Chapter 43: A woman who has just given birth is like someone who has lost her water...
Fortunately, I ignored her at the beginning, otherwise I might have ended up like Wang Kaili.
Two staff members took Wang Kaili away, and the rest of the people continued the interview.
Jiang Xueyi looked at her watch and counted the time. Each time a person came in, the interview lasted about twenty minutes.
Everyone who finished the interview looked frustrated, thinking that the interview question was not easy.
Tao Wan was at the back of the line. She rolled her eyes and went up to the person who had just finished the interview to ask, "What questions did the Women's Federation ask you during the interview?" Then she said, "Tell me about it."
The person being questioned glanced at her and curled his lips: "Why should I tell you?"
She is not as stupid as Wang Kaili. If she tells Tao Wan, what if Tao Wan is well prepared and scores better than her?
Tao Wan snorted and said, "If you don't want to tell me, then don't tell me. I guess you didn't even hear the question I was asking."
"Tsk, provocation."
Those who can pass the written test and obtain the interview qualification are not stupid, and they immediately understand what Tao Wan is up to.
Tao Wan said a few more words, but seeing that no one paid any attention to her, she had no choice but to sit down angrily.
Finally it was Jiang Xueyi's turn for the interview.
She walked to the front of the room, paused, and pushed open the door.
The layout inside was different from when she took the written test in the morning. All the tables and chairs were pushed aside.
There was only a row of desks in the empty room, with interviewers sitting behind them.
There was an empty chair in front of the table, probably for the interviewer to sit on.
Jiang Xueyi cleared her throat: "Number 8, Jiang Xueyi reporting in."
"Please sit down." said one of the interviewers.
Jiang Xueyi sat down, straightened her back, looked straight ahead, neither humble nor arrogant.
Interviewer: "Are you a military family member?"
Jiang Xueyi: "Yes, my husband is an active-duty soldier."
Interviewer: "Just had a baby?"
Jiang Xueyi: "I'm still breastfeeding."
The interviewer laughed and said, "It doesn't look like it."
This woman who had just given birth looked as dry as dried plums that had lost their water.
Jiang Xueyi is so pretty in both appearance and dress that people would believe she is a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl.
It's really shocking.
I almost thought I had the wrong person.
Sitting in the middle was an interviewer with a serious expression. Jiang Xueyi heard others call her Director Xie.
Director Xie suddenly spoke up: "Why do you want to join the Women's Federation? You're still breastfeeding your child, and you really need someone to help you."
Jiang Xueyi paused and smiled, "It's precisely because my child is breastfeeding that I know how difficult it is for women during this period."
She half-seriously said, "I had a fever a while ago due to breast engorgement. I wanted to take half a day off to go to the hospital, but my mother-in-law kept saying, 'Women are not that precious.'"
This is based on Liu Lu's experience. When she gave birth to Zhao Xiaorui, Kong Hongfang always said this to her.
Jiang Xueyi continued, "When I was holding my child all night, I realized that many women don't want to go out and work, but are tied to the bed by feeding, changing diapers, and their family's lack of understanding."
"While changing my baby's diaper, I was thinking, how wonderful it would be if more women like me could take care of their children with peace of mind and still stand up straight. Isn't that what the Women's Federation does? Helping us fight for the rights we deserve, teaching us how to hold a needle and thread and a pen, allowing breastfeeding mothers to rest assured, and allowing women with children to have their own dreams..."
When talking about the Women's Federation, Jiang Xueyi deliberately used the word "we" to increase the sense of identity.
Sure enough, as soon as she finished speaking, the two interviewers nodded repeatedly.
Director Xie also nodded and made a few marks on the paper.
The interviewers asked a few more questions, and Jiang Xueyi answered them fluently one by one.
Judging from their reactions, they should have answered quite well.
The interviewer continued, "Okay, two last questions."
Jiang Xueyi: "Please ask."
Interviewer: "First question, if our Women's Federation wants to organize a women's skills training event and the number of applicants is far lower than expected, how would you solve the problem?"
