AYLS – Chapter 77

That morning, everyone already knew about the eggs laid in the chicken farm.

Lin Qiao sat at breakfast, grinning happily at the two eggs. She’d take a few bites of porridge, then glance at the eggs again.

Gu Huayuan remarked, “You’re this happy over just two eggs?”

“Of course I am! I raised these chickens myself. It wasn’t easy at all.”

Lin Qiao didn’t even know how to describe her feelings. This was the first time she had successfully accomplished something on her own.

“It’s a pity there aren’t many hens that laid eggs this time; most of them are roosters. I’ll still talk to the logistics department about hatching a second batch soon, so that by the end of the year the number of egg-laying hens will double.”

Watching Lin Qiao full of determination, Gu Huayuan couldn’t help but smile. Who wouldn’t want their comrade to have goals and drive?

“Do what you think is best,” he said, adding, “Oh, and don’t forget to have someone from the logistics department collect the eggs.”

Lin Qiao asked, “Why? I can do that job, it’s not tiring.”

Gu Huayuan replied, “Accounting shouldn’t fall on just one person. You’re planning to grow bigger later, right? It’s good to start laying the groundwork now. Better to prepare for future work early.”

“I see,” Lin Qiao nodded.

After finishing breakfast, she hurried to the logistics department and ran into Sister Zhang, who even asked about the eggs.

Lin Qiao carefully pulled them out. “Just these two.”

Sister Zhang looked at the eggs and felt deeply gratified. “The logistics department has achieved something new again! Comrade Qiao, you’ve done a great service.”

Lin Qiao quickly downplayed it, “It’s nothing. Everyone’s done a lot.”

“There’s no need to be modest. Achievements deserve praise. Besides, you were the one who got this chicken farm going in the first place. Have there been any new plans for the farm?”

Lin Qiao nodded. “Yes. Since there aren’t many eggs now, I plan to stockpile a batch for everyone to eat. Later, I’ll select the best hens for fertilized eggs to prepare for the second batch of chicks.”

“That’s good. Make that plan. The farm is developing smoothly this year, and expanding would be ideal. The irrigation canal is also fixed this year, so with water problems solved, grain yield can increase. Spring is coming, and all the feed is ready. Just go ahead and work boldly.”

With the organization’s support, Lin Qiao felt her heart brighten. She sensed this was a sign of their affirmation and trust.

She smiled quietly for a moment, then suggested having the logistics staff collect the eggs.

Sister Zhang was perceptive. The moment Lin Qiao mentioned this, she understood the reason.

“Alright, I’ll collect the eggs myself. You don’t need to worry.”

Lin Qiao replied, “Sister, when the second batch of chicks hatches, should we add more people?”

Sister Zhang smiled at her. “Are you thinking of recommending Li Ermei?”

“Yes. She’s very dedicated, learning new things every day, helping me morning, noon, and night. While the other women in the compound are all good, she works exceptionally hard.”

In the past, Sister Zhang definitely wouldn’t have chosen Li Ermei, but now she was genuinely impressed by her improvement.

“Alright, I understand. Don’t worry. The organization will handle this.”

Such matters shouldn’t be raised by Lin Qiao herself, or else the other women in the compound might form opinions about her.

Lin Qiao didn’t understand these hints and wondered silently whether it would work out.

Well, she decided to trust the organization’s judgment.

Back at the chicken farm, Lin Qiao’s eyes focused on every single hen.

Even though the roosters strutted in front of her, showing off their smooth, shiny feathers, they didn’t catch her attention.

She only stared at the hens’ rears, finding them cuter the more she looked.

She carefully examined a few hens that might lay eggs, even touching them, and finally placed these potential layers in a separate cage.

When Li Ermei came in the afternoon to help, she saw Lin Qiao staring so intently and said, “It must be the ones with bigger butts; big butts lay better eggs.”

Lin Qiao: “…”

After observing for two days using her method, Lin Qiao finally identified the two hens that had laid eggs.

During this observation period, a few more hens also laid eggs.

Lin Qiao was ecstatic, feeling that soon they would have a plentiful harvest every day.

Sister Zhang came every morning to collect the eggs and also checked on the chickens’ growth. Seeing the fat, plump hens made her heart feel warm, and she thought this venture had great potential. Compared to the previous two years, things were much better now—meals were no longer a problem. What remained in short supply were fine grains and meat.

Fine feed can’t be forced, and meat was also important.

“Can we really raise another batch this year?” asked Sister Zhang.

Lin Qiao said, “I think if we have enough eggs, we can even raise two more batches.”

Sister Zhang replied, “Alright, then just go ahead. As for the hens that just laid eggs, make sure they’re ready for fertilization and incubation.”

“Ah, I was still planning for everyone to eat an egg before hatching more.”

“It doesn’t matter if we eat them a few days later; everyone understands.”

