Chapter 62

Arbor Day is the Monday after next, so there is more than a week to prepare the first issue of Workers' Voice. There is plenty of time, and Xia Qingtang just needs to complete it step by step.

However, although the deadline given by the leader was very long, Xia Qingtang still went to various workshops and departments that day and found the directors to ask about the subjects of the first interview.

The cotton mill's propaganda column is not small, but because the factory office and the trade union have always been at odds, the factory office occupies half of the space and the trade union occupies the other half. Usually, different news and some newspaper content are posted on it.

The two sides will also compete. If the union posts new news, the factory office will post old news even if it has no news, just to show that they are also working and they are busier than the union.

This time, the voice of the workers will occupy the size of an entire big-character poster, so Xia Qingtang plans to find two interviewees in each workshop, and then cut down based on the content.

The first workshop she went to was a workshop where the workshop director took her aside to chat about daily life. When he heard that the union wanted to interview frontline workers, he quickly said, "Then interview Wen Xiaoli. She will soon be promoted to team leader. This young person works very hard, always takes the initiative to work overtime, never complains, and often helps her fellow workers. Everyone says that she has made great progress. I think she is worth interviewing."

"Okay, the first one is Wen Xiaoli." Xia Qingtang happily wrote down Wen Xiaoli's name in the notebook, and then asked, "We need a worker with longer service..."

A workshop director looked around the workshop and mentioned the name of a female textile worker who had been working on the front line for fifteen years. Her name was Mo Hong.

Of course Xia Qingtang also knew Mo Hong and knew that she was a taciturn person. She was always at work and rarely participated in other people's conversations. Sometimes her presence could not even be felt.

Xia Qingtang felt relieved that the director thought of Mo Hong.

Although she seems like a transparent person at ordinary times, the director still sees her diligence and responsibility. She is truly worthy of being the director that everyone likes.

After writing down the two names, Xia Qingtang turned and went to workshop 2, and then to workshop 3.

The director of the third workshop is Ji Fangfang's father. Because of Xia Qinghai, Director Ji's face was not very good when he saw Xia Qingtang, and he spoke in a sarcastic tone.

Xia Qingtang ignored the man's bad attitude and continued working normally, stating the purpose of his visit.

Director Ji frowned and thought for a while, then said, "There is no problem with the interview, but it cannot affect everyone's working time. However, they also need to rest after get off work, and you cannot take up their rest time."

Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "It's okay. Please ask Director Ji to recommend the first batch of interview names. I will find them during the break and discuss a suitable interview time with them. It won't take up too much of your time. Ten minutes per person should be enough."

"Are you interviewing this just to write a big-character poster and post it on the bulletin board?" Director Ji asked with a squint.

"Yes, our Chairman Qin said that the factory's production is thriving now, but we can't just look at how much cloth is produced, we should also see that these cloths are the fruits of the workers' labor. It's not enough for everyone to just bury their heads in work. The workers should be allowed to speak out and let everyone see, so as to motivate the lagging employees to work harder."

“That means selecting people who perform well.”

"That's what I mean. We are just starting out, so it would be best if everyone recognizes that you are a good employee who can set an example for everyone."

Director Ji said, "Then let's go to Ji Fangfang and Li Yan. They are both very serious and are recognized as excellent employees."

Xia Qingtang was a little dumbfounded. Although it was customary to recommend the most virtuous person based on relationship, it was too unbelievable that he nominated his own daughter and niece right away.

Xia Qingtang said: "Our Chairman Qin said that it would be best if there was a young employee and an old employee with a long service."

"So troublesome?" Director Ji looked around the workshop again and said, "How about this, Ji Fangfang and Pang Shulin."

Pang Shulin is Director Ji’s elementary school classmate. The two grew up together, and he is really good at taking care of his own people.

Xia Qingtang didn't say anything, just wrote down the two names and went to another department.

After counting the candidates from all places, she stopped by a workshop to see if she could catch their break time.

Sure enough, Wen Xiaoli and the others were taking a break, so Xia Qingtang went over and interviewed her and Mo Hong first.

Mo Hong was very surprised: "Me? Are you sure it's me?"

"Yes, it was the director who chose you." Xia Qingtang said with certainty.

