Chapter 48 48 Is there still a chance?
The sound of Ji Mingyue reading aloud was in his ears. Lu Jiaze lowered his head and stared at the English book on the table. Ji Mingyue's voice was still echoing in his mind. He soon had the answer. He had no opinions or prejudices about her. He just decided to stay away from anyone or anything that might make Jiang Li unable to leave his heart. So there was no right or wrong in this matter. It was just that everyone made different choices.
After Ji Mingyue finished reading her part, Lu Jiaze quickly took over. She lowered her head and stared at the textbook, but her mouth did not open. Among her current targets, Lu Jiaze was the most difficult, and Zheng Gaoyang's stats had also been increasing very slowly recently. Thinking of this, Ji Mingyue felt irritated. She used to think it was a golden finger, but now she just felt it was a burden.
Morning self-study ended quickly, and Ji Mingyue was forced to accompany Wu Juyue to the bathroom. Wu Juyue was a little dissatisfied with her recent behavior: "Mingyue, you have changed recently!"
"Really? How come I didn't notice it?" Ji Mingyue's tone was a little perfunctory. The attack value above Wu Juyue's head remained unchanged for the past two days.
"You've been becoming more and more perfunctory towards me. It's because of you that I stopped playing with Jiang Lili," Wu Juyue accused.
"How could that be?" Ji Mingyue gave her a fake smile, but she couldn't help but sneer inwardly. What did she mean by "for her sake"? She said it so high-soundingly, but it was because she had always been jealous of Jiang Lili. As the two of them were walking down the stairs, Ji Mingyue was bumped by someone rushing down. The person saw that they had bumped into someone and quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I was in a hurry. Are you okay?"
"It's okay." Ji Mingyue touched her shoulder that was hit. Damn, it hurts so much, but because of the character she has created for herself, she can't get angry.
"Mingyue, are you really okay?" Wu Juyue turned around and saw her grimacing in pain, and confirmed her injuries again.
"Well, I'm fine, let's go." Ji Mingyue thought, if she hadn't insisted on dragging her to go to the bathroom with her, she wouldn't have encountered this bad thing. When she arrived at the classroom, she suddenly remembered something and looked back. Sure enough, the number on Lu Jiaze's head turned to zero. At this moment, Ji Mingyue just wanted to curse.
Jiang Lili was still thinking about going to the supply and marketing cooperative at noon, so she quickly packed her things as soon as the school bell rang. Fortunately, Lu Jiaze was very cooperative and didn't let her wait too long. The two of them arrived home five minutes earlier than usual.
"Tongtong, aren't you going to the supply and marketing cooperative with me later? Eat quickly, or I won't take you with me if it's too late." Jiang Lili urged.
"Oh." Jiang Qitong said and started eating with big mouthfuls. She almost forgot about this. No, she must go with them.
"Let your uncle take you there later." Zhou Qingfen suggested.
"No need, auntie. I can just take Tongtong there by bike." Jiang Lili shook her head and declined.
"That's fine. Lili is a grown-up girl now. We should learn to trust her." Jiang Aiguo nodded in agreement. He thought that when they were sixteen or seventeen years old, they could already do many things independently. Now they should train their independence.
"Aiguo is right. Lili has been precocious since she was a child. You just need to treat her as an adult." After saying this, Jiang Yulan gave Jiang Lili an affirmative look.
At this time, Jiang Jianyi spoke slowly: "I went fishing today and heard from others that the third brother of the Ji family and his wife are getting a divorce."
"Ji Yumo and Yao Yan are getting a divorce?" Jiang Yulan was a little surprised, and Jiang Lili next to her was also surprised. You know, for so many years, Yao Yan has been dominating Ji Yumo, so what is Yao Yan's purpose for this divorce?
"That's right. I heard that it was Ji Lao San who insisted on getting a divorce. At first, the old couple of the Ji family didn't agree. Later, we found out that Yao Yan gave one thousand yuan to her brothers from her natal family. Now the Ji family wants a divorce." Jiang Jianyi said with a happy face. He had another reason to like fishing. When he had nothing to do, everyone liked to talk about interesting things around them.
"This isn't the first time that Yao Yan has used her husband's family to support her own family. Why are they reacting so strongly this time? I guess there's something else going on." Jiang Yulan guessed.
"There are other teachers in my office who live near the iron factory. I'll find a chance to ask them." Zhou Qingfen also became curious.
Jiang Lili couldn't help but curl her lips upon seeing this. It seemed no one could escape the allure of eating melon, not even Zhou Qingfen. She stood up, put her dishes away in the kitchen, and said, "I'm done eating."
