"Elder Brother, you hear that? Is that what a sister-in-law should say? Does she really wish me no good? Besides, policies can't just change overnight—there are already special economic zones along the coast.
But fine, since Sister-in-law said that, don't expect to get a single bit of benefit from the Lu family in the future. That saves us the trouble of you being dragged down if the policies ever do change. I, Liu Jinfeng, mean every word I say. Father, Mother, Elder Brother, Second Brother, and Second Sister-in-law, you're all witnesses here—even if Sister-in-law comes begging me in the future, it won't do her any good."
Liu Jinfeng wiped the smile off her face. Fine, she wasn't keen on letting her sister-in-law take advantage anyway. She'd only been willing to swallow the loss for the sake of her parents and elder brother—after all, harmony in the family brings prosperity. The Lu family was different now; she was going to be their daughter-in-law, so naturally she had to be magnanimous.
But since Sister-in-law had offered herself up like this, she might as well take the chance to shut that door for good.
When Baohua's father became factory director, Sister-in-law would have plenty of time to cry.
Elder Brother Liu's face had already turned dark. He glared at Sister-in-law Liu and snapped, "What nonsense are you spouting? Get back to your room. Feng'er, you know your sister-in-law—she's all sharp tongue but a soft heart. Don't hold it against her."
Liu Jinfeng gave a cold snort. "Elder Brother, words once spoken are like water spilled—they can't be taken back. Of course, you're my elder brother, and if there's ever an opportunity in the future, I'll definitely help you out, and my nephews and nieces too. But Sister-in-law? Forget it."
"Like I even care. Good intentions wasted on an ungrateful wretch."
Sister-in-law Liu's face couldn't take much more, but seeing Elder Brother Liu's worsening expression, she didn't dare say another word. She got up and stormed back to her room in a huff.
In contrast, Second Sister-in-law Liu, though also feeling a bit put out, was more pragmatic and thick-skinned. She followed up with a few flattering remarks to Liu Jinfeng, and while she was at it, she dripped plenty of poison about Sister-in-law Liu, who had already retreated to her room.
Liu Jinfeng was pleased by this and grabbed a handful of candy for Second Sister-in-law Liu. After a moment's thought, she added, "This bolt of cloth is enough for several outfits. I'll cut a piece for you to make a blouse, Second Sister-in-law, and Mother gets one too."
"Mother doesn't want any—this pink is too delicate. I'd be a laughingstock wearing it out." Mother Liu quickly waved her hands.
"I don't want any either. I'm a mother myself—how could I wear such a young color?"
"Second Sister-in-law, you're only a few years older than me, and you have fair skin—this color would look great on you. Just listen to me. I'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative later and get some cloth for Mother to make new clothes.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention—Baohua's cousin has her own company in America. She's about to invest in building a food processing factory right here in our town, and she's making Baohua's father the factory director. I'll ask Baohua later if he can arrange something for Elder Brother and Second Brother too. But I can only put in a word—I can't guarantee anything."
"What? I could have a chance to become a worker?"
"Little Sister, is that for real?"
Elder Brother Liu and Second Brother Liu could no longer contain themselves. Even Father Liu stood up, his breathing growing rapid.
Everyone knew that at this time, a chance to become a worker was a monumental thing for farmers who spent their lives with their faces to the soil and backs to the sky. It could change a family's fortunes entirely.
"Don't get too excited, keep your voices down. I don't know all the details myself, but Baohua's cousin discussed it with the commune secretary over dinner. The factory will definitely be built, but whether Elder Brother and Second Brother can get in—that's uncertain."
Liu Jinfeng was a little regretful about exaggerating just now. She'd been provoked by Sister-in-law Liu.
Still, the words were out. She'd ask when the opportunity came—whether it worked out or not, at least she'd done her part.
After all, she'd heard what Baohua's cousin said to the commune secretary at dinner. She didn't think her status as the not-yet-married sister-in-law carried more weight than the commune secretary's.
"By the way, there's something else I want to discuss with Father and Mother. You've both been to Baohua's house, so you know what it's like—newspapers plastered all over the walls, that big refrigerator, the color TV, and the sewing machine all squeezed into the room. It looks awkward no matter how you look at it. Baohua's mother mentioned today that she wants to renovate the house. Should we ask for less betrothal money from the Lu family?"
"Sure, why not? Your mother and I asked for that betrothal money from the Lu family only because we were worried you wouldn't live well after marrying into the family. Your elder and second brothers are both married now, and our family doesn't have any big expenses. We never planned to keep it—we thought we'd give it back to you as pocket money to carry into your new home. Now that the Lu family's fortunes have changed, you're marrying into a nest of blessings, so we don't need to worry about you having a hard life. But you can't keep that temper of yours at home—you can't refuse to take even the smallest loss."
Mother Liu beside them opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, she stayed silent. If the children's father had already spoken, how could she go against him?
"I knew Father and Mother dote on me." Liu Jinfeng was satisfied.
"Aiyo, our little sister is truly blessed. Don't worry, Little Sister—when the day comes, your Second Brother and I will give you a big red envelope for good luck."
Second Sister-in-law Liu, who had been sitting nearby, suddenly spoke up.
"Right, right, right. Second Brother will definitely give you a big one."
Brother Liu (Second) was also quick-witted. Besides, how could two different kinds of people sleep in the same bed?
