Chapter 321

In July, the weather was especially hot; after returning from Liu Hai Zhong's home, Yang Qing lay in the courtyard, looking up at the sky.

Rou Dan, Meatball Guihua, and the three little beans sat on the cool mat, playing with their toys.

The distinctive scent of cooling oil drifted around, driving away mosquitoes.

Chen Hong saw Yang Qing thinking, so she didn't disturb him; she turned and went inside to fetch grapes soaked in cool water, placing them on the table.

The old lady picked up one and stuffed it into her mouth.

She lightly pursed her lips, looking as if she were enjoying it.

Seeing there were grapes to eat, Rou Dan stopped playing with Meatball Guihua, climbed onto the low table, scooped up a bunch of grapes, and began to gnaw.

Meatball Guihua saw her brother eating alone, not calling her to have any, and began to shout.

The children's shouting woke Yang Qing.

He got up, took the children in his arms, and began to peel grapes to feed them.

Chen Hong then spoke.

"Your Agricultural Machinery Factory is getting bigger and bigger; in the future you will surely hire more people."

"Finding work for the people in the courtyard is something you cannot avoid."

Yang Qing didn't want to give an advantage to the people in the courtyard, but the matter was indeed as Chen Hong said.

"When one person attains the Dao, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven; even if he is unwilling, others will still bask in his glory."

Just like Yan Jie Cheng, Yu Li, and their temporary workers.

If it weren't for their high demands, they would have already had regular jobs.

"Hiring workers is the street's responsibility; I don't want to get involved."

Chen Hong snorted.

"Sooner or later, if the Agricultural Machinery Factory wants to develop, it must expand, and expansion requires people; since you are a street-run enterprise, hiring must prioritize the street itself."

"No matter what, some of it will always end up in our courtyard."

"Since it's bound to happen sooner or later, why don't you do us a favor and go with the flow?"

Yang Qing sighed and nodded slightly.

"At most I'll give them a heads‑up."

For the factory to develop, it still needs talent, not a rabble.

He actually preferred to hire externally, but he had to give the street face.

The old lady listened quietly; regarding factory affairs, she had no opinion to offer, as the factory was an unfamiliar thing to her.

Now seeing Yang Qing in a dilemma, she advised from her familiar perspective.

"Ah Qing, if you're in a bind with no good choice, just recruit retired soldiers."

"They are conscientious in their work, easy to manage, obedient, have principles, and have faith."

"Most importantly, doing this can silence many critics and also give Yang Qing some foundation for his management."

Yang Qing, reminded by the old lady, felt his thoughts become clearer.

"Grandma, your idea is good."

He showed a smile.

Chen Hong also let out a breath of relief, showing a faint smile.

Yang Qing is indeed rather embarrassed now.

Liang Ladi's home.

Liang Ladi was pulling Nan Yi aside to do ideological work.

"Shall we go to Yang Qing's factory?"

"The Mechanical Factory is so far away; going back and forth every day is exhausting."

Nan Yi picked up a cucumber and began to gnaw on it.

"How about the Agricultural Machinery Factory?"

He rolled his eyes.

"This house belongs to the Mechanical Factory; if we go to the Agricultural Machinery Factory, what will happen to this house?"

"Just live your life properly; don't keep thinking about this and that all day."

Nan Yi felt that their two wages were already high enough, they were living well, and there was no need to toss themselves about.

Liang Ladi, however, disagreed.

"Then I won't go; you go. You're in our Mechanical Factory—there's no future at all, and no good things will ever come your way."

"Cui Dak e, a mere farmer, is now stronger than you; what's the point of you staying in the Mechanical Factory?"

"Yang Qing's background isn't good either; although his status changed last year, he still has a taint."

"If you go over there, no one at the Agricultural Machinery Factory can use this against you."

Besides, I heard their factory, because it has more people now, wants to open a second canteen and is lacking a head chef.

If you volunteer to go, you'll not only give Yang Qing a good impression, but you used to be the head of the second canteen— isn't that better than staying at the Mechanical Factory?

In six months, we'll go and talk to Yang Qing again.

We're not asking for special treatment; we just want a fair evaluation for a title— we're not even asking for a sixth‑level chef, being considered a seventh‑level should be fine, right?

Nan Yi felt somewhat moved by what Liang Ladi said.

But he still felt a bit reluctant.

The Mechanical Factory isn't just Cui Dake; there's also Ding Qiunan. Even though I've been harmed by Liang Ladi now, let's just see how it goes.

Now they won't even let you look.

That's his first love.

Liang Ladi, seeing his flickering eyes, knew what he was thinking.

Her eyebrows twitched, and she narrowed her eyes.

"What, you can't bear to part with Ding Qiunan?"

"Do you want me to step aside and make things work for you?"

Nan Yi felt guilty, his thoughts laid bare, he jumped in fright; seeing Liang Ladi's angry stare, he immediately defended himself.

"What are you saying? Am I really that kind of person?"

"I'm not worried that you'll be isolated and helpless at the Mechanical Factory, am I?"

"That wicked-hearted Cui Dake, seeing me leave, still wouldn't take his anger out on you."

Liang Ladi snorted.

"If he dares provoke me, I'll weld his family gate shut."

"I see you're not worried about me; you're worried about your beloved."

"Ding Qiunan puts on a pure act, and the shameless Cui Dake will surely get his due."

Nan Yi felt a wave of tension, didn't dare show it, and was anxious inside.

Liang Ladi's eyes shifted.

"If you promise to go to the Agricultural Machinery Factory, I'll promise to look after Ding Qiunan."

"But it's hard to persuade a damned ghost with kind words; I'll do my best, yet the outcome still depends on Ding Qiunan."

Seeing Liang Ladi lay it all out, Nan Yi knew he couldn't refuse, so he could only nod in agreement.

Not just for himself, but also for the white moonlight in his heart.

What's hardest to forget is what you can't obtain, forever stirring.

Secret love and first love penetrate the heart most deeply.

Nan Yi, who submitted to Liang Ladi, could hardly forget his beloved.

"Then I'll go tell Yang Qing right now."

"If they don't want me, don't blame me."

Liang Ladi smiled inwardly; the old lady had everything ready—how could she not want you?

"A chef is still in demand nowadays."

"Go on, bring nothing—Yang Qing's family doesn't go for that."

Nan Yi finished the cucumber in his hand with a crunch, wiped his hands with a towel, tidied his clothes and hair, then headed toward the back courtyard.

Watching Nan Yi's back, Liang Ladi still felt a bit uneasy.

"We must give him a child, or else that Chen Shimei might at any moment be snatched away by Ding Qiunan."

"And Ding Qiunan, always clinging to my man—do you really think I don't know?"

"This woman must be married off soon."

Having made up her mind, Liang Ladi rose to tidy their room.

"Prepare the floral water, light the mosquito incense."

"The room is too hot; we also need to splash some water."

"By the way, the underwear Chen Hong bought for me also needs to be worn."

"The four kids need to go wash up, cool off, then hurry back to sleep."