Mo Hong was stunned for a moment and looked a little excited, but then she was very serious and focused throughout the interview.

The interview really didn't take much time. Xia Qingtang wrote down their words in a notebook and said with a smile, "That's it. Sorry for taking up your time today."

Wen Xiaoli laughed: "You speak differently now that you do this office work, and you're wasting our time."

"This is work, of course we have to talk like this." Xia Qingtang winked at her, "Let's have lunch together tomorrow at noon."

"Well, see you at the cafeteria entrance at noon tomorrow." Wen Xiaoli waved at her.

Xia Qingtang took his notebook and went somewhere else. While the employees were taking a break, Xia Qingtang interviewed several people in the afternoon. When he saw that it was almost time, he returned to the office with the notebook.

As soon as I walked in, I heard Li Yue say, "Xiao Xia, where have you been this afternoon? Why aren't you working properly here?"

Before Xia Qingtang could say anything, Feng Xinhui said, "Xiao Xia is also working when she goes out. This is a new job assigned by Chairman Qin. The task is quite arduous."

Xia Qingtang picked up the water cup on the table, opened the lid and drank a large glass of water in one breath, then said: "I have to take the cup with me when I go out tomorrow. I am so thirsty."

Feng Xinhui smiled and said, "How is it going? Are all departments willing to cooperate?"

"Those who are willing have also submitted their names. I'll give the list to Secretary Feng for review first." As he said that, Xia Qingtang walked over, opened the page with the interview list, and placed it on Secretary Feng's desk.

Secretary Feng looked through them, pointed at the names of Ji Fangfang and Pang Shulin and whispered, "Aren't these all his relatives and friends?"

"Anyway, it's a list given by the leader." Xia Qingtang whispered.

"Then remember to write on the big-character poster that the interview list was recommended by the leaders of various departments." Feng Xinhui said in a low voice.

Xia Qingtang nodded: "I'll remember that."

Li Yue leaned over to see what they were talking about or reading, but Feng Xinhui had already covered the notebook and returned it to Xia Qingtang.

Li Yue sneered and said, "Since it's work, what can't we know?"

Feng Xinhui smiled and said, "There is nothing that cannot be told to everyone. The main reason is that the work has just begun and we are afraid of embarrassing the leaders if we fail to do it well, so let's tell everyone when we are done."

Li Yue could only curl her lips and return to her seat.

The next morning, Xia Qingtang continued to interview the people on the list. Because the employees were very busy, the interviews could only be done during their rest time, so the progress was not that fast.

After running around all morning, Xia Qingtang was already hungry. As soon as he got off work at noon, he immediately packed his backpack and rode his bicycle to the cafeteria entrance to wait for Wen Xiaoli.

Wen Xiaoli knew that Xia Qingtang was going out for class at noon today, so she ran over with her lunch box, and the two of them ran into the cafeteria to line up together.

Xia Qingtang whispered, "Congratulations on becoming a team leader so quickly. I'll treat you to lunch today."

Wen Xiaoli didn't bother to be polite with her: "Then thank you. When I get my salary increase, I will treat you to a meal."

"Okay." Xia Qingtang said, "Look at what you want to eat first, and then we'll choose."

Wen Xiaoli chose a braised tofu and a fried shredded potato, both of which were good dishes to go with rice. Xia Qingtang chose scrambled eggs with leeks and a green vegetable. The two of them took their lunch boxes, found an empty table, and sat down to eat quickly.

Xia Qingtang was in a hurry, so she couldn't eat slowly. She scooped two spoonfuls of eggs for Wen Xiaoli first, then lowered her head and ate the rice quickly. Wen Xiaoli said, "You should eat slowly too, be careful not to choke."

"It's okay." Xia Qingtang said, "Don't worry about me. Eat slowly. I'll leave later."

"Then I'll help you wash the lunch box. I'll deliver it to your office after it's done."

"Thank you." Xia Qingtang didn't bother to be polite with her. After finishing her meal, she wiped her mouth and ran out.

After riding a bike to the provincial university, Guan Chenxiang also came back after dinner. She poured two glasses of water and continued teaching Xia Qingtang.

