Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Du Shan was serious about Gao Mingzhu's desire to become the accountant of the production brigade. As soon as he returned to the brigade office, he started thinking about calling a meeting to discuss it.

Just as he reached the doorway, he bumped into Village Chief Lin, who had just got back from the fields.

Seeing him, Village Chief Lin smiled and asked, "Just went to see Gao Mingzhu? How'd it go with her? The commune called again, pushing for an answer—whether she's going or not, so they can confirm the spot."

Du Shan waved his hand as he walked into the office, plopping down on the old couch in the reception area. He poured himself a cup of cold tea and gulped it down before replying, "Told 'em no. Mingzhu isn't going to the commune."

"What?" Village Chief Lin couldn't believe his ears. "She refused? But that's a teaching job! Did you make it clear to her?"

Jobs were precious back then! And a teaching position was a hot commodity—people would jump at the chance. Gao Mingzhu was actually turning it down?

Du Shan clicked his tongue, thinking he was overreacting. "You think I didn't make it clear? She doesn't want to go to the commune. She wants to stay and work in our brigade instead!"

"Stay in the brigade?" Village Chief Lin's brow furrowed into a knot. "What spot is there for her here? What can she do? You don't mean farming, do you?"

That would be crazy!

"Why isn't there a spot?" Du Shan pointed toward the accountant's office. "The old accountant's gone. The position's open!"

"You want to give her the accountant's job?" Village Chief Lin's heart skipped a beat, his eyes flickering quickly.

Du Shan didn't notice his unease. Instead, he seemed thrilled, like he'd found a treasure, and eagerly said to Village Chief Lin, "Don't underestimate Mingzhu! She told me she studied this very subject in the city. She's sharp with numbers—this job suits her perfectly!"

Without waiting for a reaction, he went on excitedly, "Best of all, the brigade is close to home—just a stone's throw away! She can come back anytime to look after Huaichuan. So convenient!"

Then he licked his lips, a hint of regret in his voice. "The only downside is... the accountant earns work points, not a salary like a teacher."

But he quickly convinced himself, "Still, no big deal! With work points and Huaichuan's thirty-yuan subsidy, the couple can live pretty comfortably!"

You've said it all. What's left for me to say? Village Chief Lin thought.

Only then did Du Shan realize Village Chief Lin had been silent for a while. He turned around, puzzled. "Old Lin, what's with you? You look troubled."

"I..." Village Chief Lin rubbed his hands nervously. "I, uh, I already told the commune that Gao Mingzhu would be taking the teaching job..."

"What the—?" Du Shan's brows shot up, his voice almost shrieking. "You decided for her without even consulting her first?"

Village Chief Lin stammered, then defended himself, "How was I supposed to know she'd be so strange? Turning down a teaching job?"

Du Shan: "..." If not for her special circumstances, this rejection is really something.

"No, you have to go tell them no right away!" Du Shan said firmly. "Her situation is special. She can't go to the commune!"

"...That doesn't seem right," Village Chief Lin hesitated.

"What's wrong with it?" Du Shan was baffled. "It's just a phone call to tell them. If you find it hard to say, I'll do it myself!"

He started to walk past Village Chief Lin to make the call.

"No, wait!" Village Chief Lin hastily stopped him, forcing a smile. "Old Du, I still think the teaching job suits her better..."

"Who doesn't know teaching is better?" Du Shan was getting annoyed. "The problem is, with her current family situation, she has to be accommodated. She has to stay close!"

"Hey—" Village Chief Lin tried to stop him again.

Du Shan abruptly halted, turned around, and squinted at him suspiciously, his eyes sharpening. "Old Lin, what's going on with you today? Why are you blocking me at every turn? What are you really up to?"

"I..." Village Chief Lin felt uncomfortable under his stare, rubbing his hands even more nervously, his face flushing with embarrassment.

Du Shan planted his hands on his hips, frowning at his old colleague. "Out with it! What's the deal?"

"I was hoping to keep the accountant job... for my youngest son..." Village Chief Lin's voice dropped to a mumble, finally confessing the truth.

"For your son?!" Du Shan sounded as if someone stepped on his foot, staring at Village Chief Lin in disbelief. "Do you think this brigade is your personal property?! What era is this, and you're still playing favorites? Do you think the commune members will storm your doorstep if they find out? This is abuse of power!"

"No, listen to me." Village Chief Lin hurried to explain. "You know my boy. He worked as a temporary laborer in the city for two years. Low pay, and it nearly ruined his health. So he quit. He's been back for a while, can't find a decent job. He's about to get married, and if he keeps loafing around, he might never find a wife. As his father, how can I stand that? Besides, he's a high school graduate. Isn't he qualified to be an accountant? I'm not putting some illiterate fool in the position. What objections could the members have?"

"You feel for your son? Sure, your son is a high school graduate, but that doesn't justify under-the-table deals!" Du Shan's chest was heaving with anger, almost poking Village Chief Lin in the nose. "This is a matter of principle!"

"Anyway, I won't agree to it!" Du Shan was adamant.

Having been rebuffed repeatedly, Village Chief Lin's expression soured, and he grew indignant. "What do you mean you won't agree? How is this nepotism? Look around the whole brigade—who else besides my son, a high school graduate, is more qualified for this accountant job? Tell me!"

"Qualified? Let him take the commune's teacher exam then!" Du Shan shot back. "They're holding a selection exam anyway. If he's got real talent, he'll pass and get a job. That's a real job!"

"That... that's different!" Village Chief Lin stammered, grasping at straws. "He's a grown man. Not patient enough to handle kids all day. He'd just waste their futures if he became a teacher!"

"I don't care about that! The accountant position has to go to Mingzhu!" Du Shan stood his ground.

Village Chief Lin was furious now, his face red and neck veins bulging. "Ha! Giving it to my son is nepotism, but keeping it for your niece-in-law isn't? What's that called? One rule for the rich, another for the poor?"

"Nonsense!" Du Shan gave a bitter laugh, his voice icy. "How can you compare? Mingzhu taking this accountant job is part of the benefits policy for families of disabled veterans! It's a state benefit! How is that the same as your crooked logic?"

Village Chief Lin was left speechless, unable to utter a word for a long time.

Soon, the news that Gao Mingzhu was going to become the brigade's accountant spread like wildfire throughout the entire brigade.

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