Chapter 141
She served everyone a big bowl of fragrant stewed rice, and even put some rice crust into her own bowl.
When Xia Qingtang makes stewed rice, he likes to put a little bit of bacon or sausage. It doesn’t need to be much, just a little bit will do. In this way, the aroma and fat of the lard will penetrate into every grain of rice. No matter what type of stewed rice it is, it can be made to be extremely fragrant.
If there was no bacon or sausage at home, she would use some lard, which could achieve the same effect. Therefore, the rice crust of this stewed rice is particularly fragrant, and people with good teeth will love it.
The rice crust that Xia Qingtang made today was very successful, it was just the right brown color without any blackening, and it tasted so good to eat.
Everyone was busy eating the stewed rice. Even Leng Feng, who was indifferent to everything, quickened his eating speed. This showed how delicious the stewed rice was.
After several people finished the first bowl, Xie Xiaoshuang sighed and whispered, "It's delicious."
"Yes, it's delicious." Hu Yanni said, "If I were a man, I would want to marry Qingtang. Then I can eat such delicious food every day, which would definitely make me very happy."
Xia Qingtang said, "Even if we are married, we can't eat this every day. This is Lao Luo paying for us to eat. Usually, Jinxuan and I eat very simply. A plate of stir-fried vegetables and a bowl of dried vegetable stewed rice is a good meal. What kind of family is it to eat like this every day?"
Hu Yanni said, "I heard that the family of the Revolutionary Committee director who was shot used to eat this every day. I have an acquaintance who lives in the same compound as their family. I heard that every winter, they would have dozens of pieces of bacon drying in the yard! They weren't the small pieces we make, but the big pieces that can be eaten for a long time."
"So he was shot." Xie Xiaoshuang laughed. "He lost his life just to eat something good. It's not worth it. Look at how old you are. You should live a good life."
"Oh, I didn't say I want to eat like this every day. I just said that someone has eaten it like this before." Hu Yanni explained.
Luo Xiangqian said, "Yanni, I will work hard and strive to get a promotion soon. Once I get promoted, I will get more salary and food coupons. Then I can buy more things and have better food. Believe me, I will definitely get a promotion soon."
Hu Yanni blushed slightly and whispered, "I understand. I believe you. You don't have to say it here. There are so many people here..."
"What's wrong with so many people? We are all old friends, what are you afraid of? I am telling your two good friends this, so they can rest assured." Luo Xiangqian suddenly said very seriously: "Xiao Xia, I actually wanted to tell you something a long time ago."
"Ah...what did you say?" Xia Qingtang swallowed a piece of pork liver and became a little nervous after what he said.
Luo Xiangqian said seriously, "Actually, I am a little embarrassed. Yanni is your good friend, and I fell in love with her. In fact, I should have informed you in advance. But not only did I not inform you, I also kept it a secret from you. And you have already discovered this, but you helped us to conceal it. To be honest, I feel very sorry, and I really owe you an explanation."
"Don't say that. Our Yanni is such a good girl. It's normal for you to like her, and it also fully shows that you have good taste." Xia Qingtang said with a smile: "But you should tell me, when did you start pursuing Yanni? Where did you two start? Was it that night when you sent Yanni out... did it start from there?"
Luo Xiangqian chuckled: "It started from there. How come you are so smart? You guessed it right away?"
"Because that was the first time you two were alone together. You didn't have any chances before that. When you sent her out that time, did you send her all the way to the steel mill?"
When Hu Yanni heard this, her face turned even redder. She lowered her head and poked at the soda bottle, feeling like she would run out any second later.
Luo Xiangqian was quite frank. He said, "Yes, I sent her to the steel plant that night. But I didn't think about it that way at first. I just felt that it was dark, and it was not safe for a young woman like her to go home alone. She is also your friend, so even if she falls on the way, it would be bad, so I suggested that I send her back. She refused at the time, but you know me, if I insist on something, no one can refuse it, so she had to agree to let me send her back. That is, I talked about a lot of things with her on the way... After returning, I missed her a lot, and I kept thinking about her. I'm not a fool. It's like this, how can I not know that I actually like her?"
"So you went to find Yanni at that time?" Xia Qingtang asked.
The others also listened while eating, even Leng Feng listened very carefully.
