17, I finally found a temporary job. Mother has mixed feelings: there is hope at home, but she is worried about my hands and feet. Work is too important for us orphans and widows. After I graduated from high school, I was catching up with the Great Depression, and dozens or even hundreds of unemployed people would compete for a job. Thanks to the neat navy blue my mother wore during my interview, I was hired by a jewelry store.

I had a good time on the first floor of the shop. The first week, I was praised by the foreman. The next week, I made an exception and was transferred upstairs.

The jewelry department upstairs is the heart of the shopping center, specializing in treasures and high-grade ornaments. The whole floor is lined with magnificent exhibition windows, and there are two cabins for guests to visit and buy jewelry.

My duty is to manage the goods, help answer the phone outside the manager's room, be enthusiastic, agile and guard against theft.

As Christmas approaches, my work is getting more and more tense and exciting, and I am also worried. After the busy season, we have to go back to the terrible days of running around. However, the god of luck came.

One afternoon, I heard the manager say to the manager, "Ai Ai's little manager is not bad. I like her happiness. "

I pricked up my ears and heard the manager answer, "Yes, this girl is very good. I just want to keep her."

It made me jump all the way home.

The next day, I rushed to the store in the rain. There is only one week left before Christmas, and the whole store staff are very nervous. When I was sorting out the ring, I caught a glimpse of a man standing in front of the counter over there, tall and white, about thirty years old. But the look on his face scared me. He is almost the epitome of the poor in this unfortunate era. A face of grief and confusion is like falling into a trap set by others. Well-tailored flannel clothes are in rags, telling the story of their owners. He stared at the jewelry, and his expression of despair would never be seen.

I felt a pang of sadness because of sympathy. But I was worried about other things and soon forgot about him.

The cabin needed goods, so I went behind the window to get the jewels. When I moved out in a hurry, my sleeve knocked off a plate and six exquisite diamond rings fell to the ground. Mr. manager came in a hurry excitedly, but he was not angry. He knew how I worked this day and just said, "Pick it up and put it back."

I bent down and said with tears in my eyes, "Sir, there are guests waiting in the cabin."

"I'll go there, son. Pick up these rings quickly! "

I found five rings at an almost crazy speed, but I couldn't find the sixth. I thought I fell into a crack in the window, so I ran to look for it carefully. Don't! I caught a glimpse of the tall man walking towards the exit. Suddenly, I understood where the ring was. He was there when the plate was knocked over!

When his hand was about to touch the doorknob, I shouted, "I'm sorry, sir."

He turned around. For a long minute, we looked at each other silently. I pray, anyway, let me save my future in the shop! It's not good to drop a ring, but it will be forgotten in the end. Losing one is unthinkable! At this moment, if I show impatience-even if I judge correctly-all my good hopes will eventually be dashed.

"What is it?" He asked. His facial muscles are twitching.

I'm sure my fate is in his hands. I can feel that he didn't steal anything in the shop. He may want to get a moment of warmth and feel a beautiful moment. I know what it's like to try to find a job and get nothing. I can still imagine what the poor man thinks of this society: someone is buying luxury goods, but his family is starving.

"What is it?" He asked again. Suddenly, I know how to answer. Mom says most people are kind. I don't think this man will hurt me. I looked out of the window. It was foggy at this time.

"This is my first job. It's hard to find something to do now, isn't it? " I said.

He looked at me for a long time, and gradually, a very soft smile appeared on his face. "Yes, indeed." He replied, "But I believe you will do well here. Can I bless you? "

He held out his hand and shook my hand. I whispered, "Good luck to you, too." He pushed open the door of the shop and disappeared into the thick fog.

I slowly turned around and put the sixth ring back in my hand.

(Translated by Deng Kangyan)