Jiang Xueyi thought carefully and said, "I'll first conduct interviews and questionnaires to understand the reasons for people not signing up. Could it be due to inconvenient timing, lack of interest in the content, or misunderstandings? If it's a matter of time, I'll coordinate multiple time slots to facilitate participation by different groups. If the content doesn't meet the needs of local women, I'll add practical courses like hand-knitting and matchbox pasting, tailored to the specific needs of local women. Furthermore, I'll invite women who have benefited from the program to share their experiences, using real-life examples to engage everyone. I'll also strengthen publicity through broadcasts in the family compound and posters."
The answer was quite practical. The interviewer sitting on the right, who was responsible for taking notes, wrote furiously, wishing he could record all of Jiang Xueyi's answers.
"I understand everything else. What does this questionnaire mean?"
Jiang Xueyi was stunned for a moment. This concept, which everyone in later generations knew, was not yet popular at this time.
She explained: "It's about writing down some questions on paper, distributing them to the corresponding people, and asking them to answer them to collect information and data."
Thinking about the low literacy rate these days, Jiang Xueyi added, "You can also use oral inquiries instead of questionnaires."
Director Xie raised his eyebrows and said, "Your questionnaire... is quite interesting."
She said, "Okay, last question. What do you think are the three most important qualities that women's federation workers need to possess?"
Here it comes.
Jiang Xueyi's spirits lifted. "First, empathy. Only by truly standing in women's shoes and understanding their plight and needs can we provide effective help. Second, a sense of responsibility. Women's rights are no small matter. Every appeal must be taken seriously and addressed with all our strength. Finally, communication skills are crucial. When dealing with women of different personalities and backgrounds, we must communicate with them in an appropriate manner and build trust. Only then can our work proceed smoothly."
"Good!" The interviewer led the applause. "Well said!"
Jiang Xueyi nodded modestly: "Thank you."
The interviewer saw her out the door and shook hands with her happily at the door.
When Tao Wan heard the applause coming from the room, she already felt that something was wrong. Now, when she saw the interviewer shaking hands with Jiang Xueyi, her eyes almost poked Jiang Xueyi into a sieve.
Man proposes, God disposes.
Whether it is the written test in the morning or the interview in the afternoon.
Jiang Xueyi felt that she had reached the limit of her ability and had a clear conscience.
She unscrewed the military canteen and drank the water slowly.
This leisurely look made the other candidates who were preparing for the interview next to them more nervous.
By five o'clock in the afternoon, all the people had finished their interviews.
The three interviewers announced on the spot that the person hired was Jiang Xueyi.
As soon as these words came out, Tao Wan exploded and pointed at Jiang Xueyi and said, "Why her? Is it just because she's pretty?"
Tao Wan felt that her answers during the interview were pretty good, so how could she lose to Jiang Xueyi?
The interviewer glanced at her and had some impression of Tao Wan.
This woman performed quite well during the interview, but there was still a big gap compared to Jiang Xueyi.
Director Xie: "We will announce the scores of both the written test and the interview, and we will hire the candidate with the highest combined score."
Tao Wan screamed, "You mean, she got first place?"
How is that possible? Jiang Xueyi doesn't look like someone who can study.
The good students she knew all had short hair and wore thick black-framed glasses, looking very simple. There was no one like Jiang Xueyi who dressed up so flamboyantly. She must be doing something behind the scenes.
Thinking of the military water bottle on Jiang Xueyi's back, Tao Wan's eyes lit up. "You hired her because she's a military dependent, right? Okay, you're treating her differently. I'm going to report you to the city government."
Director Xie was speechless and said a few words to the clerk next to him.
The clerk nodded and left. After a while, he returned with a piece of paper and posted it on the wall. "Here are everyone's written test and interview scores. Comrade Jiang Xueyi deserves first place, and that's why we hired her."
Tao Wan immediately pushed away the people around her and rushed forward.
The first one is Jiang Xueyi’s name. She scored 100 points in the written test and 100 points in the interview, both 100 points.
It would have been fine if the score hadn't been posted, but once it was posted, everyone was shocked. They didn't expect Jiang Xueyi to have such a high score.
Looking at the others, they all scored 60 or 70 points. Even the second place scored 90 points in the written test and 75 points in the interview, which was a big gap from Jiang Xueyi.
