Chapter 60: Pressing In Step by Step

Deputy Factory Director Lu glanced at the certificate in Lin Yuanshu's hand, gave a kind smile, and said softly, "I know you. You are very capable and became a team leader at such a young age. Is there something you need from me?"

Lin Yuanshu took a deep breath and said with a smile, "I am very interested in Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory. I wonder if the factory plans to recruit female workers next year? If there is an opportunity, I would like to transfer from Hongguang Dye Chemical Factory to Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory. I am currently studying pharmaceutical knowledge in private. My friend's grandfather works at the Pharmaceutical Industry Research Institute, so I am not completely ignorant about pharmaceuticals."

Deputy Factory Director Lu neither said no nor yes, but smiled and said, "This is not the place to talk. You can come to the pharmaceutical factory office another day to chat. You are welcome anytime."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuanshu knew that there was hope for the matter; otherwise, Deputy Factory Director Lu would have directly rejected her instead of inviting her to his office to talk.

"Okay, I'll definitely come tomorrow." Lin Yuanshu agreed without hesitation. Strike while the iron is hot; if too much time passes, Deputy Factory Director Lu might forget about her.

"I'll be in the office this morning."

Deputy Factory Director Lu was very satisfied with Lin Yuanshu's answer, but he needed to investigate Lin Yuanshu's specific information before deciding whether or not to let her work at the pharmaceutical factory.

Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory isn't a place where just anyone can get in.

Lin Yuanshu watched as Deputy Factory Director Lu got into the car, and only turned to leave after the car drove away. She had already succeeded halfway in getting a job at the pharmaceutical factory; the other half depended on her conversation with Deputy Factory Director Lu tomorrow.

Inside the car, the factory manager asked curiously, "Why did you take so long?"

Deputy Factory Director Lu explained in a serious tone, "I met a female colleague and chatted with her for a while, which took up a little time."

The factory manager prompted, "Oh, what did you talk about?"

Deputy Factory Director Lu replied, "She wants to work at our pharmaceutical factory, and I plan to assess her work ability tomorrow."

The factory manager raised an eyebrow and joked, "If someone can make you personally conduct the assessment, then her work ability must be quite good."

Deputy Factory Director Lu touched his nose. "I don't know if she's capable at work, but she's very courageous. I admire courageous people, regardless of gender."

"Then don't forget to tell me the final result tomorrow," the factory manager said with a smile.

Deputy Factory Director Lu joked, "I dare not forget the factory director's instructions."

When Lin Yuanshu returned to the tenement building, it was still early.

Sister-in-law Xue was collecting coal briquettes next to a big tree. December is the peak season for coal use, and she often makes coal briquettes during this time. Whenever the weather is good, she takes them out to dry. Coal briquettes are made by crushing coal ash, adding yellow soil and water in a certain proportion, shaping them into cakes, and then drying them to use for cooking.

When Sister-in-law Xue saw Lin Yuanshu, she immediately put down the coal briquettes and ran up excitedly. Her gaze fell on Lin Yuanshu's hand holding the prize, and she said excitedly, "These are the prizes you received! There are so many! I'll never have the chance to receive a prize in my life, but my child still has a chance. I want to touch your certificate so that my child can share in the good fortune."

Lin Yuanshu didn't mind at all. After letting Sister Xue touch the certificate, she directly gave her a washcloth and said with a smile, "I hope you can give birth to a healthy child. You've worked hard these past few days."

Although Zhou Ma and Xue Da Sao each have their own shortcomings, they are indeed good at housework. During this period, they not only stocked up on cabbage and radishes in the corridor, but also used the stored cabbage and radishes to make pickled cabbage and dried radish, and used the cabbage leaves to dry "winter vegetables". They were so busy that they didn't have time to rest.

All she could do was move the cabbages and radishes; she couldn't do anything else because she had never stocked up on cabbages and radishes in winter, let alone made pickled vegetables. However, she could try making kimchi when she was free, as she had learned to make it from online videos in her past life.

