Chapter 327 Arrived Home
Back in the waiting room, there was still some time before the train arrived, so Xiao He started to play with the little guy.
Little Orange was babbling with great energy.
Jiang Haitang looked at him, then looked out the window at the direction where the railway tracks extended, but her thoughts drifted away.
The little episode just now is like a mirror, reflecting the inherent prejudice of some people in this era towards women's participation in technical work.
But it also made her see that there are more and more people like Luo Mingcheng and that bookish colleague who are willing to look at their abilities rationally.
This road may still be very bumpy, but every bit of progress is worth cherishing.
In just over a year, the college entrance examination should be resumed. At that time, some female comrades will also take the college entrance examination and become people who will play a driving role in the development of this society in the future.
She has a night dream space that allows her to quickly learn and complete her knowledge reserves, but Jiang Haitang feels that this is still not enough.
She should also take the college entrance examination and become a person with both education and ability. This is the foundation for her future survival.
"Dear passengers, please note that the train No. XXX from XX to Jincheng is about to arrive at the station. Please take your belongings with you and proceed to Gate X to check in..."
The broadcast sounded, interrupting Jiang Haitang's thoughts.
"The car is here, Sister Vanilla, let's get ready to go." Jiang Haitang picked up the child and Xiao He hurriedly picked up the luggage.
Stepping onto the train again, the carriage was filled with a mixture of various smells, crowded and familiar.
Mr. Chen is a very considerate person. He still booked sleeper tickets for Jiang Haitang and Xiao He.
After finding a seat and settling down, the train started slowly and the platform gradually moved back.
Jiang Haitang then took a look around the sleeper car. Perhaps because it was the off-season, or perhaps because sleeper tickets were so hard to buy, there weren't many people in the car.
The journey was smooth and soon the two of them arrived in Jincheng with their baby.
After a few months, Jiang Haitang was very happy to return to a familiar place.
She did not tell Lu Liangchen in advance that she would come back, but went back by herself.
Who would have thought that as soon as he walked out of the train station, he would meet an acquaintance, none other than Director Mao.
Director Mao was quite surprised when he saw Jiang Haitang.
"Mr. Jiang? Are you really back? Why haven't I heard about it?"
"I went south and came back on a detour. It was a last-minute decision." Jiang Haitang said with a smile, "Why are you here?"
"We just sent an important customer off. Director Lu isn't coming to pick you up? If not, I can just take you back."
Jiang Haitang wanted to refuse, but then she thought that she had something to hand over to the machinery factory when she came back this time. Seeing Director Mao would save her from having to go to the machinery factory again.
She smiled and thanked him, then got into the car with Xiao He.
In the car, Director Mao asked Jiang Haitang whether his work and life in Beijing were going smoothly, and from the perspective of an elder, he reminded Jiang Haitang to be cautious in Beijing. Beijing is different from the Northwest. There are many important people in the city, and if you offend them carelessly, you will get into trouble.
Finally, he didn't forget to add: "If life in Beijing is not easy, come back. You will always be a part of our machinery factory."
Hearing such words, it would be a lie to say that she wasn't moved. Jiang Haitang smiled and thanked him, then said, "Director Mao, I have two new machine drawings here. If they can be produced, we should have a lot of orders in the next few years."
Director Mao had never imagined that Jiang Haitang was still concerned about the machinery factory. He laughed heartily, "As expected, you're from our factory. You're thinking of us. I've saved your salary for several months now. Now that you're back, go to the factory and collect it. I originally said I'd have someone wire it to you, but I don't know your address."
When Jiang Haitang heard that there was still a salary, she hurriedly said, "Director Mao, I haven't worked for the past few months, so it's not good to collect the salary again."
"What's wrong with that, Haitang? I accepted the drawings you gave me without hesitation. How can you say you weren't working? Besides, aren't you on maternity leave now? No one said that female workers on maternity leave don't get paid, right?"
Having said that, Jiang Haitang also knew that the current maternity leave was only about forty days.
"Haitang, as long as I, Lao Mao, am still around, your salary from our machinery factory will always be yours. You shouldn't be so heartless. You have made a huge contribution to our machinery factory's current success."
Director Mao's words were not just polite remarks, but the truth. In the past two years, the machinery provided and improved by Jiang Haitang alone has increased the machinery factory's orders by 40%. This is because of the planned economy. If the sales were liberalized, the benefits would be even better.
What's more, the other party is still thinking about the machinery factory and has given him the drawings of two types of machines. Although he has not seen what the drawings look like, he believes in Jiang Haitang's ability.
Mao Zedong would not give up such a talent easily.
All we can do is let Jiang Haitang continue to work part-time in the factory in the future. It’s not a big deal.
Director Mao's jeep drove all the way into the familiar textile factory's family compound and stopped at the gate of the small courtyard where Jiang Haitang and Lu Liangchen used to live.
"We're here, Haitang. Do you need me to help you bring your things in?" Director Mao asked enthusiastically.
"No thanks, Director Mao. Sorry to bother you today. Xiao He and I can carry these few things. The drawings are still in my luggage. I'll sort them out and send them to you." Jiang Haitang hurriedly thanked him.
