Carrying a bunch of newly issued items, Wang Shouren was excited.
In this day and age, these things are really hard to come by; it's probably equivalent to holding the keys to a Lamborghini in your hand in later generations. I haven't felt this excited in a long time.
This makes one realize that these things, which one wouldn't have even glanced at in a previous life, can bring joy to someone here for a long time.
There weren't many people in the courtyard; everyone was at work at this time.
A group of middle-aged women were gathered in the yard; some were sewing and mending, while others were washing clothes.
They chatted while doing odd jobs.
Seeing Wang Shouren return.
The sharp-eyed third aunt spotted what was in his hand immediately. As the third uncle's wife, she had naturally inherited his strong curiosity and love of taking advantage: "Shouren's back? How was it? What position did you get assigned?"
Everyone in the compound knows that Wang Shouren went to the factory to report for duty today.
"Oh, Auntie, you're going to work as a technician in the technical department. You'll be promoted to a permanent position next year."
"Technician? A vocational school graduate isn't much, it's just an internship." One middle-aged woman said dismissively.
"What do you know? Their technicians only get 37 yuan when they start! After they become full-fledged employees, it's 42.5 yuan." An older woman, with her little one by her side, explained gently.
"What? 37?"
In this era, few men would share factory rules with their wives after returning home. Mainly because the system is quite complex, and besides, they weren't top performers; sharing it would be a slap in the face. Therefore, most people assumed apprentices and interns were treated the same, both earning 18 yuan. Hearing 37 shocked them all.
"Really? Wang Shouren?" The third aunt was still somewhat skeptical.
"Really, you can ask Uncle San. He knows." Wang Shouren smiled and didn't try to hide it. Besides, it wouldn't be easy to hide it anyway, since they lived in the same courtyard. He could just ask around and find out.
Others may not know, but the older folks definitely do.
"That's great news! You have to treat us to a meal!" The third aunt was filled with envy and jealousy! The difference between her own Yan Jie and this Wang Shouren was just too great.
"Go away, go away, are you still going to stop taking advantage of me?" an older woman said, shooing him away. "They've already been invited into the steel mill, have some shame. Shouren, go back inside, we don't need you here."
"Alright." Wang Shouren went back into the house with a smile, not bothering to argue with the group of middle-aged women.
When he returned to the house, it became lively again.
"Hey, you know what, the Wang family has actually established itself."
"You're only finding out now? I knew about Wang Jiali three years ago. Did you think vocational school graduates didn't get subsidies? I heard they get 18 a month!"
"I heard it's 28?"
"Why don't you just fly to the moon? 28? Can your husband even earn 28?"
"Next year, when this boy gets married and has a baby, the Wang family will finally have a lineage," an older woman remarked, then looked at her grandson and patted his head. "You must study hard from now on, okay?"
Her little grandson answered her questions with babbling, his little eyes smiling, which was very cute.
"His conditions are not bad, but he's an orphan, so there aren't many people who would be interested in him, are there?" an older woman said.
"Who said that? These days, many young people don't want to live with their parents. Lou Xiao'e in the backyard, isn't it because she dislikes Xu Damao's parents? Let's think about it another way. Not having parents means she can be in charge after marriage, right? She won't have to put up with her mother-in-law's temper. What if she married into a family like the Jia family..."
"Hey, hey, hey, who are you talking about! Do you think I'm dead?!" The more Jia Zhangshi listened, the more disgusted she became.
"What? Can't I even say it?"
"I said you beep beep beep beep beep, beep beep beep, beep beep beep beep..."
Just because Wang Shouren was carrying newly distributed supplies from the factory, a war between the old women began.
At night, the workers dragged their tired bodies home.
A new round of discussions has begun, with most of the topics revolving around Wang Shouren's work and his salary.
"Hey, have you heard about Wang Shouren in the backyard? Is his salary really that high?" Jia Zhangshi asked her daughter-in-law.
A hint of unease flashed across Qin Huairu's face. She lowered her head, took a couple of bites of the white steamed bun in her hand, and then nodded: "I heard it is indeed quite tall."
"Then he's not very sought after in your factory."
"In high demand?"
"Yes, now that I have a job, I can't help but settle down and start a family. I bet a lot of young girls are eyeing me. It's just a bit of a pity."
"What's a pity?" Qin Huairu gripped the steamed bun in her hand; even the white flour steamed bun, which she had finally managed to eat, didn't taste very good anymore.
"It's a pity we don't have a suitable one at home. If we did, we could introduce him to him. He only has one child, so we could get to know each other better. When he's older, we could help him out at the factory. You remember you used to be quite close to him, but why don't you talk to him much anymore?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu thought to herself, "Not only are we close, we're practically invisible. You have no idea."
But what came out of his mouth was: "That child is not very old. I am a widow and I have to avoid suspicion. The child knows his place and did not blame me. Not everyone is like Sha Zhu."
"Indeed, that fool Zhuzi." Madam Jia spat. How could she not know what that fool was thinking?
"However, speaking of which, do you know anyone suitable in your hometown? Could you introduce him to someone? We shouldn't leave such a good opportunity to outsiders."
“He’s not old enough yet, it’ll be next year. Besides, he’s only interested in people from the countryside.”
“Heh, aren’t you from the countryside too? As long as you’re pretty enough, he’s the type who likes pretty girls and is easily impulsive. You should introduce him to someone first. If things actually work out, we’ll be relatives, and that can be a huge help,” Jia Zhangshi suggested.
Qin Huairu narrowed her eyes slightly as she introduced her cousin, Qin Jingru. She was beautiful, and she knew the girl dreamed of marrying into the city. But if she were to introduce her, what would she say?
"Then I'll find out what he says tomorrow."
"What are you asking about? Listen to your mother. Tomorrow morning, ask him in the yard. He won't be able to refuse, and he'll only have a chance if you bring someone over. Otherwise, once people hear you're from the countryside, they probably won't agree in private. At least you have to meet him first. By the way, what does the person you're introducing look like? If he's good-looking, that's fine. If he's not, don't bring him." After saying that, Jia Zhangshi looked Qin Huairu up and down: "At least, he has to be about your size."
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