Chapter 134

Chapter 134

There were too many people. Xu Yuqing had originally wanted to have a proper conversation with Xie Junli, but she could only bid him a hasty farewell, embarrassed, as the excited Factory Director Xu pulled her away to the supply and marketing cooperative.

This was considered the largest supply and marketing cooperative in Beicheng, located right next to the state-owned restaurant, and not far from the department store. Xu Yuqing had passed by here several times but had never gone in to buy anything.

Upon entering, she discovered that it was a different world inside. The entrance didn't look very big, but inside, the shelves were filled with all sorts of goods. Three neatly dressed sales clerks had their hair tied back tightly, and at the center of the counter were the canned goods from the Beicheng Canning Factory.

Factory Director Xu excitedly thanked each of the sales clerks in turn. Watching his enthusiastic demeanor, Xu Yuqing felt a bit teary-eyed.

Soon, it was eight o'clock on the dot. People had already started queuing outside, and the sales clerks had hung up a sign saying "North City Canned Goods Available Today." Standing beside Factory Director Xu was Xu Yuqing, and beside her were Little Lin, Little He, and Little Ma. Behind them were other workers from the canning factory.

The sales clerks opened the door, and a wave of noise came in. Xu Yuqing's eyes were sharp; she immediately spotted the camera. The old-fashioned camera was bulky and conspicuous. Instinctively, she smiled—a muscle memory from facing the lens for so long.

One of the sales clerks waved to quiet everyone down. "Comrades! Fellow villagers! Please calm down. Let me introduce you to our factory director from the Beicheng Canning Factory!"

Amidst the applause, an elderly woman who had been waiting for a long time couldn't help but shout, "When will you start selling?"

Everyone laughed, and Factory Director Xu, without getting angry, raised his hand and joined in the laughter. "I understand your eagerness. I'll be quick. Thank you all for your support. We now have our own famous canned goods in Beicheng! And I also want to thank my comrade beside me, Xu Yuqing, who provided such an important recipe for the canning factory!"

He spoke with great emotion, almost shedding tears, his eyes red. Xu Yuqing supported him, and this scene was captured by the camera.

At that moment, the sales clerk untied the rope blocking the entrance, and the crowd surged in. Everyone shouted, "I want three cans, no! Five cans!"

"I want ten cans!"

People clamored for the canned goods as if they were free, shouting wildly.

The cacophony of voices moved Factory Director Xu to tears. He looked at Xu Yuqing and said, "Xiao Xu, do you know? This kind of scene used to happen only in Lanlin Canning Factory in Haishi when they received new shipments."

Xu Yuqing smiled proudly, looking at everyone in the supply and marketing cooperative. "It will get better."

It will get better. Yes, it will get better. Factory Director Xu nodded in agreement, calmed himself, and prepared to take everyone back. Before leaving, a reporter from the Beicheng Daily News stopped them.

A male and female reporter, both wearing gold-rimmed glasses, approached. "Factory Director Xu! Wait a moment. We have some questions we'd like to ask."

Factory Director Xu stopped, looking puzzled at the reporters. Didn't they cover everything last week?

"What is it? What else do you want to know?"

The two reporters exchanged glances and then looked at Xu Yuqing. "We heard that the recipe was provided by Miss Xu. We didn't learn about this last week."

Factory Director Xu looked confused. "Ah, yes, go ahead and ask."

The female reporter cleared her throat and looked at Xu Yuqing. "Miss Xu, did you obtain this recipe from working at another canning factory?"

Her question was sharp, and everyone present frowned. Factory Director Xu showed signs of anger.

Xu Yuqing, however, remained calm and smiled. "No, sorry. This is a family secret recipe."

She paused. "This recipe wasn't just my contribution. I want to thank Factory Director Xu for trusting me and letting me handle the experimental facility. Also, I want to thank Comrades Ma, Lin, and He, who worked tirelessly with me. Without them, the pork intestine canned goods wouldn't have been possible."

She spoke confidently.

Instead of taking all the credit, she openly acknowledged everyone involved. Everyone was surprised by her modesty.

The female reporter nodded, jotting down what Xu Yuqing said. The male reporter took another photo, this time with Xu Yuqing standing in the middle. A gentle breeze blew, causing her braid to sway slightly.

Xu Yuqing answered a few more harmless questions, and the reporters thanked her and others before Factory Director Xu led everyone back to the canning factory.

Back at the factory, the workers had already started working. Seeing Factory Director Xu return, they all looked curious.

Everyone knew what was happening today, but seeing the only woman among the men, Xu Yuqing, they wondered how she managed to keep up.

Could she really be a nepotism hire?

This question was answered three days later when the newspaper came out. It was the New Year, and every worker's home had pork intestine canned goods. Those who couldn't get them from the supply and marketing cooperative even came to the factory to buy some.

