My Wife is the Vicious Supporting Character from an Era Novel - Chapter 21
Chapter 21
A Stable Job? It’s Mine!
Ji Baiqing and Wang Baozhu, a pregnant butcher, work together to slaughter a pig. Ji Baiqing, surprisingly strong, skillfully ties up the struggling animal. When the pig is on a bench, she takes a sharp knife from a man named Zhou Gang and, despite the pig’s thrashing, quickly and cleanly slaughters it, a task that leaves her covered in sweat and splattered with bl00d.
Afterward, Ji Baiqing confidently asks the head of the department, Director Xia, about her performance. Director Xia is speechless and simply gives her a thumbs-up. Wang Baozhu, impressed, also vouches for her, hoping this means she can finally go home to rest. Director Xia confirms that Ji Baiqing will be Wang Baozhu’s replacement, and she’ll be taking on a “stable job” (a very secure, desirable position).
Wang Baozhu teaches Ji Baiqing the ropes, explaining that her job is mainly to slaughter the pigs and that Zhou Gang handles the cleaning. After Ji Baiqing expertly butchers and sections the meat, Wang Baozhu is pleased with her work. Ji Baiqing spends the rest of the day observing and learning the prices of different cuts.
At the end of the day, Wang Baozhu gives Ji Baiqing a generous portion of pork fat and bl00d tofu, explaining that it’s a small perk of the job, but they should keep it a secret. Ji Baiqing sincerely thanks her for the opportunity.
Ji Baiqing then meets with Director Xia to discuss her pay. Director Xia reveals that because Ji Baiqing is a temporary replacement, her monthly salary will be 25 yuan, plus 30 catties of grain coupons and 2 catties of meat coupons. This is a bit less than Wang Baozhu’s salary of 35 yuan a month. She also gives Ji Baiqing two bars of soap, promising her work clothes and rubber shoes on her next workday. Ji Baiqing is thrilled with her new “iron rice bowl” job, knowing she’ll be able to eat meat more often.
On her way home, she realizes she’s late. She’s also thinking about her partner, Wen Miao, who has been upset with her. She stops at a store to buy some sweet cakes and candy, hoping the treats will cheer Wen Miao up and make her reveal why she’s angry.
Upon returning home, she finds the house empty but a pot of hot water waiting for her. She cleans off the bl00d and decides to use her bl00d-stained clothes as her “work uniform.” After tidying up, she realizes she’s forgotten to check on Wen Miao. She rushes off to find her, worried that Wen Miao has been cooped up inside all day.