B5SB -Chapter 163 Work

On the way back, Gu Yihan really couldn’t figure out why Secretary Jiang had told her that he could help solve job arrangements for employees’ family members at the factory.

It had nothing to do with her anyway—there was no one in her family who needed a job.

In the courtyard, Lu Huailin was carrying water and washing clothes. When he heard the gate open, he looked up and saw his wife looking utterly exhausted.

He quickly put down the bucket and strode over, taking the bicycle from her hands. Worried, he asked, “Wife, what’s wrong today?”

Gu Yihan let go of the bike, pounded lightly on her lower back, and walked toward the bedroom as she said, “I sat all day today. My butt hurts, and my back is sore too.”

When Grandma Gu heard this, she asked with concern, “My dear, what happened?”

“Grandma, let’s eat later. I really don’t have any appetite right now,” Gu Yihan said pitifully.

Grandma Gu nodded repeatedly. “Alright, eat when you feel hungry.”

After parking the bicycle, Lu Huailin hurried after his wife. He put an arm around her shoulders, led her into the bedroom, and had her sit on the bed.

He gently massaged her waist and said with distress, “If you’re tired, just take leave. I can support you. Our family isn’t short of money.”

With his massage, Gu Yihan felt much better and finally felt like talking.

“Today was a special case.”

She told him about spending the entire day translating and being so busy that she couldn’t even eat. She also mentioned that the factory was planning to add another production line.

Lu Huailin’s hands paused slightly. He asked casually, “Then won’t they need to hire more workers?”

Gu Yihan repeated what Secretary Jiang had told her.

Lu Huailin thought to himself that his wife was really lucky. Commander Zhang had been worrying about the shortage of jobs for so many military wives.

He said, “I’ll send a message to Commander Zhang.”

Gu Yihan turned to look at him, puzzled. “A message about what?”

Holding her in his arms, Lu Huailin smiled. “The wives of several battalion commanders under me haven’t been able to follow the army because their job issues aren’t settled.”

“Since your factory is adding a production line, I’ll ask Commander Zhang to negotiate and try to secure more job slots.”

Gu Yihan froze for a moment. She had forgotten that in this era, stationed troops had the right to request job quotas from factories for military wives.

Lu Huailin kissed her cheek, released her, and said, “I’m going to Commander Zhang’s place.”

With that, he strode out of the bedroom.

As soon as he walked into the living room, he ran into Grandma Gu coming out of the kitchen. Thinking he might be back late and worrying that his wife would wait for him to eat, he said, “Grandma, if you’re hungry, go ahead and eat. Don’t wait for me.”

Grandma Gu nodded in response.

Commander Zhang and his wife had just sat down to eat.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

Hearing the knocking, Commander Zhang walked toward the courtyard, grumbling, “Which little rascal comes right at mealtime?”

When he opened the door and saw Lu Huailin, he was surprised. “Well, this is rare. Ever since your wife got pregnant, you disappear right after training.”

He invited him inside and said as they walked, “You’re lucky today. We just opened a can of braised pork. Have some with us.”

Lu Huailin shook his head. “We’ve already eaten, sir. I have something to discuss.”

Meat was precious these days. Without bringing rations, he couldn’t possibly eat at Commander Zhang’s house.

Hearing that he had eaten, Commander Zhang didn’t insist. He patted his shoulder. “Come on, let’s go to the study.”

After sitting down, Commander Zhang took out a cigarette and offered one.

Lu Huailin refused. “My wife is pregnant. Smoking isn’t good for the child.”

Commander Zhang glanced at him and laughed. “So many men smoke when their wives are pregnant and nothing happens. Only yours is so delicate.”

Lu Huailin didn’t like anyone criticizing his wife, even as a joke. He replied unhappily, “Sir, what does my wife have to do with you? You’re worrying over nothing.”

Then he changed the subject. “The textile factory is adding a new production line. They’ll probably hire workers.”

Commander Zhang paused, narrowing his eyes. “Your wife told you?”

Lu Huailin didn’t hide anything and explained her translation work on the production line.

There was no reason to conceal it. His wife was capable and well-liked.

Commander Zhang stubbed out his cigarette and sized him up, chuckling. “You’re pretty lucky. Such a good wife is more than enough for you.”

Lu Huailin’s lips curved slightly. His wife was indeed one of a kind.

“Tomorrow, I’ll talk to Old Yang at the textile factory. Production-line jobs don’t need high education levels. We can reserve a few spots.”

Lu Huailin wasn’t here to solve other regiments’ problems. His own people needed them first.

“We need to keep three positions for our regiment’s wives.”

As soon as he finished, Commander Zhang roared, “Dream on! Your regiment doesn’t even have wives who need jobs!”

Lu Huailin snorted. “It’s precisely because they don’t have jobs that they haven’t come to follow the army. Several of my battalion commanders already meet the requirements.”

Commander Zhang was so annoyed by his twisted logic that he almost laughed.

Other military wives followed the army without jobs too. With a battalion commander’s salary, how could they not support a family?

“There’s no precedent for reserving positions for people who haven’t even come yet.”

Lu Huailin refused to back down. “This is my wife’s contribution. Without her information, our unit wouldn’t get a single position.”

Commander Zhang stared at his cold, expressionless face and finally understood.

He sneered, “So you set me up just to boost your wife’s reputation. The more jobs you secure, the greater her credit. Those who get positions will be grateful to her.”

Lu Huailin didn’t deny it. Since it was her achievement, everyone should know.

In the future, those military wives would think twice before offending her.

Neither man was willing to give in. They sat stiffly, unmoving.

Commander Zhang’s stomach began to protest loudly.

He regretted not eating first.

Rubbing his temples, he glared at Lu Huailin and said angrily, “Get out… get out…”

Lu Huailin was delighted inside but kept a serious face. “Sir, about those jobs…”

“Go back first. I’ll give you an answer tomorrow.”

Lu Huailin stood up immediately, saluted, and turned to leave.