Huang Cuilan didn't know what her father-in-law was thinking. When she learned about the requirements for the editors from her colleagues' discussions, her mind went blank.

The crowd was still discussing the situation. Their expressions varied: some were happy, some were gloating, some looked ashen, and many were filled with anxiety.

This news was undoubtedly a thunderclap that shattered the tranquility of the past. A flurry of discussion erupted from every corner of the textile factory. Even though the quota had not yet been confirmed, everyone knew it was inevitable.

With their futures and families at stake, no one could remain calm. Many temporary workers started reaching out to each other, and without anyone leading the charge, waves of people quickly flocked to the union.

At this time, you can see how many employees there are in the county textile factory. It is a densely packed crowd, and there are also some people who like to watch the fun and don't mind getting involved.

As the union chairperson, Aunt Zuo had anticipated this as soon as the document was issued, and quickly sent someone to invite the factory director and other leaders.

She walked out the door, frowned at them, and asked loudly, "Where is the workshop director?"

Unfortunately, it was useless for one person to answer. Perhaps even if someone answered, they would be drowned out by the noise in the crowd. She could only hear bursts of crying.

Sympathy? Aunt Zuo certainly sympathized! But she couldn't show it yet. She understood better than anyone that there was no turning back. The most she could do was to help everyone fight for their welfare.

The number of employees in a factory has long exceeded the quota, especially when it was engaged in large-scale steelmaking, when too many temporary workers were hired. Now it is unable to make ends meet, and layoffs are inevitable.

Huang Cuilan followed the crowd closer and searched around but couldn't find her elder sister-in-law, Zhang Meili, who worked at the union. She wanted to ask her if there was anything else she could do. What would she do if she lost her job?

She looked at the old women crying, the pitiful little girls, and the leaders coming from afar with an upset look.

"...The factory is in a tough spot right now. When things improve, we'll still hire from among you guys first... Everyone, go home now... You still have work to do this morning, so go get some work first..."

"Now it's not just our factory. Go to the county and see other factories doing the same... Detailed rules and specific lists... are posted on the blackboard..."

“…”

Huang Cuilan, her shaky body propped up, left the crowd and stood there, deep in thought. Thinking of her sister-in-law Lin Juhua, who shared the same plight, her eyes suddenly lit up and she ran to the kitchen as if she had been given a shot of chicken blood...

In the cafeteria, beads of sweat were dripping from Lin Juhua's face. She wiped them with the towel hanging around her neck and continued to knead a large lump of dough in front of her.

"Juhua, your sister-in-law wants to see you. Do you want to go out? I think she might be coming from the union. I think you're really calm, why don't you go over there and take a look?"

Lin Juhua smiled and said, "It's just a matter of time. If the documents really come down, can I still refuse to leave? I just can't bear to leave you guys."

The old lady praised happily, "That's a good idea. We've already discussed it. After we take a break, we'll all go and ask the leader for mercy on your behalf."

An auntie who was washing vegetables nearby also said, "Yes, don't worry. Several master chefs are reluctant to let you go. We will definitely see the effect if we go."

Lin Juhua laughed heartily. "No matter if it works or not, I want to thank you first. Honestly, kitchen work is the most tiring, but with you all here, I really don't want to leave."

"Then don't leave. Let's all go together. You should at least give me some face, right?"

Lin Juhua quickly pulled the old lady aside and said with a smile, "Don't say that. My husband said this is a rule from above, so don't embarrass the leaders. I accept your kindness, just remember to come and play with me next time."

"Okay, we know what to do. Go wash your hands and see what your eldest sister-in-law says."

Lin Juhua looked at the work in her hands, smiled at them, and hurried out. It wasn't very busy at the moment. Normally, it would be difficult for her to leave.

"This kid works very well. It's a pity that he's gone."

"Who said it wasn't? Now that she's gone, we're even busier. We finally found someone we get along with, and what's all this talk about?"

"So many people have left the factory all of a sudden, and there are fewer people eating. What are you still busy with..."

Lin Juhua listened to their conversation, smiled, and ran out quickly.

"Chrysanthemum, why did you just come out? The sky is falling, what are you busy with?"

Lin Juhua quickly stepped forward and pulled her to a secluded place. "Sister-in-law, the sky won't fall. Don't be anxious. Talk slowly."

Huang Cuilan opened her mouth, but she didn't know where to begin. After a while, she sighed, squatted down, and whispered, "Do you think it would be useful for me to go find Aunt Zuo and my eldest sister?"

Lin Juhua squatted down with her and whispered back, "Don't even think about looking for someone. You'll just embarrass them if you go. Think about it, if you're left alone, will the other thousands of people be willing to do that?"

"So what do you say we should do?"

"It's a piece of cake!" Lin Juhua said, patting her on the shoulder. "Even if we lose this job, we still have food supplies. All the yards in the village and the city are planted with coarse grains. Finding some manual labor won't be much different."

Huang Cuilan looked at her suspiciously. "You're not trying to comfort me on purpose, are you? How can you go around the village and let people laugh at us for being unemployed?"

Lin Juhua frowned and said, "We support the policy, we're not being fired for doing anything bad. But I'm really worried. Forget it, let people say whatever they want. I can still lose a piece of meat."

After saying this, she glanced around with a sly look and whispered, "If it weren't for more food, I really wouldn't want to do this anymore. I have to get up early and work late every day, and I can't even have a good chat with my child's father. I don't even make enough money sewing clothes for others. You see how tiring it is."

Huang Cuilan looked at her outstretched hands. It was true! She could eat her fill in the kitchen, but her hands never recovered from chilblains in the winter, and even prickly heat in the summer.

After hearing these words, she felt much calmer. If it weren't for the extra food and wages, she really wouldn't want to work so hard every day.

However, she thought of her husband, her shoulders slumped, and she said with a sad face: "If I don't have a job, how can your eldest brother support four children by himself?"

Lin Juhua glanced at her lowered head, a hint of sarcasm in her eyes. "Do you really think I don't know that your salary never comes into the house? When has Big Brother not been responsible for all the expenses?"

Then she thought of her family and her sisters and sighed. Sigh... She was in the same boat as them, so she had no right to laugh at others.

"Juhua, you still have an income even if you don't work, but I can only rely on your eldest brother. Sigh... He's in the provincial capital, and I don't even have anyone to discuss things with. I don't know what he would think."

"What's there to discuss? Just tell him. It'll only make him feel more uneasy away from home. Let's see what the situation is. In the past few years, we didn't have to worry about working in the fields in the village. How could it be any worse now?"

“You don’t understand…”

How could Lin Juhua not understand? She understood better than anyone what would happen to a woman without a job. It all depended on her husband! However, her husband had told her last night that if she didn't want to work, she didn't have to. He would support the family. So she had no worries!

Marrying a man to provide food and clothing is a matter of course. As long as she doesn't bring anything to her parents' home, how dare her husband not support her? He'll be so annoyed!