Xu Damao went home as usual on the weekend.
"Da Mao, I heard you're being transferred back. Are you going to be a section chief in the office?" Yi Zhonghai came to visit after having dinner with Wang Minzhi.
"Uncle, where did you hear this news from? I didn't even know I was being transferred." Xu Damao was truly helpless.
When he arrived at the propaganda department in the afternoon, a group of people surrounded him, asking if he was coming back to the general affairs department. For these people in the government office, the head of the general affairs department couldn't offer them any special treatment, so there was no need for them to curry favor.
However, the head of the General Affairs Section is a potential deputy director. Previous section chiefs, provided they were of the right age and served in the position for several years, were all guaranteed a substantive deputy director position. Therefore, if Xu Damao really becomes the head of the General Affairs Section, he might become their leader in the future.
Xu Damao could only greet his wife's colleagues with a smile and explain that it was impossible, but why did Yi Zhonghai also come to ask these questions?
“Besides, sir, even if I were a section chief or department head, it wouldn’t matter to you. You’re just an eighth-grade worker; you don’t need my help. If you really need anything, there are people who can speak directly with the Party Secretary and the factory director,” Xu Damao said.
"Don't flatter me. I know my own limitations. Don't be fooled by how respectful everyone seems to be. Getting someone to do something useful is harder than climbing to heaven." Yi Zhonghai still had some self-awareness, perhaps because he had been through a lot of hardship in society.
"You're too modest," Xu Damao said.
"This is true. Last time, in order to find a job for Sister-in-law Jia in the factory, I went back and forth to many leaders, but not a single one of them was willing to help. Think about it, the Jia family is in such a difficult situation now, and these leaders in the factory are really heartless." Yi Zhonghai seemed to be referring to Xu Damao.
"What kind of job are you going to find for her?" Xu Damao asked curiously. Qin Huairu is currently pregnant and cannot do heavy or strenuous work, so her options are relatively limited.
“You know Jia’s wife’s situation; she can’t do heavy work. I was thinking that the factory often needs waitresses to bring tea and water during meetings, and she’s perfect for that,” Yi Zhonghai said frankly.
"Grandpa, the job of a waiter is easy, but the pay is very poor. Many of them are temporary workers, and they only earn a dozen yuan a month."
"That's alright, she's just sitting at home doing nothing anyway. Those reception duties are just part of the general affairs department's management, right? Today when I went there, I heard people say that you might come back as the department head. I thought about it, and that's perfect."
"Da Mao, you and Dong Xu grew up together and have always been close. Now that Dong Xu is gone, he's left behind a widow and her child. We in the compound should help as much as we can. If you really go to the General Affairs Department, could you help Jia's wife find a job as a waitress?" Yi Zhonghai said.
“Uncle, this has little to do with whether I go to the general affairs department or not. The service staff in the general affairs department need to be quick and efficient and have a dignified demeanor. Sister-in-law Jia meets these requirements, but you should think it over. If you go there, your salary will be reduced, and it will be troublesome to transfer back to the workshop later.”
As Xu Damao spoke, Yi Zhonghai's face turned from green to blue and then red, almost like a Sichuan opera face-changing act.
"Da Mao, who are you talking about?" Yi Zhonghai couldn't help but interrupt Xu Da Mao.
"No, aren't we talking about the same person? Sister-in-law Jia, ah, aren't you talking about Qin Huairu?" Xu Damao also sensed something was off.
He had just been thinking that if she went to work as a waitress, the salary would only be 20 yuan at most, while a first-level worker in the factory would earn more than 30 yuan. The difference was so big. Would Qin Huairu be willing to do that? Would Jia Zhangshi be willing to do that?
Besides, in the story, wasn't it always Yi Zhonghai who deliberately kept Qin Huairu by his side so that he could control the Jia family and have Sha Zhu take care of him in his old age? How come things have changed now?
"No, I was talking about Sister-in-law Jia, Jia Zhangshi. Hey, you're telling me, we've been talking for so long and we're not even talking about the same person." Yi Zhonghai also realized that the sister-in-law they were talking about was not the same person.
"Sir, you know, every waitress is good-looking, has a good figure, and is hardworking. I never thought you were talking about Jia Zhangshi."
Think about it, if you were a leader, would you be happy to see an old woman like Aunt Jia with a fierce face? These waitresses serve important leaders from outside, representing the image of the steel rolling mill. What are you thinking? It's already good enough that Jia Zhangshi doesn't damage our factory's image.
She might be a little dissatisfied and even dare to spit on a high-ranking official from outside. And you still dare to recommend her? Will the factory hold the recommender accountable?
Think about it, when Jia Dongxu passed away, which leader in our factory didn't know how formidable Jia Zhangshi was? Would they still dare to let Jia Zhangshi work in the service industry?
Xu Damao really had to get this off his chest. Someone like Jia Zhangshi, capable of serving others? If she really went to the General Affairs Department, wouldn't they have to find several people to serve her?
Yi Zhonghai also realized the seriousness of the problem and was speechless with embarrassment.
"Uncle, if Qin Huairu is willing to work as a waitress, I can agree to help her. Do you want to?" Xu Damao joked, seeing Yi Zhonghai's expression.
"Forget about Qin Huairu, she should stay with me. Otherwise, I really won't be able to support her whole family." Yi Zhonghai waved his hand and went home with a worried look on his face.
"Haha, Da Mao, I can't help it, I'm dying of laughter. Just imagine Aunt Jia holding a teacup, wearing a little apron, serving tea to the leader, and saying 'Leader, please have some tea,' it's just too funny."
At this moment, Wang Minzhi, who had been washing dishes in the kitchen, came out and patted Xu Damao with a smile.
“Don’t you think Aunt Jia’s round figure is quite suitable?” Xu Damao chimed in.
"Da Mao, I heard you've become a leader and you don't know people anymore? You won't even help an old man like me?" Early in the morning, Xu Da Mao was washing up in the courtyard when he was stopped by Sha Zhu.
People from other courtyards stopped to watch, seeing that there was something interesting to see.
"What did the old man tell you?" Xu Damao asked curiously.
"Just tell me that Aunt Jia's job search fell through, and you said it wouldn't work." Sha Zhu looked at Xu Damao with great displeasure.
This silly Mao, whom he'd beaten up since childhood, is now a leader, possibly even the head of the General Affairs Section. Others might not know, but he frequently handles receptions and deals with the General Affairs Section, so he knows how powerful they are.
One department has daily contact with top leaders, practically having direct access to the highest levels of government. Another department has only a few people, while the general affairs department, with its various departments, has nearly a hundred people in total.
Furthermore, in terms of work, the General Affairs Department can coordinate with other departments such as logistics under the guise of the factory, and Sha Zhu is the one who is frequently coordinated and directed.
How could they not be jealous? So, as soon as they heard that Xu Damao refused to help, they went straight to make trouble for Xu Damao without asking any questions.
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