Chapter 176: 90: Quan Shui Family Chapter 176 Buying Out Work Seniority, Aunt Da Forced into Early Retirement

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Lin Xiyu

Hu Nainai patted her hand affectionately, eyes full of gratitude: "If it weren't for your promotion in the Quan Shui Family Documentary, so many people wouldn't care about us old craftsmen, and paper-cutting wouldn't have received such unprecedented attention."

"This is all thanks to Director Du and the others..."

Lin Xiyu smiled humbly: "I'm just a guest-playing bit part."

"You rarely come once, don't just talk without practicing."

Guben teased with a smile: "Hurry up and learn more craft from the master. When Hu Nainai's story is turned into a book and a TV series, you can also bask in the glory and boast about it outside. You are Hu Nainai's eldest disciple, the inheritor of paper-cutting."

"Ay ay."

Lin Xiyu felt embarrassed: "This eldest disciple of mine is just in name only. I dare not go around boasting and embarrass Hu Nainai."

"Want to learn this pattern?"

Once Hu Nainai mentioned paper-cutting, she immediately became spirited.

"Want to."

Lin Xiyu gave very strong support.

"Grandma will teach you."

Hu Nainai smiled with relief, picked up scissors and red paper, and began teaching the craft.

Lin Xiyu calmed down, imitating Hu Nainai's movements, cutting step by step.

Her movements were a bit clumsy, but her attitude was very sincere, focused and serious, making people unable to help but be fascinated by her.

A glimmer of brightness flashed in Guben's eyes. He reached out and tucked a few stray, playful strands of hair behind her ear.

An hour passed in a flash. Lin Xiyu did not disappoint Hu Nainai's expectations and cut a work that was fairly qualified.

Hu Nainai was very satisfied with her dexterity, smiling so much she couldn't close her mouth.

——

After leaving Hu Nainai's home, Guben did not go back on his word and took Xu Yi to Qianfo Mountain to visit the temple fair.

On the first day of the lunar new year, people going up the mountain to worship Buddha came in an endless stream. The temple fair was packed with people and extraordinarily lively.

Ever since Xu Yi entered the mountain gate, his little mouth had not been idle. Starting from the first candied haw stall, he ate his way through every small stall.

Lin Xiyu thought her maternal grandmother liked eating Zhoucun pancakes, so she specially bought two jin for her Old Man.

Guben bought some Huang Family Roasted Meat to take back for Grandfather to have with drinks.

The three of them happily strolled around the temple fair. By the time they went down the mountain, it was nearly noon.

Guben sent the sister and younger brother home. He originally planned to have a free lunch at his maternal grandmother's home, but unexpectedly, upon entering the door, the atmosphere was off. Aunt Da was also there, her eyes red, telling her maternal grandmother about her grievances.

The rapid rise of Dongmen Small Commodity Market dealt a heavy blow to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.

Aunt Da heard the news from a colleague. The Supply and Marketing Cooperative would be changed to Wan Zixiang Mall after the new year. Workers aged 45 would be across-the-board bought out of their work seniority and forced into early retirement.

Aunt Da had worked at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative for over twenty years, diligent and hardworking, never making any mistakes. Before the new year, there were rumors of a promotion and salary increase. Unexpectedly, before the year was even over, the policy changed.

The gap from promotion and salary increase to early retirement was not an ordinary one.

Aunt Da couldn't accept it and ran back to her maiden home to cry and complain, wiping away tears alone.

——

"What is all this......."

Her maternal grandmother felt heartache for her daughter, her expression also not good: "That colleague of yours is really something. Must say this during the new year. During the big new year, not letting people live in peace......"

"You can't blame her. She's also anxious."

Aunt Da cried with a choked voice: "After retirement, the salary is cut by more than half. It was only a few hundred yuan to begin with. Now there's even less left. Relying on that bit of pension, what hope is there for life?"

"The Supply and Marketing Cooperative's benefits are poor and they can't pay money. Staying doesn't necessarily have any benefits either......."

Her maternal grandmother saw clearly and tried to persuade: "Stop crying. Be more open-minded. Spend more when you have more money, spend less when you have less. Now is not those years of famine. Life is much better than before. No matter what, with thrift, you can get by."

"I just can't be open-minded......"

Aunt Da was still extremely wronged: "We old workers, our work is not less than young people's at all, and we never made mistakes. Why, because the policy changed, do they drive us away first? Buying out work seniority sounds nice, but it's pretty much the same as being laid off."

"Sigh."

Her maternal grandmother smiled helplessly and bitterly: "Us people, aren't there enough things that happen? The big movements, famine, being sent to the countryside—we've experienced them all. Even if you can't be open-minded, you have to console yourself. Are you going to force yourself crazy? Did you forget your Second Aunt's daughter? Sent to the countryside, couldn't adapt, and tortured herself into becoming a nervous wreck. Such a good eldest daughter, her whole life ruined just like that."

"Sigh."

