Chapter 78
It’s not Xia Qingtang’s fault that she was so shocked. After all, Hu Yanni was badly hurt by that man in her previous life. So when Xia Qingtang heard that she had a partner, she was like a frightened bird. She had been praying a thousand times in her heart: I hope it’s not that rubbish man in her previous life!
Even Xie Xiaoshuang looked up, her face full of surprise: "Yanni has a boyfriend? Why didn't you tell us? I'm still living in your house, and I haven't heard your parents tell you... Oh, I see, you're secretly dating and deliberately didn't tell any of us."
Xia Qingtang immediately went over to tickle her: "This is terrible, you are hiding even this kind of thing from us. Tell me quickly, who are you dating?"
Xia Qingtang originally planned to introduce Hu Yanni to Luo Xiangqian after the college entrance examination, but who knew that the plan ended before it even began.
Hu Yanni is an honest person. Once she finds a partner, she will definitely get married, so there is no hope for Luo Xiangqian.
Hu Yanni blushed, dodging Xia Qingtang's hands and whispering, "No, no, no one, not yet..."
"No partner, then you just said he's not that kind of person? You've got a specific person showing up!" Xie Xiaoshuang said, "You still want to lie?"
Her attention was completely drawn to the "he" mentioned by Hu Yanni, and now she just wanted to find out what was going on.
Hu Yanni looked at the closed door like a thief, then whispered, "I really don't have a boyfriend. I have to take the college entrance examination and I don't have time..."
"Who is that 'he'?" Xia Qingtang said, "You said that, which means you want to date this person, but the timing is not right and you haven't started yet."
"You're right. I do have some feelings for a guy, and I think he has some feelings for me too... but we've only just started to have some feelings for each other, and I have to take the college entrance exam, so it's not the right time yet." Hu Yanni blushed and said, "Anyway, let's wait until after the college entrance exam. Regardless of whether I can pass or not, if... if he is willing to date me, I'll be with him."
Xie Xiaoshuang couldn't help laughing: "You've been talking for a long time, but you haven't said the name of this person yet. Who is it?"
But when I continued to ask, Hu Yanni stopped talking and just kept hesitating with a red face.
Xia Qingtang held his chin and thought for a while, then whispered, "I know who it is."
Hu Yanni was shocked: "You know who it is? How did you know?"
"I deduced it." Xia Qingtang said, "It was the person who lent you the revision notes, right?"
Hu Yanni was shocked: "Ah...how did you know?"
"It's Gu Xing'an!" Xia Qingtang clapped his hands, "I knew it. Gu Xing'an was so enthusiastic in helping you find the old review materials, and he didn't keep anything to himself. Either he is a very nice and kind person, or he has some interest in you. But it's normal. You two were familiar with each other in class. I remember that you and he were both class leaders, and you often went to the teacher's office for meetings together."
After knowing that it was Gu Xingan, Xia Qingtang suddenly felt relieved.
As long as it’s not the man from her previous life, as long as it’s not that man, Hu Yanni should have a different life.
Xie Xiaoshuang thought for a while before saying, "Gu Xingan, our high school classmate? I have an impression of him. He looks quite gentle, fair, thin and tall. He just has many brothers and sisters at home. Like me, he often eats coarse flour buns with pickles in the cafeteria. His clothes and shoes always have a lot of patches, but they are always washed clean. He is a decent man. I heard that he came from the countryside and passed the college entrance examination. Now he is studying in the provincial capital university. He is a college student, so even if his family conditions are a little worse, it doesn't matter. Anyway, as long as he graduates, Gu Xingan will definitely be a cadre, and you will also have a job. In the future, you will form a family and should have a good life. In short, I am relieved if you are dating him."
Xia Qingtang said: "I am also relieved. Gu Xingan looks kind and friendly. He should be nice to Yanni."
Hu Yanni blushed and said, "Oh, how can you think so far in the future? We haven't even started yet. Whether he is a cadre or not is none of my business..."
