Chapter 59 The Name of the Enemy
On the day she completed her onboarding procedures, Jiang Xiaohong stayed outside the family compound for a long time before returning home.
Because she was starting work the next day and planned to move to the dormitory, she couldn't delay any longer. After dinner, she told her family that she had found a job.
As she had guessed, her family's reaction was pretty much what she expected. At first, her parents, brothers, and other family members were all very happy for her. With a job, she wouldn't have to go to the countryside anymore, and she wouldn't have to spend the family's money to buy things.
However, her sister-in-law Wu Meili's reaction was more intense than she had expected.
"A food factory is hiring. How come there's no word about such a big factory hiring? Mom and Dad, did you secretly take money to buy a job for your little sister and then have her say she got it on her own because you didn't want us to tell?"
Wu Meili suspected that Jiang Xiaohong got her job not through her own exams, but by paying money.
She felt that the family's money belonged to their own small family, so why should Jiang Xiaohong spend it?
“Sister-in-law, I did get this job on my own. I just happened to come across the opportunity, so I signed up for the exam and passed it,” Jiang Xiaohong explained.
Jiang's parents also hurriedly explained that they really didn't give Xiao Hong any money.
Seeing that Wu Meili still wanted to make a fuss, Jiang's parents took out the family savings book. There was indeed no record of withdrawals recently, and only then did Wu Meili believe them.
But then she had a new idea: to have Jiang Xiaohong give up her office job and give Jiang Xiaohong her workshop job in return.
"Mom and Dad, think about it. I'm only thinking about this family. Xiaohong is getting married soon. Should I let her take such a good job to support her husband's family?"
"Besides, if I take an office job, which is less demanding, I can have more time to come home and take care of the kids. We can have another one later, and then Mom won't have to cover for me again."
When Wu Meili was pregnant, she made an excuse that she was not feeling well and could not work hard, so she asked Jiang's mother to cover her shifts. However, she was still paid the salary, and after paying the household expenses, she had to pay the rest.
Jiang's mother agreed because this was their first grandson and she had already handed over her job to her younger son, and she had nothing else to do anyway.
When Wu Meili saw that the elderly couple's expressions changed when the children were mentioned, she knew that she had touched a nerve with them, so she quickly pressed on.
"Besides, I'm not just thinking about myself. My younger brother is almost of marriageable age. When he has a child, Mom will have to help take care of it. If I get pregnant again, Mom won't have time to cover for me."
But working in an office is different; I can work until the day I give birth.
Jiang Xiaohong watched with a cold face as Wu Meili tried every means to get her the job. Seeing that her parents were actually moved by Wu Meili's few words, her heart also grew cold.
She understood that her parents loved her too, but she was ranked after her older brother, younger brother, and their children.
In fact, she could have easily put an end to Wu Meili's idea of changing jobs by simply stating the job requirements, but she held back and didn't say anything, wanting to see the reactions of her parents, older brother, and younger brother.
As Jiang's parents listened to Wu Meili talk about the child, they were already intrigued. Jiang's father touched Jiang's mother's arm, and she understood her husband's meaning. After hesitating for a moment, she finally spoke to Jiang Xiaohong:
"Xiao Hong, what your sister-in-law said makes sense. You're still young, why don't you switch jobs with her first?"
Jiang Xiaohong's nose tingled, and she held back her tears, refusing to cry.
"No way! First of all, I got this job through my own exam, and I don't want to change it;"
Secondly, my sister-in-law only has a junior high school education, but this job requires at least a high school education. She doesn't have enough education to do it.
Upon hearing that there were educational requirements, Wu Meili knew her plans were doomed, but she was unwilling to give up and set her sights on Jiang Xiaohong's salary.
"If we can't change it, then forget it. But little sister, you're still young, so you have to give your salary to your parents to keep."
“Sister-in-law, I’m an adult now. I’ll be living in the dormitory from now on, not at home. When you live at home, you only pay a portion of your salary for living expenses, and you keep the rest for yourselves. Since I’m not living at home, I don’t need to pay living expenses like you do.”
However, I will reimburse my parents for the living expenses I'm currently living at home with once I receive my salary. After that, I will manage my own salary.
After Jiang Xiaohong finished speaking, she ignored her family's reaction, packed her things, and moved to the dormitory.
She only returned home for the Chinese New Year, but even though she brought back the benefits from the factory, her sister-in-law still complained that she was a wage earner and didn't buy more New Year's goods or buy her nephew a new outfit.
Jiang Xiaohong also saw through her sister-in-law's true colors. She didn't explain much. She had actually brought back quite a lot of things, but if someone has a problem with you, no matter how much you do, they will never be satisfied.
So even on New Year's Eve, Jiang Xiaohong did not go home.
Seeing that she was about to leave after finishing her meal, Jiang's mother blurted out, "Xiao Hong, are you going to the dormitory today? Aren't you staying at home?"
Jiang Xiaohong looked at the spot in the living room where she used to have a wooden plank as a bed, which her sister-in-law had now used to pile up other things. She didn't say anything, but her mother's face was burning with embarrassment.
Jiang's mother could only tell Jiang Xiaohong to be careful while living alone, and Jiang Xiaohong nodded.
In winter, it gets dark quickly. When Jiang Xiaohong finished eating and came out, it was already quite dark and snow was falling. She wrapped her scarf around her head and started walking towards the food factory dormitory.
There were hardly any people on the road. As Jiang Xiaohong was about to turn at an intersection when she vaguely heard someone mention Zhang Qiang's name.
Jiang Xiaohong discovered that since she was rescued last time, not only have all her injuries healed, but her eyesight and hearing have also improved a lot. For example, she can vaguely hear people mentioning Zhang Qiang's name now, but the actual person speaking should still be some distance away from her.
Upon suddenly hearing her enemy's name, Jiang Xiaohong's body would still instinctively tremble; it had become a kind of stress reflex.
However, she kept telling herself that her enemy had already received his retribution and that she shouldn't be afraid. Then, out of curiosity, Jiang Xiaohong quietly moved forward following the sound, and the voices of the two men became clearer and clearer.
"You mean, before Zhang Qiang was arrested, he went to the Red Star Brigade to cause trouble for a woman, but came back empty-handed?"
"Yes, Brother Qiang took a liking to that girl, Xu Jiajia, who was an educated youth in the Hongxing Brigade. At first, Brother Qiang wanted to seriously pursue her, but she didn't give him any face."
Then, Qiang planned to teach her a lesson by pretending to be reported, hoping to make her realize his power and force her to back down. However, they couldn't find any evidence that time, and before Qiang could take action again, he and Director Zhang got into trouble.
The two then talked about the Zhang family's experience on the day of the incident.
"I understand. You can go back now. Don't tell anyone about why I came to see you or our conversation."
"Yes, yes, I won't tell anyone."
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