Chapter 100
Realizing that the lie had collapsed, Liu Ailing felt like she was on the verge of collapse. Why had everything gone so wrong since Zhou Jiani stopped listening to her?
And her family, even though she is no longer in the provincial capital, they are still holding her back.
The shame of having her lie exposed and the unfulfilled feeling of having her goal unfulfilled made Liu Ailing burst into tears. She said, "I just miss home so much. Captain, please give me a letter of introduction." She added, "My mother is like that. I apologize to you on her behalf. Please don't make a fuss about my mother. If you use this card on me, I'll be wronged."
Zhang Baosheng felt a tightness in his chest and his old eyes narrowed.
From the very first day he came, he felt that this girl was full of ulterior motives, especially when the educated youth caused trouble. How could he think that he couldn't see it?
I just listened to the feedback from the scorer and team leader and thought that this girl was quite diligent, so I ignored it.
I didn't expect him to be playing tricks on me right now, trying to provoke him with words. If he doesn't approve, will it become a personal vendetta?
Liu Tong came in from outside, looked at Liu Ailing in surprise, and said sternly, "Why don't you stick to your own block? Why don't you obey the rules when you come to the countryside to work as a sent-down youth? If everyone misses home and comes to cry, we won't have to manage it anymore."
Zhang Baosheng lowered his eyelids and said coldly, "Wait until the New Year. Don't worry, you have the only place to visit relatives during the Spring Festival. The whole team is busy right now, so we can't approve this leave."
Liu Ailing didn't expect Liu Tong to come over right above her. She bit her lip, turned around and ran away crying.
After Zhang Baosheng and the others left, he said angrily, "Your mind is not in the right direction."
Liu Tong asked about what happened and suggested, "Why don't we call the Second Spinning Mill and ask Jiani's parents to help find out. Don't let her go back to town and contact her family and collude with them."
Zhang Baosheng went to the factory with his hands behind his back to ask Comrade Xiao Zhou's parents for help, and he had to tell Comrade Xiao Zhou about it.
Since this matter concerned Liu Ailing, Zhou Jiani instinctively became more vigilant. She asked about every detail, then nodded and said, "I'll make the call."
Because I knew that Liu Ailing’s relationship with her family was not very harmonious, I felt that this action was a bit strange.
Besides, Liu Ailing didn't take this step in her previous life. Instead, she was in a hurry every day. She worked hard at work and ran around the village after work. She was not so active in asking for home leave during the Chinese New Year of the first year, and she even took the initiative to give up the home leave.
So, this is definitely not normal.
Zhou Jiani went to the village committee to make a phone call. After Yu Huifang came back, she asked about Lu Cuilan's situation. Her mother said on the phone that Lu Cuilan had just chased her fourth daughter for two miles and scolded her in the morning, and she was not sick.
Before hanging up, Zhou Jiani said into the phone, "Mom, I sent you some cotton and vermicelli, please check them!"
Yu Huifang smiled and said, "What a coincidence! I made you a new set of cotton trousers and a cotton jacket. I just mailed it out yesterday. You can pick it up at the post office at the appointed time."
"I know, Mom!"
After hanging up the phone, Zhou Jiani and Zhang Baosheng analyzed the situation, saying, "Judging from Liu Ailing's relationship with her family, it's unlikely she's homesick. Besides, it was her bad idea that made her father famous at the factory, and his career is likely to be put on hold for a while. So, would she go back and get scolded?"
Zhang Baosheng suddenly said, "It's a bit strange. Liu Ailing has been taking leave quite frequently and going to town quite frequently recently."
Zhou Jiani's heart suddenly moved. Could it be that she was the one who took the basket that was lost that day?
But what was she going to do with it? Was she going to send it back home to smooth things over? Unlikely. In Lu Cuilan's eyes, getting a basket was less valuable than mailing a few dollars back home.
After all, there was no evidence, so Zhou Jiani did not tell Zhang Baosheng, but casually asked about Liu Ailing's leave records.
She often works half a day these past two days, and... Zhou Jiani raised her eyebrows and fixed her eyes on the record book - she did not work on the day the basket was lost.
It can’t be such a coincidence, right?
But she took day off, and the basket was lost between 5 and 6 in the afternoon, so it doesn't make sense.