"Sister Lili, wait for me." Jiang Qitong said hurriedly.
"Okay, I'll wait for you." Jiang Lili nodded.
Five minutes later, the two sisters set off on their bikes to the supply and marketing cooperative. Jiang Qitong hugged Jiang Lili's waist tightly with both hands, and did not forget to remind her: "Sister Lili, please ride slowly. I don't want you to fall off."
"Don't worry, it won't happen." Jiang Lili said as she slowly slowed down.
She didn't expect to run into Director Yang at the supply and marketing cooperative. He was also surprised to see her. She stepped forward and explained, "My mother bought a cross-dressing doll yesterday. We came here today to buy a naked doll so that we can play together."
"If I had known earlier, I would have brought one for you from the factory. How about it, little sister? Is this cross-dressing doll fun?" Director Yang said as he squatted down and asked Jiang Qitong.
"It's fun and beautiful." Jiang Qitong nodded quickly.
"Director Yang, are you keeping an eye on sales here?" Jiang Lili asked casually.
"It's about the same. Didn't they recycle them and make them into sets yesterday? The price has gone up. Let me see the feedback." Although five yuan is not a lot, it is quite expensive when added on top of twenty yuan.
"My classmates also bought some. They were all willing to pay the extra five dollars. Director Yang, you responded very quickly yesterday. I think you will sell well today as well." Jiang Lili asked.
"It's much better than we expected. All this is thanks to you, Lili." Director Yang's smile was full of sincerity.
"This is the joint effort of everyone. By the way, Director Yang, have you ever thought about expanding the market bigger and further?" She couldn't help but ask, remembering what Lu Jiaze said before.
"Of course I do, but this isn't something that can be accomplished just by thinking about it." Director Yang said with a wry smile.
"Someone in my family happens to know someone in Jincheng. If Director Yang and you are willing, he can help you set up a meeting. As for the follow-up matters, it will all depend on you to discuss it yourself." Jiang Lili whispered.
"That's great, Lili. You are really the lucky star of our factory." Director Yang said excitedly.
"Director Yang is too polite. I will contact you again after he has agreed with them," Jiang Lili discussed with him.
"We are always ready, just coordinate with your schedule." Director Yang said as he secretly looked at Jiang Lili in front of him. He didn't expect that she had such connections. Fortunately, he didn't miss this cooperation.
"Okay, I'll contact you then." Jiang Lili planned to go back and talk to Lu Jiaze about this later to see how he would arrange it.
"Then I'll be waiting for your good news." Director Yang smiled. If this could open up the Jincheng market, it would be good news for Factory One. If Factory Two could also have such an opportunity, it probably wouldn't have to be sold. Thinking of this, Director Yang couldn't help but sigh.
"Okay, then let's go to the counter and take a look." Jiang Lili no longer planned to ask the counter staff about the sales volume of the costume dolls today. Looking at Director Yang's expression, she knew that he was satisfied with the current sales volume.
"Sister Lili, are you going to buy me another doll?" Jiang Qitong was a little excited. She had originally planned to buy it with her own New Year's money.
"Yes, didn't you ask me to play with you? So to be precise, this should be bought for myself." Jiang Lili corrected.
"As long as you can play with me." Jiang Qitong didn't mind the ownership of the doll, as long as someone could play with her.
"These are the last two naked babies. We should restock them later." The salesperson smiled and told them about their good fortune.
After paying, Jiang Lili pulled Jiang Qitong to leave. When she turned around, she saw a familiar figure at the counter. It was Ji Yumo and his men picking out leather shoes. The woman next to him was obviously not Yao Yan, so was this the reason why he wanted a divorce?
"Sister Lili, what are you looking at?" Jiang Qitong was a little confused when she saw her stop.
"Nothing." Jiang Lili said with some regret, thinking that if she had a mobile phone at this time, she could send it directly to Yao Yan. What a pity.
Ever since he filed for divorce with Yao Yan, Ji Yumo had relaxed completely. He even brought Song Zhenzhen to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy things. But at this moment he always felt that someone was staring at him. He looked back but found nothing.
"I asked you if these shoes look good, what were you doing?" Seeing that he was distracted, Song Zhenzhen was obviously displeased.
"It's nothing, it looks good. You look good in anything you wear." Ji Yumo noticed her displeasure and quickly praised her.
"I think they look good too. Why don't we buy this pair?" Song Zhenzhen glanced at the price when she took it. This pair of high heels costs 32 yuan. If this money is put in the countryside, a family can use it for a month.
