Chapter 129
Yu Wanxia mixed two cups of kombucha drinks, put one next to Zhou Jiani, drank one herself, and sat next to her to start reading.
As the exam drew closer, she became more and more nervous, and took time out every day to read and study.
Zhou Jiani lit another candle to make the light in the room brighter.
While writing the report, his left palm trembled. He opened it and grabbed a red envelope, bought two boxes of Red Fuji apples, shook hands, and walked out to continue writing the report.
Director Zhai urged her to write it well. Zhou Jiani guessed that it might be used as a model for internal study and circulation. In the future, when the commune has similar activities, it will not only focus on performances, but also add some interesting interactions.
It might also be that this manuscript was to be shown to her superiors, but no matter what the purpose was, it would not do her any harm. She first made a draft, then polished it herself, then took two sheets of letter paper and copied it neatly. She was busy until almost twelve o'clock before she finished writing.
Yu Wanxia could also hold on. She gritted her teeth and studied until twelve o'clock, and then went to rest at about the same time as her.
I woke up in the morning when I heard Yu Wanxia closing the door. I put on my clothes and went out to lock the door from the inside. Then I went back to wash my hands and face and went to fry eggs.
She agreed with Qiu Zeming that under normal circumstances he didn't need to deliver breakfast, and he only had to take care of his partner during lunch or dinner.
Zhou Jiani took out a frying pan and fried two eggs. While frying the eggs, she took out a sausage, opened the package, cut it in half and put it in to fry. Then she took out the toast, lettuce and chili sauce that she had gathered from the group and made a simple sandwich.
She would buy anything she could use from the group, and now that there were fresh-keeping shelves, she could do more freely.
After eating, I washed the dishes and put them back into the warehouse. I took out the apples I bought last night, washed a few and put them in the special basket on the fresh-keeping shelf so that they would be convenient to eat.
I took a group of pictures of jellies at around ten o'clock last night, and extracted them and put them on the shelf. I left a few and ate them in a few bites.
After packing up, I locked the door, went to the village committee, and rode my bike to the commune.
Director Zhai is in a meeting and is not here.
Zhou Jiani rode her bike to the supply and marketing cooperative here.
Becoming a local celebrity also has its inconveniences. The cashiers will be extra warm when talking to her, and when buying things in bulk, it is easy to be asked all kinds of questions, and it is not easy to fool them.
So I didn't buy any more enamel products or handkerchiefs here. I sighed and just bought a bag of coarse salt.
She hasn't held a group sale for a long time. This period is also the time when sweet potatoes are in short supply, so Zhao Hai has given away less rice noodles and vermicelli.
Zhou Jiani found a place to take out a scarf and hat, covered herself tightly with only a pair of eyes exposed, strolled into the black market, and collected some tickets, eggs, and corn.
After strolling around outside for an hour or so, she returned to the commune. Director Zhai had just walked in and smiled at her, "Have you finished writing the report?"
Zhou Jiani opened the bag and handed it over, smiling, "Can you take a look at what's written on it?"
Director Zhai sat down, took a sip of tea, read the report, and said, "Not bad, very well written."
It was lively and interesting and did not deviate from the theme of yesterday's activity. He praised it again: "Very good, your writing skills are pretty good." Fortunately, when he was giving instructions, he was worried that Comrade Xiao Zhou would be nervous and could not write anymore, so he did not finish his words.
Zhou Jiani was an excellent student in school. She has been studying and reading continuously during this period, so writing a report is no problem for her.
Putting the manuscript down, Zhai Xiangqiang smiled and said, "The higher-ups are organizing all units to write articles about Women's Day and submit them to the newspaper. Our commune has to submit as well. Your article will be included in the list and we'll submit it together. I can't guarantee whether it will be published. But if it is published, in addition to the manuscript fee from the newspaper, the commune will also give you a reward."
Zhou Jiani was surprised, there is this part?
However, all units submitted articles, and they are professional writers, so her focus is on participation.
Zhai Xiangqiang smiled again and said, "I've already received several calls from the city this morning, all praising our excellent reception yesterday and the excellent event organized by Comrade Xiao Zhou."
Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "It's also thanks to the support of the leadership."
Zhai Xiangqiang laughed and said, "Haha, there are no outsiders here, so there's no need to say such polite words."
Zhou Jiani was happy that her work was praised and recognized. It would be best if the report could be successfully published, but it didn't matter if it couldn't. She was very calm.
After a busy day, it was time for the teacher qualification examination.
