Chapter 96
Xia Qingtang didn't expect that the boss called her over just to ask this, but there was nothing to hide about this matter, so she answered truthfully: "Not long, just a few months, still at the entry-level level."
"Who did you learn English from?"
"I learned it from an English teacher at university." Xia Qingtang was not panicked because times had changed and learning English was not a bad thing.
"If I continue to study at your pace, how long will it take me to reach a level where I can communicate normally with foreigners?"
"Because I use my spare time to study, my teacher said that if I want to learn to that level, it will take at least one or two years." Xia Qingtang said: "And it's just communication in daily life. If it's professional, it's far from enough."
But Xia Qingtang never thought about learning to a professional level. The best outcome she envisioned was that if she had the opportunity to travel abroad, she would be able to order food, shop, and ask for directions expertly.
"That's already very good. You see, you can hear some mistakes and omissions in their conversations now. I think it's very good, very good." Chairman Wu had an appreciative expression on his face.
"Thank you for the compliment, leader." Xia Qingtang replied seriously, "But those places are really just very basic English. I think the translator must have made a slip of the tongue. I was just worried that there were mistakes in the meeting minutes. After consulting Officer Zhang, I decided to mark the original English."
Yang Dachuan smiled and said, "Chairman Wu, am I right? This young Secretary Xia is very modest."
"Yes, it's rare to see such a modest young person." Chairman Wu continued, "Xiao Xia, don't be nervous. I called you here for no other reason than to chat with you. We have seconded several young people from the factories below this time, and I've been busy with work, so I haven't had the opportunity to talk to you and learn about the situation."
"Yes, I know. Thank you Chairman Wu for your concern. I am very happy working here. My colleagues are very friendly and willing to teach me. I have learned a lot." Xia Qingtang still looked very serious.
Chairman Wu nodded and said, "Just be happy here. Our municipal trade union is not particularly short of staff, but we are very short of talent. I just discussed with Xiao Yang, and talents like you are exactly what we lack here. Although we don't have formal positions yet, we will need a few new people next year. At that time, I would like to formally transfer your organizational relationship and invite you to formally join our municipal trade union. Xiao Xia, what do you think?"
When Xia Qingtang was highly praised by Chairman Wu, she roughly guessed his purpose, but she knew that this proposal was a two-way thing, and as long as she herself was unwilling to come, no one could force her to come.
So, Xia Qingtang said sincerely: "Chairman Wu, first of all, I am very grateful for your praise and appreciation of me. This is a great honor for me. But I personally still want to stay in the cotton mill and continue working."
"Why? You will have better development if you come to our municipal trade union. As a young man, don't you want to move up? Besides, you are really capable and you are a talented young man. If you just stay in the cotton mill, I feel sorry for you."
Xia Qingtang said: "Chairman Wu, I am the son of the Cotton Mill. I was born in the Cotton Mill and grew up there. Almost all the people I know are from the Cotton Mill. When I graduated from high school, I went to work in the Cotton Mill. For me, the Cotton Mill is a very special place. Moreover, I was originally just a front-line female worker in a workshop. It was Chairman Qin of our union who discovered me and dug me out to work in the union. I have only been in the union for a few months, and I can't say that I have helped much. Now, our union has also started to do some new work, and I have also participated in it. I want to repay Chairman Qin's kindness, and I want to work under her for a few years. Nowadays, there are great changes. Foreign factories are about to enter our city, so our factories in our city should also make some learning and changes. Therefore, I will definitely be useful if I stay in the Cotton Mill. I hope that our cotton mill can become better, and the employees' ideas can be better. Through our joint efforts, everyone is more willing to learn and become better and stronger together."
This passage was spoken in a rather high-sounding manner and had a profound meaning, but Xia Qingtang herself did not think so. She said so only to better evade the other party.
