Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Ill Intentions

Vera was at a complete loss. ’What does this have to do with me needing to study hard?’

Shirley Forrest then asked, “Can you buy me a lollipop?”

“I didn’t bring any money on me,” Vera said, looking at her.

“Then I’ll treat you.” Shirley Forrest headed toward the tuck shop. After a few steps, she noticed Vera hadn’t followed and frowned. “Well, come on!”

Vera smiled and followed. Shirley Forrest bought two lollipops and handed one to Vera, saying, “I’m actually looking forward to seeing your exam results this time, Vera. Don’t let me down.”

With that, she patted Vera’s shoulder and walked away.

Vera truly couldn’t figure out what Shirley Forrest was getting at. She gave a slight shrug and headed home.

When she got home, she saw Rona Langdon looking through a pile of flyers she’d gotten from somewhere. Next to her sat Alden, the woman who had come over to play cards last time. On Rona’s other side sat a sturdy man who appeared to be her younger brother.

The moment Rona Langdon saw her return, she said, “Come over here and pick out a job you like.”

Before Vera could speak, Alden chimed in, “Oh, Vera, these jobs are all excellent. As long as you’re not afraid of hard work, you can easily earn a thousand yuan a month. I’ve already settled things with the recruiter for you. Just pack your bags, and you can get on the bus to Corvale tomorrow.”

Vera had overheard Alden and Rona Langdon discussing this matter while playing cards last time, but she hadn’t taken it seriously. She’d figured it would be a while before they actually put their plan into motion. Now, it seemed she had underestimated their efficiency.

She picked up the flyers and glanced at them. They were all recruitment leaflets for shoe factories and garment factories. It had been over ten years since the start of the Reform and Opening-Up, and the winds of change had finally reached Crestfall. In recent years, it had become trendy in Crestfall to go out and find work.

And of these so-called jobs, the most grueling were in garment and shoe factories.

Foreign trade was now a mature industry, and the combination of cheap labor and low rent had given rise to a range of inexpensive products that were extremely popular abroad.

For once, Rona Langdon’s tone was pleasant. “You’d better thank Alden properly this time. She went to a lot of trouble to find this job for you.”

Alden smiled. “Oh, it was nothing. We’re such good friends, of course I’m going to look out for Vera’s interests. And Rona, you’re so blessed. Not only do you have an obedient daughter like Vera to go out and earn money for you, but you also have that other sweet daughter of yours, Cara.”

These were words Rona loved to hear. The mere thought of Vera finally getting out of the house, dutifully working and sending money back for her to spend, made her inwardly gloat.

She said with a smile, “Not to brag, but my Vera is one in a hundred. She has a good character, is honest and reliable, and isn’t afraid of hard work. After all, she’s the one who does all the chores in our house.”

Vera scoffed internally. ’I do chores every single day while Rona Langdon just sits around, and somehow that’s supposed to be one of my virtues? This is fucking unbelievable.’

She said calmly, “Thank you for the kind thought, Alden. But I’m still in school, so I can’t go to work. I’m afraid your good intentions will go to waste.”

“With grades like yours, what’s the point of studying? Just go earn money and save this family the cost of feeding you!” The moment Rona Langdon heard this, her expression darkened.

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