216 Property Rights Reform
The courtyard gate creaked open.
What are you all doing?
Guan Yuehe turned her head and saw He Shuangshuang standing outside the door.
A guest suddenly arrived at the house, forcing Guan Yuehe and Lin Yiku to pause their mixed doubles match. Lin Ting visibly breathed a sigh of relief and secretly made a face at her father, looking utterly cheeky and asking for a beating.
She's thick-skinned and tough; she'll only let out a couple of yelps when she's hit, then forget the pain as soon as she turns away. Regardless of whether the adults are still angry, once she's calmed down, she'll cling to them and talk sweetly, instantly transforming from a mischievous little devil into a sweet, gentle daughter.
Halfway through making a funny face, her mother glanced at her, and she stood up straight on her own, looking very well-behaved.
He Shuangshuang came in, and Guan Yuehe then realized that there was a strange person following behind her.
Since He Shuangshuang was transferred back to the city, Mo Mingqi has visited Guan Yuehe's home every year on behalf of his family to offer New Year's greetings, but Guan Yuehe feels that he has changed quite a bit every year.
Look at this new look, so flashy and fashionable!
"Aunt Guan, I'm already twenty-one this year," Mo Mingqi reminded her. He'll be graduating from university next year. In his mother's words, if you don't dress up nicely when you're young, are you going to wait until you're older to do so?
"You're graduating from university so soon?!" Guan Yuehe was somewhat shocked, as she felt he had only recently been admitted to university.
He Shuangshuang chuckled and said, "Look at other people's children, don't you think they grow up so fast?"
Guan Yuehe nodded. Sure enough, other people's children are easier to raise; they're about to graduate from university in no time. Her own child is still at the age where he's quite mischievous... but it probably doesn't have much to do with age; she remembers Mo Mingqi being quite well-behaved since he was little.
However, Mo Mingqi changed quite a bit after starting university. He became more talkative and outgoing. After greeting Guan Yuehe and Lin Yiku, he patted Lin Ting on the head and said, "Aren't you going to ask me to snap your hair band for you anymore?"
During holidays, Lin Ting would always spend a short time at the Zhuoyue Garment Factory's residential compound, where she had a group of close friends. None of Lin Ting and her friends wanted to be stuck in the rubber bands, so they would ask the older kids who were free at home for help.
Several times, Lin Ting happened to run into Mo Mingqi at home. Since Mo Mingqi lived on the first floor and was closest to the activity area of the family compound, Lin Ting didn't want to make a lot of trouble, so she went to knock on his door.
"I don't like playing with rubber bands anymore."
Just as Lin Ting was about to say something else, her eyes lit up, and she tried to drag him along like a puppy to buy soda for the adults.
Guan Yuehe was too lazy to expose her, and only told Mo Mingqi not to pay, but to let Lin Ting treat them.
Mo Mingqi wanted to refuse, but Lin Ting had a strong grip and dragged him out like an ox. The three adults in the yard ignored his pleas for help and turned around to go inside.
They've been friends for over twenty years, and He Shuangshuang didn't mince words. As soon as she sat down, she said, "I came here to relax and have some peace and quiet."
Guan Yuehe guessed something, "Is it about the reform of state-owned enterprise ownership?"
Not long after the proposal to reform the property rights of state-owned enterprises was put forward this year, Comrade He Shuangshuang was appointed to preside over the reform of the property rights of state-owned enterprises in Beijing.
He Shuangshuang nodded and said helplessly, "Yesterday, the Zhuoyue Factory held a workers' meeting to discuss property rights reform. This morning, many workers came to my house to ask about the situation."
That's normal. After all, everyone has worked in the factory for many years. Every time a policy is announced or a state-owned enterprise is reformed, it's a major event for the workers, as it concerns their family's income. It would be strange if the workers didn't react at all when they heard that another reform was coming.
Guan Yuehe was curious, "So you've already decided to implement reforms? I haven't seen any activity from Wuxing Automobile Factory. What kind of reforms are you talking about?"
"I heard from Mo Zhinan that the factory leadership has come up with two plans: a shareholding cooperative system and a contracted management system. They haven't decided which one to choose yet, and they've told the workers to go back and think about it carefully. They'll hold a workers' meeting at the end of the month to vote on it."
He Shuangshuang added, "Whether it's shareholding cooperation or contracted management, there are precedents in other places, and the results have indeed been good. It all depends on the final vote of the nearly four thousand workers in the factory."
At this point, He Shuangshuang smiled helplessly, "Some of the workers are a bit extreme. Last night, my windows were smashed. We moved outside first thing this morning."
"Did anyone get hit? Isn't the security department doing anything about it?"
“The person who broke the window was somewhat sensible; they only broke the living room window, not the bedroom window. We also reported it to the security department. However,” He Shuangshuang also had other plans, “we can take this opportunity to move out. My parents-in-law still live in the family compound, so it’s better to be far away.”