Zhou Jiani went out to find Sun Ping to ask whether Liu Ailing was at the educated youth site on the evening when the basket was lost.
"She's not here. She took the day off to go to town, and returned to the educated youth center in the afternoon. Before dinner, she went to Aunt Liu Yuezhen's house to copy shoe patterns." Sun Ping asked in a low voice, "Jiani, what's wrong with her?"
Zhou Jiani frowned and smiled, "I'm not sure yet, so don't tell anyone why I came to see you."
Sun Ping nodded: "Don't worry!"
Zhou Jiani went to find Liu Yuezhen.
Liu Yuezhen was very happy to see Zhou Jiani coming to see her. After all, she had misunderstood this girl last time because she was protecting Liu Ailing, but she didn't make trouble for it. They always called each other "Aunt" when they met on the road. Now that Comrade Zhou was leading the development of the entire brigade, her family had benefited a lot, so she was particularly enthusiastic towards Zhou Jiani.
"Jia Ni, come to my house and sit for a while. You don't usually come to our alley." Liu Yuezhen smiled and spoke in a very friendly tone.
Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "Isn't this why I came to bother you today?"
"Come in, come in, sit down, I'll make you a bowl of sugar water."
Zhou Jiani quickly stopped her and explained her purpose, saying, "Auntie, I heard that you draw shoes well, so I wanted to ask if I could borrow one to trace."
Liu Yuezhen paused in her movement to get something, as if she had heard a huge joke, and laughed heartily: "Who told you that? How could I draw a shoe pattern? But I do have a Xie pattern at home, which was drawn for me by Comrade Liu Ailing. I can't draw, hahahaha..."
After saying that, he remembered the conflict between Zhou Jiani and Liu Ailing. He paused and came over to say, "Speaking of Comrade Xiao Liu, last time I misunderstood you and another lesbian."
It’s strange. Zhou Jiani didn’t provoke her or do anything wrong at that time, so why was she so dissatisfied with her?
But later she gradually realized that her hostility towards Comrade Xiao Zhou was due to Liu Ailing's implicit description of Comrade Zhou.
It was only after I realized what was happening that I realized that Comrade Xiao Liu was quite cunning. Although they still had contact, he didn't protect that girl as much as before.
Zhou Jiani quickly laughed and said, "It happened so long ago that I'd forgotten it long ago. Why are you still thinking about it?" She added, "I just heard that on the afternoon of the 5th, Liu Ailing came to you to draw the shoe pattern. I thought maybe you could draw the shoe pattern well, so I came to ask. After all this time, it turns out that Liu Ailing drew it herself."
Liu Yuezhen groaned and said, "What? She came to return the flashlight that day."
Zhou Jiani acted very surprised, just chatting casually about gossip: "Why did she borrow your flashlight?"
"Well, isn't it that he said he was scared at night after just moving to the educated youth camp, and that he needed a flashlight to illuminate any noise at night?"
Zhou Jiani smiled in agreement and said, "The educated youth's station is outside the village. They must have needed some time to adjust to the new situation. If we had known this would happen, we might as well have connected the house to the old educated youth's and kept them company."
"That's right..."
Seeing that Zhou Jiani didn't mind talking about Liu Ailing, Liu Yuezhen couldn't stop talking. Zhou Jiani bends over and over again, and then calmly finds out that Liu Ailing came over that day but didn't come in. She hands the flashlight to Liu Yuezhen and leaves.
In other words, she did not stay with Liu Yuezhen, but according to Sun Ping, she was away for quite some time.
Before asking Liu Yuezhen, she was only cautiously suspicious. But now, she was 60 to 70 percent sure.
Zhou Jiani said goodbye and turned back, taking Sun Ping with her to report to the village committee.
Sun Ping became the clue provider in a daze, but she only knew that Liu Ailing had taken a leave that day and went out again in the evening, but there was no basket in their dormitory, and Liu Ailing probably would not bring it to the dormitory.
As for the flashlight, Sun Ping said she had never seen it and had never heard Liu Ailing mention it. As for whether Liu Ailing went out at night, Sun Ping couldn't guarantee it. Not only was she a heavy sleeper, she also occasionally went to stay at Zhou Jiani's place.
