◎1st update + 2nd update + 3rd update◎
After the near accident last night when going down to the river, every household in the compound gave their children a few more words of caution before they went out today. As for Wei Guobiao, his family kept him at home to rest for two days.
Biaozi's mother Dong Xiufen went to the school to ask for leave. Although the child was not seriously ill, he was still very scared. After falling asleep last night, he dreamed that he was drowning in the river and struggling with his hands and feet. When Dong Xiufen woke him up, his forehead was covered with sweat.
"Xiufen, take Biaozi to get some medicine to calm the child down." After breakfast, Master Wei asked his eldest daughter-in-law to look after the child while he prepared to go out.
"Got it, Dad. I'll wash the dishes and go."
"Why are you washing? Let the second daughter-in-law wash it. You just keep an eye on Biaozi." After saying that, he turned around and looked at Li Yujiao who was still drinking corn porridge. "Second daughter-in-law, wash the dishes after you finish eating. Your eldest sister-in-law has to go out."
"Okay, sister-in-law, take Biaozi to have a look."
"Old Wei, what do you think we should give to the Xu family?" Aunt Li was still worried as she almost lost her grandson. After the family discussed it, they decided to give them a gift.
Master Wei put his hands behind his back and pondered for a moment, "Count out five eggs, and use a pound of sugar coupons to buy some sugar to send to the people. Then invite the Xu family to have a meal on Sunday. This is to save our Biaozi's life, so the gift should be more important."
"Okay, I'll go out right away." Aunt Li took the key and opened the cabinet in her room. She took out two sugar coupons with a face value of half a catty, and took out a one-yuan banknote, preparing to go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy sugar.
The eldest and second sons of the Wei family were out, leaving the second son's wife and the young lady of the Wei family eating at the table.
Li Yujiao finished the last bite of salted vegetables and said with a smile, "The Xu family saved Biaozi, but I don't know why, why not just become relatives."
Wei Hailin also helped to put the bowls in the sink, wiped her mouth, and prepared to go out to school, "Second sister-in-law, your idea is quite good. Let's talk to my eldest brother when he comes back in the evening. I'm leaving first."
"Go ahead, go ahead."
Master Wei walked out with his hands behind his back, heading for Xu's house. Yesterday's incident was such a big deal that even the director of the street office came to visit. The two comrades who saved the man should be praised.
"Xiao Xu, you went into the river yesterday. Are you okay? Don't catch a cold."
Xu Shengjie had just finished breakfast and met Wei Jinrong as he walked to the Chuihua Gate.
"Master Wei, I'm fine. I'm used to going down to the river for training. How's Biaozi?"
"It's no big deal. This kid is tough, but he's really scared. I'll ask his mom to get him some medicine to boil to calm him down."
"That's fine. Biaozi is young, so he must have been frightened. Not to mention a child, even an adult would be unable to resist this."
"That's a shame for you two." Wei Jinrong said this with some excitement, "Didn't the doctor say that if you had gone any later, the patient might not have been saved. We, the Wei family, will definitely remember your kindness for the rest of our lives! Don't cook on Sunday night, come to our house for dinner."
Xu Shengjie smiled. He didn't take this as a big favor. "Master Wei, you are too polite. I would save anyone who saw this. But you still have to talk to Biaozi in the future. Don't let this happen again."
"That's right, his father wanted to beat him up last night. If he hadn't recovered yet, I would have made him a meal of fried bamboo shoots with pork." Wei Jinrong felt that his grandson was lucky. He was just spotted by a couple from the neighborhood, especially Xiao Xu's new wife. She looked delicate and weak, but according to the other kids, she was pretty good. She beat Biaozi so hard that he squirted all the water out of him.
"By the way, why did you go to the stall near the moat yesterday?"
Xu Shengjie blinked, and recalled Liang Baozhen's words last night. He reorganized his conversation, "We decided to go out for a walk after dinner, and we happened to walk to that end. Baozhen had just arrived in the city, and she wanted to look around. As a result, she saw Biaozi fall into the river, so we hurried down."
"We are so lucky to have met two of you benefactors! Anyway, we have agreed to come on Sunday night! Your Aunt Li has been lining up to buy meat these days."
Xu Shengjie couldn't refuse and had to agree.
