"But even though the job is good, Brother Gu is more important to me! Although I am young, I still believe in the principle that a promise is a promise! Since I have already promised Brother Gu, I will never go back on my word! Brother Gu is my savior, and he promised to marry me and protect my reputation when the rumors were at their worst. If I abandon him for work, what kind of person would I be?"
“Uncle Jianguo, I know you’re doing this for my own good, but I’m doing just fine now! I have hands and feet and I can support myself. Brother Gu hasn’t dragged me down either; he’s done his best to give me the best. This house and all the furniture inside were bought with all of Brother Gu’s savings!”
"Back then, it wasn't just me who was affected by the rumors, but also Brother Gu! Because of his family background, those rumors hurt him even more. Especially since those rumors were spread by my former relatives, but he didn't hold a grudge against me. Instead, he did everything he could to give me the best. Now, who in this brigade doesn't envy me?"
"I believe in Brother Gu. Even if I lose this job, Brother Gu will make sure I have a better life in the future! As long as Brother Gu doesn't look down on me, I will follow him for the rest of my life! I will never leave him!"
...
Gu Zhiyuan didn't hear what was said after that. His whole body was trembling, and his eyes were fixed on Xu Ningyan.
Such a firm, unwavering, and focused choice!
Such surging and overwhelming emotions crashed against him like a giant wave, catching him off guard and leaving him dizzy and disoriented.
Since he was sent to the countryside, never before has anyone chosen him so firmly, believed in him, and remained loyal to him!
This girl, this girl!
Gu Zhiyuan felt a lump in his throat. In his most difficult time, someone loved him so unconditionally and passionately. Even his usually hardened heart couldn't help but soften a little.
With his lips pressed tightly together, Gu Zhiyuan lowered his dark and unfathomable eyes. No matter what the future held, he was grateful for this girl's heart and her affection for him.
Gu Zhiyuan will treat Xu Ningyan well and won't let her suffer!
In the future, I will definitely make sure this girl has a better life!
Not to mention that Gu Zhiyuan was deeply moved.
Even Li Jianguo was so shocked that he couldn't speak for a moment.
Looking at Xu Ningyan with mixed feelings, I never expected that such a little girl from the countryside could say such things.
That's right, this is the Xu Ningyan he knows.
How could someone who is unmoved by a huge sum of money like 1,800 yuan abandon their partner for a job?
If it were truly for work and he agreed to his suggestion, although he would be happy for Xu Ningyan, he would probably still have a lingering resentment in his heart.
Now, although Xu Ningyan rejected his suggestion, he was actually happier and more relieved.
He had seen too much of it. Not to mention for a job, but for a little money, or to protect themselves from being implicated, children would report their parents, spouses would betray each other, not to mention friends and classmates. For profit, they would do anything.
People like Xu Ningyan, who keep their promises and are not swayed by personal gain, are like a breath of fresh air; they are truly rare.
He could tell that Xu Ningyan was sincere in saying those words. It wasn't a ploy to get him, nor was it a strategic retreat. She genuinely rejected him and truly felt that her boyfriend, whose background was considered bad, was a good match and would give her a better life in the future.
This girl, I didn't realize she was a bit love-struck?
Li Jianguo shook his head, sighing, but his eyes were full of satisfied smiles: "You little rascal, sigh, what can anyone say about you! Fine, fine, I'm not going to be this annoying stick that breaks up the couple!"
Xu Ningyan knew that Li Jianguo had misunderstood, but she and Gu Zhiyuan were now publicly recognized as husband and wife, so there was nothing to explain.
Having disappointed Li Jianguo's kindness, she apologetically poured him a cup of tea: "Uncle Jianguo, I've let you down—"
Li Jianguo waved his hand, took a sip of tea, and pondered for a moment before saying, "How about this? Since we can't arrange work for you, we can't let you suffer too much! You're just a young girl, how can you handle working in the fields? I'll think of a way for you."
He then beckoned to Xu Ningyan, gesturing for her to sit down: "Our county department store has a certain quota each year to receive various agricultural and sideline products from the production teams below, such as bamboo baskets from Jinhua Commune, mats from Gaoshan Commune, and tung oil umbrellas from Hongqi Commune. These are all sold to the county department store in the name of the commune or in the name of the production teams below the commune."
"These things all have to go through our purchasing department! I can get you a nominal temporary purchasing agent position. It'll be a temporary job, the salary will be low, only twelve yuan a month, and the benefits will be half that of regular employees. But since you're representing your brigade, the brigade will naturally pay you a salary too. If you don't have enough money, you can use work points instead, so you won't be short of grain when it's distributed at the end of the year!"
Xu Ningyan immediately understood: it's just one position held by two different people, earning two salaries.
Such a good thing?
"Doesn't this require a political background check?" Xu Ningyan asked, mainly because she was afraid of implicating Li Jianguo.
Li Jianguo smiled and said, "He's a temporary worker, so there's no need to go to so much trouble. Just have your production team write a letter of recommendation. Besides, you're practically engaged now, so it's understandable."
Xu Ningyan understood. Since it wouldn't implicate Li Jianguo, why wouldn't she do it?
This is not only beneficial to myself, but also good for the unity of the brigade.
The Tuanjie Brigade has never received this quota in all these years. If we do receive it now, it will increase the income of everyone in the brigade.
The brigade leader and the village secretary aren't stupid; they'll definitely write this letter of recommendation.
He immediately expressed his gratitude.
Li Jianguo genuinely wanted to help Xu Ningyan. Now that the temporary worker arrangement was settled, he casually asked, "Does the Tuanjie Brigade have anything worthwhile to offer?"
This question stumped Xu Ningyan. The Tuanjie Brigade was backed by mountains and had a river flowing through it. Apart from the grain in the fields and the game in the mountains, they really didn't have anything to offer.
The two looked at each other in bewilderment.
Li Jianguo was truly dumbfounded. He had considered all the factors, but he hadn't thought that the Tuanjie Brigade had nothing to offer. What was he supposed to do?
Gu Zhiyuan couldn't stand it any longer and spoke up: "Since Aning is attached to the purchasing department and is responsible for purchasing rural specialties, it doesn't necessarily have to be these things, right? For example, surplus grain from the brigade, medicinal herbs from the mountains, wild game, and various mountain specialties. Even if they can't be sold, they can be distributed as employee benefits, right?"
Li Jianguo's eyes flickered, and he glanced at Gu Zhiyuan again: "Continue."
"If it's feasible, since Aning can be affiliated with the Unity Brigade, can she also be affiliated with the commune in the future? The Unity Brigade might not have it, but the entire Red Star Commune should have what the supply and marketing cooperative needs, right? Even if the supply and marketing cooperative doesn't need some things, can't we contact other units that need them? For example, purchasing stations, or other factories—"
Gu Zhiyuan has already made it very clear.
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