Another Night of Chaos

Shortly after Lin Zhen went to work the next day.

Aunt Liu from the neighborhood committee found her way to the door.

"Xiao'e, are you home?"

"Aunt Liu, please come in."

"No, I have to go to another courtyard, I just came to inform you. After deliberation by the neighborhood committee, we've decided to give you an opportunity."

"Really?" Lou Xiao'e was overjoyed upon hearing this.

"Of course, after all, you are a model of positive repentance for the management committee's propaganda."

"Thank you for your concern, Aunt Liu."

"Don't be so polite with me. Prepare yourself. I'll come for you next Monday morning. If you pass the exam, you can start working on the eighth day of the first lunar month next year."

"Okay!"

"Also, about not taking a salary, the director greatly praises your spirit of dedication. However, your salary will be recorded, and you can apply to collect it at any time."

"Okay, we will follow the organization's arrangements. We really don't want the salary."

"That's up to you. I'm leaving now, don't see me out."

As soon as Aunt Liu left, the Second Elder's wife came in.

She had just returned from the market after buying groceries and happened to overhear the conversation between Aunt Liu and Lou Xiao'e.

She pondered, why was Lou Xiao'e going to work at the neighborhood committee?

Could the daughter of a capitalist get a job at the neighborhood committee?

I have to ask Old Liu tonight.

That evening.

Liu Haizhong had just sat down to eat.

The Second Elder's wife asked, "Hey, Old Liu, you said Lou Xiao'e wouldn't have an easy time finding a job because of her background, right?"

Liu Haizhong chuckled disdainfully, "She's looking for a job? Which unit would want her? Don't be fooled by Lin Zhen's popularity at the steel rolling mill; he's actually walking on thin ice."

"It's because of Lou Xiao'e."

"Of course. With a wife from a bad background, he can only bully Silly Zhu and scare Xu Damao."

"Then this morning, I heard Aunt Liu from the neighborhood committee say they were going to let Lou Xiao'e take an exam for the neighborhood committee, and that she could start working next year if she passed."

Liu Haizhong immediately stopped eating upon hearing this.

He frowned, "Little Lin has handled the steel rolling mill and now the neighborhood committee. Could he be planning something big? Does he want to become the Workshop Director?"

The Second Elder's wife said enviously, "Look at him. He's only been in the city for six years and has already become an engineer. If he becomes the Workshop Director, you'll never have any authority in the courtyard! Yi Zhonghai alone suppresses you. With Lin Zhen added, you might end up as the Third Master or Fourth Master!"

Liu Haizhong took a gulp of wine.

He muttered, "He won't be able to climb up in our courtyard! Just you wait and see in a few days."

When Lin Zhen returned home.

He saw his wife, Lou Xiao'e, had prepared dinner and was happily waiting for him with their four sons.

A warm sense of happiness welled up within him.

"Wife, why are you so happy today? Thinking of having another daughter for me?"

Lou Xiao'e smiled, "What are you saying in front of the children? Aunt Liu came today."

"Looking at your expression, it seems there's hope."

"Yes, they want me to take an exam with her next Monday. If I pass, I can start working on the eighth day of the first lunar month next year."

"With your level of education, passing the exam is a sure thing. This means it's practically a done deal. Excellent, this deserves a celebration."

Lou Xiao'e said with a mischievous smile, "I have a bottle of red wine hidden away. Shall we have a drink?"

Lin Zhen smiled slightly, "Since you've challenged me, your husband accepts!"

Lin Dong and Lin Liang, both three years old, clamored, "Dad, we want to drink too."

Lin Guo and Lin Jia, both five years old, said, "That's for adults to drink, not juice. Don't bother Dad and Mom."

"Hahahaha... you are truly my good sons!"

The four children finished eating early.

Lou Xiao'e coaxed them to sleep first.

She closed the door, took out a bottle of red wine from the cabinet, and had a drink with her husband.

They were filled with beautiful fantasies about their future life.

Some families rejoiced, while others worried.