After the class, Xia Qingtang saw that it was still early, so he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I can ride back slowly later."

"It must be very hard." Guan Chenxiang said with a smile.

"It's not hard. I think it's quite interesting and fulfilling." Xia Qingtang said, "Will Teacher Chenxiang be tired?"

"I'm not tired. I sit in the office every day and have nothing to do. They don't dare to ask me to do heavy work. I feel more energetic when I give you a lecture." Guan Chenxiang said, "I still have to cure my leg quickly."

"The old Chinese doctor that Jinxuan mentioned has been found. He is an expert in acupuncture. He plans to go there with his friends first. If he is sure that his medical skills are fine, he will take Teacher Chenxiang with him."

"Thank you very much." Guan Chenxiang stood up as usual and sent Xia Qingtang to the door.

Xia Qingtang unlocked her bicycle, and Guan Chenxiang smiled and handed her a small paper bag: "Take it and eat it in the office."

"What is it?"

"A little sugar."

"Thank you, Teacher Chenxiang." Xia Qingtang liked eating candies, so he happily put the candies in his pocket and rode his bike back to the cotton mill.

It was still early when she arrived at the office, so she washed her face, went back to the office to make herself a cup of tea, and then took out the small paper bag that Guan Chenxiang had given her.

There were indeed a dozen candies inside. The candy wrappers were colorful and had something in an incomprehensible foreign language written on them. It wasn't English, but it was definitely something from abroad.

Xia Qingtang smiled, peeled one and put it in his mouth. He smelled a strong milky aroma and a bit of cool mint flavor. Although the taste was a bit novel, it was quite delicious. He put the candy in the drawer and planned to eat it slowly when he was not busy.

Most people at this age don't eat well, are malnourished, and many have low blood sugar. After Xia Qingtang got married, she has gotten much better thanks to the good food in the Xie family, but it won't do her any harm to eat more sugar.

Soon, colleagues came over and the afternoon work officially began.

Xia Qingtang did some daily work first. Seeing that it was almost time, he was about to go out for an interview when he heard Chairman Qin's voice from the other end of the corridor: "Wu Feng, Xiao Xia, come in for a moment."

Wu Feng glanced at Xia Qingtang, who showed an expression of complete ignorance. Wu Feng whispered, "Let's go over first."

"Okay." Xia Qingtang held a notebook and a pen and went over with Wu Feng.

As soon as I walked to the door of the small office, I saw Accountant Liu and Liu Jun standing inside. Accountant Liu had a little embarrassment on his face, but Liu Jun had a righteous expression.

"Chairman Qin, we are here." Wu Feng said and stood by the office door.

Xia Qingtang also stood beside him and looked at Chairman Qin calmly.

Chairman Qin said: "Accountant Liu and Liu Jun brought the hospital certificate that he had health problems. The doctor's advice was to try to do easy work and not overwork. I think the best way is to stop working as a porter, but our factory has no other positions to switch to, so Liu Jun's opinion is that we hope our union will come forward and tell the warehouse director that Liu Jun will only work the night shift and not the day shift in the future, so that he can protect his health."

Xia Qingtang just thought it was funny, and Wu Feng immediately said, "Only working the night shift? What about the others?"

Chairman Qin said, "This is indeed a big problem, so I was thinking, why don't you go to the warehouse and call the warehouse manager over, and we can discuss it together and see what to do."

Xia Qingtang said, "Then I'll go call the warehouse manager over."

"Well, go ahead and come back as soon as possible."

Xia Qingtang ran out and walked quickly to the warehouse, not caring whether the warehouse manager was happy or not, she just pulled people over immediately.

"Chairman Qin, are you kidding me? A porter who only works the night shift? Why don't you let him go to the cleaning team to retire? What kind of place is our warehouse? Don't you union know? Is our warehouse a place where we can support idle people?" The warehouse director was surprisingly angry. "They said they would add five young laborers to our warehouse, but is this how they are adding them now? Is this increasing the labor force or increasing the burden? I don't understand what this doctor wrote. If your health is really too poor, then go home and lie down, and suspend your job without pay! Don't occupy the toilet without doing anything! This opportunity to return to the city to work is so rare, why do you guys just ruin it like this?"

