“It’s my fault. I’m just a country bumpkin from the educated youth movement. I shouldn’t have come to the state-run restaurant, and I shouldn’t have come to the countryside. People who come to the countryside are all good-for-nothings.”
“I need to go to the educated youth office, I need to go to the commune to make a self-criticism, and I shouldn’t have argued with this comrade.”
"She just looks down on us, thinking that she's superior just because she's a permanent employee. What did she do wrong? She did nothing wrong; we're the ones who are wrong."
Compared to the man's uncontrollable sobbing, Suti's face was full of restraint, which many people in the state-run restaurant couldn't bear to watch.
"Isn't this just bullying people with their power?"
"That's right. When a young girl came to buy something, she immediately said that she couldn't afford it and looked down on people."
"You can't argue with her, so you're acting all wronged, and you're blaming the young girl? Isn't that blatant bullying?"
People sympathize with the weak, and Suti was clearly the weaker party compared to the large number of people on their side.
Everyone started criticizing the waiter, and the few people who rushed out from behind lost their temper.
I never thought it was wrong before, and I've always been arrogant. Now that I see it has caused public outrage, I don't dare to stand up for myself anymore.
Adding to what Su Ti said, if they were to go to the educated youth office or the commune to spread it, their state-run restaurant would be even more embarrassed.
"Comrade, we will report this to the leadership. It's her attitude that's the problem. What would you like to eat? We'll make it for you right away."
The chefs in the kitchen were the first to react, and the waiters, seeing that none of them were on her side, dared not cry anymore.
She stood there, feeling wronged and helpless. How could this happen? How could they side with outsiders?
The manager of the state-run restaurant is usually not here; all matters, big and small, are handled by the kitchen staff.
Once he spoke, no one dared to object. When they heard him say he would report it to his superiors, everyone looked at the waiter with glee.
"I'd like a serving of braised pork and braised ribbonfish, as well as braised eggplant, stewed green beans, and ten sesame seed cakes. I'll pack them in a lunchbox to take away; I can't eat here."
Suti saw the two vegetarian dishes listed behind him, and guessed that the two meat dishes would also be available, but it was a matter of serving according to the customer.
She handed over the lunchbox she had just bought, then thought that these days, whether it's a waiter or a sales clerk, it's a job that's invaluable.
It's prestigious and not tiring at all. Compared to the country folk who toil in the fields for a living, they are indeed superior, and their status can be passed down from generation to generation.
Unfortunately, the new policy will be released soon, and many state-owned enterprises will be replaced by private companies, resulting in a lot of layoffs.
Those who were laid off were neither good enough for high-level jobs nor good enough for low-level jobs. They were used to being flattered and couldn't stand serving others.
In the end, many of them retired early and ended up at home eating, drinking, and waiting to die. Suti looked at these people and didn't envy them at all for what they had now.
"Okay, comrade, please wait a moment." The chef in the kitchen was very polite, neither overly courteous nor arrogant.
Suti didn't have to wait long before several dishes were packed, and it was obvious at a glance that these dishes were already there.
"Thank you very much. You are a good comrade who serves the people." Su Ti's words made the people on the other side so ashamed that they couldn't lift their heads.
From now on, when they see those words "Serving the People" at the end, they probably won't dare to look at them directly.
Sutila led Wei Baichuan away, satisfied.
"Let's go get the package first, and we'll eat lunch when we get back." Suti saw that it was still early, not even ten o'clock yet.
There's not much to see around the commune. We can go to the county town after the autumn harvest, where there's a movie theater and a park to visit.
Given the unsettling atmosphere today, Suti lost all interest in taking a stroll.
“Okay, we’ll go home after we get the packages.” Wei Baichuan put the things on the cart and pulled it along with Suti to the post office.
I searched for ages with the certificate before finally finding my things.
"I guess it was sent by my grandma and my brother. You can put it in the car and I'll go call my grandpa."
Suti looked at the address. Her mother and the others had just returned, so even if they sent it, it wouldn't be this fast. The other one must be for her brother.
Wei Baichuan nodded. The car was full of stuff, and he couldn't leave it unattended.
Wei Baichuan had heard a lot from his father-in-law about his wife's maternal grandfather's family, and he deeply admired this hero.
There was never anyone at the phone booth, so Suti made a call to his grandfather without waiting in line.
Holding the phone handle, she no longer felt the same nervousness as last time; she knew in her heart that she was loved.
"Hello?" Upon hearing the familiar voice, Suti couldn't help but smile.
“Grandpa, it’s me, Nannan.” Suti could imagine that at this time, her grandfather must be sitting in his office drinking tea and reading the newspaper.
"Nannan? Is it really Nannan? What happened?" Commander Guo suddenly stood up, his voice booming.
The guards at the gate were startled and quickly stood up straight after realizing what had happened.
"Grandpa, I'm fine. I just miss you all. Grandma is busy at the hospital, and I didn't want to bother her. I figured you'd be in your office."
"How are you and Grandma feeling? Our production brigade is closed today, I came to the commune to pick up a package..."
Upon hearing her grandfather's voice, Suti couldn't stop talking.
In front of familiar people, my spoiled nature unconsciously comes out.
“My darling daughter, your grandpa and grandma are doing well. You don’t write to your grandpa, and your grandma keeps thinking about you so much that she can’t sleep.”
"Are you tired over there? We don't do heavy work, we just need to get by. Don't overwork yourself. And how is my grandson-in-law treating you?"
“We won’t be bullied. If someone treats you badly, just tell your family. At worst, you can get a divorce. It’s not a big deal. You can find someone else later.”
Hearing his granddaughter's words of concern, Commander Guo smiled and had a lot of questions to ask.
Having experienced the tragedy of parents outliving their children, and having gone through so much, nothing is more important than the well-being of all the children.
Sending this girl to the countryside was a last resort. If we just wait two more years, we will definitely bring their precious child back.
Their family had suffered so much, and they only had this one precious girl; they didn't want her to come into contact with anything bad.
They were too protective of her and taught her to be too naive. They were really angry when they heard what their daughter said.
Fortunately, Nannan still had the spirit of the Guo family in her bones, and after regaining her senses, she fought back decisively.
“Grandpa, I’m fine, and your grandson-in-law is fine too. We’ll go back to see you during the New Year. I have enough money here, so you don’t need to send me so much.”
"As for those coupons, I don't need those foreign exchange coupons here either, and the special supply milk powder coupons can't be spent at the supply and marketing cooperative here either. You and Grandma can keep them for yourselves."
Suti smiled as she listened to her grandfather's words, unaware that the person waiting to make a phone call behind her was staring at her.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