Lin Xiyu entered the door just in time to hear her maternal grandmother's words, and felt sour and uncomfortable in her heart.

"Is the Supply and Marketing Cooperative laying off workers?"

Guben also looked surprised.

"Yes."

Her maternal grandmother nodded helplessly: "If this had happened in the past, being able to work at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative was a blessing that many people begged for but couldn't get. Who would have thought that one day, it would change just like that."

"Do Aunt Da's husband and Cousin know about this?"

Lin Xiyu was a bit puzzled. Such a big matter, yet Aunt Da actually came to her maternal grandmother's home alone. She didn't see Aunt Da's husband or Cousin.

As for Female Cousin, because of her little dog, she was also living alone during the new year. She probably hadn't heard the news yet. Otherwise, she would have rushed over anxiously long ago.

"Your Aunt Da's husband went to the countryside for a performance and condolence tour during the new year......"

Her maternal grandmother answered for Aunt Da: "Liu Jian is also on duty at his unit and didn't go home."

"Oh oh."

Lin Xiyu suddenly understood. No wonder Aunt Da had no one to comfort her and could only run back to her maiden home to cry and complain.

"Call Sister Lei and ask her to come over......."

Guben gave her a look to signal her; at this moment, no amount of persuasion would work, only her own daughter could do it.

"Mm-hmm."

Lin Xiyu was of one mind with him, handing the Zhoucun fried pancakes bought from the temple fair to Grandma, then went to the small house in the backyard.

——

Female Cousin came very quickly; upon hearing that Aunt Da had bought out her work seniority, just as Lin Xiyu had expected, she rushed over anxiously.

She estimated she had slept very late last night, and upon hearing the news, left in such a hurry she hadn't even combed her hair, letting it hang loose; blown by the chilly wind of the coldest days of winter, it was messy like Mei Chaofeng's, and when she entered the door, she truly gave Grandma a fright.

"This child, turning 21 after New Year, still so reckless, not a bit steady."

"What's going on with the Supply and Marketing Cooperative?"

Female Cousin paid no attention to Grandma's scolding; as soon as she arrived, she launched into a string of complaints: "Why must it be a one-size-fits-all buyout of work seniority? Those bastard grandsons, so inhumane, sooner or later they'll be run over by a car......"

"What are you saying during the New Year?"

Grandma couldn't listen anymore, interrupting sternly: "I asked you to come to comfort your mother, not to pour oil on the fire."

"I'm just so angry......"

Female Cousin spoke up for Aunt Da: "Before New Year, those people still benefited from my mother, buying so many affordable sweaters; back then, they called her Sister Chen, Sister Chen, so affectionately, just like their own sister; after benefiting, they turned around and didn't recognize anyone, wanting to force my mother into a one-size-fits-all buyout of work seniority, what kind of people are these, do they have wolf hearts and dog lungs?"

"The leaders' decisions have nothing to do with the people below."

Grandma patiently persuaded: "Say a few words less; if you hadn't come, she'd be fine; she's almost stopped crying, but with your commotion, she's wiping her tears again."

"Letting my mother cry it out is also good......"

Female Cousin felt it was unfair for Aunt Da: "She's truly too wronged; she worked her whole life with heart and effort in a state-owned unit, and in her old age, hasn't gotten a good break."

"She's not like me; I don't care; what state-owned unit, as long as I make money, I can work anywhere; my mother's generation doesn't think that way; they just want stability, a fixed monthly wage, guaranteed income rain or shine."

"Besides, buying out work seniority at 45 is really infuriating; she has five more years until official retirement, why must she be forced to leave?"

"She's worked for decades; does she lack these five years? If she had an illness or disability, we'd accept it, but my mother is healthy, 45 years old in her prime; they just don't want to give my mother a promotion, using this as an excuse to drive her away."

——

"Wuu wuu wuu......"

Aunt Da became even more heartbroken upon hearing this, covering her face and weeping aloud.

"Sigh, cry if you want to cry; venting is also good......"

Grandma smiled bitterly helplessly: "I'm old now; I can't persuade you anymore; from now on, however you want it, you discuss it among yourselves."

"Grandma....."

Lin Xiyu was well-behaved and sensible: "You rest; I'll cook."

"You go ahead; I'm going back."

Guben saw the atmosphere was off and no longer had the thought of mooching a meal.

"Don't bring alcohol tomorrow......"

Lin Xiyu saw him out: "Da Yifu and Cousin, Uncle, none of them are here; you're the only man......"

"Isn't Xiao Yi here too......"

Guben smiled and reminded: "You forgot him?"

"He doesn't count....."

Lin Xiyu laughed awkwardly: "He's too young; my mother won't let him drink."

"Doesn't Grandma drink?"

Guben had his own plans: "It's New Year; I'll drink a few cups with Grandma; when Grandma is happy, the whole family can be happy."

"You're thoughtful."

Lin Xiyu stopped stopping him: "No need to come too early tomorrow; Grandma needs to rest at noon; just come after three in the afternoon."