Sister-in-law Xue accepted the towel with an incredulous look on her face. She hadn't expected Lin Yuanshu to be so generous as to give her his prize. She smiled from ear to ear, "It's no trouble at all. It's what I should do. I'm going to use this towel as a pillowcase and stay close to it every day. I'm sure my child will be as smart as you."

Hearing what Sister Xue said, Aunt Hua, who was standing nearby, asked with undisguised anticipation, "Comrade Lin Yuanshu, can I also share in the good fortune?"

"Of course," Lin Yuanshu readily agreed.

She doesn't value certificates of merit as much as people of this generation do; after all, in her previous life, she started receiving certificates of merit from kindergarten.

Aunt Hua wiped her hands again and again before daring to touch the certificate.

Seeing this, the others looked at Aunt Hua with envy. They also wanted to touch her, but were too embarrassed to ask.

Lin Yuanshu saw what the others were thinking and said with a smile, "If you don't mind me, you can come and share in the good fortune."

As soon as he said this, the people around Lin Yuanshu who were collecting coal briquettes and chatting gathered around. They lined up on their own, and each person touched the certificate before it was the next person's turn. Comrade Lin Yuanshu kindly wanted them to share in the good fortune, and they didn't want to cause him any trouble.

Aunt Wei pulled Sun Yiyi by the sleeve to join the queue. Sun Yiyi had lost face in front of Lin Yuanshu before, so she was naturally unwilling to go. She whispered, "Comrade Lin Yuanshu is a member of the Zhou family. He certainly wouldn't want us to share in his good fortune."

Aunt Wei said confidently, "The Zhou family is the Zhou family, and Comrade Lin Yuanshu is Comrade Lin Yuanshu. She is not as shameless as the Zhou family. If she really targeted us, she wouldn't have let your father stay in her group in the first place."

Sun Yiyi was silent for a while. She suddenly realized that Lin Yuanshu was really kind to everyone. All the neighbors spoke well of her. Even her mother-in-law, who hated the Zhou family so much, had a good impression of Lin Yuanshu. This made her think of a word: hypocrisy. What kind of good person could someone who could suppress Zhou's mother so much and say threatening words to her?

“I don’t want to go,” Sun Yiyi refused.

Aunt Wei looked incredulous and asked, "Why don't you want to go? Don't you want your child to be born smart? If you don't share in this good fortune now, you won't have the chance to later."

Sun Yiyi retorted, "How could a child conceived by touching an award certificate be intelligent? That's superstition."

Aunt Wei didn't care about superstition or anything like that. She said confidently, "What do you care about superstition or anything like that? This is to bring good luck. If you don't touch it, someone else will, and then you'll be at a loss. There are so many people in line. If we join in, Comrade Lin Yuanshu won't even notice. Let me tell you, if you don't want to touch it and you have a stupid child in the future, I will definitely not let you off the hook."

Sun Yiyi was speechless, but she had no choice but to join the queue.

When it was Aunt Wen's turn, she wiped her hands on her apron again and again, but there were still black coal stains on her hands that she couldn't get clean no matter what she did.

As it was almost her turn, Aunt Wei, who was behind her, saw the line stop and couldn't help but say, "What are you doing up there! If you're not going to touch it, get out of the way."

Aunt Wen gave a helpless smile, "I'd better not touch it, so as not to get your certificate dirty."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuanshu reached out and placed Aunt Wen's hand on the certificate, smiling as he said, "This is a certificate of merit for the working people, and your hand is a medal for the working people, so there's no question of it being dirty."

Sun Yiyi was completely oblivious to this, only thinking that Lin Yuanshu was putting on an act. Unfortunately, the middle-aged women around her, including her mother-in-law, all looked at Lin Yuanshu with touching expressions.

Aunt Wei exclaimed, "Of all the people living in this tenement building, Comrade Lin Yuanshu has the highest level of awareness."

