Chapter 38
This is the truth. After living for two lifetimes, the warmth Xia Qingtang received from the Xie family in just a month or so has already exceeded the care the Xia family has given her for decades. Therefore, Xia Qingtang said this with absolute certainty.
But as soon as these words came out, Xia Daming's face turned pale. He looked at Xia Qingtang, his tired eyes filled with great sadness. Coupled with his slightly old appearance, he actually looked pitiful and miserable.
But Xia Qingtang didn't feel sorry for him. She only remembered that after she lost her job in her previous life, she was kicked out of the house by Zhao Meizhen and Xia Qinghai, and Xia Daming didn't even say a word of comfort.
I didn't feel sorry for my daughter at that time, but now I feel sorry for myself? There is no such thing in this world!
Xia Qingtang looked at him calmly, her eyes showing neither sadness nor joy, without any emotion.
Xia Daming felt sad for a while, and whispered, "Have your mother and I really treated you so badly? Is it really impossible to repay you at all?"
Xia Qingtang said, "You don't have to be like this. I've already said that when you and Zhao Meizhen are old and need support, I will take legal responsibility, so you don't have to worry. Even if your son doesn't care about you in the future, I will still be responsible for providing for you financially until the end of your life."
"I'm not worried about that. I'm not talking about that... I..." Xia Daming sighed heavily, "Dad is not good at speaking. I don't know how to say it so that you can understand."
"Then don't talk about it." Xia Qingtang said, "Now that your son has returned home, you three should live a good life. When you are old and can't support yourself, you can come to me. Of course, if you encounter any difficulties that you can't get through, you can also come to me. I am willing to help you like an ordinary friend. Of course, I have no problem with money, but forget about labor. I don't have the time for that."
"But... we are a family after all."
"Don't say but, Dad. Don't be too greedy. I don't hate you to the core and take revenge on you. I'm already kind-hearted. Don't keep forcing me to reconcile with you. It will backfire. If we really become enemies, I won't give you any alimony when you get old."
This is real life, not a TV drama. Not everyone can have a happy ending. Xia Qingtang in her previous life did not deserve a happy ending, and neither do Xia Daming and Zhao Meizhen in this life.
Even if they hadn't sucked all the blood out of Xia Qingtang in this life, they had favored sons over daughters for twenty years, and only started to regret it when their daughter suddenly woke up and ran away. It was too late!
Xia Daming shuddered all over, and could only lower his head and whisper, "I understand... Then you should live a good life with Xiao Xie. He is a good young man, and I think he will treat you well for the rest of his life."
"Really? Good luck to you." Xia Qingtang smiled, "I'm going back now. Goodbye."
After saying that, she strode out.
Xia Daming stood there staring blankly at Xia Qingtang's back until the figure turned right and disappeared out of the gate. He still stood there, not knowing what he was thinking.
A neighbor passed by and saw him standing there in a daze, so he asked, "What are you doing here, Old Xia? Is there anything outside the gate?"
"Oh, no, I was watching Qingtang walk out." Xia Daming came back to his senses.
The neighbor asked, "Is your Qingtang back? Why didn't I see him?"
Xia Daming smiled awkwardly, not daring to say that his daughter was not going back to her parents' home, but was just sending a friend home.
The neighbor continued, "Now the female comrades in the factory are all talking about whether your Qingtang married into a good family?"
"ah?"
"Don't you know? Look at Qingtang. She has worn two different new coats this month. Yesterday she wore a bright red sweater. She looked so pretty, like a bride. I heard that all her clothes were bought at department stores. They are not handmade and are very expensive. It must be because her husband is willing to spend money on her. I saw Qingtang at the factory yesterday and thought she seemed to be a little fatter than when she was at home. Her face is a little rounder and more beautiful. Your Qingtang is such a beauty. I have lived for so many years, but I have never seen a girl prettier than Qingtang. Before, your family had too poor food, and Qingtang was always yellow and thin. Now she is better. It must be because her husband's family has good food. Her face is red and white, and she is pleasing to look at."
The neighbor was talking excitedly, but Xia Daming looked embarrassed.
There have always been three people in their family working and getting salaries and food coupons, and they don't have any other children to raise, but there is only this one child at home, and he is so thin and pale. How did he have the nerve to ask Xia Qingtang if he could be transferred back?
How can this be turned?
They have treated their daughter so badly!
