novelhk Chapter 144 Returning to the Workplace
Chapter 144 Returning to the Workplace
Time flies, autumn turns to winter, the temperature gradually drops, and a chill creeps in. That day, Su Yuning and Zhou Dong busily contacted their old, familiar workers. After some effort, they successfully gathered everyone at the old factory gate.
As everyone gathered, Su Yuning stepped forward with a serious yet sincere expression, cleared her throat, and began to address everyone: "Dear fellow workers, hello everyone! I am the Su Yuning you all know. Back in the day, we ran a mat processing factory here together, but due to various trivial matters, we had to temporarily shut it down. However, all those difficulties are now in the past! After careful consideration, I have decided to give this factory a complete upgrade and transform it into a large-scale home textile city!"
She paused, then continued, "In the upcoming autumn and winter seasons, we will focus on producing various items that bring warmth, such as soft and comfortable quilts, thick and warm blankets, and small and practical hand warmers. In spring and summer, we will shift to producing cooling and refreshing products, such as cooling mats, elegant pillowcases, and lightweight fans. In short, regardless of the season, we will try our best to continuously increase production and meet market demand to the greatest extent possible, thereby ensuring that every worker can earn their desired and substantial income! What are your thoughts on this?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted from the crowd. "Great! Excellent!" "This idea is brilliant!" Everyone was excited and expressed their agreement.
Seeing everyone's enthusiasm, Su Yuning smiled with satisfaction. She continued, "Since everyone is so supportive, it's settled then! The new home textile city will open on the 20th of the eighth lunar month. Please arrive at work on time according to your usual schedule! I believe that as long as we work together, we will definitely achieve outstanding results!"
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, indicating that they would arrive on time and dedicate themselves fully to the operation of the home textile city. The entire scene was filled with hope and anticipation, as if a bright future was already unfolding before their eyes.
Xinghua Village was bustling with activity, as villagers worked diligently on planting. The village chief's nephew led the way, methodically guiding everyone according to Su Yuning's instructions. Some wielded hoes to cultivate the land, others carefully sowed wheat seeds, and still others planted spinach and garlic—crops that could withstand the cold. Everyone worked together, hoping to finish preparing the vegetable garden before the blizzard arrived.
At this moment, the village chief's wife looked at the busy scene and couldn't help but feel a little puzzled: "Isn't planting rice a good thing? We can harvest a lot of rice and cook it into fragrant rice! I really don't understand why Su Yuning insists on making us plant wheat?" She frowned as she spoke.
Hearing this, the village chief's nephew stopped what he was doing, walked over with a smile, and explained to her, "Auntie, don't underestimate the importance of this kind of land. As the saying goes, different regions nurture different people! We are located in the north, and the climate here is very different from that in the south. Wheat is more suitable for our environment, and its yield is more stable. As for rice, that's a specialty of southerners! It needs a lot of water and a warm, humid climate to grow well."
Upon hearing this, the village chief's wife nodded in sudden understanding: "Oh—so that's how it is! It seems there's quite a bit of knowledge involved in farming!" After saying that, she turned around and joined the work team.
As winter approached, the temperature dropped day by day, and the biting wind sliced across people's faces like icy blades. Yang Yuyan gazed at the branches of trees outside the window, shivering in the wind, and thought to herself: In this cold weather, few people would be willing to go to the market, let alone buy mountain produce. Therefore, she decided to temporarily give up her business of selling mountain produce at her stall and become a full-time housewife at home.
Every morning, as the first rays of sunlight stream through the window, Yang Yuyan rises early to prepare breakfast for He Shuiqing. After he has washed up, he can enjoy steaming hot, fragrant porridge and carefully prepared side dishes. Then, Yang Yuyan meticulously washes and airs out He Shuiqing's clothes from the previous day, letting them exude a fresh scent in the sunlight. Besides these tasks, she also manages various household chores, keeping the entire house impeccably organized.
Speaking of He Shuiqing, he was truly blessed with good fortune. Not only did he successfully marry the beautiful and gentle Yang Yuyan, but he was also fortunate enough to find an enviable job—as an accountant at a well-established local money exchange. This job not only offered a generous salary but also had a regular work schedule, requiring only fixed hours for commuting each day. Furthermore, the money exchange thoughtfully provided free lunches for its employees, undoubtedly saving them a considerable amount of living expenses. While this job might be slightly less prestigious than those of high-ranking officials, its stable income and excellent benefits were enough to allow his family to live a comfortable and secure life.
That afternoon, sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the floor. Yang Yuyan, who was busy with housework, suddenly stopped what she was doing and walked to He Shuiqing, who was sitting at the table reading a book. She said softly, "My lord, I would like to discuss something with you." Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her eyes revealed a hint of anticipation.
Seeing this, He Shuiqing smiled, put down the book in his hand, looked up at his wife, and said gently, "Yes, please speak freely, Madam."
