Chapter 24
Zhang Baosheng came over first. Looking at the cart full of children, he couldn't help but grin: "In the morning, they took away a cart full of vegetables, and in the evening, they brought back a bunch of naughty monkeys."
The children jumped out of the car like dumplings, and ran to find their mothers.
"How's it going?"
In fact, there is no need to ask, the baskets on the car are stacked up, otherwise there would not be enough space for all the children.
But Zhang Baosheng still glanced at the car as if to confirm, his voice trembling with excitement: "Are they really all sold out?"
The old educated youth led by Han Yang and some villagers who came to see the results gathered around them, and almost everyone had an expression of shock on their face.
"Are they really all sold out?"
"Comrade Zhou Jiani, Comrade Qiu Zeming, thank you, thank you."
A group of old educated youth came over and shook their hands enthusiastically, shaking them excitedly.
Zhang Baosheng's lips trembled slightly as he nodded and said "OK." He reached into the basket and saw half a basket of cucumbers. He couldn't help but ask Qiu Zeming, who was standing closer to him, "What are you buying all this for?"
"Comrade Zhou Jiani bought some pickled vegetables."
Zhang Baosheng said distressedly: "We already have it in our village, why are we buying it from outside?"
Zhou Jiani, transformed into a handshake attraction, emerged from the crowd of enthusiastic villagers and generously praised herself, "Captain, I was delayed a bit in town this morning, and when I got to the market, there were no good seats. I was worried that a bad spot would affect my vegetable sales, so I closed someone else's stall and asked them to make room for me."
Qiu Zeming chuckled, his gaze lingering on the corner of her swollen mouth. He turned and added, "Comrade Zhou was so worried about not being able to sell the vegetables that he got a mouthful of blisters."
Everyone saw it and sighed in their hearts, saying that Comrade Zhou was really dedicated.
Those old educated youths felt more and more embarrassed, and they lowered their voices unconsciously when speaking to Zhou Jiani.
Zhang Baosheng's old eyes were red with satisfaction: "Good boy, good young man."
If all the educated youth who came were like this, they would be willing to take it.
Zhou Jiani didn't expect Qiu Zeming to add fuel to the fire. Regretful of her exaggerated behavior, she quickly changed the subject. She pulled out the handwritten 'contract' from the town restaurant chef like a treasure and said with a smile, "Captain, and fellow villagers, the state-owned restaurant in town has agreed to a short-term partnership with us. We will deliver 20 kilograms of vegetables to them every day, and we will deliver to them for two or three months every year going forward."
"What? Let me see." Zhang Baosheng's muffled roar was like thunder. He eagerly but carefully took the light note in Zhou Jiani's hand, read it again and again, and was so excited that he almost burst into tears.
The development of the Qianjin Brigade is neither good nor bad. There is a better brigade above it that is monopolizing the spotlight, while there is a worse brigade below it that is being given special attention by the commune because it is too backward.
Those of them who are not very good at this are the most miserable. They are not qualified to do anything related to state-owned enterprises.
I didn't expect that the new kid would break this pattern.
Even the other members were in a festive mood and were running around telling each other, which made Zhou Jiani feel a little embarrassed. She thought everyone had heard it wrong and thought that 200 kilograms of vegetables would be delivered every day?
"Twenty kilograms of vegetables a day is not a lot..." Zhou Jiani whispered.
"Twenty kilograms is not a small amount. That's a state-owned restaurant. They want twenty kilograms of food from us, which is not bad." An uncle sighed, slapping his thigh.
"Yes, there are several villages between the town and our village. People bypass them to get our vegetables. This is all thanks to you, Xiao Zhou."
Someone started a commotion and said, "Let's give Comrade Zhou a good quack."
Thunderous applause erupted from the village. Zhou Jiani's face flushed redder as the applause grew. She waved her hands repeatedly to stop the applause, adding, "Comrade Qiu has been a great help. Everyone, don't forget Comrade Qiu Zeming."
"Comrade Qiu, well done!"
"Comrade Qiu is great, and Comrade Zhou is great too!"
Qiu Zeming: There is no need to bring him along, he is just a tool!
Outside the bustling crowd, Liu Ailing tried to calm herself down several times but still couldn't.
If Zhou Jiani had not interfered, her plan would have been implemented smoothly. The order was: she entrusted Zhou Jiani with an important task in public, and she would have had no choice but to accept it in front of everyone.
Judging from the current situation, Zhou Jiani does have the ability and will definitely complete the task successfully.
As the initiator, she will not only be praised by everyone, but also let the villagers discover her leadership ability. She will also use this opportunity to stand out step by step and achieve some results in this vast world.