It would have been fine if Zhao Meizhen sent the family's food coupons and money to her son in the countryside, but her parents' family also asked them to subsidize the family. Obviously, all the Zhao family members had jobs, so why should they be asked to subsidize the family?
He subsidized the Zhao family, but the price was that his children went hungry for many years... How could he be so confused!
"Hey, Old Xia, why are you staring blankly again? What's wrong with you today? You're always in a daze! Are you too tired from work?" the neighbor said loudly, and put his hand in front of Xia Daming's eyes.
Xia Daming came back to his senses: "Ah, yes, I am a little tired, and I feel like my waist can't stand up straight..."
"Well, then you should go to the hospital as soon as possible. The back injury can be serious or minor. Your old Zhao is not in good health either. You have been cooking recently. It is not easy for you to cook after working hard all day. In my opinion, your son is young, and it is not that tiring for him as a male comrade to work in the third workshop. It is better to let him learn to cook so that you can have a rest. I see that you don't look well, so don't spoil your son so much. If you, a grown man, can cook, your son can too. Besides, he has been in the countryside for so many years, it is impossible that he can't cook, right?"
"Yes, you are right. I will discuss it with Qinghai. I'll go back first..." Xia Daming smiled awkwardly.
"Okay, you go back, I'll be out for a while." The neighbor said and left.
On the other side, Xia Qingtang had already boarded the bus, happily going to pick up Xie Jinxuan from get off work.
When they arrived at the door of their unit, Xia Qingtang greeted the guard skillfully, then went to Xie Jinxuan's office with her bag on her back.
They have been working overtime frequently recently, so in order not to waste time, Xia Qingtang would come to the office first to take a look. If he had to work overtime, she would go back alone. If he did not have to work overtime, she would find a secluded place to wait for him for a while.
Xie Jinxuan didn't have to work overtime today, so Xia Qingtang confirmed at the door of the main office and then went back to the main gate, chatting with the security guard while waiting for the end of get off work.
The security guards here are all good people. Xie Jinxuan would leave some cigarettes for them, and they would share the fried peanuts and melon seeds they brought from home with Xia Qingtang while he was waiting.
Before long, Xie Jinxuan followed the crowd leaving get off work and walked out.
The weather was cool, so he wore a thin sweater inside and a navy blue coat outside. Although the clothes were a bit old-fashioned, because he looked young and handsome, he was very conspicuous from a distance, standing out from the crowd.
"Qingtang, are you getting impatient waiting?" Xie Jinxuan couldn't help but smile when she saw her lover.
"No, we just waited for a while." Xia Qingtang said with a smile: "Shall we walk home?"
"Okay." He pushed the bicycle, Xia Qingtang walked on his left side and held his arm, and the two of them slowly walked side by side.
"I saw the Workers' Newspaper today. Congratulations, you have published another article." Xie Jinxuan said with a smile, "I brought the newspaper back with me. It's in my bag. I'll take it home and put it together with your first article. I want to find someone to order a large photo frame to put your published articles in. What do you think?"
"How is it? Of course it's good. It's easier to preserve in a frame, and it will be a souvenir for me when I get old." Xia Qingtang said, "You're really thoughtful."
The two of them chatted and laughed all the way back to the compound. They met many acquaintances on the way, and they would greet them and chat briefly with them.
Xia Qingtang was so beautiful that even though it had only been a short while, everyone in the compound knew that she was the daughter-in-law of the Xie family.
The first time she went to the canteen in the compound alone to buy meat buns, the auntie serving food directly called her "Little Xie's wife", which shows that beauty is the best publicity weapon.
However, if things go on like this, the fact that Xia Qingtang is Xie's daughter-in-law will not be kept secret for too long. If Xia Qinghai is determined to find out, he will definitely be able to find out.
Fortunately, he has already focused on pursuing his girlfriend. The director of the third workshop's youngest daughter has eaten with him twice in the cafeteria. If things continue to develop, the next step would be to ask him to go out to the park.
As long as he focuses all his energy on the object, Xia Qingtang can keep it a secret for a while longer.
When I returned to the Xie family, the old man and Xie Chengye and his wife were still not home yet. Xie Jinyun was doing homework in the bedroom, Aunt Six was preparing dinner in the kitchen, and grandma was chatting with someone in the yard next door.
"Qingtang, I'm going to take a look at the small courtyard. Do you want to come with me?" As usual, Xie Jinxuan was going to the bridal chamber to check on the progress of the project.
