"Yes, our Comrade Ke is a man of great things. In the first recruitment, he listed all the positions and let everyone compete fiercely. Now there is not a single position that can be filled by new employees."
“Just because the Zhao family has a special status, we can’t just apply for a position where we only get a salary and benefits and don’t have to do any work, right? Even if we get it, a family as conscious as the Zhao family wouldn’t want it!” Director Xing pondered all the way and managed to come up with a solution.
Aunt Zhou was stunned. "Director Xing, this isn't fair. We all agreed to marry Zhao San's wife together. Now you're saying it's not okay? How am I supposed to explain this to everyone?"
Director Xing thought for a moment and said, "Aren't many cultural centers transforming into senior citizen universities these days? Why don't we let the Zhao family grab a spot?"
"Now that spring is here, it's not necessarily hard to find a job; it's just a matter of time."
"We're just small fry. Why should we ordinary citizens have to shoulder the burden of problems that even the Zhao family can't solve?"
“Let’s just speak frankly. We should only take on tasks that are within our capabilities. We each have unemployed children in our families, so it’s unreasonable for us to run around for the Zhao family and not only suffer hardship but also not receive any thanks.”
Sister-in-law Zhou nodded repeatedly, "Indeed, we may look like minor leaders at work, but in the whole of Beijing, we're just ordinary employees. We can't even solve our own problems, so how can we help the Zhao family?"
Director Xing lowered his voice and said, "I think that Madam Zhao might be keeping the matter of looking for us a secret from the old man. Otherwise, why would she make things difficult for us if it were just a matter of a word from her?"
“Well, after hearing you say that, I think it makes sense, but,” Aunt Zhou said with a headache, “I’m afraid that Madam Zhao will make things difficult for us.”
Helping people find jobs is not easy, but offending someone and getting retaliated against can happen in just a few words!
"Comrade Ke said that if there's anything, push it onto her..." Director Xing said hesitantly, "Didn't Madam Zhao San imply that we should arrange for her to go to the senior citizens' university?"
"Just say that the senior citizens' university isn't hiring, and there are no other places that need people. Either wait, or if she's so capable, she can find a job herself!"
After discussing it for a while, the two finally came up with a solution that was not a viable one.
They ate early, hurriedly grabbed some things, and, taking advantage of the fact that everyone was at home, braced themselves and went to the East Courtyard to knock on the Zhao family's door.
"Who is it? Why are they coming at this hour? Don't they know we're having dinner?" someone muttered under their breath.
The housekeeper looked at the old man.
The old man nodded and continued eating. He was over seventy years old, but he was still healthy and strong, and didn't look like someone who had climbed mountains and crossed rivers.
Everyone was young then, but the journey was full of hardships. Snow-capped mountains, grasslands, swamps, rivers, and so on—conditions were harsh everywhere, and no one who grew old was spared from developing serious illnesses.
He suffered from rheumatism, stomach problems, and spleen weakness, and passed away before he could even enjoy the fruits of his victory.
But in the eyes of the Zhao family, the old man was the pillar of the family, and he would never fall down.
The door opened, and through the nanny's shoulder, Director Xing and his companion saw the old man. They breathed a slight sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Hello, Auntie. I am Xing Xianjin from the Personnel Department of the Senior University. This is Sister Zhou from our neighborhood committee. We've come to visit the old man."
Their identities served as a shield, allowing them to move freely within the four compounds.
The nanny smiled and invited the two of them in.
Director Xing and Aunt Zhou walked in somewhat awkwardly. "Grandpa, please eat first. We can talk after you finish eating."
Grandpa Zhao had already put down his chopsticks and said with a smile, "I always eat quickly. Come, sit down and let's talk."
Madam Zhao held her chopsticks, a polite smile on her face, but her eyes were filled with coldness.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Director Xing forced a smile and looked at Madam Zhao, saying apologetically, "I'm sorry, Madam Zhao, Sister Zhou and I are not very capable and have failed to live up to your expectations."
Old Master Zhao looked at his third daughter-in-law, "What happened?"
Although he had a smile on his face, those who knew him well knew that the old man was angry.
Mrs. Zhao quickly stepped forward and said with a smile, "Dad, we just moved here, and I've been seeing the kids running around for work all day, getting blisters all over their lips from worry, so I'm getting anxious too."
"So when I met these two comrades, I went up to ask them. I didn't expect the comrades in our community to be so helpful and offer to ask for me. This is their reply."
"You mustn't misunderstand me. If I were keeping it from you, how could these two comrades have come looking for me?"
Old Master Zhao nodded: "That's good. Our Zhao family looks prosperous, but to be honest, it's only because I was lucky when I was young and had the protection of many older brothers that I've been able to live to this day."
"My life belongs to the organization. We should be grateful and thankful, not shamelessly ask for favors. This is the new China, where there is no such thing as ancestral protection as in feudal society."
Madam Zhao agreed repeatedly, but in her heart she was filled with hatred.
Ordinary families mobilize all their connections to find jobs for their family members. She's not looking for a fancy job, just an ordinary one, so why can't she?
But she dared not say a word. If she uttered even one extra syllable, Madam Zhao could easily imagine the ways the old man would punish her, such as firing the nanny and making her serve the entire family—this wasn't unprecedented…
The old man, who has lived to this day and is deeply respected by everyone, certainly possesses extraordinary abilities. He's also never lenient with his daughter-in-law!
After leaving the Zhao family, Director Xing and Sister-in-law Zhou exchanged a bitter smile, hoping that their peaceful days would not be disrupted.
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