Huang Qinqin really didn't know that the steel plant hadn't publicized its recruitment, because for both recruitment drives, almost everyone in the family compound came out to help.
Almost every family with a child who met the requirements took the exam. Although only a few people were being recruited, at least several hundred people came to watch the exam. Huang Qinqin had assumed it wasn't just the children of steel factory workers.
Huang Qinqin looked like she'd just learned something new: "No wonder all the factories I asked around said they weren't hiring. I didn't know there was such a thing..."
Xu Junhui nodded: "Yes, I only gradually discovered this after I started working in the food factory. I guess it's an unspoken rule in every factory."
“It was okay before, since there weren’t that many children of working age in the factory. But it’s not like that now. So I’m lucky. When I graduated a few years ago, the food factory was recruiting.”
"If it were now, I think it would be very risky too."
Huang Qinqin was a little surprised: "Isn't your uncle an employee of the food factory? Did you actually get in on your own?"
Xu Junhui then realized that he hadn't told Huang Qinqin about his father's job yet, and explained, "No, my father is a retired soldier, but because he was discharged due to injury, he was assigned to the Public Security Bureau."
Veterans!
Huang Qinqin never expected that Xu Junhui's father was actually a soldier. She sincerely admired all soldiers because without their fighting on the front lines, they wouldn't have the peaceful life they have now.
Huang Qinqin suddenly felt like she had hit the jackpot. If Xu Junhui was originally a 70 in her mind, now it could be said that he had instantly risen to a 90.
Chinese people have a natural bias towards soldiers; they believe that any soldier who comes from the military is a true hero and deserves respect.
Huang Qinqin said admiringly, "Uncle is really amazing. I think soldiers are really great. If it weren't for them charging into battle, we wouldn't have such a peaceful life."
Xu Junhui said modestly, "Actually, it's alright. My dad has been retired from the army for a long time, and I rarely hear him talk about his time in the military."
Huang Qinqin disagreed, saying, "Even if he's retired from the military, he was still fighting on the front lines. You said he retired due to injury."
"This is the best proof that my uncle defended our country. We cannot take it for granted that veterans are retired. They are just as worthy of our respect!"
Seeing Huang Qinqin's angry expression, Xu Junhui hurriedly explained, "No, no, I absolutely didn't mean that. It's just that my dad keeps telling me that he's retired from the army, so there's nothing to talk about from the past."
“He said he didn’t think he was anything special, so I just said that out of habit.”
"But I swear, I absolutely respect my dad!"
After hearing Xu Junhui's explanation, Huang Qinqin felt less upset. If Xu Junhui didn't respect his retired father, she would have to reconsider their relationship.
Fortunately, he didn't, because so far, she is still quite satisfied with Xu Junhui.
"It's his business if his uncle keeps a low profile. But we must be grateful to all soldiers, even those who have retired, as they deserve our respect."
"Most soldiers who are discharged due to injury will have disabilities. If we can't even show them the most basic respect, I really can't imagine how difficult their lives will be after they are discharged."
An elderly man sitting nearby, also waiting for the menu, suddenly exclaimed excitedly, "Yes! This young lady is absolutely right!"
"Too many people don't even have basic respect for veterans who are left with disabilities after leaving the military. It's truly disheartening!"
"If everyone had your level of awareness, that would be wonderful!"
Huang Qinqin was surprised that their conversation was overheard and said somewhat embarrassedly, "I just did what I was supposed to do. My parents taught us from a young age to be grateful."
"If it weren't for the country's soldiers protecting us and driving away the invaders, our lives would still be in dire straits."
The old man smiled with satisfaction: "Good, good! Young man, is this your girlfriend? You must treat her well, she's a good girl!"
Xu Junhui wholeheartedly agreed and solemnly replied, "I will!"
At this point, the waiter brought out today's menu, and the elderly person went to order.
Xu Junhui looked at the menu and asked, "Qinqin, what would you like to eat?"
Huang Qinqin wasn't actually hungry. She glanced at the menu and chose a small portion: "I'll have a serving of wontons. I'm not very hungry yet. I ate too many sunflower seeds while watching the movie."
"Okay, then I'll order another stir-fry dish, and we can eat together. You can eat as much as you want, and I'll take care of the rest."
Huang Qinqin looked at the wontons in front of her, not expecting that even a small portion of wontons would be so large.
It seems that although state-run restaurants are a bit expensive, the portions and taste are very good.
She felt she probably wouldn't be able to finish them and was afraid of wasting them, so she tentatively asked Xu Junhui, "Brother Junhui, there are too many wontons. I'm afraid I won't be able to finish them and will waste them. How about I share some with you?"
Xu Junhui didn't actually think it was a lot, but since Huang Qinqin said she couldn't finish it, he listened to her: "Sure, then you can give me a few."
For a moment, the only sounds at the dinner table were Huang Qinqin and Xu Junhui chewing their food.
Huang Qinqin only ate two bites of stir-fried vegetables in the end, because she was already full after finishing the remaining wontons.
After they finished eating, Xu Junhui asked Huang Qinqin, "Shall we go to the supply and marketing cooperative for a visit later? The sun is a bit strong outside, and it might be a little hot if we go to the park."
"Anything is fine with me. Do you need anything to buy?"
Xu Junhui shook his head: "I don't have anything to buy. I just thought it would be cooler at the supply and marketing cooperative, so I'd go there for a look and buy whatever I like."
"I wish we had a department store here too. I heard that in addition to supply and marketing cooperatives, there are also department stores in the city."
Huang Qinqin asked in confusion, "Department store? Is it a building bigger than the supply and marketing cooperative?"
"Pretty much. I've never actually been there; I just heard about it from the factory's drivers."
"They said the department store sells everything, and some things don't require a ticket, but the free items are more expensive."
Huang Qinqin felt that the supply and marketing cooperative already had a lot of things, and she couldn't imagine what a department store would look like.
Before he could say anything more, he saw Xu Jingui and Chen Ermei walk in through the door.
Huang Qinqin felt a little awkward. Actually, she felt a bit uncomfortable knowing that Xu Junhui and Xu Jingui were relatives. Although she saw them, she didn't plan to greet them.
Xu Junhui, however, did not see them because his back was to the gate.
However, seeing Huang Qinqin suddenly fall silent and her expression was a bit off, he turned around and immediately saw Xu Jingui walking in with a woman of similar age.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
