"That would be best. When you graduate, don't tell anyone where you'll be assigned," Shu Manling instructed Xu Yue.

Xu Yue sniffed, her expression visibly downcast.

"Alright, it might not be a bad thing if we can go back to Zhuzhou after graduation." Bai Jiaojiao patted Xu Yue and ruffled her curly hair.

Shu Manling added, "That's right, maybe Zhuzhou will develop even better than Yancheng in the future, so don't be sad."

Qiu Mao didn't give Xu Yue much time; he came to bother her almost every day.

When Hu Xiao returned, she said to Xu Yue, "That guy came looking for you again, Xu Yue. It's fine if you're dating, but could you please stop letting him, a guy, stand in front of our girls' dormitory? He even blocked my way to talk. It was so embarrassing."

This is like saying "speak of the devil" and he appears. Bai Jiaojiao squeezed Xu Yue's palm: "Let's go, let's go out and talk to him."

The three of them left the dormitory. When Qiu Mao saw Bai Jiaojiao and Shu Manling coming out together, his expression turned ugly.

He hadn't forgotten that when they were discussing the marriage, it was these two people who interfered and caused Xu Yue to refuse to marry into their family.

Otherwise, his children would be running all over the place by now.

Seeing that the two of them were meddling in his business again, Qiu Mao said irritably, "I need to speak with Xu Yue alone. Please leave."

"Don't be anxious," Bai Jiaojiao said. "We're here to discuss a solution with you. Please let me finish speaking first."

"I have nothing to say to you. Xu Yue, make them leave, or I'll tell your classmates right now!"

Qiu Mao's voice was quite loud, and when he spoke, many people at the dormitory entrance looked over at them.

Shu Manling said she felt Xu Yue pull her hand harder, and Xu Yue angrily scolded Qiu Mao: "You beast!"

“Go ahead and scold me, it won’t do any good, what can it change? Xiaoyue, wasn’t I good enough to you when we were dating? Don’t let a child create a rift between us. If you marry into my family, apologize to my mother, and life will go on as usual.”

Qiu Mao did this by risking his reputation.

His plan was that Xu Yue could have a child for him first, and a year later, she could graduate and start working. Doctors have high and stable salaries, and their family would have no worries about food and clothing in the future.

"You are so shameless, how could you say such a thing!"

As Xu Yue was speaking, she was about to slap Qiu Mao when Bai Jiaojiao stopped her.

There are many people coming and going at the dormitory entrance, and it's noisy and chaotic. If Qiu Mao suddenly goes crazy and shouts something out, that would really be a disaster.

Bai Jiaojiao said, "Aren't you unemployed now? I came here today to tell you that as long as you're willing to keep this secret to yourself, I can offer you a job at Hengxin Factory. You can choose any entry-level job you like, or you don't have to go to the workshop. You used to be a sales clerk, and I can put you in charge of scheduling at the factory. After you become a full-time employee, your salary will be thirty yuan, which is more than you used to. Do you want this opportunity?"

"Hengxin Factory? The Hengxin that sells TVs?"

Qiu Mao used to work in a department store. Although it wasn't in the home appliance industry, he had heard of this newly emerging brand. With its advantages of high quality and relatively low prices, the brand quickly became the preferred brand for Yancheng residents. Although it had only been established for a short time, it was already very popular in the home appliance industry.

"Yes, it's Hengxin. If you're willing, I can take you to the factory right now to sign the contract. After the medical examination, you can start working."

After Bai Jiaojiao finished speaking, Xu Yue stared nervously at Qiu Mao's expression, afraid that he would not agree.

Qiu Mao, having been so close to Xu Yue before, immediately noticed her nervousness and suspected something was amiss: "I know you. Your family is rich and powerful, and I trust you to arrange a job for me. But wouldn't the benefits of marrying Xu Yue be far greater than this job? Xiao Yue, after you marry into our family, you can pursue your career and realize your ambitions. You can leave the household matters, my mother, and the children to me."

Qiu Mao's words implied that he wanted to enjoy a leisurely life at home and simply ask Xu Yue for money, which was much better than him working himself to the bone every day.

"Smack!"

Xu Yue could no longer bear it, and finally slapped Qiu Mao across the face.

Bai Jiaojiao didn't want to stop her anymore, and even wanted to slap Xu Yue again.

"Qiu Mao, don't go too far. There's a saying: 'Know when to stop.' Since you heard Xu Yue say what my family does, you should think it over carefully. You know Xu Yue's temper. When she really gets willful, you can't threaten her. She's just here in Yancheng to study, but you're going to stay in Yancheng for the rest of your life."

Xu Yue said, "Jiaojiao, I told you long ago, you shouldn't give this kind of person any choices, he'll just take advantage of you! Qiu Mao, let me tell you, forget about work, you want to marry me? In your next life!"

After saying that, she tried to kick Qiu Mao, but Qiu Mao dodged it. Xu Yue missed her footing and almost fell over, but Shu Manling pulled her back.

Qiu Mao listened to Bai Jiaojiao and Xu Yue's words without saying a word, but instead pondered them in his mind.

He knew Xu Yue's temper; she might actually do something reckless and self-destructive.

The job at Hengxin Factory was hard-won. He heard that, apart from workshop workers, jobs like dispatchers required at least a high school diploma, and involved written tests, interviews, and multiple rounds of assessments. Countless people were eager to get in.

Qiu Mao only attended high school for one year and did not graduate; he only had a junior high school diploma.

This is indeed a great opportunity. Besides, thirty yuan a month is four yuan and eighty cents more than what I used to earn at the department store. If I can find a young female worker at the factory and combine our salaries, we can live a very comfortable life.

After thinking it over, Qiu Mao said, "You have to take me to the factory first before I can agree to this."

"Do you think Hengxin Factory is so easy to get into, that you can come and go as you please?"

Xu Yue is now willing to go all out, and the situation has suddenly changed. Bai Jiaojiao's words have become much more forceful.

"Go back and think it over carefully. If you agree, go to the factory and report to the factory manager directly. If we don't hear from you in three days, we'll think of other ways to make it impossible for you to say it."

Bai Jiaojiao's cold face made her seem quite convincing.

Qiu Mao had heard Xu Yue say that Bai Jiaojiao's maternal grandfather was Yang Fu, not some distant relative, but her biological grandfather. He had only been recognized by her family for less than two years and was very much loved by them.

He was just a nobody; what did he know about integrity and incorruptibility? He thought these officials could crush him like an ant with a flick of their finger.

"I'll go back and think about it for now. If you dare to lie to me, none of you will get away with it! You'll have to try!"

Before leaving, Qiu Mao, not wanting to lose face, still made a threat.