But the fact at this moment is: the plan failed, and Zhou Jiani is enjoying the fruits of her labor alone.
Oh, there is also Qiu Zeming.
Liu Ailing had trouble breathing.
Zhao Weiguo, who was standing next to her, curled his lips and said, "Look how cocky she is!"
"Don't say that. Jiani is also helping others." Liu Ailing suppressed her anger and smiled dotingly, "Jiani has always been competitive."
Then he shook his head again and said helplessly, "Actually, I wanted to win honor for all the new educated youth, but I didn't expect Jiani to be so impatient."
Zhao Weiguo immediately understood. Yes, according to Liu Ailing's plan, all the new educated youth were to help the old educated youth sell vegetables. They were all selling vegetables. It didn't make sense that what Zhou Jiani could do alone, they couldn't do as a group.
As for the recipe, as a new educated youth, Zhou Jiani should have contributed her efforts, contributed her ideas, and earned collective honor.
In that case, the one who now stands in the circle and receives enthusiastic support from the old educated youth and villagers is Zhao Weiguo.
Just when I was feeling really upset, I heard Liu Ailing say, "Forget it, we'll try again next time. Let's go over and congratulate Jiani."
"Ailing, you are kind-hearted. Why would you congratulate such a selfish person?"
Zhao Weiguo's face darkened. He had decided that when he returned to the educated youth camp, he would tell Han Yang and the others about Zhou Jiani's intentions.
Zhou Jiani finally finished greeting everyone and was about to go back to the team to discuss the issue of delivering food with Zhang Baosheng when she heard someone calling her.
"Jiani, you're amazing." Liu Ailing came over and said with a smile, "I was worried about you all day."
Zhou Jiani narrowed her eyes slightly, then smiled and said, "Really? Thank you so much, Comrade Ailing."
Zhao Weiguo beside him snorted coldly.
Zhou Jiani didn't bother to pay attention to him. She looked at Liu Ailing and said abruptly, "Ailing, I called home today."
The smile on Liu Ailing's face froze instantly, and her heart pounded twice. Just as she was about to change the subject, Zhou Jiani asked loudly and curiously, "Why did my mother tell me on the phone that you wrote a letter back to scold me? What's going on?"
The villagers were about to disperse, but when they heard this, they gathered around again and looked at Liu Ailing in surprise.
Everyone has a good impression of Liu Ailing. She works hard, is warm and cheerful, and is very enthusiastic.
That day, Song Jiefang's mother said in the village that there was life in Ailing's eyes. Her daughter-in-law had just taken off her sweaty jacket, thinking of washing it in the evening, but when she turned around, Comrade Ailing took it and rubbed it out for her.
They say this city girl is too hardworking.
Liu Yuezhen also praised her highly, saying that she was a good person, had a clever tongue, and was hardworking.
Being stared at by countless pairs of incredulous eyes, Liu Ailing's vision darkened, her ears buzzed, and she could hardly hear her own voice. She said in a hollow voice, "Jia Ni, how is this possible? Did you hear it wrong?"
Zhou Jiani said with a look of grievance, "I hope I heard wrongly, but your mother told others about it herself. Many people in the factory know about it. They said you said in the letter that I refused to contact my family and that I wouldn't listen no matter how much you tried to persuade me. But that's obviously not the case."
Liu Ailing looked at Zhou Jiani's beautiful almond-shaped eyes, feeling panicked and frightened.
The plan that seemed almost foolproof went awry from the very first day. At first, she thought Zhou Jiani was just in a bad mood for a few days, but it turned out that she couldn't control her temper.
I didn't expect the matter to be exposed so quickly, and I was also shocked that Zhou Jiani would suddenly reveal it in public.
She wasn't like this before!
How can I gain a foothold in the Qianjin Brigade in the future?
Zhao Weiguo said from the side: "Zhou Jiani, are you talking nonsense?"
Zhou Jiani glanced at him sideways. "What's it to you? Since you're so nosy, how about I give you the factory phone number and you call to verify it? The person who answered the phone in the office knows about it. Everyone who knows my parents knows about it. Everyone is concerned about what's going on between me and my family. Even my parents and I are wondering what's going on between us. Why don't we even know we're having a fight?"
She looked at Liu Ailing, who couldn't control her pale face and was shaking.
Zhou Jiani, using the opportunity to criticize Zhao Weiguo, confidently delivered a barrage of sarcasm. Then, when she turned to Liu Ailing, she immediately put on a wronged expression: "Ailing, I don't believe you did it, but you have to ask for me, is it because my aunt has something against me that she's fabricating things behind my back? I feel so wronged!"
