Chapter 31

Far away, dozens of kilometers from here, a tall young man was pushing his bicycle, struggling along the rural path, following a young woman.

Lin Xiang was wearing a thick cotton jacket and pants, with two small braids on her head and a patterned scarf around her neck.

She walked stubbornly ahead, one step at a time, not feeling the cold wind that blew against her cheeks.

Tears fell from the girl's eyes, like jade beads, landing on the thick snow, leaving small pits.

"Xiang, don't cry! If you don't pass this year, there's always next year!" The young man, pushing the bicycle, walked with difficulty, but he paid no attention to it, instead continuously speaking to the girl, occasionally reminding her to be careful of the slippery road.

Lin Xiang wiped her tears, her voice choked with sobs, "I didn't do well on this year's exam! I'll do even worse next year! I heard the questions get harder every year! ... What should I do! Sob sob~~" After a few words, tears began to flow again.

The tall young man sighed, and after a long pause, said, "Xiang, don't worry, there's always a way."

As they approached the commune, Lin Xiang wiped her tears and snot, turned around, and said to the young man, "Zhen Guo, I want to go home. I want to see my parents and my brother! What do you think?"

He Zhen Guo slowly nodded, though there was obvious reluctance in his eyes, he still smiled and said, "Sure, I'll talk to my father and get you some leave. You can go home and visit, it'll be good for you to relax!"

Lin Xiang nodded, a smile finally appearing on her face. She wiped her frozen cheeks, and the two turned onto the dirt road leading to the Hongqi Commune village.

When Lin Qiangsheng and the Chen sisters returned from their exams, they were warmly welcomed by their neighbors. Many people came to their homes, bringing candy from one house and a handful of sunflower seeds from another. Soon, Lin Qiangsheng's family's kang (a traditional Chinese bed) was piled high with such small treats.

"Qiangsheng, how did your exam go? Tell us!" a Master Du asked loudly.

"Yes, we didn't dare to disturb you three when we heard you were taking the college entrance exam. Today, your father told us you finished, so we came to see how you did," another middle-aged woman sitting in a chair said with a smile.

Lin Qiangsheng's father had become the captain of the production workshop, equivalent to the deputy factory manager, though it wasn't an official title yet. The workers knew that Lin Xiangrong was sure to take over as factory manager.

Zheng Yongmin was getting older and less energetic, and was gradually stepping down.

Chang Yuanting would naturally take over as the new head, and then Lin Xiangrong would become the factory manager.

The workers were cleverly currying favor, knowing that now was the time to get close. They all came to visit, and even those who didn't enter the house brought gifts.

Lin Qiangsheng smiled and said, "Thank you, Uncle and Aunties. I think I did well, hehe, thank you all!"

Master Du laughed loudly, "Hey, the kid is being modest. If you can pass, you can pass. What do you mean by 'I think I did well'?"

Everyone laughed at his words. Although what Lin Qiangsheng said wasn't entirely true, no one pressed for more details.

Lin Xiangrong came out of the kitchen with a large teapot and poured tea for everyone, using bowls when there weren't enough cups.

"Thank you all, have some tea, have some tea..." Lin Xiangrong, being honest and simple, didn't know how to handle such a scene. Everyone was so热情, and they all brought gifts. He smiled and exchanged pleasantries with everyone.

The masters chatted for a while, and the topic gradually shifted to the city's plan to assign workers to the factory.

"I think the city's plan to assign workers is right. Our factory has too much work to handle now."

"Eh? Old Du, why are you saying that?! What do you mean by 'right to assign workers'? Are you willing to share all the good things with everyone?" another master with a black face immediately called out.

"Old Zhang, let me finish! My point is, the city should assign fewer people, definitely not more than a thousand! That's my opinion, what do you all think?" Old Du started, and everyone immediately began to discuss, some nodding, some shaking their heads, and some sighing.

When there were no benefits, of course, the more people working, the better, so they could do less work. Now, with better treatment in the factory, they often received good things like oil, grain, side dishes, cloth, sugar, and canned food, which were scarce on the market.

