Chapter 127

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

"Group Leader Shen, Group Leader Shen"

Shen Yao, dressed in a white uniform, had just finished the work at hand when she heard someone calling her from behind.

She turned her head, the corners of her lips lifting in a practiced smile, "Comrade Xu, you've come."

Xu Fengnian nodded briskly, a head of clean, neat short hair being her trademark, "If Group Leader Shen isn't busy, come with me to the room for a chat."

Shen Yao naturally had no problem; she certainly wasn't busy with a promotion and raise.

"Group Leader Shen, the last time we talked was three years ago.

In the blink of an eye, both Group Leader Shen and I have undergone some changes."

Xu Fengnian found it marvelous; back then she was mainly responsible for Zhou Shujuan's promotion matter, and questioning Shen Yao was merely a routine official procedure.

As a result, because of Zhou Shujuan's promotion, the vacated position also allowed Shen Yao to smoothly become a group leader in the team.

Three years have passed, and under Shen Yao's indirect help, the canning factory expanded two independent production lines.

The purpose of her visit this time was to exceptionally recruit Shen Yao as the deputy group leader of the new workshop.

If not for Shen Yao being truly too young, she could even have handled the group leader position.

After all, what Shen Yao brought to the factory were tangible benefits.

"Since ancient times heroes emerge from youth; Group Leader Shen, your performance over these three years has been outstanding, the organization has seen it all, and now, after a unanimous vote by several factory directors and deputy directors, you are formally promoted to Deputy Group Leader of the Canning Factory's Fifth Workshop.

Hope Group Leader Shen can continue to perform in the new post, creating even more benefits for the canning factory."

Xu Fengnian stood up and shook hands with Shen Yao.

Originally, this trip was just a formality; regarding this appointment, it had been designated for Shen Yao from the moment the position became vacant.

No other reason; faced with an outstanding comrade, shouldn't the best reward be given?

Shen Yao stood up and returned the handshake with Xu Fengnian's outstretched hand, smiling as she expressed that she would certainly not disappoint the factory's regard, would strive to exert her due role, and continue to create value for the factory.

With this brief talk concluded, the news of Shen Yao's appointment also spread rapidly throughout the factory.

It was just going to the canteen for lunch, and Shen Yao received all sorts of congratulatory voices.

The smile on her face undiminished, Shen Yao took a moment to rub her face, deeply feeling her muscles a bit sore; smiling for too long is also tiring.

"Group Leader Shen, congratulations on your promotion," a familiar voice came from ahead; Shen Yao looked up, her smile becoming a bit more genuine.

"It's all because the leaders favored me," Shen Yao waved her hand, concerned about the other's belly, "Six or seven months along, why didn't you apply to have someone cover your shift?"

Cheng Bing shook her head, "It's fine, my body can still handle it; originally I planned to have someone cover my shift after this month ends."

Shen Yao gave an "mm," "Health is most important; the work at the canning factory isn't light, the bigger the belly gets, the more you have to mind the child inside."

Cheng Bing smiled especially easily, "Right, Jinbao and Mom both say so."

Back then Cheng Bing worked hard for several months, finally living up to expectations and passing the exam for the factory's temporary worker position.

With a job, Cheng Bing's romantic path also went smoothly; now she and Zhao Jinbao's child is about to be born, and she is more vibrant and radiant than when Shen Yao first married over.

"Sister Zhao cares for you all; Jinbao isn't bad either, heard he's doing very well in the Machinery Factory's Security Section, Xie Ci'an said when he came back that leaders always praise him."

Cheng Bing's face bloomed with smiles; her mouth complained that Zhao Jinbao works too rigidly, but her heart also took pride in Zhao Jinbao.

Shen Yao watched, feeling moved inside; this was the marriage that came about by a twist of fate back then, who would have thought three years later, their life would be properly good.

Because Cheng Bing was pregnant, standing for long periods isn't good for a pregnant woman, the two only exchanged a few simple sentences before parting ways.

Shen Yao turned her head to gaze at Cheng Bing's retreating figure, similarly thinking of her own biological sister Cheng Xue, who was worlds apart.

These years, Cheng Xue also gave birth to a child, only the child bears the surname Zhang, has always been raised in the Zhang family without a word, and the Zhang family still won't let Cheng Xue bring the child to the Cheng family.

Because of the child's matter, the Cheng family and the Zhang family quarreled fiercely, almost every few days they'd have a row in the courtyard.

Not just the Cheng family; across the way the Qian family isn't quiet either; Qian Jian'gang's wife Pan Laidi gave birth to a child, but the child's constitution is weak and hasn't been raised well.

Every time Miao Cuilan wants to give the child some tonic supplements, it gets secretly taken back to her natal home by Pan Laidi.

Infuriating Miao Cuilan into scolding and beating Pan Laidi many times; now she's even made up her mind to make Qian Jian'gang and Pan Laidi divorce.

To this day the divorce hasn't succeeded; the Pan family also sends people to make trouble.

Stirring things up so that Qian family's second brother Qian Jianjun, in his twenties, still hasn't married.

