Chapter 80
Zhou Jiani was not surprised at all to see Qiu Zeming waiting outside.
During these five or six days, a big thing happened in the Qianjin Brigade: a telephone was installed!
The first call was made by Comrade Xiao Qiu, who called the Second Textile Factory and asked someone to tell her that if she had any questions, she could call the Qianjin Brigade directly.
The second and third calls were made to the First Department Store and the Second Department Store.
When Zhou Jiani went to a post office, she tried to reply, but to her surprise, it was Comrade Xiao Qiu who answered the phone.
At that time, Zhou Jiani asked him why he didn't go out to work. Qiu Zeming said righteously that he was writing materials in the village committee and just answered the phone when it rang.
At the end of the conversation, Qiu Zeming casually asked about her return time. Zhou Jiani happened to have bought her ticket two days in advance in order to be able to buy a seat ticket.
She knew the date and time, so she wasn't surprised to see Comrade Xiao Qiu as soon as she came out. She was just a little disappointed. She had originally planned to go to the black market here and then take a bus back, but now she was not free.
"Comrade Xiao Qiu, thank you for your hard work and for coming to pick me up." Zhou Jiani had to thank him against her conscience.
Qiu Zeming took the bag from her and said seriously, "It's not hard. I have something to report to you. We can talk on the way."
Seeing his serious expression, Zhou Jiani's heart skipped a beat, thinking something big had happened. But on the way, Qiu Zeming told her about how Liu Ailing tried to join the plastic greenhouse experiment team and was kicked out by him.
Zhou Jiani raised an eyebrow. It wasn't that she necessarily thought Liu Ailing was evil, but she instinctively felt wary of her. After all, she'd suffered so much at her hands in her past life, and it hadn't been explained clearly enough that it was hard to detect without careful consideration. So, she subconsciously asked, "There's so much work on the team, why did she choose to participate in the plastic greenhouse experiment?"
Qiu Zeming said, "She seems to be asking about the experimental process of the plastic greenhouse."
Liu Yan and others came to him to complain, saying that Liu Ailing had asked them questions about greenhouse farming more than once. Some people questioned whether she had some ulterior motive, but she innocently retorted, "Isn't this just farming? Can't I ask you for advice? I thought anyone could learn."
If someone wanted to learn, he would welcome it. Even the inventor was working hard to promote it, so why would he keep it a secret? If the experiment was successful and began to be implemented on a large scale, he would definitely teach them everything he knew, even if other teams came to learn. But he didn't like the calculating look in Liu Ailing's eyes.
He had noticed that kind of look on the first day he came here, especially when Liu Ailing was about to talk to Comrade Xiao Zhou, she would always inadvertently reveal a look that made him very disgusted, with a strong calculation in her eyes, and accompanied by a smile that she thought was hearty and generous.
However, Comrade Xiao Zhou's eyes were different from the first day he saw her at the station.
At that time, Comrade Xiao Zhou's eyes were very clear, well, with a bit of clear stupidity; now his eyes are very bright and transparent.
The first thing Zhou Jiani thought of was that Liu Ailing was planning to make a name for herself through the plastic greenhouse experiment.
If the experiment is successful, she will be considered a successful person. With a solid foundation of achievements, she will have more options in the future. This is indeed the path she will take.
But she didn't expect Comrade Xiao Qiu to kick her out.
Glancing at Zhou Jiani, who had no expression on her face, Qiu Zeming said softly, "Apart from assigning her work, I haven't said anything else to her these past few days."
After saying this, he looked relieved and drove the car seriously.
Zhou Jiani looked at Qiu Zeming in shock. What did he mean? Was he explaining this to her specifically? She didn't dare to think too deeply about it.
Even though she had lived through a lifetime, Zhou Jiani felt a pang of heat in her ears. She strategically picked up the kettle, unscrewed the lid, and drank some water.
Qiu Zeming didn't talk about this topic anymore, but instead brought up the matter of moving, and suggested, "Let's pick a date and move together."