Those who were originally somewhat dissatisfied with Jiang Xueyi, like Tao Wan, immediately shut up.
Director Xie took out a stack of test papers and said, "Tao Wan, the test papers are all here. If you don't believe that Comrade Jiang Xueyi got a perfect score, you can come and check it out."
"Just look at it." Tao Wan stiffened her neck and snatched the test paper.
He found the paper with Jiang Xueyi's name on it, glanced at it casually, and threw it aside: "Okay, I admit that she got a perfect score on the written test, but what about the interview?"
She was still very confident about her interview score. After all, before taking the exam, she had asked an acquaintance to inquire about the general questions of the Women's Federation interview and made sufficient preparations for it.
Director Xie glanced at Jiang Xueyi and said, "Comrade Jiang, please tell us your answers to those questions."
Jiang Xueyi spoke clearly and logically, repeating the questions asked by Director Xie and the other three interviewers, as well as her own answers.
No one in the audience spoke.
Even Tao Wan looked like a parrot with its tongue cut off.
Because the questions Director Xie and the others asked Jiang Xueyi during the interview were much more difficult than those they asked them during the interview.
And there was nothing wrong with Jiang Xueyi's answer.
Some people even think that Jiang Xueyi's interview score was too low.
This is why a top student can get a perfect score, because the highest score on the test paper is only 100.
Director Xie looked at Tao Wan: "Do you have anything else to say?"
Tao Wan glared at Jiang Xueyi hatefully, packed up her things, and left reluctantly.
The other unsuccessful candidates also left one after another.
Only Jiang Xueyi was left.
She asked Director Xie, "Director Xie, can I ask a few questions?"
Director Xie rarely showed a kind smile. Who wouldn't like such a good seedling? "You say."
Jiang Xueyi: "If I'm hired, what will my position be? And who will I report to?"
Director Xie cleared her throat. "Let me first introduce you to our Women's Federation. Our internal organizational structure is divided into one office and two sections: the General Office, the Development and Publicity Section, and the Family and Children's Rights Section. The General Office is responsible for organizational and personnel matters, as well as the receipt and management of notifications and documents. The Publicity Section is responsible for publicity work and the cultivation and development of modern women's organizations. Finally, the Family and Children's Rights Section serves women and children and protects their legitimate rights and interests."
She asked, "Do you understand?"
Jiang Xueyi: "I understand."
Director Xie nodded with a smile. The purpose of setting up a written test is to screen out those who cannot understand what is being said.
She continued, "If you're hired, your position will be as an officer in the Family Rights Section. They're currently short of one person, so you'll report to Section Chief You. If Section Chief You can't make a decision, you'll report to me."
Section Chief You, who was also one of the interviewers just now, was the one who wanted to record everything Jiang Xueyi said.
She walked out and nodded at Jiang Xueyi with a smile.
Jiang Xueyi smiled back and then asked, "I have a four-month-old child. Can I bring him to work on weekdays?"
"Of course." Chief You smiled. "We allow children to come to work. Just don't mind the noise."
Jiang Xueyi also smiled and said, "Please bear with me."
Having said that, it’s basically settled.
Director Xie: "Comrade Jiang, please bring your grain certificate tomorrow and transfer the contact information."
Jiang Xueyi smiled and said, "Just call me Xiao Jiang." She added, "Then I'll bring them along when I report tomorrow."
Director Xie readily agreed: "Okay, Xiao Jiang, your first day of reporting will be tomorrow. Just come before ten o'clock."
She said, "Xiao You, send Xiao Jiang out."
"Hey." Section Chief You responded and said to Jiang Xueyi, "Come with me."
She sent Jiang Xueyi to the door and said, "I was planning to take you around, but it's a little late now. It's time to get off work. You should go home first. I'll take you around tomorrow."
Jiang Xueyi: "Okay, Chief You."
Section Chief You smiled and said, "I'm only a few years older than you. Just call me Sister You."
The more she looked at Jiang Xueyi, the more she liked her. Not only was she good-looking, but she was also generous. Just by listening to her speak, she knew that her ability to do things was not bad.
