Chapter 24
In the evening, after the wall had dried a bit, Su Dazhi and
Liu Mei couldn't wait any longer to move their belongings into the small
compartment. It's called a small compartment, but in reality, there's only
enough space against the wall for a bed that's around 1.3 meter in
width. They would lift the door curtain and step directly from their shoes onto
the bed.
Due to the cramped space, the wooden beds they had slept on
before were no longer usable, so they replaced them with the smaller beds that
Su Xiaozhi and Su Lin had slept in.
Liu Mei and Su Dazhi had no complaints about this either.
Having such a discreet space was already satisfying for the two of them.
It's much better than before when they were crowded together
with others.
Sitting on her spacious bed, Su Yu watched as Su Dazhi and
Liu Mei moved in and closed the door curtain. Then, she looked at the empty
space beside her bed and felt a sense of contentment.
She should have arranged for this couple to be placed by the
entrance earlier.
Su Xiaozhi and Su Lin also had satisfied smiles. Eating
dumplings during the day and having a more spacious place to sleep at night.
These days were starting to look up.
Early the next morning, when Su Yu got up, she noticed that
everyone in the family was already awake. Some were cooking, others were doing
laundry. Even Su Dazhi and Su Xiaozhi, who usually liked to sleep in, had
gotten up early. The room was tidied up neatly.
Yawning, Su Yu thought that the dumplings from yesterday
were not in vain. The horse had eaten the grass and was indeed running faster.
In the morning, Su Yu and everyone else had corn porridge
together, with an extra egg for her. Now, to improve her health, having one egg
a day had become a routine.
Over time, everyone gradually formed this habit, and there
didn't seem to be anything wrong with it.
After all, Sister only ate eggs because of her poor health.
On the way to work, Su Yu patted Su Xiaozhi's shoulder once
again and said, "Xiaozhi, I will definitely find a job for you."
Su Xiaozhi replied, "...Sis, I trust you." Sis,
can you please stop boasting?
Su Yu said, "Let's not tell anyone for now. Otherwise,
they might become envious and jealous."
Su Xiaozhi nodded. If too many people knew and things didn't
work out, it would be embarrassing.
Su Dazhi also nodded.
For once, the two brothers had a unanimous thought. They
didn't want to make their sister feel too awkward. After all, their sister had
been pretty straightforward for all these years, and this was probably the only
time she'd told such a big story. It was well-intentioned.
Narrowing her eyes, Su Yu looked at her two younger
brothers, who were clearly showing their skepticism. She knew they didn't
believe her.
But she wasn't expecting anyone to believe her just from a
few words either.
Letting them know in advance was just to leave an impression
on their minds. This way, when things were accomplished in the future, they
would understand the extent of her capabilities as an elder sister.
When she handled tasks for others, she never remained
anonymous.
"Su Yu, the Factory Committee informed you to go for a talk."
As soon as Su Yu arrived at the office, she heard the
notification from Director Xu.
Glancing at the time, there were still twenty minutes before
her work officially started. The Factory Committee seemed quite proactive in their tasks.
Curious, she asked, "Director Xu, do you know what this
is about? I haven't done anything wrong recently."
"Who knows, they didn't say." Director Xu shook
his head, also feeling a bit concerned. After all, when Secretary Tian came to see
her before, his expression didn't reveal much about the situation.
Su Yu furrowed her brows in secret. How could the Factory
Committee not inform Director Xu in advance? It didn't make sense. Director Xu
was her superior, and any kind of transfer or adjustment would typically
involve prior communication.
Unable to figure it out, Su Yu decided not to dwell on it.
After all, when challenges arise, one faces them head-on.
Upon arriving at the Factory Committee, several staff
members were rearranging the tables. Administrative Assistant Gao she had
interacted with before was sipping tea. Upon seeing Su Yu, he smiled and said,
"Well, isn't this Comrade Su Yu?"
Due to her help, he held a favorable view of Su Yu.
"How's your studying going? If you encounter any difficulties, feel free
to come to us. My position is specifically meant for nurturing talent within
the factory. And you are our reserve talent."
Su Yu smiled and replied, "Thank you for your concern.
Everything is going well."
Hearing the title "leader," Officer Gao's heart leaped with joy. He nearly burst out laughing, but ended up
choking on his tea.
Su Yu: "..."
Officer Tian shot Officer Gao a disapproving
glance, feeling
somewhat dissatisfied with how he was embarrassing the Factory Committee. Then, she turned to Su Yu and said, "Comrade Su Yu, I
called you here today to discuss something. Here's the situation: the Trade
Union is planning to transfer you to handle publicity work. We just want to
understand your personal preference."
Hearing this, Su Yu looked surprised and pleasantly
astonished. "I don't have any objections. I'll follow the arrangement of
the factory."
Officer Tian cleared her throat, stood up, and led Su Yu
outside the office. "Here's the deal. Actually, our leaders have reviewed
your profile. We are, after all, the Factory Committee, much more influential
than the Trade Union. I think you can wait a bit longer. When the time comes
for direct recruitment, just approach the Factory Committee."
"...," Su Yu stared blankly at Officer Tian, then
mentally cursed. Treating her like a fool, huh.
A single statement made her give up a hard-earned job.
That's quite a skill you've got.
Seeing Su Yu's dazed expression, Officer Tian felt like her words might have had some effect. She continued persuading, "I'm saying
this for your own good. After all, you have talent and ability. You should be
working in more important positions. The Factory Committee is much better, and
I assure you, with your previous performance, passing the exam to enter is
guaranteed."
"Officer Tian, truthfully, I'm not that capable. I spent
a long time working on those articles. Look at my age. If I really had
potential, why didn't I stand out earlier? The Factory Committee is so crucial,
how could I dare to slow you all down? It's rare that the Trade Union doesn't
look down on me. I believe in repaying kindness, and if I don't go now, it
would be really unfair to them."