Fortunately, Qian family's third brother Qian Jian'guo went down to the countryside as a sent-down youth last year, and is temporarily not at home; otherwise Miao Cuilan would probably be even more stifled with worry.

Having spoken of the two most tumultuous families in the courtyard, the remaining Zhao family and Zhou family appear mediocre by comparison.

The Zhao family's Zhao Meizhi works at the Machinery Factory; Zhao Jinbao and Cheng Bing have a good relationship; Zhao Yinbao also successfully married a pretty wife last year.

Although this pretty wife is of rural origin and has no job, Zhao Yinbao likes her, so Zhao Meizhi can only let it be.

The two younger ones, Zhao Yuanbao and Zhao Laibao, continue schooling; older and more sensible now, they no longer attract annoyance like when they were little.

The Zhou family continues living a slovenly life; the only difference is Zhou Tiedan has reached the age to go down to the countryside this year, and is at home acting stubborn, demanding to get a job.

In the Zhou family, besides the elderly couple, only the three sons have jobs.

Zhou Tiedan most likely can only get the cleaning job that Zhou Dama currently does.

But Zhou Dama's youngest son just got engaged; the new daughter-in-law is also marrying for the job, so a fight is estimated to break out.

Shen Yao stretched out a hand to touch her chin, suddenly feeling that she'd lived in the courtyard for three years, and seemingly these messy gossip matters haven't decreased one bit.

Still the same people living there, but every day is different, every month has news; it's enough to make one sigh with emotion.

……

"Group Leader Shen, off work and heading home?"

"Yeah."

"Comrade Shen, congratulations on your promotion, and may you achieve even greater success."

"Working together, serving the factory."

"......"

Pushing her bicycle out, Shen Yao finally shook off the crowd behind her and let out a very relaxed breath.

Not easy, not easy at all—once she got promoted, everywhere she turned were acquaintances.

Even Shen Yao herself didn't know that her personal connections at the canning factory were so strong.

Ling ling ling—ling ling ling——

The sound of a bicycle bell came in from outside the courtyard, also waking up the few children playing in the yard.

Tuan Tuan Xie Weisi, Yuan Yuan Xie Weizhao, two cute little dolls dressed in fresh light blue-and-white checkered clothes, standing there just like the auspicious children in New Year paintings.

"The bell rang, Mommy's back."

Yuan Yuan wore her hair in cute buns, clapping her little hands there, babbling away.

Tuan Tuan scrunched up his face, seriously explaining to his own sister that just because the bell rang didn't mean Mommy was back, and Daddy and the others also rode bicycles.

Yuan Yuan had a cute expression and a very insistent tone, "It's Mommy."

Tuan Tuan:......

Tuan Tuan sighed like a little adult, "What the book says isn't wrong; women always like to be emotional," they should learn to analyze things rationally.

"Mommy"

Yuan Yuan's voice suddenly rose, and she darted out like a little rabbit.

Tuan Tuan's heart, halfway through his analysis, suddenly stopped, and then he also ran over on his short little legs.

By now Yuan Yuan had already hugged Shen Yao's leg and was telling Mommy on her brother.

Tuan Tuan was a bit annoyed, "Yuan Yuan, don't talk nonsense, I was just rea-"

"Hmph! It's not true, Brother doesn't believe Mommy is back, but Yuan Yuan really believes it."

Tuan Tuan:......

Tuan Tuan felt a bit wronged; he opened his big eyes like black grapes and decided not to argue with his sister.

Yuan Yuan didn't care what Tuan Tuan thought at all; the things little children ponder are always very simple.

Smiling as she hugged her own mother's leg, Yuan Yuan was like a victorious little princess, walking forward with her chest out and head high.

Shen Yao:......

Every day when Shen Yao came home, her two little troublemakers made her laugh.

Signaling to Tuan Tuan to hold his sister's hand and not let go, Shen Yao first parked her bicycle, then took out the fruit canned food she had bought back.

"Go inside and eat canned food with Mommy; you two can only eat half a can each."

This was newly arrived peach canned food; although the peaches were a bit small and a bit astringent, after adding plenty of sugar and honey, the taste was very good.

If it weren't for Shen Yao's promotion today, Xiao Deng from the Logistics Department had specially saved two bottles for her as a congratulatory gift, Shen Yao wouldn't have been able to buy any.

Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, upon hearing there was canned food to eat, immediately became happily unable to contain themselves, the two of them circling Shen Yao, shouting "Good Mommy" over and over.

Shen Yao:...... Where did they learn those words? It really opened her eyes.

Scooping open the canned food with a spoon, Shen Yao brought round bowls and divided it for them; as for the remaining half, she gave it to the grown-up brothers Shitou and Muto next door.

As for Duoduo at Second Young Master's house, she had already moved out to live in a tongzilou last year; since she didn't live in the courtyard and her home was already raising several big and small gluttons, even if Shen Yao wanted to save some, she couldn't get the other party to come back.

Tian Na advised Shen Yao not to spoil the children too much, "A bottle of canned food costs several yuan; hurry up and stop buying."

These past few years, although the family earned a bit more money, the expenses for adding family members and imports were also large.

In order to better take care of the several people at home, Tian Na put in an unknown amount of money as a subsidy every month.