"Are they all finished?"
"It's finished. The doors and windows have all been repaired and reinforced. Only the furniture isn't all ready yet, but that won't affect your move-in." He said seriously, "The temperature has been getting lower and lower in the mornings these past two days. Zhang Kaishan's health isn't suitable for living in the shed anymore, so he'll move in for now. I've instructed the carpenters to focus on your furniture first. Once they're done for you, we'll start ours."
Thinking of Zhang Kaishan's health, Zhou Jiani did not object and said, "Then let's do it tomorrow!"
Qiu Zeming seemed to think about it for a moment before saying, "Okay, tomorrow is fine!"
Ever since he knew Comrade Xiao Zhou was coming back, he had looked through the calendar and looked at several moving dates. The closest date was tomorrow, but he was worried that Comrade Xiao Zhou would think the time was too tight, so he didn't make any suggestions. Unexpectedly, Comrade Xiao Zhou chose it himself.
The ox cart entered Xihe Town. Zhou Jiani looked at the direction he was driving and asked, "Are you going to the commune?"
Qiu Zeming nodded: "Director Zhai is waiting for your work report."
Zhou Jiani was surprised: "What work do I have to report?"
"Director Zhai wants to hear your personal account of the Friendship Store incident again." Qiu Zeming smiled. Comrade Xiao Zhou was now not only a big name in the team, but also well-known in the commune. He said, "By the way, the storage stools have also opened in two department stores. They've already ordered five in total. They'll be shipped with the goods when the time comes."
Things are not cheap, but I am still willing to buy them.
A total of five were sold to both parties, but each company placed an order for five more.
Zhou Jiani said, "After the samples arrive at the Friendship Store, we'll print out a few more photos and put them on the counters of the two department stores. Maybe that will stimulate consumption."
I went to the commune to meet Director Zhai and was warmly received.
But Zhou Jiani felt that her work report should not be in vain, so she subconsciously asked Director Zhai for something.
After returning to the brigade, I went home to put down my luggage before going to the village committee to report. Zhang Baosheng happened to be there, so Zhou Jiani said, "Captain, the innovation award we proposed the other day, I mentioned it to the director when I went to report to the commune today. We originally agreed that the award would be distributed from the brigade, but now it will be distributed from the commune. It will be a combination of items, bonus, and a certificate; or work points, bonus, and a certificate. The specific items will be discussed later."
Liu Tong was counting money when he stopped mid-counting and asked, "What innovation award?"
Zhang Baosheng couldn't help but clap his hands in delight, then laughed heartily, "The other day I went to the provincial government to sign a contract, and Comrade Xiao Zhou said we should let our craftsmen learn to create their own works. That means inventing something new. If it's selected to be sold in the Friendship Store, or if it can be exported to earn foreign exchange, then they can win an innovation award. I originally thought our team would do it ourselves, but I didn't expect Comrade Xiao Zhou to help us apply with the commune."
Liu Tong was so amused after hearing this that he said to Zhou Jiani, "You still have to be so timid when reporting your work. Be careful that your boss will dislike you in the future."
I was happy to hear the news, and even happier to see the money. I didn't expect that Comrade Xiao Zhou sold all those dozen storage stools. But I heard that she had to run around several districts there, and it must have been hard work.
Of course, the department store is now open, so it’s not too surprising that Comrade Zhou went to several districts to sell those things.
But the money is so solid. The profit from selling one stool is equivalent to selling dozens of baskets. If the orders for stools can be as high as those for baskets, they will make a lot of money.
After paying the bills and getting reimbursed, Zhang Baosheng sent her back to rest, saying, "Just rest at home. Don't worry about the other work in the team. I'll get someone to call you if anything happens."
I feel that it doesn’t matter if Comrade Xiao Zhou is absent from other jobs, but the future development of their side business cannot be separated from Comrade Xiao Zhou.