Xia Qingtang said: "I won't go. I'll go to the kitchen to help. If Aunt Six doesn't need help, I'll come up and write an article."
Xie Jinxuan smiled and said, "Have you found inspiration?"
"I have a little inspiration, but I'm not sure if it will work once I write it down." Xia Qingtang washed his hands and came out of the bathroom, then went downstairs with Xie Jinxuan.
After submitting his last article, Xia Qingtang had been thinking about what kind of article he should write next and whether he should submit to another newspaper, but he just had no inspiration.
She had some ideas today, and she planned to take the opportunity to write a framework.
The way she writes articles now is the simplest one, with the topic mentioned at the beginning, details in the middle, and a summary at the end before continuing with the topic. It looks simple, but it is indeed very useful.
After Xie Jinxuan left, she immediately went to the kitchen: "Sixth Aunt, do you need my help?"
Aunt Liu was rolling sweet potato balls and it looked like she was almost done. "No, I'll do it right away. The old man and his three friends won't be back for dinner tonight, so I'll make sweet potato balls for you and some starch soup to keep it simple."
"Then I'll go up and write something."
"Go ahead, go ahead and do your thing."
Xia Qingtang returned to the bedroom, spread out his hardcover notebook on the table, and began to write slowly with a pencil.
By dinner time, she had already written the first draft. After Xie Jinxuan helped her revise it, she copied it out overnight and mailed it out the next day.
However, this submission fell into oblivion. After more than half a month, her article was still nowhere to be seen in the new workers' newspaper.
Xie Jinxuan asked someone she knew, and he said, "They said the main idea of the manuscript is nothing new, and since such a big thing has happened, all the space will be given to the educated youth issue..."
Yes, a major historical process has begun. The educated youth no longer need to go to the countryside to work in the fields. After graduating from high school, they can stay in the city, and if there are no jobs, we will try our best to create one for them.
This is a good thing for all families. Children who have poor grades and cannot get into college no longer have to worry about being cut in line and can happily enjoy a pleasant campus life.
Xia Qingtang nodded: "Actually, I guessed it. What I wrote last time really didn't have any new ideas. I still need to work on my creativity. I'll think about it again. Maybe I can write about the educated youth."
She still remembered that because new positions were to be opened up, additional vacancies were added to several offices in the factory, and if she wanted to transfer positions, she had to do it within this year.
As long as she publishes one more article, she can prove that she has the ability to write articles, and then she can go to the factory office or the trade union.
Xie Jinxuan saw her anxiety and said, "Don't worry. It won't take one or two days for your factory to add more positions. It will take some time just to hold a meeting and make a decision. However, I can almost ask someone to go to your factory to say hello and remind them to pay attention to you, a front-line worker who can write articles."
"But I have offended Director Qi. If I go to the factory office, I'm afraid it wouldn't be appropriate." Xia Qingtang said.
"Director Qi is getting old. He won't be in that position for more than two years. If he really goes to the factory office, it won't have any impact." Xie Jinxuan said, "At most, I can just tell him who my grandfather is."
"Is this a case of the fox taking advantage of the tiger's might?" Xia Qingtang couldn't help but laugh.
"Yes, as long as it works. Besides, we are telling the truth, not lying. My grandfather is Xie Qiming." Xie Jinxuan said, "Don't worry, the job exchange will definitely be successful."
Xie Jinxuan found a reliable person to go to the cotton mill to say hello, and Xia Qingtang also regrouped and continued writing articles.
After thinking about it for several days, she found a new entry point this time. She brought up her brief experience as a porter and talked about how cities can create more jobs for educated youth.
She wrote the article in a simple manner, describing in detail the huge workload of warehouse porters, the injuries suffered by veteran employees such as Xia Daming due to overstrain, and used this to discuss the possibility of recruiting young people to work in warehouses within the feasible scope.
Because the whole article is based on the hard work and injuries of the porters, it is written in a very realistic and moving way. After reading it, even Xie Jinxuan felt that warehouses should have more jobs than offices.
"I think this article is very good, simple and touching. After reading it, I can empathize with those hard-working porters and feel the need to increase the number of porter jobs. But..."
"But what?"
Xie Jinxuan said: "However, although the authorities now require each city to increase employment, each factory has limited money and benefits. If the positions are increased in warehouses, there will be no positions for offices... I am worried that if this article resonates with people, it may cause your factory's office to be afraid to add new people and give all opportunities to places like warehouses."