Xia Qingtang waved her hand, "Don't be shy. These are all very realistic issues. Dating is not only about feelings, but also about character and family. You lived so well at your parents' home, you can't marry someone very poor and suffer. Gu Xing'an knows it in his heart. If he hadn't been admitted to university, how could the class monitor and others think so highly of him? You and he were quite familiar with each other in high school. Maybe he had feelings for you at that time, but he waited until now when you met again to pursue you. This shows that he also knows that he has a poor family background, and he dares to date you now that he has been admitted to university."
"No, he hasn't pursued me yet... We have only met twice in private, and I am busy and he is even busier. I asked Qingtang to help pass on the study materials, so how could there be any chance for him to pursue me?" Hu Yanni whispered, "But I think he should have that kind of feelings for me, and I have the same feelings for him... Anyway, it's too early to say anything now. From what he said, I can see that he wants to wait until I get into college before talking."
Xia Qingtang frowned slightly and said, "What do you mean? If you can't get into college, then you won't be together? This person got into college, so he has to find a college student to date?"
"No, no, definitely not... Oh, I don't know what to say." Hu Yanni held Xia Qingtang's hand and said softly, "Don't worry, he definitely doesn't mean that, and he's not that kind of person. He's afraid that it will affect my studies. You know my foundation is not as good as others, and it's more difficult for me to review than others. Before the college entrance examination, I just want to review well and don't think about anything else. I also told him that my foundation is average, and although I have worked hard for a long time, the chances of passing the exam are not great. He also encouraged me, saying that it doesn't matter if I don't pass the exam, there will definitely be night schools in the future, and I can go to night school if I want to improve myself. You see, he said this, he definitely doesn't mean that."
Xia Qingtang let out a long sigh, then smiled and said, "Anyway, you have to be careful. Although Gu Xingan is our old classmate and a good person, no matter who you are dating, you have to protect yourself and not be bullied by the other party."
Xie Xiaoshuang even held Hu Yanni's hand tightly, and then said forcefully: "Also, before you get married, don't sleep with him no matter what. You must remember, don't do it no matter what!"
Hu Yanni stared with her big eyes, and after several seconds she nodded seriously: "I will, don't worry, I know what to do."
"That's good. You must never become like me, ever." Xie Xiaoshuang hugged her and said, "I have no future anymore."
"Don't say that. You were forced into this and you are a victim. Besides, aren't you going to work in another place? No one will know you there. You can start over." Hu Yanni said quickly.
Xie Xiaoshuang smiled bitterly and shook her head: "Others may not know about this, but I know it in my heart. I am no longer the same person as before, and I can't get married..."
There was silence in the room for a while. Hu Yanni held her hand, not knowing what to say. In the end, she could only look at Xia Qingtang for help.
Xia Qingtang said, "I used to think the same as you, as if there was only one way to go in life, which was to get married. If you don't get married and have children, you're doomed. But in fact, what can you do if you don't get married? Working hard all your life and finding some hobbies is also a good life. If you really don't want to get married, then don't get married. When you get old in the future, as long as you have money, you can live in a place that is specially provided for the elderly, just like nursing homes in foreign countries. As long as you have money, there will always be someone to take care of you. What are you afraid of? There are still many possibilities in the future."
There were indeed quite a few nursing homes in the 1990s, but not many elderly people were willing to live there.
Xie Xiaoshuang and Hu Yanni didn't know what a nursing home was, so Xia Qingtang explained it to them and said that it would definitely appear in the future, it just required money.
Xie Xiaoshuang thought for a while and said, "I've also heard people say that with all the reforms and opening up now, everyone will have to make money in the future. If this is true, then I'll go make some money too."
"That's the right way to think. This is the future." Xia Qingtang looked at his watch again and said, "I really have to go back."
"I'll take you out." Xie Xiaoshuang stood up. "Please also tell Comrade Xie that I'll repay you later."
"Okay, I'll convey it for you." Xia Qingtang smiled and walked out the door with the two of them.
Father Hu said, "Qingtang is going back?"
