The logistics leader even came over to ask Bao Ni what kind of work she did: teacher, salesperson, kitchen helper, or clerk at the residential compound committee. Sister Wan used to do that.
Bonnie refused them all. She knew there were plenty of unemployed women in the family compound. The entire fleet had tens of thousands of people, and many were eligible to join the military, but job opportunities were limited.
Putting everything else aside, the rural service program is still ongoing. If there were vacancies, who would choose to go to the countryside? It's not like at the beginning when people impulsively signed up out of enthusiasm. Everyone knows that life in the countryside is tough, and it's not easy to come back after going there.
Han Weidong and his friends also spent four years in the countryside before their families used their connections to get them transferred back or sent to the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University.
Bonnie spoke with great emotion, “Leader, first of all, thank you to the military for taking care of us. I know that many of my wives are queuing up for opportunities, but our family is small and has a light burden, so we are not in a hurry. We will arrange jobs for the wives who urgently need them first.”
If it's my turn in the future, I won't back down. We came here from all directions, each with our own difficulties. Let's tackle the most difficult ones first, those we can overcome for now.
Bonnie's long lecture deeply moved the logistics leaders. She truly represented the ideal of a military spouse; an opportunity that others would fight tooth and nail for, she generously gave up.
"Well done, Comrade Lin Baoni. Don't worry, once our conditions improve, we'll definitely arrange a job for you. I promise."
Lin Baoni said with a look of trust, "I believe that the leaders will not forget any of us, and I also believe that the country will get better and better, and living conditions will get better and better!"
Bonnie's earlier remarks were just polite formalities; what adult hasn't said a few polite words? What followed was heartfelt, because she had witnessed the prosperity and strength of her motherland—its military might was no exaggeration.
After the logistics manager left, Aunt Zhang came over. "Baoni, what's wrong? Is something the matter now? Wasn't it all over?"
"Sister-in-law, don't worry. It's not about what happened before. I just wanted to ask if there were any job opportunities I wanted, but I declined them." Bonnie didn't hide anything; she had indeed declined.
"Oh my, are you crazy? How could you refuse? It's not easy to get a job; so many people are looking forward to it!"
Aunt Zhang felt sorry for her; if only she had a job, the family could have some financial relief.
“Sister-in-law, as you said yourself, so many people are waiting for this job. What right do I have to cut in line and get a job?”
Bonnie didn't particularly like those jobs, but it was because she didn't want to cut in line and take away other people's opportunities.
"Isn't this compensation for you?" Aunt Zhang also realized that this was compensation for what happened before.
“Sister-in-law, the reason I made such a big fuss wasn’t for my job, but because I didn’t want their rumors to implicate Gu Ye. They’ve earned their success through hard work and risking their lives; we can’t let rumors ruin it.” Bao Ni was genuinely afraid. Gu Ye wasn’t without competitors, and neither was her brother-in-law without political enemies. She had to nip it all in the bud.
"That's true, you're right." Although Aunt Zhang was illiterate, she still understood some principles of life.
"Sister-in-law, it's because my family has few children and a light burden that I can let go so easily."
Aunt Zhang thought about it and agreed. Bao Ni had two children, her husband was a brigade commander with a good monthly salary, and she was capable herself, so life was much easier for them.
The man in her family earns a decent salary, but with four children and relatives back home who need financial support, it's not an easy job.
Knowing that Bonnie was alright, Aunt Zhang went home; she still had a lot of work to do. However, within a few days, word spread that Bonnie had given up a job opportunity to help a military wife who needed it more.
"Look, it has to be Comrade Lin. His awareness is truly extraordinary."
"That's right. I've also heard that there are sales clerk jobs available. That's a great job, and you can even buy defective items from time to time."
"I heard that there are teaching jobs and kitchen positions, which are both good jobs."
...
These women were also there that day. At the time, Sister Wan said she heard it from Sister Xu Mei, and it couldn't be false, so they echoed her. In that short time, their attitudes changed incredibly quickly.
Bonnie had no idea that her image had become so impressive; she simply didn't want to do it.
"Wife, you're really amazing now. Everyone knows you're highly conscious and have high moral character. Commander Jiang even mentioned it at the meeting the other day." Gu Ye looked smug, even happier than when he was being praised himself.
"You can't possibly not know why I refused. If I had accepted, they would have thought I made such a fuss just for work. We would have gone from being victims to beneficiaries, and then things would be complicated."
The main problem is that I don't like those jobs. As a sales clerk, I sit all day. Some people with good hands can do some side jobs, like mending clothes, to kill time. What can I do?
And the teachers? I'm already worried about the two from our family, let alone a whole bunch more! I'd go crazy! And the kitchen? That's even worse. I can't even cook for our family of four properly, and then the whole world would know that Lin Baoni can't cook!
Bonnie is also exhausted. She has never actually worked before and doesn't know what it's like to work from morning till night. Anyway, she quite likes her current life.
"Haha..." Gu Ye was amused by Bao Ni's analysis and laughed heartily. He felt that apart from fighting, there was nothing his wife liked or was good at.
"Ugh, what's so funny? I'm just telling the truth." Bonnie slapped Gu Ye several times. Honestly, he's making fun of her.
Every morning, the family of four gets up and goes for their morning exercise, without fail.
Gu Ye would spend time with them whenever he had time, but when he got busy, he couldn't even go home. Bao Ni would take Liu Jiu and San Qi for morning exercises. Although San Qi was unwilling, he had no right to refuse in the face of absolute strength.
After breakfast, when everyone had left for school or work, Bonnie began to plan her own life.
Bonnie enjoys and excels at watering, fertilizing, and weeding the vegetable garden in the yard.
The chickens in the coop have grown quite a bit; you can tell the roosters from the hens now. All ten chicks have survived: six hens and four roosters. The hens are kept to lay eggs, while the roosters are for meat.
Xu Mei next door lost her job and spends her days in the family compound. She's not very good at housework either. Before, she could use work as an excuse not to do anything, but now that she's lost her job, what excuse can she make?
The couple argued constantly, and their two children fought every day; the older boy wouldn't give in to his younger sister. The younger sister had a very high-pitched voice, and the neighbors could hear her screaming.
Liu Jiu really disliked that girl, finding her too noisy, and also disliked that boy, who swore and bullied children.
Bonnie's water spinach, bok choy, spinach... are all edible now. The ones she can't eat are dried into dried vegetables.
The tomatoes, cucumbers, and green beans have all blossomed and are growing well. They'll be ready to eat in ten days to two weeks. Just thinking about it makes me happy.
Aunt Zhang, Qu Hong, and Su Mo would come over to chat with Bao Ni whenever they had time. The group would talk animatedly, making Xu Mei's place next door seem even more deserted.
After finishing her chores at home, Bonnie turned her attention outside; she was going up the mountain!
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