However, these points can raise the degree of certainty to more than 80%.
To avoid alerting the enemy, the villagers didn't take immediate action, but simply kept an eye on her whereabouts. Comrade Xiao Zhou was certain Liu Ailing had other plans, and a basket, no matter how beautiful, wasn't worth the risk.
It didn't last long, and Liu Ailing was caught red-handed three days later.
How can I put it? After Liu Ailing's request for leave was rejected, she was as anxious as an ant on the hot pot every day. When Sun Ping secretly came to report, she said that she had never seen Liu Ailing so impatient.
According to Jiani, she is the best at disguising herself. However, these past two days, when Meng Jiandi called her back to her senses because she was in a daze, she didn't have time to hide the impatience on her face several times, and her tone was also angry, which made Meng Jiandi call her crazy behind her back.
Liu Ailing has a sense of loneliness and powerlessness.
Unlike when she was in the provincial capital, if she wanted to do something, she only needed to use her brain to think it over, then whisper it into Zhou Jiani's ear, and the rest was just waiting. It didn't delay her from doing housework, doing homework, or playing tricks with her sisters.
Now she has to do everything herself, not only does she have to use her brain, but she also has to use her hands and feet, and negotiate terms with her partners.
Finally, the cooperation was agreed upon. She helped the Pingyu Brigade steal the idea. After the people from the Pingyu Brigade made the baskets, she sold them to the city, allowing them to also gain some of the limelight from the Qianjin Brigade.
What she requested was that the Pingyu Brigade ask the commune for someone to transfer her over.
After Zhao Weiguo broke the news, she started planning. She calmly asked the villagers about the situation of the nearby brigades and finally chose the Pingyu Brigade.
The basket is just a convenience. The most important thing, and what determines her value the most, is to sell the basket.
She thought that Zhou Jiani's selling of baskets to the provincial department store was a ladder for her. She could use this as a selling point to negotiate with the city department store, and offer a price lower than that of the Qianjin Brigade. She didn't believe there was no way out.
Zhou Jiani was able to make a name for herself with this, so she felt that she was no less capable than Zhou Jiani and would surely be able to succeed as well.
The plan is pretty good. First, I will ask Zhang Baosheng to issue a letter of introduction so that the leave application can be processed smoothly within the team. Then I will get a letter of introduction from Zhang Pingyu Brigade, and then go to the city to stay for a few days.
But the most critical step was stuck on a letter of introduction.
But she couldn't get a letter of introduction and couldn't go to the city, so this step that could best demonstrate her value was essentially wasted.
It was definitely not possible to leave secretly. Once caught, the Pingyu Brigade might immediately distance themselves from her. She had no choice but to take the open route. Even if Zhang Baosheng found out in the end, he would only be angry and blame her a few times, and nothing else would happen.
Rather than being scolded, it is more important to change places and start over. This has almost become her obsession.
Zhu Kaiye was quite disappointed when he knew that she couldn't go out, and advised her to stay in the Qianjin Brigade and help them make several other types of baskets.
Liu Ailing, of course, disagreed. If they wanted to research, they could go to the county to buy it. She couldn't be transferred, so why would she take the risk for the people of Pingyu Brigade? She wasn't idle.
As soon as Zhu Kaiye opened his business, he found two educated youth from their team and wanted Liu Ailing to talk about how to sell the product to the city department store. He also said that no matter whether she could go out or not, the Pingyu Brigade would remember this favor and would find a way to get her there.
Liu Ailing holds the most crucial step and is definitely unwilling to compromise. She asks Zhu Kaiye to transfer her there first. As long as her household registration is established in Pingyu Brigade, she will set off the next day to find sales channels for them.
When the two sides were arguing, Zhang Baosheng, Li Jingdang and others appeared with sullen faces and caught them red-handed.
The commune leader came down and scolded Zhu Kaiye harshly, and confiscated the seven or eight baskets they had imitated on the spot.
Zhou Jiani went over and picked up the basket. Putting everything else aside, the craftsmen these days were all quite skilled, their skills no less impressive than Zhang Laosi, Sheng Manliang, and the others. However, she smiled and said to the old men smoking their pipes on the doorstep, "These are the last batch of baskets woven using the traditional method. Liu Ailing should take a few more steps and pick them from the pile at the back. That way, you can also learn our updated weaving techniques."