"Yes, let's go back and make lunch. I'll come to play with uncle and aunt next time." Xia Qingtang smiled obediently, shook Xie Xiaoshuang's hand again, and rode back on his bike.
She probably doesn't need to worry about what happens next, as Xie Xiaoshuang knows what to do.
I rode my bike home humming a song. Luo Xiangqian and Leng Feng were there. They were both sitting in the corridor. One of them was holding a cup of water and talking to Xie Jinxuan in the kitchen.
The kitchen window was open, and one could see Xie Jinxuan cutting vegetables on the chopping board under the windowsill. His movements were not very skilled, but he was doing it very seriously, with a smile on his handsome eyes. Looking at him like this, it looked very much like a scene from a TV drama.
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "I'm back."
"Are you back? Are you tired?" Xie Jinxuan immediately put down the kitchen knife, washed her hands, and walked out with a glass of water.
It was already May Day, and the weather had become very warm, still a little hot under the sun. When Xia Qingtang came back by bike, he saw someone drinking soda.
"Not tired." Xia Qingtang parked his bicycle in the corner, then took the glass of water and drank two sips, "Ah, why is it soda?"
Orange soda tastes very refreshing. Xia Qingtang likes the taste very much, but unfortunately she was reluctant to drink it before.
Luo Xiangqian smiled and said, "Yes, this is the soda that Leng Feng bought. He bought a dozen and said he wanted to thank you for the meal."
Xia Qingtang sneered in his heart, but his face was indifferent. He did not continue to drink the soda, but directly handed the cup to Xie Jinxuan and said, "I'll go in and get some water."
She knew that what she was doing would seem childish and boring, but she did it on purpose.
Xie Jinxuan was stunned for a moment, but immediately understood that Xia Qingtang didn't want to drink what Leng Feng bought.
He didn't say anything, but just pulled her into the house and brought her a glass of boiled water after entering.
Xia Qingtang drank a glass of water in one breath, and then said, "I'll cook. Are the two people outside going to have lunch at home?"
"No, we agreed that it's just the two of us today. Besides, how can we treat them to dinner every day?" Xie Jinxuan said, "The landlord doesn't have any surplus food."
Xia Qingtang chuckled: "Okay, then I'll do what I want. You can talk to them and I'll listen to the radio."
Xie Jinxuan held her back and whispered in her ear, "Leng Feng bought some soda just to make peace with me."
"I know, but just make peace with him. I'm like this. I still feel uncomfortable seeing him." After Xia Qingtang said this, he went to the kitchen with the radio.
She cooked slowly while listening to the radio. An enticing aroma gradually wafted out of the kitchen. Xia Qingtang smiled and called out, "Xie Jinxuan, light the stove outside."
"Okay." Xie Jinxuan immediately went over to light the fire.
Leng Feng suddenly said: "It's getting late, let's go back."
"Okay, then do you want to come to my house for dinner? Isn't there anyone at your house for lunch today?" Luo Xiangqian said enthusiastically, "We're having oil-splashed noodles for lunch!"
Leng Feng said: "No, I'll just go to the cafeteria."
As they were talking, they both walked into the yard and waved at Xia Qingtang in the window.
"Xiao Xia, let's go back."
Leng Feng even said, "Let's go."
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "Take your time, come and play again when you have time."
Luo Xiangqian walked out smiling, but Leng Feng stared at Xia Qingtang for a few seconds. Xia Qingtang made a face at him. He was stunned, his face immediately turned dark and he turned and walked away.
Xia Qingtang couldn't help but stick out her tongue, thinking it was quite fun to tease such an old-fashioned person.
It wasn't that she was targeting Leng Feng on purpose. It was mainly because of his attitude. He obviously didn't think he was wrong. Was it enough to just buy a box of soda and make peace? Maybe Xie Jinxuan would forgive him for this, but Xia Qingtang wouldn't. She wouldn't forgive the other person's arrogance so quickly.
After they both left and the stove outside was lit, Xia Qingtang walked out with a pot and started steaming rice on the stove.
