Immediately afterwards, a woman in a gray Zhongshan suit pushed open the door and came in, smiling as she asked, "Xiao Zhou, could you find this document for me? Oh, we have a guest here."
The woman called Xiao Zhou immediately dropped her mockery and stood up, replying, "Director Wu, they've come to inquire about recruitment at the textile factory."
Director Wu smiled when he saw Gu Mingyue and said, "Mingyue is here too."
Gu Mingyue raised her face and greeted him with a smile.
Seeing that she recognized him, Gu Mingyue breathed a sigh of relief. She had met Director Wu before and knew he was a good leader. She then pulled Luo Cailing forward and explained her purpose again.
After listening, Director Wu picked up the job posting on the table and handed it to them, patiently explaining, "We are mainly recruiting spinning workers. Training is included, and wages are paid on a piece-rate basis. As long as you are willing to learn and work hard, your income is very stable."
At this moment, Xiao Zhou chimed in, "Director Wu, this is Commander Lu's family. They're well-off. Why would they need to do this hard work?"
Director Wu frowned and turned to look at Xiao Zhou: "Recruitment is about ability, not family background. The fact that someone is willing to come shows that they are hardworking and down-to-earth, which is a good thing."
Xiao Zhou's face flushed red and then turned pale, and he didn't say anything more.
Director Wu then turned to Luo Cailing and asked her about her basic information. Seeing that she was quiet but sincere, he smiled and said, "Your qualifications are fine. Just fill out the registration form and come to the training next Monday."
Luo Cailing nodded excitedly and quickly took the pen to fill out the form.
After the two left the office, Gu Mingyue couldn't help but ask, "Director Wu, that comrade seemed to have some issues with Lu Lin?"
Director Wu sighed: "There was a time when a task was assigned, Xiao Zhou's husband had a dispute with Lu Lin and has been holding a grudge ever since. He has also developed a prejudice against you because of it. Don't take it to heart."
Gu Mingyue suddenly realized the truth, and her doubts were completely resolved.
Luo Cailing tugged at her hand: "Luckily, Director Wu was there, otherwise I don't know how we would have handled this."
Gu Mingyue smiled and nodded, looking at the training notice in her hand, and patted her arm: "Are you relieved now? Prepare well."
Director Wu turned to Gu Mingyue: "You've really gone to the trouble of accompanying Xiao Luo to consult about work. Don't take Xiao Zhou's bluntness to heart; she's just a bit impatient."
Gu Mingyue understood that Director Wu was trying to smooth things over, so she smiled and said, "It's okay. I know she didn't mean any harm. It's just that Sister Cailing wants to find a job, so I feel more at ease coming with her."
Luo Cailing breathed a sigh of relief, her previously tense shoulders gradually relaxing.
Director Wu gave a few more instructions on the training, and added, "If you have any difficulties during the training, feel free to come to the Women's Federation to find me, or you can have Mingyue come with you."
After the two left the Women's Federation, Luo Cailing whispered, "Luckily, Director Wu knows you. I was so nervous just now."
Gu Mingyue patted her hand: "Don't worry, go back and prepare, and go to training next Monday."
After leaving the Women's Federation, the two walked side by side toward the family compound.
As they approached Gu Mingyue's house, Luo Cailing suddenly stopped, rummaging through her cloth bag for a long time, her face turning bright red.
Gu Mingyue was puzzled when she saw her suddenly shove something into her hand and mumble, "For...for you."
Gu Mingyue looked down and saw a small rag doll lying in her palm. It was a little rabbit sewn from scraps of cloth, with drooping ears and round eyes embroidered with black thread.
Although not exquisite, it has a kind of clumsy cuteness.
Before she could speak, Luo Cailing took two steps back like a startled rabbit, turned around and ran away, her clothes fluttering in the wind.
"Sister Cailing!" Gu Mingyue called out with a smile.
The other person didn't turn around, just waved from afar, and ran even faster, turning into their own alley in the blink of an eye.
Gu Mingyue held the soft plush toy in her hand, feeling a warmth rising in her heart.
This was probably the most straightforward way Luo Cailing could think of to express her gratitude.
Gu Mingyue had just finished watering the flowers in the yard when she heard Aunt Li's voice coming from outside the gate.
When I opened the door, I saw Aunt Li carrying a cloth bag containing half a bag of freshly steamed white flour buns and a small jar of homemade pickled vegetables. She was smiling as she walked into the yard.
“Mingyue, I just got back from the Women’s Federation and was thinking of bringing you something. Thank you for accompanying Cailing on this trip. This child is able to find work thanks to your help.”
Gu Mingyue quickly took the cloth bag and pushed Aunt Li to sit down on the small stool: "Auntie, you're being too polite. It's just what neighbors should do."
Aunt Li sighed, her eyes full of heartache: "You have no idea how hard Cailing suffered when she was little. Back then, her parents favored boys over girls, only caring about their sons. They treated her like dirt and always scared her. Later, she was chased by a rabid dog and was terrified. After that, she became timid and shy, and she became quiet."
She paused for a moment, then continued, "We are neighbors across the street from her family. We watched her grow up and know how hard she has worked. After she married into our family, Lao Wang and I both doted on her, which allowed her to have a few years of peaceful life."
“But she can’t shake the timidity she developed as a child. She lacks confidence in everything she does. So when she went to the Women’s Federation, I always thought about going with her, but I was afraid of adding to her burden. Luckily, you were there with her, so she dared to speak.”
As Gu Mingyue listened, her heart ached. Recalling Luo Cailing's flustered appearance as she clutched the hem of her clothes, she could better understand her timidity.
"Don't worry, Auntie. After Cailing starts training and working, she'll practice a lot and we'll gradually help her build up her courage."
Aunt Li held her hand and nodded repeatedly: "I feel at ease knowing you said that! This child is kind-hearted and skillful, she just needs someone to help her push her forward. It's truly her blessing that you're willing to help her."
After seeing Aunt Li off, Gu Mingyue looked at the steamed buns and pickled vegetables in the cloth bag. There was a good amount; it would last the two of them for many days.
She planned to steam some buns for dinner when Lu Lin came back, and then talk to him about the Zhou family matter, so that she could be more careful in the future.
When Lu Lin got home from get off work, he smelled the aroma of food wafting from the kitchen as soon as he opened the gate to the yard.
As he entered the room, he immediately noticed a small rag doll on the corner of the table. Its gray rabbit ears drooped, and its eyes, embroidered with black thread, gave it a simple and honest look.
Compared to the neat and orderly furnishings in the room, it has a more vibrant and rustic charm.
"Who sent this?" Lu Lin picked up the doll, pinching the soft fabric between his fingertips, and turned to call out to the kitchen.
Gu Mingyue brought out the freshly stir-fried vegetables and saw the rabbit doll in his hand. She couldn't help but laugh: "It was given to me by Sister Cailing. She forced it on me and ran away when we parted at the Women's Federation today. I couldn't stop her even when I called her."
She wiped her hands and walked over, taking the doll from Lu Lin's hands and gently stroking the fine stitches on it: "Look, she sewed this herself stitch by stitch with scraps of cloth. It's not exquisite, but you can tell she put a lot of thought into it."
I chatted with Aunt Li recently and learned that she had a difficult childhood and is timid by nature. The fact that she offered me something was already a huge gesture of kindness.
As Lu Lin listened, the corners of his mouth curved up: "This person seems honest, and the gift he gave also shows his sincerity."
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