Chapter 167 Fight to the End
Lu Liangchen went to work early in the morning, so Jiang Haitang didn't have to go to the factory today.
She was not idle either. She rolled up her sleeves and tidied up the house inside and out, making it look brand new. She also carefully sorted and put away all the food and drinks she brought back from the capital.
They had originally planned to go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some daily necessities and food ingredients after returning, but after taking inventory, they found that the food prepared in advance by the elders at home, plus the food given by the warm and kind people along the way, was enough for them to eat for a week with some left over.
Jiang Haitang gave up the idea of going to the supply and marketing cooperative. After all, there was still plenty of time, and it would not be too late to go when the need arose.
There is no need to rush to purchase, and you will have more time.
Jiang Haitang thought that the New Year had not yet ended and it was a good time to visit relatives and friends, so she took out the gifts she had prepared for each family and planned to give them to each one to thank everyone for their care and concern.
First, she came to Liu Hongmei's house.
Jiang Haitang took out a large box of Beijing Eight Pieces from her bag. The exquisite packaging box exuded a sense of luxury just by looking at it.
When Aunt Kong saw the exquisite snack, her eyes lit up. She was so delighted that she held it carefully in her hands, muttering to herself, "Such a precious snack! I heard that only people in the palace could enjoy it in the past. Now that times are better, we ordinary people can also have a taste of it."
Jiang Haitang smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it. I was just worried that you might not like it."
Aunt Kong waved her hands repeatedly, her face full of emotion: "You came all the way here to bring us something. Even if you brought back a chicken feather, I would have loved it, let alone such delicious snacks. If you hadn't brought them here, we don't know when we would have been able to eat them."
In the factory, there are only a handful of people who have been to Beijing. Only Director Lu and Jiang Haitang have a close relationship with their family, so they can have this blessing.
Not to mention eating this snack, just showing the box is enough to make the old sisters envious for a long time.
Carefully placing the snack box on the cabinet, Aunt Kong asked a series of questions like a curious baby, expressing her curiosity about the capital city.
"Haitang, did you go to Tiananmen Square during your trip to Beijing? Did you watch the flag-raising ceremony? Did it bring tears to your eyes?"
Jiang Haitang was very patient and told her experiences in the capital one by one.
"Auntie, we went there before daybreak. The capital is just as cold as here. We stayed there late at night, and Xiao Taozi was almost crying from the cold. But it was really exciting to watch... When our factory's performance gets better and better, maybe you can go to the capital in the future."
She described in detail the grandeur of Tiananmen Square, the solemnity of the flag-raising ceremony, and the sight of Xiao Taozi shivering in the cold wind yet still stunned by the spectacular scene.
Aunt Kong listened attentively, exclaiming from time to time, her face full of longing.
Finally, Aunt Kong was still not satisfied and remembered that Jiang Haitang was about to go to work.
"Haitang, you're about to go to work. School hasn't started yet. Just bring Xiao Taozi over when you get to work."
Jiang Haitang did not refuse and thanked him with gratitude.
"Thank you so much, Auntie. I start work tomorrow and have a lot of plans to complete. I can't always take Xiao Taozi with me."
Aunt Kong smiled heartily and said with some heartache: "Xiao Taozi is the daughter of a hero. Her biological father dedicated his life to the country. We should all help her."
At this time, Xiao Taozi had already run to play with her brothers and sisters in the yard.
She took out the little gadgets she brought from the capital and distributed them to everyone like a little adult.
In fact, they were not rare items, just a flower hairband and a glass marble, but the children were very happy. They laughed and made noises around Xiao Taozi, and became closer to her.
After leaving Liu Hongmei's house, Jiang Haitang went to Secretary Tan's house.
Unfortunately, Secretary Tan was not at home. Only Secretary Tan’s wife and grandson were at home.
Secretary Tan’s wife is in her fifties. She has a kind face and is very easy-going.
When he saw Jiang Haitang coming to his house, he warmly welcomed her into the house, held her hand and asked her about her well-being.
The two of them sat in the room, chatting about everything from trivial matters in life to the development of the factory. The more they talked, the more they got along, as if they were old friends who had known each other for many years.
Secretary Tan’s wife enthusiastically invited Jiang Haitang to dinner, but Jiang Haitang declined politely for fear of bothering her.
After leaving Secretary Tan's house, Jiang Haitang was thinking about Kang Xiaoxia.
She was away during this period and was really worried that Kang Xiaoxia would be bullied by the Kang family, a family that didn't know what was going on.
Kang Xiaoxia had just got off work and saw Jiang Haitang from afar at the dormitory door. Her eyes lit up instantly and she trotted over happily, grabbing Jiang Haitang's hand, her tone full of concern.
"Haitang, you're back? Did you do well in the capital?"
She was always worried that Director Lu's family looked down on Jiang Haitang.
In her opinion, although Jiang Haitang is excellent and capable, the Lu family is from the capital, and it is said that they are not an ordinary family. It is inevitable that they will have a sense of superiority, and it is possible that they look down on girls from the northwest.
Jiang Haitang smiled and comforted: "Let's go to my house, we can talk while we cook."
As he said that, he pulled Kang Xiaoxia towards the family compound.