Chairman Wu couldn't help but fall into deep thought after listening to this. After a long while, he nodded and said, "Indeed, you are the son of the cotton mill. You grew up there since childhood, and you have a special feeling for the cotton mill. Moreover, you are so capable, Lao Qin should need you very much. If I ask you to come here, Lao Qin will be sad. Forget it, if you want to stay in the cotton mill, I won't force you. However, I will give you a chance. When we have a vacancy next year, I will let Xiao Yang go to inform you. If you are willing to come here at that time and change your mind, then come here. What do you think?"
Xia Qingtang was extremely surprised that a senior leader could say such words.
She immediately said, "Thank you, Chairman Wu. I will think about it carefully when I get back. If I want to come over at that time, I will definitely tell you my true thoughts."
"Okay, then go back and think about it carefully." Chairman Wu said with a smile: "I have kept you here for so long and delayed your get off work. Go back quickly."
"Yes, thank you Chairman Wu." Xia Qingtang turned and left.
When they returned to the office, Zhang Ke hadn't left yet. Seeing Xia Qingtang coming back, she immediately said, "Xiao Xia, what did Chairman Wu want to talk to you about? Is there anything wrong? I saw that the minutes of the meeting were well written, so there shouldn't be any problem."
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "It's really nothing. Chairman Wu asked me to come over to ask me about those English questions. I also think I should ask. What if I wrote it down randomly and put it in the archives, wouldn't there be problems?"
"Yeah, that's something we should ask." Zhang Ke laughed. "I'm glad you're alright. Shall we go home now?"
"Okay, let's go home. Thank you Sister Zhang for waiting for me." Xia Qingtang carried her bag and happily went out to take the bus with Zhang Ke.
The rain continued on and off all day long. Xia Qingtang got off the bus and found that the rain had finally stopped, but the sky was still gray and it looked like it would rain again at any time.
But the temperature became very cool, and the air was damp and chilly. Xia Qingtang took several deep breaths and went to the nearest grocery store in a good mood, intending to buy some pastries to take back.
When the weather is hot, even if you feel a little greedy, you don't really want to eat these cakes, and they are not easy to store in a high temperature environment. But now that it's cooler, Xia Qingtang feels a little greedy.
Today, the grocery store has just made egg cakes, sesame cakes and peanut cakes. Xia Qingtang smelled the sweet aroma and bought some of each. The clerk packed them up and handed them to her quickly. She then happily went home carrying the cakes.
Before I reached the door of my house, I saw Xie Xiaoshuang standing outside the yard gate holding a large bowl.
"Xiao Shuang? Why are you here?" Xia Qingtang ran over quickly.
Xie Xiaoshuang raised her head: "You're back? I came here... to find you."
"Why don't you go in? Xie Jinxuan must be at home." Xia Qingtang said.
Xie Xiaoshuang said, "I looked at the time and saw that you were almost coming back, so I didn't call him."
Xia Qingtang guessed that she might want to avoid suspicion, so he didn't say anything, but pushed open the yard door and walked in with her.
"Jinxuan, Xiaoshuang is here." Xia Qingtang opened the door happily.
Xie Jinxuan was sitting on a small stool in the kitchen picking vegetables. She raised her head immediately after hearing this: "Xie Xiaoshuang is here? Are you eating here tonight?"
Xie Xiaoshuang greeted them and said, "I've already had dinner. I brought these for you."
Xie Xiaoshuang handed a large bowl to Xia Qingtang, which contained a thick stack of vegetable cakes she had made herself. The surface looked shiny and smelled fragrant.
"You made the cake? Thank you." Xia Qingtang handed the big bowl to Xie Jinxuan, and then took Xie Xiaoshuang to sit in the living room. "What would you like to drink? We have soda at home."
"I'll just drink some water." Xie Xiaoshuang said, "I just had a meal, and I'm afraid I'll get bloated if I drink soda now."
"You've eaten so early? Oh, you're working the late shift today?"
"Yes, today is the evening shift."