Liu Jun said: "I don't care anyway. This is a doctor's certificate. Didn't the factory say so? As long as I have a doctor's certificate, I can work more night shifts. Now the doctor won't let me work the day shift, so I can't do anything about it."

The warehouse manager sneered, "You're trying to trick me? I tell you, I don't care which doctor gave you the certificate, I just can't do it! Chairman Qin, I'm leaving this message here today! Otherwise, the factory should transfer him to the cleaning team for retirement, so as not to waste a place in our warehouse! As long as he stays in our warehouse for one day, even if Director Qi comes here in person, Liu Jun will have to work normal shifts for me!"

After saying that, he turned and left.

"Chairman Qin, you see how barbaric this man is! I have a doctor's certificate here! Why does he ignore the health problems of his employees..." Liu Jun said indignantly.

Chairman Qin said, "There is only one doctor's certificate, maybe it's a misdiagnosis? It doesn't make sense that you have to take up a quota in the warehouse and can only work the night shift. But you do have health problems, and our union will definitely help employees with problems solve their problems. How about this, this is the examination result of the First People's Hospital, you go to the Provincial Hospital and the Military District Hospital again, and let our Secretary Wu and Secretary Xia accompany you for examination. If the other two hospitals come to the same conclusion, then no matter what, even if we let Director Qi speak for you personally, we will definitely complete your doctor's orders, how about it?"

Liu Jun's face changed: "Chairman Qin, what do you mean? Do you suspect that my test results are false? You don't believe me?"

"No, no, I definitely didn't say such a thing. What I meant is that it is very easy for a doctor to misdiagnose a patient. Besides, this matter is very serious. I think it should be certified by multiple authoritative doctors. If it is true, then I will find a way for you. You don't have to stay in the warehouse anymore. You can go to the cleaning class to retire. After all, with this physical condition, you can't work in the workshop. Going to the cleaning class to retire is the serious thing to do. Accountant Liu, don't you think so?" Chairman Qin looked at Accountant Liu with a smile.

Accountant Liu didn't even dare to raise his head. His ears looked red. He lowered his head and whispered, "I don't know either... I'll just listen to Liu Jun's opinion..."

Liu Jun shouted, "I don't accept it! You don't believe me."

"Then let's just say we don't believe you. Don't you want to prove your innocence? Besides, this is a big company, not your home. Whatever you say is the truth? How can I take responsibility for arranging a porter to work night shifts for life without the certification of at least three hospitals?" Chairman Qin said seriously, "This is how it is. Either let our staff accompany you to the examination, or go back to work."

"I can go for the check-up by myself, I don't need anyone to accompany me," said Liu Jun.

"That won't work. Since you've brought this matter to the union, we have to take full responsibility. Our staff will definitely accompany you to the checkup." Chairman Qin said, "However, let's start tomorrow. Staff Wu and Staff Xia, you will accompany Comrade Liu Jun to the provincial hospital for a checkup tomorrow morning. If there's still time, you can go to the military hospital in the afternoon. You will accompany him throughout the whole process. Remember every word the doctor says. I will check on him when we get back."

"Yes, I understand." Wu Feng took the lead.

Liu Jun was in a dilemma and couldn't say no, so he could only grit his teeth and agree.

"Then tomorrow morning, you all take the bus from the factory gate. The factory will reimburse you for the bus tickets." Chairman Qin still smiled.

Liu Jun stopped talking. Accountant Liu pulled him and the two of them went out.

After they left, Wu Feng said, "That medical report is fake?"

"I don't know whether it's true or not, but misdiagnosis is normal. It's also normal to check in two more hospitals. If he goes tomorrow, keep an eye on him and don't let him be alone with the doctor. If he doesn't go, don't worry about him." Chairman Qin said, "Accountant Liu has worked hard in our factory all his life. At this age, he is so confused about his son's affairs. It's really a pity."

Wu Feng said, "Yes, instead of Accountant Liu helping his son with this, he might as well find a way to get him a job in a department that doesn't require much physical effort."

"The cleaning team is really a place for the elderly. How can it be so easy to get in?" Chairman Qin laughed.

