Interstellar to 80s: A Scientist's Farming Mission

Her blunt comment nearly scared Shan Xing’er to tears.

”Just kidding. Sit.”

An Ning gestured with an open palm toward Shan Xing’er. The slightly tan-skinned Shan Xing’er clutched her forehead and sat down nervously across from the three of them.

Xiao Tangtang popped up from the side and handed Shan Xing’er a cool, damp handkerchief.

”Miss, press this to your forehead for a while, and it won’t be swollen tomorrow.”

Shan Xing’er took it instinctively, first thanking Tangtang. Holding the handkerchief, she didn’t know whether she should use it or not.

”Where’s that spirit you had when you were trying to stop me outside? Why so timid now?”

An Ning’s words made Shan Xing’er manage an embarrassed smile.

”I don’t want to apologize. I don’t think I did anything wrong out there.”

Shan Xing’er lowered her head, stood up from the chair, and said weakly, ”I’ll be going.”

”Go where?”

An Ning called her back and had her sit down properly. ”We’re a legitimate business. We don’t do that whole song and dance of currying favor and kissing up.”

”Alright, let’s officially begin the interview.”

An Ning’s sudden shift to a serious, all-business attitude didn’t frighten Shan Xing’er. Instead, it seemed to invigorate her.

The rest of the interview went smoothly. Shan Xing’er was articulate, and she had a particularly down-to-earth smile that, even with her tanned skin, made her seem very approachable.

All three interviewers were very satisfied. They hired Shan Xing’er on the spot and told her to come in for her first day of work in three days.

Shan Xing’er was happy—so happy she was expressionless. With a disbelieving, vacant look in her eyes, she walked out of the shop.

Xiao Min, who had been waiting outside, saw Shan Xing’er’s expression and inwardly rejoiced as she stepped forward.

”Shan Xing’er, it’s okay. You can find another job.”

”If I get the job here, I’ll put in a good word for you and find a way to get you hired, too.”

Xiao Min’s expression was one of genuine concern. Her eyes, as if having made a firm decision, glanced into the shop. ”When I go in for my interview in a bit, I’ll be sure to praise you and ask them to give you another chance.”

Lost in her own joy, Shan Xing’er was snapped back to reality by Xiao Min’s voice.

She was about to explain, but after hearing what Xiao Min said next, she pulled her hand away disapprovingly. ”Xiao Min, it’s not like you own this store. How can you just say whatever you want?”

”Besides, using connections and sucking up won’t work here.”

After she spoke, Shan Xing’er’s eyes lit up with a brilliant sparkle, and she announced in a slightly raised voice, ”I got the job! I start in three days!”

Facing Shan Xing’er, Xiao Min’s pupils contracted slightly. The next second, she tried to plaster on a happy-for-you expression, but she was only halfway there when An Ning called her in.

”Good luck, Xiao Min!”

The oblivious Shan Xing’er cheered her on. Xiao Min gave Shan Xing’er a faint smile and walked inside.

During the interview, An Ning found that she wasn’t particularly fond of Xiao Min’s personality.

’But it takes all sorts. Especially in sales, sometimes you do need clerks who know how to say the right thing to the right person.’

So, she held no bias against hiring Xiao Min.

The questions were normal, the interview was normal, and Xiao Min had no problems. Just as the three of them were about to give their approval, Xiao Min spoke up on her own.

”About that Shan Xing’er—”

Xiao Min hesitated, looking like she wanted to say something but found it difficult. An Ning subtly motioned to stop An Guoming, who was about to hire her.

An Guoming leaned back in his chair and gently kicked Liu Yiyi next to him.

Liu Yiyi understood instantly. Her voice, as gentle as flowing water, immediately closed the distance between her and Xiao Min.

”Xiao Min, if you have something to say, just say it.”

Xiao Min looked up at the three of them, her eyes seemingly filled with resolve.

”I don’t want to speak ill of Shan Xing’er, but I don’t want you to be deceived.”

”Shan Xing’er’s family is in the countryside. Her mother is waiting for her to come home and get married; she won’t let her work out here. I’m afraid they might come here and cause a scene.”

”And—”

Again, she clutched her clothes and hesitated. Never mind An Ning—An Guoming particularly disliked this kind of act.

’She was clearly dying to say it but insisted on being prompted, just to make herself seem so noble, as if she had no other choice.’

In that instant, An Guoming lost all interest in hiring Xiao Min. He was running a grocery store; he didn’t need to stage a drama full of backstabbing and intrigue.

’Healthy workplace competition was fine, but he wanted no part of the kind of backstabbing where one person slings mud and the other tries to sabotage them in return. The less of that, the better.’

Liu Yiyi, playing the part of the caring big sister, asked again. Xiao Min ”reluctantly” spoke up once more.

”Shan Xing’er is staying at my house. She... she steals things.”

Xiao Min blurted it out in one breath, then awkwardly fidgeted with the hem of her clothes, her face bright red. She looked so distressed that an outsider might have thought she was the one being framed.

The three interviewers across from her exchanged a look. An Guoming spoke directly, not wanting to waste another word on her.

”I’m sorry, you don’t meet our hiring standards. Please leave.”

Xiao Min, sitting opposite them, looked up in disbelief. Tears were already welling in her eyes, threatening to fall, creating a pitiful sight.

An Guoming retorted, ”I suggest you try your luck in Hong Kong. You might find more opportunities there.”

”Your acting is really quite good.”

After An Guoming’s pointed remark, An Ning also spoke up. ”The issues you mentioned? Shan Xing’er already told us all about them.”

”With your talents, you’ll find a better job. Our philosophy here doesn’t align with yours. Please leave.”

The flat tone, coupled with a chilling aura, was classic An Ning.

After being exposed, Xiao Min showed no embarrassment at all. Instead, she stood up looking utterly delicate and fragile, as if a single harsh word would shatter her.

”There’s nothing I can do if you don’t believe me.”

Xiao Min’s voice was filled with helplessness. As she turned, she let out a sigh so pitiful it could move a listener to tears, but none of the three people behind her were even looking.

A flicker of genuine panic crossed Xiao Min’s face. ’Why isn’t it working?’

’She didn’t understand. It always worked. People have an innate sense of duty to help the weak.’

Xiao Min’s turn, her sigh, her very footsteps—all of it reeked of careful planning and rehearsal. An Guoming once again thought to himself that she was truly suited for a career in Hong Kong.

’This was a performance honed by real-life experience.’

As for the three of them, one could only say they had experienced much, much more.

As Xiao Min walked out of the shop, a single, perfectly timed tear fell. Like a delicate yet resilient little flower in the cold wind, she wiped it away, her face blooming into a beautiful smile.

”Xiao Min, did you get sand in your eye?”

A single sentence from Shan Xing’er shattered Xiao Min’s perfect performance. The other applicants in line who had been watching her immediately lost interest—their own interviews were more important.

A strange expression crossed Xiao Min’s face as she looked at Shan Xing’er.

”No.”

Tired of the act, Xiao Min turned and walked away from the line. The bewildered Shan Xing’er followed after her.