"Then I'll make you a cup of tea. Drinking it can refresh you." Xia Qingtang made a cup of hot tea for Xie Xiaoshuang, and then said, "Are you feeling better now?"
"I came here today to thank you. At noon, Comrade Xie brought his grandmother to my house and sat for a while, and greeted all the neighbors. I know that this is to support me, and I really thank you very much."
"Jinxuan said that she would bring grandma to sit with you for a while every once in a while, so that those people would know that you are very familiar with the Xie family. You live alone now, so don't always think about not causing trouble. You have someone to back you up, so you can quarrel and scold when you need to. What are you afraid of? In fact, it doesn't matter where you live. For example, when we were young, we grew up in the factory area, and didn't neighbors often quarrel and fight?"
Xie Xiaoshuang smiled and said, "You are right, but I am afraid I can't quarrel or scold when I should. But now I know that it is not okay to keep silent. In the future, if a man approaches me again, I will say, 'I will go talk to my cousin Xie Jinxuan and ask for his opinion. Comrade, what do you think?'"
"This is a good idea. I've said it before. You can use Xie Jinxuan's name as you like. It's like a fox borrowing the power of a tiger. How easy is that? You should do this in the future. If a man approaches you, you should say this to see if he really dares to offend Xie Jinxuan."
"Well, I didn't dare to say or do this before, mainly because I felt that I already owed you a lot. If I continued to take advantage of others' power, wouldn't I owe you even more? But after what happened yesterday, I found that if I didn't do this, I would owe you even more. You are so busy now, but you have to quarrel with others over my affairs... I really shouldn't have done that. Although I can't learn to be as tough as you, I am not a fool. I should choose the right way to protect myself." Xie Xiaoshuang held Xia Qingtang's hand and said seriously: "I am serious about what I said. I will definitely get better. You believe me."
"Of course I believe in you." Xia Qingtang reached out and hugged her, "I will always believe in you. I know you will live a very good life in the future and become a very happy person."
Xie Xiaoshuang's eyes curved: "I don't even dare to say this myself, but now that you've said it, I feel like I can trust you."
"Just believe me." Xia Qingtang said, "How about we make a bet. Ten years later, you will definitely become what I say."
"Okay, let's make a bet."
The two of them really made an agreement in a formal manner. After that, Xie Xiaoshuang had to go to work, so she had to go out after drinking tea.
Xia Qingtang sent her to the gate of the courtyard. Xie Xiaoshuang suddenly remembered something and asked, "Did you receive the admission letter from Comrade Xie?"
"Not yet, but I went to the provincial university to ask, and the admission letter was just sent out. You should be able to receive it in the next two days." Xia Qingtang said: "Are you asking this because you are worried about Yanni?"
In the end, Xie Jinxuan did not ask Grandpa Xie for help through his connections, but went to the provincial university on his own. When he was sure that his grades were among the best among the students admitted this year, he asked Guan Jueming to introduce him to a teacher in the Economics Department.
Xie Jinxuan talked with the department head for an hour, and he was very welcome to study in the Department of Economics, so there was no doubt that there would be no problem with his admission.
Xie Xiaoshuang said: "I am indeed a little worried about Yanni. After entering September, I saw that many people received admission letters, but there was no news from Yanni..."
"Don't worry, Yanni will definitely go to college. Even if it's not a normal college, it will be another school." Xia Qingtang comforted.
"Well, I'm going to work first."
"Go ahead, and be careful on the road." Xia Qingtang stood at the door and watched Xie Xiaoshuang walk to the end of the road before she turned around and went back home.
Xie Jinxuan said: "With these vegetable cakes, I don't have to cook staple food. Fortunately, I don't have to wash rice."
Xia Qingtang said: "Xiao Shuang's cooking skills are very good. We will eat these vegetable cakes tonight and stir-fry the vegetables you picked. That's great. By the way, there are eggs at home. Do you want one?"
