He parked the car and nodded slightly as he unbuckled his seat belt. "When my first term as a non-commissioned officer was about to end, the army leaders wanted to keep me. But my brother suddenly..." His Adam's apple moved. "It was too difficult for my sister-in-law to raise the children alone, so I applied for demobilization. The leader of the armed forces sympathized with my family's situation and introduced me to drive for the government."
The wind blew in through the half-open car window, bringing with it a hint of chill. I patted him on the shoulder and said, "Work hard, things will get better."
When I returned to the office, I immediately called Xu Shaojia over. After closing the door, I asked directly, "Brother-in-law, how is Xiang doing at work?"
Xu Shaojia stared at my expression, frowning slightly: "Why are you asking this suddenly? What did he do wrong?"
"Don't worry about the reason for now, just tell the truth." I flipped through the documents on the table and caught a glimpse of his probing eyes out of the corner of my eye.
"This guy is 82 years old and a very honest person." Xu Shaojia leaned back in his chair. "He works diligently, but he is not good at talking and doesn't know how to deal with things. After Zhang Xiaodong was transferred, he no longer served as a full-time driver for the leader. Thanks to you for specifically asking for him, he is now very grateful to you."
I closed the folder and said, "Since he's doing well, why don't you give him a job as a worker?"
Xu Shaojia seemed to be relieved and smiled bitterly, "I've thought about it before, but he doesn't meet the conditions of the retirement resettlement policy. This matter is stuck and difficult to handle."
"Is there any other way?" I leaned forward.
He stroked his chin and thought for a moment: "There is a roundabout way. First, get him a state-owned enterprise employee status, and then transfer him to the government office indirectly."
My eyes lit up: "This is feasible. There are only two state-owned enterprises in the county, the water company and the heating company. I am in charge of contacting the heating company. I will coordinate this matter."
Xu Shaojia smiled and shook his head: "Xiang is really lucky to meet such a caring leader like you. This is a favor for you."
There is no time to lose. Now that we have a solution, we must act immediately.
I looked up at Xu Shaojia with a determined gaze, then picked up the phone on the table and dialed the number of the heating company manager in front of him. The call was quickly connected, and I explained my intention briefly. When the other party heard it was my request, he didn't hesitate at all, and a hearty voice came through the receiver: "Don't worry, County Magistrate Guan, I'll take care of this matter!" He agreed without hesitation to help Xiang solve the problem of enterprise staffing, and enthusiastically added that Xiang would fill out the forms and handle the relevant follow-up at any time.
I hung up the phone with satisfaction and gently placed the phone on the table. Xu Shaojia showed a meaningful smile on his face, shook his head slightly and sighed: "The leader is the one who has a way. The problem was solved immediately after you made this call. They say that the greater the power, the greater the influence. It's really true. How can you not be a high-ranking official?" His tone was half teasing and half admiring.
I glanced at him, smiled helplessly, and said, "Director Xu, please stop teasing me. I have taken care of the matters at the heating company, and the subsequent transfer to the government office will all depend on you." I looked at him with burning eyes, full of trust.
Xu Shaojia slapped the table loudly and forcefully, with a confident smile on his face: "County Magistrate Guan, don't worry! I promise to handle the follow-up matters properly, and the service will be absolutely thoughtful and you will be satisfied!"
A few days later, during the New Year's Day holiday, the kitchen was filled with steam as I tied on a floral apron and concentrated on frying fried eggs. Xu Tong had been complaining of fatigue these days and was currently curled up in the bedroom to rest.
Suddenly, the phone on the coffee table vibrated. She came out in a blanket and slippers and raised her phone: "It's your driver Xiang's call."
I wiped my face with the apron around my waist and pressed the answer button: "Xiang, what's going on?"
His slightly embarrassed voice came from the receiver: "County Magistrate Guan, my family slaughtered a pig today, and my sister-in-law insisted that I send you some meat."
I paused while holding the spatula, and quickly declined: "You can keep it for the children to nourish their bodies. It's the time for them to grow up. Don't be polite."
There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone, and when he spoke again, his voice became more cautious: "If you don't accept it, my sister-in-law said I won't go home..." His voice was filled with the stubbornness unique to mountain men, and I sighed helplessly: "Okay, where are you? I'll come down and get it."
He said, "I'm here at the entrance to the garage down there."
After hanging up the phone, I turned to Xu Tong and said, "Go get two soft 꿗hua."
She crossed her arms and curled her lips: "Giving the driver such expensive cigarettes? These two packs of cigarettes can buy so many kilograms of pork."
I frowned and said coldly, "When did you become so mercenary? Just take it if I tell you to."
She shrank her neck, muttered, went into the bedroom, took out two soft shoes and handed them to me.
I came to the entrance of the garage downstairs, and the cold wind wrapped in fine snow blew in my face. 께 Xiang was standing next to an agricultural tricycle wearing a faded military coat. When he saw me come out, he immediately grinned, revealing a row of white teeth. Only then did I notice that he had forgotten to take off the apron around his waist. He must have thought it was ridiculous for a deputy county magistrate to cook at home.
I took a peek into the car and saw half a fat pork loin wrapped in ice, with blood forming a dark red scab on the plastic sheet.
"Why are you pulling so much?" I frowned.
He scratched the back of his head and said with a silly smile: "My sister-in-law said that you are our family's great benefactor. If I hadn't stopped you, the whole pig would have been sent to you!"
This is the simplicity of the folks. They will repay even a drop of kindness with a spring of gratitude. Seeing the tip of his nose turned red from the cold and his eyelashes covered with frost, I couldn't bear to refuse any longer.
"There's not enough space at home for so many. How about this, can you please make a trip and deliver them to my girlfriend's mother's house?" I gave the address of Xu Tong's mother's house.
He agreed very readily. When he turned to leave, I said, "Take these two packs of cigarettes."
He quickly used 꿛 to refuse: "County Magistrate Guan, you know I don't smoke."
I smiled and said, "They are not for you. Give these two packs of cigarettes to the manager of the heating company and say that you bought them yourself. After all, it's such a big favor, and you will need his help later."
His neck froze in mid-air, his Adam's apple rolled up and down, his eyes instantly turned red, and he didn't know what to do. I put the cigarette in his hand and waved, signaling him to go.
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