The 70s Novel: The Supporting Character Just Wants to Lie Down-Chapter 276: Everyone Has Their Own Fate

School is ultimately a place for learning. With the arrival of the first end-of-month exam after the start of the school year, the only whispering among students is about study.

For the students of the Class of 77, time was too tight. They were like sponges absorbing water, constantly soaking up knowledge to enrich themselves.

Under this atmosphere, Wang Miaomiao couldn’t help but feel the pressure. When everyone around you is working hard and you stagnate, you’re not far from hitting rock bottom.

If you don’t advance in learning, you will fall behind.

After finishing the last test, Wang Miaomiao handed in the paper with ease. There were no classes scheduled afterward, so she could go home early. It’s one of the benefits of being a day student.

"Jia Jia, it’s still early today. Come to my place for dinner. Xiao Xue and Hui Lan will be there too..." Wang Miaomiao extended the invitation.

Li Jiajia, who was also straightforward, replied, "Sure, I’ve been missing Zi Han and Zi Hui..."

She and her husband, Cai Zhihao, brought some things to the Jiang Family gate one Sunday. Remembering the scene from that day, she felt a thrill each time she recalled it.

She had always dreamed of having a place of her own, but it wasn’t until her rushed marriage that the dream came true. But it was just a thirty-square-meter little room, crowded with the four of them. Still, she was very content.

But, looking at others...

Likewise married, looking at someone else’s house, opening any random room was bigger than her entire home.

To say that Li Jiajia didn’t feel anything is impossible. But she quickly adjusted her mindset. Comparing oneself to others only invites frustration. If she were to compete with others in everything, living wouldn’t be worth it.

Especially when comparing to Wang Miaomiao, her two years of high school told her this person was a genius.

Sure enough, from overheard conversations between her and Cheng Xue, she learned that this genius had actually taken out a large loan from the bank, even mortgaging the house, to set up a factory and open a boutique.

That Xuelan Clothing, oh right, there’s probably no fashion-loving girl in Beijing who wouldn’t know it. Any girl with a bit of money on campus wanted to buy a piece to wear. But unfortunately, she couldn’t afford it, or wasn’t willing to...

This woman has courage and boldness, but also sincerity and kindness. Being friends with her is a source of pride for Li Jiajia. Standing by her side, she felt much more confident.

Jealousy doesn’t exist anymore. When a person reaches a height that invites admiration, all jealousy and resentment can only turn into bubbles, easily burst, dissipating into thin air.

"By the way, have you found a place yet?" Wang Miaomiao asked casually. It’s been more than a month; is it really hard to find a house?

On this note, Li Jiajia was quite downhearted. She shook her head and said, "We can only find time on Sundays to look. We checked out a few places, but none were ideal. The main concern is the children’s schooling after they come over... and expenses." Right now, they’re living off their savings. Good locations have higher rents, which they can’t afford. Poor locations mean commuting issues for both children’s school and daily life, and the environment isn’t good. They haven’t found an all-around satisfactory place yet, sigh...

Money is tight. Li Jiajia and Cai Zhihao had some savings over the years, but not much. "Miao Miao, I am thinking of finding a part-time job on Sundays to earn some money. What do you think I should do?"

After several unsuccessful house-hunting and price negotiations, she realized she couldn’t keep living off their savings. She needed to earn money, or else their family couldn’t survive through four years of university.

And among friends, the one good at making money was naturally this big boss standing next to her who had started a factory and opened a boutique.

"Part-time work, huh? You really need to think this through. Are you looking to work for someone else or start a small business on your own?" Wang Miaomiao was willing to help her and genuinely planned for her.

"Work for someone else? Is Jia Jia going to work?" Cheng Xue and Jiang Huilan caught up from behind and happened to overhear.

"Yes, I want to earn some pocket money. Help me think of something I can do?" These two were capable people, one managing the boutique, the other the factory, both heard to be shareholders of Xuelan Clothing, big bosses...

"How about working part-time at the Xuelan Clothing Flagship Store? The work hours are from 6 to 8 in the evening and on Sundays. The salary isn’t fixed, with not much base pay; it’s mainly commission-based. Do well and you can earn a lot; not so well, not much. There’s quite some pressure..." Now, Cheng Xue quite appreciated Li Jiajia and was willing to give her a hand.

"I could also help, but it’s just for one Sunday and wouldn’t be worth it, since wages are based on piecework." Jiang Huilan didn’t mind helping her, but indeed it wouldn’t be beneficial.

Wang Miaomiao looked at Cheng Xue, "Do you need people there?"

"Yes, on nice evenings and Sundays it gets quite busy." Cheng Xue wasn’t just helping out of kindness—the store indeed needed part-time workers.

Li Jiajia listened thoughtfully, knowing that business at the Xuelan Clothing Flagship Store was good, especially on Sundays. Last time she passed by, it was hard to even get in. Commission? If she worked hard, the pay shouldn’t be low...

"Hmm..." Wang Miaomiao knew Cheng Xue really needed people there, so she didn’t hesitate, "Jia Jia, the spot with Xiao Xue is really good, you should give it a try. Since we’re English majors, if we could get some translation gigs, it’d be great. But we’re just starting our studies, so it’s unlikely anyone would hire us. Tutoring is another option since we’re students from a prestigious university—it’s just about waiting for the opportunity. If nothing else works, you could start a small business yourself. There’s a lot you could do, like selling food or small trinkets... Oh, do you have any particular hobbies? If you can turn something you like into value, that’d be fantastic..."

Li Jiajia listened as she spoke eloquently, with one idea after another, thinking to herself: how did she get such a sharp mind? Indeed, the gap between people can sometimes be as wide as a chasm.

After listening along the way, by the time they reached the Jiang Family, Li Jiajia had already made up her mind. "Miao Miao has good ideas. I think I’ll try at Xiao Xue’s place first and do something else if it doesn’t work out."

Cheng Xue patted her on the shoulder and said confidently, "Sure, after dinner, I’ll take you over to start. It’s simple, you’re smart, you’ll get the hang of it in no time."

"Then I’d like to thank all of you bosses first." Li Jiajia clasped her hands and bowed, smiling as she thanked them. Her demeanor was graceful and humble, winning the good favor of the three.

"You’re welcome, just treat us to a meal once you earn a lot," joked Cheng Xue with a giggle.

Li Jiajia readily agreed, "That’ll definitely be the case."

The group chatted and laughed as they entered the Jiang Family home. In the vestibule with shadows playing on the walls, there was a pavilion where Old Master Jiang and Jiang Zhongyi would often pass the time drinking tea and playing chess.

"You’re back... How did the exams go?" Old Master Jiang leisurely placed a chess piece and looked up just in time to see them come in.