Holding the newspaper and looking at the canned goods at home, they sighed in admiration.

Returning to the factory, Xu Yuqing and Little Ma's team felt their pride dissipate. No matter how proud they were, they still had to put on protective gear and work overtime to produce canned luncheon meat.

These canned goods needed to be produced urgently before the New Year. Xu Yuqing would finish work tomorrow and then have a holiday, as would most of the workers.

Thus, everyone's enthusiasm was visible. They worked with smiles, and their speed was impressive.

Xu Yuqing was eagerly looking forward to the Spring Festival. This was truly a happy Spring Festival in this era.

Happily carrying her New Year gifts, she received a bucket of oil, ten cans, a bag of rice, and a piece of meat—just like Little Ma and the others.

Some people had complaints, but seeing Factory Director Xu's attitude toward Xu Yuqing, they dared not say anything. Xu Yuqing ignored their hidden jealousy, said goodbye to Liu Ruan, and got on Xie Junli's bicycle, heading home happily.

The basket held a bucket of oil and five cans, while she carried the remaining five cans. The bag of rice was tied to the front bar, and a beautiful piece of pork belly hung from the handlebar, swaying as the bicycle moved.

On the way home, this sight attracted countless gazes. Returning to the residential area, a group of chatting military wives nearly dropped their jaws in surprise, staring at Xie Junli's load. "Captain Xie! Is this from the army?"

A military wife asked excitedly, her eyes shining at the sight of the meat.

Xie Junli instinctively braked, glanced at Xu Yuqing, smiled, and looked at the speaking military wife. "This is from my wife's factory."

From the factory?!

The speaker fell silent, and everyone stared at Xu Yuqing in surprise. They had heard she was working but hadn't taken it seriously. How could her job compare to their husbands' salaries?

But seeing these canned goods, the meat, the rice, and the oil!

Some military wives turned envious, wishing these items were theirs. Looking at Xu Yuqing differently, one bold woman stepped forward. "Yuqing, where do you work? Do they need more people?"

She finished speaking, and the others all chimed in, saying they could do it too.

It was a lively moment when a few military wives walked over. They were dressed distinctly differently—tight-waisted cotton coats and tall leather boots. Though their outfits were mismatched, these were the hardest to come by and most fashionable at this time.

Leading the group was Wang Yangyu, who had met Xu Yuqing once before. She carried a paper bag that seemed to contain some snacks. She jingled the items in her hand, smiled faintly, and looked disdainfully at the gathered military wives. "You all, before asking someone else about work, you should say what you're good at first, right? Just having strength?"

Her mocking tone instantly provoked anger. The military wives, who had been bystanders, suddenly stood up and shouted angrily, "What are you doing! What's wrong with having strength? Is that not enough?"

"Exactly! This is class discrimination!"

"Exactly! I think people like you need to be reformed. Little Xu hasn't even spoken yet, why are you butting in?"

With that accusation, Wang Yangyu was taken aback. She gritted her teeth, realizing she had misspoken. She gave a meaningful glance to Zhou Baini beside her, who quickly responded.

"Ayu didn't mean anything by it. It's just about work. You know, even junior and senior high school graduates can't find jobs, let alone you. Ayu is just worried about making things difficult for Little Xu."

This casual remark shifted the focus onto Xu Yuqing.

Xu Yuqing was speechless. She exchanged a glance with Xie Junli, and both of them were at a loss for words. They never expected the situation to turn out this way. Xie Junli felt it inappropriate to get involved.

Xu Yuqing sighed and spoke, "I work at the canning factory. Right now, they don't seem to need anyone. If there's a shortage later, I'll let everyone know. It's getting late, and we haven't eaten yet, so we'll head back now."

After finishing, Xie Junli immediately pedaled forward, riding swiftly. Xu Yuqing waved and quickly hugged Xie Junli, "Ride faster!"

Xie Junli sped up even more, and they rushed home. As soon as they stopped, they couldn't help but laugh.

"What a mess!"

Xu Yuqing shook her head helplessly, smiling as she said, while Xie Junli opened the door and pushed the bike inside. After parking the bike, Xu Yuqing leisurely hopped off, calling out contentedly, "I'm going to sleep in!"

She exclaimed happily.

This period had been suffocating for her! Tomorrow, she would have a good rest!

Xie Junli understood how tired she was and took the things from her hands, tidying up himself. "Go rest for a bit; I'll cook dumplings."

"Okay~ Thanks," Xu Yuqing replied cheerfully, quickly returning to her room to take off her coat and lie down on the bed.

The warm quilt was incredibly comfortable.

She snuggled into the quilt, and if not for her hunger, she might have fallen asleep right away.

Fortunately, Xie Junli was worried she might fall asleep, so he quickly cooked the dumplings.