The two men came out of Yueya Hutong, one went left to the National Cotton Factory, and the other went right to the Street Office.
--
Two days later.
The National Cotton Mill recently received several large orders from garment factories, requiring high-quality twill, gauze and other types of cotton fabrics. As a result, the workers in the workshop worked overtime without rest.
Xu Shengjie had set up the cotton yarn spinning machine and was about to go to the cafeteria for lunch. With money for food and a meal ticket in his hand, he ran into the factory director Xue Lijun.
"Director Xue."
"Xiao Xu." Xue Lijun had just gone to Director Chen's office. When he saw Xu Shengjie, he suddenly remembered what he had said about the job quota and felt a little embarrassed.
"Xiao Xu, you...didn't you encounter any problems after you were discharged from the army this time?"
He couldn't explain it directly, so he could only give a few words. Logically speaking, Xu Shengjie had just returned from military service, so how could he have offended the factory director's son?
Xu Shengjie was confused by the question, "Nothing, Director Xue, is there a problem with our family's job quota?"
"As for this matter, whether there is a problem or not is not up to me to decide." Xue Lijun was indeed in a dilemma. On one side was the son of an old friend, and on the other side was the son of the factory director. He could either not bear it or offend the others himself.
Xu Shengjie was quick-witted and could tell that Xue Lijun had something else in mind. He walked to the corner of the wall and talked to him. "Are you saying that someone thinks this is difficult to handle?"
Xue Lijun patted Xu Shengjie on the shoulder, feeling a little reluctant. "Think about it yourself, have you offended the Chen family? Don't say it was me who said it. Let's go!"
Chen family? Xu Shengjie watched Xue Lijun leave and finally understood what was going on.
Zhou Yun was immediately furious after hearing what his grandson, who had just returned from work, said, "What does that mean? That Chen guy is trying to stop us, right?"
She had heard about the shameless and scandalous things Chen Siming had done, but she didn't expect that he would not stop until now and was still causing trouble for her.
"Grandma, please don't be angry." Liang Baozhen didn't expect Chen Siming to be so troublesome. He really rushed to make trouble. "Does Director Xue really mean that?"
"Almost. It's almost said explicitly." Xu Shengjie understood that Xue Lijun only mentioned it because he had some friendship with his father. Otherwise, if he got stuck, his family might not understand what was going on.
"Chen Yong wasn't like this back then. How could he have such a shameless son?" Zhou Yun had joined the factory earlier than the current factory director Chen Yong, and they had met before. Now the old lady was stern and criticized him without a word. "I remember his eldest son was quite smart, and his youngest son wasn't bad either when he was little. How come he has grown up to be like this?"
"Grandma, do you know his eldest son?" When Liang Baozhen heard her grandmother mention the hero in the book, she couldn't help but want to ask a few questions. It's always good to know yourself and your enemy.
"Yes, I remember his eldest son almost went to the countryside as an educated youth, but he was later arranged to work in a factory, so he didn't go to the countryside. Within two years, he could have been recommended to go to the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University. He was recommended by the factory and came back after graduating from university. He is a promising person."
"Grandma, you stay in the courtyard every day and know a lot of information!" Liang Baozhen and Zhou Yun sat closer and closer, wanting to find out more information. The details in the book were never all that complete.
After being praised by her grandson's wife, Zhou Yun felt proud. She was considered powerful despite her age. She was really satisfied. "What's the big deal! Although I am old, I have good ears and eyes. I know a lot about our courtyard and other courtyards!"
"Normally Xiaojie doesn't like to hear these things, and Xiaowei and Xiaoya are still young, so I can only talk to other old ladies. If you're free, I'll tell you."
“That’s a good feeling!”
Xu Shengjie listened to his grandmother and daughter-in-law talking back and forth, but he couldn't get a word in. He cleared his throat and interrupted them, "I'll think of a solution tomorrow."
Zhou Yun shook his head, and had an idea in mind. "Why not try Deputy Director Wu? His wife is now the director of the Women's Department. We had some friendship when we were young. Besides, when Mingyuan and Huacui left, the factory didn't want to keep any jobs for our family. It was Director Wu who helped us get them. He has a good heart, and maybe he can help us now."
"Okay, take Baozhen to try it out, and I'll ask Director Xue about the situation."
