Chapter 19
When fourth brother got married, Ye Manzhi was still in elementary school.
In her impression, Fourth Sister-in-law, like Chang Yue'e, was someone who only did housework at home and did not need to go out to work.
Because of her recent frequent contact with Zheng Dongmei, the similar names of the two made her suddenly realize that the situations of her fourth sister-in-law and Zheng Dongmei were actually similar.
She even tried her best to help outsiders find jobs, so when it came to her own sister-in-law's turn, of course she had to give her a hand.
So, when she called, she asked her elder sister to help reserve two apprenticeship spots.
If Fourth Sister-in-law also wants to leave home, this is a good opportunity.
However, after her initial excitement, Shen Liangmei quickly regained her composure and stammered, "Come on, I've never worn makeup before, and I've only shaved Mai Duo's head. What if I can't learn it?"
"If you can't learn it, just come back. If everyone can learn it, then everyone can be a makeup artist! It doesn't cost any money anyway, so what are you afraid of?"
Shen Liangmei was itching to try. "How about I give it a try?"
"Well, give it a try. If it doesn't work, come back."
Shen Liangmei had never been to school properly or worked outside, so she felt a little uneasy when she suddenly got the opportunity to be an apprentice.
If she really learns it, can she become a master chef in the future?
She also wanted to ask the apprentice what to bring and what clothes to wear.
However, the door outside was suddenly pushed open, and Ye Lai Ya was more agile than Ye Lihua, and he rushed over in a flash.
"Dad, you're finally back!"
Ye Shouxin asked, "What's wrong?"
"My fourth brother is causing trouble again! He and my fourth sister-in-law want to move in with my fifth brother! And they only give him two dollars a month in rent! Dad, please talk to my fourth brother! He only listens to you!"
Fourth brother and fourth sister-in-law: "::::::"
We were just chatting and laughing while introducing the job, how come you suddenly turned so hostile?
What kind of bad temper is this?
Hearing this, Ye Shouxin glared and asked, "Fourth Brother, you want to move out? Okay, then why don't you just switch places with Fifth Brother? Let Fifth Brother come home and live here, and you can stay in his house that costs five dollars a month. It'll be more spacious for just you and your wife!"
"I thought he has two rooms over there, so we could go and help him share the rent. My wife can cook, and I can take care of his chickens and pigs. Isn't that great?"
"You think it's good, what about Lao Wu?"
"What's wrong with that? We're all brothers, sleeping on the same kang for almost twenty years!"
Ye Shouxin kicked him on the butt. "Bullshit! It's already difficult for Lao Wu to find a partner. He finally moved into a decent house, and you want to bring your wife along to make things more complicated! You've already married and had children, so why don't you think about Lao Wu?"
The fourth brother covered his butt and wanted to argue, but Lao Ye didn't listen. He untied his belt and spanked him on the butt.
The fourth brother was beaten so badly that he ran around the house, shouting, "My son is already so old, why are you still hitting me?"
"I think you're not as sensible as Mai Duo! I told you to find a class, but you're too ambitious and don't want to do anything. You spend all day fiddling with your goldfish, katydids, and cicadas! I'll beat you to death!"
The belt made the air whizzing, and Shen Liangmei shivered in fear. She hid nearby and didn't dare to say a word, pretending that she didn't exist.
Ye Manzhi was also a little scared, so she shrank her neck and went back to the house to organize the picture album.
The matter of the fourth brother and his wife has to be resolved by Old Ye. If the fourth sister-in-law fails to become an apprentice, she will have to think about living with the fifth brother.
Let Old Ye give Fourth Brother a good beating, and they will all behave themselves.
As for the possibility of being hated by her fourth brother and his wife, Ye Manzhi was not afraid at all.
She always does.
When her third and fourth brothers acted up, she went to Old Ye to complain.
When her eldest sister and fifth brother got into trouble, she went to Chang Yue'e to complain.
My second sister is a very nice person and she never complained.
She had not had the awareness of maintaining family harmony before, and she filed a complaint mainly because she was afraid that she would sue the wrong person or that the beating was not severe enough.
Her parents always beat their own children and never hit each other's children.
*
Ye Manzhi complained to her fourth brother and sister-in-law, but the matter of letting her become an apprentice could not be delayed.
She planned to send her two "sisters" to the drama troupe together, so she went to Zheng's house again at noon the next day.
This time they were not so lucky. The old couple of the Zheng family did not take a lunch break and were drying shredded beans in the yard.