The sun was shining brightly, and the neighbors were all out in the yard, full of life, which made Xia Qingtang feel even better.
Seeing her smiling face and humming along with the radio, Xie Jinxuan walked over and whispered, "Are you so happy today?"
"Of course I'm happy. Today is such a big happy event." Xia Qingtang said, "By the way, Xiaoshuang asked me to bring you a message, saying that I will repay you in the future."
"You're too polite. You don't have to be like that." Xie Jinxuan said, "She's your good friend. You should do something for your friend."
"Let her go. Leave her with a thought. With this in mind, she won't think of committing suicide so easily."
Xie Jinxuan nodded: "When you are free later, you can invite them to your home. If they don't want to come home, you can also go to the state-owned restaurant for dinner."
"Wait for a while, when Xiaoshuang has solved all her problems. She wants to move to that bungalow, and then she can come to our house for dinner." Xia Qingtang said with a smile, "In the future, Xiaoshuang will live close by, and I will have a friend to talk to every day."
Xie Jinxuan smiled and said, "If Xiang Qian and Xiao Hu can succeed, wouldn't that be even better?"
"I'm afraid that won't work. Let me tell you, Hu Yanni has someone she likes."
"What? I haven't heard of it before, how come it suddenly happened?"
"Love comes easily. Although they haven't started dating yet, she and that guy should be in love with each other. They will probably be together after Yanni finishes the college entrance examination. But since this matter has not yet been finalized, don't tell Lao Luo. Let's wait and see what happens first."
"I understand." Xie Jinxuan nodded again.
It was almost twelve o'clock when they finally started eating.
Because the sunlight was good, the two of them got a small table and sat in the yard, eating while basking in the sun.
Although there were only two people eating, Xia Qingtang did not do things perfunctorily. She made three dishes in total, including stir-fried black fungus with lettuce, stir-fried mushrooms with green vegetables, and scrambled eggs with carrots. The rice was stewed with yam. There was a lot of yam, but after mixing it with the rice, it tasted particularly good. Xie Jinxuan liked this flavor and ate more than when she had stewed potatoes with rice.
"Eat more of this." Xia Qingtang put the egg into Xie Jinxuan's bowl. "You were a great contributor to that matter. You worked hard."
He smiled and said, "You should eat more eggs."
As he said this, he also picked up an egg for Xia Qingtang.
"Then we'll each have half." Xia Qingtang picked up the plate and really divided it in half.
A neighbor passing by their door, looked out, and said with a smile: "Xiao Xie, is your lunch so good?"
Xie Jinxuan replied with a smile: "Yes, today is a holiday."
"Then there's Youth Day coming up, are you guys still celebrating?"
"Yes, of course I should do it while I'm still young."
The neighbor laughed and walked away. Xie Jinxuan turned around and said, "Don't forget it on the evening of the 4th."
"How could I forget? This is the first time someone wants to celebrate my birthday." Xia Qingtang whispered, "I'm really looking forward to it. I almost wish it was the fourth day."
Xie Jinxuan said: "That won't work. If today is the 4th, I won't have time to give you my gift."
"What gift have you prepared for me?" Xia Qingtang asked curiously.
"It's only a few days away, you'll know when the time comes." Xie Jinxuan said with a smile, "You'll probably like it."
Xia Qingtang leaned over and kissed him on the face: "Then thank you in advance."
"Just saying thank you like this is not enough. I need to rest today..." There was a deep look in Xie Jinxuan's eyes.
"Why are you in such a hurry? Wash the dishes after dinner. I'll wait for you in the bedroom." Xia Qingtang glanced over and continued eating.
The food she cooked tasted really good, and since both of them were young and had big appetites, they finished all three dishes and the whole pot of rice in one go.
"Ah, so happy, Xie Jinxuan, I feel especially happy." Xia Qingtang held his big hand and said seriously.
Xie Jinxuan smiled and said, "I am indeed very happy after having a full meal."
"Not only that, I feel very happy just looking at you like this. Being with you, even if I don't have enough to eat, I should feel happy, but not this happy." Xia Qingtang looked at Xie Jinxuan's handsome face and felt very happy just looking at his face.
