Chapter 30 The Commander Absolutely Didn't Want to Take Advantage of You

Upon arriving at the production department, Xie Jingchen told the department head the whole truth, recounting Xia Fanxing's situation in detail without missing a single word.

He also explained why he was pleading for Xia Fanxing and firmly stated his position and attitude.

After some thought, the section chief gave the exact same solution as Xie Jingchen: go to the agricultural company to repair the irrigation canals.

The section chief said, "All kinds of receipts are issued according to the registered list, so don't even think about getting any. We'll give you 15 yuan a month, and everyone in the company will share some of their rations with you. It won't be enough to fill your stomach, but at least you won't starve. Are you willing to do that?"

The salary of a regular employee is about 30 yuan. After deducting expenses such as food, haircuts and other miscellaneous items, about 15 yuan will be left.

Xie Jingchen was right; he would only give Xia Fanxing a meager salary, barely enough for her to survive.

But if you want to improve your life or save money? Absolutely not.

Xia Fanxing nodded and said, "I'm willing."

She has space; whether it's money, food, or anything else, it doesn't matter to her.

The important thing is whether she can stay in the regiment headquarters and whether she can get in touch with Xie Jingchen and Qiao Feitian.

After agreeing on the terms, the head of the production department wrote a letter of introduction, stamped it with a red seal, and handed it to Xia Fanxing, telling her to go directly to the agricultural company commander.

Xie Jingchen had completed his "mission" and had other matters to attend to, so he left first.

Before leaving, he reminded Ma Nanzheng to keep a distance between men and women.

"Has he always been like this?" Xia Fanxing asked.

Ma Nanzheng nodded: "Yes, the regimental commander has always been aloof from women and maintains a standard distance from all women, never crossing the line."

He suddenly remembered something and scratched his head a little awkwardly. "Just now... was an exception. The commander has been really busy lately, so busy he's barely has time to breathe, and he's severely sleep-deprived, which is why he was momentarily distracted. Please don't misunderstand, he definitely didn't want to take advantage of you. I can swear on my life that the commander is a good person!"

Xia Fanxing chuckled, "I don't misunderstand, I believe you."

She looked up at Xie Jingchen's retreating figure, a smile playing on her lips: "I also believe in your character, Commander."

·

Ma Nanzheng brought Xia Fanxing to the agricultural company and found the company commander, Zhang Renmin.

After reading the letter of introduction from the head of the production department, Zhang Renmin introduced himself to Xia Fanxing, and that was how they got to know each other.

Ma Nanzheng felt it was inappropriate to stay there any longer, so he mouthed "Call me if you need anything" to Xia Fanxing before leaving.

Zhang Renmin took Xia Fanxing to meet other people.

"Everyone, stop what you're doing for a moment. This is our new comrade, Xia Fanxing. She has a special situation. From now on, everyone should eat a little less vegetables and cornbread at each meal to save food for Comrade Xia. When you sleep at night, squeeze in together. It's winter now, so it'll be warmer if you're all huddled together!"

After Zhang Renmin said this, although no one refuted him, their expressions varied, and it was impossible to tell what they were thinking.

Zhang Renmin called out, "Xiuxiu, you'll be in charge of training Comrade Xia these next few days. Teach him well."

"Yes, platoon leader! I will definitely complete the mission!"

Xia Fanxing looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was a girl who looked to be about 18 years old.

The little girl has dark skin, bright eyes, and two adorable dimples on her cheeks when she smiles; she is very sunny and sweet.

After Zhang Renmin left, Su Xiuxiu ran to Xia Fanxing's side, her eyes blinking as she stared at her.

Xia Fanxing was almost embarrassed by her gaze.

"Comrade Xia, you are so beautiful, even more beautiful than movie stars!" Su Xiuxiu exclaimed in admiration. "Your skin is whiter than cotton, your face has no pimples or blemishes, your eyes are so big and bright, your nose is so straight and upturned, and your lips are so red!"

"Thank you." Xia Fanxing almost couldn't resist Su Xiuxiu's straightforward and enthusiastic affection.

She tried to change the subject, "Didn't the company commander tell you to take charge of me? Let's start working now. Should I go get some tools?"

"I'll get it for you!" Su Xiuxiu said, reaching for the pickaxe while chattering away. "Comrade Xia, where are you from?"

"Haicheng".

Su Xiuxiu exclaimed in surprise, "My God, you're from Haicheng? I'm from Suzhou, our hometowns are very close!"

“It is indeed very close.” Xia Fanxing took the pickaxe. “You’ll use this to dig the soil, right?”

“Yes, like this.” Su Xiuxiu swung the pickaxe high and slammed it down with all her might, using her full weight.

A patch of frozen soil was cracked open.

Su Xiuxiu explained, "The tip of the pickaxe can concentrate the force to smash hard objects, so you have to lift it higher before smashing, otherwise it's useless and a waste of energy."

"Okay." Xia Fanxing tried chiseling it out.

This shock made her hand go numb.

She instantly realized that if she used a pickaxe to strike a hard object for an extended period of time, the area between her thumb and forefinger would definitely be injured.

However, her body was nourished by the spiritual spring water, so she shouldn't be that fragile.

Even if you get injured, it's okay, you can be quickly healed with the spiritual spring water.

"Comrade Xia, you did a great job! It seems you're not only beautiful, but also very intelligent!"

Su Xiuxiu continued gossiping: "Why did you come to the Production and Construction Corps? I came because my brother is serving here. But the agricultural company is too far from the regimental headquarters, and I've only seen him twice in the past two years. Luckily, I was selected to repair the irrigation canal at the regimental headquarters this time. After I finish my work, I secretly go to see my brother. When he rests, we can talk and eat together. I'm so happy!"

Xia Fanxing realized that Su Xiuxiu wasn't intentionally trying to pry into other people's privacy; she was just a cute little chatterbox.

"Pah!" A burly man next to her spat into his palm, interrupting Su Xiuxiu.

Su Xiuxiu, hands on her hips, huffed and puffed, "Brother Da Niu, why did you spit on me?"

“I didn’t spit on you, I spat on someone else,” Zhao Niu said, glancing at Xia Fanxing.

His meaning is already quite clear.

"You are not allowed to spit on Comrade Xia either!"

After Su Xiuxiu lashed out at Zhao Niu, she explained to Xia Fanxing, "Brother Da Niu is from Dongcheng. He's a model worker in our company and a very nice person. He was probably just joking."

"I'm not joking, I'm just spitting at her!"

Zhao Niu said irritably, "Do you know what 'special circumstances' means? It means bad class background. Look at her, her skin is so white and delicate, she looks like she's never done any work before. I've seen plenty of people like her, either a landlord's daughter or a capitalist's daughter."

"Xiuxiu, you should stay away from this kind of person. Don't let him affect you, and especially don't let him affect your brother!"