Chapter 386: What Happened

After a hasty meal, Liu's mother deliberately assigned Chunxiao the task of washing the dishes, so as to dodge her urging Liu's father to take Liu Chuxue to get the certificate issued at once, afraid something else might go wrong.

Figuring that at this hour the branch secretary's family should also have finished dinner.

Liu Chuxue entered the room carrying a dozen or so peaches: "Dad, take these along. It's not proper to show up empty-handed when asking someone for a favor."

Liu's father, seeing his daughter had everything ready, nodded and said: "Alright."

With the household register tucked on them, father and daughter stepped out into the night.

Chunxiao, washing dishes in the kitchen, heard the movement: "Mom, where are my dad and my second sister going?"

Before things were settled, she naturally wouldn't tell the truth: "To talk to your Grandpa Branch Secretary about the village-school teacher matter."

This wasn't really a lie either — since she'd been hired by the steel-rolling mill, the spot at the village school had to be explained to them in advance, and in a few days she'd be going to the Education Bureau for training, so they could make other arrangements.

When they arrived, the branch secretary's family had just finished clearing the bowls and chopsticks: "What brings you father and daughter over?"

Liu's father pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, drew out two, handed one to the branch secretary, and tucked one in his own mouth: "We came over today because we have something to discuss with you."

Saying so, he took out a match from his pocket and lit the branch secretary's cigarette.

Liu Chuxue then handed the peaches she was carrying to Liu Zhiyuan: "I got some peaches when I went into town today. Take them and wash them so everyone can have a taste."

The branch secretary's wife wore a smile: "Whatever good thing you get, you always think of our Zhiyuan. Third Grandma really thanks you."

Liu Chuxue smiled lightly: "It's mutual — whenever Zhiyuan has something good, she thinks of me too."

For a moment, everyone in the room burst out laughing.

Seeing they had something to discuss, the rest of the family, after tidying up, all found excuses and left the main room.

The branch secretary took a drag of his cigarette, then asked: "Go on, what is it?"

Though excited, Liu's father found it a bit hard to speak up — after all, it had been clearly agreed she'd teach at the village school, and now he had to go back on that.

Liu Chuxue spoke up at this point: "Let me say it instead."

The branch secretary's face was full of puzzlement: "What happened?"

Liu Chuxue gave a small cough: "Grandpa Branch Secretary, I'm afraid I won't be able to take the village-school job. I'm afraid I'll still have to trouble you to make arrangements with the principal for someone else."

Hearing this, the branch secretary wondered if he was hearing things — a job she'd worked so hard to land, and now she didn't want it: "What happened?"

Liu Chuxue naturally had no intention of hiding it from the branch secretary, though she phrased it differently: "Grandpa Branch Secretary, today when I went into town to handle some business, I happened to come across the steel-rolling mill holding a recruitment exam, so I signed up and took it. I didn't expect to actually pass."

Saying so, she handed over the acceptance letter issued by the Personnel Section: "I'll still have to trouble Grandpa Branch Secretary to write me a certificate and put an official seal on it."

Looking at the bright red official seal on the acceptance letter, the branch secretary's face was full of excitement: "Oh my, this is a blessing from heaven. This can even transfer the household registration — from now on you'll be a proper worker."

But when he read clearly which department it was, he suddenly raised his head: "Finance Section One — you, you, you — it's not the workshop, it's an office job?"

Liu Chuxue smiled and nodded: "Yes."

The branch secretary sprang to his feet in a flash: "This is incredible — I never expected you, girl, to have this kind of ability. That's a cadre position! You've really made Willow Village proud."

Holding that acceptance letter, it took the branch secretary quite a while to calm down: "This is a matter for life — it has more future than working at the village school. After all, people aim higher. I'll go ahead and handle the paperwork for you right now."

The three of them talked as they headed out the door, straight for the village committee.

(End of chapter)