Sun Yiyi could only smile and remain silent. If she contradicted her mother, not only would her mother scold her, but the other aunties would also accuse her of talking nonsense. She felt like she was the only one who was sober in a world of drunks.

When it was Sun Yiyi's turn to touch the certificate, Lin Yuanshu still had a smile on his face.

Sun Yiyi lowered her head awkwardly, unwilling to look up at Lin Yuanshu's expression. She touched the certificate and left. On the contrary, Aunt Wei said a few words to Lin Yuanshu, congratulating him on receiving the award from the Chemical Industry Bureau.

After touching the certificate, Lin Yuanshu took it home, then went downstairs to collect coal briquettes with Sister Xue, and they talked about how to make kimchi.

Upon hearing this, Sister-in-law Xue felt a sense of relief, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She wondered why Lin Yuanshu was so kind, as he wanted her to make some kimchi. She lowered her voice and said, "I don't have the money to buy ingredients to make chili sauce. If you can gather all the ingredients, I can make kimchi for you."

Lin Yuanshu thought for a moment and then declined, saying, "No, I can make my own kimchi. You can just help me clean up afterwards."

"Okay," Sister-in-law Xue readily agreed, since Lin Yuanshu's cooking wouldn't kill anyone.

Lin Yuanshu and Sister-in-law Xue carried all the coal briquettes back home. Then Sister-in-law Xue busied herself cooking, while Lin Yuanshu kneaded the dough. She really missed the days of eating white rice every meal; she had been eating steamed buns made from two kinds of flour for more than half a year.

As darkness fell, the workers gradually returned home, and the once quiet tenement building became incredibly lively, filled with the sounds of children playing, the clatter of cooking utensils, and couples bickering.

After hearing that Lin Yuanshu had taken out his award certificates and let everyone touch them to share in the good fortune, the neighbors were all very regretful that they had come back late, otherwise they could have also shared in the good fortune.

In the living room, Chow Tai Fook looked at the two certificates on the table with admiration. They were the Technological Innovation Award and the Labor Production Competition Award.

He said to Sister-in-law Xue, "Remember to make some paste later and stick these two certificates on the wall, right next to the previous one. The second wife is really something; she's only been married into the family for half a year and she's already won three certificates."

Including the three certificates his second wife brought back, his family has a total of five. The other two certificates were awarded when he was young: one for "Advanced Worker" and the other for "Model of Courage and Righteousness".

“Okay,” Sister-in-law Xue replied.

With a serious expression, Zhou's mother asked, "The certificate is here, but where's the prize?"

Lin Yuanshu said bluntly, "There aren't many prizes in my room. I gave my sister-in-law a towel, a cup, and a briefcase. Do you want them?"

She never mentioned money, because mentioning it would mean handing it over. Although she didn't hand over her salary every month, she did hand over ration coupons for necessities like grain, oil, and meat. She wasn't just eating for free.

Zhou Ma knew without asking that Lin Yuanshu had embezzled the money again, but she didn't say anything more.

She was afraid that if she angered Lin Yuanshu, he would interfere and make her work in the cafeteria for even longer. She wanted to get rid of this miserable life as soon as possible, so it was not a good time to offend Lin Yuanshu.

Zhou Ma had no objection, and neither did her elder brother and sister-in-law. After all, even if Lin Yuanshu handed over the money, they wouldn't be able to touch it anyway, so it was better to leave it in Lin Yuanshu's hands. That way, they could at least have meat to eat every now and then. Otherwise, given Zhou Ma's stingy nature when cooking, they would definitely be living a very frugal life.

Early the next morning, Lin Yuanshu rode his bicycle to the Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory in the east of the city.

An hour later, she arrived at Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory, explained her purpose to the security guard and showed him her identification. The security guard carefully checked her identification and, after confirming that it was correct, gave her a temporary pass.

Lin Yuanshu was secretly glad that she had told Deputy Factory Director Lu about her upcoming visit the day before. If Deputy Factory Director Lu hadn't informed the security guards, she wouldn't have been able to pass their check so easily.

