Jia Zhangshi was taken aback by Qin Huairu's words.
At last, she understood what was going on.
It was true—there was no way they could go on living like this.
"Y-you're sure you don't want to run off with that Lin fellow?"
Qin Huairu sighed. "Mom, what are you thinking? Could I possibly compare to a refined young lady like Lou Xiao'e? You know perfectly well how much Lin Zhen dotes on Lou Xiao'e. Would he abandon the mother of his four sons and take a liking to me instead? I just wanted to borrow his money!"
Jia Zhangshi curled her lip. "Then why didn't you tell me beforehand?"
"I never expected you to leave Dongxu behind and follow me!"
"Oh! I forgot about Dongxu! You... you should get to bed early. I need to go to the hospital!"
Jia Zhangshi got up and ran outside.
Qin Huairu hurriedly stopped her. "Wait, Mom!"
"What is it?"
"Since we're already back, get some proper rest tonight. Half your face is still swollen. Dongxu will only worry if he sees it. I'll have Silly Zhu go."
"Silly Zhu would agree? I was yelling at him this morning."
"It's fine. He's Silly Zhu, after all. Just don't scold him anymore in the future."
At that moment, Silly Zhu was in his room, listening to the radio and drinking alone.
The moment he saw Qin Huairu, his whole face broke into a smile.
"Oh, Sister Qin. Have you eaten? Want to have some with me?"
There were two metal lunch boxes on the table.
One held fried peanuts, while the other held scrambled eggs with scallions.
But both were only half full—leftovers Silly Zhu had brought back from the cafeteria.
"Why are you drinking alone? Where's Yu Li?" Qin Huairu asked casually.
"She went to a classmate's house. She won't be back tonight. What, do you need her for something?"
"I need you. Can you help me?" Her expression softened somewhat.
Silly Zhu slapped his chest and curled his lips.
"At Sister Qin's command, it would be my honor!"
Qin Huairu laughed at his words.
"Quit joking around. Go to the hospital and watch over Dongxu for the night. Go on!"
As she spoke, she made to take both lunch boxes, along with the half steamed bun.
Silly Zhu immediately became unhappy at that and hastily pressed both hands down on the lunch boxes.
"That's not fair, Sister Qin! Wasn't your mother-in-law supposed to watch him tonight? I still have work tomorrow!"
"It won't delay your work. Dongxu sleeps soundly at night. Just keep watch in case something happens. There's an empty bed beside him, so you can sleep as usual."
"Th-then... that still won't do! What would I even be going there for?"
"Are you going or not?"
Qin Huairu deliberately put on a fierce expression and stared straight at Silly Zhu.
Silly Zhu wilted on the spot.
"Fine, fine, fine! I'll go, I'll go! At least let me finish eating!"
"Eat what? You're already so fat, and you still want to eat? Bang Geng and Xiao Dang haven't eaten yet. Tomorrow, I'll wash the lunch boxes and bring them to the factory for you."
"Fine, heh heh. Thanks, Sister Qin, for washing my lunch boxes!"
Silly Zhu threw on his cotton coat and jogged all the way toward the hospital.
When Jia Zhangshi saw Qin Huairu bring back two dishes and half a white-flour steamed bun, her stomach growled.
"Where did these dishes come from?"
"Silly Zhu's. Bang Geng, Xiao Dang, come eat. Mom, you should eat too."
Jia Zhangshi smiled awkwardly. "I... I ate at the hospital. I won't eat. Let the children eat first."
"It's fine, Mom. Let the children have the steamed bun. You can eat the mixed-grain cornbread with the dishes."
Jia Zhangshi said happily, "Mm! The two of us can eat together. Since Dongxu won't be working anymore, make sure you keep an eye on Silly Zhu's lunch boxes."
"Don't worry. When the time comes, I'll have Bang Geng go get them directly."
The moment Jia Zhangshi saw something tasty, she changed her attitude completely.
When it came to loving food, she ranked first in the entire Siheyuan.
Fair, plump, and even fatter than Second Elder Liu Haizhong.
Lin Zhen had just finished dinner and was leading his four sons outside, teaching them to recognize the stars in the sky.
When he saw Silly Zhu rush out in a flurry, he could not help smiling. "Silly Zhu, heading to the hospital?"
