In the early 1990s, with the spring breeze of reform and opening up, China's economy developed rapidly like a high-speed train.
However, amidst this surging wave, the industrial structure is quietly undergoing profound and drastic changes.
The textile industry, once one of the important pillars of the national economy, has gradually declined in the tide of the times and is gradually on the verge of decline.
The Second Textile Factory in Hai City, a factory that has witnessed countless glories and honors, is now in deep trouble. Its operating conditions are getting worse and worse, and it is facing unprecedented challenges.
Finally, in the early spring of 1992, it collapsed and declared bankruptcy.
The tightly closed door seemed like an unbridgeable gap, clearly dividing the past prosperity from the present desolation.
The closure of the textile factory is not an isolated case, but a reflection of the changing times faced by many traditional industries.
As China's economy rises and takes off at an astonishing speed.
Technology is changing with each passing day, and emerging industries are springing up like mushrooms after a rain.
However, traditional labor-intensive industries that rely on manpower and simple mechanical operations are unable to cope with the situation and are facing unprecedented severe challenges.
For the Su family, the news of the textile factory's bankruptcy was like a bolt from the blue.
Several generations of their family have worked hard in the textile factory, devoting most of their lives to it.
Now, the textile factory has closed down, leaving them without a livelihood support, and the road ahead has become confusing and difficult...
Su Xiachun and Li Hongyu looked worried. They were middle-aged, with elderly parents and young children to take care of, and were going through the most difficult period of their lives.
But at this moment they lost their only source of income. This sudden blow made the couple so worried that they couldn't eat or sleep.
Chen Xiufang looked at her frowning son and her crying daughter-in-law and sighed.
"Don't cry. The factory has not been doing well in recent years and can't pay wages. It's better for it to close down so you don't waste time here. You two are still young. Start a small business or find a job. You won't starve to death."
"Mom, you're making it sound easy. Xiechun and I have never done business before. We have no experience at all. What if we lose money?"
Li Hongyu wiped her tears and felt that her mother-in-law would give bad advice and actually let them do business.
The factory only gave them that little bit of compensation. If they lost their business, their whole family would be left with nothing.
Chen Xiufang glared at her ungrateful daughter-in-law and said unhappily, "If you're afraid of losing money, then go find a job. Your younger sister works as a housekeeper at the Qiufeng Hotel across the street. She earns more a month than she would in a textile factory in several months. The hotel also provides three meals. I heard from your younger sister that the food is very good. She hasn't eaten at home since she went to work there."
Su Xiedong bought out her years of service last year. She is the only one in the family who was not affected by the bankruptcy.
Li Hongyu became interested and changed her tone. She sat next to Chen Xiufang and asked, "Mom, is this true? Is being a waitress in a hotel so profitable?"
"How could this be false? Your younger sister told me so herself." After all, she was her daughter-in-law, so Chen Xiufang did not care about her attitude just now and even helped her with advice on finding a job.
"Your younger sister came over yesterday and said that their hotel is hiring a lobby cleaner. Why don't you give it a try?"
When Li Hongyu heard that she was asked to do the cleaning, she immediately became unhappy.
"Mom, how can I do that? It's so embarrassing. There are so many people coming and going in the hotel. It would be ridiculous if someone I know saw us."
"You are such a high-minded person. What's wrong with cleaning? Qiufeng is the largest hotel in Hai City. It's a place for rich people. I don't know how many people are vying to work there, but you are still complaining about it. Don't you think about your age? It's not certain whether the hotel wants you or not. How can you be so picky here?"
Chen Xiufang was so angry with her daughter-in-law that she started scolding her.
Li Hongyu didn't dare to say anything. She knew in her heart that her mother-in-law was right.
She is already in her forties. What else can she do besides helping people clean?
"Mom, I'll try it tomorrow." Li Hongyu said in a low voice.
Chen Xiufang glanced at her and her face brightened. "Go ask your little sister first. Last time I heard her say that she knew a manager there. See if you can help put in a word? The treatment at that hotel is very good, and the job is in great demand. You may not be able to get in without someone you know."
Li Hongyu quickly responded: "Thank you, Mom. I understand."
Chen Xiufang said "hmm" and looked at her eldest son again, "Chen Guang from your uncle's family is the head chef at a restaurant. I'll go over and ask him tomorrow to see if I can arrange a job for you."
Su Xiechun nodded dejectedly. He thought he would have a stable job for life, but it went bankrupt. It was a big blow to him.
At this time, Su Dacheng pushed the door open, holding a newspaper in his hand with a complicated expression on his face.
"Old man, where have you been? You're not home all day. The children are all laid off, but you're not worried at all."
Chen Xiufang gets angry whenever she sees this old man. He doesn't care about family matters at all. He goes to the park to play chess with others all day and only comes back at dinner time every day.
Su Dacheng didn't say anything and handed the newspaper in his hand to her.
"It's just a piece of torn newspaper. Why are you taking it back?" Although Chen Xiufang said this, she still took it.
She glanced casually and saw the familiar name again.
Su Dacheng sat on the sofa and sighed softly, "I met my elder brother in the park today. He gave me this newspaper. He said that the diplomat is most likely Qiu Yatou."
"How did he know?" Chen Xiufang was surprised and happy, and her hands holding the newspaper were shaking a little.
Su Dacheng said, "Yun girl heard from her classmates that when the college entrance examination was resumed, Qiu girl and her man were both admitted to Beijing University. Qiu girl was also the top scorer in the college entrance examination in Liao Province."
Su Xiechun was the first one who didn't believe it. He pouted and said, "How is this possible? Third sister is not a good student. How could she be admitted to Beijing University? And she is the top scorer in the college entrance examination. It's so funny."
Chen Xiufang didn't bother to talk to her son, and walked out with the newspaper. She wanted to find out whether this was true.
Chen Xiufang did not go to Su Dajun's house, but went directly to find where Su Xieyun was setting up his stall.
Su Xieyun divorced the doctor a few years ago because his infidelity was discovered.
After Su Xieyun divorced, she married the man she had an affair with. Since both of them were unemployed, they now set up a stall to sell socks in the market.
When Chen Xiufang arrived at the market, she heard Su Xieyun shouting loudly there.
"They're cheap. Socks are cheap. Five pairs for three dollars, eleven pairs for six dollars."
"Yunyun, business is good, right?" Chen Xiufang walked forward with a smile, still feeling a little uncomfortable when she spoke.
Because they had a fight a few years ago, the relationship between the two families has always been not good.
But it's not as awkward as it was in previous years. We still say hello when we meet, but we don't interact much in normal times.
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