For this reason, Wu Zhaodi and Shen Yao had both said they could appropriately increase the food money they turned over to the family.

Whether it was Wu Zhaivi's two gradually growing sons, or Shen Yao's newly added dragon-phoenix twins, they were all gold-devouring beasts who could eat and drink.

But in the end, it still wasn't increased; Tian Na felt that she and Xie Shangjin could still earn money, and when they could no longer hold on, they could talk about it again then.

The elders at home were all like this; even if they didn't eat well themselves, they would still subsidize their children.

Shen Yao could only try to buy more food back in daily meals; Wu Zhaodi's family didn't have as much money as Shen Yao's family, but she could contribute labor, and for these two years, the work in the Xie family was basically done by Wu Zhaodi.

"That's right, younger sister-in-law, Shitou and Muto are already grown up; there's no need to save canned food for them, just give it all to Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan to eat."

Tonight at home they were eating steamed buns; Wu Zhaodi was kneading dough and mixing filling.

"Eldest Sister-in-law, Shitou and Muto are still small; if they don't eat the canned food brought back, it would be a waste."

Shen Yao washed her hands, and while speaking, she wanted to help Tian Na and the others with work, but was directly stopped by Wu Zhaodi.

"Hurry up and don't get your hands sticky; I'll finish in a few strokes, younger sister-in-law, you just stand there."

"Right, you just got off work; rest first. The work at home is handled by me and your sister-in-law."

Shen Yao:......

What could Shen Yao do? It really wasn't that she was lazy; it was just that the family had no use for her.

The unneeded Shen Yao felt happily content in her heart, just standing by the side and occasionally helping to pass small items.

Taking this opportunity, she also mentioned her promotion, and casually brought up that she might go on a business trip in a month.

A business trip?!

Tian Na even forgot to tend the fire by the stove, "Going to the countryside?"

Wu Zhaodi didn't speak, but her perked-up ears showed she was listening.

"Mm, going to inspect the origin of raw materials; the canning factory has opened two production lines, so we need to pay more attention."

At least the opened production lines can't be wasted; the canning factory is counting on them to make money.

Tian Na made an "oh" sound and continued asking, "Is the place far?"

Shen Yao waved her hand, "Not far, just that Northeast area; about half a month and I'll be back."

Actually called a visit and inspection, it was more about receiving an invitation to go and observe.

This matter was something Shen Yao had mentioned to Zhao Yueyue in her New Year's letter before the New Year.

Based on this, both sides had already established a very deep cooperative relationship.

Next, it was about constantly finding opportunities to deepen each other's contact, making this cooperation unbreakable.

That is why today Shen Yao got a promotion, and there is also the upcoming inspection trip.

"Mm, you can go with peace of mind; we'll take care of the two children at home, it's nothing."

Tian Na felt that Shen Yao going out was a good thing; as a leader, she should go out more to look around.

Otherwise, how would those money-making ideas come up? They all come from using one's brain.

After listening, Wu Zhaodi also envied Shen Yao's ability; she couldn't do it, the only things she could rely on in this life were her two sons Shitou and Mumu, and she was destined to be a temporary worker.

"Go, go, go, what temporary worker fate? I think you're just too lazy to try."

How many temporary workers at the Machinery Factory successfully become regular employees, why is it that on your side this doesn't work and that doesn't work?

Tian Na pointed at Wu Zhaodi and scolded her in annoyance, also meaning she was disappointed that she hadn't lived up to expectations.

Clearly a good starting point, but after struggling for decades, she's still at the starting point.

Tian Na:...

Tian Na was driven mad by Eldest Brother and his wife; one was foolish and one was lazy, and the two sons they bore were both foolish and lazy, truly admirable.

Shen Yao listened to Tian Na's disdain and looked at Wu Zhaodi's indifferent expression, thinking to herself that indeed the biggest oddball in the whole Xie Family was Eldest Sister-in-law.

However, everyone has their own aspirations; Eldest Sister-in-law is just like this, although she is lazy, she is quite good to others, and she will do the housework that should be done.

So don't look at Tian Na speaking with enthusiasm; actually, this kind of conversation between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law has happened countless times, and as for the result? There is no result.

At dinner in the evening, the family sat together, and Shen Yao told the story of her promotion and business trip again.

Shen Yao accepted all the same praise, and at the same time subtly revealed that this time she went out, she would bring gifts for everyone.

Wow~

Hearing this, except for Xie Ci'an being reluctant, including the two children, everyone looked forward to Shen Yao's business trip.

As for not seeing each other for half a month? Hmph, these are all small matters.

Xie Ci'an:...

"Really going on a business trip? Can't you not go?"

At night when it was dark, Shen Yao coaxed the two children to sleep, put on her own pajamas and got into bed, and before she could even lie down, she heard Xie Ci'an's resentful voice from behind.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao helplessly said, "Comrade Xie, the two children Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan are not as clingy as you."

Xie Ci'an hugged Shen Yao, holding her in his arms, "They are still young," who knows how good a wife is.

As long as he thought that he wouldn't see his fragrant and soft wife for half a month, Xie Ci'an felt sour to no end.