In no time, the factory gathered around a hundred or so people, ranging from young men in their twenties to those in their fifties, along with some strong-bodied women and quite a few children who followed to watch the excitement.
Lin Chuxia especially enjoyed this atmosphere, which was rarely seen in the 21st century.
In that era, the widespread use of heavy machinery liberated manpower but also caused the cohesion among people to dissolve bit by bit.
Not to mention the relations between villagers, even within clans, contact would be minimal after three generations.
Lin Chuxia did not stop the children from joining in on the fun, letting them watch from a safe distance.
The village chief also came along and pointed out a few of those in their fifties in the crowd. After circling the Jiefang truck a couple of times, they began making arrangements.
Lin Chuxia knew that these older folks were the experienced hands of the village.
Some people brought over thicker planks to lay on the truck, round logs were placed under the machine, and ropes thicker than a thumb were wrapped around the machinery…
It was a contest of strength and wisdom. Initially, Lin Chuxia did not have much confidence, and even when people started lifting the machinery, she was quite nervous.
But there she was, watching intently as the machine, weighing several tons, was gradually moved off the truck by dozens of strong young people…
…
Qin Lihua sat under the big tree in the courtyard, staring blankly at the half-washed clothes in the washbasin in front of her.
Just now, the loudspeaker of the brigade broadcasted that her dad had put down his work and gone to Xiyang Food Factory, apparently to move some machinery.
At that moment, someone called out to her at the entrance of the courtyard, “Lihua, why are you still at home washing clothes? I heard Xiyang Food Factory just received two large machines, half the village has gone over there. Let’s go, let’s go together and take a look.”
Before Qin Lihua could respond, that person was already pulling her hand and heading out, while saying, “Last time the food factory was hiring I didn’t get selected. Are they hiring again with the new machines? I wonder what the requirement is this time. If only I had an aunt as capable as yours, would I even need to worry about not having a job?”
“Lihua, could you talk to your aunt on my behalf? I also want to work at the factory; I don’t mind if the salary is less, while others earn 40, I’d take 30, and I’d work really hard.”
In their village, the younger generation takes pride in working at Xiyang Food Factory.
Those who weren’t married or dating saw it become much easier to find a partner once they had a job.
Qin Lihua was overwhelmed by her incessant chatter and made up an excuse to head towards Xiyang Food Factory first.
The road was filled with people heading to Xiyang Food Factory to join in the commotion, in groups of threes or twos, all discussing the factory.
“I remember when Xiyang Food Factory was first established, they installed several machines and then started hiring in the village. Are they hiring again this time?”
“Of course, they are. My spouse even said we should sign up when Xiyang Food Factory hires again. Last time we thought they only wanted young people and wouldn’t bother with married folks, so we didn’t even apply. But just look at the Li Family couple; they’re over 30 and still got a job at the factory.”
“That’s right, I heard Xiyang Food Factory offered 20 positions to the village. I figured there was no way I’d get one, so I didn’t even go for the interview. But turns out the village chief was the one to pick those 20, and the factory director wanted to choose people too.”
“That’s why I say the Qin Family people are decent. In my opinion, they are looking out for the elders and folks of our Qin Family Village.”
“Exactly, I heard the village is also planning to build a pig farm. No matter what, if there’s a chance to apply for a job, we should all sign up. I don’t want to farm anymore.”
“What can you really earn from farming? Last year my family farmed vegetables for a year only to sell them cheap. At the end of the year, after settling accounts, we barely covered the cost of fertilizer and utilities. It was truly a year’s labor for nothing.”
“Farming is such hard labor. Look at those who work at the food factory. They’ve been working for just a few months, and their skin has become smoother than it was when they were farming. They all look like city people.”
“City dwellers might not even compare to them. The wages for factory workers in the city aren’t as high as theirs.”
“Oh my, let’s not talk about it. Let’s go take a look and see if there’s any news.”
“Exactly, let’s hurry.”
Qin Lihua watched the retreating figures and slowed her pace.
Their words struck her heart one by one.
She hadn’t gone to work at the Bun Shop these days, both because she was recovering from an injury at home, and also because Cai Jun had been pressuring her to resign.
She tried all sorts of ways to convince him, but that man was as stubborn as a bull, impossible to persuade.
She couldn’t understand what was wrong with working and earning money. How many people would actually want to face the soil and turn their back to the sky? Was his pride really more important than the better days that were to come?
Qin Lihua finally arrived at the Xiyang Food Factory and saw the villagers working together to move a huge machine into the workshop.
Every face was brimming with a genuine smile, as if the machine did not belong to the Xiyang Food Factory, but to them.
But thinking back to the conversations she overheard on the way, it didn’t seem wrong to think this way. After all, there was a glimmer of hope.
Qin Lihua stood among the crowd until the machine was inside the workshop. Her Aunt enthusiastically thanked everyone, and told Manager Su to distribute cigarettes and candies to every villager who helped.
She saw Su Wensong wearing a crisp white shirt, black trousers, and even a pair of leather shoes on his feet.
His short hair was neatly groomed, and the once brown glasses had been replaced with metal frames, making him look scholarly and quite a few years younger.
No, on second thought, Su Wensong had always seemed younger.
He was less than three years younger than her second uncle, but when standing next to him, he looked at least five years younger.
As he was handing out cigarettes and candies, people spoke to him with respect and even the older villagers, who were usually treated with the utmost deference, were very polite to him.
Qin Lihua gently bit her red lips. Just yesterday, her older brother mentioned that Factory Director Su and Manager Sun’s wedding was just a few days away, and this weekend they were going to help Factory Director Su.
Factory Director Su had booked several tables at the State-Owned Restaurant. He wasn’t qualified to attend Factory Director Su’s wedding, but he wanted to go with his Aunt.
Su Wensong and Sun Lanlan were getting married, while Cai Jun was still angry with her over her refusal to quit her job, and he even didn’t want to discuss marriage.
If only they hadn’t objected to Su Wensong’s age when her second aunt mentioned him back then, would it be her preparing for the wedding now?
Her older brother wouldn’t be without the qualifications to attend the wedding; he would be Factory Director Su’s uncle, an honored guest.
When old friends from childhood asked about work, wouldn’t she, as the factory director’s wife, have a say?
Qin Lihua shook her head. She couldn’t go on thinking about such things; it was impossible now.
What she needed to do was to persuade Cai Jun, to get him to stay and keep working, so that she could continue her good days.