After entering the pharmaceutical factory, she did not look around aimlessly. Instead, she asked a passing worker for the address and headed straight for the office building.

The secretary led Lin Yuanshu into Deputy Factory Director Lu's office and then poured her a cup of tea.

Lin Yuanshu thanked him softly, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." After saying this, the secretary left Deputy Factory Director Lu's office.

Deputy Factory Director Lu put down his pen, left his desk, sat on the sofa opposite Lin Yuanshu, and asked with a smile, "What do you think of this tea?"

Lin Yuanshu replied in a serious tone, "I'm a roughneck and don't know how to appreciate tea. This tea smells wonderful, so I imagine it must taste exceptionally good as well."

Deputy Factory Director Lu explained with a smile, "This is Red Seal Golden Lotus Pu'er Tea, which is extremely rare. One gram is more expensive than gold."

Lin Yuanshu was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Thanks to you, I'm in for a treat today."

Deputy Factory Director Lu said unhurriedly, "You performed very well at Hongguang Dye Chemical Plant. If you continue, you will become a workshop director sooner or later. Why would you want to come to Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory?"

He sent people to investigate Lin Yuanshu's information and learned that Lin Yuanshu was very capable. He led the research and development of a process for producing naphthalene intermediates by solvent sulfonation and significantly improved production efficiency in actual production. This is not something that an ordinary person can do.

Lin Yuanshu replied earnestly, "I am very interested in drug research and development. In my opinion, the pharmaceutical industry in Beijing is in a stage of development and has great potential. I want to contribute to the pharmaceutical industry so that it can become better and better and so that everyone can have access to affordable medicines."

Upon hearing this, Deputy Factory Manager Lu laughed and said, "I didn't expect that I underestimated you. You have quite the ambition. It won't be easy to make sure everyone can have access to affordable medicine."

Lin Yuanshu's eyes were firm, and his voice was resolute: "Shouldn't a person do what they know is impossible?"

It's like in her past life, she knew that staying up late was bad, but she still couldn't stop.

Deputy Factory Director Lu laughed heartily: "Well said! Young people should have the vigor to be fearless. Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory welcomes you to join us, but you have to start as an apprentice in the preparation operation to temper your character and build a solid foundation. It's good that you are capable, but you have to be down-to-earth to go far. Gems need to be polished to become jewels."

After listening to Deputy Factory Director Lu's words, Lin Yuanshu said with a heavy heart, "I am currently a team leader at Hongguang Dye Chemical Plant, but I have to start as an apprentice here. This arrangement is probably not reasonable. I spent those years working hard in the production team, and I have already tempered my character."

It's one thing that she can't continue being a team leader, but how come she can't even be a regular female worker? Besides, she didn't want to be a female worker; she wanted to be a drug researcher or formulation technician so that she could enter the laboratory and develop new drugs.

Deputy Factory Director Lu raised an eyebrow and said softly, "Look at you, you're already aiming too high! You need to learn to be down-to-earth. Pharmaceutical factories are different from chemical plants; their requirements are much higher. You can't just learn some knowledge casually. There's no room for half-baked people here."

Lin Yuanshu took a deep breath and chose to take a step back. "Being an apprentice is fine, but I want to be an apprentice to a pharmaceutical researcher. You can also test my knowledge of pharmaceuticals. I can't say I'm that great, but I'm definitely not someone who only knows a little bit but doesn't know much."

She didn't want to continue working in the production workshop; entering the laboratory was her goal. Once she got into the laboratory, with her abilities, getting rid of her status as a drug researcher apprentice would be a piece of cake.

Deputy Factory Director Lu's lips curled slightly upwards, and he said with a serious expression, "Do you know what the first thing you have to learn when you enter Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory is?"

Lin Yuanshu asked uncertainly, "Solid professional knowledge?"

Deputy Factory Director Lu shook his head and said confidently, "It means to be obedient, to listen to me."

