Chapter 569: Family Values
Chapter 569: Family Values
After feeding the triplets, Jiang Xia and Zhao Cheng Lei got out of bed.
Zhao Cheng Lei said, "You should get some more sleep. I can go over there first."
"No need. I’m fully awake now. I won’t be able to fall back asleep. I can take a nap when I come back at noon."
Today was the day for Xu Ling’s relatives to visit Zhou Guodong’s family to observe their family values.
Jiang Xia had heard from Xu Ling that her uncles, aunts, cousins, and their spouses would make up a group of over a dozen people.
That meant they would need to prepare at least two tables for the banquet.
Moreover, since the relatives would be staying for the whole day, they would need to prepare two meals.
When it was their turn to host, Uncle Dong and Aunt Dong, along with their family, had come to help wholeheartedly.
Jiang Xia couldn’t afford to be late on such an important day.
Although she had to take care of the triplets and could offer only limited help, her presence was a matter of showing respect.
Zhao Cheng Lei didn’t insist further after hearing her words.
The couple carried the triplets downstairs together.
After having breakfast, they pushed the triplets in a stroller to Zhou Guodong’s house to lend a hand.
Jiang Xia brought two grouper fish and two bottles of wine that the dolphins had given her yesterday, while Zhou Mu brought a fried chicken.
Upon arriving at Zhou Guodong’s house, the triplets were left in the care of Guangzongyaizu and Zhou Zhou, with Zhou Ying looking after them.
Having just woken up and been fed, the triplets could play contentedly by sucking their fingers. With a few older brothers and sisters entertaining them with rattles, they wouldn’t cry.
Zhao Cheng Lei and Zhou Chengxin helped slaughter the chickens, geese, and ducks.
Tian Caifua and Zhou Mu washed the vegetables.
Jiang Xia, known for her delicious cooking, prepared some cold dishes.
Aunt Dong and the two daughters-in-law were already in the kitchen cutting vegetables and stewing braised pork.
Aunt Dong asked, "What time is it? Why haven’t Guodong and the others returned yet?"
Zhou Chengsen had gone fishing with Zhou Guodong and his two brothers at four in the morning to catch the seafood they would be eating today.
Jiang Xia glanced at her watch. "It’s eight o’clock. They should be back soon."
As if on cue, they returned with several buckets of fish, shrimp, and crabs, a bag of oysters, some snails, and a jellyfish.
Zhou Guoxing and Zhou Guoye’s wives quickly went to clean the fish and prepare the jellyfish.
Around ten-thirty, the Xu family arrived.
After exchanging greetings, Uncle Dong’s family busied themselves entertaining the future in-laws.
The preparation of lunch was left to Jiang Xia’s family.
Jiang Xia was making a jellyfish salad when Xu Ling’s great-aunt approached her with a smile. "Xia, are you making jellyfish salad?"
Jiang Xia smiled back. "Yes! Great-Aunt, you should go inside and sit down. The kitchen is hot."
"It’s fine. I just wanted to chat with you."
"I heard you’re building a factory. My daughter and I, along with my two daughters-in-law, have some free time. Xia, when your factory opens, can you give us some jobs?"
Xu Ling’s monthly salary, including bonuses and overtime, was over a hundred yuan, sometimes even two hundred.
It was a salary that many envied!
Moreover, her younger brother, who worked with Xia’s husband, earned even more.
He made three hundred and sixty yuan a month and brought home various seafood every day.
Previously, Xu Ling’s family had the lowest income among her siblings.
Now, with just the two of them, they had become the highest-earning family.
It was said that Xu Ling’s mother and two younger sisters would also work at the factory, which would bring the family’s monthly income to over a thousand yuan.
That’s why Xu Ling’s great-aunt had the audacity to approach Jiang Xia.
Jiang Xia replied tactfully, "The factory isn’t built yet. It’s estimated to be completed next year. When we start hiring, you can come for an interview. Many people are already contacting me, so I might forget. Just ask Xu Ling when we start hiring and come to the factory for the interview."
Jiang Xia was telling the truth. These days, as she walked through the village, people would often stop her. One would say they wanted to work at her factory, another would say their daughter was interested, and yet another would mention their niece.
She hardly knew all of these people, so how could she remember everyone?
She told everyone to come to the interview, and she would post a job notice in the village.
The hiring process would be handled by He Xinguan and Aunt Fen, following a standard interview procedure. They would decide who to hire.
Jiang Xia would likely be in the capital city at that time and wouldn't be able to manage all of this.
Besides, they would need to hire dozens, even hundreds of people. It wouldn't be practical for everyone to be someone she knew well, someone who was very diligent and tidy.
As long as she set the rules and regulations for the factory, the employees would just follow them.
Xu Ling's aunt smiled and agreed, then tactfully walked away.
"Xia, ..." As soon as the aunt left, another aunt came over.
Jiang Xia repeated the same thing.
Another aunt came after that, and no matter who it was, Jiang Xia said the same thing.
She told them to come to the interview, and the outcome would be decided then.
Xu Ling's mother watched as several cousins approached Jiang Xia one by one, feeling very anxious.
No wonder they were all so eager to come and see the family, bringing so many gifts, including chickens and eggs.
They were waiting for this!
Xu's mother was afraid that Jiang Xia might be upset, and then both Xu Ling and Xu Yong would lose their jobs.
Today, Xu Ling didn't come, so she found an opportunity to approach Jiang Xia and said nervously, "Xia, I'm really sorry. I didn't know my sisters-in-law would come to you."
Jiang Xia smiled, "Aunt, it's fine. The factory does need to hire people, and I'm actually worried we won't get enough. If there are more people like Xu Ling, who are diligent and meticulous, clean and tidy, I'd be happy if you could introduce more to the factory."
...
That evening, Xu's mother returned home and told Xu Ling, "No wonder you said Xia is such a pleasant person to be around. She's so rich yet so approachable, with no airs at all."
Just talking to Jiang Xia for a while made her feel very comfortable.
No wonder her daughter and son, despite being tired from work every day, were always happy and eager to go to work.
*
On August 25th, Jiang Xia and Zhao Chenglei were taking the triplets for a health check-up in the city, with Zhou Mu accompanying them.
Jiang Xia drove, while Zhao Chenglei held two of the children, and Zhou Mu held one.
Jiang Xia didn't have the strength to carry two children for over an hour, so she drove.
Jiang Father and Jiang Dong were waiting at the hospital entrance early in the morning, while Jiang Mother had gone to buy groceries, planning to have a family lunch.
Jiang Dong had returned to the capital city the day after the full moon celebration to continue his research and prepare for his overseas exams.
He had just returned last night, specifically to accompany his sister to the city and spend a few days with their parents.
As soon as Zhao Chenglei got out of the car, Jiang Dong took one of the children from his arms and, after a moment, laughed, "This is the elder brother, right?"
Zhao Chenglei nodded, "Yes."
Jiang Father noticed that his daughter looked thinner than the last time he saw her, which was only a few weeks ago. "Are the children difficult to take care of?"
Jiang Xia smiled and shook her head, "Not at all! They're very easy to manage. They play by themselves after eating, and sometimes they fall asleep without any coaxing."
Jiang Father saw the warmth and affection in his daughter's eyes when she talked about the children.
He wanted to ask why she was getting thinner if the children were so easy to take care of, but with Zhou Mu around, he didn't want to make her uncomfortable. He smiled, "That's good."
Sorry, only one update tonight! (／ω＼), I'll catch up tomorrow.
Tonight, relatives brought their children to our house to play, and they stayed late, disrupting my writing schedule. (End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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