Everyone could see that the car factory had a bright future, so they naturally wanted to protect this benefit. With more people in the factory, the benefits would be divided, and no one would be willing!

Everyone chimed in, and finally, the topic came to Lin Xiangrong. They all suggested that Lin Captain should advise the factory manager and director to reflect their concerns to the higher-ups.

Lin Xiangrong could only soothe them, "I will convey everyone's opinions to Factory Manager Chang and Director Zheng, but they have to follow the provincial government's decisions. I can only suggest it to the higher-ups, we can't alienate the leaders!"

"Ah! That's true..." Everyone listened to Lin Xiangrong and felt it made sense.

Whatever the leaders said, the workers would follow. Unlike a few years ago, the leaders' authority had been re-established.

Seeing his father stumped by a small issue, Lin Qiangsheng immediately started thinking and began to help his father come up with a solution.

"Clap!" Lin Qiangsheng's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands. The workers were immediately drawn to Lin Qiangsheng, who was sitting on the kang.

The black-faced Master Zhang, an electric welder with some burn marks on his face, asked, "High-achiever, we're discussing a troubling issue here, why are you sitting on the kang and smiling?"

Everyone looked at Lin Qiangsheng.

Lin Qiangsheng sat cross-legged and looked around at the masters. Seeing his father, Lin Xiangrong, glaring at him, he turned and smiled at everyone, "Masters, I have a question for you."

Some masters called out, "Qiangsheng, go ahead!"

Lin Qiangsheng said loudly, "Masters, what kind of people are the city assigning to the factory? Do you know?"

"Of course, they are people without jobs and some poor families," Master Zhang said loudly, adding uncertainly.

"What poor families, I think they are all connections!" someone in the crowd said indignantly.

"Yes, yes!..." Everyone agreed, nodding. Only a fool wouldn't know who would be assigned.

Lin Qiangsheng laughed and clapped his hands.

Lin Xiangrong scolded, "What are you playing at? Just tell Uncle and Aunties what you have to say!"

"Oh." Lin Qiangsheng shrugged and said, "Uncle and Aunties, since the city is assigning people without jobs, it's easy to handle!"

"Let me ask, do you all have unemployed relatives? Are your children all employed? Are there any idle at home?"

"Oh?! Yes!" Master Zhang slapped his thigh and shouted loudly.

"Hey, damn it! Whose thigh did you slap!" The person next to him was unlucky, getting hit by Master Zhang's hand.

"Sorry, sorry! Old Yao. I'm used to welding, and I often move my hand like this, I didn't realize I hit your thigh!" Master Zhang rubbed his hands and said.

Everyone laughed, and they suddenly realized, "Right, since they are all connections, why bring in people from outside! We have unemployed people at home! Our children are still idling around!"

If not at home, then in the countryside! Some children are still working the land for the country, repairing the earth for humanity!

"Yes! We should ask the factory for quotas. Why should outsiders come in while our children can't?"

"Right, right! Old Zhang is right! Let's go to the factory manager and director and talk it out! My child is still selling roasted sweet potatoes on the street!" a middle-aged woman called out from the back.

Inspired by Lin Qiangsheng, everyone immediately realized that the sooner they acted, the better. If they waited, things might change!

The workers quickly left, all going back to gather people to go to the factory to talk to the manager and director.

"Hehe..." Lin Qiangsheng watched everyone with a smile.

"You, you little brat! Look what you've done!" Lin Xiangrong saw that everyone was planning to cause trouble at the factory.

He immediately realized the seriousness of the situation. Lin Xiangrong was so anxious that his head was almost smoking, but his son was still sitting on the kang, smiling foolishly!

"Uh... Ah?!" Lin Qiangsheng was stunned, his mind racing, and he slapped his thigh.

"Oh, damn, I got too excited!"

Lin Qiangsheng realized that he had been so caught up in the excitement of the exam and his excellent performance that he had lost control of his emotions and suggested this idea to everyone!

This was going to cause a big problem!

Lin Qiangsheng thought deeply and immediately regretted it, "Damn, I seem to have gotten myself into a big mess!"

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