Qin Huairu also truly felt the difference.
Her coworkers around her didn't seem to be as hostile towards her as others.
I remember when she first arrived, she was actually quite unwelcome. There were some who liked her, but she knew perfectly well why. Therefore, she deliberately kept her distance from that group. Later, seeing they had no chance to get close, that group started spreading rumors behind her back.
Most rumors, by their very nature, will eventually fall apart on their own.
But that bastard Sha Zhu was really blatantly licking my boots.
This led to an increasing number of female workers disliking Qin Huairu.
Qin Huairu found it difficult to integrate into their circle.
She is like a white lotus, independent of others, beautiful to behold but not to be trifled with.
Given such an environment, coupled with the kind of home environment, if this person doesn't have problems, one would have to question whether he is a saint.
The woman who came to train her was a level 5 female fitter named Niu Meili. She was tall and had quite a presence in the factory; there were relatively few women in technical jobs, and even fewer who could reach level 4 or above.
Qin Huairu once wanted to join their group, but unfortunately, they did not accept her.
The first thing Niu Meili said when she arrived today was "I'm sorry".
"Master Niu, what's wrong?" Qin Huairu was somewhat surprised, wondering why Niu Meili was apologizing to her.
“I didn’t know about your family problems before. I looked down on you because you’re pretty and those people were gossiping. I was wrong and I admit it. I’m sorry, but I will teach you how to be a fitter to make up for it.” Niu Meili said these words with utmost sincerity.
Qin Huairu's eyes instantly reddened.
This wasn't sadness, but rather being moved, because she finally saw hope.
"Hey, hey, don't cry..." Niu Meili was at a loss for words when Qin Huairu suddenly burst into tears.
"No... Master Niu, it's alright." Qin Huairu wiped her eyes and smiled happily: "I have hope now."
When Niu Meili heard Qin Huairu say this, she nodded in agreement: "That's right, having hope is better than anything else."
Women's friendships are formed very quickly. One is willing to teach and the other is willing to learn. In just one morning, Qin Huairu felt that she had learned more clearly than she had in the past year.
"You're quite smart and strong, a good prospect. By the way, can you read?" Niu Meili asked as she taught him.
"Yes, I know a little about him."
“In the fitter trade, to advance, you need to be able to read blueprints; otherwise, you'll just be doing whatever your master teaches you. Oh, of course, it might be a bit early to tell you that now. If you have the chance, you can find some books to read; I have some at home. I'll get them for you later.” As Niu Meili spoke, the factory's loudspeaker blared: “Come on, let's go eat together?”
"Master Niu, I can't today. I have something to do at noon and I have to go back," Qin Huairu said apologetically.
"Okay, we'll talk about it later." Niu Meili didn't mind. Qin Huairu gave her a particularly good impression today. She was hardworking and willing to learn, completely different from the one she had heard about. She had to tell her girlfriends that the person spreading the rumors was really despicable.
At noon, Qin Huairu went to the Women's Federation and met her mother-in-law.
Unexpectedly, Jia Zhangshi didn't cause a scene, nor did she glare at Qin Huairu with her usual vicious gaze. In the Women's Federation office, she was remarkably silent, responding to everything Director Ma said, showing none of her usual domineering nature. Qin Huairu couldn't help but sigh, "Everyone has their match," but she knew she still had a chance.
The two left the factory and walked down the street.
Before Qin Huairu could speak, Jia Zhangshi spoke first: "Daughter-in-law, what are you really thinking?"
The question wasn't asked with the usual sharp wit, but rather in a rather calm tone, with a hint of tension beneath the calmness.
The Women's Federation was a place for legal education, and she learned many things she didn't know before. Therefore, she was truly afraid—afraid that Qin Huairu would abandon them. She knew Qin Huairu's "market value" outside; a large bottom meant good fertility, and this wasn't just a joke in that era. In just a few years, she had given birth to three.
If she could truly make up her mind, to give up Banggeng, Xiaodang, and Huaihua, she really could move on. She might even do quite well.
"Mom! I didn't think much about it. What I said that day was my true feeling. I just want to get promoted so that our lives can be better." Qin Huairu tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said softly.
After a moment of silence, Madam Jia said, "I understand. I was wrong before. I will help you from now on."
"Really...really?" Qin Huairu looked at Jia Zhangshi in disbelief, the notoriously wicked mother-in-law. She was somewhat dazed. Had the world changed, become a better place?
"Really." Madam Jia didn't say anything more, but her triangular eyes seemed to be pondering something.
However, Qin Huairu, caught up in her ecstasy, failed to notice this.
The day's work went by exceptionally quickly. As Qin Huairu walked home in the afterglow of the setting sun, she happened to run into Wang Shouren, who was returning home from get off work.
Wang Shouren is currently joking around with his third uncle.
"Uncle, I must say, you've grown these flowers and plants quite well."
This really hit the nail on the head for Uncle San. He had carefully selected these few pots of weeds from outside, and Sha Zhu always complained that he had pulled them out himself. Uncle San was quite annoyed by this. His smile was still on his face when Wang Shouren's next words brought it all down.
"But, Uncle, why don't you grow something edible yourself, like a crop of chives? Oh, I don't really know much about it, I don't know if it can grow here. But growing some scallions, ginger, or garlic would be more suitable than this."
“What do you know! Flowers and plants are for cultivating one’s character, but onions, ginger, and garlic are different, different, different.” The old man repeated “different” three times.
Wang Shouren almost burst out laughing. He hadn't realized that the Third Uncle was so stubborn.
This gentleman was clearly tempted. No, he was regretting that he hadn't thought of it before.
"Uncle, please make way." A somewhat seductive voice came from behind Uncle.
Looking back, it was Qin Huairu. Qin Huairu nodded to Wang Shouren as a greeting and went straight into the courtyard.
The old man was a little puzzled: "Today, Master Qin seems to be in a better mood. His voice is even a bit gentler."
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