"Yes, no money, but you definitely owe Director Wei a huge favor."
"Xinyu, why do you need to discuss this with us? This is a good thing. You should know we would definitely agree," Jianqiang spoke up.
"Uncle, Sister Ailing and I are close, I don’t want to harm her. You may not believe it, but I really think this job isn’t worth it; it’s really bad for your health. I don’t want to work myself to death while I’m young just to spend money I haven’t earned on health when I’m old."
"Xinyu, think about it, those are just a few people, not everyone gets that kind of illness. Also, what job has no risk?" Jianqiang asked Jiang Xinyu.
Indeed, I’ve been narrow-minded. If you can earn money and have food to eat, it’s still better than starving.
"I was overthinking it. Since that’s the case, on Monday, Sister Ailing should come to the county with me. But let’s wait until after the New Year to report with Kong Mengjie.
Uncle, Auntie, Sister Ailing, although there’s this opportunity, can we make sure that in the future when Sister Ailing finds someone, it’s not a textile factory worker? I really fear for her health."
"Xinyu, what are you talking about?"
"Xinyu, why do you have this requirement?"
"It’s still the same reason. If both husband and wife work in a textile factory, the risks are even higher."
Jianqiang wondered why this girl was saying this. He had a friend who wanted to introduce someone to Ailing, a worker from the county’s textile factory. He hadn’t mentioned it to his family yet; they didn’t know, and outsiders certainly couldn’t know.
Thinking about having his daughter with a job or finding a son-in-law with a job, Jianqiang couldn’t make up his mind.
"Dad, I also don’t want to find a textile factory worker, Xinyu’s concerns aren’t without reason."
Listening to his daughter’s words, Jianqiang made up his mind. "Fine, no textiles. Today, when I was in the county, a friend actually wanted to introduce someone to Ailing, a team leader from the textile factory workshop.
I hadn’t had a chance to mention it yet, and you guys dismissed it."
Jiang Xinyu and Wang Ailing exchanged a glance under the dim kerosene lamp, thinking of what they talked about a few days ago.
"Dad, won’t there be a problem with that man? He’s a worker living in the county; what couldn’t he find? Why would he look in the countryside?"
"I didn’t really ask that specifically. Your point is something I hadn’t considered. If that’s the case, then this marriage truly can’t happen."
Having decided, Jiang Xinyu went home, escorted by Sun Ermei.
"Auntie, no need, I can find my way home just fine. You should go back, it’s not far anyway."
"Alright, Xinyu. I won’t be polite with you then."
After Jiang Xinyu returned home, the water in the pot was still hot, and she decided to take a bath today.
There are only three days left until Monday. I still need to find the village chief to get an introduction letter. Such a hassle.
Early next morning, Wang Ailing came to find her. They sat on the kang; Jiang Xinyu was reading while Wang Ailing was making shoe soles.
"Xinyu, do you think I really have this opportunity?"
"It’s still uncertain; we’ll know on Monday. Whatever happens, it’s meant to be. Losing it might not be a bad thing either."
"Xinyu, I feel your conversations are sounding more scholarly."
"Right? I feel the same. It’s all about reading more books."
"You, when people say you’re fat, you puff right up."
"Sis, what we should be worrying about is the introduction letter."
"Really, what if they don’t give us one?"
"How would I know? Let’s try later. I’ll take a bag of brown sugar and say it’s for buying toilet paper."
"Not sure, just worry they might not let both of us go. Here’s the plan: I’ll go first, then you can either go in the evening or ask my uncle to take you tomorrow."
"Alright, I’ll go talk to my dad now," Wang Ailing quickly got off the kang, put on her shoes, and ran out.
For lunch, Jiang Xinyu only had a bun and some cabbage heart. Didn’t dare fry any vegetables given the current circumstances.
After resting for a bit post-lunch, she took a bag of brown sugar to the Kong Family.
"Is the village chief at home?"
"Xinyu, come in quickly. What’s up?"
"Village chief, actually, I want to go to the county the day after tomorrow. I forgot to buy toilet paper yesterday, and there’s none left," Jiang Xinyu said softly while lowering her head, showing a girl’s shyness.
"Xinyu, you can’t keep running out every other day."
Jiang Xinyu placed the brown sugar on the table. "Village chief, please help me this time. I really need to go. It’s getting colder, and going out isn’t easy."
"What are you doing?" Kong Zhongyou asked sternly.
"Village chief, I bought this brown sugar in the city. It’s not for you; it’s for my aunt."
Tian Shulan listened from the side, and upon seeing the bag of brown sugar, immediately said, "Dear, the girl’s using toilet paper more, just give Xinyu the introduction letter."
Kong Zhongyou sighed, "Alright, you can’t go out anymore before the New Year."
Jiang Xinyu kept her head down and said nothing.
"Alright, dear, if there’s no reason, who would want to keep going out?"
Satisfied, Jiang Xinyu took the introduction letter and left, coincidentally encountering Kong Mengjie entering the house. She gave her a friendly smile but didn’t say hello, then departed.
"Mom, what was Jiang Xinyu here for?"
"To get an introduction letter."
"Isn’t she still needed in the village? Why is she always going out?"
"When she’s spent all her money, she’ll settle down. I keep telling your dad, if she wants to go out, let her. Why bother controlling so much?"
Upon hearing her mother’s words, Kong Mengjie felt somewhat uneasy. The money Jiang Xinyu spent was her own, a hefty four hundred forty-four yuan—it would take her two years of unpaid labor to earn it.
Jiang Xinyu didn’t return home but went to the Wang Family to tell Wang Ailing that she had secured the introduction letter.
"My dad said he’d go with me tonight and say he’s taking me to visit relatives in the county."
"Alright, let’s go separately that day then. You can wait for me outside the village."
"Hmm, but we don’t have to. We’re close, and if both of us are going to the county, there’s nothing wrong with walking together."
"Alright, together it is. Anyway, once we have jobs, they’ll find out regardless."
Over the next couple of days, the two continued to go to the mountains to gather firewood, Wang Xiaolong tagging along.
"Sis, I won’t use this much. Once we work outside, we won’t stay at home."
"What do they say? What’s the saying?"
"Better safe than sorry."
"Right, exactly. The firewood won’t go bad. Haven’t you seen our yard is piled full?"
"Yeah, it really is. Your family is really hardworking."
"Right? I think so too."
"Sis, I feel you’ve grown much thicker skin."
"Being with you, how could I not learn something?"