The high-ranking leader generously handed the two flags to the two men, one for each of them.
"These are also rewards from the organization. Good deeds are rewarded. Only by rewarding people's heroes like you who do good deeds will the people be more willing to trust us and help us. Comrade Xu and Comrade Yu, please don't be polite with the organization. There's nothing much, just take it."
The high-ranking official handed each of them a small basket, the contents of which were covered by a red cloth, so it was unclear what was inside. The villagers stared wide-eyed, wishing they could see through the red cloth to find out what was inside.
"Let's talk at home. Don't just stand there. Captain Xu can go and get the leader a drink of water."
"Please, everyone."
Xu Zi nodded and took the small basket without further hesitation, as did Yu Jiu.
Xu Zijiang and Yu Jiu, carrying flags and small baskets, invited the three leaders to their home. The two quickly boiled water and made tea for the leaders, and also brought some snacks to put on the table.
"We don't have much to offer at home, so we hope you won't mind."
Xu Zijiang said something polite.
"How could that be? You are heroes, we admire you so much, how could we look down on you? If you have any difficulties in life or work, you can tell the organization."
The way of kindness and benevolence of a high-ranking leader.
"Not yet. We just got married and are in the process of settling down."
Even in front of the big boss, Xu Zi couldn't help but show off his wife, his ruggedly handsome face full of smiles.
However, the leader misunderstood his meaning. Having just gotten married, the leader looked at Xu Zijiang and then at the beautiful Yu Jiu. He figured that Xu Zijiang meant that he was just getting married and felt sorry for his wife, not wanting her to do farm work. He just wanted the two of them to live a relaxed life. That would be easy.
The superiors had already given instructions to fulfill any requests made by the two people, so the leader readily agreed.
"Well then, Comrade Xu is the team leader, and it's inconvenient for him to leave the production team. Besides, I've already seen Comrade Xu's resume. He manages the team very well and has won the title of advanced and proactive production team leader many times. Your team is also an advanced production team. The Beitang team can't do without you."
However, Comrade Yu is a former educated youth, so I imagine he's not used to working in the fields. How about this, I'll arrange a job for you at the department store. How about being a sales clerk? Comrade Yu, is that alright? The team isn't far from the commune's department store. I even saw a bicycle in the yard. It should be very convenient for Comrade Yu to commute by bicycle, and it won't interfere with your time together as a young couple.
Or is it that Comrade Yu prefers to work at a particular factory? Comrade Yu, please feel free to speak your mind if you have any requests; don't be shy.
"ah?"
Yu Jiu was somewhat surprised and puzzled. Why was she suddenly given a job? But she figured she might as well take it.
"Hmm... a sales clerk at a department store will do, thank you, boss. I'm really not good at doing fieldwork."
Yu Jiu glanced at Xu Zijiang, then said without hesitation, "Being a sales clerk is actually easier, and there are fewer people, so interpersonal relationships are simpler. Maybe I can even use this opportunity to meet more people and build a solid network for my business. As for working in a factory, firstly, every factory is quite far from the production team."
She and Xu Zijiang had just gotten married, so they definitely didn't want to separate. Besides, there were many people and a lot of gossip in the factory, making it quite troublesome to deal with various interpersonal relationships. Yu Jiu didn't want to get involved in backstabbing, arguing, or fighting. Anyway, after thinking about it carefully, the sales clerk job wouldn't interfere with anything. It would help her pass the time during the day, and she could still think about her business plans when she was free.
"But is this convenient? Wouldn't it be a bit inconvenient?"
Yu Jiu looked at the leader and asked sincerely.
"There's nothing inconvenient about it; this is what you deserve. And this isn't the only time. I'll give you my phone number so you can contact me anytime if you need anything. Your contributions to the country cannot be compensated by a single job; the organization will always remember your contributions."
The big boss had no airs at all. He looked at Yu Jiu and solemnly promised that the two of them had made a great contribution this time. If it weren't for the evidence they provided, he didn't know when they would have been able to bring down these parasites, and he wouldn't have been able to get promoted.
Actually, if Yu Jiu and Xu Zijiang hadn't already gotten married, he could have arranged for Yu Jiu to return to the city directly. But since they were married, he didn't want to break them up, so he didn't mention returning to the city, lest Xu Zijiang hold a grudge against him; there was no need for that.
The group chatted for a while longer before the leaders said they had to leave. However, it was almost lunchtime, so Xu Zijiang asked Zhou Chunrong to keep the leaders company while he and Yu Jiu went into the kitchen to cook. Although the leaders initially declined, saying they didn't need to cook, Xu Zijiang and Yu Jiu insisted on having them stay for dinner, since they had come all this way.
This high-ranking official was the newly appointed provincial governor. He had come all this way, and it wouldn't be right to let him go home hungry; that wouldn't be proper hospitality. Xu Zijiang and Yu Jiu were so hospitable that the officials couldn't leave, so they agreed to stay and have a simple home-cooked meal with Xu Zijiang and his group.
Xu Zijiang and Yu Jiu were already living a good life, as evidenced by the bicycles parked in the house and yard. Therefore, Xu Zijiang and Yu Jiu did not deliberately lower the standard of the meal. They served their usual dishes and added two more meat dishes, since there were many people and they were honored guests.
Xu Zijiang even went to Gouzi's house to catch a chicken to kill, since they hadn't even started raising chickens yet and didn't have any to kill.
"Oh my, why did you prepare such a big meal? You've gone to so much trouble."
The top leader was satisfied but declined.
"It's no expense. I've been wanting to kill a chicken and taste it for a while now. It'll be lively with a lot of people, giving me an excuse to kill a chicken and have a taste."
Xu Zijiang was experienced in dealing with high-ranking officials and spoke with good emotional intelligence. He knew how to make the leaders feel comfortable and accept his kindness without appearing obsequious. He smiled calmly and then warmly invited everyone to dinner.
Yu Jiu, showing no stage fright, chatted with the leaders with a faint smile. After the meal, Xu Zijiang and Yu Jiu accompanied the leaders on a tour of the village to assess the local conditions. Only then did the leaders leave in their cars, with Zhou Chunrong following behind. With him accompanying the leaders, Xu Zijiang and Yu Jiu didn't need to see them off.
The day felt like a dream. Even more unbelievable than being chased was the provincial governor coming to their door to thank them. It has to be said that the fear and anxiety they experienced during that period were worthwhile. A sales clerk job at a department store—something everyone would kill for.
Even just being a sales clerk at a supply and marketing cooperative is enough to make everyone envious, let alone a sales clerk at a department store. That's alright, I managed to snag a sales clerk job.
"I don't know what's in the basket."
With everyone gone, Yu Jiu finally had a chance to open it and take a look. Curious, she lifted the red cloth and found a packet of dried red dates, a packet of brown sugar, a packet of cured meat, and then two large envelopes.
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