Guan Yuehe agreed. If He Shuangshuang did a good job with the reform work at hand, she would definitely be promoted further. At this point, the rear must be stabilized. Even if they didn't offer assistance, they shouldn't at least hold them back.
"Your yard has been empty for years; you should have moved in long ago. How about it? Isn't it peaceful living in a detached house?"
"It's so peaceful." He Shuangshuang sighed, "I'm glad I listened to you and didn't choose a place near the family compound or the government compound."
"That's right! It's all the experience I've accumulated over the years. Anyway, you have to separate work from daily life."
“From now on, I’ll follow in your footsteps. Next time you buy a house, remind me.”
He Shuangshuang was also grateful that she saw Yuehe, Xu Chengcai, and Qin Zilan all buying houses outside, even upgrading from single-room bungalows to small courtyards. She gritted her teeth and used her savings to buy a small courtyard herself.
Otherwise, they would have had to move to the guesthouse for the time being.
Although the factory-allocated apartment has been purchased, it is not very large. Mo Mingqi is about to graduate from university. If he acts quickly, he might get married and have children in three to five years, at which point the house will be too small to accommodate everyone.
The commercial housing outside is actually for foreign sales, and it's ridiculously expensive, costing tens of thousands per square meter. Who can afford to buy it?
Although buying that small courtyard house was difficult in the past and many people were not optimistic about it, now it is impossible to buy a detached courtyard house.
Upon hearing this, Guan Yuehe waved her hands repeatedly, "No way, I don't think I'll be able to afford a house anytime soon."
If they were to buy another house, they should buy an apartment or a commercial property, but the savings she and Lin Yi had accumulated over a year could barely buy a small house for foreign buyers.
I can't afford it.
"What if the policy changes again in the future, and there are more and more commercial housing units, and the prices become cheaper?" He Shuangshuang joked.
“If it’s really cheap, then let’s buy it. We can buy one together and go for walks together when we retire.” Guan Yuehe had a good idea: the two of them would live in one place, and they would buy another one for Lin Ting. “Look, they won’t have to wait for their work units to assign them places anymore.”
But by the time Lin Ting grows up, there probably won't be any more housing provided by her work unit. The current housing system reforms are aimed at abolishing welfare housing allocations, aren't they?
As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Ting ran into the house, carrying two bottles of soda in each hand. She distributed them to the adults, and kept the rest for herself.
"Where's Mingqi's?"
"My brother took it," Lin Tingqiang emphasized. "I haven't taken it yet."
Guan Yuehe reached out and pushed her head away. Her little mouth smelled strongly of milk and orange juice when she spoke. If she said she didn't, how could she fool a three-year-old?
Mo Mingqi had just returned when Lin Ting dragged him away again, saying, "Children shouldn't interrupt adults. Brother, come play ping-pong with me."
Mo Mingqi was taken away again.
The room became quiet again, and He Shuangshuang couldn't help but say, "Lin Ting is just like you."
They seem to have inexhaustible energy all day long, busily doing this and that, which is very pleasing to watch.
Guan Yuehe shook her head. How could such a mischievous little devil be just like her? She pointed to Lin Yiku next to her, "Everyone says he looks like him."
If you don't discipline someone for three days, they'll start tearing down the roof beams. He's exactly like Lin Yiku.
"Yes, like me." Lin Yiku admitted without hesitation. After all, his neighbors in Ginkgo Alley had witnessed what he was like when he was a child. And he also knew what Yuehe was like when she was a child.
He Shuangshuang laughed. When Yuehe brought Sitian to dinner with them, Sitian said that Yuehe and her brother's relationship was like two idiots dating.
But looking back now, how great were the sticks! They were all single-minded people, putting their minds and efforts in one direction.
"Since you're all here, why don't you stay for dinner tonight?" Guan Yuehe glanced at the wall clock; it was almost time to cook.
Guan Yuehe realized she had forgotten to buy soy sauce, and the person in charge of buying soy sauce at home wasn't there, so she had to ask Lin Yiku to go out and run the errand.
Guan Yuehe's hands kept moving, and her mouth kept talking.
"Now that meat and egg coupons have been abolished, you can buy as much as you want. I was able to buy pork belly when I came home from get off work yesterday. Look, a whole three pounds. I'm saving it to show off my skills today. You and Mo Mingqi are in for a treat."
He Shuangshuang got up to help, "It's been a long time since I've had your braised pork. I'll have Mo Mingqi call his dad later, so he doesn't need to cook for us... Why don't we have a phone at home?"
"Don't even mention it," Guan Yuehe clicked her tongue. "We paid the initial installation fee more than half a year ago, and it still hasn't been our turn for installation. I don't even know if it can be installed before 1993."
As she spoke, Guan Yuehe mentioned why she had gone to school that day, her rolling pin whistling as she swung it around.
