Song Tan’s Chronicle - Chapter 137.1

Folding paper boxes — everyone knew how to do it.

First, fold this way, then fold that way, and finally fold one more time…

Qiao Qiao was folding seriously, pressing each crease flat with care. Song Tan sat down next to him and casually grabbed a colorful flyer to start folding as well.

Seeing this, Song Hongmei, having nothing else to do, also picked up a piece of paper. Seventh Granduncle sat there with a serious expression, saying nothing. After thinking for a moment, he also grabbed a sheet to fold.

By the time Seventh Granduncle’s wife came out with tea, she found that her husband was sitting silently while the three guests had already folded a pile of paper boxes.

Surprisingly, this simple task seemed to have a kind of magic. Qiao Qiao sat there with complete focus, folding carefully, showing no sign of impatience.

Even Song Tan, though she was in a hurry, was folding paper boxes with ease. She knew that folding paper boxes wouldn’t take more than an hour or two; as long as they could get the chef to come back with them today, it didn’t matter if it was morning or afternoon.

Song Hongmei, however, was starting to get anxious. She had already said all the good things to Seventh Granduncle over the past two days, and now that the young ones were here, saying more might make it seem like they couldn’t handle things themselves…

So, she decided not to say anything more.

Seventh Granduncle just watched quietly until his wife smacked him on the shoulder, at which point he pretended to be calm and took a sip of tea:

“You came about the house, right?”

Even though his question was direct and somewhat harsh, he was already quite satisfied in his heart.

Folding paper boxes was a simple test. First, it showed how these young people reacted to his way of life. Secondly, it tested whether they had the patience to sit with him.

Old people, after all, tend to repeat themselves and can be a bit stubborn. If someone couldn’t tolerate a bit of conversation, how could they take care of an elder?

But, as stingy as Song Hongmei was, she could be reliable — these two kids were not only attractive but also knew how to stay calm.

And as for the simple-minded boy, although he was not the sharpest, he seemed different from the usual fools — clear-minded, quiet, and dexterous with his hands when folding the boxes.

If he were kept around to wash vegetables or prepare ingredients, with a bit of training, he could certainly be helpful.

Thinking this, Seventh Granduncle’s satisfaction grew even more.

At his age, Song Tan knew that flattery might work, but honesty worked better, especially when they were the ones asking for a favor.

Placing the finished paper box aside, she stopped folding and sincerely said, “Seventh Granduncle, I won’t lie to you. I have no intention of living in the city in the future, so whether you give me the house or not, it doesn’t matter to me.”

“Don’t doubt me — I brought some of our homemade tea and honey today. Once you taste it, you’ll understand why I’m so confident.”

“I’m here today mainly to invite you to be the chef at our house. I’ve leased a mountain, and we have many people to feed every day. My mother, as you know, can cook for the family, but with so many people, she can’t handle it alone, and I want someone to help her.”

“As for Qiao Qiao,” she continued, and Qiao Qiao glanced at her, “You can see he’s obedient and clever. At home, he’s in charge of keeping bees and harvesting honey, and over time, it’s become a skill he can rely on.”

“If you’re willing to come and be the chef, we can discuss your salary. If you’re willing to take him under your wing, we would be extremely grateful.”

“If not, he still has his work, and we won’t force it. It all depends on fate.”

Her words were sincere and straightforward, and even Song Hongmei felt her niece explained things very thoroughly.