Chapter Six: Job Hunting
495 Words
In the ensuing days, Qin Xue Che tirelessly searched for a job, submitting countless resumes, yet receiving no responses. The few companies that did interview her found various reasons to reject her.
Lin Peipei was already aware of Xue Che's job loss and never missed an opportunity to mock her when she returned home.
"Hmph, what nonsense is this? Losing a perfectly good job with no salary left! How am I supposed to support the family?"
"I'm exhausted, working myself to the bone in the shop, while you all enjoy a carefree life at home. What did I do to deserve this in my past life?"
"Qin Xue Che, if you can’t find a job soon, you might as well sleep on the streets!"
...
"Auntie, I am looking for a job. Can you please stop nagging me about useless things?" Xue Che felt as if her ears were growing calluses from the constant criticism. She didn’t mind ending up on the streets, but what about her father? The perpetrator of the accident years ago had never been found, and there was no compensation. All their money had gone to surgeries, along with her brother's education. Although she had earned her university tuition and living expenses through part-time work, Lin Peipei’s nagging left her with no retort.
"You think I’m nagging? Then go earn money for your father's medicine and treatments! How dare you talk about moving out?" Lin Peipei’s voice grew louder, even Qin Yuanhao felt helpless against her tirade.
"Auntie! I don’t think you’re nagging, alright? Finding a job takes time, okay? Pushing me like this won’t help me find one any faster! Auntie, all these years, why do you keep targeting me? Does it give you that much satisfaction?" As she finished speaking, a slap landed on her face, a familiar occurrence by now.
"Let me tell you, I am your elder, your stepmother, and you shall not talk back to me! Do you think you can spread your wings just because I haven’t hit you in a while?" Lin Peipei paid no mind to Qin Yuanhao, treating him with utter disregard. To her, he was powerless to intervene.
Xue Che closed her eyes slightly. Alright, one more time.
She fought back the tears, refusing to show weakness.
"Auntie, don’t think that my silence and lack of retaliation mean I’m afraid of you." With that, Xue Che left the house.
"Let’s see how far you can run! As long as your father is here, you’ll always have to come back! Stubborn girl!" Lin Peipei yelled.
"Can’t you show the child some kindness?" Qin Yuanhao was utterly desperate.
"Shut up! I get furious just looking at that girl! Eating my food, drinking my water, and daring to talk back to me! The thought of it makes my blood boil!" Lin Peipei certainly lived up to the role of a wicked stepmother; she didn’t need any makeup to play the part of a witch.
- Writer