Lin Zhen and Lou Xiao'e, the couple, were having a cozy little drink.

Qin Huairu, leading Bang Geng and Xiao Dang, ate with a defiant air.

Qin Jingru had gone out with Xu Damao again.

Xu Damao returned before five. With nothing else to do, he took Qin Jingru and left.

This made Jia Zhangshi grit her teeth in anger.

Upon arriving at the hospital, she told Qin Huairu.

"My daughter, who hasn't even left home yet, has no manners. I don't know if it's a Qin family tradition or if it's common in the countryside, pfft! She even came to help me watch my child, but she's more at ease than I am!"

This indirect insult, aimed at Qin's family, caused them heartache.

"Mom, please stop talking. I'll have her leave tomorrow!"

"Hmph! It's best if she doesn't come back tonight at all. Going out to a fancy restaurant and not bringing back any food, she's not even as good as Silly Zhu!"

Back home, Qin Huairu ate the food Silly Zhu had brought.

She felt an indescribable blockage in her heart.

Later that night, it was past ten o'clock when Xu Damao finally brought Qin Jingru back.

Both of them looked well-fed and glowing, and Qin Jingru had even changed into a new outfit before going out.

As soon as she entered the house, Qin Huairu asked with a pout, "Where did you go?"

Qin Jingru's smile faded slightly, and she said calmly, "I went out to eat with Damao. Auntie, didn't you come back as soon as you got to the hospital? Bang Geng and Xiao Dang were left alone for at most half an hour. What were you worried about? They were playing in the courtyard, it was fine."

"I'm not saying you weren't watching Bang Geng and Xiao Dang. I'm asking you, what exactly are you and Xu Damao up to?"

"What are we up to? We're dating!"

"Aren't you ashamed? My third uncle and aunt don't know yet, and you're already going out with him?"

"Sister, you have no right to say that to me. Damao and I are just dating, and we're very devoted. Unlike you, who, while with brother-in-law, still has eyes for Silly Zhu!"

Slap!

"What nonsense are you spouting!" Qin Huairu was furious. She never expected her sister to say something like that, it must have been Xu Damao who put her up to it.

Qin Jingru covered her face and cried, "Sister, why are you hitting me?"

Qin Huairu cried, "I'm not your sister, get out!"

"Fine, I'll get out. You asked me to come to the city to help you watch the kids, and now you're kicking me out. I don't care about your family, and I don't want to be a maid!"

Qin Jingru packed her clothes, grabbed her bag, and walked towards the backyard.

Silly Zhu heard the commotion and quickly came over to inquire.

"Sister Qin, what's going on?"

Qin Huairu slumped over the table, crying without speaking.

Bang Geng said, "My mom hit my aunt!"

Xiao Dang said, "Auntie said Mom still thinks about you even though she's with Dad."

"Oh my! Good little Xiao Dang, you mustn't say such things. If your grandma hears this, she'll skin me alive!"

Silly Zhu was genuinely afraid of these words reaching Jia Zhangshi's ears and understood that Xu Damao must have spread this rumor.

"Qin Huairu, stop crying. I'll go check the backyard!"

"Don't do anything! You can just let her leave tomorrow..."

"Just you watch!"

In the backyard.

Xu Damao was flustered.

"You, you, you! Why did you say that? Didn't I tell you? Everyone in the courtyard doesn't mention it, why are you making yourself stand out?"

Qin Jingru pouted, "So what? Didn't you say everyone already knew?"

"Sigh! Even if everyone knows, you can't say it! Hurry up and apologize. Silly Zhu will be here any minute!"

"Xu Damao! Get out here!"

As soon as the words fell, Silly Zhu, rolling up his sleeves, arrived in the backyard.

Second Elder Liu Haizhong's family and the Deaf Old Lady heard Silly Zhu's curses and also came out to watch the spectacle.

Thank you to the friends who give me recommendation votes every day. The new book period is like a small seedling; sunshine and rain are both blessings. Thank you, friends, for your care.