"I'm really happy to hear you say that." Xie Jinxuan reached out and hugged her in her arms, "I will continue to work hard to make you happier."
"Okay, then you go wash the dishes and clean up now, and I'll go clean up too. You can work hard in the bedroom later." Xia Qingtang said seriously.
Xie Jinxuan couldn't help laughing: "Yes, sir."
He immediately stood up and put all his things into the house.
Seeing that he went to wash the dishes, Xia Qingtang took the thermos and went to the bathroom and took a quick shower.
I worked up a sweat from riding my bike this morning, so since I’m going to work hard in the bedroom, I must take a good shower.
Seeing that she was taking a shower, Xie Jinxuan simply boiled another pot of water. When she came out, she went in and took a quick shower herself.
Neither of them left the bedroom for the rest of the afternoon.
The curtains were closed tightly, and sunlight filtered through the gaps, casting a thin spot of light on the ground.
In the room, there was Xia Qingtang's happy and satisfied voice, mixed with Xie Jinxuan's occasional whispers, making the atmosphere inside charming and gentle.
Xia Qingtang didn't know when she fell asleep. When she woke up, the curtains were still drawn, but there was obviously no light outside and the desk lamp was still on in the room.
"It's dark?" she was surprised.
"The sun has gone down, but it's not completely dark yet." Xie Jinxuan turned her head away from the lamp and asked, "Did you sleep well?"
"I was... confused when I was sleeping." Xia Qingtang sat up slowly, "I just felt very hungry..."
"Sorry, I overdosed myself this afternoon. After you fell asleep, I gave you a massage. Do you feel uncomfortable?" Xie Jinxuan reached out and touched her head.
"I'm not uncomfortable, I'm just hungry."
"I brought back the food. Do you want to eat now?"
"eat."
Xie Jinxuan handed her the clothes and helped her put them on.
Xia Qingtang was still a little dazed. Xie Jinxuan pulled her out of the bedroom, and then she saw the time displayed on the clock. It was already half past six.
"I can sleep really well." Xia Qingtang stretched and asked, "When did you wake up?"
"I didn't fall asleep. I stayed with you for a while and then got up to read." Xie Jinxuan said, "Do you want hot water to wash your face?"
"No, I'll wash my face with cold water, which will make me feel more awake." Xia Qingtang waved his hand and went to the bathroom.
When she came out, she felt that her brain had finally come alive.
Xie Jinxuan brought back a simple meal, and the two of them sat under the window and ate slowly until it was completely dark.
"I'll go turn on the light." Xie Jinxuan said as she was about to stand up, but was stopped by Xia Qingtang.
"Don't be in a hurry, sit here for a while and look at the sky. Now, I often feel that life is as beautiful as a dream." Xia Qingtang sat there holding Xie Jinxuan's hand, with a well-behaved and satisfied smile on his face.
She is really happy now. Not only is her life going well, but her friends' troubles have also been solved. Everything is so good.
Xie Jinxuan always unconditionally cooperated with her ideas. The two of them just sat in front of the window looking at the sky, waiting until the moon rose before turning on the light and washing the lunch boxes.
Of course, a happy life would occasionally have some little troubles. For example, the next morning when Xia Qingtang was riding her bike to work, the chain broke down halfway. She had to stop by the roadside and find a stick to fiddle with the chain.
"Secretary Xia, why are you here?" A jeep suddenly stopped beside her, then the door opened and Yang Dachuan got out of the car.
Xia Qingtang rolled her eyes in her heart, but could only say politely, "Hello, Secretary Yang. I'm passing by here on my way to work by bike."
"Is your bicycle broken?" Yang Dachuan immediately rolled up his sleeves and said, "Let me help you take a look."
“No, no.” Xia Qingtang stepped back in fear. “Secretary Yang, you are in an important position. If your clothes get dirty, your boss will be unhappy and your work will be affected. Please don’t touch my bicycle. Otherwise, I might complain to your boss.”