Ye Manzhi didn't want to talk about this in front of them, so she called Zheng Dongmei out under the pretext of combing her hair.
Under the big tree at the entrance of the alley, she whispered about the apprentice's situation.
Zheng Dongmei first asked, "How much can an apprentice be paid?"
"An apprentice is supposed to buy cigarettes and alcohol for the master and serve him tea. It's good enough that he doesn't charge you. It's impossible for him to pay you now."
Zheng Dongmei frowned and said, "If you don't pay me, I won't go."
Chen Caixia was worried about her.
"The Municipal Repertory Theatre is the largest theatre in the city! Others are desperately trying to get in, but Xiao Ye had to use his connections and beg for mercy to get you in!"
Ye Manzhi knew that Zheng Dongmei was a bit stubborn, so she patiently settled the score with her.
"Although there's no salary, you'll be provided with lunch, which includes vegetables, meat, and dry food. Your apprenticeship will save your family some food. Besides, barbering is a job that can be done by both men and women. If any of your nephews or nieces struggle with their studies, you can pass on your skills to them. This way, you'll have a way to make a living and walk the world with dignity."
Her last sentence hit the nail on the head.
Zheng Dongmei's attitude softened immediately.
She raised her brother's four children single-handedly, and they are no different from her biological children.
However, because they had a mother of humble origins, the children were always bullied in the alley, especially the two nieces, who were often subjected to strange remarks by other children.
She didn't like to think about these things before, and just lived one day at a time. But now that she thinks about it carefully, the future of these two children may not be as good as hers.
She gritted her teeth and said, "Okay, then I'll be an apprentice! When does it start?"
"Tomorrow, the sooner you start learning, the sooner you can start making money."
Ye Manzhi wanted her to see the colorful world outside as soon as possible and stop being stuck in a rut at home.
However, there might be some trouble with Zheng's parents. She thought about it and whispered a few words to Zheng Dongmei.
…
After seeing off the street officials, Zheng Dongmei quickly returned home.
As soon as he entered the door, he told me that he wanted to be an apprentice in a large company.
Uncle Zheng disagreed, "You're not making any money, but you still have to travel so far every day. Isn't that all for nothing?"
"They provide me with a meal. I can save some food for my family if I go there. And after I learn the skills, I can pass them on to Xiaodong and the others."
"That's a good idea. Teaching Xiaodong and the others will be a good way out." Aunt Zheng discussed with her, "Why don't you let your sister-in-law be the apprentice and give her some easier work so you don't have to work outside."
My daughter-in-law can't leave, and the money she earns belongs to her family after all.
Zheng Dongmei was secretly surprised that what cadre Xiao Ye said was actually right!
Cadre Xiao Ye just said that her parents might ask her to give up her apprenticeship opportunity to her sister-in-law!
She complained, "Apprentices don't get paid. If my sister-in-law becomes an apprentice, we'll be left with nothing. Besides, my sister-in-law's hands are even rougher than mine. The neighborhood officials said that rough hands will scratch your hair and hurt your skin, so they won't accept apprentices like that!"
Uncle Zheng said, "If that's the case, then don't go. Being an apprentice isn't easy. Can you imagine an apprentice who doesn't feel humiliated?"
Zheng Dongmei was surprised again. Cadre Xiao Ye was right again!
"You two have old-fashioned ideas and can't keep up with the times. The neighborhood officials said that if you learn skills from a master, you have to endure being bullied, so just think of it as paying tuition. Oh, you two are uneducated and behind the times, so don't give orders if you don't understand. From now on, Xiaodong and the others' studies will be my responsibility. I'll teach them once I've learned enough. You two just need to do your housework well and don't worry about anything else."
Aunt Zheng was so angry that she had a headache because she kept saying "the street cadres said". She didn't know what kind of magic potion the street cadres had given her, but she believed everything they said!
…
Zheng Dongmei is a bit left-wing, and once she makes up her mind, she becomes very stubborn.
In the past, she thought her parents were right, so she listened to them. Now she finds that her parents cannot keep up with the situation, and that the street cadres are more right, so she starts to listen to them.
The old couple of the Zheng family tried to persuade her for half the night, but she remained unmoved. The next morning, she carried a can of boiled water and went to meet Ye Manzhi and Shen Liangmei.
The drama troupe is in the city center, and Ye Manzhi usually takes the bus.
