Chapter 39: Second Sister, I’m Not a Child Anymore!

Her father was the workshop director at the Steel Mill, and all these people before her were family members of Steel Mill employees.

If she were to ignore them and walk straight past, rumors about her father would likely spread before sunset.

For instance, stories about how the college-educated youngest daughter of Director Shen was arrogant and looked down on everyone.

She didn’t want to attract unnecessary criticism or bring trouble to her father.

Since childhood, Shen Yi’an had always maintained a well-behaved and obedient appearance in public.

Now, hearing someone address her, she naturally displayed the familiar demeanor outsiders knew well. “Auntie Zhang, you’re chatting here. I’m heading to the Steel Mill to see my dad about something.”

“Auntie Wang, I’m wearing a sun hat, so I probably won’t get tanned.”

“Oh, and Auntie Li, the department store recently released a new sunscreen product. You might want to try it—it’s specially designed to prevent tanning.”

“I should get going now. You all should head home soon too, don’t get heatstroke!”

After responding, Shen Yi’an nodded to the group and quickly left the Family Compound.

As for the criticism about wearing a dress, she pushed that thought aside.

They were already in a new society—what was wrong with wearing a dress?

Besides, she was wearing a dress with sleeves, not some revealing, see-through outfit.

If people wanted to gossip, let them. It wasn’t a big deal.

Watching her hurried departure, the chatting aunties soon moved on to a new topic.

“Director Shen is truly blessed to have such a fair, delicate college-educated daughter.”

“Absolutely, she’s one of a kind in our Family Compound.”

“What’s there to envy? My nephew from my maiden family got assigned a job right after graduation and has already settled down there.”

“Really? Do they still assign jobs after university?”

“Of course! College graduates are highly sought after these days—they get jobs straight out of school.”

“If that’s the case, then the one living in our building…”

The lively discussions behind her were naturally unknown to Shen Yi’an, who had already left.

By that time, she was on a bus.

Half an hour later, the bus stopped near the food factory.

Spotting the gatekeeper dozing off with his eyes closed, Shen Yi’an tiptoed over to startle him. “Uncle Lin, your palm-leaf fan has been stolen!”

“Who would dare!” Hearing the female voice, Uncle Lin slowly opened his eyes.

When he saw who it was, his wrinkled face broke into a smile.

“So it’s you, little girl!”

“What, here to see your second sister again?”

Hearing this, Shen Yi’an smiled and nodded. “Yes, I’m here to see my second sister.”

“Have you seen her go out today, sir?”

“She went in this morning and hasn’t come out!” Uncle Lin thought for a moment before answering.

“With the hot weather lately, the factory’s procurement has been focusing on mung beans.”

“Given your second sister’s job role, one procurement trip usually means she can rest for several days.”

Having gotten the answer she wanted, Shen Yi’an asked Uncle Lin to help call her sister.

In just fifteen minutes, a woman wearing navy blue trousers and a light blue long-sleeved shirt hurried toward her.

The moment she saw Shen Yi’an, she gave her a big hug.

“I knew it was you, you little rascal!”

“No one else would come find me during work hours.”

Hearing the familiar voice, Shen Yi’an felt her eyes grow warm involuntarily.

But the moment she spoke, she quickly suppressed the tears welling in her eyes. “Second sister, be careful!”

“If you bump into the ice pop in my hand, that outfit of yours will be out of a job.”

“Don’t be so dramatic!” Shen Yiqian laughed as she straightened up.

“You even know to buy Old Man Lin an ice pop, not bad at all!”

“What a polite child!”

Hearing this praise, Shen Yi’an grinned broadly, “Second Sister, I’m not a child anymore!”

After saying this, she handed the ice pop in her hand to Old Man Lin standing nearby.

Old Man Lin seemed accustomed to this, taking the ice pop and going off to patrol elsewhere.

Leaving the space and area to the Shen sisters.

Seeing this, Shen Yiqian playfully tapped Shen Yi’an’s nose.

“You little rascal sure know how to handle people!”

“With so many people coming and going from the food factory, Old Man Lin only shows you a friendly face.”

“What, are you planning to join our factory after graduation?”

