"Uncle and Auntie must be so busy too—it’s really tough," Li Wan'er knew a bit about Jiang Mo's family situation.
"Since there’s no one else at home, don’t be shy. Eat and relax as you like," Jiang Mo brought out some snacks she’d bought online. "Have some snacks to tide you over first. Later, we’ll go out for a proper meal."
"Alright, I’ll go to the bathroom first. I’ve been holding it in since the taxi ride," Li Wan'er said, dropping her things before rushing to the restroom.
Jiang Mo, hearing there was food in the bags, worried it might spoil, so she found something to open them with.
One bag contained vacuum-sealed sausages and rabbit heads.
The other had marinated duck snacks.
Both bags felt heavy in her hands.
Not wanting the food to go bad, she stored everything in the fridge.
Li Wan'er emerged from the bathroom, looking much more at ease.
"Why did you bring so much marinated food?" Jiang Mo asked.
"Last time you visited my place, my mom noticed how much you liked it, so she told me to bring some for you."
"Then when you check in with Auntie later, make sure to thank her for me," Jiang Mo said, feeling a little embarrassed.
These things weren’t cheap, after all.
"Got it! I’ll pass it along properly!" Li Wan'er opened her suitcase. "I also brought you a new little plushie—you can hang it on your bag."
It was a panda-themed plush. Jiang Mo squeezed it—soft and fluffy, with a nice texture. "Thanks! Sorry to make you spend so much, Boss Li. Let’s leave the luggage here for now and tidy up after we come back from dinner."
"Sure, I’m actually pretty hungry too."
Jiang Mo rode her electric scooter, taking Li Wan'er to a mall two kilometers away for dinner.
"What do you want to eat? My treat—I’m a working woman now," Jiang Mo declared with a flourish, sounding very generous.
Li Wan'er gave a thumbs-up, her eyes full of admiration. "Time really changes people—color me impressed. In that case, I won’t hold back."
In the end, they skipped the restaurant Wang Xia had recommended and went for hot pot instead.
As the dishes arrived, the two ate and chatted.
Li Wan'er swirled beef in the broth and asked, "You’ve been working as a nanny for a few months now—how’s it going? Getting used to it?"
"Yeah, it’s good," Jiang Mo replied. "Just be sweet-tempered and proactive with chores. But honestly, I also owe it to my mom’s connections."
After a few months in the job, she realized that being a nanny was a surprisingly lucrative field.
But no one really advertised it. It was only in recent years that people started realizing—wow, this line of work pays really well.
Then again, who would willingly share their money-making secrets?
"That’s amazing!" Li Wan'er said enviously. "Honestly, when I heard the news yesterday, I was excited at first, but then I got a little scared. I’m worried I won’t do well and waste the opportunity you set up for me."
Jiang Mo reassured her, "Don’t overthink it. Just stay calm. If you get the job, great. If not, treat it like a little trip—a chance to relax."
"You’re plenty capable. Have some confidence! Chin up!"
The job market was tough these days, and it really took a toll on young people’s morale.
"You’re right. Staying calm is key. Nerves just make things worse," Li Wan'er adjusted her mindset. If it didn’t work out, she’d just treat it as a getaway.
"Now you’re talking," Jiang Mo dropped shrimp paste into the pot, waited a bit, then scooped it up with a strainer into Li Wan'er’s bowl. "Eat up, eat up—it’s ready."
She served herself a portion too. The bouncy, flavorful shrimp paired perfectly with the dipping sauce—absolutely delicious.
Li Wan'er sighed. "Every time I eat with you, my appetite just skyrockets. It’s unfair how you stay so slim while eating like this."
"Still in my growing phase—digestive system’s in top form," Jiang Mo joked, then started explaining the details of the family she’d be interviewing with the next day.
"The family’s name is Ling. They’re in the clothing business. Grandma Ling has a granddaughter in middle school, and your main job would be looking after her."
"The girl’s in her teens, so her personality’s a bit of a mystery. Just observe and adapt during the interview tomorrow."
Li Wan'er listened intently, even forgetting to eat the food in her bowl. Despite her earlier words, she couldn’t help feeling a little nervous.
"So, what should I pay attention to tomorrow? Oh, I brought my diploma."
Jiang Mo chewed on a chicken foot. "Why’d you bring your diploma?"
