"Uncle Chen, do you know who got those three temporary workers who joined our supply and marketing cooperative six years ago?" Zhao Tianyu asked quietly.

"Wen Xiaoli at the grocery counter is related to our Director Wang, and Qian Youliang in the warehouse and your Xiaohe are related to Mayor Hu. By the way, Mayor Hu wasn't the mayor back then; he was the director of our Taohua Town Hospital," Old Chen said after taking a puff of his cigarette.

Zhao Tianyu's expression changed.

It was really Hu Yong who arranged Liang Xiaohe's job for her.

"You're lucky. Not long after you married Liang Xiaohe, Dean Hu became Mayor Hu. Otherwise, Director Wang wouldn't have gone against the grain and insisted on promoting you this time," Old Chen said, raising his eyebrows.

"Uncle Chen, didn't Director Wang appoint me as deputy director because he valued my abilities?" Zhao Tianyu's expression was somewhat unpleasant.

“Tianyu, just call me Uncle Chen. Uncle Chen won’t treat you like an outsider. I’ll tell you what’s on my mind.” Old Chen smiled and said, “You’re very capable at work, and Xiao Jiang and Lao Guan, who were nominated at the same time as you, are also quite capable. If it weren’t for Mayor Hu’s connections, Director Wang originally wanted to promote Lao Guan.”

Zhao Tianyu felt disgusted, as if he had swallowed a fly.

So, his promotion was actually thanks to Hu Yong?

What's this?

His wife's ex-boyfriend gave him, the "current husband," a deputy director position.

How ironic.

"Tianyu, don't think you're getting ahead because of someone else. If you're not capable enough, even if Director Wang wanted to promote you, others would object. You have to be good yourself. Just work hard. Director Wang will retire in two years, and I reckon with your abilities, you should be able to get the promotion." Old Chen quickly comforted Zhao Tianyu when he saw that he looked unwell.

"Uncle Chen, I understand. Thank you for telling me the truth! I hope you can keep this a secret for me." Zhao Tianyu took out an unopened pack of cigarettes from his pocket and placed it on Old Chen's desk.

"You little brat, trying that trick on me again? Even if you don't give me a cigarette, am I, Old Chen, going to spread rumors about you everywhere?" Old Chen said with a laugh.

"That's not what I meant, Uncle Chen. I'm just grateful for your care over the years..." Zhao Tianyu hurriedly explained.

"Alright, alright, I'll take it." Old Chen put the cigarettes on the table into the drawer.

Zhao Tianyu then turned and left.

After finishing her breakfast, Zhao Zhenzhu went into the workshop to make clothes.

Thanks to Zhao Zhenzhu's tireless efforts, within two days, one-third of the two tall stacks of cloth piled up in Wu Meiyun's workshop had been removed.

Zhao Zhenzhu was eager to learn embroidery from Wu Meiyun, and spent all her time working on it except for eating and sleeping.

Wu Meiyun felt sorry for her.

If she had known it would turn out this way, she wouldn't have insisted on finishing all the fabric before teaching Pearl to embroidery.

"Pearl, stop making it. Today is market day. Why don't you take Yunyun to the street for a stroll?" Wu Meiyun came up with an idea after watering the flowers in the yard.

The market days in Peach Blossom Town are held on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th of each lunar month.

Normally, outside of rush hour, there aren't many pedestrians in Taohua Town. But on market days, the streets are packed with people from the surrounding villages who come to the town to shop.

The market was crowded, and there were many things for sale. And it didn't require a ticket.

Wu Meiyun wanted Zhao Zhenzhu to take her daughter out for a stroll and relax.

"Is today market day?" Zhao Zhenzhu looked up from her sewing machine, her eyes slightly dazed as she looked at Wu Meiyun.

Having not attended a market for many years, Zhao Zhenzhu had almost forgotten that Peach Blossom Town still had market days.

"You've really worked yourself silly, you even forgot about market day," Wu Meiyun said with a laugh.

Before Zhao Zhenzhu got married, her favorite thing to do was go to the market.

There are many snacks at the market, and Zhao Zhenzhu always eats until her stomach is completely full before she goes home.

"Hehehe... It was canceled for a period of time a few years ago! I've rarely come to the town market these past few years, so I don't remember." Zhao Zhenzhu tried to save face.

During the years of the movement, the market days in Peach Blossom Town were canceled for a period of time.

The movement had just ended, and due to popular demand, the market day reopened.

There was no other way; many workers lived in the town, and the meager grain rations were not enough to feed a family.

In the years before the market opened, even though policies prohibited buying and selling, some people would still dare to secretly go to the surrounding rural areas to "exchange" for grain. They would then mix in some sweet potatoes, potatoes, and other agricultural byproducts to feed their families.

Workers receive benefits from their employers during holidays and festivals. These include work gloves, uniforms, rain boots, soap, towels, and so on. These are given out several times a year, and dual-income families often don't use them all.

The farmers wanted to buy these things, but they didn't have industrial ration coupons. They couldn't buy them even if they wanted to.

Everyone can exchange their spare items, each getting what they need, and everyone is happy.

After the market opened, everyone no longer needed to sneak around.

Farmers bring their own grains, vegetables, eggs, and other agricultural products, or hand-woven brooms and baskets, to the market to sell for money.

Once we have money, we can go to the market to do some shopping, which makes everyone feel comfortable and hassle-free.

“You! After you got married, it’s like you sold yourself to that family. You have legs, so what can your mother-in-law do to you if you come to town for the market? If you don’t have enough money, just come home and get some. Your father and I only had you and your brother. The money we earn will be given to you sooner or later. Why should you feel embarrassed?” Wu Meiyun scolded, but at the same time, she felt sorry for him.

"Mom, I was out of my mind back then. I thought I was all grown up and past the age of being greedy. But I couldn't resist having something to eat at the market, and I was afraid people would laugh at me. Besides, the Zhou family eats from the same pot, and they don't need me to buy anything from the market. I'd rather stay home and make some clothes than waste that time!" Zhao Zhenzhu said with a smile.

"Hmph! All you do is protect your in-laws." Wu Meiyun's face fell, clearly displeased.

"Mom, I've figured it out now. So what if I'm old? I can still indulge in my cravings. Mom, give me a dollar, and I'll take Yunyun to the street to eat something delicious." Zhao Zhenzhu hurriedly stood up and hugged Wu Meiyun's arm affectionately.

Zhao Zhenzhu has her own money; she deliberately asked Wu Meiyun for money.

Parents sometimes hope that their children can rely on them appropriately.

"Here's five yuan. Buy whatever you like. If you don't have enough money, come back and ask your mom for more." Wu Meiyun took out five yuan and stuffed it into Zhao Zhenzhu's hand, her expression relaxing.

Look at her daughter, Pearl, she's such a sweet and considerate girl.

I only need one dollar.

Unlike that wretched son, who asks for six hundred without batting an eye.

"Thank you, Mom!" Zhao Zhenzhu took the money and waved to Zhou Yunyun.

"Great! Let's go eat something delicious!" Zhou Yunyun clapped her hands happily.

A few minutes later, Zhao Zhenzhu took Zhou Yunyun's hand and they went out onto the street.

These past few years have been blessed with favorable weather, and most farmers have surplus grain. As long as they work hard, they can grow more vegetables in their own plots than they can eat.

Therefore, this year's market day in Taohua Town was much more lively than in previous years.