Hearing this, Shen Yi’an shook her head vigorously like a sieve, “No no no!”

“I even turned down the job assigned by the school, why would I come to such a tiring place like the food factory.”

“You’d better keep working hard here, Second Sister!”

Mentioning this topic, the smile on Shen Yiqian’s face faded slightly.

“The job assigned by the school is good, but can your health handle it?”

“Although teaching seems relaxed, dealing with students can be exhausting.”

“Think about when we were young – didn’t we all make our teachers hopping mad?”

“Let’s talk less about this topic, to avoid the whole family ganging up on you, understand?”

Seeing that her sister was about to lose her temper, Shen Yi’an quickly nodded rapidly, “I know, Second Sister, don’t worry!”

“I’ve already turned down the job assigned by the school, what else is there to worry about.”

Though she said this, she still felt somewhat regretful inside.

After studying diligently for four years in university, even taking on private tutoring jobs during school…

All to secure a position smoothly after graduation.

But her family worried about her health, believing teaching students would be too frustrating, and that the job wasn’t suitable for her despite the winter and summer vacations.

So during that phone call right before graduation, the whole family repeatedly urged her to first decline the school-assigned job and come home.

Because of this, after leaving school, all her dormmates went directly to their new posts, while only she returned home.

But perhaps it was for the best.

Judging by the changes after her Space upgraded, she was destined to become a businessperson, an entrepreneur.

Otherwise, the library in her Space wouldn’t be filled entirely with various business books.

Seeing that she seemed sincere, Shen Yiqian finally showed a bright smile.

“As long as you’re obedient, that’s good.”

“Alright, tell me, what brings you here this time?”

“Or are we having a family dinner tonight?”

Hearing this, Shen Yi’an smiled and nodded, “Second Sister guessed right, I came to tell you to come home for dinner tonight.”

Understanding her purpose, Shen Yiqian nodded in agreement.

“Alright, I’ll come over after work.”

“By the way, don’t buy any drinks for home – I’ll get them at wholesale price from the factory.”

After settling the dinner plans, Shen Yiqian returned to the food factory in high spirits.

Little sister is back.

It’s good that the whole family will be in the same city from now on.

After the familiar figure disappeared from sight, Shen Yi’an bid farewell to the gatekeeper and took the bus to the clothing factory.

Her eldest sister Shen Yijie worked there.

Compared to the liveliness of the food factory, the clothing factory appeared quiet from the outside.

After going through the familiar procedure again, Shen Yijie emerged wearing her work clothes.

In contrast to Shen Yiqian’s capable demeanor, Shen Yijie’s temperament appeared gentler.

Instead of hugging Shen Yi’an immediately upon seeing her, she first looked her up and down with a smile in her eyes.

“Good, good. You look full of energy.”

“As long as you’re healthy, Mom, Dad, and the rest of us can all rest easy.”

After another lively chat, the conversation returned to the main topic.

Learning it was for a dinner gathering that evening, Shen Yijie naturally agreed but didn’t forget to add a few more reminders.

“Meat is a must for dinner. Go to the meat processing plant later to find your eldest brother-in-law.”

“While cuts like pork belly aren’t much cheaper than at the market, there’s plenty of large bones, trotters, and offal.”

“With your eldest brother-in-law there, the main dishes for tonight are guaranteed.”

Hearing this, Shen Yi’an smiled, her eyes crinkling. “Eldest sister, it’s so good to have all of you!”

“Eldest brother-in-law handles the meat, and second sister said she’ll prepare the drinks.”

“I went out and didn’t even manage to buy a single leaf of vegetables, yet the major expenses are already taken care of.”

“Hehe, I feel a bit embarrassed!”

“What’s there to be embarrassed about?” Shen Yijie waved her hand dismissively.

“Your second sister gets employee discounts at her factory, and your eldest brother-in-law gets preferential prices too.”

“It’s not like we’re not paying, so what’s there to worry about?”

The two sisters exchanged a smile.

Thinking they’d have plenty of time to chat that evening, they talked a bit more before parting ways.

Leaving the clothing factory, Shen Yi’an headed straight for the Steel Mill.