Luo Xiangqian said, "How could that be possible? I've thought about it for several days. You see, Xiao Hu is a college student, a cultured person, and I can't get into college, so I'm not as good as her in this aspect. But I'm a confident person, and I think if I work hard in the future, I won't be too far behind her. But after thinking this through, I started to worry that you would object."
"Why should I object? I'm not the Queen Mother, and you two are not the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl." Xia Qingtang curled her lips.
Everyone else started laughing, and even Hu Yanni couldn't help but look up and pat Xia Qingtang gently.
Luo Xiangqian said: "You have always been very good to your friends and treated them as your family. You also know about my past. I am afraid that you think I am not worthy of your friends."
"That's not the case. Your previous experiences weren't your fault. Besides, having some history isn't a bad thing. After going through those things, you now understand what you really want. You also know how to take better care of your partner, right?"
Not everyone knows how to love someone or how to handle a relationship when they are born. Some people may not know how to manage and maintain their family throughout their entire lives. For example, Xia Qingtang is a completely stupid person who even has to experience death before she can understand it.
So she doesn't think that a blank slate is the best state. Some people can truly mature after experiencing love. She thinks Luo Xiangqian and Hu Yanni are such people.
"Really! Xiao Xia, you are a smart person! I am not bragging. Although I was deceived before, after that incident, I thought a lot, including my own future, including my thoughts on family. I thought everything through. Therefore, when I found that I had feelings for Comrade Xiao Hu, I listed one, two, three, four, and five, and analyzed the feasibility myself. Also, if we are really together, can I bring her happiness. After I finished the analysis, I was sure that I could bring her happiness, so I... hid it from you and Jin Xuan and went to the Normal College alone to find Xiao Hu."
"It's not that easy. Go to the university to find her? Was Yanni very surprised at that time?" Xia Qingtang asked.
Luo Xiangqian said: "She was more than just surprised. She even looked a little scared at the time."
"No, I'm not scared, I'm just surprised. I really didn't expect you to come to me, and the first thing you said when you came up was to say hello, and the second thing you said was that you wanted to date me. Who wouldn't be surprised?" Hu Yanni said in a low voice.
Xie Jinxuan said: "Xiang Qian, I didn't expect you to be so brave!"
"Of course, I'm completely different now, okay? I'm now a calm, mature, and determined adult, and adults need courage to do things." Luo Xiangqian said proudly, "Because I'm sure that even if Comrade Xiao Hu rejects me, I can accept that result."
"Wow, this is really extraordinary. You really impress people." Xia Qingtang gave Luo Xiangqian a thumbs up.
Being rejected is the norm in life. Not being rejected is actually a kind of luck. Unfortunately, many people do not understand this truth, and therefore live a very tiring life.
Being able to accept rejection calmly is indeed a mentality that only adults can possess.
Hearing this, Leng Feng's expression obviously changed. He looked at Luo Xiangqian, his eyes full of exploration and thought.
Luo Xiangqian didn't notice it, he was still laughing foolishly, he continued: "But, what I didn't expect was that Xiao Hu didn't reject me."
"I agreed to you the first time? Yanni, you are pretty awesome." Xia Qingtang pushed Hu Yanni's arm.
Hu Yanni said quickly, "No, no, I didn't agree, but I didn't reject him outright. Because... I thought he looked very serious at the time, and I hesitated for a moment, thinking that I should give him a chance, at least to get to know him before deciding whether to reject him. Moreover, he is a good friend of Comrade Xie, and if I do something too embarrassing, it would seem unfair to both of you, so I told him that we could get in touch first. He asked me how long we could get in touch, and I thought about it and said that we could get in touch for four Sundays. Because I've been studying very hard this year, I really need to get to know him better, and there are only Sundays. I'll give him four chances, and I'll give myself four chances. If we use four Sundays to get to know each other, but still can't be together, then forget it."
"No wonder Xiang Qian always has something to do every Sunday this year." Xie Jinxuan also laughed.
Xia Qingtang said: "So after you have had four contacts, are you officially together?"
Hu Yanni blushed slightly and whispered, "After three contacts, I agreed to date him."
"Wow! Yanni, it seems that you are really satisfied with Comrade Luo!" Xie Xiaoshuang said in surprise.
Although she herself has no thoughts about love and men, she is still interested in her good friends' love stories.
