When the ancestor heard this lovely voice calling out to her to join and eat the food, she didn't hesitate but quickly walked, entered the fence, and joined the boss lady at the table.
"You can eat the rest, I am already full and if you are still hungry, I have some left inside the house," Alayna kindly mentioned as she didn't want to see a child starving when she has food.
The ancestor felt that kids nowadays were very friendly and nice, so she smiled shyly and muttered, "thank you," and began to eat the food. The food was so delicious and rich in nutrients as well as a spiritual energy that she felt it spreading all over her body.
Seeing the speed, the other was eating, Alayna went inside the house and brought the rest of the food that she had left for later. Since someone was so hungry, she can cook later.
Alayna watched the other very quickly and in under twenty minutes the food was gone and the girl was rubbing her stomach in satisfaction.
"Are you full now?" Alayna asked worriedly.
The ancestor was very embarrassed to have exposed this shameful side of her but she nodded her head in confirmation, "yes, thank you for the food. I was starving."
"It's good that you are okay now. I am Alayna and you?"
The ancestor looked at this nice lady and decided to be willful for the nth time, "I am Elena."
"It's a beautiful name. So, Elena, who do you live with?"
Elena looked at Alayna and not sensing any malicious intentions she genuinely answered, "I am living by myself, currently homeless."
She wasn't lying at all; she was homeless and very far from home. Alayna was joyful and sad at the same time. It wasn't an easy thing to be homeless, at some point she was homeless too but she is older and to see a young girl roaming by herself, her heart really ached.
"I am very sorry about that. I am currently hiring; do you want to work for me? I will offer you a bed to sleep in at the moment until the staff housing is solved, I will pay you 3 silver coins for your probatory period and when you are permanent your salary will increase.
I will provide your breakfast and supper but things in the shop you can only buy yourself. You are not allowed to take a thing, are you interested?" Alayna laid out her plans to Elena.
Elena was also listening and calculating in her head. 3 silver coins were a bit low for a salary but it was also higher when compared to the salaries other workers were receiving.
Alayna was very weak and with a snap, she could end her miserable life and this shows that she wasn't the one in charge, maybe just like any other employee she was also one which made perfect sense.
Getting free housing and food was a bonus and this could solve the current problem that she was facing. Although she couldn't eat the food from the shop, she could buy it later when she gets paid or get some of those rich customers to buy something from her.
With everything analyzed in her head, she made a choice and answered Alayna, "I will do it, please take care of me," with a bowed head.
Alayna was very happy to hear this. As she was already forty-two years old this year in this world, she was old enough to become a grandmother. She wasn't that interested in forming a relationship or dating but she loves children.
She has always wanted to have a child of her own and she doubted that she could start having one at this age of hers. She just didn't have that time to do that, so maybe adopt a few when she is rich and has a bigger house.
The idea was very good and turning it into reality was the only thing remaining. She will take her time to consider though.
"Then welcome to the family, Elena," Alayna smiled happily seeing that she had just found the perfect employee for her shop.
"I will do my best."
Alayna excused herself and brought the plates inside the house and took out an employment contract that the system has provided when she entered the house.
She brought the contract and Elena read it and she was satisfied with the contract term and stamped her thumbprint on it and Alayna signed with her own as well.
"This is my day off and when you are working as well you will rest on the same day as me as well. So, today we will be leaving for the town to get you some clothes and buy a few groceries," Alayna stated.
Elena was touched hearing this, it wasn't every day you find a boss who cares for your wellbeing like this lady here.
Elena followed Alayna and the two walked on the wide road and the two talked a lot. Alayna kept on asking some important questions and Elena lied the best she could with a straight face.
As the two people were going to be living under one roof for a long time, Alayna decided to inform Elena of some hidden rules in the shop.
"You will find out that things in the shop are a bit mysterious and one shouldn't be too curious. Your job will be to help the customers locate what they want faster and help them to cook some of the food and nothing more than that. I hope that you will keep that in mind."
Elena had been busy thinking about where the food comes from but after hearing this, she guessed that things were very interesting in this shop and slowly she was going to unveil some of these secrets.
The two bought some clothes and groceries as intended. As Alayna was now a boss, several people in town now know her so she received some polite greetings from those that knew her.
They didn't want to offend someone who was backed by a powerful cultivator, of course, some were suffering because of this and they were planning on ways to sabotage this business and get their business back.
Whatever they were thinking, Alayna wasn't concerned with that as her main concern was to run her shop, spread some love and joy, and live her life happily and content.