Lin Yuanshu's smile gradually disappeared, and his expression became serious. This old geezer really knows how to think. She came to work, not to be Deputy Factory Director Lu's dog.

What Deputy Factory Director Lu wanted was not a highly capable person, but a subordinate who was 100% obedient.

No wonder they gave her Red Seal Golden Lotus Pu-erh Tea at first; that wasn't tea, it was a show of force!

She even thought that Deputy Factory Director Lu was generous, willing to bring out such expensive tea.

She was really unlucky. Out of so many pharmaceutical factories in Beijing, she chose the worst one at first glance—a piece of junk that looked good but was useless.

"I will listen to you, and I will also listen to the organization," Lin Yuanshu said ambiguously.

Deputy Factory Director Lu picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea, and said slowly, "Playing games with me won't work. I want a precise answer."

Although Lin Yuanshu is very capable, she is too individualistic and doesn't take her superiors seriously. If she really cared about her superiors, she wouldn't have submitted that plan by herself in the first place.

Therefore, Lin Yuanshu is not lacking in ability or ideas, but he lacks a bit of obedience.

He didn't want to create a time bomb for himself. If Lin Yuanshu helped his rival or used his power to climb the ranks, he would have a real headache.

Lin Yuanshu took a deep breath and said firmly, "I still stand by what I said: I will obey your orders and the organization's orders. I won't bother you any longer today. Goodbye."

In her past life, when her boss took away her achievements, he said something similar, telling her to obey.

Although the final outcome seemed to be that she left the pharmaceutical factory helplessly, the leader who took her achievements didn't fare much better. She tricked him into working as a sewing machine operator, so it was a lose-lose situation for both of them.

She and Deputy Factory Director Lu can't see eye to eye anymore. She wants to work at Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory, but Deputy Factory Director Lu treats her like a dog. Yes, he doesn't even treat her like a human being.

Upon hearing this, Deputy Factory Director Lu was not angry. It's normal for talented people to have a bit of pride. He calmly said, "You need to understand one thing: if you leave my office today, no other pharmaceutical factory will accept you. You only have one choice, and I hope you will think it over carefully before you act."

Lin Yuanshu retorted without backing down, "No, I have many choices. I can continue working as a shift leader at Hongguang Dye Chemical Plant, or I can work at a pharmaceutical factory outside of Beijing. You are capable, but you don't have connections to the highest levels. I sincerely want to work at Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory. In my eyes, there is no difference between working for you and working for Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory, because our goal is the same: to make Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory better and better."

Deputy Factory Director Lu chuckled. He hadn't expected Lin Yuanshu's idea to be so naive. "Since we have the same goal, you can just listen to me. If you listen to me, I can make you the head of the drug research group and personally lead a research and development team."

Lin Yuanshu blinked and decisively refused, saying, "It seems that our goals are not quite the same now. If you change your mind, you can come to Hongguang Dye Chemical Plant to find me. I will be waiting for you."

Seeing how Deputy Factory Director Lu was trying to win her over, she knew that the power struggle among the leaders of Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory was fierce. If there were no conflicts, who would care whose orders she listened to!

As Lin Yuanshu reached the door, Deputy Factory Director Lu said, "Sigh, you child, why are you so stubborn? Don't put me on the opposite side. Helping me is helping yourself. I'm here waiting for you to change your mind. You have no better choice than me."

Lin Yuanshu did not stop walking because of Deputy Factory Director Lu's words. Instead, he walked out without hesitation. If he really agreed to Deputy Factory Director Lu's request, wouldn't he be at Deputy Factory Director Lu's mercy?

Unlike the three workshop directors at Hongguang Dye Chemical Plant, Deputy Factory Director Lu was assertive and had a strong desire for control.

Working under Deputy Factory Director Lu, she worried that even if she achieved results, she wouldn't be able to keep the credit. More likely, Deputy Factory Director Lu would reap the rewards while she would only get the scraps.