"Buy." Ji Yumo now holds all the family savings in his hands and is very generous.
"I knew that you were the best, Brother Ji." Song Zhenzhen quickly flattered him. She came to the city to live a good life. Fortunately, Ji Yumo didn't make her wait too long.
"Of course," Ji Yumo said, moving closer to her. Yao Yan didn't agree to a divorce, but she had to get the 1,000 yuan back. He would be in charge of the family's money from now on, and if she wanted to, they could continue living like this. As for Song Zhenzhen, he had rented a house for her, so he could go there whenever he wanted.
*
"You're back so soon?" Jiang Yulan was still practicing typing on the paper keyboard on the table.
"Well, I happened to meet Director Yang, talked to him for a few words and then came back." Jiang Lili nodded.
"I also bought this." Jiang Qitong took out the naked baby in her hand and said.
"Okay, we still have classes in the afternoon, so go to sleep quickly." After the National Day holiday, the schedule changed and the lunch break was shortened by one hour.
"Oh, by the way, Mom, I think I know why my third uncle and his family are getting divorced." Jiang Lili didn't expect that Ji Yumo, who was considered an honest man and a good husband by everyone, actually had someone else outside.
"What's the reason?" Jiang Yulan was really curious.
"Tongtong and I just saw Uncle San taking a strange woman to buy high heels at the supply and marketing cooperative." Jiang Lili guessed that Yao Yan didn't know about this yet.
Jiang Yulan was silent after hearing this, and after a long while she said, "It's true that there is no good person in the family. It's a pity for those two children." Although Ji Wenwu was a bit annoying usually, but thinking of Lanlan, Jiang Yulan couldn't help but shook her head.
"Aunt San is not an easy person to deal with. I guess there will be some fun to watch next. But doesn't that woman know that Uncle San is married?" Compared to Ji Yumo's infidelity, Jiang Lili was more curious about how these two people knew each other?
"Okay, we don't want to bother with other people's business, let's get some rest." Jiang Yulan told her to go to bed quickly. She planned to go to Yuncheng Hospital in the afternoon to make things clear with Lin Wenkang at once.
"Yeah." Jiang Lili started yawning while speaking, and her eyes were a little blurry.
Because they had just gone to the supply and marketing cooperative, the remaining time was too short. Jiang Lili felt that she had just fallen asleep when the alarm clock rang. She got up with some difficulty. Jiang Qitong, who was next to her, was also woken by the alarm clock and looked at her in confusion: "Sister Lili, are we going to school?"
"Yes, get up quickly." Jiang Lili said as she got out of bed and washed her face with cold water. She was barely 50% awake. She thought that if she had other things to do in the future, she would not choose to do them at noon.
After they left, Jiang Yulan did not go to the cotton mill, but went directly to Yuncheng Hospital. Lin Wenkang came from Jincheng for exchanges, and she could find out by asking.
After not seeing each other for almost twenty years, Jiang Yulan had become even more beautiful due to the precipitation of time. When Lin Wenkang saw her, surprise flashed across his eyes. She really understood him best. He took a step forward: "Yulan, you are here."
Seeing him approach, Jiang Yulan subconsciously took a step back and then said, "Isn't this the reason why you repeatedly went to the cotton mill to look for my dad and the others?"
"Yulan, I have no choice. Now that you come to me, doesn't it prove that what I did before was right?" Lin Wenkang didn't think he had done anything wrong.
"You have disturbed our family's life, Lin Wenkang. I just hope that we can continue to maintain the same status as we have for more than ten years and not disturb each other." Jiang Yulan expressed her attitude.
"Yulan, I was sorry for what happened back then, but look, we are both alone now, and even God is giving us a chance. Why can't we be together again?" Lin Wenkang didn't understand why she was unwilling.
"What happened back then was God giving me the opportunity to see your and your mother's true colors. This is a lucky thing for me. To be honest, I have to thank you for not marrying me back then for allowing me to live such an easy life these years." Although she was the one who was broken off, she always felt that it was a lucky thing.
Seeing that he wanted to speak more, Jiang Yulan continued, "I came to you today just to tell you not to disturb my life again, otherwise I don't mind letting everyone know how ungrateful you were back then."
"Yulan, do you really want to do this? We missed each other for so many years, and now we finally have the chance to be together, why do you refuse? Don't worry about my mom, I have already convinced her, no one can stop us from now on." Lin Wenkang reached out to grab her wrist, but Jiang Yulan dodged him directly.