"Eat two. Aunt Liu said she will go buy eggs tomorrow. She should have new eggs delivered tomorrow."
Xia Qingtang took out two eggs and steamed them, then simply stir-fried some vegetables, and had a delicious dinner with Xie Jinxuan with vegetable pancakes.
After dinner, the wind started to blow outside, the clouds were blown away, and the sky cleared up, revealing a deep blue sky dotted with stars. Xia Qingtang walked into the yard, looked at the sky and said, "Xie Jinxuan, the weather is so nice and there is a cool breeze, how about we take a walk in the yard?"
Of course Xie Jinxuan agreed, and after washing the dishes, she accompanied her for a leisurely walk in the courtyard. Unexpectedly, they met many familiar people, such as Luo Xiangqian and his mother. It seemed that everyone had the same idea and wanted to take advantage of such a nice night after the rain to go out and relax.
While taking a walk, Xia Qingtang mentioned the proposal Chairman Wu made to her before leaving get off work, and also expressed her refusal.
Xie Jinxuan said: "In fact, if it weren't for Yang Dachuan's relationship, it would not be bad for you to work there. Some positions in the Municipal Labor Union are not particularly busy. If you stay in the office, the workload will probably be similar to yours in the cotton mill."
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "I don't really care about Yang Dachuan. I don't want to go to the Municipal Trade Union because I don't plan to work in the cotton mill for the rest of my life. So there's no need to take up a place in the Municipal Trade Union. Sooner or later, I will go out and do my own thing."
Xie Jinxuan said: "You have said more than once that you want to do your own thing. Specifically, do you want to go out and make money?"
"Yes, I want to make money. When small businesses are allowed on the street, I will do one, too. Do you remember? When we were young, we could eat all kinds of snacks wherever we went. At the entrance of our cotton mill family quarters, there was an aunt selling homemade pancakes. They were made very well, with flour and leeks mixed together, and a little bit of oil fried. They were cheap and delicious. But later these things disappeared, but I believe that one day, these small businesses will emerge again."
Xie Jinxuan said: "Your craftsmanship is really good. If you go out and set up a small stall, your business will definitely be the best."
Xia Qingtang laughed: "With a family like yours, would you mind if I set up a stall? Would grandma and the others think it's shameful to set up a stall?"
"Of course not, just do whatever you want. Not to mention that grandma and the others will have no objections, it doesn't matter even if they do have objections. We live our own lives, and we don't need to accept what our elders say." Xie Jinxuan said firmly.
Xia Qingtang was very happy. While no one was paying attention to them, he kissed Xie Jinxuan on the cheek and said softly, "I knew you were the best, but I probably won't run a small stall business in the future. I haven't decided what to do specifically yet, so I'll figure it out when the time comes."
In fact, Xia Qingtang had already thought about what kind of business he would do in the future, but he couldn't say it now. After all, if he said it, Xie Jinxuan would feel strange and surprised.
After taking a walk and returning home, Xia Qingtang thought about the admission letter again and asked if he could receive it in the next two days.
Xie Jinxuan said, "If it didn't arrive today, it should be tomorrow. It's impossible for the notification letter from our city to be delayed until a week later. If I'm in a hurry, I'll go to the provincial capital university to ask, but it's likely that I'll receive it tomorrow."
Sure enough, the next day when Xia Qingtang got home from work, Xie Jinxuan held up an envelope and handed it to her with a bright face: "My admission letter has arrived."
Xia Qingtang cheered and quickly opened the envelope, and sure enough, he saw a few thin pieces of paper.
The admission letter at this time was different from the one she saw later, but it was more important.
She carefully read the admission letter from beginning to end several times, then took Xie Jinxuan's hand and said seriously: "Congratulations, from now on, you are a college student. I wish you study hard and realize your dreams in the future. I know you can do it!"
Xia Qingtang herself is a person without great ambitions. Although she has a chance to start over, her ambition is only to make money and live a better life.