Deputy Director of the National Cotton Mill? Liang Baozhen had some impression of this person. Deputy Director Wu Bingnian was a man of integrity and had a lot of weight in the book. Many years later, he was forced to step down because of a disagreement with the director Chen Yong. Wu Bingnian was a family man and was good to his daughter-in-law. No wonder grandma wanted to follow his daughter-in-law's path. However, her daughter-in-law was not in good health, especially because of stomach problems. She had a poor appetite. Thinking of this, Liang Baozhen had an idea.
...
"Baozhen! Baozhen!" Jin Hong, a neighbor who lived in the east wing, suddenly called out from outside, "Someone from your village has come. He's at the entrance to the yard."
Liang Baozhen got up with a start, put her work aside, and hurried out, "I'm going to go out for a while."
"Baozhen, call him in to have a glass of water." Zhou Yun shouted from behind.
At the entrance of the large compound, the brigade accountant He Nian was carrying a bag. When he saw Liang Baozhen coming out, he greeted her.
"Comrade Liang Baozhen, your mother asked me to bring you something."
"Comrade He Nian, thank you!" Liang Baozhen heard Song Chunhua mention it the last time she went back to her parents' home. She said that the brigade would go to the city to buy things in a while, and she would ask someone to bring a letter to her when the time comes.
"Come in and have a drink of water. It's too hot today."
"No, no, we have to hurry back. If we are any later, there will be no bus." He Nian handed a letter and a bag to Liang Baozhen, "Please keep it and take a look."
He seldom had the opportunity to go to the city, usually to do work for the brigade. He hadn't seen Liang Baozhen from the village for a month, and he hadn't expected that she had changed a lot and was now dressed like a city dweller.
"Thank you. Please wait for me for a moment. I also have a letter and some things for my parents. Please take them back."
"Okay, just take it out."
Liang Baozhen had prepared it in advance and even wrote a letter. The things belonged to Zhou Yuntian, and her in-laws often gave her fresh vegetables, so she couldn't be stingy, so she let Baozhen take three feet of cloth back this time.
After getting the letter and cloth, Liang Baozhen was about to leave when Xu Shengya stopped her.
"Sister-in-law, do you want to entrust something to the family?"
"Yes, our team is waiting at the door."
"Then wait a moment, I have something too!" Xu Shengya ran into the house and came back with a purple candy wrapper in her hand. "This candy wrapper is for your sister."
Liang Baozhen didn't expect Xiaoya to send something to Baoling, whom she had never met before. She happily accepted it and said, "Thank you, Xiaoya. I thank you on behalf of Baoling. She will definitely like it!"
After running to the entrance of the courtyard and handing all the things to the accountant, Liang Baozhen specifically reminded him, "Comrade He Nian, I'm sorry to bother you. These dates have been washed. You can take them and eat them on the way. By the way, remember to tell my sister Baoling about the candy wrapper. It was given to her by her brother-in-law's sister."
"Okay, I'll remember that."
He Nian returned to the village with another male comrade from the brigade. On the way home, they happened to pass by Liang's house and took the things over first.
"Auntie Chunhua, I have brought all the things. Comrade Liang Baozhen also asked me to bring you a letter and a piece of cloth."
Song Chunhua was sweeping the yard. She put the broom against the wall and took the things, thanking him repeatedly, "Xiao He, thank you for your help. Wait for me to pick two tomatoes for you."
"No, no, Comrade Liang Baozhen has given us some dates, we can't take them anymore, it's just a matter of convenience. By the way, there is a candy wrapper inside, saying that it was given to Baoling by her brother-in-law's sister. Now that we have brought the words and the things, we will leave first!"
Song Chunhua had just walked to her private plot to pick tomatoes when He Nian had already left, so she had to give up.
"Mom, did my sister ask someone to bring something back?" Liang Baoling was lighting a fire in the kitchen. When she heard the noise and came out, she only saw something in Song Chunhua's hand.
"Yes, my in-laws are very polite. They even gave us a piece of cloth!" Song Chunhua could not read, so she handed the letter to Liang Baoling and asked her daughter to read it.
"Mom, my sister said everything is fine at my brother-in-law's house and told us not to worry. She also said we can go to the city to have a look when we have a chance." Liang Baoling scanned the letter at a glance and quickly summarized it to her mother, "Mom, when can we go to the city? Can we stay in the city for a while?"
