Qi's mother said earnestly, "Just stay home with me, make some cardboard or sew some shoe soles, and have Dongdong and Honghong give you some money every month. You can live a peaceful retirement. I also heard you have a place to live?"
Qi Zhifang whispered, "It's the tenement where Xiao Hu used to live."
Qi's mother nodded and said, "If you come back and live there, it will affect the rental of the house, right? Talk to the neighborhood committee and you can get three or four yuan a month. I don't want that money, you can keep it for yourself. Dongdong is currently earning 27.5 yuan a month, and your job also pays 15 yuan. I heard that it will be back to 18.5 yuan after the New Year."
Wang Hong came in awkwardly and said, "Mom, our hometown is in Jiayuguan or Mohe. If you have the heart to let me go, I'll sign up right now. Regardless of whether you agree to let me take your place, I'll give you ten yuan a month."
Mother Qi smiled and said, "Your courtyard house can be rented for at least three yuan. With some handicrafts, you can make a living. Fangzi, please agree! This will save Honghong for the rest of her life!"
Qi Zhifang hesitated and said, "Mom, I don't want to give up this job. I'm already 39. If I can keep this job, what will I do in the future? I don't even have a pension!"
Looking at her earnestly, Qi's mother said, "I don't have a pension either, but I'm not starving to death. I've spent my whole life taking care of this family for you, your brother, and your father..."
Qi Zhifang, who had been somewhat persuaded, suddenly felt a chill. If Wang Dong and Wang Hong ended up like her and Qi Zhijun, she'd rather keep the job herself! It seemed she couldn't go back home. She stood up, about to leave, when Wang Hong looked at Qi Zhifang with disappointment and said, "You're unwilling, aren't you? You'd rather I go to such a harsh place as the countryside than give up that job?"
Qi Zhifang said with a heavy heart, "Honghong, don't worry. After you go to the countryside, Mom will mail you half of the money and ration coupons. I won't let you starve to death."
"Mom!" Wang Dong came in at this moment. Looking at his grandmother and Wang Hong, he took a deep breath and looked sincerely at Qi Zhifang, saying, "Mom, Honghong has never enjoyed any happiness since she was little. After my father passed away, she has been living with us and relying on others. We owe her the most. Please give her the job! I will also give you ten yuan every month. If you don't want to work, this money is enough for you to live on. Please, have some pity on Honghong!"
Qi Zhifang cried and said, "Why are you all forcing me like this! I'm only 39 years old, and you're making me retire..."
Wang Dong slowly knelt down and looked at her. After a while, Qi Zhifang nodded in agreement. The job would be given to Wang Hong, and they would arrange it when she turned 16.
Then Qi Zhifang, as if she had just recovered from a serious illness, walked back unsteadily. She was dizzy on the way when she heard someone call out, "Comrade Qi!" She turned around and fainted.
When I woke up, I was already in my temporary room. After a long while, I saw Officer Liu come in with a lunchbox and say, "Are you alright? I just came back and saw that you looked unwell and had fainted on the way. Luckily, I remembered your address."
Qi Zhifang shook her head, using all her authority. Liu, the clerk, handed her the lunchbox and said, "Eat something first. This is my family's canteen's zha jiang mian (noodles with soybean paste)!"
Qi Zhifang struggled to sit up and said weakly, "Thank you, Officer Liu!"
Officer Liu smiled and said, "It's already after get off work, there's no such thing as an officer here. My name is Liu Dahai."
Qi Zhifang smiled shyly, took the lunchbox, stirred it, and started eating. After finishing in a few bites, she said apologetically, "I'm sorry! I was a little hungry. I hope you didn't find this funny."
Liu Dahai shook his head and said, "It's nothing. You should get some rest. I'll be going now."
Qi Zhifang stared at him with her big, pleading eyes, without saying a word. Liu Dahai was taken aback and asked, "Is there something else?"
Qi Zhifang smiled and said, "It's nothing, it's just that I've been alone for a long time, and it's so heartwarming to have someone care about me. It's so heartwarming that I don't want to let go!"
Liu Dahai turned to leave without saying anything, but just as he reached the door, Qi Zhifang said, "Officer Liu, I don't want you to look at me with prejudice. I'm not a bad person!"
Officer Liu turned around, smiled, and said, "Comrade Qi, don't worry, I don't look down on you. As long as you do a good job, I believe the Party and the people will accept you!" Then he left.
Qi Zhifang stared straight at the doorway and said softly, "Yes, it's good to know your mistakes and correct them. Some mistakes may hurt you to the bone, but isn't that a kind of rebirth?"
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