Such ambitions are really not worth mentioning in front of Xie Jinxuan and others, so she has always thought this way: lower-level pursuits like making money will be left to her, and those higher-level pursuits, such as serving the people, will be left to Xie Jinxuan. She will make good money to bring a better life to Xie Jinxuan, allowing him to create value wholeheartedly.
Xie Jinxuan said thank you and hugged Xia Qingtang tightly. She could clearly feel the excitement and joy coming from him.
After a long while, both of them calmed down a little, and Xia Qingtang asked, "Have grandma and the others seen it?"
"Not yet. My colleagues in the office wanted to see it, but I didn't give it to them. I want to share it with you first after I come back, and everyone else has to wait in line." Xie Jinxuan said gently, "You are the most special one, and the one I want to share it with the most."
Xia Qingtang immediately said, "We are so happy today, why don't we go out and celebrate?"
"Okay, where are we going to celebrate?"
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "Come with me. I'll treat you to a meal. Let's eat and drink our fill outside. When we come back, we can take this admission letter to the small western-style building and make the whole family happy. What do you say?"
"Okay, of course. Let's go now." Xie Jinxuan hugged Xia Qingtang and went out immediately.
They went to the nearest state-owned restaurant. Xia Qingtang generously took out the meat coupons and money and ordered a dish of braised pork, a dish of stir-fried vegetables, a dish of fried dumplings stuffed with cabbage and vermicelli, plus two bottles of beer. Then he and Xie Jinxuan sat at a table in the corner and began to celebrate.
Eating meat and drinking wine is a very luxurious way to celebrate in that era.
Xia Qingtang could see that this was the happiest day for Xie Jinxuan since her grandmother passed away, even happier than the day when her college entrance examination results came out.
She thought that this was probably because Xie Jinxuan had finally received the admission letter and could finally take it to her grandmother's grave to tell her the good news. Moreover, he had been admitted to his favorite major, so he could continue to pursue his dream after graduation.
Xia Qingtang was also very happy. She knew how outstanding Xie Jinxuan was, but she also knew that this admission letter was hard-earned.
Many nights, when Xia Qingtang got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, he would see Xie Jinxuan still studying hard in the study. He had put in so much hard work to get this thin piece of paper.
The two young people drank and imagined a bright future. At the end of the conversation, Xie Jinxuan said, "My admission letter has arrived, and my company is about to process my resignation. After that, I want to take the train alone to tell my grandmother the good news. What do you think?"
"Go ahead, stay for a few days, accompany grandpa, and make uncle and his family happy." Xia Qingtang agreed very much, "I won't go with you, I can't take leave."
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the two of them walked out of the state-owned restaurant hand in hand, and then went to the small Western-style building, where Xie Jinxuan showed the admission letter to the whole family.
Grandma was the first to cheer: "Our Jinxuan passed the exam!"
Xie Chengye was so excited that he was at a loss. He took the admission letter and read it over and over again like Xia Qingtang, and was reluctant to let go.
Mother Xie was relatively calm. She just whispered, "Mom should be very happy now. Our Jinxuan... did it."
Xia Qingtang sat there with a smile on her face watching the reactions of the whole family, but she drank a glass of beer in the evening, and while sitting on the sofa, she tilted her head and fell asleep.
Grandma was startled and quickly reached out to touch her forehead. She found that her face was red and burning hot. Grandma asked, "What's going on? Do you have a fever?"
Xie Jinxuan smiled and said, "Qingtang and I went to the state-owned restaurant to celebrate. She drank a glass of beer with me. She can't drink much, so she must have passed out."
The whole family laughed. Xie Jinyun said, "I didn't expect that my sister-in-law, who is so capable, has such a low alcohol tolerance. I thought my sister-in-law would be like Aunt Zeng over there, who could finish a bottle of Lao Baigan by herself."