Zhou Jiani did not sign up, but she was responsible for driving the bus to take the educated youth and villagers from the village who were taking the exam to the town to take the exam.
Before getting on the bus, Zhou Jiani called the roll one by one and asked everyone to check their stationery and letters of introduction. After everyone finished checking, she said, "Anyone want to come back for lunch and rest? If you have, raise your hands."
After looking around, he said, "Those who are coming back for lunch, take Uncle Liu's car back after the lunch break. Those who are not planning to come back for lunch, bring their own dry food and plan to eat at the state-owned restaurant. I'll do the statistics on the way. I've discussed several set meals for everyone at the state-owned restaurant in advance. The contents and required bills are all written down in a notebook, such as steamed buns with porridge, steamed buns with stir-fried vegetables and porridge, or noodles... To avoid wasting too much time in the chaos in the restaurant at noon, make your reservations early and eat as soon as you arrive. You can even rest on the table after eating... Come on, get in the car first, I'll do the statistics on the way."
Although Zhang Baosheng did not go to see the examinee, he was also in the village committee. He nodded secretly when he heard this. Comrade Xiao Zhou was very thoughtful.
After a brief statistics on the way, the food coupons and money were collected and the corresponding signatures were completed, and then we could continue our journey safely.
When registering at that time, except for those who were not qualified and those who were satisfied with their current positions and did not register, all other new and old educated youth and those in the village with junior high school diplomas or above wanted to take the exam.
After a village meeting and a survey and selection by villagers, a small half of them were eliminated, and now there are two full ox carts.
The competition is indeed fierce because the documents have come out. There are only two places in the Qianjin Brigade, and the others will be selected from other brigades.
Zhou Jiani fixed a bunch of empty thermoses in the car so that she could easily find a place to get some water to drink.
The test site is arranged at the town middle school.
Before entering the school gate, Zhou Jiani once again raised her voice and reminded everyone, "We checked everyone's stationery when we gathered in the village. Now everyone should check again: pencils, pens, erasers..."
There was no problem with the Qianjin Brigade, but a female comrade from another brigade nearby said in panic, "Ah, where is my pencil? I clearly put it in my bag..."
There was a panic over there, and people around started checking the stationery they had brought with them.
The person who spoke had a tearful tone: "My bag is leaking, does anyone have an extra pencil?"
Everyone around her pursed their lips and no one spoke.
Zhou Jiani walked over and handed her a pencil, saying, "I'm Zhou Jiani from the Qianjin Brigade. After you finish your exam, buy me a new one."
The female comrade's eyes were red, and she thanked him repeatedly with tears in her eyes: "Thank you, Comrade Zhou. I am from the Ernst & Young team. My name is Gong Mei. After the exam, I will definitely buy a new one for Comrade Zhou."
Zhou Jiani nodded: "Okay, good luck on the exam."
When I turned back, I heard someone mutter in a low voice, "Mind your own business!"
Zhou Jiani glanced back and saw two or three comrades rolling their eyes and turning away.
Back at their side, Yan Mancang said, "Comrade Zhou, why do you care about what they're doing? One less person means one less competitor."
Zhou Jiani asked, "Can they compete with you?"
Comrade Yan can't find a partner.
Yan Mancang thought about it and agreed. The number of people in the Forward Brigade was limited, so whether there was one more or one less person in other teams would not have much impact on them, so he kept silent.
When the time was almost up, Zhou Jiani said a few more encouraging words loudly, simply to ask everyone to keep calm and perform steadily.
The school gates opened, and everyone rushed in. Zhou Jiani asked Uncle Liu, who had come with her to see the students off, to watch over the car while she went to the state-owned restaurant, filled a pot of hot water, and brought it over. She also made the meal reservations and helped mark out the seats. She said, "When the time comes, just move the tables together. Those who are eating noodles can put them together, and those who are eating steamed buns and vegetables can put them together..."
After explaining everything here, he carried the thermos back to the gate of the town middle school.
Before coming out, he used brown paper to divide the tea into several small packets and gave one packet to Uncle Liu.
After brewing the tea, Zhou Jiani took some melon seeds from her bag and gave a handful to Uncle Liu. Uncle Liu took them with a smile. He also opened his bag, grabbed a handful of fried peanuts, and said with a chuckle, "Let's eat together."
An old man and a young man ate peanuts and cracked melon seeds, drank tea and chatted.