"Thank you for coming all this way. Once you're done, give me a call and I'll come get it myself."
Director Mao waved his hand, got in the car and left.
The sound of the vehicle attracted several aunties who came to watch the fun. When they saw it was Jiang Haitang, they all came forward to say hello.
Jiang Haitang greeted and spoke to the ladies politely.
Kang Xiaoxia, who was cooking next door, also ran out after hearing the noise at the next door.
As a result, I saw Jiang Haitang, whom I hadn't seen for several months.
"Sister Haitang, it's really you who's back?" Kang Xiaoxia asked in disbelief with tears in her eyes.
"Why are you crying again?" Jiang Haitang gently hugged Kang Xiaoxia and said with a smile.
"I'm so excited, Sister Haitang, I didn't even hear you were coming back."
"It was a last-minute decision. Why aren't you at work today?"
At this time, they should still be at work, so why is Kang Xiaoxia next door? Seeing that she is wearing an apron, she should be cooking.
"I was working overtime, and today happened to be my day off, so I came over to make something to eat."
"Have you and Zhao Kai settled your marriage?" Jiang Haitang pulled Kang Xiaoxia into the house and asked worriedly.
This girl is really pitiful, having to meet such a family.
"Also, are your family members still struggling?"
When Kang Xiaoxia heard Jiang Haitang ask this, her expression darkened slightly. She said, "They don't expect my job to be transferred to my sister-in-law anymore. However, they said they have a new baby and don't have enough money, so they asked me to give my salary to the family."
Jiang Haitang really didn't know what to say. Even after things got to this point, he still hadn't given up on sucking blood from Kang Xiaoxia.
"I've made it clear to them that the five dollars a month pension from now on is my responsibility as a daughter. Don't even think about anything else. Apart from giving them pension, they should just pretend they never gave birth to me." Kang Xiaoxia's tone was firm, but she was still a little sad.
Jiang Haitang nodded. Five dollars a month wasn't much, but as a daughter, giving five dollars to her working parents was about enough.
"Xiao Xia, don't be sad. Zhao Kai is a good person. I have also met Aunt Zhao. She is a nice person. Your good days are still ahead." Jiang Haitang gently comforted Kang Xiaoxia.
Kang Xiaoxia is indeed a very hardworking girl, but unfortunately, her family background is not very good.
However, it would be better if Kang Xiaoxia could go to college after the college entrance examination is resumed.
If your family background is not good, you need to work harder.
Xiao He stood in the room and looked around, without disturbing Jiang Haitang and Kang Xiaoxia's conversation.
"Sister Vanilla, you can live in this room over here. This was originally Xiao Taozi's room." Jiang Haitang smiled and arranged for Xiao He: "This is the kitchen. There's a vegetable garden and a well in the back. If you want to wash, you can boil some water first."
"Director Lu is home alone. I'm afraid he hasn't even lit the coal stove. I'll bring a piece of coal over and it will be ready soon." Kang Xiaoxia remembered it after hearing what Jiang Haitang said, and hurriedly ran next door.
Kang Xiaoxia hurriedly picked up a burning coal ball from her own stove and skillfully helped Jiang Haitang light the coal stove in the house.
He quickly brought a pot of water and sat down.
"I can do it myself. How can I trouble you?" Xiao He said awkwardly, feeling a little embarrassed.
Kang Xiaoxia could probably guess that this young female comrade was helping Jiang Haitang take care of the child.
She smiled and said, "It's nothing, I just did it. You've been working hard on the train for several days, aren't you tired?"
"I am a little tired." Jiang Haitang answered with a smile, without any pretense.
After all, it's really tiring.
"Sister Haitang, I haven't been home for a long time. The house is a mess. Director Lu is in a meeting and is not here. You guys clean up first. I still have some vegetables stewing in the pot and I have to go back to watch it. You guys don't have to cook in the evening. I'll make more and we'll eat together!" Kang Xiaoxia said, and was about to leave in a hurry.
"Xiao Xia, I'm sorry to trouble you..." Jiang Haitang felt a little sorry.
"What's the trouble? I'm so happy that you're back! It's settled!" Kang Xiaoxia smiled and waved her hand, then quickly went back to the next room.
Xiao He looked at Kang Xiaoxia's back and whispered to Jiang Haitang, "Haitang, this girl is really kind-hearted."
"Yes, Xiaoxia is a good girl, but her life is a bit hard." Jiang Haitang sighed and began to pack her luggage. "Sister Xiangcao, please put everything in order first. When the water boils, wipe your face and take a rest. This house has not been lived in for a while, so it needs to be cleaned thoroughly."
Xiao He quickly agreed, opened his luggage swiftly, and took out daily necessities first.
She saw that although there was some dust in the house, it was not a lot. It was obviously cleaned regularly and the workload was not very large.
The water boiled quickly. Xiao He first added warm water to wash Jiang Haitang and Xiao Chengzi's hands. He also washed himself briefly and immediately felt much refreshed.
Jiang Haitang walked slowly in the house holding Xiao Chengzi. The familiar environment made the little guy very excited. He babbled and pointed at the paintings on the wall and the flower pots on the windowsill.
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