"I've been working for over twenty years, and apart from getting married and having children, I've never taken leave for any other personal matters. Today, I broke that record by taking half a day off to go to school and get criticized!"
Guan Yuehe became increasingly angry as she spoke, while He Shuangshuang couldn't help but laugh more and more as she listened.
For Guan Yuehe, who is dedicated to her job and whose perfect attendance is not compromised by wind or rain, having to ask for half a day off is a huge deal.
For Comrade Guan Yuehe, who is meticulous in her work and has never made a mistake, being criticized for an entire afternoon is an even bigger deal.
That's why they say everything has its counter.
—
After seeing He Shuangshuang and Mo Mingqi off, Guan Yuehe and Lin Yiku strolled off to Ginkgo Alley to catch the child.
I happened to overhear my old neighbors talking about the reform of state-owned enterprise ownership.
“I heard that some small state-owned factories are going to be sold off to individuals or collectives. Someone in our factory wants to take over the original parts factory and start his own business.”
"Take over the factory? What will happen to the laid-off workers from the original parts factory? If you take over the factory, will you be able to provide jobs for the workers? If not, will you have to provide compensation?"
Frankly speaking, the first batch of laid-off workers had long given up hope of returning to work in the car factory, and most of them had found new ways to make a living. What they wanted now was some compensation, so they wouldn't end up with nothing.
"How would I know that? Logically speaking, compensation should be given."
Grandpa Chang listened for a while with his hands behind his back, then turned around and went back to Courtyard No. 2 with a stern face. When he ran into Police Officer Song, he invited him to come over for a couple of drinks.
In the past, Officer Song wouldn't have drunk alcohol, fearing it would interfere with his duties. Now things are different; he's been transferred to the city bureau's logistics department, where his workload is light, and he can even enjoy tea and read the newspaper. The work of chasing criminals around is no longer his responsibility.
"Brother Chang, you're retired now, so don't worry about things at the factory." With his newfound leisure time, Officer Song's entire demeanor changed. Many children in the alley who used to dread their parents mentioning Officer Song or Guan Yuehe now greeted him with smiles, calling him a particularly good-natured old man.
Aunt Zhao chimed in, "Exactly! You're not a factory manager, and you're retired. What business is it of yours to worry about the factory's reforms?"
"Can't I just talk about it at home?" Grandpa Chang snorted. Anyway, no one in his family works at the car factory anymore, so even if he talks about it all at home, he doesn't have to worry about affecting his children's work.
"What else is there to say? Just follow the national policy. Whatever the government says, we listen and do." Aunt Zhao couldn't understand why she was being so stubborn in her old age. Didn't she always just follow the national policy?
When they said they needed a car factory, they concentrated all their resources on establishing the Five Star Car Factory. When they said they needed to break through technological barriers, they mobilized the entire factory to achieve it. When they said they wanted to reform and open up, everyone responded to the call and began reforms...
Look at how people live now, with upstairs and downstairs apartments, electric lights and telephones.
Their houses are single-story, so there are no upstairs or downstairs rooms, but they still have electricity and telephones.
Looking inside, there's a color TV, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a telephone... Following the policies is always the right thing to do, and life will only get better and better!
"I just don't understand. This factory has been sold to an individual, and the state no longer holds shares. Is it still considered a state-owned enterprise?"
Aunt Zhao rolled her eyes at her husband, "What do you care if it's a state-owned enterprise or a private enterprise? No matter how good a state-owned enterprise is, if it's not profitable and can't pay wages, it's not good."
This problem also occurs in every family with a state-owned factory worker.
Some people with a long-term perspective joked, "Property rights reform is good, but we shouldn't keep changing it so much that some people end up taking over the factories, leaving the state and workers with nothing."
The room fell silent instantly, and everyone turned to look at Chen Lizhong, who had just made a joke.
Believe it or not, it's actually quite possible.
However, such a thing hasn't been revealed yet. The workers at the Five Star Automobile Factory are keeping a close eye on the sale of the factory's assets.
On the contrary, Guan Yuehe learned some news related to the Zhuoyue Garment Factory.
"A foreign company wants to establish a joint venture with Zhuoyue Garment Factory?"
Gu Mannian smiled and said, "Yes, they certainly know how to choose. They picked a nationally renowned brand like ours. They said they would provide advanced production lines. How advanced do you need to make clothes? We at Zhuoyue have plenty of equipment and funds. Only someone out of their mind would agree to that."
"Given our factory director's wisdom and competence, he definitely won't agree," Guan Yuehe said confidently.
Gu Mannian replied, "Our factory director is currently overwhelmed with the issue of property rights reform, how could he have the mind to consider joint ventures?"
The workers are dissatisfied with both of the factory's proposed solutions, and the workers' meeting originally scheduled for the end of the month for a vote is likely to be postponed again.
Author's Note: [Heart emoji]
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