Anyway, now it's just a matter of who can outlast whom. The one who bows down first will take a step back, and she definitely can't lose.

If she desperately needed a job right now, she might have given in, but now that she's become a team leader at the Hongguang Dye Chemical Plant, there's no need for her to recklessly go to the pharmaceutical factory to be a nobody.

After leaving Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory, Lin Yuanshu went to a state-run grocery store to buy chili powder, scallions, ginger, garlic, and other ingredients. She planned to make her own chili sauce and then make kimchi.

Anyway, I have nothing to do today, so this is a good time to change my mood. It's not good to be tense all the time. I'll deal with these troubling things after the New Year. She never lets anyone make her feel bad.

Seeing that Lin Yuanshu had left the office, the secretary went in to clean up and was surprised to find that she hadn't even drunk a sip of tea. She sighed, "What a waste of such a good cup of tea."

Deputy Factory Director Lu chuckled and teased, "So it turns out that Comrade Lin Yuanshu is truly determined. Even knowing how expensive and good this tea is, she can resist the temptation and not taste a single drop."

The secretary was surprised by the high evaluation given by Deputy Factory Director Lu. "Since Comrade Lin Yuanshu is so determined, I suppose you two haven't reached an agreement yet."

Deputy Factory Director Lu nodded. "You're right. It's a pity there's no reward. Recruiting outstanding talent isn't easy, especially when she still has a backup plan. I hope she understands, otherwise I'll have to cut off her escape route."

If Lin Yuanshu's work ability were even slightly weaker, he wouldn't have tried so hard to bring her into his camp and have her work for him. On the other hand, if Lin Yuanshu's work ability were truly weak, she wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet him in the first place.

As evening fell, Zhou Ma returned home and saw Lin Yuanshu sitting expressionlessly in the middle of the living room, spreading a layer of red paste on a cabbage.

Zhou Ma frowned and asked Sister-in-law Xue, "What's wrong with Second Sister-in-law?"

It's unusual for someone who avoids housework to be making pickles so readily.

Sister-in-law Xue shook her head and said in a low voice, "I don't know. According to her, she was making kimchi. She went out today, and when she came home, I felt that she was not in a good mood. Mom, I advise you not to provoke her."

Aunt Zhou sneered and said irritably, "Do I need you to teach me how to do things? Hurry up and cook, what if I starve!"

Sister-in-law Xue rolled her eyes. She spoke to her politely when she needed her, but chased her away when she didn't.

Zhou Ma glanced at Lin Yuanshu and chose to go back to her room to rest. She didn't have the energy to argue with Lin Yuanshu right now.

Lin Yuanshu felt great about herself. She made a whole jar of spicy kimchi, moved the jar to a corner, and then called her older brother over to clean up the mess.

The older brother said reluctantly, "Why do you only call me? Why not Xiangyang? You can't treat her differently just because she's your lover."

Lin Yuanshu explained with a smile, "Because your wife promised me she would help me clean up the mess, and since she was too busy, I had to ask you to come and help."

The older brother muttered under his breath, "Couldn't you wait until my wife is finished with her work, and then call her over to clean up?"

Lin Yuanshu said speechlessly, "Why are you talking so much? Your wife is pregnant, so you should do more work instead of leaving all the work to her. After you finish cleaning the living room, don't forget to cook for your wife. If I come out and see you lying around like an old man, you'll be in big trouble."

Big Brother: "..."

If he had known, he wouldn't have said so much. Now, he has one more thing to do.

The next day, Lin Yuanshu went to work at the chemical plant and met his team leader and Zhou Moli on the way. Both of them were very disappointed that Lin Yuanshu had not participated in the celebration event held by the chemical plant. After all, Lin Yuanshu was the biggest contributor. Without Lin Yuanshu, the chemical plant would not have been able to win first place at all.

"It was quite a lively day. All three workshop directors and department heads came. It's a pity you didn't get to see it," Zhou Moli said with regret.