An old man asked, "What new weaving techniques can we come up with? Zhang Laosi and I have the same ancestor, so what else can he come up with?"
Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "There are always people who are better than you, old men. Fourth Uncle has been to the provincial capital to see the market and the techniques used in southern rattan weaving. Are you familiar with Sheng Manliang from our village?"
The old man turned his head and snorted, "His craftsmanship is a step behind Zhang Laosi's."
"Uncle Sheng has been to the Friendship Store in the provincial capital and seen the weaving techniques used to create goods for export and earn foreign exchange," Zhou Jiani sighed. "You guys had this opportunity, too, but it's all been ruined by your captain's clever moves."
An old man glared: "What do you mean?"
"Working with us, if you're selected as an outstanding craftsman or employee, you'll have the opportunity to travel to the provincial capital," Zhou Jiani said with a smile. "The team will pay for food, lodging, and travel. Tell me, do you think our sincerity is sufficient?"
Those craftsmen went to open the business.
Zhu Kaiye wanted to curse, but he never mentioned this matter when he was in the commune.
Even if she didn't mention it, it wouldn't stop Zhou Jiani from using it to sow discord.
Zhu Kaiye said angrily, "If we break out on our own, who would care about your little favor?"
Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "Oh, then the provincial capital welcomes you!"
Zhu opened the business and was very angry.
These baskets had to be confiscated. The team leader of their village's production team even wanted to gather all the old ladies in the village to hug Zhai Xiangqiang's thighs and make a scene. One old lady was even about to scream at the top of her lungs. Zhou Jiani calmly turned around and asked Zhang Baosheng, "Are there too many old ladies in our village?"
Zhang Baosheng nodded: "More than their village."
Zhou Jiani looked at the team leader here, her face solemn, and said in a cold voice: "If you dare to make trouble, the old lady of our village will come to cry in the village tomorrow. If you don't believe me, try it."
Who doesn’t have an old lady in their family?
In the end, the people of Pingyu Brigade gave up.
Zhu Kaiye was given a warning and fined two months' salary. Pingyu Brigade will not be allowed to participate in the selection of outstanding brigades within three years.
Liu Ailing didn't go to jail for stealing a basket, but the aunties and grandmas in the village scolded her to death, saying that she was a scourge to the Qianjin Brigade, and asked if the Qianjin Brigade had dug up her grave in her previous life. Why was she such a scourge to everyone?
She was asked to write a self-criticism and sentenced to labor on a farm for six months, after which further action would be taken.
It was already the beginning of winter, and it was not a pleasant experience to work on the farm at this time. Liu Ailing fainted on the spot.
When I woke up, I had to face reality, pack my things, and was sent to the farm.
Zhao Weiguo was very happy when he saw her. His eyes lit up and he went up to her and said with a smile, "Ailing, you came to see me?"
Liu Ailing: ...idiot!
After dealing with Liu Ailing, the factory welcomed the arrogant Gao Yongcheng and others.
The materials should be collected, but there are no vacancies left.
However, after learning a lesson, these people did not dare to make trouble no matter how dissatisfied they were, because the Qianjin Brigade promised them that they would be given priority to fill their vacancies next time they recruited people.
**
This winter, the first and second snowfalls were not heavy. Now the third snowfall has arrived, with goose-feather-like snowflakes falling for two days in a row. The greenhouse was successfully protected, with several people watching over it, holding large brooms to sweep off the snow on the plastic at any time.
Zhou Jiani went there yesterday to take a look, but she was not needed there, so she did not go this morning. She wore a cotton jacket, cotton pants and the cotton boots made by Zhao Mei, and sat by the stove in the house, roasting sweet potatoes.
Today, only the factory and the greenhouse are busy. Everyone else is resting at home. Yu Wanxia is also at home, and Sun Ping came to play.
Both were sewing scrunchies.
Nowadays, the aunts and grandmas in the village make a few of these little gadgets when they are free. After they are done, they come to Zhou Jiani. Zhou Jiani will sign for them only after they have passed the inspection. When she goes to the provincial capital to deliver the goods, she will sell them to the supply and marketing cooperative there.
Well, she got the deal done.
