Rebirth in Famine: She Thrives by Lucky Space

Chapter 95: 95 Broadens Knowledge

Yuan Xinyun just smiled, while Jiang Xinyu watched from the side; he seemed a few years older than Wei Kaiyun.

Wei Kaiyun gave people the impression of being serious, while Yuan Xinyun felt approachable.

To Jiang Xinyu, he seemed like a smiling tiger; someone who could rise to the position of Provincial Textile Factory Director must not be ordinary.

The end-of-work bell rang, and Yuan Xinyun stood up, ”Xiao Wei, let’s go.”

The textile factory cafeteria had private rooms, and after three of them sat down, Tong Mingzhu also arrived.

”Please wait a moment, Directors, I’ll go get the food.”

Jiang Xinyu, very perceptive, stood up to follow behind Tong Mingzhu as they left.

”Xiao Wei, why did you start using a female secretary? Didn’t you firmly reject that before?”

”This little girl is quite competent; her shorthand is fast, and Qian Jun really isn’t up to the task.”

”Isn’t this little girl too young?”

”She’s sixteen, graduated from junior high.”

”Qian Jun became Deputy Director; aren’t you feeling badly about it?”

”Why would I? Director Yuan doesn’t know me well enough yet? Besides, only the two of us know how difficult the work is; I’m genuinely willing for someone to share the burden.”

”Xiao Wei, you’ve got a generous spirit.”

Jiang Xinyu followed Tong Mingzhu, not lining up, but went straight into the kitchen.

”Are our dishes ready?”

”Secretary Tong, they are ready. Shall we send them over now?”

”Yes, send them over now. Is it the dishes I arranged?”

”Yes, all arranged by you.”

They spoke quickly, in dialect too, so Jiang Xinyu only understood about half, guessing the general meaning.

She looked at the dishes, counting six including the pickles.

Took ten buns made from mixed flour. And a small basin of egg soup.

Canteen workers carried the dishes together; Tong Mingzhu walked empty-handed.

”Alright, Secretary Tong, Secretary Jiang, let’s sit down, beautiful ladies, and eat.”

Jiang Xinyu instantly felt resentment toward Yuan Xinyun. The word ”beauty” might be a common greeting in later generations, but not in this era. For Yuan Xinyun to say this felt a bit frivolous.

Jiang Xinyu sat opposite Wei Kaiyun, four of them having a meal.

Jiang Xinyu had a small appetite; Tong Mingzhu finished two buns.

”Secretary Jiang, you only eat one bun?”

”Secretary Tong, I have a small stomach. I was very hungry as a child and never managed to stretch my appetite.”

”You should eat more.”

”I’d like to, but even a few extra bites make me uncomfortable.”

The last remaining bun was eaten by Wei Kaiyun.

”Director Yuan, we’re leaving; feeling really worn out.”

”Go ahead, are you heading straight to the workshop tomorrow?”

”Yes, I’ll continue learning from Director Lu, his skills are solid.”

”Alright, how will Secretary Jiang be arranged?”

”She should go to the union to study; I don’t have time to teach her, so it’s a good opportunity.”

Jiang Xinyu, originally lowering her head to drink soup, heard Wei Kaiyun’s plan and just raised her head with a smile, showing her absolute compliance with leadership arrangements.

”Director Wei, let Secretary Jiang follow me, I’ll mentor her.”

”No need to trouble Secretary Tong; she’s still young, let her study at the union; it wouldn’t be good to bother Secretary Tong.”

Jiang Xinyu didn’t care; wherever she studied was fine.

However, Tong Mingzhu was displeased, not that she was willing.

”Director Yuan, we’re leaving; tomorrow I’ll go straight to the workshop.”

”Alright, Director Wei is always hardworking. Such leadership is needed.”

”Thank you for the compliment, Director Yuan.”

They got in the car, ”Xinyu, stay away from Tong Mingzhu in the future.”

”Why?”

Wei Kaiyun was conflicted about whether to tell Jiang Xinyu about the matter between Tong Mingzhu and Yuan Xinyun; she seemed too young to know, but if he didn’t tell her, she might pick up bad habits from Tong Mingzhu.

”Got it.” Jiang Xinyu noticed Wei Kaiyun was silent for a while; was this something difficult to tell her?

”What do you know?”

”Certainly there’s something wrong with her.”

”Right, Tong Mingzhu is Yuan Xinyun’s mistress.”

”Oh, I understand. No need to worry; I can distinguish right from wrong. Even if I’m with Secretary Tong, I won’t emulate her.”

They talked as they returned home. The stove was no longer cold, though not warm either.

Wei Kaiyun lit the fire again, ”Xinyu, tonight sleep with me; together it won’t be cold.”

Jiang Xinyu immediately felt waves in her head, ”No need, I just touched it; it’s not cold.

Are we driving to work early tomorrow? That’s too conspicuous, right?”

”We’ll take the bus; we leave at 6:30 and will surely arrive by 7:30.

Also, tomorrow at noon I’ll make time to go buy food. Do you need anything?”

”No need, I brought rice, flour, and noodles; they’re in the car. Also cabbage and radish.”

”Just don’t have oil; you can buy that.”

”Alright, keep the food tickets.”

”Shall we not eat in the canteen?”

”Lunch is fine; morning and evening, we’ll cook ourselves.”

”Alright then, I’ll prepare the dough.We’ll have sugar buns steamed in the morning.”

The next day, Jiang Xinyu rose at five; upon hearing the noise, Wei Kaiyun also got up and embraced Jiang Xinyu from behind while she brushed her teeth.

”Let go, you scared me! If you’re not sleeping, then go wash up.”

After breakfast, they set off by bus.

”Director Wei, I brought several notebooks; should be enough, right?”

”Haha, do you think you’ll learn anything? It’s just killing time.”

Jiang Xinyu looked around and glared at Wei Kaiyun, ”Why speak such blunt truths?”

”Hehe.”

They entered the textile factory one after the other; Wei Kaiyun eventually felt uneasy leaving Jiang Xinyu, so he took her to the union.

Once arrangements were set, it was already eight by the time he went to the workshop.

Union workers were especially enthusiastic, leaving Jiang Xinyu a bit overwhelmed, though observing their work revealed considerable differences from her own duties.

Jiang Xinyu absorbed the essence amidst the chaos, learning much useful knowledge.

At noon, she went to eat with those from the union. Half a day, and Jiang Xinyu was already familiar.

”Hello, Secretary Tong, here to eat?”

”Yes, if you have questions, come find me; I’m a bit tired so won’t stay long.”

”Do as you please.”

Tong Mingzhu was indeed tired; last night, somehow Yuan Xinyun seemed off, leaving her restless all night.

”Xiao Jiang, you’re close with Secretary Tong?”

”Alright, met yesterday for the first time. Secretary Tong is warm-hearted.”

”Pfft!”

Jiang Xinyu noticed several elder sisters’ faces showing subtle disdain, understanding the situation, so she promptly focused on her meal, not getting involved.

Indeed, there’s no wall without cracks; it seemed many knew of their improper relationship, not exactly hidden information.