"What city? Do you think you can just go in and play around in the city?" Song Chunhua was relieved when her daughter said everything was fine, but it was not appropriate for her family to go into the city to have a look. "It's a good thing that your brother-in-law's family has nice people, but if we go there with our family, it will cause trouble for them. When we leave, the in-laws will be dissatisfied with your sister. If you have time in the future, I will take you there. At most, you can go to your sister's in-laws' house to take a look, but you can't stay for long."
"Oh." Liang Baoling's enthusiasm was completely dampened. She folded the letter in half and put it away. Just as she was about to put it back into the envelope, she saw something brightly colored inside. She turned the envelope over and a candy wrapper fell out.
"Wow, what beautiful candy wrapper! Is it a gift from my sister?" Liang Baoling had never seen such beautiful wax paper before. Even the touch of it was different from the ones she had collected before. It seemed that it made sense that the candies in the city were more expensive.
"Oh, that candy wrapper." Song Chunhua wanted to repeat what Accountant He had just said, "Your sister asked your brother He to tell you that it was given to you by your brother-in-law's sister. What's wrong with you? When did you get to know your brother-in-law's sister?"
Brother-in-law's sister? Liang Baoling remembered! On the day her sister came back to visit her parents, she mentioned to her that her brother-in-law had a sister who was about her own age, a very pretty girl, and she hoped that she would have a chance to meet her. Unexpectedly, she had not even met her in person, but she had received such an expensive gift.
Liang Baoling held the candy wrapper carefully in her hand, skipped back to the house, took out her own wooden box and put it in, then picked and chose among the items, wondering what to give back to her brother-in-law and sister.
"Liang Baoling! What are you doing secretly in the house?" Liang Baojun came back from outside and looked at the letter written by Baozhen with his family. When he walked into the house, he saw his younger sister rummaging around.
"Second brother, what are you doing? You scared me." Liang Baoling turned around and glared at Liang Baojun, then continued to think. She was doomed. She didn't have anything good to give as a gift. Nothing could compare to such a beautiful candy wrapper!
"Look at your wrinkled face." Liang Baojun crossed his legs, sat on the bed and yawned, and decided to help his little sister solve the problem. "Tell me, what's bothering you, a little student? I'll help you solve it."
"Is this true?" Liang Baoling usually loves to argue with her second brother, but she also knows that he is quite capable, so she immediately went over and said, "My brother-in-law's sister gave me a very beautiful candy wrapper, and I also want to give her something, but I have nothing."
"Tsk, isn't this simple?" Liang Baojun rolled his eyes and whispered into his little sister's ear.
"Will this really work?"
"Don't worry, the people in the city will definitely like it!"
Zhou Yun planned to take Liang Baozhen to the home of the deputy director of the National Cotton Mill to get to know him as his daughter-in-law. However, it was hard to say whether the friendship they had established many years ago would be of any use. At least he had to show his gratitude by asking for help from someone at their home.
Zhou Yun, who was planning to go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy a pound of peach cakes, was stopped by his grandson's wife. Liang Baozhen remembered that Wu Bingnian was not a person who accepted gifts, and considering his wife's stomach problem, she prepared to make some food herself and send it over.
Go to the supply and marketing cooperative and buy half a pound of chestnuts and hawthorns. Boil the chestnuts, take out the chestnut meat, crush it into paste with a rolling pin, add the hawthorn paste, mix in some flour, shape it into a flower, and steam it in a pot for 20 minutes.
Hawthorn chestnut cake, this is what she learned from Xu Shengjie in her dream. She can eat it when she has a poor appetite, and it can also help to stimulate the appetite.
The hawthorn and chestnut cake just out of the pot was soft and chewy, the apricot-colored cake was dotted with red dots and exuded a faint fragrance. Xu Shengjie was a little surprised watching from the side, wondering if his wife's cooking skills were too good?
This looks no worse than any other pastry shop in the city.
"Try it." Liang Baozhen picked up half a piece and fed it to Xu Shengjie's mouth. He deliberately made more and left a piece for each of his family members.
