Chapter 660: Further Education

Chapter 660 Advanced Training

In the afternoon, Xiao Jin knocked and entered the office.

Xiao Jin was the new secretary assigned to Jiang Yu by the factory, slightly older than her and very thorough and dependable at her job.

"There's a phone call, shall I put it through for you?"

Jiang Yu nodded, "Go ahead and connect it."

When the call connected, she realized it was from Ding Jianan.

Ding Jianan started with congratulations: "I just heard about your promotion!"

Jiang Yu replied with a smile, "It's really not that big a deal, so I didn’t call to tell you specifically."

"This isn’t major? You might be the youngest factory executive in all of Beicheng!"

Then, Ding Jianan shared another piece of good news.

"Jiang Yu, oh Jiang Yu, if you weren’t this deputy factory manager and came to work as my full-time screenwriter, you could make serious money doing that!"

Jiang Yu chuckled, "I can't exactly walk away from this job."

Ding Jianan got back to business: "The Spark is getting amazing feedback—your book is a hit! I just got the news today that it’s sold out in major bookstores, flying off the shelves! The publisher is rushing to print more. You’ll be swimming in royalties this year until your hands go numb."

Jiang Yu had signed a contract with the publisher, getting a percentage for every book sold.

"It’s all thanks to you and the actors. Without everyone’s hard work, no matter how well I wrote it, the book would just collect dust on some shelf. Director Ding, talent is common, but mentors are rare. You and Director Lan are my mentors."

This praise made Ding Jianan beam.

"Flattery will get you only so far. Next time I’m in Beicheng, you’re buying us dinner."

"Absolutely!"

Ding Jianan had more than good news to share when she called.

"I’m preparing for my next project and want to base it on Yu Lan’s story. I’d like to invite you to be my screenwriter."

Ding Jianan was keeping Yu Lan's memory alive in her own way.

Jiang Yu went quiet for a moment. She still grieved Yu Lan’s passing and wasn’t sure if she could tell her story right.

"Director Ding, I’ll give you an answer later. I can’t decide right now."

"Alright."

Ding Jianan didn’t push her. After some casual chat, she hung up.

Glancing at her watch, Jiang Yu saw it was time to leave. She took the registration form and made her way to the Textile Industry Revolutionary Committee.

The new Deputy Director was Fang Xun, a man in his fifties with a gleaming bald head.

Fang Xun was extremely serious, bordering on downright nitpicky.

He picked over Jiang Yu’s registration form with a fine-tooth comb for a long time before finally, reluctantly approving it.

Jiang Yu had heard enough and was itching to get out of there, not wanting to talk to him any longer.

Just as she was about to leave, he called her back: "What's the rush? Young people these days have no patience. You can't just walk out while your boss is still talking!"

Jiang Yu: "...Was there something else, Deputy Director Fang?"

Fang Xun had a stern look on his face. "Among all the leaders at the Second State Cotton Mill, you have the least seniority. I originally disagreed with your promotion, but since Factory Director Zheng strongly recommended you, I couldn't really argue."

"Others might not say it, but you ought to know your place. You must understand the principle of the slow bird must start early! Aside from studying at the research institute, I also want to recommend you for further education at the Textile Workers' University. Go ahead and fill out this application too."

Jiang Yu was stunned. "Workers' University? How long would that take?"

Fang Xun scowled—was that all she cared about?

This was such a rare opportunity; no matter how long it took, she should cherish it!

"About two years. It wasn’t easy for me to secure this for you—others would give their right arm for this chance!"

Jiang Yu quickly shook her head. "Deputy Director Fang, please give this hard-won opportunity to someone else. It's not for me right now."

Unless something changes, the national college entrance exams would resume by the end of the year.

In less than six months, the country would announce the news.

She planned to take the real college entrance exams and get into the university of her choice.

She just didn't have it in her to commit to a two-year program at the Workers' University.

Her refusal instantly set Fang Xun off immediately.

"What kind of attitude is this? Did anything I just say sink in?"

Jiang Yu patiently explained, "I've listened carefully to everything you said. If I weren’t interested in learning, I wouldn’t even be going to the research institute. With everything I've got going on, I don’t think I can spare the time or energy for the Workers' University courses."

Fang Xun pounded the table repeatedly, his brows furrowed tightly in disapproval.

"What could possibly be more important than getting an education? Jiang Yu, do you have any clue how lucky you are?"

Jiang Yu nodded. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, Director, but I can’t accept. Thank you for your guidance."

Seeing her resolve, Fang Xun stopped pressing, just gave a cold laugh.

"Fine. If I can’t persuade you, just don’t regret it later!"

Jiang Yu couldn't help feeling helpless. She knew this had left a negative impression on Fang Xun.

From now on, he'd probably think of her as someone with no ambition.

"Regardless, thank you, Deputy Director Fang."

As soon as she reached the bottom of the stairs, she heard Fang Xun’s roaring complaints.

"Is this the person Zheng Yuchuan strongly recommended? Look at her attitude—how is she qualified for the job of deputy factory manager?"

"The Textile Workers' University—so many people would kill for this chance, and she just turns it down without a second thought! Ungrateful little—!"

"Frankly, I have no faith in Jiang Yu. Making her deputy factory manager is a complete joke!"

The building’s walls were paper-thin, and the sound carried easily. Jiang Yu heard every word clearly from downstairs.

She stood there for a moment before walking away.

Truth be told, she was past caring about promotions at the Second State Cotton Mill.

She had a new goal—the mill wasn’t where she was meant to stay.

Once the opportunity arose, with Qin Yunan’s help in introducing synthetic fiber technology, she would leave the mill and start a whole new chapter.

But aside from He Tingyue, no one else knew of these plans.