After the exam, Zhou Jiani waved her hand at the door, and the candidates from the forward team gathered around. She said loudly, "As we agreed this morning, those who want to go home to eat and rest before coming back can take Uncle Liu's oxcart. The rest of you can take mine."
Only two or three people brought dry food with them, planning to have a quick bite for lunch, but when they were counting in the morning, they asked Zhou Jiani to help them order only a bowl of porridge.
Many candidates from other teams also went to the state-owned restaurant for meals. Those who brought their own dry food sat on the curb opposite the street to eat their dry food and drink water.
If you live nearby, go home for dinner.
When they arrived at the state-owned restaurant, some sharp-eyed candidates from other groups noticed that there were several tables put together in the northeast corner of the hall, and meals were placed on them.
As everyone crowded to the window, clamoring to place their orders, Zhou Jiani from the Qianjin Brigade led them to the tables that had been put together and said, "Those who ordered noodles, sit here... Those who ordered meat buns, these, vegetarian buns with porridge, sit here, those who ordered steamed buns and stir-fries, sit here... Who ordered dumplings? Come over here..."
The other people in the group stared blankly as they ordered their food, saying to each other, "Why did they prepare it in advance?"
The waiter swiftly collected the money and handed over the steamed buns while saying, "They ordered it in advance, so it must have been prepared in advance."
“Why didn’t we think of…”
“That saves a lot of effort.”
"yes."
When the people in the forward team finished eating and started to discuss the exam content with each other, the people in other teams had not yet ordered their meals.
Zhou Jiani said, "Those who have already finished their exams should just wait for the results. Don't dwell on what you took in the morning. Instead, focus on studying for the subjects you will take in the afternoon, or just skip studying and rest your eyes."
Several candidates who were close to them looked over here while chewing their steamed buns, then turned to the people around them and said, "Who is that person? The arrangement is so perfect."
"Yeah, there's no one in our team to help us make arrangements."
"Look, everyone has finished eating, but the dish I wanted hasn't been cooked yet."
"The other village even arranged for a bullock cart to deliver the goods, but here, no one cares."
Zhou Jiani just arranged the people in her team. When she brought them back to the school gate, Uncle Liu also came back with the people who were going home for dinner.
The exam lasted a day and a half, and then I just had to wait for the results.
Before the test results came out, Zhou Jiani received a call from the commune and her report was published.
Zhai Xiangqiang said happily, "I circulated it among the other commune cadres before submitting it. They all said yours would definitely be accepted. I didn't expect it to actually be selected. Come and receive the award, Comrade Xiao Zhou!"
A special page was given to report on Women's Day activities, with only text and no pictures. Zhou Jiani rode her bike to the town to collect the manuscript fee of more than two yuan, a large teacup and a towel.
I also bought a few extra newspapers and sent one of them to my parents.
Back in the village, Zhang Baosheng turned on the radio and read Comrade Xiao Zhou's newspaper manuscript three times, word for word. He also emphasized through the loudspeaker: "This is Comrade Zhou Jiani's own manuscript, which has been published in the newspaper. Let me read it to you."
The villagers are quite calm about the occasional embarrassing incidents in the village, but they are still very impressed when they hear that what Zhou Jiani wrote is published in the newspaper.
An aunt said cheerfully, "Comrade Xiao Zhou is so outstanding. If it were me, I would just give her the teaching position at our village primary school."
Several educated youth who had taken the exam and were still waiting for their results were saying: ...
An old educated youth who was familiar with the villagers said with a sad face, "No, auntie, please ask Comrade Zhou to save some rice for us."
"Ha ha……"
Qiu Zeming sent a copy to the capital and called home, saying, "Mom, my girlfriend's manuscript has been published in the newspaper. I sent you a copy to study."
Du Yunxin: “…”
Zhou Jiani was rushing from the factory to the village committee when Gong Mei came to her to return the pencil.
Gong Mei wore a light grey plaid jacket with a dark blue crew-neck sweater underneath, army green pants, and black cloth shoes. She had two pigtails. When she saw Zhou Jiani, she smiled and said, "Hello, Comrade Zhou!"
"Hello, Comrade Gong Mei."
The two shook hands, and Gong Mei said gratefully, "I caught a cold after the exam, and I didn't want to bring my illness to you, so I didn't come over."
There's still a slight nasal tone when speaking.
Zhou Jiani greeted her to go to the village committee office and said with a smile, "I just said it casually that day. A pencil is really nothing, but you still remember it."
