Read Novel Full Chapter 88
Chapter 88 : Need to Work
It was the first time He Lingling had met Jiang Li, so she felt a bit unfamiliar with her. When she saw her walking in, she greeted her, “Comrade, this is our leader’s office. You can’t go in.”
Jiang Li smiled and said, “I’m here to look for your Deputy Director Qi. Is he in?”
“It’s lunchtime now. Our leader has gone to the cafeteria. What can I do for you?” He Lingling took a secret breath. This girl was so pretty. When she smiled, she looked like a movie star.
She had big, watery eyes with dimples on both sides and spoke slowly.
She was wearing a camel-colored cashmere coat and a beige scarf, which made her look as if she were wrapped in a layer of gold.
“I have an appointment with your leader to have lunch together. Can I go in and wait for him? I’m his wife.”
He Lingling and Yang Mei were both stunned. They had specifically asked about it yesterday and heard that the deputy director’s wife was a country girl.
They had expected someone more rustic, but they didn’t expect the actual image to be so different from what they had imagined.
Qi Shaoqiang came over with lunch, looking very happy as he jogged. He Lingling and Yang Mei looked at him in surprise for a long time, tiptoeing to peek into the office.
Qi Shaoqiang closed the door expressionlessly, “Have you finished your meal?”
“We’re going to eat now,” He Lingling keenly sensed her leader’s unhappiness and immediately grabbed Yang Mei and ran off.
A woman in a headscarf walked upstairs from a building downstairs, revealing only her eyes. He Lingling thought she looked familiar and took a few more glances.
Just as Qi Shaoqiang and his wife were enjoying a rare moment of peace, there was another knock on the office door. “Shaoqiang, are you there?”
Jiang Li put down her chopsticks and looked at Qi Shaoqiang with a smile.
Qi Shaoqiang was very nervous. His wife had just questioned him about Zhang Qiaohui the night before. Why was she here again today?
He made a begging gesture, and Jiang Li didn’t want to make a scene in front of outsiders, so she motioned for him to open the door.
As soon as he opened the door, a weak body bumped into his arms. Qi Shaoqiang quickly stepped back. Zhang Qiaohui staggered and took several steps forward before she could steady herself.
She didn’t notice Jiang Li sitting in the cubicle office, and said to Qi Shaoqiang, “I’m not feeling well. I almost fainted. I’m sorry to trouble you.”
When she came out, she even put some powder on her face, looking drained of energy, enough to make anyone feel sympathy for her. She waited for Qi Shaoqiang to show concern, but she didn’t get what she wanted.
Qi Shaoqiang’s head nearly exploded, and he stood straight, “Sister Sun, what do you want to talk to me about?”
“It’s like this, Shaoqiang. Last time you came to my house to deliver the pension, you said you could arrange jobs for the families of soldiers who died in the line of duty. I wanted to ask, what kind of jobs are available?”
Qi Shaoqiang frowned. “Sister Sun, you can only choose between the pension and a job. I made it clear to you last time. You either take the team’s subsidy in one lump sum, or you’re arranged to work in the factory. You chose to take the money, so it’s impossible for you to work temporarily now.”
Zhang Qiaohui opened her mouth, at a loss, tears falling like scattered beads. “I’m a woman with limited knowledge, how could I know this? “
“It’s true that my family is in trouble. We had to take care of your elder brother Jianguo’s funeral, but we didn’t have the money to do it. I’m begging you to help me.”
“If you are willing to do this for me, I will agree to whatever you want,” Zhang Qiaohui said, looking at Qi Shaoqiang meaningfully.
Qi Shaoqiang’s hair stood on end. “Zhang Qiaohui, what are you doing?!”
Even though he wasn’t foolish, he finally understood what Zhang Qiaohui was up to. He called for his wife in the inner room, almost asking for help, and Jiang Li came out.
Zhang Qiaohui bit her lip and looked at Jiang Li. A flash of guilt crossed her eyes, quickly replaced by jealousy and unwillingness.
“Sister Sun, long time no see,” Jiang Li smiled slightly and stood in front of Qi Shaoqiang.
This woman had first reported herself on the black market, then turned around and threw herself into this man’s arms. She really thought she could get away with anything.
“Sister, Shaoqiang is a grown man, and he’s not as careful as a woman. If you have any difficulties in the future, come to me. We women have something to say to each other too.”
Jiang Li first expressed her stance and stopped Zhang Qiaohui from crying and tarnishing Qi Shaoqiang’s reputation in front of others.
“Yes,” Zhang Qiaohui responded, “But what about the job?”
Jiang Li smiled and said, “Sister, Shaoqiang can’t decide on the job. On one hand, we need to check if there are any vacancies in nearby factories. You know, the factory has good benefits, but it’s difficult to get a regular worker position, and opportunities are fleeting. The jobs that were available back then might not be available now.”
“On the other hand, if sister comes to work in the county, will your two children follow you, or stay in the countryside?”
“Of course, my children will follow me!”
Zhang Qiaohui glared at Jiang Li with hatred. How could someone who had never given birth understand how deep her feelings for a child, born after ten months of pregnancy, were? She couldn’t be apart from her Junjun for even a moment.
“Sister, Junjun and Mingming are still young, and when you go to work, there will be no one at home to take care of them. If you want your parents-in-law to come to the city to help with the children, then renting a house will be another expense, and everything from food to oil and salt will cost money. I’m afraid your salary from work won’t be enough for your family.”
After Jiang Li’s analysis, Zhang Qiaohui’s expression changed. How could she want those two old people to come to the city to enjoy a good life? They would eat her food and drink her water, and they weren’t even worthy of it!
Of course, she didn’t know that there was a nursery in the factory where children could be sent when they turned three, and Jiang Li deliberately didn’t tell her.
“Then what should I do with my future life?” Zhang Qiaohui was really upset this time.
“Sister, I have an idea for you. You are still young and good-looking, so why not remarry with your child?”
“No!” Zhang Qiaohui was extremely nervous. How could she marry into a good family with two children? Besides, if she remarried, how would she continue asking Qi Shaoqiang for help?
Seeing Qi Shaoqiang and Jiang Li looking at her with questioning expressions, Zhang Qiaohui added, “I don’t want to remarry. I’m still thinking about your big brother Sun. Besides, the child is still young, and I’m afraid of hurting his feelings.”
“It’s understandable. Sister originally wanted to remain loyal to Brother Sun. You and Brother Sun had such a good relationship!” Jiang Li said deliberately, watching Zhang Qiaohui’s face turn redder and redder.
After being subtly criticized by Jiang Li, Zhang Qiaohui realized she couldn’t stay any longer and hurriedly excused herself and left.