Xu Shengjie, who had not been fed by anyone since he was five years old, subconsciously wanted to step back. He was an adult himself. However, seeing Liang Baozhen's expectant eyes, he still opened his mouth and took a bite. The hawthorn chestnut cake was soft and glutinous, sweet but not greasy, and mixed with a hint of sweet and sour.
“It tastes good.”
"I knew you wouldn't flatter." Liang Baozhen was not satisfied with Xu Shengjie's concise words, and said to Xiao Wei and Xiao Ya who were outside the house, "Xiao Wei and Xiao Ya, come back and eat."
One piece per person, it's so delicious that you'll almost jump for joy.
"Sister-in-law, it's so delicious! Why is it so delicious?"
"Sister-in-law, you are amazing. This is more delicious than the ones sold outside!"
Liang Baozhen was very satisfied after hearing the two people praising each other. She looked at Xu Shengjie with a squint and winked at him, asking him to learn from the two little ones.
Xu Shengjie scratched his head, thinking that these two people were too noisy.
"Okay, next time I'll get more chestnuts and hawthorns for you. It's not easy to buy so little this time." Liang Baozhen kept the portion for Wu Bingnian's wife and asked Xiao Wei to call the grandmother next door to come back and try it.
Zhou Yun has lived for most of his life and has eaten a lot of food. He also praises Liang Baozhen's cooking skills. "The most important thing is the thoughtfulness. It's rare."
After finishing the housework, that afternoon, Liang Baozhen packed the hawthorn chestnut cake into an olive green shoulder bag and went to the home of Wu Bingnian, deputy director of the National Cotton Mill, with her grandmother.
Wu Bingnian and his family lived in the family compound of the cadres of the National Cotton Mill No. 1. The conditions were much better than those in the crowded compound and tube-shaped building, and the area was much more spacious. The family of three lived in a house of nearly 50 square meters.
Four days ago, Xu Xuelian went back to her mother's home in the next city and only returned to Beijing yesterday afternoon. Zhou Yun specifically asked about it before bringing people here.
The weather was hot, and after days of running around, Xu Xuelian's appetite was even worse. She couldn't even swallow two bites of lunch, so she could only drink tea slowly. The old desktop fan in the room was creaking, blowing out a gentle breeze that made people doze off.
"Is Sister Xuelian at home?" Zhou Yun stood at the door and shouted into the house. The Wu family's door was open, but behind the pearl curtain, only a figure could be seen.
Xu Xuelian went out following the sound and saw a white-haired old man and a young girl standing at the door. The old lady seemed familiar, with a hint of her youth in her eyes and eyebrows. "Sister Yun?"
"It's rare that you still recognize me."
"How can I not know her!" Xu Xuelian looked at Zhou Yun, whom she had not seen for a long time, and remembered that she had taken good care of her when she first entered the factory. When Zhou Yun was in the factory, he was a powerful figure, working quickly and efficiently, and unlike some of the experienced workers who liked to show off, he was also very sincere to the newcomers. "Come in, come in!"
"We came here unexpectedly. I hope we didn't bother you?"
"No, no, I'm just sitting at home with nothing to do. What is this?" She led the two people into the house and sat them down, pouring them two glasses of water. Xu Xuelian looked at the young and beautiful girl next to Zhou Yun and made sure that she didn't know her.
"This is my granddaughter-in-law, Xiaojie's girlfriend." Zhou Yunchong said to Liang Baozhen, "Baozhen, call her Aunt Xu."
"Hello, Aunt Xu."
"Oh, Xiaojie is married? This is a great joy." Xu Xuelian looked at the girl and thought she was very pretty, especially her eyes, which were clear and bright. She immediately liked her at first sight.
"Aunt Xu, I made some food at home and brought a box for you. Grandma mentioned you a few days ago, saying that she worked with you and it was very lively back then."
Xu Xuelian usually did not accept any gifts, mainly because of her special position. She was the director of the Women's Department and her husband was the deputy factory director. Many people wanted to use their family connections to get things done. Workers in state-owned factories were popular and many wanted to get a job in the factory. Wu Bingnian was an upright person and never paid attention to those pretentious people, so naturally she had to pay attention to him.
However, Liang Baozhen repeatedly emphasized that she made the cake herself. In addition, her appetite had not been very good recently, so the fragrance wafting from the surface of the hawthorn chestnut cake actually aroused her gluttony.
