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The waiting time was long. It was estimated that President Jin should have fully recovered and been discharged from the hospital, but Song Pearl had yet to receive any notification from Hongqing about returning to work.
Perhaps Hongqing had already given up on her. The so-called dismissal and disciplinary fines were not as terrifying as she had imagined; indeed, when soldiers come, they block, and when water comes, they dam it.
Song Pearl packed her bags and prepared to go home. She planned to just raise fish and grow crops at home.
A tall billboard stood at the village entrance, displaying a bird's-eye view of Song Family Village's planning map. Distracted, Song Pearl did not look closely; she just patted her head and muttered, "Now there’s no land left to farm at home," before returning to her familiar house.
"Pearl, why haven't you come back every week?"
"I had two days off as a reward for overtime," Song Pearl said with a smile as she placed the fruits she bought on the nearby table.
Since returning home for the New Year holiday, she found that she could laugh freely again. The Song Family couple was not affected by her laughter; she guessed that the demon should be nearby, although it had not appeared since before the New Year.
"Is everything going smoothly at work? Since you didn’t go to the Provincial Capital, you need to do well in County Town. Make sure to get along with your colleagues and follow the rules..." Song Shiting's forehead wrinkles deepened a bit more, his eyes filled with concern and encouragement.
"Pearl, is it time for salary again?" Liu Cuiying quietly asked as she pulled Song Pearl aside.
"Not yet?" Song Pearl shook her head. "Is there no money at home?"
"Where would the money come from?" Liu Cuiying pouted. "Your dad has been on medication since he was discharged and can’t do physical work. Your brother needs to go to school. Now our family has nothing but this fish pond; we have to buy even vegetables..."
"What are you saying about Pearl?" Song Shiting interrupted Liu Cuiying's murmurs unhappily.
"We're just having a private chat," Liu Cuiying shot a glance at Song Shiting and continued rapidly. "I asked Pearl if she has met anyone while working outside for so long. Recently, I saw Wang Xingxing from the Wang family bringing back a handsome girl; I heard from her aunt that they are about to get engaged. I think it's time for our Pearl to find someone too."
"Our Pearl," Song Shiting looked at Song Pearl with a hint of guilt in his eyes, "shouldn't have to live a hard life; we must find her a suitable family."
Song Pearl pretended to be shy and changed the subject, "Mom and Dad, I still... don’t need to rush. Have we already released this year's fish fry?"
"Yes, we released them early. And soon we’ll be able to sell the first batch of fish. We didn’t release too many this year because your dad’s health isn’t good; we’re worried he won’t be able to sell them later." Liu Cuiying replied.
"If we could contact a few restaurants to deliver fish to them, wouldn’t that save us from the trouble of rushing around selling fish?" Song Pearl asked.
"Looks like we, the Pearls, have some business sense now!" Song Shiting laughed. "We tried contacting hotels to supply fish before, but there are only a few hotels in our village with small orders, and they often delay payments. It's better for me to sell at the market."
"We can deliver fish to the county's hotels. There are many hotels in the county, and business is booming. If these hotels use our fish, you won't have to go through the trouble of selling fish at the market anymore."
"It's not that easy. We can't compete with the hotels in County Town," Song Shiting shook his head.
"Maybe there's a way," Song Pearl said with a smile, her big eyes crescent-shaped. "Just wait for me to try when I get back."
This year, her skin was a bit fairer than last year, and her complexion was rosy. However, she was still very thin with large eyes, and her long, unkempt black hair was somewhat fluffy and messy, making her look like a big-headed doll.
The idea of farming fish at home was no longer feasible, so Song Pearl returned to her dormitory. She had a new plan: to contact the restaurants in County Town to use fish from her family.
Although Song Shiting thought this would be difficult—no hotel would go out of their way for fish from Song Family Village—Song Pearl wasn't worried. If the fish had unique qualities, they should sell well. She knew that the fish from Song Family Village in Nanhu were definitely the most distinctive and delicious; as long as she promoted them well, demand would exceed supply.
However, if that were the case, would she still be able to stay at Nanhu's Fish Pond when she returned? Perhaps it would be restless for a while.
The land in Song Family Village had already been bought by Hongqing for ecological farming development. If she returned and continued living at Fish Pond, she couldn't escape the fate of being caught and cooked.
Her years of life taught her that a fish shouldn't just stare at the empty space above Fish Pond waiting for its predetermined fate to be eaten. She could venture far away; there was a broader space in the sea where she could be free.
Song Pearl closed her eyes and decided to take it step by step. For now, she would focus on promoting Pearl Fish; she knew how to turn ordinary fish into Pearl Fish.
The cheerful ringing of the dormitory phone interrupted her thoughts. Song Pearl picked up the receiver, and Hong Xinran's frustrated voice came through: "What's going on? You've been working in the Sales Department all this time just cleaning up! When something unexpected happens, you become the scapegoat!"
Holding the receiver tightly, Song Pearl replied dejectedly, "You know about it? It's not anyone else's fault; it's mine. Everyone should take responsibility for their mistakes. I deserve this suspension."
"What kind of nonsense is that?" Hong Xinran reacted more strongly than Song Pearl herself as if it were her being punished. "These people are unreasonable! Who told you to wait at home for news?"
"It was Director Qing," Song Pearl said, biting her lip. "Xinran, you don't need to be angry; I actually have time now to do some personal things."
"Don't you like going home? Didn't you take this long break to go back?" Hong Xinran asked.
Song Pearl smiled slightly; Hong Xinran was always so enthusiastic. "I already went back; it's just that my family doesn't lack me but money. I didn't dare stay home after being suspended, so I hurried back."
"Really, you should have called me earlier. Don't worry, I'll help you solve this problem tonight." Hong Xinran decisively hung up the phone. Song Pearl said "hello" a couple of times into the receiver before putting it back down when she heard no response.
The sunset's afterglow streamed into the dormitory, making the entire room still glaringly bright. This was not the best time to sleep, so she decided to go out and scout around.
The first batch of fish from Fish Pond could be sold soon, and she just needed to contact one or two places.
The hotel that left the deepest impression on Song Pearl was Cheng Hotel. It was the most luxurious hotel she had ever seen; the wine there was clearer and more fragrant than the water in Nanhu. That fat-headed President Jin had been sent to the hospital due to food poisoning from there.
"Hey, what are you doing? You can't come in." Song Pearl stood at the entrance for a moment and was about to step inside when a security guard blocked her way.
"Why not?" Song Pearl stopped in confusion. "Isn't this a hotel? I'm here to eat."
"I'm sorry, our hotel has received orders not to provide service to you," the security guard said sternly.
Am I famous now? Song Pearl looked up at the hotel's sign and then smiled at the fierce-looking security guard, saying, "I'm going in."
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