Hu Yanni nodded: "After getting to know him, I found that he is indeed a very good person. He is straightforward and generous. He says whatever he wants to say, never hiding anything, and I don't have to guess. In addition, he is very kind. The first time we went out, he carried an old man who had fallen to the nearest hospital, and I accompanied him. He and I can talk very well. We have watched the same movies and read the same books, and we have the same views on many things. So, after the third time we went out, he sent me home that day, and I told him that I agreed outside the gate of the steel plant. After that, we officially got together, but because I had many concerns, I asked him to keep it a secret and never tell anyone. But I didn't expect that you already knew it."
Luo Xiangqian said, "It can't be helped. We all go out on Sundays. There are only so many places to go in the city. It's normal to run into acquaintances anywhere. This is already pretty good. At least, we haven't run into your relatives or your brother."
Hu Yanni nodded: "Yes, we have walked quite far. If I run into my family, I will be in trouble..."
"Then how long do you plan to keep it a secret?" Xie Xiaoshuang asked, "Really wait until you decide to get engaged? But Yanni, didn't you get married after graduating from college? That means we still have to wait a long time."
Hu Yanni said: "Xiang Qian and I have decided to take things one step at a time. We don't want to think about things that far ahead. For now... we will just get along well. When the time comes, we will naturally tell our families."
"Yes, I will listen to Yanni on this point, so I will ask everyone for help." Luo Xiangqian bowed to express his gratitude to everyone.
"Don't worry, we won't tell anyone." Xia Qingtang said, "If you two feel there is no place to meet outside, you can also borrow our house. Then I will leave the house for you to chat, and Jinxuan and I will go to grandma's place."
Luo Xiangqian said: "Really? Then I won't be polite from now on!"
Xie Jinxuan said with a smile: "When have you ever been polite to us?"
"Then I have to say something polite! Otherwise, I would be ignorant of the rules." Luo Xiangqian said happily, "We may really have to borrow your room in the future. Yanni is very serious about her studies, and we can't always go out and play. If I can come to your house, she will study and read at this table, and I will sort out my work on the side. It's good to stay here like this."
"You are really different now. All you talk about is work. It seems that you will be promoted soon." Xia Qingtang said.
"I haven't been in the company long, so I'll have to wait at least two years to get promoted. By then, I'll definitely be ahead of Jinxuan and Lengfeng, but after Jinxuan graduates from university, I won't be able to catch up."
"Why don't you tell me whether Comrade Leng will be stronger than you in the future?" Xia Qingtang asked curiously.
Leng Feng didn't have any special expression, nor did he look unhappy. He continued to eat silently.
Luo Xiangqian said: "It's hard to say for sure about Leng Feng's career. If he has a high rate of solving cases, then the speed of his promotion is not something we can guess, so we won't take it into consideration. But there is one thing, whether he will be promoted in the future or not, I hope he won't get hurt."
Xie Jinxuan immediately said: "Indeed, whether or not you get promoted is secondary, the most important thing is not to get hurt."
Luo Xiangqian quickly opened the last bottle of beer, took a cup and poured himself a glass, then said: "Come on, let's wish Leng Feng well, and hope he will never get hurt!"
Leng Feng said calmly: "You drank so much today, will you be okay?"
"It's just beer, what's the big deal? This is not liquor. I can't drink more than a few sips of liquor, but I can drink several bottles of beer." Luo Xiangqian said nonchalantly: "Come on, let's raise our glasses together and bless Leng Feng!"
Xie Jinxuan also raised her beer bottle: "I wish Afeng will never get hurt and stay safe and healthy."
The others followed suit and raised their glasses, clinking them.
Leng Feng and Xie Jinxuan had just finished their beers, so Luo Xiangqian took the last bottle and gave each of them a glass.
Leng Feng has the best alcohol tolerance among the three of them, but he seldom drinks on his own initiative. In occasions like this, he won't drink too much even if it's beer.
After drinking, they each ate a bowl of stewed rice, and the hearty and lively lunch finally came to an end.
The whole pot of stewed rice was eaten up, and the last bit of rice crust was also eaten by Leng Feng and Xie Jinxuan to soak the broth for stewing fish.
We had almost finished all the other dishes, but there was still a lot left over from the spicy mixed dish and stewed fish because the portions were so large.