Take a light bite, the fragrance lingers on your lips and teeth, sweet but not greasy, and the soft and sticky texture makes you want to eat one bite after another.
The three of them ate and talked affectionately. Because Zhou Yun's second son and his wife's family suddenly passed away that year, Xu Xuelian was also filled with emotion. She talked with Guo Zhouyun from their youth to the present, and recalled many past events.
Liang Baozhen listened carefully, but she was mainly pretending to be polite. She naturally didn't know what happened in the past. Fortunately, her grandmother was there. As they talked, they forgot about the presence of the younger generation and just reminisced about their youth.
"Look, we've really gone off topic." Zhou Yun had almost gotten enough of the questioning, so he finally pointed out his purpose. "Xue Lian, we came here today because we really need your help. Look at Bao Zhen, a high school graduate who is now in the city. We want to find a job, but it's really hard to find one now. The street office can't assign a job to us either, saying there are no vacancies. Can you help me find a job in the factory? Any temporary job is fine."
Zhou Yun did not ask Xu Xuelian to help him get the job quota right away, but instead wanted to ask for a temporary job.
When Xu Xuelian heard that Liang Baozhen only had a high school education, she immediately looked up to her. She liked educated and motivated children.
But how did I find myself here while looking for a job?
"That's not right. I remember that your family reserved a job quota back then. Now Xiaojie has returned to work after his retirement from the army. That quota should still be there. Isn't it just right for Baozhen to take over now?"
"Aunt Xu, that's what we originally agreed on, but Sheng Jie went to the factory to ask and was told that it might not be possible to get it back."
"Why can't I get it back? Whoever wants to take over the shift can just go to the factory office to go through the formalities with Xue Lijun." The National Cotton Mill has a large number of employees, with more than 5,000 people in the first factory alone. It is common for children to take over parents' jobs, or for female employees to have children and ask others to take over their shifts for a few months. Sometimes a job quota can be shared by several people. She has no impression of who got the job quota left by the second son of the Xu family.
"It was Ding Xiaoxia from the fine yarn workshop. There was nothing wrong with her. She just went to see Director Xue and said that there seemed to be some problems with the procedures and the higher-ups didn't agree." Zhou Yun was a man who was good at speaking and liked to leave things unsaid, which made people think more.
How could Xu Xuelian not understand that the fact that such a simple task could not be done meant that someone from above had given the order, otherwise Zhou Yun would not have come to her for help.
She had worked in the factory for many years, and was the director of the women's department. She had seen a lot of quarrels, and this kind of thing was not uncommon. Many brothers had fought over a job quota, and it was not uncommon for the quarrels to reach the factory office. She took another look at Liang Baozhen. She was good-looking and well-educated. If she could get into the factory, it would definitely not be a bad thing.
Besides, it is indeed legitimate.
But who would interfere in this matter? The Xu family are all honest people. The leaders above Xue Lijun are just a few people. Her husband certainly wouldn't do that. Could it be? "Did you offend the factory director Chen's family?"
Seeing that Xu Xuelian had guessed everything, Zhou Yun did not hide anything and told her all about Chen Siming's misdeeds. "Our Baozhen is kind-hearted and didn't think about anything. She just wanted to live a good life. Who would have thought that she would set a trap for others?"
"He did such a thing and still won't let your family off?" Xu Xuelian had heard about the scandal of Director Chen's second son a while ago. It was almost becoming big news in the factory, but no one dared to discuss it in front of the Chen family. Even if the superiors had repeatedly ordered them not to mention it, how could they stop the gossips?
He was getting married but still had sex with other lesbians. Xu Xuelian despised this kind of people the most. Since she became the director of the Women's Department, she had seen a lot of dirty things, especially some male comrades who had bad character and would only take out their anger on their wives. Director Chen was a decent person, how could he have such a son! Even if Chen Siming was the son of the director, he couldn't be so lawless. However, she dared to say this in her heart, and she would not say it even in front of Zhou Yun and the others, so as not to give people a chance to talk about it.
"Sister Yun, Baozhen, don't worry, I will help you find out about this matter." The higher-ups have just investigated Director Chen recently. In addition, Chen Siming is the one who handled the loss, so the possibility of Chen Yong intervening in this matter is very low. It is estimated that Chen Siming is the one who did something bad behind the scenes.
