Qin Jingru Inquires About Opportunities

The next day, as soon as work started.

Yi Zhonghai learned about the special treatment the factory was giving Qin Huairu's family.

No matter how he thought about it, he felt he had lost out by finding Lin Zhen to take over earlier. It seemed that even if he hadn't meddled, Qin Huairu could have taken Jia Dongxu's position.

Had he worried for nothing? And had Lin Zhen ripped him off?

While chatting with the Workshop Director, he brought up Qin Huairu's situation intentionally or unintentionally.

"Alas, Director, you say Jia Dongxu's passing was so sudden, leaving behind a wife, three children, and an old mother. Truly, life is unpredictable."

The Director nodded, "Indeed. Most importantly, the youngest child is only one or two months old. The factory is taking this matter very seriously."

"It's a good thing the factory let Qin Huairu take over Jia Dongxu's position. Otherwise, it wouldn't be easy for the two women in the Jia family to raise three children."

"Haha, the factory knows their family's difficulties. The organization considered it at the time. The day after Jia Dongxu was injured at work, Director Yang said that no matter what, Qin Huairu must take over Jia Dongxu's position."

"Ah?! This... is that so?" Yi Zhonghai was instantly stunned.

The Workshop Director looked at him in surprise, "Lao Yi, what's wrong with you? Your face has changed color."

Yi Zhonghai snapped back to reality and gave a dry laugh, "It's nothing. I was just thinking about how Deputy Director Li said that if production couldn't keep up, Jia Dongxu would have to be laid off early."

"Hahahaha, you know Deputy Director Li's personality. He always likes to put pressure on people. Pressure is motivation!"

After the Workshop Director left, Yi Zhonghai was left dumbfounded.

He finally understood. He had originally intended to morally blackmail Lin Zhen into helping him work for Jia Dongxu for free.

But in the end, he had worried for nothing and was instead ripped off by Lin Zhen for three months' salary.

Not only did he lose his salary, but the credit and reputation went to Lin Zhen.

Furthermore, he couldn't publicize this matter. Otherwise, his image as a good old man would turn into that of a hypocrite who schemes against the elderly for support.

Before, he just felt he had suffered a silent loss. Now, it seemed he had become a complete sucker.

"Lin Zhen, tell me the truth. Did you really not know that Qin Huairu could take over Jia Dongxu's position no matter what?"

Yi Zhonghai found Lin Zhen and asked with a grave tone.

Seeing his expression, Lin Zhen knew that this 'moral benchmark' had finally figured it out.

He then smiled faintly, "First Elder, we live in the same courtyard and work in the same workshop. I don't know more than you. What's up? Did you hear some new information? Share it with me."

Yi Zhonghai frowned, "Hmph, keep pretending. Next time something happens, don't expect me to find you again!"

"Oh dear! First Elder, I've been waiting for you to say that. You must keep your word. If anything happens next time, go find Silly Zhu!"

Yi Zhonghai snorted coldly and left, heading to Ma Hua's workstation.

He asked kindly, "How is it, Ma Hua? Are you getting used to it?"

Ma Hua smiled, "It's okay. In about a month, I'll be back in the kitchen. Whether I'm used to it or not, I'll just treat this as training."

"Do you know how much Jia Dongxu's salary was per month?"

"I know. He was a first-class fitter, earning 33 a month."

"Haha, good. And how much do you earn a month?"

Yi Zhonghai intended to cause trouble.

Even though he didn't dare to say directly that his monthly salary was given to Lin Zhen, he wanted to stir up Ma Hua's dissatisfaction.

At least Ma Hua was currently filling in for a first-class fitter but earning a lower wage.

Unexpectedly, Ma Hua was completely loyal to his master and understood the implication of Yi Zhonghai's words.

He said calmly, "Master Yi, you can't compare directly. I'm here to help temporarily, not as a real first-class fitter. The production output and skill level are too different. I'm just an apprentice chef who chops vegetables in the kitchen. Please don't instill any concepts of salary in me. I just want to learn my master's cooking skills and am not interested in anything else!"