As soon as she got home, Jiang Haitang couldn't wait to ask about Kang Xiaoxia's New Year's celebration.
Kang Xiaoxia looked a little gloomy: "During the Chinese New Year, my brother came to me and asked me to go home for the New Year, but I didn't go."
Jiang Haitang frowned: "If you didn't go, would they listen to you?"
Kang Xiaoxia smiled slyly, "I guessed it a long time ago. They would definitely use the excuse of family reunion to get me to go home during the Chinese New Year. I simply took the initiative to ask the factory office to be on duty on the night of the 30th."
Jiang Haitang laughed when she heard Kang Xiaoxia say this. This little girl is quite smart.
If you don't go home for the Chinese New Year, you will be criticized by others. After all, everyone thinks that there are no parents who are not bad.
Even if parents do something wrong, it is wrong for their children not to go home even for the New Year.
But being on duty at the factory was acceptable no matter where he went. Even if the Kang family was dissatisfied, they could only keep it to themselves.
"Didn't you go back to check after your shift?"
"I went back and even sent a special New Year gift. Don't worry, Haitang, I won't give them the chance to plot against me."
Kang Xiaoxia was not in a very good mood, which showed that going back home for the New Year was not a very pleasant experience.
"Anyway, this is the only way. We maintain a superficial relationship and send a gift every holiday. There's definitely nothing else." Kang Xiaoxia said sadly, "I even asked Aunt Zhao to keep an eye on me, so I wouldn't be caught unaware if something was plotted against me."
"You went back for the New Year. What happened?"
"They're always thinking about how to use me to create value for their family. This time, they introduced me to a woman who works at a meat processing plant. She's 30 years old, her wife has died, and she has two children. The older one is 10 years old, and the younger one is 6 years old. Her wife died last year when she gave birth to our third child."
"You were a fool last time, but this time you seem a little more conscientious than last time." Kang Xiaoxia said this with sarcasm in her tone.
Later, she inquired and found out that the other party offered a high bride price of 1,500 yuan, and also said that it could help the family get more meat.
Just for such a little benefit!
"How's your contact with Zhao Kai?"
When Kang Xiaoxia heard Jiang Haitang mention Zhao Kai, a hint of shyness appeared on her face.
"He's been very good to me."
"If you two are getting along well, why not let Zhao Kai propose marriage?"
Kang Xiaoxia shook her head. "No need to go through so much trouble. I'm living out here anyway. I can just get the marriage certificate when I'm old enough. As for the time before I'm old enough, I don't believe they can force me to do anything. If they dare, I'll make a scene."
If Zhao Kai were allowed to propose marriage, his family would definitely make many unreasonable demands. She didn't want to continue to indulge his family. She would give what she deserved and not give more than she deserved.
There was a stubborn look in her eyes, and she was obviously prepared to fight to the end.
"It's OK as long as you have your own ideas." Jiang Haitang patted her hands and encouraged her.
Kang Xiaoxia didn't want to talk about her family's troubles anymore, so she turned the topic to Jiang Haitang: "Sister Haitang, are Director Lu's family members treating you well?"
When Jiang Haitang talked about the Lu family, a happy smile filled her face. That smile came naturally from the bottom of her heart: "Their family members are all very nice. They are good to me and Xiao Taozi."
Kang Xiaoxia joked, "Oh, I see. Your whole body feels like it jumped out of a honey jar. It's so sweet."
Jiang Haitang was amused by her and pinched her face with a smile.
Then, Jiang Haitang asked Kang Xiaoxia about her plans to go to the Zhao family: "When are you going to the Zhao family?"
"Probably May Day. If May Day is not possible, we will wait until National Day. As you know, Zhao Kai is very busy during this period and has no time to go home." Kang Xiaoxia replied.
The two chatted while busying themselves in the kitchen.
Jiang Haitang was in charge of cooking, and Kang Xiaoxia was helping out. While they were chatting and laughing, a sumptuous dinner was ready.
Just as I was about to call Xiao Taozi home for dinner, Xiao Taozi came back skipping and jumping, followed by a few of her friends.
It turned out that Aunt Kong was worried about Xiao Taozi coming back alone, so she asked the children in the family to send Xiao Taozi back.
Jiang Haitang invited several children to eat, but they said the meal was ready at home and hurried back.
Just as Xiao Taozi was settled, Lu Liangchen also came back from get off work.
"Hello, Director Lu." Kang Xiaoxia quickly stood up and greeted him.
"You are a guest, there is no need to be so restrained. It's just right that Zhao Kai will be here later. After dinner, let him take you home." Lu Liangchen said casually while washing his hands.
Jiang Haitang was a little surprised and asked hurriedly, "Is Zhao Kai coming too? I should have cooked more food earlier."
"He said we couldn't come empty-handed on New Year's Day, so he went to the cafeteria to get some braised pork," Lu Liangchen explained.
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard footsteps outside the door. Zhao Kai had arrived.
He was holding two lunch boxes in his hands, with a smile on his face: "Today the cafeteria has sweet and sour meatballs, Xiao Taozi likes them, so I grabbed one."
When Xiao Taozi heard this, her eyes lit up with joy. She clapped her hands and cheered, "Thank you, Uncle Zhao. Xiao Taozi likes eating meatballs."
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