Xia Qingtang said, "Do you want to continue to eat at my house tonight? I'll have a nap soon and then I can make some dough to make coarse flour buns."
"I can't. I still have homework to finish. I'll go home and do my homework after I help you clean up." Hu Yanni said, "Besides, you've worked hard today and cooked so many dishes. Don't continue to entertain us tonight. You and Comrade Xie can just make a few pancakes and add the leftovers to make a meal. Keep it simple."
Xie Xiaoshuang also said, "Yes, I won't eat here tonight. I'm going out to buy some food. There's not much food and cooking oil left at home, and I need to buy some salt. After I buy the food, I want to have a quick bite, then take a shower and go to bed, and rest early, so I won't disturb you."
"Yes, you and Jinxuan should take a rest tonight. You have worked hard today." Luo Xiangqian said as he cleaned the table, "I will take Yanni home in a while."
Leng Feng didn't say anything. He knew that Xia Qingtang didn't like him, so he would never come to disturb them again.
Xie Jinxuan said, "Xiang Qian, although you only drank a little beer at noon, according to your alcohol tolerance, you should take a nap to sober up before sending Xiao Hu back, so as to avoid any accidents on the way."
"Okay, then I'll wash the dishes and then take a nap on your sofa for a while, is that okay?" Luo Xiangqian said.
"Okay, you can sleep here." Xia Qingtang said, "We don't need a few of us here, do we? You guys are responsible for cleaning up. Yanni and I will go sit with Xiaoshuang for a while and come back in an hour."
"Okay, you guys go ahead, I'll clean up the house." Xie Jinxuan said with a smile.
Xia Qingtang then pulled Hu Yanni and Xie Xiaoshuang out: "Let's go to Xiaoshuang's house and sit for a while."
The two followed her out, and Xie Xiaoshuang said, "Wouldn't it be bad if we didn't help clean up?"
"What's wrong with that? According to our family rules, I cook and Xie Jinxuan is responsible for cleaning up and washing dishes. Lao Luo also made a promise yesterday that he and Jinxuan will clean up together today, so we don't have to worry about it." Xia Qingtang said, "Don't worry about them. It's just a small job. How can they be exhausted to death?"
Xie Xiaoshuang smiled, and her eyes flickered. She said, "Alas... I always think that men can't do these things... These should only be done by women."
"It's okay, take your time. You have to give yourself some time to change your mindset," said Xia Qingtang.
Hu Yanni also said: "Yes, Xiaoshuang, you are getting better and better, don't push yourself too much."
Xie Xiaoshuang smiled and said, "Don't worry, I understand. By the way, Qingtang, you dragged us out here, do you have something to tell us in private?"
"Yes, I just want to tell you something in private. There are too many people over there, and Yanni must be embarrassed to say more. I want to know, Yanni doesn't want to tell her parents, is there any other concerns?"
Hu Yanni was slightly startled, and then she sighed: "Qingtang, you still understand me after all."
"What's wrong with you? Why do you have other concerns?" Xie Xiaoshuang was a little confused.
Hu Yanni said, "Let's go to your house and sit down and talk. There are so many people coming and going on this road, it would be bad if the neighbors heard us."
The three of them went straight to Xie Xiaoshuang's residence, and saw two rows of things drying in the open space outside her door. The sheets, quilt covers and clothes were all washed clean and were spread out in the sun.
The neighbors next door also had their doors full of sun. At this moment, many people were sitting in front of their doors, eating in the sun. When they saw Xia Qingtang and the others coming over, someone greeted her, "Xiao Xia, come and play?"
"Yes, come and sit down." Xia Qingtang said with a smile: "Are you eating?"
"Yes, it took me a long time to wash the clothes today, so lunch was late. Have you eaten yet?"
"I've eaten." Xia Qingtang smiled and went into the house with the two of them.
After so much time has passed, Xie Xiaoshuang has added a lot of things to her house, and now it looks more like a home.
She is a very clean person. Although the furniture and other things are very old and simple, she cleans everything thoroughly. She also put new newspapers on the walls during the New Year, so the whole house looks very bright.
Xie Xiaoshuang closed the door first, and then came to make tea for the two of them.
"The tea here is not good, but it's okay to drink a little. After eating meat at noon, drink some tea to relieve the greasiness." Xie Xiaoshuang made two cups of tea and put them down, then said: "Okay, Yanni, tell me, why are you still worried? What are you worried about?"
