Ruling the Historical Romance Novel as the Female Supporting Character-Chapter 370: Neighbors Are Better Than Distant Relatives

"But we heard the accessory factory is doing really well; surely they’ll need to hire a lot of people?" Auntie Ju pressed, unable to let it go.

"With 760 households across fifteen islands, they need to hire 760 workers. Filling those positions is already a challenge; there won’t be openings for others," Su Yijia replied firmly, extinguishing their hopes. The Aunties’ expressions dimmed, and they looked deflated, realizing their earlier naivety.

Some had come thinking that with so many of them, just getting a chance for an interview should be easy. They even believed that Commander Qin’s wife might be able to recommend a few candidates, especially since Commander Qin would be returning to the team.

But who could have thought she wouldn’t even give them the chance to compete with the locals?

"Aunties, please don’t blame me. This isn’t something I or my friend can decide. The factory is a provincial initiative to help local residents make a living. Apart from a few managerial positions, all the workers are from these islands.

If they hired outsiders, it would go against the purpose of establishing the factory. Besides, it was previously agreed that each household would get one job opportunity. Who do you think should give up their job for you?"

Su Yijia shrugged, making her point clearer. The factory had made the front page of the provincial newspaper when it was established. It had gained attention again due to good sales outside the area, appearing in the paper again within just half a month.

She didn’t believe for a second that the Aunties were truly unaware of this.

"No, we didn’t think of it that way; we initially underestimated the situation," the Aunties admitted, their faces flushed with embarrassment. They wanted to find an excuse to leave quickly, hoping to avoid being lectured by this young woman.

While they had some personal motives, who could resist the chance of a job? What if it worked out?

"Indeed, we were thinking too simply. The provincial government established this factory to help those islanders who can’t farm. If you, as family members of the team, try to compete for job opportunities, it would offend both sides, regardless of whether you succeed or not," Su Yijia stated, her words causing the Aunties to break out in a cold sweat.

"Comrade Su is right. We really underestimated the situation. Luckily, you’re sharp; otherwise, we would have made a big mistake," Auntie Ju quickly stood up to apologize. The other Aunties followed suit, expressing their apologies profusely.

They had originally thought Commander Qin’s wife was merely throwing her weight around because she had just married a man who doted on her. They assumed she would easily create a fuss over trivial matters. But it seemed that was not the case. Comrade Su was genuinely different from them, with thoughts and ideas that seemed worlds apart.

In the past, whether villagers or city dwellers, those coming to the islands primarily wanted to integrate into the community. Even Wang Futong, the most popular at the Art Ensemble, would engage with the Aunties after getting married. But Comrade Su kept her distance; unless they approached her, she would never seek them out.

Someone like her, even if Commander Qin returned to the team, likely wouldn’t want to stay at home, revolving around household chores and children.

"But Miss Su, why does the factory director come to see you so often? Are you two close? Does he have any ties to you?" one Auntie casually asked, noting Su Yijia’s indifferent expression—neither happy nor angry.

Su Yijia frowned, her eyes narrowing with suspicion and a hint of resistance. The Auntie hadn’t interacted with her before, only hearing from others that Commander Qin’s wife was not easy to deal with. Although a bit apprehensive, the Auntie spoke freely, as is common among the family members.

Sometimes, living in close proximity, they would joke about the previous night’s noise without anyone getting offended. Moreover, the Auntie hadn’t meant any harm with her comment. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

As the panic faded from the Auntie’s face, she quickly added, "I was just curious because I saw that the accessories for sale included that headband you brought last time. I wondered if you were helping the factory."

"It’s just one headband style. You all borrowed it to make samples; I’ve lent it to you without hesitation, right? And since the province is doing something good, what’s wrong with me wanting to help? Or do you think I secretly have a job at the accessory factory but just don’t want to give you a chance?" Su Yijia blinked innocently, feigning shock.

Regardless of whether their questions were intentional or not, she struggled to adapt to such boundary-less inquiries. But honestly, she wasn’t really angry. Her mindset was fundamentally different from those of the people in this era.

What might seem problematic in interpersonal relationships in the decades to come felt completely normal now. It was like how her grandmother often reminisced about the past, when people would gather and gossip about each other’s families.

After a day of chores, they would sit outside in chairs, talking not about who had succeeded but rather criticizing difficult in-laws or lazy daughters-in-law. Decades later, it might be hard to comprehend how their constant chatter could sustain relationships for so long.

Her grandmother would often lament that living in high-rise buildings meant people no longer communicated at all. Forget distant relatives or close neighbors—when they passed each other in the hallway, they wouldn’t even say hello, as if they had never seen one another.

Her grandmother used to go to the countryside to gather peanuts and corn to sell in the city. When her father was left without care, he would be sent to the neighbor’s house for a few days. He would not only play there but even have lunch at their home.

Neighbors never felt they were being a burden or taking advantage. A simple "thank you" sufficed when they returned home, with the occasional fruit or bowl of good food shared between them.

Her father had said he was quite mischievous as a child and often got into fights with the neighbor’s kids. Even if they were evenly matched, it never affected her grandmother’s relationship with the neighbors.

Su Yijia had never had overly intimate interactions with outsiders before. She had imagined what the warmth and liveliness the older generation fondly recalled might be like, but after experiencing it, all she could do was wear a look of disdain and decline the invitation.