Gong Mei said, "I should pay it back. If it weren't for Comrade Zhou, I probably wouldn't even be qualified to take the exam that day."
When she thought of what happened that day, her eyes turned slightly red, and when she looked at Zhou Jiani, there was genuine gratitude in her eyes.
Zhou Jiani poured her a glass of water and asked with a smile, "How did you do on the exam? Are you confident?"
Gong Mei was a little surprised that Zhou Jiani was so casual in the village committee office. The man at the table next to her guessed that Zhou Jiani was the village accountant when he saw what he was busy with in his hands, and he also looked not surprised.
Only later did she remember that Comrade Zhou was the one who helped the Qianjin Brigade set up the weaving factory, and was also a village cadre?
Confused in his mind, he said, "I think I'm okay, but there are too many competitors. I don't know if I can be selected." He then said, "Comrade Zhou didn't apply, right?"
She remembered that Comrade Zhou did not go in at that time.
"No, I already have a position, so I won't compete for the teaching position." Zhou Jiani said with a smile, "The Gong family in your village is a big family. Accountant Gong is from the same family as you, right?"
Gong Mei's eyes lit up and she smiled, "Comrade Zhou, do you know my uncle?"
Zhou Jiani: "I heard others mention it during the commune meeting, but I never said hello..."
In fact, when she started writing the diversion plan, she asked Li Jingdang to find out the conditions of each village, and also discussed with Li Jingdang the work content she might face in the future.
——Li Jingdang is the former secretary of the commune director. He has his own connections there and already knows that she will be transferred in the future.
Now that there was another ready-made girl, Zhou Jiani definitely wouldn't let her go. She chatted with her with a smile and even took her to see the primary school under construction.
Gong Mei said embarrassedly, "I'm not sure if I can be selected yet."
Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "If you feel okay, then there shouldn't be any problem." She then invited, "Comrade Gong, it's rare for you to come here. I'll take you to visit our weaving factory later."
Gong Mei's face flushed with excitement as she asked, "Can I visit?"
Zhou Jiani nodded.
After walking around the village, Zhou Jiani received a lot of additional information about the situation of the Ernst & Young Brigade.
In fact, there are craftsmen from the Anyong Brigade in the factory, but Zhou Jiani is not in a position to talk too much with them now, for fear of being guessed at something, so it would be more appropriate to talk to Comrade Gong Mei.
When the results came out, Yu Wanxia was not selected, while the old educated youth Meng Chongfeng and a village member named Liu Yufang were selected.
Yu Wanxia said dejectedly, "My math score dropped."
Zhou Jiani patted her and comforted her: "It's okay, there will definitely be other opportunities in the future."
Yu Wanxia nodded.
And compared to most people, she also has a job in a weaving factory, but being a teacher seems to have it easier.
But working in a weaving factory is easier than farming, so I was only depressed for a short while before I felt energetic again.
Zhou Jiani doesn't care about anything else at the moment. During this period of time, she took Bai Haoyang to the city and the province, and Bai Haoyang has become able to stand on his own.
The most recent delivery was when Bai Haoyang took the outstanding members selected from the village this month to the provincial capital.
The export company placed a new order, the number of baskets doubled and the number of handbags tripled. Zhang Laosi and his team selected several young people with good skills and took them to work on the export orders.
Zhou Jiani was paying attention to the relevant information of the Canton Fair, submitted the relevant information from the factory, and asked the commune to help find channels for registration.
With export orders, their achievements are quite impressive.
The Friendship Store also ordered a batch of handbags and suitcases, and the factory was working overtime to finish them.
After the successful registration information was transmitted, Zhou Jiani called a meeting of the factory cadres and arranged the participants.
The original plan was to take the craftsmen out to see the world, but the factory was too busy now. While working there, Zhang Laosi had mentioned this to Zhou Jiani, saying, "We don't have to follow. We've already learned a lot with the baskets your friend sent from the south. If you see something nice over there, buy a few and bring them back for everyone to see..."
He is now in charge of export orders. Privately, he says that at such an old age, this honor is worth it. He has to control the quality and make sure that the goods sent out cannot be returned.
Now that I am at the peak of my career, I have lost interest in going on business trips.
Zhang Baosheng had the same idea. If they saw something good outside, he would ask them to buy it back. As for the members who were going there... Li Jingdang, after all, had worked under the leader before, so his interpersonal skills were needless to say, so he would lead the team.
Zhou Jiani, anyone can skip the process, but Comrade Zhou is indispensable.