Hu Yanni held the cup of hot tea, looked at the tea leaves that had not yet sunk in the cup, and said softly: "Of course I am worried, Xiaoshuang, you also know what kind of family the Luo family is..."
"Ah..." Xie Xiaoshuang also suddenly sighed.
Xia Qingtang said: "Is your only concern about your family?"
"Isn't this enough? What's the situation in his family and what's the situation in my family? There's a huge difference. I am indeed very satisfied with him and I like him very much... more than I like Gu Xing'an... but whenever I think of his family, I worry that the two of us have no future at all. I don't know what kind of people his parents are, but logically speaking, everyone wants their son to marry someone of equal status. For someone like me, if his parents knew today, they might separate us today." Hu Yanni's tone was still very calm, without any excitement. It was obvious that she had thought about these words countless times, but had always kept them in her heart and never said them out loud.
Xia Qingtang said: "I am not familiar with Lao Luo's parents, but I have met them several times and chatted with them. Their parents are not as loving as Xie's parents, and they are not intellectuals, but his mother is a very cheerful female comrade, very enthusiastic at work. Although she is not a high-ranking official, she is conscientious and a career-oriented woman. In fact, she doesn't care much about her son's affairs. In this respect, she is the same as Jinxuan's parents. They are all devoted to their work, so the children are basically brought up by their grandmother. Therefore, Lao Luo's parents probably have no say in his marriage. As long as Lao Luo's grandmother can accept it, then their whole family can accept it."
"Is it also like this when you married Comrade Xie?" Hu Yanni asked blankly.
Xia Qingtang smiled: "What are you talking about? Have you forgotten about my marriage to Xie Jinxuan? We kept it a secret from our family, got a certificate from our work unit, and secretly went to the street to get married. He never cared about what the elders would think. As long as it was his decision, no one in the family could object."
"Yes, how could I forget this!" Hu Yanni said self-deprecatingly: "I am really confused. When you married Comrade Xie, you had no idea what his family conditions were like."
"Yes, so I understand your feelings. Climbing up the social ladder is not such a good thing. Let alone other things, who doesn't worry about being bullied by the mother-in-law after getting married?" Xia Qingtang said: "But I think that this kind of thing should not exist in the Luo family. After all, their family is also a family of cadres. From top to bottom, they have a good style, and the spiritual quality of the whole family is pretty good. If you are worried about this, then I should be able to assure you that as long as his grandmother accepts you, you don't need to worry about anyone bullying you at home after you get married."
"What if his grandmother is against us?"
"Did he talk about it? Did you guys have a general chat about it?"
"He said something similar to what you said. He was raised by his grandmother and had the best relationship with her. His grandparents have the final say at home, and his parents don't really care about him, as long as he doesn't make mistakes. He also said that his grandmother was a very strict old lady. When he was a child, he didn't do his homework well and failed exams, so his grandmother beat him with a small stick. So he loves and fears his grandmother. Now that he has grown up, he still has a good relationship with his grandmother. He also said that his grandmother also hopes that he will get married and have children soon. As for other things, she didn't say much. I will not tell others about my worries, as that would make me look very embarrassed." Hu Yanni smiled.
Xie Xiaoshuang said, "It's right not to say anything. Men and women have different ideas, not to mention the son raised by the family. Although I'm not married and have never been in a relationship, I know what you're worried about when I look at the female workers in the factory. But if this kind of thing really happens, there's nothing you can do to solve it. If you ask me, you have very good conditions. You're a female college student. How popular is a college student now? It's an honor for their family that you're attracted to Comrade Luo."
Xia Qingtang nodded and agreed, "Yes, Yanni's personal conditions are very good. You are a female college student, which alone makes you better than many people. Besides, your parents are workers, and your father is a small leader. He is not as good as the upper class, but better than the lower class. Your brother also has a job now, and his future looks good. When you graduate, you will also be a highly educated teacher, and you will be in the first batch of promotions in the future, and you can be glorious for the rest of your life. It is normal for a family like the Luo family to want to find a daughter-in-law from a cadre family, but a beautiful, smart, and educated daughter-in-law like you is also very popular. After all, they don't need to achieve any goals through marriage, so they can only see who the children like. Instead of looking for children from cadre families, it is better to let the children decide for themselves and choose one they like and who doesn't cause trouble. So although you are worried about this, you don't have to worry too much. Another point is that Lao Luo is still very responsible. If he decides to marry you, he will definitely get the consent of the whole family first."