"Since I’d be partly responsible for the kid’s grades," Li Wan'er explained, "I thought they might want to see it. I even printed two copies of my resume this morning."
"Heh, when opportunity knocks, you’ve gotta be prepared. You hooked me up with this chance—I can’t let you down. I even packed two semi-formal outfits. Help me pick one later."
Even with a personal referral, proper preparation was a must.
Jiang Mo gave an approving look. "With that attitude and drive, luck’s on your side. You’ll land this job."
Li Wan'er whined, "But I couldn’t find a job before no matter how hard I tried."
"That’s society’s fault, not yours," Jiang Mo wiped her mouth. "For the sake of our mental health, some jobs just aren’t worth it."
Li Wan'er roughly understood why Jiang Mo said that.
After returning to Jiangcheng, Jiang Mo had interned at a well-known law firm. The overtime was bad enough, but her boss was also a master at psychological manipulation. Eventually, something happened, and she quit.
The consequence? Jiang Mo found herself blacklisted from the industry afterward.
"Seriously, sis, you always know what to say—so clear-headed!" If Jiang Mo hadn’t been sitting across from her, Li Wan'er would’ve hugged her right then.
Really, was it her fault she couldn’t find work?
"After life beats you up a few times, you stop talking big and learn to bend," Jiang Mo joked, pouring Li Wan'er a glass of coconut milk.
"Come on, let’s toast with coconut milk—to our reunion in Jiangcheng, to building something great together, to the glorious future of professional nannying!"
"Deal! From now on, I, Li Wan'er, will follow you into battle!"
Li Wan'er was fired up, as if they were in a drama.
But after dinner, on the ride back, the cool night breeze brought her back to reality.
Once home, Jiang Mo showered first, then urged Li Wan'er to do the same.
It had been so long since they’d seen each other—Jiang Mo was ready for a proper girls’ night.
But she was turned down.
"I’ve got the interview early tomorrow. I figure looking well-rested will help," Li Wan'er said, lying stiffly under the covers.
Jiang Mo looked at the spicy strips, chips, and Wahaha drinks in her hands. "Fine. We’ll chat tomorrow night after your interview."
She put the snacks back in the cupboard, turned off the light, and climbed into the empty half of the bed, scrolling on her phone in the dark.
Ah, night owls never learn.
But her phone was just too tempting at night.
Jiang Mo was watching a mukbang livestream. For some reason, right before bed, her feed always flooded with food content. Good thing she’d eaten her fill earlier.
The grilled meat looks good though, maybe I should check if there's any nearby.
Jiang Mo switched to a review app on her phone.
Behind her, Li Wan'er turned over in the dark and sighed. "Mo Mo."
"Ah, you're still awake?" Jiang Mo turned her head at the sound.
Li Wan'er sounded resigned. "I always get insomnia when I have something important to do."
Yawning, Jiang Mo put down her phone as drowsiness crept in. "Want me to get you a steam eye mask?"
"Never mind, I'll just count sheep," Li Wan'er replied weakly.
...
The next morning, the alarm woke them, and they quickly freshened up. To look more alert, Li Wan'er applied light makeup.
After breakfast at the neighborhood entrance, they headed to Long Island Villa.
"First, I'll make an appearance at work," Jiang Mo explained as they rode. "Wait for me at the pavilion in the compound. Once I'm done, I'll go with you to the interview."
When Jiang Mo entered the Gu residence alone, Wang Xia asked, "Where's your friend?"
"Waiting at the pavilion outside. The interview isn't scheduled yet."
"Did you two have breakfast?"
Jiang Mo nodded. "Yes, we did."
She then proceeded with her chores—cleaning the litter box, feeding the cats and fish, and tidying the cat room.
Once it was time, Jiang Mo rode back to the pavilion to pick up Li Wan'er and take her to the Ling residence.
Zhong Xiaoqin stood at the gate of the yard, holding her dog's leash, spotting them from afar.
"Grandma Zhong, just back from walking the dog?" Jiang Mo stopped the bike and whispered to Li Wan'er, "This is Grandma Zhong, the one who referred you for the job."
"Hello, Grandma Zhong," Li Wan'er greeted politely after getting off the bike.
"Hello, hello." Zhong Xiaoqin gave Li Wan'er an approving once-over—neat appearance, pleasant demeanor.