But the apprentices didn't make any money, and if they added the train fare, the cost would be too high, so the two of them had to walk back and forth from then on.
"Dongmei, Sisao, let me emphasize again, it's normal to get scolded for not studying well. I often get scolded when I work at the neighborhood office. We can't just glare at and fight with colleagues when we get angry. Dongmei has a bad temper, Sisao, please help me keep an eye on her."
Zheng Dongmei just walked with her head down, but Shen Liangmei agreed loudly.
"Besides, Dongmei already knows how to comb hair, so she's a quick learner. Dongmei, if my fourth sister-in-law says something sour to you, don't take it to heart. She's just jealous of you. You two are apprentices together, so you should maintain unity."
This time it was Zheng Dongmei who agreed, and Shen Liangmei remained silent.
Ye Manzhi explained everything she could think of to the two of them, no matter how big or small. These two spots were too valuable, and the drama troupe rarely recruited outsiders. Even apprentices were mostly hired by the troupe's connections.
It took a lot of favors for the elder sister to help her get these two places.
When the three of them arrived at the drama troupe, the eldest sister was already waiting in the guard room.
After saying hello to her younger brother's wife and the unfamiliar girl, she pulled her younger sister aside.
"What's wrong with you? If I had known that this spot was given to the fourth son's wife, I wouldn't have agreed to your request." Ye Manjin complained, "You're wasting my favor!"
"Oh, just think of it as doing this for Mom. Let Fourth Sister-in-law come out as an apprentice. Mom will have more work to do, but she can have some peace and quiet." Ye Manzhi patted his chest and promised, "Sister, after I get the royalties, I'll treat you to a big meal. You can choose the place!"
Although the eldest sister is just an actor in a drama troupe, she always meets directors during performances, so she has very high standards.
She looked down on everyone in the family except her third brother.
She looked down on her fourth sister-in-law even more because she was so uneducated and often caused trouble for Chang Yue'e.
The eldest sister said the ugly words upfront, "Apprentices are just apprentices. After they finish their training, they will return to where they came from. Our drama troupe does not have recruitment targets, so they can't stay!"
"I know!"
Ye Manzhi just wanted Zheng Dongmei to leave home as soon as possible and be an apprentice for at least one or two months, and they could talk about the future later.
*
Ye Manzhi felt much more relieved after successfully getting Zheng Dongmei into the drama troupe.
Even though Zhang Qinjian criticized her for her dressing style, she didn't take it to heart.
In order to get Zheng Dongmei an apprenticeship opportunity, Ye Manzhi did a favor for her boss. She felt that she should learn more from Liu Jinbao and let her boss see her work achievements.
Liu Jinbao has to report his work to Deputy Director Zhang seven or eight times a day. He will find an opportunity to report even the smallest matter.
Because of the Zhao brothers' incident, Liu Jinbao was punished to clean the place for two months. Every morning after mopping the floor, he was afraid that no one would know that he had mopped the floor. Even when the water stains on the floor had dried, he would still say to Zhang Qinjian, "Director, I just mopped the floor. Be careful, it's slippery!"
In this regard, Ye Manzhi felt inferior and was embarrassed to report his insignificant work achievements to his superiors.
But there has been great progress in solving the Zheng family's problem, so she took Sister Caixia with her to report to Director Mu.
According to the experience taught by Lao Ye, when reporting work, you cannot only talk about the good side, but also leave room for the leader to give guidance.
So, after Ye Manzhi finished explaining the general situation, she added, "Director, although we've sent Zheng Dongmei to learn a trade, the drama troupe doesn't have any openings. Once she finishes her training, we need your help in finding a job."
This was her true feelings; it was indeed very difficult to find a job.
Director Mu said happily, "You two have done a great job! The Zheng family is a tough nut to crack. It's not easy to get Zheng Dongmei to go out and work! As long as she can learn the skills, I will find a way to get her to work!"
Ye Manzhi smiled and asked, "Director, is the Zheng family's problem now half solved? How's the Xue Qiaoer case going?"
"Catching two people cheating together? As long as they're not caught in the act, it's a false accusation. We've sent people to the transport cooperative to investigate several times, and the drivers whose wages have been reduced all said it was because they had less work, and it had nothing to do with Xue Qiaoer. Oh, forget it," Director Mu said, rising from his desk. "Xiao Ye, and Zhuang Ting, get ready. We'll be heading to the district office shortly."
"Director, what's the matter?" Zhuang Ting asked.