The cleaning team of the cotton mill is the department with the easiest job in the entire factory except for the office work. They only need to come and clean the factory area every morning, and then sit in the cleaning team's room all day long, eating melon seeds, drinking tea, knitting wool, and making clothes. Their monthly salary is not less than a penny, which is the envy of many people.

But it is not so easy to enter this department. Currently all the employees are those who have some connections and background but are illiterate. If they could read, they would have come to work in the office long ago.

Wu Feng said: "I'm not talking about the cleaning class. I'm saying that it would be better for my son to learn accounting and then take over Accountant Liu's class directly."

"That's even more difficult. There aren't any accounting training classes now. If you want to learn, you have to go to college." Chairman Qin looked at Xia Qingtang again, "Will going to the hospital affect your other work?"

"It shouldn't happen. I will adjust the progress myself, don't worry, Chairman." Xia Qingtang thought for a while before speaking.

"Okay, then you guys go out."

The two returned to the big office, and Li Yue immediately asked, "What's wrong? What happened?"

"It's about Liu Jun. He asked the hospital to get a certificate proving that he can't do heavy work and requires to work only night shifts and not daytime shifts. Chairman Qin said that a certificate from one hospital is useless and asked us to accompany him to another hospital for further examination tomorrow morning." Wu Feng said.

Li Yue laughed: "It must be a fake certificate. Nowadays, anyone can issue any certificate they want. There was an employee in my aunt's factory who started to get certificates and not go to work as soon as she got pregnant, saying it was to protect the fetus. It was not until two years after the birth that she was told that she was well enough to go back to work."

Wu Feng said: "But if she takes sick leave and doesn't go to work, she won't get her full salary. Will she have enough to eat?"

"She married into a good family, a cadre family, so they don't need her salary or food coupons. That's not the point I'm talking about. It's that it's easy to get a certificate." Li Yue rolled her eyes.

Wu Feng said: "Yes, that's why we have to go with her tomorrow."

Xia Qingtang didn't say anything, but drank some water and continued to interview outside.

Working in an office is certainly not harmful to your body, but it is much more complicated than working in a workshop.

But she didn't have this feeling in her previous life, because she got into the company through connections and didn't work very hard, so no jobs were offered to her. At that time, she didn't encounter complicated people and things, but it was also very boring.

Now, although the work is much more complicated, she is becoming more and more motivated.

We happened to interview Ji Fangfang in the afternoon. She and Xia Qingtang were standing outside the rest area and were a little absent-minded during the interview.

After finally finishing the interview, Xia Qingtang said, "That's all. Thank you for your hard work."

"It's not hard." Seeing Xia Qingtang turning around to leave, Ji Fangfang immediately called her: "Wait!"

"Comrade Ji, do you have anything else to add?" Xia Qingtang turned around.

"No... not this..."

"That……"

"I want to ask about your brother. Is your brother... okay?" As Ji Fangfang spoke, her eyes actually turned slightly red.

Xia Qingtang was a little surprised. She thought Ji Fangfang had broken up with Xia Qinghai, but looking at the appearance, Ji Fangfang was still thinking about Xia Qinghai?

Xia Qingtang said: "I rarely see Xia Qinghai. You and he are colleagues in the same workshop, so it should be easier for you to meet. So, it will definitely be faster if you ask him directly."

"If I could ask him, would I still call you? My dad keeps a close eye on me and doesn't give me any time." Ji Fangfang lowered her head and said, "I know I can't be with him anymore, I just want to know if he's okay now..."

"He should be fine. The last time I ran into him, he looked healthy and in good spirits, with a big smile on his face."

"Then... has he found someone to introduce him to a girl?" Ji Fangfang suddenly raised her head and stared at Xia Qingtang with wide eyes.

Xia Qingtang said: "I really don't know about this. You have to ask him or his parents."

Ji Fangfang stared at Xia Qingtang's expression for a while, as if to make sure that she was not lying, so she could only nod and say, "How can I have the nerve to ask... I can only forget it."

"It's okay, I'll leave first. I have other people to interview." Xia Qingtang smiled and left.

What a coincidence, she rarely met Xia Qinghai, but today she ran into Xia Qinghai when she turned a corner. He was with two other male workers and they probably just came back from the toilet.