Who can be like Comrade Xiao Zhou and give surprises one after another?
He was so happy that his old face became numb.
But Zhou Jiani still went to the processing workshop to check the progress of the samples for the Friendship Store.
Zhang Baosheng followed her.
As soon as she entered the room, everyone greeted her warmly one after another. Zhang Laosi and the others looked at her with great affection and were all in a good mood.
"Xiao Zhou, take a look. Is this what you want?" Sheng Manliang greeted with a smile.
Zhou Jiani looked over and said with a smile, "Yes, it's this direction."
There was a stool that needed wooden legs. She asked, "Is the wood ready?"
"It's done. Leave this to the carpenter, he's a professional. And the small wooden drawer you added in the middle of this chair, let the carpenter do that job." said Zhang Laosi.
Zhou Jiani nodded, looked at it carefully, and once again admired the craftsman's skills in her heart, who was able to make it according to her drawings.
Zhang Laosi and his friends have really been thinking about this for the past two days. They have pooled their resources to research a new storage bench and have held several small individual meetings. They have been so busy that they have almost forgotten to eat and sleep.
Now that the product is gradually taking shape, they feel a sense of accomplishment watching it.
Zhang Baosheng put his hands behind his back and decided to reveal the innovation award in advance. He did not take credit for it. He said that it was Comrade Xiao Zhou who proposed it, and it was also Comrade Xiao Zhou's credit to apply for it from the commune. He should tell everyone.
After he finished speaking, he said, "No matter who you are, as long as you invent a good product, you have a chance to win this award."
The processing workshop was bustling with noise.
Zhou Jiani smiled and said to the others, "You must study hard and delve into your studies!"
One member laughed and said, "I know, Chief Zhou."
Others also joined in the noise, making it lively for a while.
Zhao Mei looked at her happily, and when she came closer, she asked in a low voice, "Is the hat okay?"
Zhou Jiani's eyes lit up and she said, "That's great! My two brothers are almost going crazy with joy." She whispered, "Do you have any more cloth and a jacket?"
“Yes, there are some left.”
"Make a few more for me to give away when you have time, and use up that piece of green cotton."
Zhao Mei nodded.
Not long after Zhou Jiani went back to rest, Comrade Xiao Qiu estimated the time and came to find her to look at the house.
"Walk!"
The two went to the rented house.
Zhou Jiani was also extremely amazed at the efficiency. Unlike the dilapidated state last time, this place was completely different.
The collapsed courtyard wall has been repaired, and the difference between the new and old mud bricks can still be seen.
The dilapidated gate was repaired, and the doors and windows inside looked brand new.
There is also a chicken coop in the yard.
The cooking room was also repaired.
Entering the kitchen and taking a look, Zhou Jiani exclaimed in surprise, "Is this a new iron pot? I didn't keep the money and receipt for the iron pot. Who bought it? I'll make it up later."
She planned to come back and buy it together, but she didn't expect that her friends had already bought it in advance.
Looking at the neatly stacked firewood at the base of the wall, Zhou Jiani knew without hesitation that it was not the work of Yu Wanxia, but the work of Qiu Zeming, Bai Haoyang and Wang Qianjin.
They can almost open fire on the spot.
Qiu Zeming smiled and said, "Don't worry, go check inside first. If there are any odds and ends that need replenishing, make a list and I'll arrange for Bai Haoyang and the others to go buy them later."
Zhou Jiani noticed the brand new large jar in the house and asked with a smile, "Did you ask the village for it or buy it from the county?"
She remembered that the village had bought a few large jars last time.
“I’m going to buy it now!”
There was also a brick bed in the room, which was kept very clean. There was a layer of newspaper on the surrounding walls. Although the newspaper was old, it was freshly pasted on the wall.
There were a few patches of new mud in the corners, which looked like blocked rat holes.
Even if the furniture is not yet complete, you can move in right away.
She waved her hand and said, "Moving tomorrow!"
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