Yang Yuyan took a deep breath and then said earnestly, "I wish to teach at Xinghua Village School." The moment she finished speaking, He Shuiqing's smile froze. He frowned and retorted without hesitation, "How can that be? Are you joking? You know, you had a past relationship with the eldest son of the Su family, and you've already broken up. If you go back to work in your old place, it will inevitably attract gossip. Besides, what if you two rekindle your old flame? So this is absolutely unacceptable!"
Just then, tears welled up in Yang Yuyan's beautiful eyes like a burst dam, scattering like pearls from a broken string onto the ground. Each tear seemed to carry endless sorrow and grief, striking the ground with a crisp, heartbreaking sound.
Seeing this, He Shuiqing hurriedly walked to Yang Yuyan's side, gently wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and comforted her in a tender and caring tone: "Okay, okay, darling, don't cry anymore. Crying so sadly will easily make you catch a cold."
After a while, once Yang Yuyan's emotions had gradually stabilized, she took a deep breath, slowly raised her head to look at He Shuiqing, and then said softly, "To tell you the truth, my ex-husband has already remarried. It's too late for us to get back together. You can put your mind at ease."
Hearing this, He Shuiqing frowned slightly and asked with a puzzled look, "Wife, if that's the case, why don't you choose to teach at another school? With your talent and writing skills, you would be warmly welcomed and sincerely loved by students wherever you teach, wouldn't you?"
Yang Yuyan shook her head slightly, a resolute yet affectionate look on her face, and answered earnestly, "But I simply can't bear to part with my love for Xiaobao! I asked him before if he wanted to live with me, but he refused without hesitation. That's why I decided to stay and teach at this school. This way, I can make a living and also be with Xiaobao often, even if it's just watching him from afar." As she finished speaking, Yang Yuyan's voice choked slightly, and her eyes welled up with tears again.
Then, she held He Shuiqing's hands tightly, looked at him earnestly, and continued, "He Shuiqing, I have really sacrificed so much for you. Can't you put yourself in my shoes and understand me? Can you truly understand the deep love and concern a mother feels for her child?"
“Alright, I support your decision.” He Shuiqing sighed deeply, a hint of helplessness on her face, but she still nodded in agreement.
"Thank you for your understanding and support, my husband!" Upon hearing He Shuiqing's reply, Yang Yuyan was filled with joy. Her beautiful face blossomed like spring flowers, and she smiled radiantly.
After receiving her husband's permission, Yang Yuyan happily headed to town. She walked briskly, as if the wind were blowing beneath her feet. Soon, she arrived at the town's busiest market. She stopped in front of a pastry shop, drawn by the enticing aroma wafting from within. Entering the shop, Yang Yuyan carefully selected several packets of delicious peach shortbread, paid for them, and left satisfied.
Next, Yang Yuyan brought the bags of peach shortbread to the village chief's house in Xinghua Village. When she gently knocked on the door, footsteps sounded from inside. Soon, the village chief opened the door and, seeing Yang Yuyan standing there, looked surprised: "Miss Yang, what brings you here? Is there anything I can help you with?"
Yang Yuyan smiled slightly and said softly, "Uncle Village Chief, to be honest, I do have a favor to ask, and I hope you can grant it." As she spoke, she handed the peach cakes she was carrying to the village chief.
The village chief accepted the peach shortbread, smiled, and invited Yang Yuyan inside to sit down. Then, he asked curiously, "Tell me, what exactly happened?"
After Yang Yuyan sat down, she gathered her thoughts and looked at the village chief earnestly, saying, "Uncle Village Chief, I want to go back to teach at our Xinghua Village School."
However, after hearing Yang Yuyan's words, the village chief's expression turned serious. He stood up, his brows furrowed, and paced slowly in his spacious living room. After a moment, he stopped, turned around, and said to Yang Yuyan with a solemn expression, "To be honest, the eldest son of the Su family is already married. Even if we arrange for you to teach at the school now, there's no way things can develop between you and him."
Yang Yuyan's lips curled up slightly, revealing a pleased smile, and she said softly, "Of course I know about this, and I broke up with him a long time ago. One of the reasons I chose to come back here to teach this time is that I really missed my lovely Xiaobao; and another important factor is that I really couldn't bear to leave my well-behaved and sensible students."
The village chief sat back slightly in his chair and replied calmly, "Well, that's good. Make sure to come on time next Monday. You know, most people in our village don't have high levels of education, and there are very few who are truly capable of teaching. But speaking of which, from a teaching perspective alone, your abilities are quite remarkable."
Hearing this, Yang Yuyan was overjoyed, her smile growing even brighter. She quickly took a small step forward, then bowed deeply and respectfully, expressing her heartfelt gratitude: "Thank you so much, Uncle Village Chief, for your recognition and trust! Thank you so much!"
Seeing this, the village chief also laughed, waved his hand, and said kindly, "Oh, don't be so formal! We're all from the same village, it's only natural to help each other out, it's nothing big."
Yang Yuyan nodded, expressed her gratitude to the village chief again, and then said politely, "Uncle, I'll go back and get ready now. See you later!" After she finished speaking, the village chief smiled and nodded slightly, and Yang Yuyan turned around and ran away happily like a cheerful little bird.