"Isn't this my sister?" Xia Qinghai called her. "It's been a long time since we last met. Would you like to chat for a while? I have good news for you."

The other two nodded to Xia Qingtang and left. Xia Qingtang asked, "What good news? Are you dating someone?"

Xia Qinghai was happy: "You are worthy of being my sister, and you are worthy of marrying into the Xie family. You guessed it right away. That's right, I have a girlfriend, and my relationship with her is settled. This month I will accompany her back to her parents' home, tell her parents about it, and arrange the marriage. I will bring her dowry back and get married. We should have a wedding banquet at that time, not extravagant, just a few tables in our factory cafeteria, and you can come and celebrate with your brother-in-law."

Xia Qingtang said: "I'll bring Xie Jinxuan over to congratulate you. Wouldn't you feel embarrassed? After all, your boyfriend has been pestering him for many years."

"It doesn't matter. That's all in the past. I know my brother-in-law doesn't like my girlfriend, but he likes your looks. How can I still worry about them?" Xia Qinghai said, "Even if my brother-in-law doesn't go, you are my biological sister. You have to come. Otherwise, people in the factory will gossip about you. It's so unpleasant."

"Okay, if you invite me to your wedding, I can go, but I don't have any gift for you."

"It doesn't matter. With her dowry, I don't care about anyone's gift." Xia Qinghai looked very confident, with a smug look in his eyes.

Of course, when it comes to execution, he can indeed be proud of himself.

"Where will you live after you get married?"

"We live in the courtyard she rents now. It has three bedrooms and a living room. It's enough for us to live in for a few years. When we have more children, we can think about other things."

Xia Qingtang nodded: "You are really on a roll, congratulations."

"It's the same for you. My sister is so capable, and as her brother, I will definitely not embarrass you." Xia Qinghai said with a smile, "That's it. Seeing that you are busy, I won't delay your work."

Xia Qingtang continued walking forward, and when it was time to get off work, she left the office on time, and sure enough, she bumped into Wu Jinfeng.

She looks no different from before. Of course, if it happened during the Chinese New Year, it would be too early to tell the difference.

Perhaps noticing Xia Qingtang's gaze, Wu Jinfeng asked viciously, "Why are you looking at me?"

"You look good." Xia Qingtang said, "I met Xia Qinghai."

Wu Jinfeng's face froze: "What did he say to you?"

"Nothing." Xia Qingtang unlocked the bicycle and rode away without waiting for Wu Jinfeng to respond.

Xie Jinxuan is not as busy as before after returning from a business trip. Recently, every afternoon after work, he will go home first, wash the vegetables that Xia Qingtang reserved in the morning, and start cooking when she comes home.

Xia Qingtang rode his bike home, and before he entered the yard, he heard Luo Xiangqian's loud voice coming from the house.

She locked the car and walked in: "Lao Luo is here? Will you have dinner at our house tonight?"

"No, no, no, I'm going home to eat. We're making dumplings today." Luo Xiangqian said, "I'm here to tell Jinxuan about Leng Feng."

"What happened to Leng Feng?" Xia Qingtang asked quickly.

Victory has been won over there, and the troops that had gone there are being withdrawn one after another.

Xie Jinxuan said: "Leng Feng's family received a telegram saying that he was injured."

"Is it serious?"

"It may not be life-threatening, but I don't know the details." Xie Jinxuan said: "Old Luo told me to ask my grandfather and others about it, so I will call my grandfather later."

"Then go quickly." Xia Qingtang said, "This is more important."

Xie Jinxuan went out with Luo Xiangqian. Xia Qingtang put the things away, washed her apron, and started to cook dinner.

The vegetables recently were all bought and sent by Aunt Liu. Today there were some very fresh bok choy, and Xia Qingtang planned to use them to make noodle dumpling soup.

When she finished cooking, Xie Jinxuan also came back alone.

"Has Lao Luo gone back to eat?"

"Yes, he went back. I told my grandfather about it, and he said he would ask someone to help find out, and told me not to worry." Xie Jinxuan sighed softly, "I hope Leng Feng is safe."

"If he is seriously injured this time, can he be discharged from the army and come back?" Xia Qingtang asked.

