PCJ – Chapter 182 Get your salary

“People in the village are really enthusiastic,” Luo Changjun remarked.

Luo Yongming smiled without saying anything. He had naturally already seen through Zhang Dechun’s intentions. However, Zhang Jiwang was genuinely sincere.

After Zhang Dechun and Zhang Jiwang left, Luo Yongming said, “Jiaohua, it’s not that I don’t want to help Secretary Zhang. I’ve already retired, so it’s not really appropriate for me to get involved in these matters again. I can ask about the situation, but I can’t guarantee that I can help. According to the policy, he should be eligible for something since he’s been a substitute teacher for more than ten years.”

At this moment, Zhang Manyin realized the purpose of Zhang Dechun’s visit and awkwardly said, “Brother Luo, I had no idea he came with this intention. If you really can’t help, then don’t worry about it.”

“No problem, no problem. It’s not really a burden for me. I’ll just ask around about it,” Luo Yongming replied with a smile.

“Father, why don’t you leave this to me? I have a classmate in the school district. I’ll ask him about the situation,” Luo Changjun said.

“Okay, you go and ask,” Luo Yongming nodded.

After lunch, Luo Yongming, led by Zhang Jiaohua, took a walk around Meizi Village.

“This place really has beautiful mountains and clear waters. It’s a pity that the rich natural resources haven’t brought prosperity to the people. Instead, the poor transportation has caused poverty. It’s truly regrettable,” Luo Yongming sighed as he saw some dilapidated houses in the village.

“I read in the newspapers that some mountainous areas collect wild vegetables and sell them to Japan and Korea for a good income. Unfortunately, the roads in Meizi Village are too poor. Even if we collect wild vegetables, it’s hard to transport them out,” Luo Changjun said.

“That’s indeed a viable path, but organizing it will be a big effort. Moreover, fixing such long mountain roads is no easy task,” Luo Yongming, with his leadership experience, understood the situation well.

Zhang Jiaohua couldn’t understand what they were talking about: those wild vegetables that even pigs didn’t like could sell for money? What kind of taste do city people have?

“There should be a lot of game in the mountains. If we sell it to the city, it should make good money,” Luo Changjun laughed.

“For someone who’s a police station chief, you should know that most game animals are protected. Eating a little secretly in the village is one thing, but selling it outside is a serious matter,” Luo Yongming saw the situation comprehensively.

Admiring the beautiful scenery of Meishan, Luo Yongming was reluctant to leave.

“Jiaohua, next time I come over, I must stay here for a while and enjoy the fresh air,” Luo Yongming was indeed considering this.

“Sure, but our conditions here are simple. I’m afraid you won’t get used to it,” Zhang Jiaohua knew well the stark contrast between his family’s conditions and Luo Yongming’s.

“Don’t worry about that. The conditions were worse when I was sent to the countryside,” Luo Yongming laughed.

Luo Changjun urged Luo Yongming to leave quickly, “The mountain roads are difficult. It’s dangerous to travel at night. We need to pass that section of the road before it gets dark.” Luo Yongming was urged several times before he reluctantly left.

Zhang Jiaohua watched the jeep disappear on the distant mountain road, “Will Grandpa Luo really come to stay with us for a while?”

“I guess he was just saying it. Their home is so comfortable. Why would he come to our village to suffer?” Zhang Manyin didn’t believe it.

In Flower City, Guangdong.

Having been in this bustling city for more than two months, Zhang Youping and Liu Qiaoye had gradually adapted to the fast pace of city life. Although they worked in the same factory, they only saw each other during meals before hurrying back to the workshop.

When they first arrived, their hands and feet were not nimble, they worked slowly, and often had to redo things. They could hardly complete the basic workload each day and had to work overtime for several hours.

They had finally gotten used to it now, but still needed to work overtime every day. Since their income was based on piecework, only by constantly working overtime could they earn more. They came to the city to make money, not to enjoy life. In Meizi Village, they didn’t have such good earning opportunities. Now, with this good opportunity, they had no reason not to work hard.

When Zhang Youping and Liu Qiaoye first came to Guangdong, their skin was very dark. After staying in the factory for two months without going out much, their skin had become fairer.

It was payday again. Zhang Youping and Liu Qiaoye stood in line, feeling very excited. In the first month, they only got the basic salary, but because they were new and made many mistakes, deductions were made here and there. Together, they only earned a little over 100 yuan. However, they were still very excited. It was the most they had ever earned in a month. This month, with fewer mistakes and more overtime, they estimated that together they had earned over a thousand yuan.

Zhang Youping and Liu Qiaoye were both excited and a bit nervous.

