Guan Wenru, Lei Yongkang, and Ning Yuanfang finished their business and were preparing to leave.
Just then, a familiar, hearty laugh came from the entrance of the cafeteria.
"Comrade Wenru! I've finally caught up with you!"
Guan Wenru looked up and saw Chen Jianhui, the director of the commune, walking in with four or five unfamiliar male comrades.
Everyone was dressed in neat Zhongshan suits, carrying briefcases, and their faces were full of enthusiasm.
She was surprised and slowly stood up. "Director Chen, what brings you here? What are these?"
“They are all deputy directors of our surrounding communes,” Chen Jianhui introduced with a smile, pointing to the people next to him, “This is Director Li from Mingshan Commune, and this is Director Wang from Songshan Commune… They have long heard that our Suqian Feed Factory is well-run, and they came here today to observe and learn.”
They also want to set up a feed mill in their commune; some want to make pig feed, some want to make cattle and sheep feed, and they're all hoping you can give them some advice!
Several directors quickly stepped forward to shake hands. Director Li grasped Guan Wenru's hand and said sincerely, "Director Guan, I've long admired your name! Our commune's production team has been telling me every day that the feed from Su'an is not only loved by the livestock, but also makes them grow quickly. I've come here today specifically to learn from your experience, so please don't hold back!"
"Yes, Director Guan," Director Wang chimed in, "Our area is mostly mountainous, and many people raise cattle and sheep. If we could make feed suitable for cattle and sheep, we could save a few livestock from starving to death this winter. You must tell us about it!"
Guan Wenru responded with a smile, “You’re too kind, directors. We’re just learning from each other! It’s too crowded in the cafeteria to talk, so let’s go to my office to chat. I’ve compiled all the information on the factory’s production process and raw material ratios, and I can show it to you all.”
"That's great!" Chen Jianhui was the first to agree, and several deputy directors nodded in agreement.
Guan Wenru turned to the side and made a "please" gesture, then took the lead in walking out of the cafeteria.
She was wearing a slightly worn blue overalls, her back was straight, and her steps were steady. She showed no fear despite being followed by a group of male leaders.
A group of people followed behind her, creating a unique scene.
The female factory director walked at the front, followed closely by several male colleagues, some of whom even subconsciously quickened their pace, afraid of falling behind.
This scene caught the eye of Hua Xiaoyu, who was sitting in the corner of the cafeteria, and she was instantly stunned.
She watched Guan Wenru speak calmly and confidently with the directors, and saw those male leaders who usually had the final say in the commune now respectfully following behind Guan Wenru, their eyes full of admiration…
Who says women are inferior to men?
Factory Director Guan, a woman, has managed to run the feed mill so successfully, gain the trust of so many men, and stand at the pinnacle of "power," making everyone look up to her!
Hua Xiaoyu couldn't help but think of her own family situation...
Zhang Desheng and her mother-in-law nagged her every day, saying that she was useless because she couldn't give birth to a son!
They even treated her and her three daughters as a burden!
She remembered the bruises on Xiaoya's arm, and the way Da Ya trembled as she protected her younger sister...
If she continues to endure this, will her three daughters, when they grow up, also be trapped by the same patriarchal mindset as she is?
Being bullied by men means you don't even have the chance to hold your head high and be a person of dignity?
Guan Wenru's figure gradually disappeared at the entrance of the cafeteria, but Hua Xiaoyu's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
It's like a corner of my heart has been lit up!
She can't keep being so spineless!
For the sake of her three daughters, she had to go all out!
Even if divorce would invite gossip, even if life would be tough, she was determined to fight for her rights and let her daughters know that women can live with dignity and, like Director Guan, earn respect through their own abilities!
She gripped the lunchbox tightly in her hand, her knuckles turning white, and a light ignited in her previously dim eyes.
Seeing her standing there in a daze, her coworker nudged her arm. "Xiaoyu, what are you daydreaming about? It's time to go back to the workshop for a break."
Hua Xiaoyu snapped out of her daze, took a deep breath, and revealed a resolute smile she had never shown before. "It's nothing, let's go. From now on, we need to live life to the fullest!"
The coworker looked completely bewildered…
What did she say?
Ignoring the stares of others, Hua Xiaoyu straightened her back and walked towards the workshop, her steps lighter than usual.
......
Guan Wenru spent the entire afternoon imparting her experience to the people Chen Jianhui had brought.
She didn't see everyone off until it was almost time to leave work.
Not long after seeing these people off, it was finally time to get off work.
At this moment, the setting sun dyed the horizon orange-red, and the sweltering heat subsided slightly.
Workers, pushing their bicycles and chatting, poured out of the factory gate after get off work, riding home in twos and threes.
Guan Wenru came out late; she thought the military families had all left.
But as soon as she pushed her bicycle out of the factory area, she saw Hua Xiaoyu waiting by the roadside under a crooked elm tree, seemingly intentionally not walking with the other military dependents.
Guan Wenru pushed off and rode up to Hua Xiaoyu's side, smiling as he asked, "Sister-in-law Xiaoyu, why haven't you left yet?"
Hua Xiaoyu's eyes flickered with a different light than usual, but more than that, they were resolute. She took a deep breath, pushed off the ground, and slowly started riding alongside Guan Wenru, saying, "Wenru, I want to have a chat with you."
Guan Wenru turned her head to look at her and slowed down the car. "Sister-in-law, what do you want to say?"
Hua Xiaoyu smiled and said, "Wenru, I've made up my mind. I want to ask Zhang Desheng for a divorce."
Guan Wenru slammed on the brakes, the bicycle tires scraping softly on the dirt road. She turned to Hua Xiaoyu in surprise, "Sister-in-law, have you... thought this through?"
Much faster than she expected…
Hua Xiaoyu also stopped the bike, bracing herself with her feet on the ground and gripping the handlebars tightly with both hands.
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