"Let's give it a try. I'm personally very satisfied with this article because it truly speaks for frontline workers. Even if I don't consider anything else, I hope this article can be published. Moreover, even if there are no jobs now, the two women in the factory office are about to retire. At worst, I can just wait another year or so." Xia Qingtang said, "But I still believe that if this article is published, they will see my ability."
"You're right, let's send it out." Xie Jinxuan nodded.
Xia Qingtang copied the article and sent it to the Workers' Daily again.
After that, she still went to work and came home from get off work as usual every day. On her days off, she would go to the city's tourist attractions with Xie Jinxuan. He asked someone to buy him a domestic camera, and Xia Qingtang also became fascinated with taking pictures. The two of them took beautiful photos in many places.
Life was happy and fulfilling. Xia Qingtang was immersed in happiness every day. She became more and more beautiful visibly. Because of these changes, everyone became more curious about her lover. Many people were privately discussing what kind of family her in-laws were and how a new daughter-in-law could be made more and more beautiful?
Xia Qingtang didn't know that everyone was talking about this, but now she didn't care too much about it. One day, if others knew what kind of family the Xie family was, she could treat it all with a normal mind.
"Qingtang, your brother is having dinner with that girl again." Wen Xiaoli came over and whispered in Xia Qingtang's ear, "That Ji Fangfang, isn't her father Director Ji of Workshop 3? I've seen them eating together in the cafeteria several times in a row, talking and laughing. Everyone is wondering if they are dating."
"They must be dating, you see their heads are touching each other." Xia Qingtang said, "Who would be so close to each other if they weren't dating?"
"It seems that you really know your brother well. You said he would find a girl from a good family, and he found one." Wen Xiaoli smiled and said, "Ji Fangfang is not that pretty, but she likes to dress up and looks very fashionable. She is quite suitable for your brother."
Xia Qingtang nodded: "Yes, I hope they succeed."
"Huh? What do you mean? Do you think Director Ji will be against them? Because your family is not well off?"
"Director Ji is the workshop director. Xia Qinghai's father is a porter and her mother is in poor health. They will be a burden when they get old. How could he bear to let his daughter marry such a man? Besides, Director Ji lives in a three-bedroom apartment, while Xia Qinghai lives in a shed that leaks when it rains. Can Ji Fangfang bear that hardship?" Xia Qingtang laughed. "If it were you, would you let your daughter suffer this?"
"Won't."
"That's it."
In the previous life, Xia Qinghai was able to marry Ji Fangfang with the help of the generous betrothal gift that Xia Qingtang brought home. Because of the betrothal gift, the Xia family had enough money to convert the shed outside the door into a sturdy small bungalow, so Ji Fangfang would not be too poor when she married into the family.
Without the betrothal gifts in this life, Xia Qingtang wanted to see how Xia Qinghai would marry this girl home. It would be difficult for him to do it just by talking.
She glanced towards the corner of the cafeteria. Xia Qinghai's face had turned pale during the time he came back. His facial features were originally delicate, and now with his pale skin, he looked even more handsome.
While eating, Ji Fangfang looked up at him from time to time, her whole face flushed, and she really looked like she was in love.
Xia Qingtang had no feelings towards Ji Fangfang. She was an introvert. In her previous life, Xia Qingtang rarely spoke to her. Later, they divorced and moved back to her parents' home. Ji Fangfang's mind was on her children and she basically didn't care about Xia Qingtang's affairs.
In the end, Xia Qingtang was driven away. Although Ji Fangfang agreed, she and Xia Qingtang had no blood relationship, so Xia Qingtang never hated her.
As an outsider, it is only natural for her to fight for the interests of her husband and children.
"I'm done eating. Let's go wash the lunch boxes." Wen Xiaoli also glanced over there and went out with Xia Qingtang.
They both worked the afternoon shift today, and it was already dark when they got off work. Xia Qingtang found Xie Jinxuan, who came to pick her up, in the corner outside the gate as she knew the place well.
The weather was getting cold, so Xia Qingtang used rags and cotton to make a pair of cotton gloves for Xie Jinxuan. He now wears them every day and treats them as treasures.
"Let's go home." Xia Qingtang stretched lazily, "I'm hungry again."
"Sixth Aunt said she would cook some noodles for you when she gets home. We have some fresh vegetables at home today, so she will cook some more for you."
"Okay." Xia Qingtang smiled happily.
Sitting on the bicycle, Xie Jinxuan said as she rode: "By the way, I have news for you."