Zhou Jiani was aggressive, and Zhou Jiani took a turn. Zhou Jiani set up a ladder for her. Liu Ailing's slightly trembling fingertips tightened, her eyes reddened, and she said apologetically: "You know who my mother is, Jiani. I will definitely write a letter back to condemn them for this matter."
Zhou Jiani nodded and said, "Ai Ling, many neighbors have misunderstood me now. When we go home for the New Year, we should clarify this in front of everyone, otherwise my reputation will definitely be affected!"
Liu Ailing pinched her palms slightly and forced a smile, "Okay!"
Zhou Jiani stepped forward and held her cold hand, saying pitifully, "My grandma is so old, and my mom said she was furious. So when I saw you just now, I was a little anxious and wanted to ask you clearly. Ailing, you won't blame me, right?"
"No, no, how could I blame you!" Liu Ailing struggled to break free from Zhou Jiani's hand and curled her lips. "I'll go back and write a letter to ask what's going on."
After saying that, he turned around and walked out in a hurry.
Zhou Jiani followed behind reluctantly, "Okay, Comrade Ai Ling, you've worked hard, mainly for my grandma."
Everyone was not stupid, so they could see the clues.
Liu Yuezhen still looked incredulous, but her intuitive judgment made her feel that Liu Ailing's character might have really collapsed. She came over and asked, "Xiao Zhou, what's going on?"
Last time she misunderstood Comrade Xiao Zhou, but she didn't expect that this girl was so honest. In order to help everyone sell vegetables, she got up at 3:30 in the morning, ran around all day, and even had blisters in her mouth from worry.
As for Liu Ailing, her reaction was totally wrong. If that girl really didn't know about this, she wouldn't have looked so panicked just now.
Zhou Jiani didn't step on it again, but hesitated several times before lowering her head and whispering ambiguously, "Maybe Ai Ling's mother doesn't like me."
Liu Yuezhen looked at her as if she was a fool, meaning that everyone could see that Liu Ailing must be involved in this, but you didn't see it?
The other aunts also came over and whispered, expressing their own judgments and advising her to be more careful.
Zhou Jiani, on the other hand, excused Liu Ailing: "Ai Ai Ling has no reason to do this. I can't understand it!" She sighed regretfully, "If it really is her, then she might have some difficulties. I just don't know how to be friends with her in the future. My mother cried on the phone because of this, and my grandmother was also very angry. Even for my mother and grandmother, I have to..."
She groaned, "Oh, it's so hard for me!"
Several aunts were anxious, and they pointed out directly as if they were caring for the mentally retarded: "If it was really her who did it, then it's better not to have such a friend. You are still embarrassed. Don't be so naive, girl."
Zhou Jiani knew when to stop and nodded gratefully, saying, "I understand. Don't worry, aunties. Calculating the time, the letter should have been sent on the third day, but Ailing fainted in the fields the next day. She was so weak, but she still had to stubbornly get up and write a letter to spread rumors about me. It was not easy for her. Forget it, forget it. I won't think about it anymore. I will stay away from her from now on."
As soon as these words came out, Liu Yuezhen's face looked the ugliest.
Everyone dispersed with murmurs.
Yu Wanxia and Sun Ping came over and whispered, "Jiani, did she really frame you like this?"
Zhou Jiani sighed, "This is a long story. You two go back first, and we can talk tonight. I'm going to the brigade meeting first."
Zhang Baosheng didn't get involved in the conflict between the two girls, mainly because they didn't get involved with him. But when he saw Zhou Jiani coming over, he asked with concern, "Are you okay?"
Zhou Jiani waved her hands: "It's okay, it's okay!"
Zhang Baosheng nodded and took her and Qiu Zeming to the brigade.
He didn't have to ask what Zhou Jiani didn't want to say, but he wanted to hear the part she could say.
"Girl, I've dealt with people in state-owned restaurants before, and they're not easy to talk to. Can you tell me how you convinced them?"
In addition to Zhang Baosheng, there is also accountant Liu Tong.
Zhou Jiani was still holding the flower buns she had made that morning. She held them up for everyone to see, briefly explaining what had happened, and finally said, "I've added another recipe."
Zhang Baosheng smoked his pipe and didn't say anything for a long time.
He felt a little heavy-hearted, thinking that the girl had suffered a great loss.
Liu Tong also scratched his head and said, "This is the first time I've seen such cooking skills. Xiao Zhou, it's not really worth it just for twenty kilograms of vegetables a day."
Feeling everyone's kindhearted sympathy, Zhou Jiani consoled them, "Think of it this way. During the peak vegetable season, if they were willing to buy 20 kilograms, that's good enough. If we can only produce what we have now in winter..."
She paused, checked in her mind, and then asked quietly, "Captain, is there a greenhouse experiment site in our county or city?"
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