B5SB -Chapter 79 Reporting for Work

Early in the morning, Gu Yihan slightly opened her eyes. Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on her. She picked up her watch from the bedside and saw it was 7:30.

She got dressed and walked out of the bedroom. On the dining table lay a note. Gu Yihan picked it up and read the firm, confident handwriting: “Breakfast is warm in the kitchen pot.”

After finishing the breakfast that Lu Huailin had left for her, Gu Yihan rode her bicycle out of the residential compound and headed straight for the textile factory to report for work.

The military families in the compound who had gotten up early to tend their private plots watched her ride by on her women’s bicycle. “Wow, the brigade commander’s wife’s bicycle is really beautiful,” one commented.

“Could it not be? It’s the only one like it in our whole compound,” replied a soldier’s wife working with her head down, without even looking up, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Sister Li, who had just arrived at her plot, overheard Wang Er’wa—the wife of the company commander—making a mocking remark.

She laughed, “Wang Er’wa, I heard your company commander husband went back to the dorm again.”

Although Wang Er’wa had intentionally clung to the company commander when she married, she wasn’t stupid. “Sister Li, I can’t compare to you. You’re a childhood bride and have a bond with Commissioner Li’s family.”

“What childhood bride? Can you even talk?” Sister Li pointed at Wang Er’wa’s nose, scolding: “We both come from rural families, but you’re far below the brigade commander’s wife. Look at her man, willing to spend money! And you?”

“Your man, the company commander, would rather sleep in the dorm than come home. If you’ve got guts, make him buy you a bicycle too.”

Wang Er’wa pushed Sister Li’s hand away and sneered: “Others might fear you, but I don’t. You’re just jealous because you can’t stand seeing men treat their wives well. You’ve been a servant your whole life, seeing others comfortable makes you envious. Seeing a lucky young wife makes your eyes red. If you’re capable, have Commissioner Li cherish you—so your jealousy won’t flare up.”

Sister Li was struck at the core and her face flushed red and white in turns.

Textile Factory

After cycling for 25 minutes, Gu Yihan arrived at the textile factory, pushed her bicycle to the parking area, and sought out the security office at the main gate. A middle-aged man, around forty, was on duty.

“Comrade, how do I get to the HR department?” she asked.

The man looked at her in confusion. “You’re not one of our factory workers, right? Why are you looking for HR?”

Gu Yihan took the employment registration form from her bag and handed it to the man. “I’m here to report for work.”

The middle-aged man took the form, glanced at it, and smiled. “Our factory isn’t big. Go straight from here. You’ll see a row of buildings—one has a sign that says HR Department.”

Following his directions, Gu Yihan quickly found the HR office.

She knocked on the door: “Knock, knock, knock.”

Creak…

Inside, Liang Qing heard the knock, stood up, and opened the door. Seeing Gu Yihan, she asked, “Who are you?”

Gu Yihan saw that the woman opening the door was around thirty. She handed over the registration form. “Comrade, I’m here to report for work.”

Liang Qing took the form, carefully checked the information, and looked up at Gu Yihan. “Ah, Accountant Gu. I heard from the leadership that our accounting department would be getting a brigade commander’s wife.”

She invited Gu Yihan inside and began registering her information. “You can just call me Sister Liang. Our textile factory isn’t big, but we have what we need.”

After registering Gu Yihan’s information, she smiled. “I’ll take you to the accounting department. Including you, we only have three accountants in the factory.”

She led Gu Yihan to the accounting office and opened the door. “Sister Min, someone from your department is reporting for work.”

Sister Min stood, smiling warmly at Gu Yihan. “We were told a brigade commander’s wife would be joining us. Didn’t expect her to be so pretty.”

Gu Yihan blushed. “Sister Min, you are also beautiful and gentle.”

Liang Qing smiled at Accountant Min. “Sister Min, I’ve delivered her. I’ll head back now.” And without waiting for a reply, she turned and left.

Accountant Min pointed to a desk by the window. “You sit there. Our department is small and work isn’t heavy. We get paid on the 2nd of each month.”

“Thank you, Sister Min,” Gu Yihan said and went to the window desk.

Sister Min pulled some account books and materials from the filing cabinet and handed them over. “Take a look at our textile factory’s raw material costs. You’ll handle cost accounting in the future.”

“There’s another colleague, Su Yonghong. Her child is today in the countryside, so she’s on leave. You’ll meet her tomorrow.”

“Okay, Sister Min.” Gu Yihan took the raw material cost sheets and saw most of the materials were cotton.

Soon it was lunchtime. Seeing Gu Yihan still studying the price sheets, Sister Min said, “Xiao Han, you just arrived. Come with me to the cafeteria first and familiarize yourself with the route.”

“Okay, Sister Min.” Gu Yihan closed the account book and walked alongside Sister Min.

“How old are you, Xiao Han?” Sister Min asked as they walked.

Gu Yihan knew she was easing her nervousness. She smiled. “Sister Min, I just turned eighteen this year.”

“Then you married quite early. My eldest daughter is fourteen, and she’s no match for you,” Sister Min said, eyes full of affection.

Gu Yihan enviously said, “I hope to be even happier than Sister Min’s daughter.”

In her previous life, she was an orphan. In this life, she also lacked parental affection. She genuinely envied families who treated their daughters like princesses.

As they walked, they reached the cafeteria. After lining up and getting their food, they found a nice spot to sit.

“Our factory isn’t big, but the meals are good. We have one meat meal a week,” Sister Min smiled at Gu Yihan.

Gu Yihan was about to reply when a strong scent of green tea interrupted her.

“Xiao Han? What are you doing here?” Qiao Shuhui covered her mouth, surprised to see Gu Yihan.

Sister Min knew Qiao Shuhui and smiled. “Qiao, Xiao Han is in our department. Even though she’s young, she already has three years of work experience.”

Qiao Shuhui widened her eyes and pretended innocence. “Didn’t expect Xiao Han to be so capable—so young and already working!”

Gu Yihan gave her a half-smile. “No choice. School assigned me here. I started school early and excelled, getting into a vocational school.”

Sister Min: “…”

By now, Sister Min also noticed the tension between the two women; it wasn’t as friendly as Qiao Shuhui acted.

Qiao Shuhui barely maintained her composure. She forced herself to say stiffly, “Xiao Han, you’re amazing. Lu Huailin marrying you is really not a loss.”

“Xiao Han, Sister Min, enjoy your meal. I’ll go back to the propaganda department now.”

As she turned, her face was icy cold. How fortunate! In history, Gu Yihan had been cherished by Lin Yifei all her life, living a glamorous life.

This life, without Lin Yifei, she was determined to see how Gu Yihan would fare following the obscure Lu Huailin—whether she could still shine.