Free Web NovelChapter 247: Chapter 247: An Agreement
A glint flashed in Lin Shan’s eyes when he heard Gu’er’s words. ’If that’s the case, then there’s no problem.’ Employee placement was a headache not just for the district, but for the city as well. If Gu’er could provide jobs for fifty workers, the district and city would definitely agree. When that happened, not only would people stop gossiping about him and Gu’er, but it would also elevate their standing. As long as the city leadership approved, then he and the secretary would have a political achievement to their names.
He had never thought of using his daughter to score political points, but now his daughter needed this building, and they needed to place workers. If this succeeded, it would be a very good thing.
"Gu’er, you have to understand, fifty employees is no small matter. And neither the city nor the district will give you only young, capable workers. There will be the old, the disabled, and the lazy shirkers. You might not be able to use all of them. You need to be mentally prepared for that. Besides, contracting the building will require a lot of money. How many years will the contract be for? How will it be signed? After signing, how will you renovate and use the building? Have you thought all this through?"
Lin Shan asked Gu’er seriously. He didn’t want his daughter coming to him with this on a whim. She needed to have a plan.
"Dad, I’ve thought it all through. I know they won’t give me only usable workers, but that’s okay. I’ll make the arrangements when the time comes. As for the contract, I’m thinking of signing for three years first, then renewing it. I’m confident they’ll renew with me. As for the money, I did a rough calculation. Between Brother Jia Ming, Li Zhi, Dingzi, and me, we should have enough. I’ve also thought about the renovations and all that. Sourcing supplies won’t be a problem either."
Gu’er nodded. Previously, she only had a rough idea, but by the time she was explaining it to Lin Shan, she had already thought it all through.
Lin Shan listened attentively as Gu’er explained all her ideas, occasionally interjecting with a question or offering a piece of advice. After all, Gu’er was his daughter, and he couldn’t let her be taken advantage of.
"Good. Gu’er, if this works out, it will benefit the district and the city as well. Dad will definitely handle the arrangements for you."
Lin Shan looked at Gu’er, his eyes filled with both pride and excitement. It wasn’t for any other reason than the fact that Gu’er was his daughter. He was proud to have a daughter like her.
Gu’er nodded emphatically. That’s what she thought, too.
"Come on, let’s go out and chat with your mom for a bit. You should get some rest soon. Tomorrow, I’ll go talk to the secretary about this. If he has no objections, we’ll report it to the city. Just wait for word from me."
Lin Shan patted Gu’er’s shoulder, and the two of them walked out of the room together.
Chen Fengjiao’s gaze happened to turn toward them just then. Seeing them come out, she quickly stood up.
"Finished talking? I made you two some tea. Come and have a drink."
Chen Fengjiao poured them some tea.
"Gu’er, just have a few sips. If you drink too much, you won’t be able to sleep."
As Lin Shan spoke, he picked up his own cup and drank. He often relied on strong tea to stay alert at work, so drinking it at night didn’t affect his sleep. But if Gu’er wasn’t used to it, she could easily get insomnia.
Gu’er knew her father was telling the truth. She rarely drank tea, so she almost never had it at night, or else she wouldn’t be able to sleep.
Gu’er poured herself a glass of warm water. After talking for so long, she was indeed thirsty.
"Big Sis, I’ve memorized the poem you taught me last time! I recited it for the other kids at daycare, and the teacher even praised me! She gave me a little red flower."
Lin Zheng said excitedly.
Gu’er blushed a little. In her previous life, she had never been to school. When Little Yueyue was two, Zhang Juan and the others had wanted her to teach the child nursery rhymes and classical poems, but she didn’t know any. So, she had found a pinyin version of "300 Tang Poems" and a collection of children’s songs to learn from. Now, that knowledge was coming in handy again.
"Xiao Zheng, you’re amazing."
Gu’er’s praise was sincere, and her smile was radiant. ’That’s how children are. When he does well, he needs praise. It gives him a sense of accomplishment and makes him more interested in learning.’
"It’s because Big Sis is a good teacher. Can you teach me a new one tomorrow, Big Sis? I want to recite it for my teacher and the other kids."
Lin Zheng tilted his small face up, the bright light in his eyes showing just how excited he was.
"Of course. You’ll be starting first grade next year. When I have time, I’ll teach you more."
Gu’er patted Lin Zheng’s head. ’I’ll have to read more books later. Otherwise, it’ll be embarrassing if Lin Zheng asks me something and I don’t know the answer.’
"Big Sister, were you asking Dad for money again?" Lin Sui’er asked, looking at Gu’er with a venomous tone. "I heard you’re pretty good at making money. How come we never see you give any to Mom and Dad? Instead, you’re always asking Dad for money. Has Dad given you all our family’s savings? What’s Xiao Zheng supposed to do when it’s time for him to get a wife?"
Gu’er glanced at her. ’Where is this coming from? When did I ever ask Dad for money? The only time was before my first trip to the Soviet Union, when Dad had Mom give me a few hundred. I knew at the time that was almost all the money they had, so I gave Chen Fengjiao a thousand yuan as soon as I got back. After that, I gave Chen Fengjiao five hundred or a thousand yuan every time I came home, along with lots of gifts. Sometimes Chen Fengjiao would take it, other times she wouldn’t, telling me to keep it because I had more use for the money. But I always insisted she take it. I wanted things to be a little easier for the family, too.’
"Sui’er, what nonsense are you talking?" Chen Fengjiao said. "Your sister gives us money every time she comes back, and she always brings you all gifts. When have you ever seen her ask your father for money? Besides, this is her home. If she needs money, as long as your father and I have it, it’s only right that we give it to her. What’s all this talk about Xiao Zheng getting married? He’s just a little boy."
Chen Fengjiao shot Sui’er a look. ’This girl really has no filter,’ she thought.
"Wasn’t it Lin Zheng who said it? He came out of the room and said Big Sister and Dad were talking about money and contracting something."
Lin Sui’er pouted. ’Mom is clearly dying to know too. She’s just too embarrassed to ask herself.’
"When did I say Big Sis asked Dad for money? You’re lying!"
Lin Zheng wasn’t having it. His little face was taut with anger. He clearly hadn’t said anything about his sister asking their dad for money.
Lin Shan glanced at Lin Sui’er, then shot a warning look at Chen Fengjiao.
Chen Fengjiao looked a little embarrassed.
"Okay, okay. You didn’t say it. Big Sis believes you."
Gu’er patted Lin Zheng’s head.
Seeing that Gu’er believed him, Lin Zheng no longer felt wronged.
Lin Sui’er pouted again, looking completely unconvinced.
"I’m not going to discuss what your sister and I talked about, because it has nothing to do with you," Lin Shan said coolly. "If she needs money, we as her parents will give it to her and support her. The same goes for all of you. So, in the future, I don’t want to see this kind of thing happen in this family again."
After speaking, Lin Shan glanced at everyone before getting up and returning to his room.
Chen Fengjiao’s expression soured. She forced a laugh, and Gu’er offered a few words of comfort before taking Lin Zheng to wash up and teach him another poem. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
Lin Sui’er said nothing. She glanced at the TV drama, then at her mom, before turning her gaze back to the television.
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