However, imitations of this thing sold out quickly. The supply and marketing cooperative there bought some once and saw that it was quite popular, so they hired someone to make it themselves. As a result, the second time Zhou Jiani went there, the style was changed again.
So for the village, Zhou Jiani thought it was about time, so she asked everyone to change the style. Relying on high-frequency updates and replacements, not only did the four supply and marketing cooperatives in the provincial capital begin to cooperate with her steadily, but even the supply and marketing cooperatives in the town and county here began to purchase small quantities of goods.
But they have to bear the cost of fabric and rubber bands themselves, and we will not accept them if the work is not up to standard.
In addition, this thing will not sell if the price is too high, and you can only make one or two cents from a hair band. Zhou Jiani also controls everyone's delivery quantity to facilitate timely changes in styles.
Zhang Baosheng lamented that the village was calmer this year than in previous years. In previous years, when people had free time, one family would beat their dog, another would scold their chicken, one would have a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law quarrel, and another would make a fuss about dividing the family property.
Not only were the members of the commune restless, but the educated youth, too, were always looking for trouble when they had nothing to do. Last year, they sneaked into the mountains and were nearly killed by wolves. When they were stopped from entering, they started stealing chickens from the villagers, causing chaos in the village.
These village cadres just wander around the village trying to smooth things over, and they make a lot of people angry.
This year is so good, everyone is making money.
When Yu Wanxia and Sun Ping have nothing to do, they do some work themselves, and every penny they earn counts.
In the past half month, Sun Ping earned a total of 18 cents, and Yu Wanxia earned 21 cents.
After all, it's part-time income, so everyone is happy about it.
These days, white-fleshed sweet potatoes don’t release any oil no matter how you roast them. They are soft, sweet and choking, but Zhou Jiani still feels quite satisfied after eating them.
While they were enjoying their meal, Qiu Zeming came in and invited Zhou Jiani to the vegetable greenhouse. He said, "We're going to harvest the spinach today. Do you want to go and take a look?"
Zhou Jiani was surprised: "You're harvesting it today? It looked a little tender yesterday. Why don't you wait for two days to grow?"
Qiu Zeming said, "Yes, it's still a little tender. The state-owned restaurant can't wait any longer. They've been wading through the snow to get here these past two days, fearing someone might intercept them. I've discussed with Uncle Liu and the others about harvesting the spinach and planting another batch. This is a good opportunity to see how the seeds are germinating."
"Okay, I'll order some too. I'll make some spinach soup for dinner."
I've been eating cabbage, radish, and dried cowpea in turn lately, and I'm a bit tired of it. I want to change the taste.
Yu Wanxia and Sun Ping also became interested, dropped the hairbands in their hands and followed.
It's quite busy here. After the plastic greenhouse was completed and the seeds sown in the ground germinated, the team began to expand in full swing.
Because of the snow, the ground was a little frozen, so they burned the leftover materials from weaving baskets, melted them and continued working.
It's very busy at the moment.
There is a cotton curtain at the entrance of the greenhouse. When you lift the curtain and go in, the temperature will immediately change.
Although it wasn't Yu Wanxia's first time here, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, it's so warm in here!"
It's really several degrees different from the outside.
Zhang Baosheng was there too. I didn’t expect that Zhai Xiangqiang would also come today, as well as Zou Kai.
Zhou Jiani saw Zou Kaile and said, "Oh, Chef Zou is here in person?"
Zou Kai said, "I've been here for several days now, but I missed you yesterday. Comrade Zhou, we've been partners for a long time, so you should give us more."
The delivery of vegetables to them was stopped after the villagers' families no longer had so much surplus. Now there is plenty of cabbage, but they also eat cabbage every meal. This matter has been temporarily stopped. However, Zou Kai knew that they were building a greenhouse and took the time to come and see it. Since then, he has come from time to time. Knowing that they have succeeded, he has been keeping an eye on them. He has been visiting them especially frequently in the past two days.
Zhou Jiani looked at Zhai Xiangqiang, and Director Zhai smiled and said, "Comrade Zhou, don't you want to repair the road between the town and Donghe Commune?" He pointed to the vegetables in the field and said, "I think this will be more useful than the quota for the weaving factory."
Zhou Jiani: ...Did she get herself into a trap?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