Once the organization had made arrangements, Lin Qiao naturally didn’t refuse. She also thought the plan was good—more eggs early on meant more eggs and chicken to eat in the winter.

Besides this, Sister Zhang discussed with Director Jiang from logistics about adding more people to the farm.

Director Jiang knew the farm was doing well and felt pleased, acknowledging Lin Qiao’s contributions.

“But the scale isn’t that big yet, so don’t add too many people. One is enough.”

Sister Zhang said, “I agree. The compensation obviously can’t match Comrade Lin Qiao’s—after all, it’s technical work. We’ll just hire an ordinary worker to work under Comrade Lin Qiao’s guidance.”

“Do you have anyone in mind?” asked Director Jiang.

Sister Zhang thought for a moment, then smiled, “What do you think of Li Ermei?”

Hearing Li Ermei’s name, Director Jiang frowned. He still remembered the time she had come to his office to slander Lin Qiao.

“This comrade’s character seems a bit questionable.”

“That was in the past,” Sister Zhang defended her. “Since Comrade Lin Qiao educated her, she’s changed a lot. The two of them now divide the work, and Li Ermei has genuinely helped a lot. Even after being reprimanded last time, she continued helping, which shows she’s very proactive about chicken farming.”

“Isn’t a positive attitude exactly what our laboring people need?”

Sister Zhang continued, “Comrade Lin Qiao fully supports this. If we’re giving her a partner, it should be someone who works well with her. Don’t you agree?”

“Comrade Lin Qiao thinks the same? She really is magnanimous.”

Director Jiang sighed. “Since the person involved doesn’t mind, I won’t say much. Let’s start with a trial period; if it works out, we can make it permanent. She’ll be a temporary worker for now.”

Even as a temporary worker, the position was very attractive.

Even if the pay wasn’t as good as Lin Qiao’s, it still came with a salary, and she wouldn’t need to work in the fields.

When the logistics office posted this notice, the other military family members were stunned.

There was no selection at all—they were just assigned.

Many people went to Sister Wang to discuss it, while others from different companies went directly to Sister Zhang.

Sister Zhang calmed everyone down: “Don’t be upset. Think about it—have you been paying attention to the farm? Li Ermei has been helping every day. She’s been doing this long enough to learn some skills. Hiring a complete novice instead of an experienced person—does that make sense?”

“Besides, the notice says it’s based on Li Ermei’s performance. The organization has been watching. Don’t be upset.”

Sister Zhang explained as well, saying it wasn’t random selection.

“This was carefully considered. The organization has its own standards. Li Ermei is hardworking and proactively learning skills, which is very rare. Of course, there’s a trial period. She’s only temporary now. If she doesn’t perform, everyone is welcome to supervise.”

“…The organization said so; what more can you do?”

Amid the bustle in the military compound, Li Ermei was sitting in the farm as if in a dream.

Lin Qiao rolled up her sleeves and started working. Seeing her still sitting, she asked, “How long have you been sitting? Aren’t you going to work? Don’t tell me you don’t cherish this opportunity now that you got it.”

“Am I really a farm worker now?” Li Ermei asked anxiously, looking up at her.

“Yes, it’s real. The document is even posted. But you’re still a temporary worker for now; you need to work hard to become permanent.”

Li Ermei got confirmation again, her eyes turning red.

She had never imagined that through her own effort, she could change her destiny.

Last time, it had been when she married Old Chen. But that showed relying on others wasn’t dependable.

This time, she finally relied on herself.

She looked at Lin Qiao. “I’m so excited, I don’t even know how to express it.”

Lin Qiao thought for a moment and hugged her. “Better now?”

Li Ermei: “….” She almost cried.

That evening, Su Weizhen specifically went to Li Ermei’s house to congratulate her.

Encouraging her not to slack off, and to work harder to secure a permanent position.

Li Ermei waved her off, “No need to teach me; I remember it all.”

Su Weizhen thought, Li Ermei is really only suited for physical technical work. If she went into service work, she’d drive all the clients away.

After Su Weizhen left, Li Ermei started packing, preparing to start her new job the next day.

Instructor Chen was cooking while glancing at her. “Is this necessary?” He was getting more and more shocked—she wasn’t even going to cook anymore.

Li Ermei, now with her own unit, ignored him. “This is women’s business. Mind your own.”

“I don’t want to interfere, but Li Ermei, shouldn’t you still take care of the family?”

Li Ermei snorted, tilting her mouth to show her disdain. “Taking care of the family puts meat on the table? If there’s no meat, don’t complain. If I have time, I’ll cook for you; if not, you do it yourself or eat at the mess. In fact, you might as well transfer the grain ration to the mess. I might not have time to cook for you anymore.”

Instructor Chen was stunned. She was basically telling him they were splitting households.

Crazy… she’s gone completely mad.