In the peach-blossom-like town, Zhou Lin walked out of the store with a bag of baby products he had just bought. The wind blows, the air carries the sweet scent of rice, and the sunset seems to add a warmth to this peaceful town, giving off a soft glow.
Xiao Xi, who was lying in the cradle, seemed to feel the return of her mother, and the sound of babbling came from inside the house. Zhou Lin gently hugged Xiaoxi, his eyebrows were full of love, but there was a trace of indescribable sorrow in his eyes.
"Xiaoxi, you can't be as lazy as Mommy when you grow up, look, Mommy doesn't know where the milk powder money will come from next month. She whispered to the baby, her voice revealing helplessness.
The phone ringing interrupted her musings by the neighbor Aunt Wang, a kind middle-aged woman.
"Zhou Lin, I saw a group of people gathered around the market, I heard that a new store has opened and is going to recruit employees, are you interested in going to have a look?" Aunt Wang asked with concern.
"Oh, I'm not worried about finding a job, thank you, Aunt Wang, I'll go over and have a look." Zhou Lin replied.
With Xiaoxi, Zhou Lin walked through the bustling crowd and came to the front of the new store. She noticed a job advertisement that shocked her by asking for a "special tool" user who paid three times as much as the market.
Zhou Lin hugged Xiaoxi in his arms tightly, took a deep breath, and plucked up the courage to enter the store.
"Hello, I'm here to apply... That's for the 'special tool' user. She said with some hesitation.
"Come in. She was greeted by a neatly dressed clerk with a calm voice and a hint of scrutiny in his eyes.
The two walked into a small isolated room, and the clerk began to ask about Zhou Lin's situation.
"Do you know the nature of our work?" the clerk asked straight to the point.
"I... I don't understand too much, that is to say, this special tool, is...?" Zhou Lin hesitated.
The clerk patiently explained: "We are a surrogate parent here, and you know that some mothers are unable to breastfeed for various reasons, and we will ask the surrogate mother to help. And you, aren't you holding a baby in your arms?"
Zhou Lin was stunned, and then looked down at Xiao Xi in his arms, with mixed feelings in his heart.
"But my child is only three months old... I also need to take care of her. Zhou Lin said with some concern.
"That's not a problem, we're here to help you take care of your children while you work. When it comes to salary, you don't have to worry about it at all. The clerk seemed to anticipate Zhou Lin's concerns and began to introduce the treatment.
Zhou Lin fell into deep thought, this job was a godsend, but the "special tool", in other words, her breastfeeding ability, made it difficult for her to speak. She knew in her heart that life with Xiaoxi would be more and more difficult, this job seemed weird, but the salary hidden behind it was really attractive. Sitting in the waiting area, Zhou Lin held Xiaoxi who was waiting to be fed in his arms, and his heart was mixed. The door creaked open, revealing Liu Zemin, a middle-aged man with a slightly chubby figure and a smile on his face.
"Miss Zhou, welcome to our company, I am Liu Zemin, please come with me. Liu Zemin greeted warmly.
Entering the boss's office, Zhou Lin sat on a chair, and Xiaoxi lay quietly on her lap.
Liu Zemin sat behind the executive desk and asked, "Do you know anything about our work?"
Zhou Lin nodded: "Probably... It will be a mother who needs to breastfeed. ”
"Well, it's actually quite simple. We have clients who are high-end people, but for some reason, are unable to breastfeed in person. Your task is to nurse the mother when needed. Liu Zemin explained.
Zhou Lin paused and asked cautiously, "Can I know what kind of way it is, will I have contact with the child?"
"Oh, no worries about that. We have special privacy measures, we just need you to be next to you, pretend to be the mother, and we will tell you the details privately. Liu Zemin smiled and nodded.
"What about my daughter?" Zhou Lin subconsciously hugged Xiaoxi tightly.
Liu Zemin smiled: "You can take her with you, and our company will provide nursing services." Moreover, the working hours are flexible and will not take up too much of your time. ”
The stone in Zhou Lin's heart fell to the ground, but he hesitated a little: "This job sounds very good, but can it guarantee my privacy?"
"Privacy is paramount, we will sign a strict confidentiality agreement, and customer information, including yours, will not be disclosed to the outside world. ”
Zhou Lin relaxed a little, and asked again: "What is the salary?"
Liu Zemin smiled and said a number, which was several times that of any of Zhou Lin's previous jobs.
Zhou Lin almost couldn't believe her ears, she hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded: "I'm willing to try." ”
Several times the salary is like a lifesaver for Zhou Lin, a single mother, although the position is a bit strange, but for Xiaoxi, she is willing to try. Liu Zemin gave a detailed introduction to the use of contracts and tools to ensure the security and privacy of Zhou Lin and Xiaoxi.
After signing the contract, Zhou Lin felt that the burden on her shoulders was lighter, and she smiled slightly when she looked at Xiao Xi, who was lazily asleep in her arms. No matter how much there is unknown in the future, at least for now, she can make sure that Xiaoxi has socks to wear and milk powder to eat.
