In the garnt factory, Wang Aihua approached a familiar acquaintance to inquire how things were going for them working there.
The woman replied, "It’s much easier than farming, gardening, and gathering firewood at ho."
With a broad smile on her face, the woman ntioned she earned fifty yuan last month.
When she went back ho, her husband was pleased, and even her mother-in-law started treating her differently because she had money to buy snacks for the children, making the kids grow even closer to her.
"I see you all working non-stop."
"Is this job easy to handle?"
Wang Aihua asked various questions. As the woman got busier, she had no ti to entertain Wang Aihua any longer.
If her hands slowed even a little, she wouldn’t finish her tasks. She couldn’t afford to lose such a good job.
Wang Aihua began to wander around the workshop. After her stroll, she realized both Tang Mingli and Tang Zhengyuan had disappeared. At the entrance, Uncle Gen was sweeping the floor with a broom. Ever since he started working at the factory, he stopped wearing his patched clothes, fearing it might tarnish the factory’s reputation.
After receiving his salary, Uncle Gen bought two sets of clothes. Though they were cheap, they at least had no patches. His hair was cut short, and his face bore a satisfied smile. Compared to living in Qianjin Village, his life had taken a drastic turn for the better.
Wang Aihua’s eyes darted around, thinking she had been too embarrassed to ask before. But now, with them gone, she considered finding Uncle Gen for a chat.
"Uncle Gen," Wang Aihua approached and scrutinized him from head to toe. She previously scorned the job as suited only for a watchdog, but now, she thought it was a great position.
Without much to do other than opening and closing gates, the job paid dozens of yuan each month!
Ever since Tang Zhengyuan’s leg injury, their family had no source of inco. They had so savings, but the reserves were dwindling, which deeply worried Wang Aihua.
His leg ant he couldn’t do demanding work, implying he couldn’t do anything in the village, hence he couldn’t earn a penny.
Now that their child was starting school and everyone else was buying houses, Wang Aihua regretted more than ever.
"Zheng Yuan’s wife," Uncle Gen smiled at Wang Aihua and asked, "Are you also considering working here?"
"I’m not, but my family’s Zheng Yuan is the one looking to work." Wang Aihua glanced at Uncle Gen and questioned, "Uncle Gen, is it easy to do your job here as a gatekeeper?"
"Easy to do," responded Uncle Gen. He continuously expressed his gratitude. If not for the opportunity given by Tang Mingli, he would still be alone in the village, devoid of the comfortable life he now had.
All he needed to do was to look after the gate, open and close it, and clean the courtyard. Most of the ti, he just wandered around the factory. It was different now from eating and sleeping alone; he had company in the factory, soone to talk to, and they often ate together, making it lively.
He had no children. For him, this life was imnsely blissful and joyful.
"Mingli initially asked for my family’s Zheng Yuan to do this," Wang Aihua suddenly spoke up.
Uncle Gen’s smile froze, and he awkwardly looked at Wang Aihua, not knowing that this job was initially ant for Tang Zhengyuan.
Wang Aihua, seemingly oblivious to Uncle Gen’s embarrassnt, continued, "Thing is, Zheng Yuan’s leg was injured then and couldn’t work, but now his leg has healed. Mingli insists on my family’s Zheng Yuan coming here to work."
Uncle Gen’s smile gradually disappeared. Co here to do his job?
Isn’t this a one-man job?
"Ah," Wang Aihua sighed, "There are so things Mingli is embarrassed to say, so, Uncle Gen..."
Wang Aihua didn’t finish her sentence, but the implication was clear.
She simply thought, if Uncle Gen voluntarily left, with the factory short-staffed, wouldn’t it be perfect for her family’s Zheng Yuan to step in?
Uncle Gen fell silent.
Just then, brothers Tang Mingli and Tang Zhengyuan erged with smiles.
Uncle Gen, with a stern face, stepped forward.
"Uncle Gen, what’s wrong? You look upset. Are you feeling unwell?" Tang Mingli scrutinized Uncle Gen, concerned he might be ill.
"Mingli, I quit. I’ll return to the village tomorrow." Uncle Gen seed as if his vitality was sucked out, his stature slumpingly slightly.
Tang Mingli, surprised, asked, "Uncle Gen, what happened? Are you uncomfortable with the work? Or is it your health? If you’re unwell, don’t worry, there’s a hospital in the county. I’ll take you."
Uncle Gen thought for a while before mustering, "No, I just want to go ho."
"Uncle Gen, you have no one back ho, why return? Just focus on your work here. Why suddenly want to go back?" Tang Mingli was puzzled, like a Monk who cannot touch his own head.
Wang Aihua, smug, looked triumphantly at Tang Zhengyuan.
Tang Zhengyuan felt a sudden ’thump’; could this situation with Uncle Gen be related to Wang Aihua?
"Aihua, what did you say to Uncle Gen?" Tang Zhengyuan asked, his voice deepening.
He had just reassured Tang Mingli that Wang Aihua would not cause any trouble.
"Nothing, I didn’t say anything," Wang Aihua desperately signaled Tang Zhengyuan with her eyes.
Tang Zhengyuan’s suspicion was confird, his anger rising as he raised his voice, "Tell , what did you say to Uncle Gen?"
Tang Mingli noticed the awkward dynamic and turned his gaze to Wang Aihua.
With an expression of frustration and disappointnt, Wang Aihua looked back at Tang Zhengyuan, wishing he wouldn’t say anything.
Tang Zhengyuan sternly said, "Just now, Mingli told he’s assigning to manage the fabric storage, to supervise the raw materials. What did you say to Uncle Gen?"
"Ah..." Wang Aihua’s face lit up, then excitedly exclaid, "Zheng Yuan, he really assigned you as the storage manager?"
"Ah, Uncle Gen, I misunderstood," Wang Aihua awkwardly looked at Uncle Gen, showing no intention of apologizing.
Tang Zhengyuan felt a surge of rage from within, wondering why his wife always seed to hold him back!
In frustration, Tang Zhengyuan grabbed Wang Aihua and shoved her in front of Uncle Gen, forcing her to apologize, "Aihua, apologize to Uncle Gen."
"Uncle Gen, I’m sorry, it’s her... she misspoke," Tang Zhengyuan looked apologetically at Uncle Gen.
"Aihua!" Tang Zhengyuan exclaid sharply.
Wang Aihua mumbled hesitantly and, still defiant, said, "Zheng Yuan, I didn’t say anything wrong. Uncle Gen doesn’t want to do it anymore; how is it related to ?"
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