Su Yu said with a face of shame.
Upon hearing Su Yu's words, Officer Tian suddenly felt
frustrated. It wasn't that she thought highly of Su Yu's ability; she just
wanted to make things difficult for the Trade Union. Every time there was an
issue, they would come to the Factory Committee with demands, and whenever an
opportunity arose, they would contradict the Factory Committee. Due to this,
Deputy Director Li was displeased. After hearing that the Trade Union requested
to transfer Su Yu to their side, Deputy Director Li assigned the task of
persuading her to decline the offer. This was meant to teach the Trade Union a
lesson. As for whether Su Yu would eventually be able to join the Factory
Committee, that was another matter entirely. Even if she couldn't, she was
still a textile worker, and the factory wouldn't lose out much.
What she hadn't anticipated was that Su Yu was so stubborn.
How could she not understand her words?
"Comrade Su Yu, you better think carefully. This is the
Factory Committee we're talking about. How great is that?"
Su Yu rubbed her head, puzzled. Did she really perform so
remarkably that so many people were eager to have her?
She hadn't even started showing her capabilities yet. It
couldn't be that these people had such low standards for talent, could it?
"But the Trade Union wants me. I can't refuse them.
Previously, nobody wanted me. Now that they're willing to take me, I'm deeply
grateful. If I decline now, it wouldn't be respectful at all."
"Why wouldn't it be respectful?"
"I wouldn't feel right about it," she said, touching her
chest.
Officer Tian: "..."
She finally understood. Su Yu
was quite the muddled headed. No wonder she hadn't risen in the ranks all
these years. With this kind of mentality, if she hadn't been lucky, she would
never have achieved anything in her lifetime.
"Fine, if that's how you feel. I'll handle the paperwork
this afternoon. Don't discuss what I told you with others. After all, I'm
saying this for your own good. If you don't listen, that's your choice."
Su Yu obediently nodded and gratefully shook Officer Tian's
hand. "Thank you, Officer Tian. I'll remember what you said today. Your
kindness towards me is something I'll never forget."
Officer Tian managed a forced smile.
After leaving the office, Su Yu returned to the workshop.
Director Xu quickly approached her, asking what had happened.
Su Yu whispered to her that she might be transferred to the
Trade Union.
Director Xu was initially shocked but quickly pulled Su Yu
into her office and closed the door. She smiled and said, "This is a great
opportunity. From now on, you'll be an office worker. You won't have to work so
hard anymore."
"Director Xu, I don't really feel like it's hard work. It's the same wherever I go – everyone treats me so well, and being with everyone feels like being with family. Besides, you take care of me so much. If I were to go somewhere else, I wouldn't even know if other leaders would care for me like you do. Director Xu, deep down, I'll actually miss you quite a bit," Su Yu's voice choked up a bit.
"Oh, come on, don't say such silly things. We're still in the same organization, and we'll have plenty of opportunities to meet in the future. Besides, the Trade Union leaders genuinely care about us workers. Wasn't it them who took care of you when you were sick last time?"
Su Yu nodded, a grateful smile on her face. "Yes, that's right. It's because of that, I feel quite content in my heart. If I were to switch to another unit, I'd actually be a bit afraid. But I'm thinking, when I join the Trade Union, maybe I can help our factory in the future. You know, we used to always go to the Trade Union for help when there were issues. From now on, if there's anything going on in our workshop, they can come to me too. This place is like a second home to me."
Hearing Su Yu's words, Director Xu also thought about this point. It's true that having connections makes it easier to hold a position. Although the Trade Union is different from the Factory Committee, they still manage a lot of matters. Especially when it comes to distributing welfare benefits, the Trade Union holds a lot of influence.
"Su Yu, it's great that you have this intention. We
didn't treat you well for nothing in the past."
"The kindness everyone showed me before, I remember it
in my heart. I'll never forget it in my lifetime," Su Yu said with a
smile.
Even though she was about to be transferred, Su Yu didn't
slack off at work. Her work ethic remained the same as usual.
During lunchtime, the Factory Committee issued the transfer order. Su Yu was to be transferred to the Trade Union, taking on the role of a publicity officer.
Upon receiving this transfer order, the entire production
department was shocked.
A textile worker, someone who had been in the trade for over
a decade, was actually being given the chance to be transferred.
This was quite a surprising turn of events, far more
intriguing than hiring someone new from outside. So, soon, the departments
below were all discussing this matter.
When it was time to leave work, Su Yu had just reached the
entrance when Su Xiaozhi rushed over.
"Sis, you're actually going to the Union? Are you really going to the Trade Union?"
He was excited to the point of blushing.
Even Su Dazhi, standing beside him, had an excited look,
with a touch of pride.
After all, being able to sit in an office within the factory
made them feel like junior managers.
In a factory with so many frontline workers, there were only
a few people sitting in the offices. That made those positions quite valuable.
And saying that their elder sister worked at the Trade Union? That also made them feel proud.
Su Yu smiled and said, "I was surprised too. I just
went to the factory this morning, and the Factory Committee called me for a
talk. I was planning to tell you guys about it at lunch."
"Sis, how did you end up at the Trade Union?" Su Dazhi
asked curiously.
Su Yu said excitedly, "I'm not really sure. It seems
like it's because I wrote a few articles before, and they think I can write.
Who really understands the decisions of the leaders, right? But it's a good
thing. Let's have noodle soup at home tonight."
Translator's note: I'm sorry if some of the characters keep changing their gender. Using MTL will keep switching between male or female 😅 . The same goes for the title.
No comments:
Post a Comment