"Huh? Amazing! How did you know?"
"Grandma Jia still hasn't left home, so someone has to take her place at the hospital. You're the big good person of the courtyard. You must be going to help a family in need."
"Heh heh heh, I help when I can. No more chatting—I need to hurry over."
After Silly Zhu left, Lou Xiao'e smiled and said, "Silly Zhu really can't be praised."
Lin Zhen said, "He likes hearing people praise him. To earn that praise, he can sacrifice himself and his family. Everyone in the courtyard knows his personality. Actually, he knows it himself too. There's nothing to be done about it—he just likes that feeling."
The next day was Saturday.
Once they finished work that day, it would be time to rest.
Director Yang handed Jia Dongxu's workplace injury over to Deputy Director Li to handle.
Deputy Director Li went to the workshop to learn about the situation from the production director.
If production was interrupted, they would have to transfer someone new to fill the position.
After all, Jia Dongxu could no longer return to work.
But considering Jia Dongxu's family situation,
the organization decided to let Jia Dongxu's wife, Qin Huairu, take over his position.
Since Qin Huairu was close to giving birth, the higher-ups gave them several months of leeway.
If production was not delayed during that period and Qin Huairu could eventually come to work, then the matter would be settled.
Otherwise, Jia Dongxu could only be considered laid off early.
Yi Zhonghai happened to overhear their conversation.
Yi Zhonghai's heart stirred.
If Qin Huairu could take over Jia Dongxu's job,
then there was still hope for someone to support him in his old age. The past six years of investment would not have been wasted.
He hurried over and guaranteed, "Deputy Director Li, Director, there will absolutely be no interruption in production at Jia Dongxu's position. Please rest assured!"
Deputy Director Li narrowed his eyes and smiled. "You're Jia Dongxu's master, Comrade Yi Zhonghai, the Level Eight fitter?"
"Yes, that's me."
"Good. Then the production issue at Jia Dongxu's position is yours to handle. If production is delayed, Qin Huairu will not be allowed to start work. It will be your responsibility!"
In truth, Deputy Director Li was just saying it. He liked giving people a sense of pressure.
The decision to let Qin Huairu replace Jia Dongxu had already been made by the higher-ups.
Even if production was delayed for a few days, they would still reserve the position for Qin Huairu.
But those involved could not see the bigger picture, and concern led to confusion.
Yi Zhonghai took it seriously, believing that if the production quota could not be met, Jia Dongxu really would be laid off early.
"Please rest assured, Deputy Director Li. I will definitely guarantee the output of Jia Dongxu's position."
The workshop director said, "It's not enough to guarantee the output of Jia Dongxu's position. You have to maintain the output of your own position too."
"Fine! Rest assured, I can manage it!"
First Elder Yi Zhonghai was a Level Eight fitter with extensive work experience and high production efficiency.
But if he really had to do two people's work, he could not guarantee production.
The reason he dared make such a promise was because he already had someone in mind.
After Deputy Director Li left, Yi Zhonghai went to find Lin Zhen.
"Little Lin, I want to talk to you about something."
"Oh, First Elder? What is it?"
"Ever since you were promoted to engineer, your workload has clearly decreased. It really makes people envious."
Lin Zhen smiled faintly. What game is he playing? Is he trying to butter me up?
"Come on, no position is easy. Engineers have a lot of pressure. Unlike you, we can't just keep our heads down and work without worrying about anything."
"Hahaha, all in all, you still have it easier than us. Your time is much more flexible."
"That's true. As long as everyone meets the technical standards, I have a lot less to worry about."
"Mm. Look, could you do First Elder a favor?"
Lin Zhen narrowed his eyes and smiled faintly. "Old Yi, the two of us are like water bandits crossing a river—don't dog-paddle around it. Just say it. What is it?"
Yi Zhonghai smiled faintly. "You're a smart person, so I won't spell some things out. The factory decided to let Qin Huairu take over Jia Dongxu's position, but she has to wait until after she gives birth, probably three months from now. During that time, production at Jia Dongxu's position must keep up..."
"Hold it!"
Lin Zhen interrupted Yi Zhonghai and asked with a faint smile, "First Elder, what does this have to do with me?"
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