Lin Yuanshu smiled indifferently, "Anyway, I've already got the reward, so it doesn't matter whether I've stood out or not. Even if I don't go, people won't ignore my efforts."

The team leader nodded in agreement. "That's true. Nobody in the chemical plant dares to look down on you now."

After saying goodbye to his team leader and Zhou Moli, Lin Yuanshu went into his office. The fifteen-day training session was drawing ever closer.

She needs to prepare lessons thoroughly to ensure that trainees learn practical knowledge within fifteen days. The content covers process analysis of solvent sulfonation for the production of naphthalene intermediates, modification schemes for reactor stirrers, and distillation tower improvement techniques, striving to cultivate trainees into "all-round warriors".

Meanwhile, in the office of the director of Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory, Deputy Director Lu came to submit a report. The director asked curiously, "How is the female comrade you mentioned earlier performing? Did she pass the assessment?"

Deputy Factory Director Lu paused for a moment, then said with a regretful look, "She passed the assessment, but that female comrade is a bit too ambitious and needs some work to improve."

He didn't expect the factory director to still remember Lin Yuanshu's story.

The factory manager was quite surprised and said, "It seems you value proving your female colleague's work ability and are willing to put in the effort to hone her skills."

Deputy Factory Director Lu joked, "Sometimes, I also want to be a talent scout, but unfortunately this woman doesn't want me to mentor her. I hope she'll come to her senses soon!"

The factory director said firmly, "In my opinion, it's a waste of your time to train her. Most female comrades put their families first and are more suitable for auxiliary work. Key tasks still need to be undertaken by male comrades."

Deputy Factory Director Lu smiled helplessly. He did want to refine the male comrades, but these people were like pebbles; no matter how much they were polished, they would only be pretty pebbles, never gems.

He genuinely admired Lin Yuanshu's work ability; it would be a waste to let Lin Yuanshu stay at home doing housework every day.

The factory manager waved his hand and said with a smile, "Anyway, you handle this matter. I won't interfere. I trust your judgment."

Deputy Factory Director Lu said softly, "I won't let you down."

A few days later, before the study session even started, Lin Yuanshu's pickled kimchi was ready to eat.

That evening, Lin Yuanshu asked Zhou Xiangyang to make a spicy kimchi stir-fried with pork belly. When the dish was served, it immediately won over the Zhou family's taste buds.

While eating, Zhou Dafu praised, "I didn't expect that the spicy cabbage made by Xiao Er's wife would be so delicious. It has a different taste from pickled cabbage. Paired with the mixed flour steamed buns, it's so delicious that you want to eat more and more. It's much better than pickled vegetables."

"It's not good if it's too delicious. It will make the food in the house go by too quickly. It's okay to eat spicy cabbage once in a while, but you can't eat it every day," Zhou's mother advised with a frown.

Although she also enjoys eating, she knows to eat in moderation.

Lin Yuanshu asked in confusion, "Five people in our family work. Although my sister-in-law doesn't work, she receives a food ration every month. There are no children in the family, so we shouldn't be so frugal."

After all, in addition to the monthly food rations at home, the factory also provides food every month. Logically speaking, they shouldn't be living such a frugal life.

However, Zhou Ma's frugality was ingrained in her bones. When Sister-in-law Xue made steamed buns with a mixture of coarse and refined grains, Zhou Ma's buns were mostly coarse grains with a small amount of refined grains. Sometimes, to save food, she would simply cook vegetable porridge.

Zhou Ma said expressionlessly, "You don't know the value of money since you're not in charge of the household. If we ate coarse grains every meal, we wouldn't have to be so frugal, but can you accept eating coarse grains every meal? If I don't save a little, we won't be drinking millet porridge in the morning, but cornbread."

Because a month's supply of refined grain coupons was simply not enough for them, she would take her remaining coarse grain coupons to the grain station each month to exchange them for refined grain coupons, which she would then save for the following month. As a result, although her family seemed to have a lot of grain, in reality, very little of it was actually edible.