Chapter 389: Shanliang's Moment of Glory

After the meal, Liu's mother and Chunxiao saw Liu's father and Chuxue off.

Because the father and daughter left early, the police station at the commune had not yet opened when they arrived: "Dad, once I'm settled in the city, next time we leave, let's go together; that way, they can give you another checkup."

Liu's father actually thought the same; now that his leg had recovered so well, perhaps the steel plate could be removed early, saving him from constantly worrying about it: "Alright, next time we'll go together."

After the police station opened and the household registration transfer was completed, Liu's father shouldered the bedding roll and walked Chuxue to the roadside to wait for the bus: "When you're away from home, you must protect yourself; if something happens and you can't find anyone to send a message, send a telegram back."

Amid Liu's father's constant chatter, the public bus arrived.

Chuxue took the bedding roll: "Dad, I'm leaving; you go back."

Watching the vehicle depart, Liu's father finally turned back.

His daughter now had an iron rice bowl; though he was happy, his heart held more worry and concern, for he was far from his daughter, unable to reach her if she were bullied, especially since they had no power or influence.

Thinking about these matters, he walked all the way into the village.

Someone saw him entering from the village entrance: "Shanliang, where did you go so early this morning?"

Liu Shanliang did not hide it; after all, his daughter getting a city ration was good news, plus the village gossips had spoken ill of his daughter behind his back many times: "Chuxue got a city job; I just saw her off to the bus."

"What? Chuxue went to the city to work?"

"The county or the city?"

"She went to the city."

"Which factory?"

"The Steel Rolling Mill."

"Which Steel Rolling Mill?"

"The Third Steel Rolling Mill over by Dongzhimen."

"Oh my, that's a ten-thousand-person factory! How did Chuxue get that job?"

"A few days ago she went to the city and happened to help someone, so she got a chance to swap."

Hearing "swap," everyone instantly understood; it must have been a job bought with money. Those nearby who heard the news felt slightly more balanced, yet even so, they were extremely envious: "Brother Shanliang, what position is Chuxue in?"

Hearing the question, Liu's father's face was full of glory: "It's a finance position."

"What? That's so good! That's sitting in an office! Oh my, this is truly great news! In our village, only the village accountant, oh no, the son of the Quanwen family works in the city, and then the second son of the Party Secretary works in the county. Your Chuxue is the third person to eat a fixed ration, and she goes straight into a cadre position; this is unique in the village."

People gathering around to watch, upon hearing "cadre position," began whispering among themselves: "Heavens! That girl Chuxue is truly capable! Not only does she have a job, but she's sitting in an office, and what's more, a cadre position! This is truly extraordinary! Ever since Shanliang split from the family, good news has never stopped coming."

"Wait, that doesn't sound right. Didn't Chuxue pass the exam for the substitute teacher spot at the village school? How did she end up working in the city instead?"

"Are you stupid? How much does a village school pay a month? And it's not even a formal job; how can its benefits compare to those of a state-owned big factory in the city?"

"True. So what happens to the village school job?"

Liu's father quickly spoke up: "I already told the Party Secretary last night; they will discuss how to handle it. My Chuxue going to the city to work means the spot is now open, which is also a good thing."

"Just wait; they'll probably fight to the death over that one spot."

"What's there to fight over? If Chuxue gives up the spot, just let the person who ranked third take it; what's there to say?"

In just half a day, the news that Chuxue had gone to the city to work spread throughout Liushu Village.

(End of this chapter)