After taking the divorce certificate, Old Lady Xia ignored the dissatisfaction and sadness of others, including her children, and went straight to the textile factory office. She put the certificate on their desk and said, "I'm divorced and have no place to live. Will the factory arrange accommodation for me?"
The office director is also a woman of about the same age as Old Lady Xia, known as Director Yuan. It was she who brought a few people to mediate when she and Old Chen were getting divorced during the Chinese New Year. It was also she who persuaded Old Lady Xia not to go too far when she went to fight with Old Chen at the factory. Anyway, she is the right person to go to for all kinds of miscellaneous matters in the factory.
Director Yuan picked up the divorce certificate and was shocked: "Comrade Xia, are you really getting divorced? So soon? Have you thought it through? This is a big deal. How could you be so confused? Why do you want a divorce?"
Hearing about such a rare thing as divorce, everyone in the office gathered around and chattered about their opinions.
Old Mrs. Xia was impatient to listen. They kept repeating the same few words. The people in their compound said the same thing, and the people in the Civil Affairs Bureau said the same thing. Her ears were almost callused. "The certificates have been issued and the seals have been stamped. How can I lie to you? Come on, you have to arrange a place for me to live first. The factory has regulations, right? They have to ensure that workers like us have a place to live. I know that newly recruited workers can live in dormitories, and those who get married are arranged for independent housing. So how can you arrange for me in this situation? If you really can't assign independent housing, then put me in the dormitory."
Director Yuan was a little embarrassed. "These... dormitories are all arranged for young workers. What you're doing here... Besides, if young workers get married, they'll move out soon. If you move in, do you have to live there forever?"
Old Mrs. Xia spread her hands and said, "Director Yuan, our factory's regulations guarantee that every worker has a place to live. This is something you should consider for me. First of all, my length of service and rank warrant me a separate apartment. It's just that I was married to Comrade Chen Weiguo and lived with him before. But now, I'm divorced and have nowhere to live. No matter how difficult it is, as the director, you have to come up with a rule. You can't make me sleep in front of our factory gate, right?"
Director Yuan: ...This idiot, is she threatening me? If I don't find her a place to live, she'll really sleep right in front of the office. Won't they be criticized then?
Old Mrs. Xia: "I was thinking about it for you. If you really can't find a house for me, I can live in the dormitory temporarily. If you won't even let me live in the dormitory, then I will go to the factory director's office and ask for an explanation. I have worked diligently and conscientiously in the factory and finally got promoted to level 6 worker. I didn't expect that I can't even have a place to live. This treatment is worse than that of an intern who just came in. I wonder if other factories treat old employees like this. I will go and ask after work today."
Director Yuan: ...She didn’t say she wouldn’t arrange it. Is she planning to go out and discredit their factory?
"Comrade Xia, come to me before you get off work about this matter. I will definitely arrange it for you. Go and pack your things first. Didn't you take a day off today?" Director Yuan felt bitter. Why would they get a divorce for no reason? If the whole unit was full of people like this, how could their factory arrange for someone to come over?
Thinking of this, Director Yuan's heart suddenly skipped a beat. Would someone take advantage of the loophole to get an extra house? Pretending to get a divorce and then getting an extra house for their family? This... is not an easy thing to do.
If they don't handle it well, and everyone follows suit, how will they carry out their work in the future? This needs to be reported.
Old Mrs. Xia returned to the compound and went to Old Mrs. Yin first to tell her about her arrangements.
Old Lady Yin: "You don't have to be so anxious. Stay with me for a few more days. You can find a place to live slowly. Don't argue with the director of your unit."
Old Lady Xia: "How can I live here with you every day? We have a good relationship, but I can't always take advantage of you. Ah Sheng, that kid, probably has a girlfriend already. I don't know when he'll bring her in. If he does, he'll have to consider me when I live here. It's already very troublesome for you. If you can move out as soon as possible, please do so."
Old Lady Yin: "You just think too much. How could he have any objection?"
Old Lady Xia: "I'd be embarrassed to live in your house for the whole year. If you still care about me, why don't you help me move my things to my new place and help me move? How about that?"
Old Lady Yin: "Even if you don't ask, I will help you. Ah Sheng is very strong, so we can ask him to come with us. By the way, where are you moving to? Have you arranged it?"
Old Mrs. Xia shook her head and said, "I'll go to the factory and ask the director later. There's always a place for me to stay."
Old Lady Yin sighed, "Luckily you are a worker."
Old Lady Xia: "I'll go over there to divide the family property first, and then bring some things back later."
Old Lady Yin: "Then I'll go with you."
Old Lady Xia: "Goodbye, they will spread gossip about you later. What if they say you are instigating it behind the scenes? How will you live in this compound in the future? Please help me pack my things, I can do it by myself."
When Old Lady Xia went over, Old Chen and the children were sitting at home. Old Lady Xia ignored them and just took out some money from her pocket. "We agreed on this at the Civil Affairs Bureau before. I don't want any of the children. You take half of the money, and I'll take my things and some pots and pans."
"You can raise Xiangbei by yourself until he gets a job. The other children should still live with you. None of them should come to my side. Remember to save Xianghong's dowry, and don't let Xiangbei's wife be cheated away. I won't say anything else. I'm giving you half of the money just for these children, so don't think it's unfair. All my money over the years has been spent on these children, and a lot of it was given to you by you. If you really count it up, you still owe me a lot of money."
"Mom——" Chen Xianghong's eyes were blurred with tears.
"Mom..." Chen Xiangbei pouted and wanted to cry.
"Mom..." Chen Xiangnan thought about what was said outside and thought that his mother would really not care about them in the future. He felt very panicked and could not accept it.
Tang Jiao stepped forward and took Old Lady Xia's hand. "Mom, where are you going to live in the future? Can I come visit you? I can help you pack."
Old Lady Xia patted her hands and said, "You are a good child, but there is no need. Live a good life with the second son. I have a place to live."
"Second brother, you should calm down. Tang Jiao treats you well, and you should not forget the oath you made. Xiang Hong, you should think more about yourself, and don't be bullied without knowing it. Third brother, be more sensible in the future. From now on, if any of you have trouble, don't come to me. Now that things have come to this, you should take care of yourselves." Old Mrs. Xia's throat seemed to be blocked by something, and her voice was a little hoarse.
Old Chen suddenly snapped, "You were the one who wanted a divorce. You were the one who didn't want to take care of the child. Now you're saying this, pretending to be reluctant. What do you want? You don't want to give anything, but you still want the child to remember you, okay? Get out of here quickly. The door is right there."
Old Mrs. Xia grabbed the bag tightly, turned around and walked out the door.
There is no turning back, Xia Yue'e. We finally got a divorce, and we absolutely cannot turn back.
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