"I'm not sure yet, but it's good for him to come back. The city is adding more jobs now, and he should be able to get a good job when he comes back." Xie Jinxuan walked into the kitchen, "Do you need any help?"

"Dinner is ready, just wash your hands and sit down." Xia Qingtang said as he brought out a pot of steaming noodle dumpling soup.

In addition to chopped Chinese cabbage, the soup also contains some chopped kelp and beaten egg scrambled eggs. Add a spoonful of chili sauce and stir it. It is very delicious.

The two of them finished a pot of dumpling soup while talking. Xia Qingtang told him about Wu Jinfeng's pregnancy. Xie Jinxuan said, "It seems that the wedding is really going to happen."

"Xia Qinghai wants to take Wu Jinfeng back to her parents' home. Will her parents really agree?"

"It's no use not agreeing. We already have a child, so we have no choice but to give in to her. At least she wants to get married, and your brother is a good-looking man, that's all. As for the job not being so good, that's not a big problem. Her parents can help him get an office job. If there's no position in the cotton mill, he can go to other units. At least he won't lose face for the Wu family forever."

Xia Qingtang curled her lips: "Then congratulations to Xia Qinghai."

"You don't look unhappy."

"I'm really not unhappy. On the contrary, I'm quite happy. Xia Qinghai is rich now, so his mother won't think of me anymore. I feel relieved."

Xie Jinxuan smiled and rubbed her head, then took the pots and bowls to the kitchen to wash them.

After dinner, they both took a hot bath and then had an intimate conversation in the bedroom comfortably.

Young people always have an infinite spirit of exploration in this kind of thing. The weather in early March was not so cold anymore, so the two of them developed some new postures and movements. They found it more and more interesting and became more interested in this matter.

It was unknown how long it had passed, but Xia Qingtang fell asleep from exhaustion. When he was half asleep, he got up to go to the bathroom, but found that only the bedside lamp was on in the bedroom, and Xie Jinxuan was not in the room.

She reached out and touched the quilt next to her. It was cold, which meant he was no longer in bed.

Xia Qingtang got up, put on his clothes, tiptoed to the bathroom, then went to the kitchen to make a cup of hot milk, and walked gently to the door of the study.

"Jinxuan, can I come in?" Xia Qingtang knocked on the door gently.

Xie Jinxuan immediately came over and opened the door: "Why are you awake?"

"I got up to go to the bathroom and found that you were not there. I guessed that you were reading or studying, so I came to bring you a cup of hot milk." She took his hand and walked to the desk, and sure enough, she saw that he was doing math problems.

"Thank you." Xie Jinxuan said, "I'm sorry, I didn't feel sleepy and I didn't want to disturb you, so I came here to read."

"What is there to be sorry about? It's already March, and the time is getting closer. If I were you, I would also spend more time studying." Xia Qingtang put the cup on the table, then kissed him and said with a smile: "I'll go back to sleep, you can do whatever you want."

"Okay, I'll do as I please." Xie Jinxuan also kissed her, then watched her walk out of the study.

Although Xie Jinxuan slept very late, he was the first one to get up the next morning. He bought breakfast and then called Xia Qingtang to get up and eat.

After breakfast, Xia Qingtang filled a cup of hot water into the thermos, screwed the lid tightly and put it in his backpack.

"Why bring a thermos?" Xie Jinxuan was confused.

"I may have to accompany someone to the hospital today..." she explained briefly.

Xie Jinxuan smiled and said, "It's very likely that I won't go to the hospital with you."

"I think so too, but you should still bring your thermos with you, just in case."

Arriving at the cotton mill, Xia Qingtang first parked his bicycle under the office building, cleaned up before returning to the factory gate. Sure enough, he saw Wu Feng standing there with a bag on his back, chatting with the security guard.

The two waited until eight o'clock, but Liu Jun didn't come. Wu Feng looked at his watch and said, "Wait another ten minutes. If he doesn't come, we'll go find him."

By 8:15, Liu Jun still hadn't shown up, so Wu Feng took the lead and went to the warehouse, where he was told that Liu Jun had taken sick leave today.

He sneered and did not return to the union. Instead, he took Xia Qingtang to find Accountant Liu.