Jiang Mo pointed to the nearby house. "Go ahead for the interview. I'll wait here."
Li Wan'er took a deep breath. "Alright, I'm going."
"Since your friend’s in the interview, no need to wait outside. Come sit with me," Zhong Xiaoqin beckoned.
"Sure! Thanks for having me," Jiang Mo followed her into the yard.
Zhong Xiaoqin’s garden was lush with flowers, alongside a swing chair and a lounger.
After closing the gate, she unleashed the Pomeranian, letting it roam freely.
Zhong Xiaoqin reclined on the lounger while Jiang Mo settled on the swing.
"My birthday’s in a few days, and I’m hosting a banquet at Huating. I’d love for you to come—you’re free, right?"
"Of course! I wouldn’t miss your birthday," Jiang Mo grinned. "Hehe, another feast to enjoy."
"The food will be excellent," Zhong Xiaoqin assured. "I won’t bother with a formal invite—same for the two old men. They’ll bring you along to the hotel."
"And no gifts, please. I don’t need anything. Your presence is enough."
Jiang Mo shook her head. "No way! I have to bring something—it’s the thought that counts. Otherwise, I’d feel bad just showing up to eat."
"But don’t judge my gift too harshly."
"Fine, fine," Zhong Xiaoqin relented with a chuckle.
Noticing Jiang Mo glancing toward the gate, Zhong Xiaoqin remarked, "Your friend has good qualifications and a likable vibe. I doubt there’ll be any issues."
"You’ve always had a sharp eye, Grandma. Hearing that puts me at ease," Jiang Mo felt reassured.
After about twenty minutes of chatting, Li Wan'er reappeared at the gate.
Seeing Jiang Mo’s anxious expression, Zhong Xiaoqin cuddled her Pomeranian. "Go on, take your friend home."
"Bye, Grandma Zhong!" Jiang Mo hurried to the gate.
Li Wan'er looked on the verge of tears.
Jiang Mo’s heart sank—did she fail the interview?
"How did it go? Passed? If not, no worries, we’ll find something else."
Li Wan'er shook her head. "I passed."
"Passed?!" Jiang Mo exclaimed. "Then why the long face?"
She’d already been mentally drafting comforting words.
"I’m just overwhelmed," Li Wan'er widened her eyes. "I never expected the salary to be this high!"
All those years of grinding for a measly 3,000 yuan, barely scraping by with family support—what was that?
Jiang Mo: "..."
"Stay calm!" Jiang Mo patted her shoulder. "We never said the pay was low."
"No wonder Auntie stuck with being a nanny for over twenty years," Li Wan'er mused. "Wonder if it’s too late to send my mom into the profession."
Jiang Mo steered back. "Did you meet Grandma Ling? How was she? What did she ask?"
"Yes, she was very kind. Just basic questions," Li Wan'er scratched her head. "Do I come off as… honest?"
Jiang Mo gave her a once-over. "Since when are you the ‘honest’ type?"
"Grandma Ling mentioned other young applicants, but few were as prepared—some even brought diplomas and resumes."
Jiang Mo pieced it together: Li Wan'er was referred by Grandma Ling’s friend.
Most might assume connections guarantee the job and slack off.
But Li Wan'er had put in real effort—something the old lady appreciated.
"Really? I thought she meant I looked simple-minded," Li Wan'er beamed. "Either way, first hurdle cleared!"
"Free room and board means pure profit. Sweet!"
Jiang Mo grinned. "When do you start?"
"Day after tomorrow."
To celebrate, they decided on a dinner outing.
Handing over her keys, Jiang Mo let Li Wan'er ride her e-bike home to rest, then return later to pick her up after work.
Once Li Wan'er left, Jiang Mo helped prep lunch ingredients.
Su Yunjin rushed out with her bag, only to return a minute later, poking her head into the kitchen.
"Xiao Mo, Gu Xuan has a parent-teacher meeting at 4 PM. Cover for me—I’ve got an emergency."
"Ah… okay." Only after Su Yunjin left did Jiang Mo realize she wasn’t told the location.
Luckily, her mom was there.
Wang Xia: "Yali Elementary, Class 3, Grade 5."
"Mom, you remember so clearly," Jiang Mo teased. "Back when me and my brother were in school, you’d mix up our grades and classes all the time."