"The district is going to hold a mobilization meeting regarding the establishment of a branch of the Sino-Soviet Friendship Association. The three of us, as representatives of the preparatory group, will go and listen."
Ye Manzhi immediately agreed loudly.
She loves going out to meetings.
The last time I went to the city for a meeting, I gained a lot of knowledge. This time I can go to the district to see the world!
The street office only has two yuan of office funds per month, and good steel must be used on the blade, so the tickets for going to the district meeting could not be reimbursed, and the three of them walked there.
Ye Manzhi lamented silently that the soles of her shoes were almost worn out since she came to work at the street office!
When we arrived at the District People's Committee, there were already twenty or thirty people in the meeting room.
Ye Manzhi and Zhuang Ting were both quite surprised. According to Director Mu, the fact that the Sino-Soviet Friendship Association branch could be opened on Guangming Street was something worth writing about.
It must be because it is rare that it seems precious!
However, judging by the number of people on the scene, at least half of the nine street offices in Zhengyang District were present!
This was also confirmed through the leader's introduction after the meeting officially started.
Seven branches of the Sino-Soviet Friendship Association were established in the nine streets of Zhengyang District.
The reason why nine branches were not established was that two of the streets had too few people, so they were merged with other streets to form branches.
Ye Manzhi and Zhuang Ting: "::::::"
Director Mu is really good at fooling people!
From the way she spoke that day, I thought there was only one branch in Guangming Street in the entire district!
Director Mu felt uncomfortable being stared at by the two men. He coughed dryly and said, "The establishment of a branch of the Sino-Soviet Friendship Association is a major event. As the leader said in his speech just now, each branch must make a successful start. You should also think about how to carry out the first activity of the branch. Let's brainstorm."
Ye Manzhi said to the leader in a respectful manner, "Yes, there are seven branches in the district. We at Guangming Street must make good preparations and stand out among the seven branches!"
"That's exactly it!"
Zhuang Ting: “…”
Director Mu explained, "Our Guangming Street preparatory group was the first to be established, so our branch should also be the first to be established. I've discussed it with Director Liu, and we've decided to officially establish it this Sunday, with a small opening ceremony on the same day."
The Sino-Soviet Friendship Association is a mass organization. Its members have to go to work and school during the week, so activities can only be organized on weekends.
Zhuang Ting asked, "Should we invite the district leaders to attend our opening ceremony?"
"Well, I'll try to invite them later. If we're the first branch meeting, the district leaders should be in attendance."
Ye Manzhi hated listening to the leaders' speeches at the opening ceremony the most. She judged others by her own experience and felt that the members of the Sino-Soviet Friendship Association might not be willing to listen to the leaders' speeches at the opening ceremony.
"Director, I think we can combine the opening ceremony with the first event so that everyone can gain something from participating. My third brother is a member of the Municipal Friendship Association. I heard that the city will invite comrades who have been to the Soviet Union to introduce the situation there, such as life, economy, factory welfare, etc."
"Xiao Ye, this is a good idea. Our branch organizes activities mainly to make everyone gain something."
Now the whole country is "taking the Soviet Union as the leader" and "learning from Russia", and learning from the Soviet model is the main theme.
Zhuang Ting suggested, "Director, other branches can only invite comrades who studied in the Soviet Union to introduce the situation in the Soviet Union, but we have a natural advantage in Guangming Street. Factory 656 has many Soviet experts and their families. We can invite a real Soviet person to introduce the life of the Soviet people!"
Mulan nodded thoughtfully. Inviting a Soviet person to give a speech should be a good start for the establishment of the branch.
"Then let's try it."
…
However, it was not easy to invite Soviet experts or their families to participate in the branch's first activity.
Factory 656 cannot be avoided.
After returning from the district that day, Mulan asked Deputy Director Zhang of Factory 656 about the specific invitation process.
According to Deputy Director Zhang, the factory will usually approve an invitation letter with the invitee's name and a detailed list of activities.
However, approval from the factory alone is not enough; the military representative office also needs to give its approval.
In addition to being responsible for equipment ordering and inspection and acceptance of military products, the military representative office is also responsible for factory monitoring and confidentiality work.
If you invite foreigners to participate in an event, you must report to the military representative office.
Mulan is not a hypocritical person. He usually maintains relationships with all parties so that he can have a say at critical moments and facilitate his work.
The four new comrades in the subdistrict office all came in by handing in notes.
