Chapter 351: 351 Surprise
The chaos over here, Wei Kaiyun knew all about it, including the birth control pills Meng Xiu Fen gave to Kong Demin.
Thinking about the twenty-plus reports at home, his wife will surely love to read them when she returns. It's quite the ethical drama.
In just four months, he'll be able to see Niang San, the more he thinks, the more excited he gets.
Lu Weiqi entered, "Director Wei, this batch of twenty buildings is ready for completion."
"We'll allocate housing on the May Day Labor Day. Set aside ten units. Check if this year's model workers have registered to buy houses. If they have, they're not included in the regular allocation; these ten units will be distributed to them in advance."
"Understood, I'll start investigating now."
Lu Weiqi went straight to the labor union, found the registration book, and looked for the first 240 who had registered for dormitory buildings.
He noticed that one of them was a model worker this year.
Then he continued to flip through until he reached the end, noting down nine registered.
Lu Weiqi took his notes to find Wei Kaiyun.
"Alright, just keep nine units. The rest will still be allocated according to registration, the priority given based on who paid first."
There will be a commendation ceremony and a gala event together on May Day Labor Day.
So the union is very busy, with over 3,000 workers in the factory. This year's reward is two pounds of brown sugar for each person, which Wei Kaiyun procured connections to obtain. Although the disaster years have passed, supplies are still inadequate, and the textile factory needed three tons of brown sugar alone. That's not a trivial amount.
But everyone is happy, the textile factory's benefits are indeed good, and there's no festival without perks, making it the envious job for everyone.
The May Day commendation ceremony was held in the club. Although only a part of the representatives participated, there were still over a thousand people.
Wei Kaiyun specially went to the stage to speak, and the most anticipated part was the housing allocation, especially model workers having their housing allocated in advance.
Every worker's heart was filled with enthusiasm, resolved to work diligently.
In the evening, Wei Kaiyun and Ding Mingqiang were going to the Management Bureau, where representatives from brother units of deputy director level were present, including provincial model workers and three national model workers.
Wei Kaiyun was elected as a national model worker this year.
The one visiting this time was Qian Jun, a provincial model worker.
"Congratulations, Director Wei."
"Thank you, you're doing well too. How's the situation over there?"
"Not bad, quite smooth, although there was an unexpected event this year, a worker was injured, otherwise it would've been even better."
The two sat together and chatted quietly. In the eyes of outsiders, their relationship seemed very good, but everyone knew Wei Kaiyun rose through ranks there, so he was naturally sentimental about it, not to mention Mr. Qian was once Wei Kaiyun's secretary.
After the commendation ceremony ended, Wei Kaiyun found Qian Jun, "I'll treat you to dinner tomorrow night."
"Director Wei, maybe next time. I have a train early tomorrow to Shandong as there's a gap in the raw material supply."
"Okay, next time then." Wei Kaiyun didn't press him.
Back at the dormitory, thinking of Niang San before bed.
In at most three months, he wouldn't be alone anymore.
After May started, Jiang Xinyu sped up the pace of sending things back home.
That day at the market, someone called out to her — it was the person from whom Jiang Xinyu bought many old items before.
"Comrade, I got word that there'll be good stuff tomorrow, items from hundreds of years ago. Are you interested? I can take you there."
"Comrade, where is it? It's not going to be risky, is it?"
"Don't worry, it's absolutely safe," the man assured, patting his chest.
"Alright, we've been dealing for two years now. I trust your judgment, I won't go; I'll take whatever you acquire."
"You're not going to check for yourself? I would obviously make a profit if it's through me."
"It's alright, I know you've never priced things recklessly."
"What do you prefer?"
"Ceramics, jade, jewelry, books, calligraphy, anything really."
"Understood, let's meet at the usual place at noon the day after tomorrow."
"Alright, I'll be there at noon."
She hadn't expected to obtain good items before leaving.
"How much volume are you looking for?"
"Any amount is fine, I can take a lot.
Comrade, I realize these are likely not above board, unlike the things you've dealt with before. If trouble arises, I hope I'm not involved."
"Rest assured, if anything were to happen, it ends with me."
Jiang Xinyu nodded and left. She still had to rush to the market.
On the third day at noon, after lunch, she hurriedly rode her bike away.
Upon arriving at the trading place, she saw the man had two large baskets tied on both sides of his bicycle.
The two went into a rundown courtyard and started taking items out one by one to inspect.
Eventually, Jiang Xinyu took everything. The man helped her tie them to the back of her bicycle; Jiang Xinyu handed over 460 yuan, and the deal was done. She rode away.
Halfway home, she stopped by the woods, packed everything from the basket into her space, then took out two pounds of pork before heading home.
It was Saturday, and Niang San were now in the courtyard, each holding a book.
"Xinyu?"
"You two came over? Didn't return home? Come on, sit down."
Shi Jing and Feifei greeted as uncle and aunt and returned to their room.
"Xinyu, your two kids are so enviable."
"Sister Shuping and Mr. Zhao, hurry, sit down, I'll pour you some water."
"No need, I came over today to discuss something with you."
"What is it?"
"Xinyu, since you're about to leave, I was thinking if you could sell me this house?"
"Sister Shuping, I don't plan on selling the house."
"Xinyu, leaving the house here is just leaving it idle; why not sell it? Mainly, you're too far away."
Jiang Xinyu looked at the couple, realizing their greedy intentions.
Seeing their determined manner, Jiang Xinyu's instinct was to hold on tighter.
But she acknowledged the likelihood of her returning was slim.
"For this house, all expenses combined were 900 yuan. If you want it, that's the price. It's just because you asked; if it were others, I wouldn't sell at all.
Someday when there's a chance, I want to bring the kids back to visit. After all, they were born here and surely have affection for it."
The couple aimed to pay less, but her firm words left no room for negotiation.
900 yuan was all the money they had.
Nonetheless, Zhang Shuping knew the house was valuable, and 900 yuan wasn't overpricing, yet she felt unsatisfied.
"Xinyu, we don't have that much money."
"Sister Shuping, wait until you've saved enough and then buy a house from the Housing Bureau. When I purchased, that's where I went."