"What news? Was my article accepted?" Xia Qingtang asked quickly.
“The article is not that fast.”
"What's the news?"
"The results of Kong Liangchao's internal investigation are out."
"Hurry up and tell me!" Xia Qingtang grabbed Xie Jinxuan's clothes.
"He has serious financial problems, but his grandfather found many old friends to protect him from going to jail, so for now he has to hand over all the money he illegally obtained and then be fired." Xie Jinxuan said: "But these are all inside information. The public statement is that he was fired because of his chaotic relationship with women, which can be regarded as saving face for Kong Liangchao's grandfather."
Xia Qingtang said: "That's all? Why shouldn't he go to jail?"
"There's nothing we can do about it. I heard his grandfather knelt down before an old friend, and in the end several people came together to protect him. All the money was paid, and some fines were also paid. However, the Kong family is not having an easy time. Except for Kong Liangchao, his entire family is now under investigation, including his lover."
Kong Liangchao registered his marriage last month. I heard that the female comrade not only got a lot of money and things, but also successfully got a job in the office. If she is investigated now, she might have to go back to the workshop.
However, a lean camel is bigger than a horse. Grandpa Kong’s pension and savings are enough to provide food and clothing for others.
Xia Qingtang said: "It's really too cheap for them."
"I think that the Kong family has already failed from this moment on. They have enjoyed a good life for so long, and now everyone will feel unbalanced when their family is no longer as prosperous as before. Kong Liangchao has lost his job, and he will not be able to live a life of luxury in the future. If he really wants to make money, he can only commit crimes."
Xia Qingtang rolled his eyes and felt that he should be careful when going out during this period.
When she got home, Aunt Liu made her a big bowl of vegetable noodles and added a few slices of bacon. She ate it while it was hot and her whole body warmed up.
After she finished eating, she fiddled around on the first floor for a while and found an empty ink bottle. She put something in it, then she brought it upstairs mysteriously and put it in her backpack.
Xie Jinxuan asked: "What is this?"
"This is pepper spray, for self-defense. If you encounter a bad guy, you can splash it on his face so that he can't open his eyes, and I can take the opportunity to escape." Xia Qingtang said: "Your words reminded me that Kong Liangchao is now without a unit, so if he commits a crime, he will have no scruples, so I have to be careful, in case he still hates me, this will come in handy."
Xie Jinxuan was shocked after hearing this: "Why didn't you say it earlier? If I didn't ask you, you wouldn't have told me?"
"Not really. You've always been smarter than me. I thought you had already thought of this." Xia Qingtang looked innocent.
"I... I really didn't expect it, but you are right. He has no scruples now, and he might really seek revenge on you." Xie Jinxuan said: "There is nothing to do during the day, but I will definitely pick you up after your mid-shift."
"Yeah, you'll pick me up anyway, there's nothing to worry about." Although she said that, she still carried her homemade pepper spray with her.
Two days later, Xie Jinxuan received a temporary business trip notice, and she had to accompany a leader to another place for five days.
Xia Qingtang helped him pack his luggage and watched him get into the jeep and leave.
The next day, she happened to be working the middle shift. After get off work, she met Xiao Wan who came to pick her up at the factory gate.
"Xiao Xia, here, here." Xiao Wan waved at her.
Xia Qingtang ran over quickly: "Brother Wan, did Xie Jinxuan ask you to pick me up?"
"Yes, he told me before he left on his business trip that he would pick you up after get off work. I'll park the jeep a little past the intersection ahead, and no one will see us when we walk over there." Xiao Wan smiled and said, "I've thought it through, haven't I?"
"It's very thoughtful, but it's a big trouble for you to make a trip so late at night."
"What's the trouble? Don't I bother you all the time? I gave the cloth you took out from the factory last time to my mother. She was so happy." Xiao Wan smiled and said, "We are all helping each other. Don't keep saying polite words."
The only benefit of working in their cotton mill is that you can occasionally get cloth of substandard quality. Some are torn, some are stained, and do not meet the factory specifications. The factory will then give them to the employees. You don't need cloth coupons, you can take them home with just a little money.
Every employee has a certain quota to buy such cloth every month, but in the past Zhao Meizhen always sent these cloths to Xia Qinghai or secretly gave them to her parents' home, so Xia Qingtang could use very little of them himself.
Now she could use these cloths completely independently. She kept some for herself and gave the rest that she didn't need to Hu Yanni and Xiao Wan.