"I think so too, I know he's a very reliable person, but I still can't help but worry." Hu Yanni said, "Fortunately I'm still studying. Even if I want to get married, I have to wait at least one or two years. I'll get along with him slowly first, and when I really trust him, I'll take him to meet my parents."
"Then you take good care of yourself. I am very optimistic about the two of you." Xia Qingtang said, "You don't know, in fact, from the very beginning, I have thought about introducing you to Lao Luo."
"Really?" Xie Xiaoshuang was surprised. "You think so highly of Comrade Luo?"
"Yes, he often went to Jinxuan to eat, drink and chat, and I know what kind of person he is. Such a good young man is rare, and he had a very good impression of Yanni when he first met her. This is fate. But who knew that Yanni found a partner of her own, and I rejected Lao Luo. Later he found someone to introduce someone else, so this matter was delayed. Now you two are together, I am very happy." Xia Qingtang smiled.
Hu Yanni said, "You actually wanted to introduce us to each other? If I had known, I wouldn't have kept it a secret from you. I kept it a secret from you at first because I thought you would be against us."
"Why should I oppose you?" Xia Qingtang didn't understand.
"Because I'm afraid you will say that my standards are too high and unrealistic." Hu Yanni whispered.
"Hey, I am the one who is climbing up the social ladder in the eyes of others. Why would I think so? Besides, when it comes to marriage, why would you choose someone worse than you can?" Xia Qingtang said, "Just be with him peacefully. When you have nothing to do, just say to yourself: 'I am a smart and beautiful female college student. It is a blessing for him to be with me.' Say this to yourself three or five times a day. After a long time, I guarantee you will have no other worries."
Xie Xiaoshuang and Hu Yanni both laughed. Xie Xiaoshuang asked, "Is that what you said to yourself?"
"Me? I don't need to say these. Ever since I went through some things, I have become blindly confident in myself. I think I am a very good person, so no matter who likes me, they have good taste." Xia Qingtang said lightly.
They were both stunned for a moment, and then fell into deep thought together.
When the agreed time came, the three of them walked out of Xie Xiaoshuang's house together.
She was carrying a large cloth bag filled with various tickets. She separated from them at the intersection and went to buy food first.
Xia Qingtang and Hu Yanni returned to the small courtyard. As soon as they walked in, they heard snoring coming from the house.
Hu Yanni laughed: "This must be the sound of Xiang Qian snoring."
"It's him. Every time he gets drunk and falls asleep in our living room, I can hear this sound." Xia Qingtang took her inside, "Old Luo, get up! Hurry and send Yanni back to do her homework!"
Luo Xiangqian curled up on the sofa, covered with Xie Jinxuan's thick coat, and slept soundly.
After calling out once without any response, Xie Jinxuan walked out of the study, reached out and pinched Luo Xiangqian's nose, thus waking him up.
"What? What?"
Xie Jinxuan said: "Xiao Hu is back, wash your face quickly, wake up, and then send her home."
"Ah! Yes, I want to take Yanni home." Luo Xiangqian looked at Hu Yanni with a simple smile, then immediately sat up and ran to the bathroom to wash his face.
After washing his face with cold water, Xie Jinxuan handed him a cup of strong tea. He drank it slowly, and his eyes became clear again.
"I sobered up quickly today." Xia Qingtang joked.
"Of course, I just drank beer today, nothing else." Luo Xiangqian put down the cup, then stood up, "Thank you for today, I am very happy, happy for Xiaoxia's work, and happy for Yanni and me. Whenever I think of these, I will be so happy that I laugh out loud in my dreams. Life is getting better and better!"
"Yes, life is getting better and better, and we have to work harder in the future." Xia Qingtang said slowly.
At the end of May, the televisions produced by the Future Electric Appliance Factory began to be sold all over the country. Xia Qingtang saw the comparison between the televisions produced by the factory and other televisions in Yan Jianshun's office. The ones produced by the factory did look clearer.