Yang Dachuan burst out laughing: "Hey, this last sentence is what you really want to say, right?"
"I'm glad you know it." Xia Qingtang gave him an unpleasant look.
Yang Dachuan was wearing a dark grey suit today, a pair of shiny leather shoes, and his hair was combed meticulously. He looked quite an elite.
"Okay, I won't touch your bike, you fix it yourself. If you can't fix it, I'll ask the driver to help you." Yang Dachuan rubbed his hands and stood not far away.
His eyes were fixed on Xia Qingtang's face, and he became more and more fascinated as he looked.
Xia Qingtang took a small branch and slowly put the chain up bit by bit, but it was not that easy, so he repeated it several times before he finally got it right.
She held the pedal and turned it a few times. The chain turned steadily. She let out a long breath, put the twig back into the corner, and took out a handkerchief to wipe her hands.
Although she was very careful, she still got the oil from the chain on her fingers, making them black.
"Hey, if you wipe it with a handkerchief, it won't be washed off." Yang Dachuan reminded.
"I know." Xia Qingtang still wiped the oil off his hands with a handkerchief.
This is her oldest handkerchief, which she has used for many years. If the stains really cannot be washed out, then forget it. She can buy a new one later.
"You are going to work at the cotton mill, and it's actually on my way there. Do you want me to give you a ride in my car?" Yang Dachuan suggested.
"Why do you ask such a question? I will definitely refuse." Xia Qingtang said: "Besides, I have a bicycle and can ride there quickly."
"You have such a nice bicycle, and it looks like it's in good condition. Who is your lover? Tell me her name, maybe I know her." Yang Dachuan took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, took out a cigarette and held it between his fingers.
"No need for that. Secretary Yang, who my lover is has nothing to do with me. Well, I have to go to work. I won't bother you anymore. Goodbye." After saying that, Xia Qingtang got on his bicycle and rode away as if he was running away.
Yang Dachuan smiled as he watched her receding figure. He waited until she could no longer be seen before returning to the car.
Although there was a minor incident on the way, fortunately Xia Qingtang left home early, so they arrived on time.
I worked peacefully for two days, and soon it was the fourth, Youth Day.
As soon as grandma got up early in the morning, she brought Aunt Six to the small courtyard.
"Grandma, Sixth Aunt, why are you here so early?" Xia Qingtang walked out while applying cold cream.
Aunt Liu was holding a pot in her hand. She smiled and said, "I was worried that you didn't have time to cook in the morning, so I cooked a pot of noodles. You and Jinxuan can eat it directly."
"Yes, today is your birthday. You must eat longevity noodles. They can help you live longer and healthier." Grandma smiled and said, "Come and eat."
Xie Jinxuan quickly poured water for grandma and Sixth Aunt. Xia Qingtang took the pot and put it on the dining table. When he opened it, it was indeed a pot of cooked noodles. It was not dried noodles, but hand-rolled noodles made by Sixth Aunt herself. There were also several kinds of vegetables in it, and a plump white poached egg lying on the top. It looked very delicious.
"Thank you grandma, thank you Aunt Six!" Xia Qingtang simply rushed over and gave Grandma and Aunt Six a hug each.
Egg noodles are not a rare thing in the Xie family, but getting up early in the morning to make hand-rolled noodles shows that Sixth Aunt really loves her, and Xia Qingtang is particularly touched.
"You're welcome. Eat quickly." Grandma urged, "Noodles won't taste good if they clump together."
Xie Jinxuan had already come out of the kitchen with an empty bowl. He picked up some noodles for himself and pushed the pot to Xia Qingtang: "Eat with this, it's all yours."
Xia Qingtang laughed: "Then I won't be polite!"
This pot of noodles is full of love, so of course she has to finish eating it carefully.
Grandma and Aunt Six were sitting on the sofa, watching the two of them eat noodles.
Xia Qingtang finished her noodles carefully, covered her stomach and said, "I'm really full. This is the first time I've eaten so much in the morning."
Grandma said: "It's better to eat enough. Today is your birthday, so you should eat more."