Although these cloths do not meet the factory specifications, they are perfect for making inner clothes and are needed by every household.
The two of them walked slowly forward, and after passing the intersection, they could see a jeep parked on the other side of the road.
Xiao Wan said, "Look, if I park there, won't people from your factory see me?"
Most of the employees of the cotton mill live in the family quarters, so when you walk here, you are unlikely to run into employees from the factory.
Just as Xia Qingtang was about to praise Xiao Wan for being a careful person, several figures suddenly jumped out from the bushes on the side of the road and surrounded them.
This place is quite far from the nearest street light and the light is rather dim. In addition, all of them are wearing hats and have their collars pulled up, so it is impossible to tell who is who.
She cursed in her heart, thinking that Kong Liangchao couldn't be so wicked that he would commit a crime just after losing his job!
Xiao Wan immediately protected Xia Qingtang, and then whispered, "What are you doing?"
"Hand over your money, food coupons and watches!" the leader said hoarsely, "Hurry up!"
Xia Qingtang was stunned. It was actually a robbery?
Xiao Wan said: "I am picking up my family from get off work, why would I bring money? I don't even have a watch!"
"You don't have one, and neither do your family members? She just came out from over there, and I saw her check her left wrist. She must have been wearing a watch." The man yelled, "Hand it over!"
"What if you don't pay it?" Xiao Wan spoke calmly.
Xia Qingtang knew that Xiao Wan was not only a driver, he was also a bodyguard. How could he not have some skills if he could drive for someone of Grandpa Xie's level?
Xie Jinxuan said that Xiao Wan was a better fighter than him, so Xiao Wan was not panicked, and neither was Xia Qingtang. She secretly reached into her bag and took out the bottle of pepper water.
"If you don't hand over the watch, I'm sorry. We have to leave something behind before we go." The man said, "Don't refuse a toast and drink a forfeit."
"I just like to be punished. If you have any skills, come and try it." After Xiao Wan said this, he made a fighting gesture, signaling those people to come together.
Although their faces could not be seen, several people were stunned at the same time. They looked at each other and someone whispered, "Brother, what should we do?"
"What should we do? Get a knife!" After saying that, the man with a hoarse voice took out a small knife from his pocket. Even in the dim light, you could see the blade shining.
Xiao Wan whispered, "Don't be afraid, stand behind me, nothing will happen to you."
"Okay, I understand." Xia Qingtang was not afraid at all. She held the ink bottle tightly in her hand, and her other hand had already unscrewed the bottle cap.
Sure enough, the small knife flashing with cold light was waved towards this side, but Xiao Wan was too skilled and those young men obviously had no fighting experience. Xia Qingtang didn't even find a chance to throw pepper water, and the knives in the hands of several people were kicked away.
The most timid person inside shouted, "Have mercy!"
Then they started running. After one person escaped, the rest didn't care about anything else and scattered like birds and beasts.
Xiao Wan waited until they all ran far away, then picked up the knives from the ground and said, "Xiao Xia, you are not scared, are you?"
"No, I'm not afraid. I heard from Jinxuan that you are very powerful."
"What's so amazing? Just average." Xiao Wan said, "These are small fruit knives used at home, and they are not sharpened. It's obvious that they are new to robbing people with them. But things are not very peaceful recently. I heard that some sent-down youths have returned and can't find work in the city, so this kind of robbery has happened many times."
Xia Qingtang also knew about this. She also knew that by next year, more educated youth would come back, and there would be even more people doing nothing.
"So thank you so much today. Luckily you came to pick me up. It would be hard to say if I went back alone." Xia Qingtang thanked him.
"You still have the mid-shift the day after tomorrow? I'll come pick you up then." Xiao Wan put away the fruit knives and said, "Let's go back."
When they got back home by car, Grandpa, Grandma and Aunt Liu were sitting in the living room listening to the radio. When she saw them back, Aunt Liu immediately went to make food for Xia Qingtang.
Xiao Wan handed the fruit knives to the old man: "I was afraid that they had other accomplices who would come out and hurt Xiao Xia, so I didn't chase them."
"You are right to do this. It is right to come back safely." The old man looked at the fruit knives and couldn't help but sighed heavily. "More and more people will return to the city. Without jobs and income, I am afraid that more trouble will happen."
Xia Qingtang said: "Grandpa, don't worry, these problems will definitely be solved."