Xie Jinxuan said, "The ability to drink is innate. There are many powerful people who can't drink. Doesn't grandpa also drink? Well, I won't say anything more to you. Everyone has seen the admission letter. I have brought the good news. I will take Qingtang home to rest."
Grandma quickly said, "Xiao Yun, take out the flashlight quickly and go back with your brother. Come back later."
Xie Jinxuan picked up the sleeping Xia Qingtang and went out with her brother.
On the way, Xie Jinyun whispered, "Brother, I'm so happy for you. You got into the provincial university. At the very least, I want to get into your school in the future."
Xie Jinxuan said seriously, "No, I believe in you. You will definitely be able to get into Beijing. You are better than me and have better opportunities than me. You should not limit your life to this city. You should go somewhere else and go to a better university. When you are sure of the path you want to take, you can come back if you want. If you want to stay there for the rest of your life, your family will support you."
Xie Jinyun listened very carefully. When he reached the gate of the small courtyard, he said, "Thank you, brother. Then I... I will go outside to take the exam."
"Yes, you can fly as far as you want, just go to a better university to display your talents." Xie Jinxuan smiled and said, "Okay, the key is in my right pocket, help me open the door."
Xia Qingtang slept for a very long time and she also had a very fantastic dream.
In her dream, she was floating on the clouds. On the large white clouds were many small houses like those in cartoons. She flew over one by one, greeted many people living in the small houses, and then rolled happily in the clouds. As she rolled, suddenly her body lost the ability to fly, and she fell uncontrollably under the clouds.
With a cry of "Ouch", Xia Qingtang suddenly woke up.
"Qingtang, what's wrong?" Xie Jinxuan ran into the bedroom in a panic, only to find that Xia Qingtang had rolled to the ground holding a thin quilt.
"I don't know what happened. I was rolling around in my dream and then I fell down." Xia Qingtang said aggrievedly.
Xie Jinxuan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She quickly carried her to the bed and gently pinched her arms and legs: "Are you hurt? Tell me where it hurts."
"It doesn't hurt much, I was just scared." Xia Qingtang lay on the bed with half his eyes closed and said, "I still have to go to work. I shouldn't have drunk yesterday. After drinking, I didn't want to move."
"Do you want me to ask for leave?"
"No, no, I never asked for leave when I was working at the cotton mill. Now I'm asked to help out, how can I ask for leave? If I ask for leave, it will damage the image of our cotton mill!" Xia Qingtang still struggled to sit up, "I need a cup of strong tea to sober up. I still have to work hard today."
She took a bath, drank strong tea, ate a big steamed bun, then put on her bag and rode her bicycle to work at the Municipal Federation of Trade Unions.
Just after eight o'clock, Zhang Ke had just arranged work for Xia Qingtang when Yang Dachuan knocked on the door. Everyone in the office looked at him.
Yang Dachuan said, "Secretary Xia, Chairman Wu will be accompanying those foreign guests today. Since you know foreign languages, you can go with them. Chairman Wu said that with you here, maybe you can have a few words with the foreign guests."
The other colleagues in the office looked at Xia Qingtang with surprise and envy. Only Zhang Ke, who knew the truth, smiled mysteriously.
Xia Qingtang would not delay work, so she immediately said, "Okay, are we leaving now? How long will we be gone? Do I need to bring anything?"
Yang Dachuan said, "You're going to be out for the whole day, so you can bring your lunch box with you. You may not need it today, but it's okay to bring it with you."
Just like last time, Xia Qingtang packed her water cup, toilet paper, lunch box, hardcover notebook, pen and pencil, then hurried to the toilet and went to the parking lot to wait for Chairman Wu and Yang Dachuan and others.