"Okay."

Guben took advantage of no one seeing, quickly lowered his head, and kissed her on the forehead.

"Be careful riding your bike......"

Lin Xiyu blushed and pushed him away.

"It's cold outside; go back."

Guben pushed her back into the house; after leaving the corridor, just as he was about to mount his own bike, the pager hanging at his waist rang.

He took it down to look, came to the small house in Grandma's backyard, picked up the public phone, and dialed a familiar number.

"Guben, I'm back......"

Li Liang's familiar voice came from the receiver: "Noon on the third day of the New Year, us brothers will get together; Wang Fan says he's treating."

"Fine."

Guben's mouth corner curved slightly; he agreed cheerfully, then hung up the phone.

——

Aunt Da cried a round, venting all her grievances and depression; she felt somewhat better in her heart.

Female Cousin feared her mother would be alone at home, worrying herself sick; after thinking it over, she still couldn't rest assured; finally, she hardened her heart, entrusted the little dog to Female Cousin to temporarily care for, while she herself would be her mother's little cotton-padded jacket, going home to stay with her mother for some days, so she wouldn't be too sad alone, going down a wrong path, and harming her own body.

Lin Xiyu served the whole family lunch; after seeing Grandma go to sleep, she took Xu Yi and the little dog Female Cousin had just brought back up to the fourth floor and returned to her own home.

Xu Yi had the little dog and went wild again; one person and one dog romped in the house, jumping up and down; in a short while, the living room was a mess.

Lin Xiyu ignored him; she closed the room door and hid in her own room to settle accounts; the sweaters had sold out; it was time to share the profit with Female Cousin.

She settled accounts item by item according to the account book, deducting Wu Meng's commission, as well as the 5,000 yuan Chen Xiulan had advanced as a friendly sponsorship; the remaining money would be split evenly with Female Cousin.

A rough calculation showed she was quite satisfied with the split; her little treasury gained another two thousand-plus yuan.

Adding the previous eight hundred, and the three thousand earned during summer vacation, she already had over six thousand in surplus.

Work another semester and she could earn ten thousand yuan, becoming a ten-thousand-yuan household.

She thought happily, hiding the money in her own Closet, taking the five thousand yuan her mother had advanced, and went to the room next door.

—

The second day of the New Year.

Uncle accompanied Maternal Aunt back to her maiden home; without the little baby crawling all over the house and those babbling sounds, the home felt much quieter.

"When Nana was at home I didn't notice, but now that she's gone I really miss her, always worrying about her, not sleeping soundly at noon......"

Nana is the little baby's name; Grandma raised the little baby for over half a year and had already developed Emotion.

The little baby was just like other brothers and sisters when they were little, especially fond of clinging to Grandma; wherever Grandma went, she clung there, like a little piece of Bull market candy, stuck to her body, impossible to pull off.

"Nana is small, Wind Cold at night......"

Lin Xiyu helped Grandma wrap dumplings, and also served as a Smile, cheering up her Old Man: "Maternal Aunt won't stay at her maiden home too late; she'll definitely come back early."

"Hope so."

Grandma had other concerns: "I don't know if her Female Cousin will come over for New Year; if she sees the daughter being raised well, she might want to take her back."

"Surely not?"

Lin Xiyu disagreed: "If she liked her own daughter, she wouldn't have given her away in the first place; this kind of person is hard-hearted; even if she knew her own child was being abused at the adoptive home, she could still harden her heart and not care."

"No matter what, she's still the birth mother."

Grandma understood clearly: "Nana looks exactly like her mother, as if carved from the same mold; when she grows up, without anyone saying, she herself will recognize her; that kind of birth mother-child Emotion cannot be compared by outsiders......."

"Hasn't Maternal Aunt been taking Medicine lately?"

Lin Xiyu's hand wrapping dumplings paused; she wanted to change the Topic: "Haven't smelled any Medicine scent?"

"Hasn't taken it."

Grandma pursed her lips and smiled with Bitterness: "Raising a child costs too much money; she has no milk, so she can only buy milk powder; one can of imported milk powder costs dozens of yuan, and she drinks four or five cans a month; your Maternal Aunt, living on what she earns from the public telephone, even if she put it all in, it wouldn't be enough."

"Must she drink imported milk powder?"

Lin Xiyu was a bit puzzled: "Can't domestic ones do?"

"Domestic ones really aren't as good as imported ones; that can't be denied."

Grandma told the truth: "Your Maternal Aunt bought domestic ones at first; that strand of hair on Nana's head was yellow and yellow, without any luster; after switching to imported ones, it turned black in less than two months."

"Ah?"

Lin Xiyu's eyes showed surprise: "Is the difference that big?"

"The milk powder Mass doesn't pass quality checks......"

Grandma thought for a moment, then lowered her voice to quietly warn: "Little infants who drink it can become big-headed dolls; you must also pay attention in the future; when you have children, you must feed them carefully and cannot scrimp on the children."