"But you can't just ride your bike straight away after eating so much, right?" Xie Jinxuan said, "Rest for a while, I'll ride you there."
"No need. I'll take a rest and then ride there by myself. It's still early. It's okay as long as I'm not late." Xia Qingtang waved his hand and simply chatted with his grandmother and Aunt Six for a while.
She has been busy recently, so she seldom chats with her grandmother and the others. Now both sides have a lot to talk about. Grandma even told her some interesting stories about the neighbors, which made Xia Qingtang laugh so hard that she fell backwards.
She waited until she had to go out before she walked to the yard with her bag on her back: "Then I'll go to work. I'll be back early in the evening."
"Okay, come back early in the evening. Xiaoliu has prepared a delicious meal for you!" Grandma smiled and waved at her, "Be careful on the road."
"I know." Xia Qingtang rode out on his bicycle.
Because today is Youth Day, all the young workers are very happy.
After work in the morning and lunch, we started various activities in the afternoon.
Xia Qingtang was a union worker. As her athletic ability was average, she did not participate in any competitions, but instead kept score for them in the table tennis match.
There are many table tennis experts in the factory, such as Wen Xiaoli. She has played all the way up and has reached the most crucial quarter-finals.
Xia Qingtang watched her every move nervously, fearing that she would lose.
Fortunately, Wen Xiaoli was very strong and she entered the finals as she wished. She eventually lost to another young worker in the finals and only got second place.
"Although it's a bit regrettable, second place is also very good." Wen Xiaoli said a little regretfully.
Xia Qingtang quickly said: "You are very good, there are also prizes for the second place."
"Really? What prizes are there? I hope they're something unusable?" Wen Xiaoli asked curiously.
"They are all household items. I went to buy them with Secretary Feng a while ago." Xia Qingtang said with a smile, "I remember the second place winner seemed to get a set of rice bowls."
While the competition was going on, a jeep suddenly drove in, and the city trade union chairman and Yang Dachuan got out of the car, one in front and one behind, saying that they were here to participate in the Youth Day activities of the cotton mill.
Now everyone became nervous. Chairman Qin and Director Qi hurriedly accompanied them to visit everywhere. Yang Dachuan even took off his coat and played a game of table tennis with the first place in the competition. In the end, he won.
Everyone applauded, and Director Qi praised: "Heroes emerge from youth. Secretary Yang is so young, but he plays basketball so well."
After all the competitions are over, Director Qi will come over to present awards to everyone.
Director Qi quickly gave way: "Chairman Wu should be the one to present the award!"
There was thunderous applause, and everyone hoped that Chairman Wu would present awards to the top few winners.
As expected, Wen Xiaoli won a set of four rice bowls and a new pair of chopsticks, and she also shook hands with Chairman Wu. She held the prize in her arms and looked very happy.
Ordinary families have a fixed number of bowls, one for each person, and they will not throw away even if they are dented or damaged. They will only replace them when they are rotten to the point of being unusable.
Now Wen Xiaoli came out with the new bowl in her arms, and the people around her were extremely envious.
"That's good. I can replace my old bowl when I get home." Wen Xiaoli said, "You guys are really good at buying prizes."
"Before, we always gave out stationery, pens, ink, etc., but people rarely use these things, and letters are not written every day, so pots, pans, and bowls are more suitable." Xia Qingtang said: "When you come to participate next year, we will buy other suitable prizes."
"Okay, then I have to practice hard and try to get first place. She has a pot." Wen Xiaoli looked at the first place winner with envy. The tin pot in her hand was really enviable. It was not a cheap thing.
"Xiao Xia, come over and clean this up." Feng Xinhui shouted from the other side.
"I'm going to work. You can go home first." Xia Qingtang smiled, turned around and ran over to help Feng Xinhui.
After packing up, Director Qi and Chairman Qin accompanied Chairman Wu and the others to continue visiting some departments in the factory, while the others returned to the union office together. It was almost five o'clock.