"Thank you, Aunt Xu."
"Then thank you for your concern." Zhou Yun knew that Xu Xuelian was a decent person and could not stand some dirty things, otherwise she would not have been able to hold the position of director of the women's department.
After chatting for a while, Liang Baozhen took the initiative to leave, and she and her grandmother politely said goodbye to Xu Xuelian.
After seeing the two off, Xu Xuelian sat at the table and ate hawthorn chestnut cake with a good appetite. She thought that the Xu family, who came to ask for favors, knew the rules and spoke politely. The food they sent was also to her liking. Before she knew it, she had only three pieces left.
When Deputy Director Wu of the National Cotton Mill No. 1 returned home, he saw his wife eating non-stop. Putting down the food he brought back from the state-owned hotel, Wu Bingnian took a look at the flower-like cakes on the table and said, "Did you buy them from the supply and marketing cooperative? They look pretty good."
"Try it, it tastes better, even better than the ones sold at the supply and marketing cooperative. It's made by Sister Yun's granddaughter-in-law, and her craftsmanship is really good."
"Sister Yun?"
"Zhou Yun, Sister Yun! Do you remember me? I used to be the flower of the cotton spinning workshop."
After hearing this, Wu Bingnian had a vague impression, but he had seen many people who came to his house with gifts to ask for favors, so he just glanced at it casually and said, "Are you still accepting it this time? Be careful, or someone will come to your house to make trouble and ask you to help deal with a job change."
Xu Xuelian gave him a reproachful look, "The young wife of the Xu family seems different, she is gentle and polite, and speaks nicely. Even when she gave him a gift, she made it herself, saying that she heard that I have a poor appetite recently, and it seems that she was thoughtful."
Last time, a relative of a factory worker came to her to do something and gave her a pound of peach cakes bought from the supply and marketing cooperative. Xu Xuelian refused to accept them, but the man insisted that it was a gift and that he bought it from the supply and marketing cooperative. As they pushed and pulled, the peach cakes broke into pieces all over the floor, leaving her doorstep covered with crumbs. It was a really ugly scene.
Besides, the cake tasted really good, sweet but not greasy. She had an appetite for a rare time, so she let Wu Bingnian have a taste as well.
Seeing that her husband also praised her, she couldn't help but ask, "Old Wu, when Xu Mingyuan and Wu Huacui left, the factory saw that there were only Sister Yun and three children left in their family, so they kept a job for them. At that time, it was you who fought for a job for the Xu family. Do you still remember this?"
Wu Bingnian suddenly turned his head to look at Xu Xuelian. It seemed as if Xu Mingyuan and Wu Huacui drowned in the river again. After a long while, he spoke, "Remember."
In the next few days, Zhou Yun waited for news from Xu Xuelian. She knew Xu Xuelian since she was young. She was kind-hearted, straightforward, and quick-witted. She was indeed suitable to be the director of the Women's Department. She felt much more at ease with her help.
Today is the day that the Wei family invites the Xu family to dinner. It is Sunday, a day off, and Xu Shengjie was supposed to be resting too, but a worker in the factory had an emergency at home, so he temporarily switched shifts with him. Xu Shengjie worked the night shift on Saturday and could not get off work and go home until Sunday noon.
Liang Baozhen has been in the city for a month and knows all the areas around Yueya Hutong. Today, she went out alone to visit a bookstore.
A few days before her wedding, she packed her books into her trousseau and asked her second brother Liang Baojun to carry it into the city.
According to the plot in the book, the college entrance examination will be resumed at the end of next year. She graduated from high school last year and her foundation is still there. If she studies more in advance, she may be able to get into a good school.
However, there were few textbooks for studying in the town at that time, and she thought that there must be more in the bookstores in the city, so she spent three cents to take the bus to the bookstore across the street.
It took more than twenty minutes on the bus to finally arrive at the destination.
Although there are only two or three bookstores on each street, there are not many people here as it is almost noon.
Liang Baozhen went to three bookstores but couldn't find any additional high school supplementary teaching materials. The reason was simple: the college entrance examination had been cancelled for many years, and there were very few people who needed to buy such materials, so bookstores naturally did not stock them.
