A domineering country girl flirts with her son, and Commander Huo can't resist.

Chapter 106 A Precious Gift

After leaving the black market, Joan went to the machine tool factory.

Since Aunt Liu and Li Dongmei have agreed to come to town to work for her, she doesn't need to consider it anymore.

She can still work at the police station normally, while Aunt Liu and Li Dongmei can keep an eye on things in the canteen.

Geng Qiusheng was overjoyed to learn that she had agreed to take over the cafeteria window service.

Because the food Jiang Zhaozhao made tasted so good, many high-ranking officials in the factory asked him to save some for them privately.

He couldn't afford to offend any of these people, but if he left some for one, he would have to leave some for another, and in the end, not many would actually be allocated to the cafeteria.

The workers wouldn't do it either.

From now on, if Qiao An takes over the cafeteria window, the daily supply will increase, and everyone can buy food, so there won't be so many troubles.

With the Lunar New Year approaching, everyone is busy with family matters. Geng Qiusheng and Qiao An agreed to officially open their food stall in the canteen after the fifth day of the Lunar New Year.

When Qiao An returned home, she had no idea that she had become the talk of the village again.

"Have you heard? Aunt Liu and Dongmei are helping Qiao An steam buns, and they can exchange them for several white flour steamed buns and pies every day."

"Really? They get to eat white flour every day?"

"Why would I lie to you? Aunt Liu was looking for people today, saying that Qiao An is too busy and she needs to find a few more to help."

"Oh, steaming buns? I can do that too. I'll go check on Qiao An after work."

"Me too! Me too!"

Wang Shuyun, who was standing nearby, heard their conversation and her face turned ugly.

Someone noticed her and mocked, "What good is it for the Huo family to scrape together thirty yuan in alimony from the third wife's family?"

"Can you eat wheat flour every day with thirty yuan?"

Wang Shuyun felt a pang of pain upon hearing this, threw down her iron shovel, and went home.

The fact that Qiao An's family was steaming buns was something that couldn't be kept secret anyway, and she didn't intend to hide it.

I just didn't expect so many people to want to come.

When she arrived at her doorstep, she saw a group of people gathered there.

As soon as they saw Joan, they swarmed over like flies.

In the crowd, Qiao An even spotted Shi Ahua from the front yard and Li Yumei, Jiang Heizi's wife.

"Qiao An, are you looking for someone? I'm a great cook; I can make steamed buns and dumplings!"

The speaker was a woman in her forties or fifties. When Qiao An saw her mud-filled, black fingernails, her heart sank.

Aunt Liu and Dongmei are both clean people, so she feels very at ease with them.

Let's forget about this...

Before Qiao An could speak, Shi Ahua from the front yard shamelessly came over.

Their house was right in the front yard, and they had to eat while smelling the aroma of Joan's house every day. It was unbearable.

The three sons in the family were so hungry they were drooling.

"Qiao An, our houses are close by, so it's convenient for me to come over, right? I'm quick and efficient, let me come help you out, I guarantee..."

Before she could finish speaking, Qiao An shook her head. "Once bitten by a snake, twice shy. I wouldn't dare let you into our house."

Shi Ahua's face flushed slightly, but she still didn't want to give up. "We're all from the same village, what's wrong with you helping us out?"

"I don't want your wages. It's just a few steamed buns and pies. Look how stingy you are."

Some people are just so shameless. Even though she's the one asking for a favor, she acts like everyone owes her something.

"You're absolutely right, I am stingy, I just don't want to help you out, so what?"

Qiao An was already in a bad mood today, and what she said was also unpleasant.

"If you come to work for us, you'll steal the rice from the whole jar. I'm telling you, Shi Ahua, you'll never be allowed to set foot in our house again."

No sooner had she finished speaking than laughter erupted. Shi Ahua glared fiercely at Qiao An, then turned and ran away.

Seeing Shi Ahua being scolded and driven away, Li Yumei, whose collarbone had been broken by Qiao An, also retreated sheepishly, not daring to say a word.

The rest of the people, who didn't think they had any grudges against Qiao An, surrounded her and started chattering away. Qiao An felt like there were countless flies buzzing around her ears.

"Stop talking, all of you. I have my own plans, whether I help or not. You can all go back now."

Before they could speak, Joanne's gaze swept over the group. "From now on, if anyone says another word, I will absolutely not let her come to help."

The person who wanted to speak immediately shut their mouth.

Joan pushed the cart inside and slammed the door shut.

Footsteps echoed in disarray as the people at the door scattered and left.

Aunt Liu didn't leave today; I waited for her at home.

Hearing the commotion outside, she dared not go out even more.

Upon seeing Qiao An, Aunt Liu ran out of the kitchen.

"You're finally back." Aunt Liu said apologetically. "It's all my fault. When I went to talk to Xiao's youngest daughter-in-law about this, her mother-in-law overheard, and it spread like wildfire. Look at the mess this has made."

"It's not your fault. We'll find out sooner or later anyway. Besides, we'll only need their help for a few days. We won't need them when we go to town after the New Year, right?"

Seeing that Qiao An wasn't angry, Aunt Liu felt relieved.

"I found two suitable people. One is Jiang Xiaoyan, the youngest daughter-in-law of the Xiao family, and the other is Dongmei's younger sister. She is on winter vacation from high school and has nothing to do at home."

"Dongmei's younger sister is an honest girl, and her parents don't meddle. Jiang Xiaoyan's mother-in-law is indeed a bit gossipy, but Xiaoyan herself is a good person."

As they were talking, Huo Fang came out of the house.

"Second Aunt, I know how to make steamed buns, and I'm on winter vacation too, count me in."

Qiao An patted her head and said, "Okay, count Fangfang in."

Once the candidates were chosen, Qiao An asked Aunt Liu to inform them that they would come to her house the next day.

On the last day before the New Year, each person was given one pound of wheat flour and one pound of pork.

As for wages, they can only be calculated on a daily basis.

At 50 cents a day, each person could earn 5 yuan by the Chinese New Year.

After seeing Aunt Liu to the door, Qiao An turned around and saw Huo Jiyun leaning against the door, smiling at her.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Joan asked.

Huo Jiyun beckoned to her, "Come here, I have something to give you."

Qiao An raised her eyebrows. Huo Jiyun hadn't left the village or gone to town these past few days. What could he possibly give her?

Seeing his mysterious demeanor, Qiao An became curious.

Upon entering the room, Huo Jiyun asked her to sit down.

"Close your eyes."

Wow, is this a surprise?

Joan smiled and closed her eyes.

Fearing that Qiao An might peek, Huo Jiyun went behind her and covered her eyes with his hand.

When the three children saw Huo Jiyun winking at them, they quickly scurried back into the side room and then ran out again.

Qiao An only heard a slight sound coming from the table and couldn't figure out what Huo Jiyun was up to.

A moment later, the large hands left.

Joan slowly opened her eyes.

There were three wooden boxes of different sizes on the table.

It was top-quality elm wood; under the light, the wood grain was smooth and subtly flowing.

But this is not the point.

The real skill lies in the carving on the top edge.

The wooden box closest to her had a newly opened plum blossom on its lid. The branches were gnarled and resilient, and the plum branch leaned out from the right side of the lid, giving it a graceful appearance.

The other two wooden boxes are decorated with orchids and bamboo.

Each wooden box was carefully polished and lacquered, with a thin brass band inlaid at the opening, giving it a warm and substantial appearance.

Joan couldn't resist rubbing it with her hands.

"Plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum—we're still missing one."