Bai Haoyang had just delivered a batch of goods and didn't have to deliver any more until they came back. His study during this period was mainly to fill the vacancy left by Zhou Jiani after she was transferred.
The young man is smart, and it would be convenient to have more young men to help with carrying things.
Finally, a female comrade will be arranged to accompany Comrade Zhou so that he can be looked after on the road.
As for who to choose... According to Zhou Jiani, she would definitely want Yu Wanxia or Sun Ping, or at least Tian Yumei to accompany them, but the three people who have been decided are two educated youths and were transferred from one commune.
There is not a single one from their village.
But this is not a trip. When selecting people, we must first choose those who are not afraid of big situations, and who are also quick-witted and able to negotiate business.
Now there is only one unimportant position left, and the task is to take care of Zhou Jiani, and the person must be a female comrade.
If we choose from the educated youth again, I guess someone will say something.
Zhou Jiani thought for a moment and said, "Why not choose Aunt Cuiyun?"
Zhang Baosheng was stunned: "Who?"
"Liu Cuiyun."
She is not only a girl but also a daughter-in-law of this village. In addition, Aunt Cuiyun took good care of her when she first came.
She said yes, and Zhang Baosheng had no problem with it.
Liu Cuiyun was stunned for a long time after receiving the notice. She stammered several times and asked, "I, I, are you really choosing me? Jiani, did you hear me wrong? I'm already at this age. What can I do?"
Zhang Baosheng came in and said, "Your task is to look after Jiani on the way. Otherwise, just follow Jiani's instructions."
Liu Cuiyun laughed heartily with joy, and after a long while she said, "Oh, I never thought that such a good thing would happen to me, hahahaha."
Her husband's surname was Sheng. He laughed cheerfully beside her and said, "I can't control her in the first place. If she goes out for a while, what will happen when she comes back?"
Liu Cuiyun glared and reached out to pinch her man: "Who do you want to control?"
The children in the family were so envious. Mom, they had never even been to the city, and their mother was going on a long journey.
Her daughter, who was thirteen years old, was so jealous that she came to Zhou Jiani and asked, "Sister Zhou, can I come with you?"
Zhou Jiani patted her shoulder and smiled gently, "No!"
They were out working, so there would definitely be a lot of people at the venue that day. If the little girl ran around out of curiosity, they wouldn't be able to keep an eye on her. What would they do if something went wrong?
Liu Cuiyun said angrily, "Why are you following me? Just stay home and study hard. When you graduate, become someone as capable as your sister Zhou."
Her son is fifteen and also in school. She is so envious.
Then he pulled Zhou Jiani and asked her what preparations she needed to make. He lowered his head and tugged at his coat, saying, "Jiani, can I buy some new clothes? I also need to make a new pair of cloth shoes..."
The village also had to prepare. Liu Tong went to exchange the national food coupons. The 30 kilograms of national food coupons had to be deducted from half a kilogram of soybean oil quota.
Zhou Jiani went to the black market in the county town and the city, entered heavily armed, and exchanged some usable bills.
In order to advertise, each person in the factory was given a suitcase. Of course, they could only use it and had to hand it in when they came back so that anyone could use it when they went on a business trip in the future.
Zhou Jiani used the one she bought herself.
Each of them also received a handbag that Zhang Qianjin and his team had woven for practice.
Liu Cuiyun was not used to it and said, "Let me carry the bag..."
Liu Tong told her: "This is the image."
Liu Cuiyun: "Can I wear a scarf?"
Liu Tong: “…”
Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "Auntie, don't be so nervous. It's hotter in the south than here, so you can't wear a scarf. You'd better bring a short-sleeved jacket and some thin pants."
She simply made a list and asked her to prepare according to it.
When he and Qiu Zeming went out for a walk after dinner that evening, he held his girlfriend's hand and said, "Jia Ni, when you come back from the south, before your job is transferred, come back to the capital with me, okay?"
Zhou Jiani nodded: "Okay!"
I don’t know how busy I will be after the job transfer, so it’s probably hard to say whether I can take leave.
Qiu Zeming looked around and saw that there was no one around. He took his partner's hand and kissed it, then whispered, "I plan to join the army and leave this year."
He was impressed by his partner's excellence and had originally planned to leave next year, but now he can't wait to achieve something so that he can marry his partner as soon as possible.
Zhou Jiani's heart skipped a beat. It was earlier than in her previous life. With such a big change in trajectory, Qiu Zeming should be able to avoid the injuries he suffered in his previous life.
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