Chapter 11 011 Social Gathering
The matter of Guan Yuehe and Ma Lao Er exchanging houses wasn't a big deal, but it wasn't insignificant either. Normally, this could have been a topic of conversation for ten days to half a month. But right now, no one was in the mood to discuss other people's affairs.
The recruitment notice originally posted by Wuxing Automobile Factory stated that the unified examination would be held next Friday, but now the examination time has been changed to next Monday, catching everyone off guard.
There are only three days left to prepare, and no one knows what the exam will cover.
Eligible junior and senior high school students took leave to go home and study. Elderly people patrolled the alleys, prohibiting adults and children from making loud noises so as not to disturb the children's studies.
Those who usually gathered under the ginkgo tree at the entrance of the alley to chat were also driven to other places.
The noise level in Ginkgo Alley has decreased significantly, and naturally, the gossip has also decreased.
Jiang Guiying sighed, "If Aiguo were two years older, I would have made him come back to take the exam too!"
But he's only twelve this year, so his age is a problem. By the time he's old enough, who knows if the factory will still be hiring?
Aunt Fang, who came over to chat, chimed in, "Who says otherwise? The factory is hiring fewer and fewer people. There are many applicants but few hires. I'm afraid they'll have to rely on replacements in the future."
Aunt Xie from the left side room curled her lip and said sourly, "Your Aiguo can take over Lao Guan's job, but other families can't even do that."
Jiang Guiying and Aunt Fang exchanged a glance and rolled their eyes, ignoring Aunt Xie's words.
But Aunt Xie started, and wouldn't feel comfortable until she finished speaking, "If a job became available, my Zhenxing wouldn't have to toil in the fields for a living. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the whole family could live together..."
Jiang Guiying and Aunt Fang remained silent.
After singing her monologue for a while, Aunt Xie felt increasingly distressed, feeling sorry for her youngest son who was still back in their hometown. Just as she was about to raise her voice, Aunt Ding from the front yard stormed into the backyard, glared at Aunt Xie, and whispered angrily, "Go back to your village and howl if you want!"
Aunt Xie can't stand it when people say she's from the countryside. Although she still has a rural household registration and eats the food rations allocated to her son and daughter-in-law, she considers herself a city dweller.
Aunt Xie was so angry that she jumped up and down. She thought that no one in her family was going to take the exam, unlike the Ding family, whose two eldest grandsons, one fifteen and the other sixteen, were both taking the exam.
Aunt Xie deliberately raised her voice, "I'm in my own home, I can say whatever I want! It's none of your business! Hey, I'll say it!"
"I'll tear your lousy mouth apart!" Aunt Ding rushed forward without saying another word.
Jiang Guiying and Aunt Fang sat firmly. Neither of them were reasonable, and anyone who helped them would get into trouble. They knew this from experience.
Jin Junwei strolled leisurely into the backyard, a handful of melon seeds in his hand, cracking them open like a young master watching a play.
No one from the Xu family came forward, but people from other courtyards heard the commotion and rushed over.
I tried to mediate the fight, but my main goal was to get them to shut up so they wouldn't affect my child.
Those whose families don't have anyone taking the exam are now watching the drama unfold, secretly fanning the flames, hoping it will escalate even further.
"Aunt Fang, aren't you going to do anything about this? Your husband, Old Lin, is the head of the No. 3 courtyard!"
Aunt Fang said that she had back pain and couldn't care less. What if they pushed her and she got hurt again?
As for his wife's position as the "manager"? They don't care about it; they're just trying to figure out how to get rid of this burden! Ideally, everyone should remove the title of "manager" from his wife's household.
Aunt Fang isn't in a hurry, but plenty of other people are.
Aunt Xie and Aunt Ding were quickly separated by two groups of people, their mouths were covered, and they were forced to go back to their respective homes.
These two people can usually throw tantrums, but they can't fight against the powerful, and they don't dare to offend the public, so they swallow their anger and endure it.
If everyone had been this "kind" yesterday, the Sun and Zhou families wouldn't have had to argue to the point of calling the police. It's clear that as long as their own interests aren't involved, everyone is happy to watch the drama unfold.
Courtyard No. 3 returned to quiet.
The Zhuoyue Garment Factory was bustling with activity.
The factory's public address system announced that Sunday's social gathering would be held at the Five Star Automobile Factory. Many workers and their families signed up; some complained about the new location being too far, while others were excited to see what a large factory looked like.
As the discussion continued, new topics emerged.
In the morning, news spread that Xu Qianjin had signed up for the social gathering, and everyone was speculating whether he and He Shuangshuang had a falling out. Upon asking, they learned that the two had already broken up.
In the afternoon, He Shuangshuang and Mo Zhinan handed out wedding candies to their colleagues, which surprised everyone again.
"No, when did they...? You're from the broadcasting station too, didn't you hear a thing?"
"I don't work shifts with He Shuangshuang, and I don't keep an eye on her every day, so how would I know?"
"Could there be some hidden story behind this?"
Xu Qianjin and He Shuangshuang had been dating for about three years, right? Everyone was looking forward to their wedding banquet, but who would have thought! It was so sudden!
When Guan Yuehe returned to her dormitory, all she could hear were "social gatherings," "Xu Qianjin," "He Shuangshuang," and "Mo Zhinan."
Before leaving with the washbasin, Gao Xiaofang glanced at her nervously. Guan Yuehe quickly put her clothes and soap in the washbasin and also went to the bathhouse.
"Yuehe..."