He had chosen the right wife. Being a factory worker wasn't so easy to get into, was it? Just managing to snag one spot was already good enough. And when the time came, who got it would depend on who had the best relationship with their little sister.
"Brother, I'll wrap one up for you too."
Liu Jinfeng didn't hold much of a grudge against her eldest brother either. After all, everyone was selfish—she was too—so she smiled and said, "Alright then, I'll be waiting for that."
Shanghu Town Commune.
"Secretary Guo, I disagree. The policy stipulates that foreign capital can only hold 49% of shares, precisely to prevent foreign capital from having the final say. If we agree to these conditions, then wouldn't our commune's 51% become a joke? This is just letting foreign capital take charge. Even if you're comfortable with it, I'm not. Foreign investors are all capitalists who exploit workers—who's going to protect the workers' rights?"
Commune Director Qian Changjiang's face was grim. He had been excited and happy just moments ago, but now he knew—those people from capitalist countries never had anything good to offer. This was nothing but sugar coated with arsenic.
"Old Qian, don't get so worked up. You need to understand the policy direction from above. The coastal special economic zones are already allowing wholly foreign-owned enterprises. It's only a matter of time before it spreads nationwide. Shanghu Town is just getting ahead of the curve. Besides, I don't have the authority to make decisions on Ms. Lu's requirements personally, and neither does Shanghu Town. So let's just report this directly to the city and provincial levels and wait for instructions from above."
Although Guo Weihua was saying these words to placate Qian Changjiang, he had already made up his mind. He was going to call his old superior—even if he had to beg on his knees, he would get it approved.
Qian Changjiang let out a "hmph," sat down, picked up his tea mug, and took a sip. Though he said nothing more, his expression remained sour.
He knew that money from those "foreign devils" wasn't easy to take—it burned your hands.
"Secretary Guo, the town guesthouse just called. Ms. Lu and her party have checked in."
Guo Weihua nodded, thought for a moment, then picked up the office phone and called the town guesthouse, asking the staff there to check whether Lu Chuyu was available to take a call.
Lu Chuyu was just about to change clothes and take a hot shower when she heard a knock on the door. She frowned slightly. "What is it?"
"Boss, Secretary Guo is asking if you're available to take a call." Liu Changxing said through the door.
Lu Chuyu opened the door. "Let's go."
She glanced at the stool by the door and said, "In a bit, move the single sofa from my room out here. It'll be more comfortable."
"No need, boss. A stool is enough. Too much comfort makes it easy to let your guard down. Huazi and I will each take half the night shift—it's not tiring."
Lu Chuyu nodded and didn't press further. "Good work." People of this era really knew how to endure hardship.
"I'm terribly sorry to disturb your rest at such a late hour, Ms. Lu."
"You're too kind, Secretary Guo. Is something the matter?"
"The conditions you've raised are indeed somewhat difficult to handle, so I wanted to confirm with you about the workers' benefits at the factory. That way, when the higher-ups ask, I'll have something to say."
Lu Chuyu immediately understood Guo Weihua's implication. If she offered the workers too little in benefits, her requirements would likely fall through. But if the treatment was decent, it would put the more old-fashioned minds at ease while also making it easier for Guo Weihua to work things out.
"Secretary Guo, in business, one talks business. My purpose in investing is, first, to do something for my hometown, and second, to make money. So the joint venture factory is different from a state-owned factory. Worker positions cannot be inherited or privately replaced—everything is contract-based. Those who violate rules and regulations will face corresponding wage deductions, and in serious cases, dismissal.
Therefore, wages and benefits will be somewhat higher than at state-owned factories. Regular production line workers will earn 35 yuan in RMB during their probation period, and 60 yuan after becoming regular employees. Wages will be raised annually based on workers' daily performance. Holiday benefits will be no less than those at state-owned factories, and there will be year-end bonuses for good performance. As for other technical positions, clerical staff, and so on, I'll put together a detailed document and send it to you as soon as possible.
Oh, right—in my factory, employees work 8 hours per day. Anything beyond that counts as overtime, and overtime comes with overtime pay. Please rest assured, Secretary Guo. Shanghu Town is where my mother was born—it's the root of the Lu family. I would never do anything to wrong Shanghu Town."
"Good, good. Ms. Lu, on behalf of the workers, thank you. I won't disturb your rest any longer. I'll get this done, for sure." Guo Weihua said excitedly on the other end of the line.
His mood was like a roller coaster. When he first heard Lu Chuyu say she was in it to make money, that positions couldn't be inherited or replaced, and that there would be wage deductions and dismissals, he felt terrible. He even began to doubt himself—had he been wrong? Maybe Old Qian was right, and capitalists were born to exploit workers.
Fortunately, he had the patience to listen to Ms. Lu's full explanation. 35 yuan during probation, 60 yuan after regularization—why, even at the town's most profitable garment factory, production line workers only made 38 yuan a month! This was nearly double!
Not to mention overtime bonuses, year-end bonuses, and holiday benefits—none of which would be lacking. And today, Ms. Lu even said they were going to build housing.
You had to understand that even state-owned factories were struggling with housing shortages right now; it was all too common for a family of a dozen or more to be crammed into a few dozen square meters.
The opportunity for Shanghu Town had arrived.