The boy also fell silent. He didn't know how to comfort her. If she stayed in Haicheng and remained under her parents' noses, she might never have a good life.
However, he was a boy, and he wasn't afraid of leaving his hometown, but it was different for girls; they had no relatives or friends here.
Ever since he was assigned to Jiangcheng, he had been thinking about him and her. He worked hard, hoping to improve himself and find an opportunity to be transferred back to Haicheng. He didn't want Su Menghua to wander around with him.
"Zhang Zhao, what do you think if I come to Jiangcheng?" Su Menghua slowly raised her head, looking at him with some helplessness.
"Okay, I'll think of a way." Zhang Zhao knew that she was just saying it in anger and that she might change her mind after calming down. But what she probably wanted to hear most right now was that he would support whatever decision she made.
He'll go back and ask around to see if anyone's selling jobs lately. His current monthly salary is only around forty yuan, which is more than enough to support him and her.
His parents live with his older brother in Haicheng. They are still young, and when it's time for them to retire, he can pay for their retirement himself. The whole family had discussed this when he came to Jiangcheng.
After thinking it over, he realized it wasn't a difficult thing. He could support the family on his own, so he firmly told her, "If you've thought it through, then come. It's not a big deal."
Su Menghua was deeply moved: "Zhang Zhao, thank you!"
Zhan Chunlan couldn't hold back any longer. If she didn't speak up now, when would she? She walked directly towards the two of them: "Su Menghua? You're eating here too?"
Su Menghua: "It's you? You're here for dinner too? Come join us! You helped me a lot yesterday, I should definitely treat you to a meal today."
Zhan Chunlan pointed to her table and said, "I've finished eating."
Li Xiuxiu and Fan Hongying also waved and greeted each other.
Zhan Chunlan: "I'm sorry, we were too close just now, I heard everything you said."
Su Menghua was a little embarrassed: "I'm sorry."
Zhan Chunlan waved her hand: "I came here because my situation is similar to yours. So, you want to leave home for Jiangcheng, and I also want to leave Jiangcheng. It doesn't matter where we go, but I just came back from Haicheng, and I quite like it there."
Su Menghua was a little confused. What did she mean by saying these words?
Zhang Zhao's eyes lit up. The opportunity had finally arrived? "Are you serious?"
Zhan Chunlan: "Of course!"
Su Menghua looked at Zhan Chunlan and then at Zhang Zhao, "What kind of riddle are you two playing?"
Zhan Chunlan smiled and said, "I work at Jiangcheng Pastry Factory and you work at Haicheng Food Factory. If someone can help us, we can switch jobs. You can come to Jiangcheng Pastry Factory and I can go to Haicheng Food Factory, if you don't mind."
Su Menghua asked excitedly, "Really?"
Zhan Chunlan nodded: "Theoretically it's possible, but it's impossible for just the three of us. It's not just across factories, it's across provinces."
Upon hearing this, a thoughtful look flashed in Zhang Zhao's eyes. He put down his chopsticks and his tone became serious: "It is indeed not easy to transfer jobs across provinces and factories, but it is not impossible."
Su Menghua looked at her boyfriend with surprise, then at Zhan Chunlan, her eyes rekindling with hope.
“I’ve made some connections during my year at the machine factory,” Zhang Zhao continued. “If both of you are interested, I can help make the connection. However…” He looked at Zhan Chunlan, “You’re a permanent employee at the pastry factory, right? Menghua is also a permanent employee at the food factory. The most troublesome thing about this kind of exchange is the staffing issue.”
Zhan Chunlan nodded: "I'm in the logistics department, just recently promoted to a regular position, I'm on the cadre payroll. I wonder what Comrade Su's position is at the food factory...?"
"I'm a technician, and I'm also a cadre," Su Menghua quickly replied.
At this moment, Li Xiuxiu and Fan Hongying also curiously gathered around. Although they were somewhat saddened that Zhan Chunlan suddenly wanted to leave Jiangcheng for Haicheng, they understood her difficulties and offered suggestions: "It would be slightly easier to operate with the same staffing; it just depends on whether the factory is willing to release and accept people."
Fan Hongying also said, "Our factory is currently implementing reforms, and I've heard we really need the advanced experience from Haicheng. If Chunlan can learn more in Haicheng, it will be a good thing for the factory when she comes back."
Zhang Zhao thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up: "That is indeed a solution. Many factories are currently conducting technical exchanges. If we can transfer people under the guise of 'learning and exchange' first, and then gradually go through the formal procedures later, it might be much easier."
Zhan Chunlan and Su Menghua exchanged a glance, both seeing the expectation in each other's eyes.
Seeing the renewed light in Su Menghua's eyes, Zhang Zhao felt both gratified and moved. He gently took her hand and said to Zhan Chunlan, "I will do my best to handle this matter. The deputy director of the machinery factory used to work at the Haicheng Light Industry Bureau; perhaps he can be of help."
Li Xiuxiu suddenly remembered something and interjected, "By the way, Chunlan, you just helped Haicheng Food Factory secure such a large order, right? Perhaps you could ask a manager you know to help smooth things over?"
Fan Hongying nodded repeatedly: "That's a good idea! Besides, didn't our factory just establish a cooperative relationship with Haicheng Food Factory? Transferring them under the guise of technical exchange sounds very reasonable."
Zhan Chunlan pondered for a moment: "I'll write a letter to Deputy Factory Director Li tomorrow. But before that, I need to sound out our factory leaders' opinion."
Su Menghua's eyes reddened with emotion: "No matter the outcome, I want to thank you all. In Jiangcheng, I don't know anyone except Zhang Zhao. It's so wonderful to have met you all today."
"It's fate," Zhan Chunlan said with a smile. "Actually, I've wanted to leave Jiangcheng for a long time, but I haven't had the right opportunity. If I could go to Haicheng, it would be a blessing for me."
Zhang Zhao glanced at his watch: "It's getting late. I'll take Menghua back to the guesthouse. Comrade Chunlan, shall we keep in touch?"
"Of course." Zhan Chunlan took out a pen and paper from her bag and wrote down her contact information. "This is the phone number for our factory's logistics department. You can call this number if you have any news."
As they parted, Su Menghua hugged Zhan Chunlan tightly: "I hope we can both get what we wish for."
On their way home, Li Xiuxiu couldn't help but ask, "Chunlan, are you really determined to go to Haicheng?"
Gazing at the silhouette of the pastry factory in the distance, Zhan Chunlan said softly, "Xiuxiu, do you remember what kind of life I used to live? As long as I stay here, I can't escape those family members. Zhan Hongyu is growing up, and actually, I'm not much different from Su Menghua. I'm doing this today simply because I don't want my future life to be affected by them."
Fan Hongying took her arm: "Whatever decision you make, we'll support you. It's just... it'll be difficult to see each other again."
"No, it won't happen," Zhan Chunlan said firmly. "This separation is for a better reunion. Besides, if this can really be done, wouldn't we be setting a precedent? The exchanges between the two factories will definitely become more frequent in the future."
The setting sun cast its golden rays upon the three girls. This chance encounter that evening might be subtly altering the course of their destinies.
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