“After we get our wages, let’s go downtown and take a look. We’ve been in Flower City for so long but haven’t seen anything outside the factory,” Zhang Youping suggested, often standing on the dormitory roof at night to look at the unfamiliar city.

Liu Qiaoye was tempted but quickly shook her head, “Better not. Sister Lihua said Guangdong is very chaotic with frequent muggings. And we need a temporary residence permit to go out. Without it, getting caught means a 300 yuan fine.”

They had gotten their temporary residence permits a few days after arriving. Factory coworkers had warned them about being fined for not carrying them. In Flower City, migrant workers were considered lower class, and no one cared about their lives. There were often hooligans targeting them. Sometimes, even if someone was killed, no one paid attention. Zhang Youping and Liu Qiaoye couldn’t confirm the truth of these rumors.

“Zhang Youping, wages plus bonuses total 567 yuan,” the factory accountant handed the money to Zhang Youping.

Excited, Zhang Youping took the money and repeatedly thanked the accountant.

Liu Qiaoye earned a bit more since women had an advantage in nimble work. She received over 600 yuan, her face beaming with joy.

“I wonder how our son is doing at home? I really want to buy him something nice to eat,” Liu Qiaoye thought of her son first after earning money. Unfortunately, he wasn’t with them. Though she still missed him dearly, the heavy labor had helped her recover from her grief.

“Don’t worry, he’s doing well at home. Didn’t father write that our son is very obedient?” Zhang Youping comforted his wife.

“He’s definitely lying. If mother said our son was obedient, I’d believe it. But father’s words? Definitely a lie,” Liu Qiaoye smiled, knowing her son’s temperament too well. She might believe he was living well but not that he was obedient. If he were obedient, he wouldn’t be living alone and refusing to stay with his grandparents.

“At least he won’t go hungry or cold at home,” Zhang Youping also knew their father’s letters were meant to comfort them.

“Why don’t we buy a few clothes for our son when we save money and send them home?” Liu Qiaoye wanted to buy something with her hard-earned money.

“Sending things is too troublesome. We should wait until we go home for the New Year to buy him something. His clothes are enough for now,” Zhang Youping knew that sending things was troublesome and receiving them at home would be too.

“Alright,” Liu Qiaoye agreed.

Xiao Lihua approached them, “Qiaoye, you’re doing great! Only two months here, and your pay is almost like mine. In a few more months, you might be the highest-earning worker here. But don’t push yourself too hard. Take care of your health.”

“Got it, Sister Lihua. I have to keep busy; otherwise, I’d think about my son too much,” Liu Qiaoye used hard work to cope with missing her son.

“Once you’ve worked in Guangdong for a few years, it won’t be so painful. By the way, some of us locals are planning a get-together. You and your husband should join us. Away from home, we rely on friends,” Xiao Lihua suggested.

“Sure, we will,” Zhang Youping agreed. Their smooth entry into the factory was thanks to Xiao Lihua. Despite many factories in Guangdong, it wasn’t easy to get into a decent one with good benefits.

“Sister Lihua, let us know when,” Liu Qiaoye smiled.

“Let’s go deposit our money together. It’s risky to wander around with our wages. There are many people eyeing our factory workers’ pay. Never leave the factory alone. In a group, we’re safer,” Xiao Lihua warned.

Grateful, Liu Qiaoye and Zhang Youping realized they might have wandered off alone if not for her warning. Getting robbed could mean losing a month’s hard work.

Xiao Lihua gathered several locals, and they all walked out of the factory gate together. Zhang Youping noticed some suspicious people loitering nearby, clearly not good folks.

“Don’t look at them. We’re in a group; they won’t dare act,” Xiao Lihua said, pulling Zhang Youping along.

“How can they openly target our factory workers and no one manages them?” Zhang Youping was puzzled.

“Manage? The police are also after us outsiders. Guangdong is a complicated place. After a while, you’ll get used to it,” Xiao Lihua explained.

The group reached the bank without trouble. After depositing their wages, they returned to the factory.

“Look! That’s the Oriental Pearl TV Tower,” Xiao Lihua pointed at the distant skyscraper, the tallest in Flower City.

“We’ve been in Flower City so long but haven’t been outside the factory much,” Liu Qiaoye sighed.

“Once you settle in, take some time to explore the city. It’s beautiful. There are places worth visiting,” Xiao Lihua encouraged.

Back at the dorm, Zhang Youping asked, “Sister Lihua, can we save enough to build a new house in a few years?”

“Yes, in three to five years, you should save enough for a house,” Xiao Lihua confirmed.

Zhang Youping and Liu Qiaoye were excited. Though life in the factory was tough, the prospect of building a new house motivated them.