"No need!" Si Nian refused outright, feigning shock as she said, "I earned this job through my own hard work and fair competition. It has nothing to do with my parents. There's no need to drag them into everything—we're not children who need our parents to make decisions for us. All I know is that I’ve never transferred my job to anyone else."
Having said that, she ignored Lin Sisi’s darkened expression and turned to Sister Chen, who looked bewildered. "Sister Chen, you know I’m not the kind of person to act irresponsibly. Even if I were to transfer my job to someone else, it would only be to someone qualified—not just any outsider. Besides, a transfer requires my signature. I never came here to sign anything, so how could it have been given to her? I have no idea what’s going on, nor do I understand how the unit could reassign my job without my consent."
"Of course not!" Sister Chen immediately denied. "Our unit values competence above all. Those who rely on connections but lack ability won’t last long!"
Her words were clearly a jab at Lin Sisi’s incompetence.
Sister Chen had already been furious about Si Nian inexplicably handing her job over to an unqualified outsider. Now, she realized it had been done through the second most despised method—connections—without Si Nian’s knowledge.
As someone who had climbed her way up through sheer effort, Sister Chen had seen plenty of unqualified people forced into positions due to connections. But this level of audacity was a first.
Wasn’t this just like those scumbags who stole others’ academic achievements to get into university?
She gave Lin Sisi a pointed look.
Lin Sisi’s breath hitched, barely managing to keep her composure. Under the suspicious gazes of those around her, she lowered her head and bit her lip, feigning innocence. "Sister Si Nian, I truly didn’t know anything. I was just following our parents’ arrangements. They were the ones who told me to come."
She was quite skilled at playing the victim. Si Nian knew her adoptive parents were somewhat status-conscious, but they wouldn’t go this far. If Lin Sisi hadn’t schemed behind the scenes, she’d eat her hat.
With a cold laugh, Si Nian replied, "You’re right. They were just worried I wouldn’t be able to return to work. But now that I’m back, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself anymore. You can leave."
Lin Sisi: "..."
So all her hard work and suffering these past few days had been for nothing?
Lin Sisi was so angry she could practically see steam rising from her head.
Ignoring her, Si Nian turned back to Sister Chen. "Actually, my parents’ concerns weren’t entirely unfounded. Now that I’m living in the countryside, commuting to work would be inconvenient. But I didn’t want to cause you any trouble by delaying this matter, so I came today to resolve it."
Sister Chen nodded, aware of Si Nian’s situation. Seeing her still considerate despite holding a child softened her heart a little. She sighed. "What do you plan to do?"
"Letting an unqualified outsider take my place indefinitely isn’t just a hassle for you—it doesn’t sit right with me either."
Lin Sisi’s face turned green at these words, but this wasn’t the Si household. She had no say here.
Then Si Nian continued, "So I’ve decided to sell the position—to someone within our unit who’s qualified. I believe those willing to pay a fair price for it will take the job seriously."
The moment she said this, Fu Qianqian, who had been watching the drama unfold, perked up, practically screaming "Sell it to me!" with her entire expression.
Her dream had always been to become a broadcast host.
Now, that dream was right in front of her, within reach!
She stared at Si Nian nervously, suddenly regretting all their past arguments.
If only she’d been nicer to her, maybe Si Nian would’ve given her the job outright!
Fu Qianqian flushed with urgency.
Sister Chen thought it over. Government jobs like these were highly coveted—many would pay a fortune for one, but few were willing to sell unless absolutely necessary.
"Do you have anyone in mind?" Sister Chen asked.
Si Nian nodded. "I think Fu Qianqian would be a great fit. She has a strong, clear voice, excellent Mandarin, and she interviewed alongside me back then. Her skills aren’t far behind mine."
Fu Qianqian: "?!"
Had she misheard?
Si Nian was recommending her?
Sister Chen was quite familiar with Fu Qianqian too. Though the young lady was a bit spoiled and blunt, she had never relied on her family’s influence to get ahead—choosing instead to compete fairly like everyone else.
Sister Chen had always liked that about her.
"Then you should ask if she’s willing to buy it..." Sister Chen glanced at Fu Qianqian.
Fu Qianqian’s height didn’t meet the requirements. Without her family’s connections, she’d never qualify as a broadcaster—appearance and poise were key factors in the selection process.
"I’m willing! I’m willing!" Fu Qianqian blurted out, terrified Si Nian might change her mind.
"How much are you selling it for?" She grabbed Si Nian’s hand.
Si Nian countered, "How much are you offering?"
"Will you take two thousand?" Fu Qianqian, naive and wealthy, didn’t hesitate.
This was a golden opportunity!
But Si Nian could tell—despite their past clashes, Fu Qianqian wasn’t a bad person.
So she didn’t push for more, simply nodding. "Deal. It’s yours."
"Ahhh!!!" Fu Qianqian, who had come here looking for a fight, was now jumping for joy. "Let’s go finalize the paperwork right now!"
She wasn’t about to let Si Nian back out—once the documents were signed, she could cry all she wanted!
Meanwhile, Lin Sisi, who had been sidelined, couldn’t stay silent any longer.
"Sister Si Nian, how can you make such a big decision so quickly? Did our parents agree to this?"
The moment she spoke, Fu Qianqian shot her a glare full of hostility.
Si Nian scoffed. "I’m an adult. I can decide what to do with my own job. Besides, our parents have already found their real daughter. To repay their years of raising me, I took your place in a rural marriage, cleaning up your mess. I don’t owe them anything else."
"Since they’re no longer my parents, they have no right to interfere in my choices. Save your concern." With that, Si Nian carried her child and left with Fu Qianqian to complete the transfer.
Fu Qianqian, now highly suspicious of Lin Sisi’s motives, couldn’t resist muttering, "If she’s the one marrying my elder brother, I’d rather it be you!"
