Chapter 36: A Self-Recommended Job

Shen Qingyao and the woman kept encouraging each other with their eyes. Even as the rope dug into her delicate hands, she refused to let go. Seeing this, Xiao Hao joined in pulling the rope, all the while continuing to cheer for Dachun.

Once Dachun was pulled ashore, everyone felt a sense of relief, both physically and mentally. Before Dachun could even react, the woman pushed through the crowd to examine him. He had choked on water and was clearly shaken. Su Shang called for someone to fetch some traditional Chinese medicine for him, pulling out a large wad of cash without hesitation.

Shen Qingyao couldn't help but feel curious about the woman before her. Everything about her—her attire and this house—struck Shen Qingyao as peculiar. While the house itself didn't look like much, clearly having been converted from a simple mud structure, the woman’s style was at the absolute forefront of the era. Shen Qingyao had only heard about items like silk shirts being available in the city, but now she was seeing one in person.

Just as these thoughts crossed her mind, Shen Qingyao was startled by the system's voice.

【Congratulations to the host, points increased by one hundred.】
【Host has activated the side quest—Su Shang.】
【What is "Su Shang"?】

Before she could catch her breath, Shen Qingyao heard this strange term. She was still puzzled when she noticed a tag on the woman’s clothing that read "Su."

"Miss Su?" Shen Qingyao asked instinctively. Is this woman named Su Shang? The name seemed to fit the aura she exuded perfectly.

"You know me?" Su Shang turned her head to look at Shen Qingyao. The sun hit her, and her skin flushed instantly. In her own world, she would have called that sensitive skin. Realizing she was letting her mind wander, Shen Qingyao smiled and shook her head at Su Shang.

Su Shang didn't speak, only pursed her lips. She looked quite displeased. Shen Qingyao thought about it and realized that if it were her, she wouldn't be happy either. Her brother should have been in class, yet he ended up saving someone, and a random stranger had brought a simple-minded person to her home, nearly causing a tragedy. If that had happened to Shen Qingyao, she would have torn the roof off. She decided right then to apologize.

Shen Qingyao bowed, "I'm sorry, I've caused you trouble."
"Why are you apologizing?"

The woman's voice was cold and detached.
"I just think..."
"Your shirt is dirty. If you don't mind, change into one of mine."

Su Shang finished speaking and went into the room, returning with a clean set of clothes. Her garments carried the scent of traditional Chinese herbs, with a subtle woody undertone upon closer inspection. Shen Qingyao found it pleasant and let the fabric linger near her nose for a second longer.

In reality, Shen Qingyao didn't think her clothes were dirty; it was just that some water had splashed onto her from when Dachun was pulled ashore. In her view, once that spot dried, the outfit would be clean again. But looking at Su Shang's face, she realized the woman didn't share that opinion.

Everything in the house was arranged neatly, except for a few things that had clearly been played with by a child. Shen Qingyao suddenly realized: did Su Shang have a germ phobia? She didn't dare ask, so she simply followed Su Shang to change.

Su Shang closed the door and stood outside, waiting for Shen Qingyao. She didn't concern herself with Dachun and Xiao Hao, merely glancing at them from a distance. Xiao Hao was holding Dachun, crying his heart out, while Dachun tried to comfort him. Others called Dachun a fool, but in Su Shang's eyes, that didn't seem to be the case.

Hearing the door open, Su Shang snapped back to reality. This pure white shirt was one she had brought back from abroad, yet she had never worn it. Seeing Shen Qingyao's face, she felt as if she were looking at her younger self. *This shirt suits her well,* Su Shang told herself silently.

Shen Qingyao felt a bit awkward. "Um, if your brother needs a tutor, I could recommend myself."
"What?" Su Shang hesitated for two seconds, doubting her own ears.
"I’ve been a teacher before. I know how to be a good one, and for a student like Xiao Hao..." Shen Qingyao scratched her head; some of the jargon she used was textbook-perfect in her world, but that wasn't necessarily the case here.
"If Dachun likes you, Xiao Hao will like you." Su Shang looked at Xiao Hao, then pulled her gaze back. "Why don't you introduce yourself?"

Shen Qingyao nodded, and Su Shang gestured for her to sit, serving her a cup of tea.
"My name is Shen Qingyao. I have indeed taught before, though not here."
"What are your salary requirements?"

Hearing this, Shen Qingyao felt a wave of anxiety. She had no idea what her market value was. *Wait, I have an idea.*

Shen Qingyao had a flash of inspiration. "What do you think I'm worth?"
"The teachers I’ve hired before were paid eighty yuan a month for four hours a day."
"That works. Eighty yuan is fine." Shen Qingyao didn't hesitate, fearing Su Shang might change her mind.

Su Shang remained expressionless, producing a contract for Shen Qingyao to sign. Shen Qingyao flipped directly to the signature line and signed without reading it. Su Shang’s eyes flickered with surprise, but she quickly hid it.

Shen Qingyao asked one more question, "Why don't you let Xiao Hao go to school? Wouldn't it be better for him?"
"He isn't suited for school." Su Shang paused noticeably; it seemed she hadn't prepared an answer for that.

Shen Qingyao didn't notice and continued on her own. "Actually, he really should go to school; it would be beneficial for him in many ways."
Su Shang reminded her, "Miss Shen, your task is to teach the knowledge from the books."

Under the woman's piercing gaze, Shen Qingyao nodded obediently. She was curious about Su Shang, but that was all. Shen Qingyao didn't have time to get excited; she only knew that her salary was higher than both Wang Guihua and Shen Dongsheng's combined.

Checking the sun, Shen Qingyao knew it was time to go. Dachun had also recovered and was playing with toys alongside Xiao Hao.
"Then I'll start teaching tomorrow."
Su Shang nodded, "Good. Please don't be late, Miss Shen."

Shen Qingyao smiled at Su Shang and called out to Dachun in a raised voice. Dachun trotted over, and the bag of candy ended up in Xiao Hao's hands. Shen Qingyao crouched in front of Xiao Hao, speaking gently.
"Xiao Hao, I'll come to give you lessons tomorrow. Make sure you have your books ready."
Xiao Hao tilted his head, puzzled. "Didn't my sister refuse to hire you?"
"She has hired me to be your teacher now."

Shen Qingyao looked at Su Shang, who simply turned and walked back into the room. This era lacked trench coats, but if she had been wearing one, Shen Qingyao felt she would have been walking with a real sense of style.

"Then can you bring Brother Dachun with you tomorrow?"
Shen Qingyao didn't give a straight answer. "You need to study hard; your sister seems to care about you very much."
"She doesn't care about me at all. She only cares about those piles of old newspapers."
Xiao Hao looked dissatisfied. Shen Qingyao knew the boy was just being stubborn.
"You care about your sister, can't you say something nice about her?"