages in the future.”
Tian Jing was happy for her, “This is likely because your cooking skills aren’t good enough yet. You need to focus on improving your craft. With good culinary skills, you could earn two to three hundred.”
Wang Huan nodded, “Mhm. I know I can’t be satisfied with this. I will work hard.”
“Not only will I work harder myself, but I will also teach my two sisters, so they also have a skill. Wang Xin, Wang Xi, come here.”
Calling her two sisters over, Wang Huan led them to kneel before Tian Jing again.
“Boss Tian, the motivation that kept me going in the Tian family was you.”
“I admire your strength and courage. That time we went to Kushan, when I first begged you and you refused, I felt like the whole world was dark.”
“For those ten days I was tied to the bed, I waited to be swallowed by the final darkness, but then someone pulled me out.”
“The person who could wake me up was still because of you. He told me that you were paying attention to us.”
“I know it’s very difficult to escape the Tian family, because we have a blood connection with them. You were waiting for an opportunity.”
“The opportunity has come, and we are all saved. I thought this was a bright future. I didn't expect you to plan for us again.”
“Going in this time, we might never see you again. The three of us kowtow to you.”
“Our parents and family never worried about us like this. Thank you for your grace of rebirth.”
After Wang Huan and her sisters kowtowed, they were helped up by members of the Tian family.
“Enough, enough. I understand your feelings. If you encounter difficulties, send Hao Hao and Xiao Bo to bring a message out, and we will do our best to resolve it.”
“If anyone bullies you, tell Hao Hao and Xiao Bo to find the captain for fairness.”
“Mhm.”
Wang Huan sobbed uncontrollably. Ever since she was sensible, the only warmth she had known was from this aunt who was not related by blood.
She genuinely considered Tian Jing her aunt but had never called her that.
Therefore, when their belongings were moved into the reception area the next day, Wang Huan held onto Tian Jing with her two sisters, refusing to let go.
“Little Aunt, I’ll selfishly call you this just once. After I say it, I’ll feel like I’m not alone in this world, but have elders to protect and love me.”
Tian Jing sighed and hugged this fragile girl who was trying so hard to be strong for her sisters.
She gently patted Wang Huan’s back, “You are not alone. I am your little aunt, your elder.”
“You are the tie you have in this world, which will remain even after your two sisters grow up and become independent. No matter what, you must live well. As long as you live, there is hope.”
“Mhm.” Wang Huan nodded forcefully.
“Little Aunt.”
“Little Aunt.”
Seeing that Boss Tian did not reject her elder sister, Wang Xin and Wang Xi also called out.
Tian Jing let go of Wang Huan, crouched down, and hugged the two younger ones.
“Good girls, listen to your elder sister. She has gone through a lot for you. You have a little aunt, and you are children who are loved and protected by elders.”
“Little Aunt.”
“Little Aunt.”
The two sisters cried in her warm embrace.
Tian Jing felt a pang in her heart and gently patted the two children.
“Alright,” Wang Huan pulled up her sisters, “We have to go now. Say goodbye to little aunt.”
“Goodbye, little aunt.”
The three sisters shouted in unison.
Tian Jing waved goodbye to them. “Goodbye.”
On the way back, Tian Jing was silent.
After the car stopped, Li Zhengguo called his wife to get out, “Don’t dwell on it anymore. Joining the specialty team is their best protection.”
Tian Jing exhaled, “Yes. Once they’re in, the Tian family can’t do anything. No, they won’t even be able to find them.”
…
Three more days passed, and Ouyang Lei obtained the business license.
With the business license in hand, he went to the designated place to engrave the company seal and financial seal.
He visited the Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision, then the State Administration of Taxation and Local Taxation. He then went to the bank to open a basic account, which also required waiting.
The four of them were exhausted.
Tian Jing was fortunate that she was not the legal representative.
Ouyang Lei complained that doing business in Kyoto was too formal and that it was faster to bribe people in the south.
Li Zhengguo retorted, “Being formal has its advantages. At least it’s fair and just.”
“Impossible!”
Ouyang Lei waved his hand, “Everywhere has its dark side.”
Li Zhengguo shot back, “At least it’s not blatant, right? You can scare people with just one mention of reporting it.”
Ouyang Lei waved his hand, “I’ll believe you for now.”
Li Zhengguo kicked him, “Don’t take it lightly. Restrain your temper from the south. The final steps will be handled by you and Sister Du. We should be heading back.”
“Ah?”
Ouyang Lei sat up straight, “You’re just leaving now?”
“Are we supposed to stay and celebrate the New Year with you?”
Li Zhengguo retorted, “Go around and look around quickly. If you acquire more houses, do it under the company’s name. The previous ones should be temporarily kept under personal names.”
“Pay close attention to the policies from above. Once a policy is issued, stop acquiring. Communicate more with Sister Du.”
Ouyang Lei waved his hand, “Yes, yes. Hurry and go. Have you sold all the watermelons?”
It was mid-October, so it was about time.
Li Zhengguo was not in a hurry; he needed to get used to letting go.
…
In Kushan, things were a bit chaotic due to the absence of Village Chief Li and Team Leader Tian.
There wasn't much change in the seedlings in the nursery, but the later-grown seedlings weren't doing as well.
Amidst everyone's anticipation.
Village Chief Li and Team Leader Tian, along with gifts for their nephew from Le Xiaodi, gifts for their two children at home, and gifts for two nephews and a niece, arrived at the county town.
At noon, when school ended, Li Weili and Li Weixin entered the courtyard and saw their parents.
The siblings rushed into their mother’s arms, joyfully shouting that Mom was back.
Tian Jing hugged her children, patting their backs, and thought about what her husband had said about waiting a few more years…
Alas, by the time the children grew up, she would be old too.