"It's time to go home." Li Yue washed her hands, packed her things into her bag, and walked out carrying the bag.
As soon as I reached the office door, I was bumped into by someone who rushed in.
"Ouch, what are you doing? Why are you running in such a hurry? You even bumped into me!" Li Yue stood firm against the wall, looking very unhappy.
The person who came was a warehouse porter, very young, and a newcomer this year.
He didn't have time to apologize to Li Yue, and shouted directly: "Secretary Xia, your father is injured and in the hospital, your brother is nowhere to be found, and your sister-in-law is not here either. We can only look for you now, so please go over there quickly."
Xia Qingtang was already packing her backpack to go home, but she didn't expect to hear such news.
"How is Comrade Xia now? Has he been sent to the hospital?" Feng Xinhui asked immediately.
"They have sent it there. Our director and deputy director have both been there. I heard it was pretty serious. I was also at the scene. He was bleeding a lot." The porter whispered.
"Xiao Xia, I'll go with you. If something like this happens, our union must go there." Feng Xinhui said immediately, "Chairman Qin is accompanying the leader now. This matter needs to be concealed. It's best not to let them know. Come on, I'll go with you to see your father."
At this point, Xia Qingtang could only nod: "I understand."
She packed her backpack and followed the porters out with Feng Xinhui.
"He has been sent to the nearby hospital. You guys please go there quickly. I still have to go to Master Xia's home to tell his wife." After saying that, the young man ran out again.
"Aren't other workshops taking a break this afternoon? Why are people still working in the warehouse?" Feng Xinhui asked, "There's going to be a movie tonight, how could something like this happen?"
Xia Qingtang whispered, "Warehouses often have accidents, this is normal."
In his previous life, Xia Daming had never been injured during this period of time, and he hadn't even suffered any serious injuries in recent years. Xia Qingtang began to worry.
After starting over again, the fate of many people is different from that of their previous life.
Although Xia Daming is not a good father, Xia Qingtang still hopes that he can live longer, or at least not lose his life because of this kind of thing.
She tried her best to calm herself down and rode her bike to the nearest hospital with Feng Xinhui. She found her co-workers and supervisors from the warehouse in the emergency room. There were four or five of them standing there, looking terrified.
"How is my father?" Xia Qingtang walked over.
The warehouse manager took one look at her and immediately said, "Something hit her leg. She's having surgery now. I don't know how she's doing."
"Surgery? Is it that serious?" Feng Xinhui said, "Even if it's a fracture, there's no need for surgery."
"I don't know either. The doctor said the bone is broken into several pieces. It's a bit troublesome..." The warehouse manager looked unhappy. "We haven't reported it to the higher-ups yet."
"Don't worry about it for now. Master Xia's surgery is the most important thing." Feng Xinhui said, "And his family members should also be notified."
"We went to look for him, but we don't know where his son and daughter-in-law are. We don't know where they live, so we can't find them. Fortunately, Secretary Xia is in the union. As long as Lao Zhao comes over, everything will be fine."
The operation continued. Zhao Meizhen came over twenty minutes later. She was still wearing an apron. She must have been called over by the young man while she was cooking.
As soon as she arrived, she started to cry and then held the warehouse manager's hand and began to complain: "Leader, our Lao Xia has had a hard time. Now it has become like this. If he leaves, what will I do alone?"
"Don't worry, Old Xia will be fine this time. The doctor just said that he will be fine. This is just an operation. Don't worry." The warehouse manager was unsure, but that was all he could say.
At this moment, Chairman Qin's voice suddenly sounded from the other end: "How is Master Xia?"
Everyone turned their heads to look over there. Not only Chairman Qin came, but also Chairman Wu and Yang Dachuan. Director Qi was also following beside them with a gloomy face, and he was obviously very unhappy.
Zhao Meizhen stared at that place closely: "Who is the person in the middle?"
The warehouse manager said, "I don't recognize him. He looks like a senior leader, probably from the city."
"Big leader?" Zhao Meizhen's eyes rolled and she rushed over and hugged Chairman Wu's thigh.
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