Their rights and interests department is short of people, and they need someone like this who can get things done.
"Sister You." Jiang Xueyi said readily.
Chief You was very happy and walked away humming a tune.
Jiang Xueyi was also very happy and left the Women's Federation office building happily.
Chief You just said that they have already finished get off work, so he won’t take her shopping.
That means they get off work at 4:30. Getting off work at 4:30 is simply a job that is impossible for a god.
It was still early, so Jiang Xueyi simply went to the department store in town.
Before going to work, I must do some preparation.
It actually took her quite some time to walk all the way to town today, a total of forty minutes before she reached the Women's Federation.
She thought about buying a bicycle to cut her commute to twenty minutes so she could sleep a little longer in the morning.
There is also a little Baozi, so I need to buy a suitable sling to carry him.
I don’t know if the Women’s Federation has a cafeteria. If not, I have to bring my own lunch or go home to eat.
If you count them piecemeal, there are actually quite a few things to add.
The department store sells a lot of bicycles, both imported and domestic.
Jiang Xueyi chose a domestic women's bicycle, which was light and compact, and had a basket on the front for storing things.
After paying, you can ride back on the spot.
I couldn’t find a suitable strap to carry the baby, so I had to tear off two feet of cloth and go home to make one myself.
Jiang Xueyi has gotten used to it. After being here for so long, she hasn't made any progress in anything except her handicraft skills.
She was riding a bicycle with the shopping piled on the back seat.
I sped along the way, and although my speed didn't reach 180 miles per hour, I felt quite free and at ease.
I can't wait to open my arms and feel the beauty of the wind blowing.
After returning home, Jiang Xueyi parked her bicycle downstairs, intending to give He Chengze a surprise.
She opened the door and was greeted by the aroma of food.
Looking at the dining table again, it was filled with sweet and sour pork ribs, crispy eggplant, scrambled eggs with leeks, and a pot of milky white yellow croaker soup. It looked very sumptuous.
The little bun heard the voice, stared at Jiang Xueyi for a while, and recognized her: "Ah~ah~"
Jiang Xueyi picked up the little boy and patted his butt first. After checking that it was dry, she asked, "Do you miss your mother?"
The little bun didn't say anything, but just kept rubbing his head against Jiang Xueyi's chest. It was obvious that he was hungry.
Jiang Xueyi was happy. After feeding him milk and rocking him, the little boy fell into a deep sleep.
What an obedient and well-behaved baby.
He Chengze leaned against the door frame, wearing an apron: "As soon as you come back, you look for the little bun, and don't even think about me."
Jiang Xueyi stood on tiptoe and kissed him: "I missed you so much." Then she asked, "Why did you cook so many dishes today?"
He Chengze hugged her from behind and rested his chin on her head: "Celebrate that you passed the exam."
Jiang Xueyi lowered her head and said in a low voice, "That... I..."
Seeing her reaction, He Chengze panicked: "It doesn't matter if you didn't pass the exam, it's just a job. If you lose this one, I'll find you another one."
Jiang Xueyi broke free from his arms, sat on the stool, and sighed.
He Chengze asked cautiously, "Well, did the other party say why they didn't pass?"
Jiang Xueyi slumped her shoulders, her voice like a frost-bitten eggplant: "The interviewer said I'm still breastfeeding and it would affect my work, so they refused to hire me."
He Chengze tightened his grip, his knuckles turning white, and after a long while he managed to squeeze out a sentence: "It's okay, at most..."
Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by a crisp laugh.
Jiang Xueyi laughed and said, "I was kidding. I'll report tomorrow."
He Chengze reached out and took her into his arms, pinching her nose: "Okay, you have learned to lie."
Jiang Xueyi smiled and said, "I want to give you a surprise."
He Chengze: "You must be hungry. Eat first and we'll talk later."
"Okay." Jiang Xueyi said.
He Chengze poured a bowl of yellow croaker soup and placed it in front of her: "Be careful, it's hot and there are bones."
Jiang Xueyi picked up the bowl, took a sip, and smiled: "It tastes good, especially fresh."
