Chapter 25 The director refuses Wang Yuqing's request to work.

Ji Xuening followed behind her, scratching his hair. His usually solemn and serious face was starting to tense up.

He was increasingly witnessing the ferocity of this childhood sweetheart! It suited his taste quite well. He felt that someone with a bad temper but who wasn't afraid of trouble was much better than a timid woman who would only hide and cry when bullied.

Wang Yuqing was in a great mood; her previous life had been so pathetic.

However, Yuan Fang was right about one thing: everyone's family was short of food and didn't have enough to eat. When visiting relatives, they rarely stayed at home for a meal, and when traveling far away, they always brought their own food.

Her sudden arrival at the Ji family added another mouth to feed, making things even more difficult for them. Grandma Ji and the three children had been so good to her; she really shouldn't have been eating and drinking for free.

Actually, Ji Xuening took her to the brigade headquarters to register with the director so that she could work, earn work points, and receive food rations, but she felt she couldn't do it.

Although I wasn't rich or noble in my previous life, I did a lot of farm work with my grandmother when I was young. I did part-time jobs when I went to university and worked every day after graduation, but none of them were particularly hard. In contrast, working in this era means getting up early and working late, relying on hard labor, and being exposed to the wind and sun.

Her physical condition was not as good as that of people of this generation. She would be out of breath after climbing a few flights of stairs, and her legs would ache and go numb after walking a short distance. She would feel dizzy and see stars even if she squatted down, let alone carry heavy loads at work.

She didn't want to do any heavy work either!

But in this day and age, who doesn't work? Even the laziest person will work, at most they just won't put in the effort.

Because farmers' grain was distributed by the production team, and those who did not work collectively with the production team did not receive work points for grain, and those who were not children, disabled or elderly people receiving the five guarantees would not receive basic grain.

It was even more impossible for farmers to use grain coupons to buy grain at grain stations. Not only did farmers not have grain coupons, but even if they obtained grain coupons from other districts and went to grain stations to buy grain, the stations would not sell to them because they did not have grain coupons.

Only urban residents could use their ration book to buy food according to the quota specified on it; ration coupons could only be used to eat at restaurants or buy other food items.

Wang Yuqing suddenly remembered something. The original owner's household registration was that of an urban resident. Because he did not have a job, he was only given 27 jin of grain per month. In the past, the original owner would take his grain ration book to the grain station to buy it.

Now that she's gone, Lin Xuemei has gotten 27 jin of grain for nothing, and at most she'll have to spend a little money to buy more.

Because he had not registered his marriage with Ji Xuening and had not yet settled down, he was still entitled to the grain supply provided by the state to urban residents.

She had to find a way to get her household registration booklet so she could receive her monthly food rations. Although 27 jin (18.5 catties) was hardly enough to fill her stomach, it was a considerable amount for the Ji family.

Even if she can't get it, she can't let those two get it for free! Moreover, she must get her own household registration and refuse to share a household registration with their family.

When Wang Yuqing passed by Chen E's house, she heard a commotion inside and several people gathered at the door, so she quickened her pace and left.

Ji Xuening had intended to call Chen E over for dinner after work when he passed by, but seeing the noisy commotion inside, he decided not to go.

Upon arriving at the brigade director's office, Ji Xuening greeted him politely, "Uncle He."

He Guangliang glanced at him, then looked Wang Yuqing up and down a few more times before replying coldly, "Call me Director. What's the matter?"

Wang Yuqing stood to the side with an equally cold face; judging from her expression, she wouldn't agree.

Ji Xuening called out, "Director." He then explained that he and Wang Yuqing had not yet registered their marriage, but Wang Yuqing needed to live at his house. He hoped that the director could register her name so that she could work with the group and earn work points.

As expected, He Guangliang refused outright, saying, "How can that be? You haven't registered your marriage, so she's not part of our brigade. Only after you register your marriage can she go to work with everyone."

This was the first time Wang Yuqing had heard Ji Xuening speak so sharply. He said, "Sister Tang also came to our brigade without getting a marriage certificate, and she's been working with the collective for a year or two."

He Guangliang showed no mercy to Wang Yuqing: "Does she think she's the same as others? Can she even compare?"

After saying that, he pulled Ji Xuening to the corner of the wall and, in the manner of an elder, advised him. Wang Yuqing couldn't hear clearly, but he was probably saying that what they were doing was rejected by social norms, a symbol of moral depravity, and would be criticized.

Ji Xuening glanced at Wang Yuqing, then looked away, his voice deep: "Director, this is our business, we are not afraid of criticism."

When he went to the Wang family to propose marriage, he could tell that Wang Yuqing was having a hard time at home. If his grandfather were still alive, even if he was unwilling, his grandfather would have made him bring her back first.

Ji Xuening turned and walked out of the office.

As Wang Yuqing followed, she noticed He Guangliang staring at her with disdain.

She followed Ji Xuening out of the brigade headquarters. The person in front of her had been keeping his head down and not saying a word. Suddenly, he turned around and said, "I'm sorry."

Wang Yuqing blinked. "Sorry for what?"

Ji Xuening said guiltily, "When the secretary comes back, I'll talk to him again. He's a good person and he'll agree. You'll definitely be able to go to work."

Wang Yuqing: "..."

Please, she doesn't want to work at all, so don't go talking to the Party Secretary again.

The director's disagreement was exactly what she wanted. She really wasn't suited for manual labor, and she was genuinely too lazy to do it. If the director hadn't looked at her like that, she might have given him a grateful smile in return.

Are you afraid I'll freeload at your house?

Wang Yuqing couldn't help but joke.

Upon hearing this, Ji Xuening panicked and hurriedly explained, "No, no... I didn't mean that. My grandfather said I have to treat you well. Even if you don't work, I can earn more work points."

Wang Yuqing looked at him with amusement, and he hurriedly said, "I'm running for the militia company commander of our brigade recently. There are ten work points and a subsidy. Plus, I'm in the technical department. If I become the company commander, I'll get extra work points for technical work. I can also work the morning and evening shifts every day and get work points for both."

He added slowly, "I'll eat less, that should be enough, but if you can't go to work, you might have to help me raise pigs."

Wang Yuqing recalled his words, "I'll raise you to be plump and healthy in the future."

Her lips twitched, but the man in front of her looked serious and upright, and rarely smiled. In fact, he was simple-minded and thoughtful, and his occasional clumsiness with words made him quite adorable.

She took a breath and looked at him seriously: "Don't worry, I won't eat and drink for free, and I won't let you give me that hundred yuan for milk money."

After saying that, she chuckled and said, "But when you become successful, I'll eat and drink for free, okay?"

Ji Xuening looked at her and said, "I will keep my promise. Naijin, you don't need to worry about me."

Wang Yuqing said, "Just like my mother said, it's 100 yuan, not 10 yuan. Let alone your family, there aren't many families in the whole brigade that can come up with 100 yuan, right?"

Ji Xuening remained silent.

Wang Yuqing suddenly realized that her words were hurtful, so she softened her tone: "Then let's work hard together."

Just then, He Ruhua came running up from behind. She blocked Ji Xuening's way, first giving Wang Yuqing a disgusted look, then looking at Ji Xuening and saying seriously, "Comrade Ji Xuening, I'm very angry and furious to tell you that I will not allow her to live in your house!"