Chapter 24: Not That One Cannot, But That One Dares Not

"Why on earth would you choose to sell your job?" Zhou Zhiguo asked once more. "If you are facing any difficulties, you can tell us. You can consider yourself an employee of the lamp factory now."

Although the formal paperwork had yet to be processed, as long as Xu Qinghuan didn't sell the position, she was effectively a staff member.

Xu Qinghuan offered a bitter smile. "Just now, as soon as the exam results were posted at the factory gate, my fiancé and cousin pressured me to hand the position over to her. I haven't even made it home yet. If I go back, I'll be besieged from all sides. No matter how capable I am, I can't be on guard against them twenty-four hours a day."

She was certain that if she remained adamant, the Xu family would likely resort to even more outrageous measures just to remove her as an obstacle.

Zhou Zhiguo sighed. "You could ask the organization for help. I heard your father was a martyr."

Xu Qinghuan nodded. "I appreciate it, but there's no need. It was just a stroke of bad luck that they found out this time. Next time I sit for an exam, I will be much more cautious. With my abilities, I should be able to pass any exam in any industry."

Zhou Zhiguo found it difficult to persuade her further; the girl’s words were rather grating, especially with his own niece, who hadn't passed the exam, sitting right beside them.

Zhou Xinyan, however, was looking at Xu Qinghuan with glowing eyes. She had heard that Xu Qinghuan had scored a perfect mark, and even the experts at the Foreign Translation Bureau couldn't find a single fault in her final translation question.

That was truly incredible!

"For this position, the salary for a regular employee after one year is 42.6 yuan. You know the standard under-the-table pricing for general positions, right?"

It was truly awkward for Zhou Zhiguo, a union leader, to be discussing such matters with Xu Qinghuan.

Xu Qinghuan hadn't expected the position she earned to be classified as a technical role. A regular technical position paid 42.6 yuan, matching the salary of a vocational school graduate upon regularization. In these times, getting into a vocational school was harder than getting into a high school.

Zhou Xinyan couldn't help but tug on her uncle's sleeve. Zhou Zhiguo, feeling somewhat helpless, patted her hand to soothe her and said to Xu Qinghuan, "For this position, we will give you 1,300 yuan, plus some ration coupons. How does that sound?"

Xu Qinghuan knew the Zhou family wasn't lowballing her. Many families wouldn't even be able to afford this position, and even if they could, they might not be able to secure it.

"Thank you very much," Xu Qinghuan replied, dropping the formalities.

Zhou Zhiguo had already borrowed money from the finance department. He handed a thick leather envelope to Xu Qinghuan. She opened it to take a glance; it contained not just money, but also a variety of ration coupons. Without counting them, she tucked the envelope into her canvas messenger bag.

This gesture earned Zhou Zhiguo’s admiration. Such composure was rare. This girl was truly remarkable; his niece had made a very good friend.

***

Since Xu Qinghuan hadn't officially started, the transfer procedures were simple. With Zhou Zhiguo’s assistance, she only needed to sign a few papers, and it was done.

"Huanhuan, thank you!" Zhou Xinyan held Xu Qinghuan’s hands, tears welling in her eyes. "I have a job now, I don't have to go to the countryside. But why don't I feel happy at all?"

Xu Qinghuan’s heart was touched despite herself. "I know your contact information. No matter where I go in the future, I will write to you."

Earlier, she had caught a glimpse of the coupons. Most were national grain coupons, but there were also rare milk coupons and plenty of cloth coupons. It was clear the Zhou family had put thought into this.

"Okay, you have to keep your word," Zhou Xinyan choked out.

"Yes. Go on now; report for work today. An extra day of reporting means an extra day of wages. I have things to attend to, so I'll be going." Xu Qinghuan squeezed her palm. She had grown quite fond of this straightforward friend who lacked any ulterior motives.

Zhou Xinyan watched her walk away until she was out of sight before turning to leave.

"Is your friend already signed up to go to the countryside?" Zhou Zhiguo asked.

Zhou Xinyan’s heart skipped a beat. "Uncle, definitely not! Besides, even if Huanhuan hadn't come in first, this job wouldn't have fallen to me. In that case, no matter how much money I spent, I wouldn't have been able to buy it."

Zhou Zhiguo smiled and ruffled his niece's hair. "You little rascal, trying to pull the wool over my eyes. Your friend is a good person; she's worth befriending!"

"Really?" Zhou Xinyan was so happy she could have jumped for joy. Having her friend validated by her elder meant more to her than being validated herself.

Xu Qinghuan headed straight for the Jiang family home. The original owner of her body had been here once before. At the time, she had been convinced she would marry into the family and had paid close attention to the surroundings, so Xu Qinghuan found the gate without any trouble.

From inside, a pleasant song drifted out from a radio: "If someone asks me, what place is this? I will proudly tell them, this is my hometown..." From time to time, she could hear Mother Jiang humming along.

Mother Jiang was busy cleaning. When she heard the knocking, she asked, "Who is it?"

"It’s me, Auntie Jiang!"

After Xu Qinghuan answered, there was a long silence, though the sounds of cleaning inside didn't stop.

After a while, Mother Jiang came over, opened the door, and asked impatiently, "What are you here for?"

She assumed Xu Qinghuan had come to ask the Jiang family to find her a job.

***

Xu Qinghuan didn't take Mother Jiang’s attitude to heart; it was rare to find someone so hostile toward a future daughter-in-law.

"Auntie Jiang, could we step aside and talk?" Xu Qinghuan smiled. "Of course, if you don't mind the family’s business becoming common knowledge, I don't mind talking right here!"

Privacy in these residential buildings was poor. As soon as Xu Qinghuan arrived, she had already stirred the interest of the neighbors upstairs, downstairs, and next door, who were now craning their necks to look over.

Mother Jiang suppressed her irritation, turned, and went inside. "Come in then!"

Xu Qinghuan entered and shut the door behind her.

The room was kept immaculately clean by Mother Jiang; the floor was polished to the point of reflection.

Xu Qinghuan didn't stand on ceremony and sat down on the sofa. Mother Jiang stood before the coffee table, looking down at her, and snapped, "What are you here for? If you want to discuss a wedding date, there’s nothing to talk about. If you want to talk about calling off the engagement, you can go ahead!"

"If we call off the engagement, are there any conditions?" Xu Qinghuan asked directly.

Mother Jiang was stunned, then let out a scoff. "You’d be willing to call off the engagement? Are you talking nonsense?"

Xu Qinghuan didn't have much time. "Auntie Jiang, if we call it off, what are your conditions?"

"You talking to me is useless," Mother Jiang said. "Have your mother talk to the Jiang family in Yan City."

Xu Qinghuan had expected this result. If Mother Jiang dared to act on her own, the Jiang family in Yan City could force her husband to divorce her.

Mother Jiang had married into the Jiang family by marrying "up." For all these years, she had lived in the Jiang household with extreme humility and constant trepidation.

"Auntie Jiang," Xu Qinghuan said, "Jiang Chengxu is the son you raised. Logically, you should have the most say in his marriage. But right now, whether he gets engaged or divorced, you stand by and watch. It’s not that you can’t, it’s that you don’t dare, isn't that right?"