Chapter 669 The past is the past.
In fact, Wu Dani knew her sister-in-law's name.
Cao's older brother was named Zhao Dong, so the family casually named their daughter Zhao Dongmei.
It means Zhao Dong's younger sister.
After registering, Wu Dani looked at Zhao Dongmei, who was standing in front of her without moving, and said in a gentle voice, "Sister-in-law, if you have any questions, you can ask after you finish registering. Next!"
So, Zhao Dongmei, who was still in a daze, was pushed aside by Li Guihua, who was already impatient.
“My name is Li Guihua, and I’m 42 years old…” Then she said enviously, “Oh my, Da Ni, your handwriting is so beautiful! How did you practice? Oh my, your hands don’t even have chilblains. Do you use Gala oil? I’ll buy a box for the New Year. Our country is so good, even 516 is good, toilet paper is so cheap for us. I heard my second aunt’s husband’s cousin’s eldest daughter-in-law in the city talk about this, and I was so envious. I never thought that we rural women would have a day when we can use it…”
Blah blah blah, anyway, it was all words of thanks, and they were sincere.
Wu Dani looked at Li Guihua and said with a smile, "Yes, that's great. Our lives are getting better and better. Your information registration is complete, next..."
Zhao Dongmei, who had been pushed to the side of the crowd, looked at Wu Dani, who was surrounded in the middle, and felt as if she were looking at someone from another world.
Before coming, they had all planned out what to do, such as mocking Wu Dani's past misery, calling her a stupid woman who couldn't have a son, and saying she deserved to serve the Cao family like a slave...
But she looked at Wu Dani, who was registering...
Wu Dani had cut her hair short, looking neat and tidy, and she was even wearing a scarf, the kind that city people wear.
The cotton-padded jacket must be an old one, but it's covered by a plaid outer shirt, making it look much younger.
Moreover, she really was just like those commune cadres.
No, she was a cadre of the commune.
Zhao Dongmei walked out dejectedly, constantly talking about what she used to mean by "before." She talked about how she used to cricket with Wu Dani, and only one or two jealous people joined her in cricketing; the others wouldn't talk to her.
It seems they didn't want to offend Wu Dani behind her back.
Wu Dani glanced at Zhao Dongmei, inwardly mocking her, but her expression remained unchanged.
Times change.
What's past is past.
Cao Lao Er stood at the gate. He had already prepared dinner: millet porridge, cornbread, and cabbage stew with frozen tofu, which contained more than ten slices of fatty meat.
Most of them were saved for his wife.
Those women had finished eating, but his wife hadn't eaten yet. Oh dear, those government employees are just not good.
He stood at the gate, his hands tucked into the sleeves of his cotton-padded coat, seemingly complaining but actually showing off: "...Tell me about my wife's day. In the morning, she went to a meeting at the 516 Military Factory, where all the officials were high-ranking, some even higher than our county head. In the afternoon, she had another meeting back at the commune, and when she got home, she had to register. How can she be so busy every day..."
The person next to him scoffed, "Cao Lao Er, you're really lucky. Your daughter and wife are both capable. Your family is dominated by women and lacks men. I'm afraid you'll never be able to hold your head up high again."
It was cold in Qinggang Village at dusk. The man next to him stamped his foot and said, "Come on, Cao Lao Er's life is much better than before. Look at what he wears, what he has, and what he eats. Who in our village can compare to him?"
Cao Lao Er puffed out his chest. "Yes, besides the brigade leader, who can compare to him?"
No, who knows, in a few years even the brigade leader might not be as well off as his family.
You know, they get paid every month.
It's at a fixed time, not like work points that are given out once a year.
He dared not manage the money; what if his parents passed away? It was all in his wife's hands.
His wife was a high-ranking official, so his parents didn't dare to ask for her handouts.
However, the filial piety due should still be given.
Even this big piece of fatty meat was bought by his wife, and he cut off a piece for his parents as she instructed.
Wu Dani is finally back.
Cao Lao Er followed them into the house, and the two children rushed up to them, calling for their mother.
Wu Dani gently kissed each of them before saying to Cao Lao Er, "Factory Director Lu told me that our Zhao Zhao asked someone to mail something, and it will probably take about half a month. Factory Director Lu said that she will deliver it to us then."
Cao Lao Er was stunned, staring at Wu Dani in disbelief, and muttered, "Really?"
Wu Dani: "Of course it's true. Why would I lie to you about this?"
"Why didn't you tell me when you got home from get off work?" Cao Lao Er asked hurriedly.
Wu Dani glanced at him: "I told you you should have gone and shown off earlier. This matter needs to be kept secret for now. Can you do that? If you can't, I won't tell you anything in the future."
Cao Lao Er immediately assured, "I can definitely do it, don't worry, wife!"
Wu Dani smiled and said, "I will work hard, and you must support me."
Cao Lao Er glared at him: "Look at me now, how...how else do you expect me to support you?"
He does most of the housework, so Wu Dani doesn't need to visit her parents, and he takes care of the children too...
Wu Dani first acknowledged Cao Lao Er's contributions, then said with longing, "Today, Director Lu talked to me about Zhao Zhao, and everyone else looked at me with envy. Even women cadres from other communes I didn't know came to talk to me. Although I can't be like Director Lu, I will try my best to learn from her. All of this we have today is thanks to Zhao Zhao and Director Lu. I will work hard, and I will never bring shame to Director Lu or Zhao Zhao..."
Cao Lao Er stared blankly at his wife. At this moment, something in his heart changed.
——
On New Year's Day in 1977, almost all units in Jiangcheng, except for those on duty, had a holiday.
The 516 Military Industrial Compound, located in the north of Jiangcheng, was especially festive and lively today.
Everywhere you look, there are banners and slogans celebrating the New Year and bidding farewell to the old year.
People coming and going all had smiles on their faces.
Although it can't compare to the Spring Festival, there are still parties and celebrations for New Year's Day these days.
Large organizations have large parties, small organizations have small parties.
Lu Qiaoge glanced at the schedule.
Goodness, I have to attend parties at five different workplaces this morning.
The first one is from the neighborhood committee.
The second group is from a food factory. There are many people there, including those from an arts and crafts factory and a hygiene products factory. Fortunately, the food factory's conference room is large enough to accommodate them all.
Wang Xiuxian is a capable person, and the party she organized with Lu Qiaoling was quite good.
There was singing, dancing, and various games.
Because there were so many people, the game was played in several different areas.
The staff were so busy that it felt like the Spring Festival Gala.
After spending some time at the street office, Lu Qiaoge drove quickly to the food factory, where things were just starting out.
No matter what, this is her home turf.
After the opening remarks, reflecting on the past and looking to the future, thunderous applause nearly lifted the roof off the auditorium.
The New Year's Eve party was meant to make everyone happy, so Lu Qiaoge didn't say much nonsense and then sang a song.
The song is about a great river with wide, surging waves...
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com