She knew exactly who introduced whom.
So, on the day she went to the military representative's office to report, she also called Ye Manyi.
No matter whether it is useful or not, it is easier to get things done with people you know.
"Xiao Ye, it was Captain Wu who recommended you to our neighborhood office. I never asked how you two met."
Ye Manzhi had already prepared an answer to this question.
From her first day at work, she was waiting for her boss to ask questions.
Too bad no one asked.
When she was suddenly asked by Director Mu at this time, she felt a sense of relief that "it's finally here".
"Director, my dad knows Captain Wu. They have some overlap in their work."
The fact that the two of them had a blind date should not be mentioned again. Old Ye told her that if anyone asked about her relationship with Wu Zhengrong, she should blame him.
Mulan nodded after hearing this. It was similar to what she had guessed before. Adults would help children with things only if they had a good relationship with each other.
She knew what was going on and stopped asking questions.
After registering at the door, he led his men into the gate of Factory 656.
The two parties had agreed on a meeting time in advance. When they arrived at the military representative's office, Wu Zhengrong, who had received a call from the security guard, was already waiting at the office door.
Mulan felt the other party's respect and felt comforted. She took a few quick steps and shook hands with Wu Zhengrong enthusiastically.
"Captain Wu, long time no see. I finally have the chance to visit you!"
"Director Mu is a rare guest. Welcome, please come in!"
The two leaders shook hands and exchanged greetings in front.
Ye Manzhi, who was watching this scene, suddenly realized that he had been working for almost a month and seemed to have never shaken hands with anyone!
It is not usually used in the office. Shaking hands with neighbors would seem too polite, but she has never shaken hands when meeting colleagues from other units!
She suddenly remembered that her elder sister seemed to have mentioned this once when she first started working: men generally do not take the initiative to shake hands with women. When shaking hands between men and women, the woman should extend her hand first!
She had met Captain Wu several times but they had never shaken hands. But just now, Director Mu took the initiative to extend her hand and they shook hands!
This kind of social etiquette requires either someone to point it out to you, or you have to learn it carefully on your own, otherwise you will never be able to understand it.
She felt a little annoyed, wondering if her behavior in the previous month had been considered rude.
I hope it’s not too late to make amends.
Therefore, after the two leaders exchanged greetings, Ye Manzhi also took the initiative to extend his right hand and greeted: "Hello, Captain Wu!"
They never shook hands when they met. Wu Zhengrong glanced at her with some surprise, then placed his calloused hand against her soft palm and said with a smile, "Hello, Comrade Xiaoye."
Ye Manzhi felt inexplicably excited, not because of the person she was shaking hands with, but because this was her first time shaking hands with someone formally!
From this moment on, she felt that she had finally transformed into an adult who could stand on her own!
Just as she was thinking this, Wu Zhengrong turned to Director Mu and asked in a familiar tone, "How is Xiaoye doing in our neighborhood office? Did he cause you any trouble?"
"Haha, no, no, Xiaoye is doing an excellent job. Although he hasn't been working for long, he has already helped the masses solve many problems, and the comrades have responded very well!"
Mulan was quite familiar with handling such polite inquiries.
Liu Jinbao's situation is similar to Xiaoye's. She has an uncle who is in charge of the grain warehouse. Every time she passes by the warehouse, she is asked how Jinbao's work is going at the unit.
This is the same as parents asking their children about their performance in school.
One is to show concern, and the other is to ask the leaders to take more care of me.
They came here with a mission today, and Xiao Ye's father was friends with Wu Zhengrong, so Mulan naturally didn't hesitate to give them some praise.
"Our neighborhood is about to establish the 'Guangming Street Branch of the Sino-Soviet Friendship Association.' Xiaoye is very enthusiastic about his work and will assist me in the preparatory work for the establishment of the branch."
In just a few words, Director Mu mentioned "this kid Xiao Ye" twice.
There was a subtle smile between Wu Zhengrong's eyebrows, and he looked at Ye Manyi, who was standing behind his leader, with a slightly strange expression, watching his leader with his eyes and nose.
I don't know how she explained their relationship to others.
But the excuses she could use were only one or two.
What is certain is that the girl did not reveal the fact that the two had a blind date.
Wu Zhengrong chuckled slightly, then looked at Mu Lan again and agreed seriously, "You're right. Xiaoye has always been a very good child. I'll have to trouble Director Mu for more guidance and care in the future."
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