In December, a conference of great significance will be held, at which time the reform and opening up will begin.
Of course, all places need a certain amount of time to accept and learn, but as time goes by, young people without jobs will create jobs for themselves. Whether it is starting a small business on the street or developing in special economic zones, both are ways out.
More people may still prefer to find a stable and reliable job. As long as the economy improves, factories will need more productivity, which will then solve the problem of a part of the young labor force.
Grandma said, "Old man, don't worry about these big things. Our Qingtang was robbed, and you don't even care about the children!"
After saying that, grandma held Xia Qingtang's hand and repeatedly checked with her whether she was scared.
"I'm fine. I already knew that Brother Wan is a martial arts master, so I'm not afraid at all."
The old man also said: "That's right, Xiao Wan is so powerful, what is he afraid of? Qingtang gets off work late these few days, so Xiao Wan should go and pick him up. I guarantee everything will be fine."
Nothing happened in the next few days. When Xie Jinxuan came back, she learned that Xia Qingtang did not encounter Kong Liangchao for revenge, but encountered a robbery. She was also glad that she had told Xiao Wan about the pick-up and drop-off in advance.
"I'll go to the Workers' Newspaper and ask about your article." Xie Jinxuan said, "It's just normal off-get off work time, so you won't encounter this kind of thing."
Xia Qingtang said: "Yes, for those working in the middle and evening shifts, it is better to live in the family quarters. For those of us who live far away, it is really not very convenient."
Xie Jinxuan went to the Workers' Daily to confirm with someone that Xia Qingtang's latest article had been accepted and would be published in the latest issue of the Workers' Daily.
Reassured, Xia Qingtang went to the union office naturally to borrow a newspaper on that day.
This article is of high quality. The union chairman can now be sure that Xia Qingtang is a capable writer, and their office is short of such a person.
Moreover, she got a little gossip that Xia Qingtang asked someone with connections to come over and say hello, and that relationship was quite unusual.
Both the factory office and the trade union need new people. Chairman Qin doesn't want to be outdone by the factory office. The new people she wants must be more capable than those from the factory office.
So, when she saw Xia Qingtang coming to read the newspaper, she called him to her single office and asked, "Xiao Xia, we are all trying to find ways to increase the number of positions, and our union also wants to increase the number of positions. Do you want to work in the union?"
Xia Qingtang made a very surprised expression: "Chairman Qin, I'm just a front-line worker. How can I have the ability to come to the office to work?"
"What's wrong with the workers? I also worked on the front line at the beginning, and was later transferred to the office. You have a high school diploma, and you have published articles in newspapers one after another, which has brought glory to our cotton mill. I have proposed to the higher-ups that front-line workers like you should be considered for this year's advanced workers. Of course, advanced workers are not the responsibility of our union, but we do need a new secretary this year, and I think you are very suitable. Let me tell you privately first, as long as you are willing to come, I will be the first to ask you to come when a new position is available."
Xia Qingtang acted as if he was flattered: "Really? Chairman Qin, do you really think so highly of me?"
"Of course."
"Can I really do this? Will I hold everyone back?"
"You have to have confidence in yourself. With your writing skills, it is more than enough for you to work here."
Xia Qingtang took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to say, "If that's the case, then... I'll listen to Chairman Qin. As long as you need me, I'll come here to work!"
"Very good. Then you go back to work. I will post your article on the bulletin board and will highlight you at the next factory meeting."
After walking out of the union office, Xia Qingtang finally felt relieved. She knew that the job transfer could be done quickly.
Chairman Qin is a very efficient person. After Xia Qingtang's third newspaper article was displayed on the propaganda column, he also praised Xia Qingtang highly in the factory, saying that she sincerely spoke for the front-line workers and was a representative force of young workers in the new era and worthy of learning from everyone.
For a time, not only did everyone in the cotton mill know that Xia Qingtang, the most beautiful girl in the factory, was a capable writer, but some outside units also knew it.
In December, with the convening of the general meeting, all factories began to add some positions. Of course, because of Xia Qingtang's article about porters, the factory gave the most new positions to the warehouse, but the factory office and the trade union also needed to add an executive officer each.
At this time, Director Huang from the factory office also thought of Xia Qingtang. If the factory office could have such a writer, many future tasks would be much simpler.
Unfortunately, he was a step too slow. Before he could take action, the union had already processed the transfer order and was waiting for Xia Qingtang to come to work directly at the beginning of next month.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