Unexpectedly, Accountant Liu also took sick leave today. Wu Feng had no choice but to come back with Xia Qingtang to report.

Chairman Qin said, "If they don't come, it means they are unwilling to continue the examination. The original doctor's certificate cannot confirm whether it is a misdiagnosis. Don't worry about the scheduling. Everything will remain the same. You should record this matter in detail and keep it for future reference."

"Yes." Wu Feng and Xia Qingtang returned to the office, and as soon as they walked in, they started saying that Liu Jun and Accountant Liu had both taken sick leave.

Xia Qingtang took out a thermos cup from her bag and put it on the table. Li Yue leaned over to take a look and said, "Why are you still carrying a thermos cup?"

"I thought I would be going to the hospital all day today, so I brought a cup with me so I could drink water outside," said Xia Qingtang.

"You are quite particular." Li Yue picked up her cup and took a look. It had the words "Provincial Political Consultative Conference" written on it. "The words on your cup are not simple."

"It's a cup given to me by someone else. I don't know what's so special about it." Xia Qingtang's attitude was still indifferent.

Li Yue didn't say anything, just put the cup back.

There were only a few people left to interview today, so Xia Qingtang ran out to finish interviewing the rest, then walked back slowly in a good mood.

Before I even got downstairs, I heard a commotion coming from inside the building. Director Wang's voice came over in panic: "Hurry up, hurry up!"

People from the union and the accounting office also ran out to watch the excitement. Xia Qingtang looked from a distance and found that a male colleague from the factory office was carrying out a fainted person.

Everyone was in a panic and looked helpless.

When they walked in, they found that the person being carried was Wu Jinfeng. Xia Qingtang immediately asked, "What happened to her?"

Secretary Wang said in a panic, "I don't know, I don't know what happened, she suddenly fainted, she wasn't pretending, she really fainted, pinching her Ren Zhong acupoint didn't help. And, she... she was bleeding... although only a little bit."

After saying that, she caught up with her colleague in front of her and ran out as well.

The fact that Wu Jinfeng was carried away to the hospital was not a big deal, but the next day, the news spread throughout the entire cotton mill.

"Do you know? Secretary Wu fainted because of miscarriage!"

"It's not a miscarriage, is it? I heard the baby is saved, but the fetus is unstable and needs to be hospitalized."

"She is an unmarried girl, how come she is pregnant? Whose child is it? I haven't heard that she has a boyfriend."

…

This matter was being spread throughout the cotton mill all day long. Li Yue was even more excited and even went to find Secretary Wang to ask about the details of what happened.

"She is pregnant, and it seems to be two months. According to the doctor, she needs to stay in the hospital for a while to protect the fetus." Li Yue said vividly: "This little Wu is really not simple. She always makes a big noise. Whose child do you think it is?"

Feng Xinhui said: "It's my boyfriend's child, who else could it be?"

"I haven't heard that she has a boyfriend, but Secretary Wang did say that Wu Jinfeng's behavior seems like she is dating someone."

"That's all."

"What's the big deal? She's pregnant before getting married, and now everyone in the factory knows about it. How embarrassing." Li Yue said, "She's the daughter of a cadre. Why don't her cadre parents teach her to respect herself?"

No one was talking in the office. Seeing that no one was paying attention to her, Li Yue directly called Xia Qingtang's name: "Xiao Xia, what do you think? You are also a young lesbian. Tell me, are all young lesbians nowadays like this?"

Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "How would I understand this? Besides, this is someone else's business, it has nothing to do with me."

"Don't you have a grudge against her? How come it has nothing to do with you?"

"She hasn't bothered me since the New Year. Besides, where did the grudge between her and I come from? I didn't even know her before." After saying that, Xia Qingtang continued to work.

Li Yue felt bored, so she sneered and went to the factory office to continue chatting with them.

Wu Jinfeng stayed in the hospital for several days. When she was discharged the next week, the child's father was finally seen.

Xia Qinghai went to the hospital to pick up Wu Jinfeng and sent her back to her residence. It is said that she did not return home that night.

There was an uproar in the factory again. Director Huang from the factory office immediately found Xia Qinghai and asked him what was going on.