"Of course." He Chengze said, "After I sent you out this morning, I went to the market to buy some yellow croaker. Of course it's fresh."
Jiang Xueyi nodded and said, "With Deputy Brigade Commander He's favor, I wouldn't be surprised if you bought a shark, let alone a fresh yellow croaker, at the market."
He Chengze: "Just tease me." Then he said, "Tell me about today's exam."
Jiang Xueyi took a bite of her rice and put the bowl down. "The Women's Federation exam isn't easy either. There's a written test in the morning and an interview in the afternoon. And you don't just add up the two scores and take the highest one. You have to pass the written test to qualify for the interview. Then, you add up the written test and interview scores to get the final score."
Then she must be the first. He Chengze asked: "How many points did you get in the written test and interview?"
Jiang Xueyi raised her chin and said with a hint of pride, "Double 100 points."
"Sure." He Chengze gave a thumbs up. "Should I call you Director Jiang from now on?"
Jiang Xueyi raised the corner of her mouth: "Well, not bad, let me hear a few more."
"Secretary Jiang, Secretary Jiang." He Chengze called out two words obediently, not a word more, not a word less.
Jiang Xueyi: "You shouted well, I'll give you a reward tonight..."
Only two people know what the specific reward is.
-
On her first day at work, Director Xie told her that she only needed to arrive before ten o'clock.
But Jiang Xueyi still got up early because she remembered that she had an exam yesterday and the Women's Federation staff all arrived around 8:30.
She couldn't go too late, as it would easily leave a bad impression on others.
She wore a white shirt with black trousers, tied her hair into a high ponytail, and paired it with a pair of black leather shoes. She looked simple and capable, just like someone going to work.
The little bun got up earlier than her, and was observing his surroundings with his big obsidian eyes open.
Jiang Xueyi fed him, changed his diaper, and then kissed his chubby cheeks. She said softly, "Little Baozi, today is your first day going to work with your mother. Are you happy?"
He Chengze took out a big bag and said, "Little Baozi's diapers, water bottle... and your things are all in there. For lunch, I made you scrambled eggs with tomatoes, garlic chicken wings, and seaweed egg drop soup. They're all in the aluminum lunch box. Remember to eat them at noon."
"Okay." Jiang Xueyi stood on tiptoe and kissed him, "Then I'll leave."
He Chengze saw that she was carrying a small bun in front and a big bag on the back, and he wanted to tell her not to do it if she felt it was too hard.
But when the words came to his lips, he swallowed them back.
Because the smile on Jiang Xueyi's face and the youthful energy in her body were things she didn't see when she was at home.
He Chengze: "Work goes well."
"Yes." Jiang Xueyi smiled, "Thank you for your good wishes."
She went downstairs carrying the little bun and rode on her bicycle. She couldn't help but feel lucky that she had the foresight to buy a bicycle. Otherwise, she would be exhausted from carrying so many things and walking.
Fortunately, some things, such as the little bun’s diapers, can be taken there and then not brought back.
Keep some in the office to avoid the inconvenience of carrying it around.
Arriving at the Women's Federation, Jiang Xueyi parked her bicycle and first looked at the little bun in her arms.
I was worried that the little guy would feel uncomfortable due to the bumpy road, but I didn't expect that he would actually fall asleep, and sleep soundly, like a little pig.
She carried the little bun into the Women's Federation office building. It was exactly half past eight.
"Xiao Jiang." Section Chief You called from behind.
Jiang Xueyi turned around: "Sister You."
Chief You smiled and said, "You came quite early."
Jiang Xueyi smiled and said, "It's my first day. I wanted to come early so I can learn more from you seniors."
That's a nice thing to say.
The smile on Section Chief You's face became more genuine. "Did you bring your food allowance? I'll take you to transfer your connections first."
"Hey." Jiang Xueyi took out the food book from her backpack, "I brought it."
Seeing her carrying a lot of bags, Section Chief You said, "Come back to the office with me first, put the things down, and then go and get the connection."
"Okay." Jiang Xueyi followed Chief You.
I just found out that the main office of the Women's Federation is on the second floor, and the first floor where they took the exam yesterday is not open at all.
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