"If you had been so determined back then, I would have looked at you a few more times. But there's no need for that now. Remember what I said just now, don't disturb my peaceful life again." After saying that, Jiang Yulan glanced at him, then turned and left.
Staring at her back, Lin Wenkang couldn't help but sneer. He came to Yuncheng just for her. It was too naive of her to expect him to give up just like that.
After coming out of the hospital, Jiang Yulan didn't expect to meet Ye Qiuju who came for a prenatal check-up. She didn't know the woman next to her, and the three of them met just like that. Surprise flashed in Ye Qiuju's eyes, and then she deliberately straightened her belly which was not yet visible. Before she could speak, Jiang Yulan left with an expressionless face.
Song Zhenzhen quickly guessed Jiang Yulan's identity. She lowered her voice and asked, "Sister, is this the one my brother-in-law had with me before?"
"Yes, it's her." Ye Qiuju nodded.
"I didn't expect she's so pretty." After saying that, Song Zhenzhen realized that she seemed to have said something wrong. She quickly looked at Ye Qiuju next to her.
Who knew that Ye Qiuju wasn't angry at all, and instead said complacently, "So what if she's pretty? Her family is better off than mine, but she still can't keep him. So, you have to get pregnant quickly so that the third brother will divorce quickly."
In Ye Qiuju's opinion, although Ji Yumo is now asking for a divorce, his purpose is to make Yao Yan give in, and he has no real intention of getting a divorce.
"I want to too, but it's not that easy." Song Zhenzhen was a little distressed. She actually didn't want to have any more children.
"I'll tell you a way when we get back." Ye Qiuju looked mysterious.
Song Zhenzhen looked at her in surprise. Does she have some secret to having a baby?
*
Jiang Yulan only took an hour's leave. When she arrived at the cotton mill, she found the workshop was in a state of commotion. She was a little surprised. Didn't she have to go to work?
Huang Yi saw her coming, walked over to her, and whispered to her: "Sister Yulan, the factory has laid off more people."
"Ah, weren't there so many people laid off just now?" Jiang Yulan's tone was full of surprise.
"There's nothing we can do. Everyone is talking about layoffs now. Do you think we won't be laid off?" Huang Yi's tone was tentative. She thought that Jiang Jianyi was the factory director after all, so he should have some information.
"I don't know either." Jiang Yulan shook her head and her expression became serious. She had been thinking about slowly finding a way out for herself, but now it seems that she can't take it slowly.
The discussion continued until the workshop director came out and told everyone to get back to work. Someone boldly asked, "Director, I heard there's another layoff quota this time. Is that true?"
"I don't know whether this is true or not, but I know that if you don't work seriously, your salary will be deducted." The workshop director said unhappily.
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone hurried back to their workstations. Yes, before the list came out, they should have worked harder and not given them the opportunity to find mistakes.
The workshop soon returned to its former tranquility, but Jiang Yulan's mood could not calm down for a long time. She had to make plans early.
*
At school, Ji Mingyue was rubbing her shoulders in frustration. She didn't expect that what happened in the morning would backfire. Not only did her attack value not increase, but it dropped directly to zero. She was so unlucky.
"Mingyue, are you feeling better? This is the medicinal wine Zheng Gaoyang brought you. He said that you can just rub it into the skin." Wu Juyue said as she handed her a small bottle.
"How did he know that my shoulder was injured?" Ji Mingyue didn't take the thing she handed over, but frowned and looked at Wu Juyue.
"Oh, isn't that what he keeps asking me? I thought he cares about you, so I told him. Look how good he is to you. He immediately went to get you some medicinal wine." Wu Juyue naturally wouldn't say that she had accepted "benefits" from Zheng Gaoyang.
"I don't want it. Just give it back to him. Don't tell him about my affairs in the future." It would be bad if Lu Jiaze misunderstood her. Although the attack value is zero now, it is better than a negative number.
"Why? Didn't you help him find out about Jiang Lili before?" Wu Juyue didn't understand her displeasure.
"That's different." Ji Mingyue was a little irritable. Why couldn't she understand what people were saying?
"Mingyue, I think you have changed. You were not like this before." After saying this, Wu Juyue ran back to her position. The originally stable strategy value dropped by five points. Now it was Ji Mingyue's turn to cry. It was the first time she knew that Wu Juyue was so difficult to deal with.
"Lili, my mother bought it for me. Luckily you told me, otherwise I would have missed it." Ke Sisi said to her happily.
"I bought it at the supply and marketing cooperative at noon. There were indeed a lot of people there, but don't worry. The salesperson said they would restock it." Jiang Lili signaled that she didn't need to worry about not being able to buy it. In that era, hunger marketing had not yet begun.