"I don't know anything," Guan Yuehe interrupted her, looking like she didn't want to say anything more. She knocked on the door of the dormitory next door and called Qin Zilan, who used to work in the same workshop.
As Gao Xiaofang watched Guan Yuehe and Qin Zilan walk ahead chatting and laughing, she felt a sense of relief, but also regret.
She used to get along well with Guan Yuehe, but after saying those things last time, Guan Yuehe avoided her.
Guan Yuehe said she wouldn't tell anyone, but she probably thought in her heart that He Shuangshuang broke up with Xu Qianjin because of her.
If only I hadn't said those unnecessary things back then.
—
"Did you and Gao Xiaofang have a fight?"
"No, I just have nothing to say."
“She’s been distracted lately. This afternoon she even ruined two pieces of fabric. The team leader was furious.” Qin Zilan, holding a washbasin in one hand and hooking her arm around Guan Yuehe’s arm with the other, gave her a curious pinch. “You’ve grown taller and fatter in the last two years. You haven’t wasted your time in the cafeteria.”
Guan Yuehe smiled smugly; the rice and meat weren't eaten for nothing!
Qin Zilan then went back to the gossip from the factory that day.
"Our team leader even said he'd introduce some female colleagues to Xu Qianjin, so that the good stuff won't go to outsiders," Qin Zilan said meaningfully. "Whether it's good stuff or not is hard to say."
"How so?"
"I've seen him take female comrades to the Qunzhong Restaurant several times, and it's always a new face. Believe me, Xu Qianjin is definitely not innocent! Some people even guess that He Shuangshuang cheated on him, humph! He Shuangshuang is so unlucky!"
Guan Yuehe thought to herself: Xu Qianjin is such a piece of trash!
—
There weren't many people in the bathhouse yet, so they quickly grabbed any available spots they found.
The factory had its own bathhouse, but it wasn't open every day. Each worker received four bath tickets per month; if they wanted to take more baths, they had to exchange tickets with others or buy them from the factory. Factory workers could buy bath tickets for just two cents, while outsiders had to pay three cents.
Guan Yuehe is a clean person. Before, her family couldn't afford to be too particular, but after she started working at the factory, she would exchange bath tickets with others every month to ensure she could go to the bathhouse twice a week.
Once I have a bathroom at home, it will be more convenient to dry off on days when I don't have to go to the public bathhouse for a scrub.
Xu Cheng came to see her that afternoon, saying that everyone in the alley knew she was going to move to the left wing of courtyard number two, and the Sun family was going crazy and screaming at home. But she was silenced by her mother and neighbors scolding her.
The fact that the news spread ahead of time had one advantage: the Ma family gave her a 15 yuan discount. That's equivalent to half a month's salary!
—
The next day, everyone in the factory was saying that Xu Qianjin was up to no good. He was dating someone but still flirting with other girls.
Now nobody's going to offer to introduce him to anyone.
Even the union members went to him to find out what was going on, fearing that he might have met someone new at the social gathering, and then someone would come knocking on his door to cause trouble. That would be embarrassing for the other factories.
However, there is no concrete evidence at present. Xu Qianjin was only called in by his superiors to understand the situation, and in the end, it did not affect his continued participation in the social gathering.
Just before the social gathering, Gu Mannian finally returned from his business trip.
"No, I've called you several times! What are you thinking about so intently?" Gu Mannian grinned foolishly. "Did you ask about that for me?"
Seeing his awkward manner... Guan Yuehe was at her wit's end.
Finally, I decided to act quickly: "My sister is dating someone. It happened the day you asked me to go home and ask her."
"Why don't you sign up for the social event too? It's not too late." Guan Yuehe didn't know how to comfort him. She had never been in a relationship, and neither she nor several of her friends had anyone they wanted to date!
Gu Mannian's smile froze, then gradually disappeared. After a long while, she finally let out an "Ah," clearly still not having processed what she had just said.
—
On Sunday morning, Guan Yuehe quickly got ready, wearing green pants, a green cotton-padded jacket, and a military green backpack, looking full of energy.
"Yuehe, you didn't register, but you're dressed so smartly!"
My roommate was speechless.
Guan Yuehe waited for Xie Dongxue at the factory gate. The gatekeeper chatted with her, saying that the people in her alley were bored.
They were either asking about her room allocation or about her changing rooms.
Guan Yuehe laughed along with the old man. Anyway, she couldn't stop others, so she could only try to think positively.
"Yuehe! Get on the bike!" Xie Dongxue rode out on her bicycle, beckoning her to get on, and didn't forget to greet the gatekeeper.
Guan Yuehe jogged a few steps after the car, tiptoed, and sat steadily sideways on the back, putting her hands into Xie Dongxue's cotton-padded coat pockets.
"That Gu Manyian is such a jerk! He only came to me this morning to hand in the registration form! I notified him in advance, but he still dragged his feet!" Xie Dongxue channeled her anger into motivation and slammed on the pedals.
Guan Yuehe couldn't help but shrink her neck as the wind blew.
Halfway there, Guan Yue took over the passenger vehicle and pedaled hard all the way, attracting the attention of many people. Fortunately, they arrived at the Wuxing Automobile Factory on time.
The familiar gate looked a little older than I remembered.
Guan Yuehe was very familiar with the Five Star Automobile Factory, so she didn't need to ask anyone for directions and led Xie Dongxue straight to the auditorium.
"I'll go find someone from their union to go over the procedures first. You wait here for me."
Guan Yuehe told her to just focus on her work.
Just as I was about to find a seat, I ran into someone I knew.
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