Colleagues were also very curious, and for several noons in a row, they gathered in Yan Jianshun's office to watch the black-and-white TV.
There are very few TV programs at this time. Apart from some news programs broadcast regularly, the channels will be suspended in the afternoon. However, some imported TV dramas will be broadcast in the evening.
Xia Qingtang was very surprised. She didn't expect that the TV series was being broadcast so early.
But thinking back to her previous life, the Kong family hadn't bought a TV at that time, so of course she had no idea what was playing on TV.
Although there are few TV programs nowadays, people are still very interested in this small box, and almost everyone wants to buy one and put it at home.
This thing is not cheap. Other factories produce it for more than 300 yuan per unit. The average worker's monthly salary is only more than 30 yuan. To buy a TV, you would have to go without food and drink for almost a whole year.
The televisions produced by our factory are more expensive than those produced by other factories, so few people can afford them.
Shi Xiaoyu said: "If our internal employees buy it, can it be cheaper?"
Chai Qiaoying said: "It will be cheaper, but not by much. After all, the cost of a TV is there. It is a very expensive household appliance."
"Then I can only start saving money from now on and see if I can buy one next year." Shi Xiaoyu sighed.
Wang Qing looked at Xia Qingtang and said, "Secretary Xia, your family can definitely afford it, right?"
Xia Qingtang looked at him with a funny look, and then said, "Yes, my family can indeed afford it, so I have already decided that when internal employees can purchase it, I will buy one and move it home."
"That's great." Wang Qing said with envy, "If you ask me, female comrades are really great!"
Shi Xiaoyu didn’t understand: “Why are lesbians so nice?”
Wang Qing said: "You female comrades, even if you don't come from a good family, even if you can't get into college, you can still live a good life by getting married."
"You!" Shi Xiaoyu was so angry that her face turned red. She looked at Xia Qingtang and wanted to speak up for her but didn't know what to say. After all, Xia Qingtang did have a good life by getting married.
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "Secretary Wang, what you said is wrong. It's not that lesbians are good, it's that good-looking people are good. You may not know that in this world, no matter where you are, no matter whether you are a man or a woman, as long as you have a good appearance, you can live a good life through marriage. If you can't live a good life through marriage, it's because you don't look good, so don't blame yourself for being a man. Take our city for example, do you know how many gay men became sons-in-law to good families because they are good-looking?"
Wang Qing's face turned red instantly. He was indeed plain-looking. Although he was not ugly, he was definitely not a good-looking young man. So even though he played table tennis with many female employees every day, few people were really willing to make friends with him.
Seeing Wang Qing was frustrated, Shi Xiaoyu immediately said, "That's right, Xiaoxia's words reminded me of a cousin I have who is very handsome. Even though he is in his fifties, he is still very good-looking. He grew up in a very poor family, but he was favored by the daughter of a factory leader. After they got married, he got a lot of benefits. My cousin was a workshop director a few years ago, and he led a good life with his parents. Good-looking people, regardless of gender, can get the upper hand."
Wang Qing rolled his eyes, gritted his teeth and whispered, "It's not an honor to make a living by relying on your looks."
"Why is it not honorable? Everyone loves beauty. Don't you like good-looking people? But I heard that you have been trying to please the best-looking female employees in the workshop. You see, you like good-looking people, so why is it not honorable for good-looking people to make a living by their looks?" Xia Qingtang said with a smile: "Secretary Wang, please don't discriminate against good-looking people. You have to know that good-looking people are very rare. Scarcity makes things valuable, and the same goes for people."
Wang Qing's face turned cold and he said, "Female comrades like you have incorrect ideas. We, the working class, should regard labor as the most glorious thing, but you are complacent about your appearance. You are making the mistake of the bourgeoisie!"
"What are you talking about? Director Wang, are you confused? Have you forgotten where you work?" Shi Xiaoyu was extremely surprised. "Our factory director is a foreigner!"
Wang Qing's face turned pale and he was speechless.
At this time, Chai Qiaoying, who had been silent, spoke up. She said, "Xiao Xia's work ability is among the best in our office. If we talk about the most glorious work, she must be one of the most glorious people."
"Director Chai, I..." Wang Qing panicked and stood up quickly.
Chai Qiaoying waved her hand and said, "Nothing, it's nice to chat during lunch break, but don't forget that working hard is the first priority."
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