"Wow, you're so awesome. I'm always too embarrassed to ask the salesperson more questions for fear that they will feel annoyed." Ke Sisi looked at Jiang Lili with some envy.
"Now they don't dare to act as arrogantly as before. Not only have people been laid off in the factories, but also in the supply and marketing cooperatives." If I remember correctly, after the millennium, the supply and marketing society collapsed on a large scale.
"But I'm still a little scared." Ke Sisi couldn't help but frown after saying this. Why is she so timid?
"Try it next time, just try it more often." Jiang Lili comforted.
"Okay, I'll try it next time." Ke Sisi nodded.
Perhaps because she didn't get enough sleep at noon, Jiang Lili felt a little sleepy during the afternoon class. Every time she yawned, tears welled up in her eyes. After two classes, the tears flowed directly down. She reached out to wipe away the tears and yawned again. At this time, Lu Jiaze walked over and said, "I forgot to ask you, how was the visit at noon?"
"At the moment, the sales volume is more than they estimated. I have talked to Director Yang about the situation in Jincheng. I'll have to trouble you with the next thing." After Jiang Lili finished speaking, she looked at Lu Jiaze. If the Jincheng market could be opened up, it would be a good thing for her.
"Well, I'll just call my mom after school this afternoon, and then give them her contact information and let them talk on their own." Lu Jiaze said at the beginning that he was only responsible for matchmaking, and how the deal would turn out in the end would depend on them.
"Okay." Jiang Lili said and yawned again. It was too hard to not get enough sleep.
"Didn't you sleep at noon?" Lu Jiaze looked at her curiously.
"I slept, but only for a while." Jiang Lili said and yawned again.
Lu Jiaze looked at her helplessly. He had mentioned before that she shouldn't go to work at noon.
Noticing Ji Mingyue's frequent glances, Jiang Lili found it a little funny. She casually asked, "What did Ji Mingyue say to you this morning? She seemed unhappy."
"Let's talk about the English reading." Lu Jiaze shook his head.
"Is that so?" Jiang Lili looked at him with a meaningful smile on her face.
"Well, don't think too much. I will definitely stand on your side." Lu Jiaze quickly assured her.
"Lu Jiaze, we're not kindergarten kids anymore. You don't need to stress this out. Just follow your own judgment." Jiang Lili said this with particular earnestness. Based on previous examples, he probably wouldn't be able to resist Ji Mingyue's advances. Since they were destined to be together in the end, it would be best for him not to resist too much now, or he would suffer the consequences later. Thinking of this, Jiang Lili couldn't help but sigh. She truly was the best friend.
"I didn't emphasize it specifically. I just wanted to tell you that no matter what happens, I will always stand by you." Lu Jiaze felt a little aggrieved, aggrieved that she didn't seem to believe him.
"Okay, I understand." Seeing this, Jiang Lili did not continue to argue with him, but just thought that everything should be left to time.
Ji Mingyue couldn't help but clench the pen in her hand. Today, the strategy value above Lu Jiaze's head was reset to zero. It must be something that Jiang Lili did. No, she had to do something. Soon she had an idea in her mind. Ji Yushu's birthday was coming soon, and this should be an opportunity for her.
*
Because of the news of being laid off, Jiang Yulan had been somewhat distracted that afternoon. Huang Yi noticed this and whispered to her, "Sister Yulan, should we find a way out in advance?"
"I would like to find it, but where can I find it?" Jiang Yulan smiled bitterly.
Hearing this, Huang Yi also sighed. Yes, people are laid off everywhere now, so where can you find jobs? She thought of her cousin from her uncle's family who seemed to have gone to Shenzhen to work, and she didn't know if there were many opportunities there.
Both of them came to the classroom with heavy hearts on their faces, and found that the news they were talking about in the classroom was also about layoffs. They couldn't help but look at each other. It seemed that what those people in the factory said was true, and more and more people were being laid off.
"It was a stable job, but now everyone is laid off. What are we going to do next?"
"The computers we learned should be better, right? It's like this everywhere. If a state-owned factory closes, there will always be someone else to take over, right?"
"Who knows? Do you know anything about the toy factory's second plant? They've been saying they might sell off their assets, and everyone thought it was just talk. After all, the whole process takes at least a year to eight months, and then the documents came down yesterday."
Hearing the words "Toy Factory No. 2," Jiang Yulan subconsciously looked up. Was Factory No. 2 going to be sold? The costume dolls were just starting to go on sale. Did Lili still have a chance?
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