This time, Chairman Wu only brought Yang Dachuan with him. After they got in the car, Chairman Wu said, "Xiao Xia, today we are going to accompany Mr. Smith and his team to visit some other factories in our city, such as the steel plant and the pharmaceutical factory. Tomorrow, we will also accompany them to visit some scenic spots. It's not easy for them to come here, so we should treat them well. If the talks go well, the cooperation project can be confirmed this month, and then the city will allocate an area for them to build a factory."
It turned out to be a new factory. Xia Qingtang nodded seriously and said, "I am looking forward to having a new factory in our city. With a new factory, the sent-down youth will have jobs."
Chairman Wu and Yang Dachuan both laughed at this. Chairman Wu said, "You are a really good young man. You have a job but you still think about the unemployed educated youth who were sent down to the countryside. Indeed, we also welcome Mr. Smith and his team to come and build a factory. They have money, and once the factory is built, it can solve the employment problem. So now the whole city is focusing on this. Everyone is paying attention to it, and the province is also paying attention to it. We can't afford to make any mistakes."
They chatted about the factory construction along the way and the car soon arrived at the steel plant. Xia Qingtang was very familiar with the family area, but she had never been to the factory area. This time, she was a little curious and followed the leaders to slowly visit.
The steel plant is the pride of the city. Mr. Smith and his friends watched it with great interest, asking some basic questions as they walked. Xia Qingtang also listened carefully and used the time to do listening practice.
Yang Dachuan would occasionally lag behind Xia Qingtang and walk beside her, then whisper to her, "How is it, can you understand what they are saying?"
Xia Qingtang said: "I don't understand most of it. I've already said that I'm a beginner. If I want to understand everything, I have to study for another three to five years, right?"
Yang Dachuan said: "Don't bluff me. It doesn't take that long. I've seen some college students who can talk to foreigners after just one year of study."
"You said they are college students. How can I be on the same level as college students? If I were that good, I would have gone to college. Besides, college students only study basic courses in their first year, and English is the top priority. They memorize words almost every day. How can I compare with them when I only study two or three times a week? This is purely a hobby for me. Don't expect me to do anything." Xia Qingtang sighed slightly.
Yang Dachuan said, "Your hobbies are not simple, and you are very courageous. You have just started taking English classes at university, and others would not dare to touch these things. But you are so good that you actually went directly to a university teacher for lessons? It turns out that your in-laws are powerful and you are also very courageous."
Xia Qingtang said with a fake smile: "Even if my husband's family is not powerful, I dare to learn anything I want. Secretary Yang, the times are different now. We have reformed and opened up. Foreigners have come in to run businesses. Is it a rare thing for us to learn English?"
These words left Yang Dachuan speechless. He could only smile bitterly and continue to follow his leader.
At the end of the morning visit, the director of the steel plant said: "We have prepared lunch in the small canteen of our steel plant. Please come and taste our special dishes. Although it is not something fancy, it still tastes very good. I hope you can enjoy it."
There were not many leaders who came today, only the deputy mayor in charge of industry, his secretary and two attendants, and the others were the two people brought by Chairman Wu, plus the translator and the people from the steel plant. There were only two tables in total, so Xia Qingtang was also arranged to sit at the table next door to enjoy the delicious food and drinks.
A steel plant is worthy of being a steel plant. This large and profitable plant not only has good welfare benefits, but is also very generous when entertaining guests.
There was a table full of food and drinks, including both meat and vegetables, chicken, duck, fish and meat. All of them were prepared with local specialties, with good color, aroma and taste. There were also various carved radishes, and the presentation was so exquisite that several foreigners exclaimed that it was wonderful as soon as they saw it.
The beautiful foreign lady even held up her camera and took a picture of the eight dishes and one soup on the table.
During the meal, because the two translators were going to sit at the same table with the guests, Yang Dachuan was also arranged to sit at the same table as Xia Qingtang and his friends. They both came from the same place, so Yang Dachuan naturally sat on Xia Qingtang's left.
Xia Qingtang deliberately avoided looking at his smirking face and only focused on staring at the empty bowl in front of him.
