After finishing lunch, Xia Liang went to the class monitor's office. She knocked on the door and heard another class monitor's voice inside saying, "Come in." Xia Liang went in but didn't see Liu Lihong, so she asked, "Hello, class monitor, where is Class Monitor Liu from Class 3?" The Class Monitor from Class 4 replied, "Sister Liu, she went to eat. Is there something you need from her?" Upon receiving Xia Liang's confirmation, the monitor said, "Please sit here and wait a moment, she'll be back soon." Xia Liang thanked her and found an empty chair to sit on. Less than five minutes later, Liu Lihong pushed open the door and came in. Seeing Xia Liang, she exclaimed in surprise, "I thought you were still eating in the cafeteria! I didn't expect you to arrive before me. Come on, let me tell you about your daily tasks as class monitor." The Class Monitor from Class 4 looked up in surprise and sized up Xia Liang. She recognized her; she had won first place in the workshop-wide competition, but she didn't look very old. How did she become the class monitor? Could she be someone with connections? If so, we'll have to remind everyone to be careful not to offend her, or we might get into serious trouble if she speaks ill of us to the leaders.
Unbeknownst to Xia Liang, she had gained a connection to the company. Later, in the foreman's office, she found her colleagues to be highly conscious and easy to get along with—but that's a story for another time. Liu Lihong briefly explained her work process to Xia Liang and then said, "Alright, that's all. Anyway, we'll be in the same office from now on. Just ask me if you don't understand anything." Xia Liang thanked her and returned to the workshop. Zhou Xiaohui approached and asked, "Why did the foreman call you over? Did we talk this morning and get you criticized?" Xia Liang shook her head with a laugh and said, "No, it's good news." She then leaned close to Zhou Xiaohui's ear and whispered, "I'll be promoted to foreman of the third shift next week, but don't tell anyone yet, to avoid any complications." Zhou Xiaohui covered her mouth and asked excitedly in a low voice, "Really? That's great! A-Liang, you're amazing!" Xia Liang gestured for her to return to her workstation, and Zhou Xiaohui nodded vigorously, her smile never fading. Xia Liang thought that since she had come to the 1960s, God had made up for everything she didn't have in her previous life: loving and harmonious parents, a steady and reliable older brother who kept her every word to heart, and her best friend Zhou Xiaohui. Xia Liang was in a good mood and pedaled the sewing machine very fast.
Monday arrived in the blink of an eye, and the weekly meeting began as usual. After reciting his quotations and summarizing the week's tasks and the previous week's events, the factory leaders handed the podium to Director Wang from the personnel department. Director Wang cleared his throat twice and said, "This week, there are a few job changes. Shift 1's leader, Fu Rong, is on maternity leave, so her position will be filled by Liu Lihong, the leader of Shift 3. As for Shift 3, after discussion within the factory, Xia Liang, who won first place in the last competition, will take over as leader." Many people were dissatisfied, but no one dared to be the first to speak up. Sun Fangfang from last time was a prime example; she not only didn't gain any benefits but also left a bad impression on the leaders. Thus, Xia Liang became the leader of Shift 3. As for why Xia Liang didn't go directly to Shift 1, it was because Shift 1 consisted of the factory's backbone, and any important orders were handled by Shift 1. Xia Liang could have easily been transferred to Shift 1 based on her abilities, but Shift 1 was made up of factory veterans, and replacing anyone would offend people, so they decided to hold off.
Since Xia Liang became the team leader, things have indeed become much easier for him. Every day, he takes attendance, handles problems that employees don't know how to solve, and checks the finished products after get off work. Although becoming the team leader only means an extra five yuan in salary each month, the coupons and vouchers are different. Before, with a salary of thirty-five yuan, he only received one industrial voucher per month, but now that the salary has increased to forty yuan, he can receive two vouchers per month.
That morning, Zhou Xiaohui arrived at the workshop half an hour late, walking with a limp. Xia Liang anxiously went up to her and asked, "What happened? How did you hurt your leg?" Before Zhou Xiaohui could answer, Ma Xiuxiang interrupted her, saying, "I saw it! Zhou Xiaohui was half an hour late. She didn't enter the workshop until 9:32. Don't you dare cheat her!" Xia Liang rolled her eyes at her but before she could speak, Xiaohui said, "When I left this morning, I was hit by a bicycle that suddenly darted out from the alley. Xia Liang, I can't go to work today..." "Please take a day off to go to the hospital to get checked out." Xia Liang nodded and asked, "Is it serious? Or should I go with you?" Unexpectedly, Zhou Xiaohui blushed and said, "No need, I can manage." She turned to leave, but Xia Liang took her arm and said, "Let me see you out." Zhou Xiaohui quickly replied, "No need, I'm fine. You're still at work, and besides, someone's waiting for me outside." Hearing that someone was waiting for her outside, Xia Liang didn't insist and said, "Alright, take your time. If you need any help, just let me know." Zhou Xiaohui nodded and turned to leave.
Xia Liang returned to the office, and Wang Dayan, the class monitor of Class Six, asked, "Xia Liang, you don't have a boyfriend yet, do you?" Xia Liang nodded and asked in confusion, "Yes, why?" Wang Dayan smiled and said, "The county women's association is holding a social event. The county hospital, the military, and several state-owned enterprises have all been invited, including our factory. I heard that many of the people who attend each year end up together. In previous years, our factory wasn't invited, but this time, I don't know why, besides our furniture factory and machinery factory, several smaller factories that are not as good as ours have also been invited. Do you want to sign up?" As she spoke, she looked at Xia Liang with a mischievous smile. Xia Liang smiled and said, "I'm only eighteen years old. I don't want to be in a relationship yet. I still want to shine in my position and create value for the factory." After saying that, for some reason, Gu Yanxiao's exquisite face flashed through her mind.
Wang Dayan tugged at her sleeve and said, "Come on, just go and take a look. It's not like it has to work out. Everyone in our office except you is married. You can represent us and broaden your horizons. Even if it doesn't work out, you won't lose anything. You can eat your fill there and then come back." Xia Liang was speechless. It seemed like she was just going there for a meal. Just as she was about to refuse again, Wang Dayan continued, "You've never invited our factory before. Just go and take a look. Consider it a chance to make more connections. If I were single, I would have gone." Speaking of connections, Xia Liang's heart skipped a beat. Her mother and Xia Rong were both in the city now. Xia Rong had things to do every day and hadn't mentioned wanting to go back to the countryside, but her mother was always worried that her father was alone in the countryside with no one to take care of him. If she could connect with people at the furniture factory, she might be able to find a job for her father. After making up her mind, Xia Liang signed up for this social event.
Wang Dayan, who was standing next to him, said with emotion, "Xia, I knew you were a kind and warm-hearted comrade who couldn't bear to let us down." In fact, Xia Liang had nothing to do with them. Xia Liang was too lazy to explain and let them misunderstand.
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