"Comrade, if you want to find some books, go to the Book City Cultural Flea Market in the east of the city. There are a lot of things there." A middle-aged man with a cigarette in his mouth gave her advice.
"Okay, thank you." Liang Baozhen found out the time and place, and prepared to find another time to go and have a look.
On the way back, Liang Baozhen was not in a hurry to go back home. She first took a walk around the National Cotton Mill and waited for Xu Shengjie to get off work.
At that time, private business was not allowed in China. All food and daily necessities sold on the street were state-owned, and those who could work in state-owned stores had a stable job.
The attitude of the salespersons in many places is not very good.
There was one exception: there was a popsicle vendor at the entrance of the National Cotton Mill. In the summer, the sun was too hot, and workers were prone to heat stroke from toiling in the high temperatures. The factory cafeteria would make green bean soup to cool them down, and they would also contact the city food factory to supply popsicles.
During the hottest time of summer, the popsicle workshop in the food factory is very busy and is very popular with everyone.
Thinking about the cool taste of popsicles, Liang Baozhen followed the crowd to the side gate of the factory to buy popsicles.
"Red fruit popsicles, Iraqi date popsicles, four cents each, cream popsicles, five cents each..."
In front of the popsicle box, a worker in food factory work clothes was shouting out prices. Many people gathered around her. When the weather got hot, there was nothing more refreshing than eating a popsicle.
However, this man only recognized work clothes from the National Cotton Mill. Outsiders would not sell them, so it was useless for Liang Baozhen to wear a beautiful shirt. She could only watch other workers buy a popsicle, take a bite, and breathe out a puff of icy air.
"Sister-in-law!" Hong Saner had just finished his night shift and was about to buy a popsicle to cool down, but he saw Liang Baozhen in the crowd. "Are you waiting for Lao Xu?"
"Yes, hello, Comrade Hong. I would like to buy some popsicles to take back." Liang Baozhen glanced behind Hong Saner but did not see Xu Shengjie.
"He's in the back. Our workshop manager is talking to him." Seeing that Liang Baozhen hadn't bought any popsicles yet, the three Hongs understood what was going on and beckoned her forward, "Sister-in-law, what kind of popsicle do you want?"
"Two red fruit ones and three Iraqi dates." She brought fifty cents with her today and looked at the price. She was reluctant to buy a pair of popsicles at fifteen cents each.
Hong Saner also bought some red fruit ones, tore open the wrapper, and finished one in three bites. He felt refreshed all over. When Liang Baozhen wanted to give him money, he refused generously, "No need. I usually get money from Lao Xu. I don't have the nerve to take your money now. Hey, hey, hey, someone is here. Lao Xu, your wife is here!"
Xu Shengjie had just finished his night shift and was stopped by the workshop manager on his way out to ask a few questions, which delayed him. When he heard Hong Saner's movement and looked over, he saw his wife eating a popsicle.
Liang Baozhen was wearing a plaid shirt with two pigtails on her shoulders. Perhaps because of the heat, her fair face was flushed and her hair on her forehead was wet with sweat. She was concentrating on eating the popsicle in her hand. When she saw her, she waved the four popsicles in her left hand and smiled sweetly.
She ate a red fruit popsicle like the most delicious thing in the world, and Xu Shengjie's Adam's apple moved unconsciously...
Is this popsicle usually this delicious?
Of course there is! Liang Baozhen thinks there is nothing more delicious than popsicles in summer!
The red fruit popsicle is made of hawthorn. When you take a bite, it is cool and sweet. In this year, there is a lack of sweet food. This popsicle is really a lifesaver. Liang Baozhen was not idle. She looked at Xu Shengjie and said vaguely, "You are off work. Which flavor do you want to eat?"
Four popsicles were passed to each other. Xu Shengjie picked the same red fruit popsicle as Liang Baozhen, and they went home together.
It took more than ten minutes to walk back home. Liang Baozhen was afraid that she would melt along the way. It would be terrible if she turned into ice water by the time she got home to show it to her family.
"It would be nice if the popsicles could be delivered to my home right after I buy them."
As he was talking, a few workers were riding by on 28-bar bicycles. The wind blew the corners of their grey work clothes up, making them look particularly powerful.
Liang Baozhen looked at him enviously and continued walking on her two legs.
"Let's buy a bicycle too?" Xu Shengjie
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