The first "work" was in a luxurious and restrained clubhouse, and Zhou Lin only needed to act in an elegantly decorated private room according to the plan arranged by Liu Zemin in advance. Put on a veil and place a delicate cradle beside you, even if the cradle is empty.
A wealthy client, Ms. Yao Fei, lost the ability to breastfeed due to an accident. While she entertained her friends, Zhou Lin pretended to breastfeed on the side, keeping Ms. Yao's face and dignity unharmed.
As a mother, Zhou Lin knew in his heart what this kind of pretending meant to a mother. But after thinking about it, she herself forced herself to make a choice for Xiaoxi. Zhou Lin's work began to become more and more complicated. In the daily "performance" of Yao Fei's family, she began to feel the tense atmosphere in the family. One day, the sound of Pan Bo and Yao Fei's quarrel came from the study.
"Is it fair for a child that you have given up even the most basic duties of a mother?" said Panbo indignantly.
"I've done my best, should I ruin my life because of this?" I also have the right to choose my life!" Yao Fei shot back angrily.
Zhou Lin stood silently aside, feeling a hint of unease in her heart, and she realized that she might be involved in their personal conflict.
Pan Bo stopped when he passed by Zhou Lin in the living room, was silent for a long time, and suddenly asked, "Do you think that everything can really be measured by money?"
Zhou Lin was a little embarrassed by this question, and replied as calmly as possible: "Everyone's choices and values are different, I'm just here to do my job." ”
"yes, you're right, it's none of your business. Panbo sighed, then turned to leave.
As time passed, Zhou Lin was involved in the family's secret - it turned out that the Pan Bo family owned a brand of precious jewelry that had been passed down from generation to generation, and under Yao Fei's intervention, the brand's design direction and concept were quietly changing, causing deep conflicts between family members.
By chance, Yao Fei took Zhou Lin into the secret room where the treasures were kept.
"You see, these are all heirlooms of the Pan family, although I have no interest in these antiques at all. Yao Fei fiddled with an ancient hairpin encrusted with gems.
Zhou Lin's eyes were attracted by a heavy silver pendant, which was exactly the same as the one her mother had left behind.
"This... This pendant is so special. Zhou Lin pointed to the pendant and asked carefully.
"Oh, that's said to be the oldest piece in the family, but I don't think it's at all suitable for modern times. Yao Fei was dismissive.
Pan Bo walked in, and his face suddenly became solemn when he saw Zhou Lin pointing to the pendant: "What does this pendant have to do with you?"
Zhou Lin was stunned for a moment, and then said softly: "This is the same as the only relic my mother left me, but I'm not sure... What a coincidence..."
Pan Bo and Zhou Lin looked at each other, and a flash of shock and disbelief flashed in their eyes. Yao Fei felt a little unhappy and tried to break the sudden silence.
"Okay, don't talk about these boring things, it's only right to care more about business when you have time. Yao Fei interrupted impatiently.
At this moment, an old lady who looked like an elder in the family entered the room, frowned and said to Zhou Lin, "Child, your name is Zhou Lin, right? It should be our Pan family. ”
This sudden news was like a heavy stone on the calm water, and even Zhou Lin's heart set off huge waves. The story reaches its climax. The silver pendant that revealed Zhou Lin's life story finally became the key to unlock the knot between Yao Fei and Pan Bo. At a family meeting, Yao Fei laid out all the family treasures, and she said calmly:
"These are the roots of the Pan family, and I know that I used to be too obsessed with superficial glamour, but now I think we can find a way together to keep the Pan family's traditions alive in modern times. ”
Pan Bo looked at Zhou Lin, nodded gratefully and said, "It was Zhou Lin who made us all realize that family affection is more precious than any material thing. Perhaps we can look for a compromise. ”
Zhou Lin smiled: "Every era has its own rules, tradition and modernity do not conflict, the key is to find a balance." ”
In the end, the family decided to create a new brand co-managed by Pan Bo and Yao Fei while keeping the traditional treasures, injecting modern elements to allow the Pan family's culture to be passed on without losing the sense of the times.
After the contract period was completed, Zhou Lin chose not to renew the contract. When she took Xiaoxi to say goodbye to the Pan family, Yao Fei held Zhou Lin's hand tightly, with gratitude in her eyes: "Thank you, in the end, it was you who made me understand the true meaning of family." ”
Zhou Lin returned to her peaceful town, where she still had her warm cottage and lovely neighbors. Whenever night fell, Zhou Lin would hug Xiaoxi and talk about the world she saw today, teaching her the wisdom and courage of life.
"Xiaoxi, Mommy used to be confused and hesitated, but I know that only by insisting on doing the right thing will life give us a reward. Zhou Lin looked at his daughter lovingly, his heart full of hope.
After this incident, Zhou Lin began to write his own story and share it with the people around him. Her story, which slowly spread in the town, gave many people courage and hope.
Late at night, Zhou Lin turned off the lights, leaving only moonlight and her whispering softly in the room: "Perhaps, every mother who encounters challenges can find her own way to overcome difficulties, right?"