As soon as Director Wang finished speaking, the auditorium's loudspeaker began playing the inspiring music, "We Workers Have Strength."
As the loud singing began, everyone's eyes turned towards the main entrance.
Everyone wants to see what this refrigerator, which can prevent food from spoiling and make ice in the middle of summer, actually looks like.
Amidst the attention of the crowd, two men carried the rectangular main body, wrapped in a red cloth, step by step to the center of the stage.
Factory Director Wang said to Yu Yao, "Comrade Yu, this is the Snowflake brand refrigerator that you are being awarded." He then gestured for Yu Yao to try untying the red cloth.
Yu Yao was also very curious about what refrigerators looked like in this era.
It's important to know that refrigerators, as household appliances, didn't truly enter ordinary households until after the reform and opening up. At that time, bicycles, watches, and sewing machines had become the old "three essentials," while washing machines, refrigerators, and televisions replaced them as the new "three essentials."
It was only 1972, and refrigerators were quite a rarity at that time.
Yu Yao reached out and grabbed the red cloth, pulling it hard. The red cloth fell down, revealing a green single-door refrigerator.
It was rectangular, about 1.5 meters tall, and had a large red flower on the front, very characteristic of that era. It was similar to the one she had seen at her classmate's grandmother's house in her previous life.
Once the refrigerator was revealed, it attracted everyone's attention.
Yu Yao and Factory Director Wang stood on either side of the refrigerator. After taking the photos, the competition was almost over.
Wu Huaiqing still had things to take care of, so he went back to his office to pack up after taking the photos.
As soon as the leaders left, everyone rushed onto the stage and carefully examined the refrigerator.
"So this is what a refrigerator is. It looks similar to a freezer, but it stands upright."
"I heard someone say that there's an imported refrigerator in the department store that costs over a thousand yuan, and you need a receipt to buy it."
"I've also heard that refrigerators can keep food fresh and prevent it from spoiling. I wonder if that's true?"
Yu Yao smiled and explained to everyone, "Refrigerators and freezers serve the same purpose: to keep food fresh and extend its shelf life. It's impossible for food to never spoil; you still have to eat it in time."
"Yu Yao, you know so much. Can we open it and see what's inside?"
“Okay.” Yu Yao offered to open the refrigerator door for everyone to see.
This action earned him even more goodwill from everyone.
After all, back then, some families would hide their good things away. They might show them off, but if you wanted to see them, you wouldn't get a chance.
Yu Yao was very generous and didn't care if they broke it; she was willing to show it to them. She was a really good person.
After everyone saw how knowledgeable Yu Yao was, they couldn't help but ask her about refrigerators, such as what they were used for and how to use them.
Yu Yao explained everything to everyone very patiently.
"Please make way!" Fang Qiaoqiao squeezed in with two tall men. "Ayao, the factory's truck is ready. We're here to move the refrigerator."
Because the refrigerator was quite valuable, the factory specially requested an empty Jiefang brand truck to help Yu Yao transport it back to the military compound.
Although everyone was disappointed that they couldn't continue looking at the refrigerator, they knew that Yu Yao was busy going home, so they didn't bother her too much. The stronger colleagues helped carry the refrigerator to the Jiefang brand truck outside the auditorium.
It was almost time to get off work, and Yu Yao and Fang Qiaoqiao sat together in the back of the bus, waiting for Wu Huaiqing.
While waiting, many people passed by and looked at the refrigerator, making it quite lively.
After Wu Huaiqing arrived, the three of them sat in the back of the truck and walked together out of the factory.
Yu Yao had already spoken to her master, and they would go to the shipyard nursery to pick up Wu Wanying after get off work so they could celebrate at home together.
In the car, Yu Yao asked Wu Huaiqing, "Brother, did you call Mom and say we're coming to pick her up?"
Wu Huaiqing nodded, "She said she'd pack her things and wait for us outside the daycare."
At the daycare center, Wu Wanying had already packed up her things and was preparing to leave work.
Wu Wanying's colleague, Hu Meiyun, walked over with a smile. "Teacher Wu, I want to discuss something with you."
While packing her things, Wu Wanying said, "Teacher Hu, please speak."
Hu Meiyun's gaze fell on the things she was packing. "It's like this, Teacher Wu, my daughter is pregnant, and I promised to visit her today, but my memory is terrible, I forgot I'm on duty today. Could you cover my shift for me today?"
Wu Wanying frowned. "Teacher Hu, I'm so sorry, but I have something important to do today. Could you see if any of the other teachers have time?"
Hu Meiyun acted as if she hadn't heard the refusal and continued, "Teacher Wu, I only came to you because I had no other choice. All the other teachers had things to do, and you're usually the last to leave, so why are you leaving so early today? Is this just an excuse that you don't want to help me?"
Although Wu Wanying felt uncomfortable, she thought that since they were all colleagues and would see each other all the time, there was no need to make things awkward, so she made a point of explaining.
"Teacher Hu, it's not that I'm unwilling to help you, it's just that I also made plans with my daughter today to celebrate with her."
Hu Meiyun's expression was somewhat unpleasant, and her tone was a little impatient, "Teacher Wu, your daughter has been found, and you can celebrate anytime you want. My daughter is different; this is her first pregnancy, and she's bound to be scared. I have to go see her. Please help me this once, okay?"
Wu Wanying was not happy to hear this.
What do you mean by saying her daughter has been found and she can celebrate anytime? Her daughter is pregnant for the first time, so she has to go today.
Only her daughter is a treasure, while other people's daughters are just weeds and don't matter, right?
Wu Wanying's attitude turned cold. "Teacher Hu, my daughter won the championship in the canned food research and development competition. I promised to help her celebrate a long time ago. You should ask someone else for this favor. I don't have time."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