"Xiao Xia, would you like to drink some wine? You see, this wine has a low alcohol content and tastes good. Would you like to try it?" Yang Dachuan asked deliberately.
Xia Qingtang immediately refused seriously: "Thank you Secretary Yang for your kindness, but I can't drink much. Drinking will delay my work. I have important work to do in the afternoon, so I won't drink. If Secretary Yang wants to drink, I'll pour you a glass."
The secretary of the director of the steel plant smiled and said, "Secretary Yang can drink a lot, I will have a drink with Secretary Yang. However, this female comrade cannot drink. If she follows the leader from now on, she will not be able to make it."
Xia Qingtang said sincerely, "The drinking capacity is innate. I am not born with this ability, so I can't do such an important job as the secretaries. I am just an ordinary clerk in the office, and I work in the cotton mill. It is normal that I can't make it."
When the others heard what he said, they realized that he was seconded from the cotton mill to help out, and they couldn't help but be a little surprised.
A young clerk who was seconded from the cotton mill to help was also brought out by Chairman Wu.
But looking at Xia Qingtang's superior appearance, the others probably understood that Chairman Wu was a male leader after all, and it would be an honor for him to bring a beautiful female clerk out.
Seeing everyone's different looks, Xia Qingtang ignored them. Instead, Yang Dachuan was secretly looking at her.
Fortunately, Yang Dachuan was busy talking and drinking with other people afterwards, and Xia Qingtang was happy and relaxed, holding the bowl and eating the food seriously.
The dishes on this table were cooked very well, which showed that the chefs at the steel plant were also very skilled.
There was no important meeting today, so several foreign guests also drank a little wine.
Because of the alcohol, the atmosphere was livelier and the foreign guests started to tell jokes. The content translated by the female translator was quite appropriate and even the point of the joke was expressed accurately.
Secretary Yang and others also went over there with their glasses to toast Mr. Smith. The atmosphere became increasingly better as everyone toasted back and forth.
At this moment, the beautiful foreign lady suddenly said that she wanted to use the restroom, but the female translator happened to be helping the deputy mayor translate an important content, so she couldn't leave for the time being.
Seeing that the foreign lady was really embarrassed, Chairman Wu suddenly said, "Xiao Xia, this lady Susan wants to go to the bathroom. Can you accompany her? She doesn't speak the language, and I'm afraid others won't be able to entertain her well."
Xia Qingtang nodded and stood up: "Okay, then I will accompany Ms. Susan."
After that, she said to Ms. Susan in English: "Ms. Susan, I will accompany you to the bathroom."
Ms. Susan was obviously very shocked, her eyes widened and she said, "Oh, you can speak English!"
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "I only know a little bit, please don't mind."
Ms. Susan came over with a smile and took Xia Qingtang's arm: "I think you have said it very well, don't be modest."
Xia Qingtang's English is indeed that of a beginner, but she is quite courageous. Even though she can't speak it very well, even though she can only say a simple word, she still tries her best to communicate with Ms. Susan in English.
In fact, language is like this. You don’t have to speak it very well. As long as the other party can understand what you mean, such language is very practical.
After returning from the bathroom, Ms. Susan obviously liked Xia Qingtang more. She kept praising Xia Qingtang's fair skin, black hair, and beautiful big eyes. Xia Qingtang also praised her with the same words.
Everyone else stared at them in astonishment, especially Secretary Li from the steel plant. He came up to Yang Dachuan and said, "Secretary Yang, this beautiful girl you brought out is not simple. Not only is she beautiful, but she can also speak foreign languages."
Yang Dachuan said mysteriously, "What do you know? This is a talent discovered by our Chairman Wu."
"Chairman Wu would never go down to the grassroots to discover talents. In my opinion...it must be you, Secretary Yang, who has a keen eye for talent." Secretary Li's words obviously had something to say, which shows that this person also knows Yang Dachuan very well.
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