Yi Zhonghai pursed his lips and gave an awkward smile, "Good, you understand dedication. You're a role model for young people. Keep up the good work."

"Yes, alright!"

During lunch, Ma Hua quickly told Lin Zhen about this.

Lin Zhen found it amusing. With just a few words from Yi Zhonghai, he thought he could sway Ma Hua?

In the original story, Ma Hua's devotion to Silly Zhu was no less than Silly Zhu's devotion to Qin Huairu. It could be said that he had reached the level of a sycophant.

Now that he had taken him as a disciple, his loyalty to him was like that of a brainless fan.

Yi Zhonghai should just give up. Since he tried to morally blackmail me, he deserved to lose three months' pay.

Lin Zhen smiled, "Just treat it as playing around in the workshop. When you return to the kitchen, I'll teach you another dish and pass on my techniques for chopping and flipping."

"Yes, Master. I'll treat this as tempering my character!"

In the Siheyuan, in the afternoon, Qin Jingru quietly came to the Jia family's home.

She stood at the door, peeking inside, and asked, "Sister, are you home?"

"Oh! What wind blew you from the back courtyard to here?" Qin Huairu asked faintly.

"Hehe, can I come in, Sister?"

Qin Huairu said disdainfully, "Who said we wouldn't let you in? You're the one who cut off our path."

Jia Zhangshi, who was mending shoe soles, also pouted and said, "You're asking for a favor, aren't you?"

Qin Jingru slipped into the room and asked with an embarrassed smile, "Sister, I have something to ask you."

"What is it?"

"What kind of reactions did you have when you were pregnant with Bang Geng?"

Qin Huairu glanced at Qin Jingru's belly, then at her nervous expression, and immediately understood.

She asked with a cold laugh, "You're not pregnant?"

Qin Jingru nodded.

Qin Huairu said indifferently, "It's normal not to get pregnant the first month. Let's see next month. Don't scare yourself by being overly suspicious."

Qin Jingru worried, "But Damao is waiting for me to give him twin sons. If he finds out I'm not pregnant, he'll definitely criticize me. Sister, can you teach me a trick for having twins?"

Qin Huairu was amused by her, and laughed, "In this courtyard, if you want to have twins, you should ask Lou Xiao'e. She's had two sets already! Besides, Lin Zhen knows medicine, he knows more than I do!"

"But isn't she working at the neighborhood committee office? By the time she and Lin Zhen get off work, Damao will also be off work. I'm afraid Damao will find out if I go ask."

"Tch, what's there to be afraid of? It's fine even if you bring Xu Damao along to ask."

"Then... then I won't. I'll ask her myself tonight."

After Qin Jingru left in disappointment, Jia Zhangshi sneered, "Xu Damao has done too many wicked things, it's no wonder he'll... "

"Mom!"

Qin Huairu quickly interrupted her mother-in-law's curse, "Stop talking, Jingru hasn't gone far yet."

After work, Lin Zhen and Lou Xiao'e picked up their four sons and brought them home.

Just as they were about to start cooking together, Qin Jingru arrived at the door and asked with a smile, "Cooking?"

Lou Xiao'e smiled, "Yes, why are you so free?"

"I came to ask you something."

Lin Zhen teased, "What is it? If it's a secret between women, I'll excuse myself."

"Oh, oh, oh, no need, no need. You can ask him too."

"Alright, go ahead!"

"That... that... uh..."

"Just say it, why are you being so vague?" Seeing Qin Jingru's shyness, Lin Zhen found it amusing and guessed the general idea.

As expected, after much hesitation, Qin Jingru whispered, "How can I also have twin sons? My period came this month, it seems I'm not pregnant!"

Pfft

Lin Zhen and Lou Xiao'e couldn't help but burst into laughter. Qin Jingru's question was indeed very direct.