Su Lijuan nodded repeatedly in agreement.
But the look in her eyes as she glanced at Lu Hongmei gradually turned cold.
If only this mother and daughter hadn’t been so clumsy and stupid in this lifetime.
If they had killed Xia Wan the way they did in the previous life, why would they need to spend another 3,600 yuan to buy this job?
In her previous life, Yang Shufen had tried every possible way to match her with Lu Jingxing.
But she looked down on Lu Jingxing for being a soldier always away from home, and with a salary of only one thousand yuan.
Even though one thousand yuan was already a lot in that era, businessman Fang Chengyu had also been pursuing her at the time.
He had seized the opportunities of the era and was already a ten-thousand-yuan household.
She chose Fang Chengyu without hesitation.
She never expected that just two years after getting married, despite Fang Chengyu’s objections, she would secretly invest all of the family’s money into the radio market only for televisions to take over, leaving her utterly ruined.
Fang Chengyu was beaten to death by debt collectors, and she herself died miserably while being chased for debts.
Meanwhile, Lu Jingxing had already risen to a high-ranking position.
Given a second chance at life, she would cling to Lu Jingxing at all costs there was no way she would give him up to anyone else.
And now that she knew the future business opportunities, all she needed was to find a way to get capital and pour it all into the television market she would surely make a fortune!
With Lu Jingxing as her husband and a powerful official to boot, wouldn’t that mean both wealth and power?
Su Lijuan clenched her fists tightly, feeling as though her beautiful future was firmly grasped in her hands.
…
Early the next morning, Xia Wan dressed neatly and wrapped her head in several layers of gauze. Afraid people wouldn’t notice the injury, she even smeared some safflower oil on it, leaving streaks of vivid red.
She took out her full makeup kit from storage and gave herself a sickly-looking makeup.
When she arrived at the factory, passersby couldn’t help but come over and ask, “Comrade, do you need help? Should I take you to the hospital?”
Xia Wan politely declined while inwardly marveling at how kind and simple people were in this era.
She made her way to the factory director’s office, knocked on the door, and went inside.
The director was wearing a dark blue work uniform and black-rimmed glasses, looking serious and upright.
Xia Wan actually felt a sense of familiarity.
According to the original owner’s memories, the factory director had been close friends with her father this was someone who had truly watched her grow up.
“Director Liu,” she called from the doorway.
Director Liu startled and looked up at her expectantly, but his expression was not pleasant.
“What did you call me?”
Xia Wan grinned. “Uncle Liu.”
Only then did the serious man smile in satisfaction.
His gaze fell on Xia Wan’s forehead, and he immediately stood up in concern. “What happened to you?”
As soon as he said that, realization struck him and he said angrily, “Did Yang Shufen make things difficult for you? I heard something happened at the Lu family today. Come, sit down and tell Uncle Liu everything. Your father is gone, but Uncle Liu will stand up for you!”
Xia Wan sat down with him and told him about cutting ties with the Lu family.
Uncle Liu fumed, “Outrageous! Does Yang Shufen think just anyone can do an office job? That Su Lijuan didn’t even finish elementary school she barely knows any characters! What makes her think she’s capable? Don’t worry, niece. As long as I’m the factory director, no one can lay a finger on your job!”
Xia Wan gently shook her head. “Uncle Liu, if I keep holding onto this position, my former mother-in-law will keep causing trouble.”
“And after this incident, I’ve had a new idea.”
“I don’t want to work anymore. I want to take the college entrance exam and go to university!”
Uncle Liu looked at her in surprise and pondered for a moment. “Girl, is this really what you want?”
Xia Wan nodded vigorously. “Yes! My father graduated from university before coming to work at this factory. As his daughter, I can’t stop at just a high school diploma. Times are changing I want to be even better than my father!”
“Please don’t laugh at me. You watched me grow up here at the factory, and you even allowed me to come with my father to watch him work. I’ve long regarded you as half a father. So I hope you’ll support me too, Uncle Liu.”
Hearing her mention the past, the stern man’s eyes grew moist.
He took a deep breath, held back his tears, and nodded firmly. “Alright! Uncle Liu supports you! As for the job… do you have someone you’d recommend?”
“Why not give it to Zhang Wei, the one ranked after me? Let the capable take the position otherwise the entrance exam would be meaningless.”
Uncle Liu looked at her with satisfaction. “Good! Just like Old Xia’s daughter!”
“By the way, Uncle Liu, the official onboarding isn’t until August, which is after the college entrance exam. Could you help keep this confidential for now, until after the exams? Otherwise my former mother-in-law might come disturb my studying.”
“Of course. Uncle Liu will help you.”
Factory Director Liu agreed without hesitation.
“Thank you, Uncle Liu!”
“No need to be so polite! You said it yourself I’m half your father! Why don’t you come home with me later and let Aunt Zhang cook you some meat?”
“No need to trouble her. I still want to handle a few things and go visit my uncle’s place to see my mother. My former mother-in-law never let me go out I haven’t had a chance to see her all year.”
Director Liu sighed heavily. “None of you have had it easy. I’ve been so busy with the factory this past year that I didn’t check on you two enough. Thinking about it now, I really failed your father. Alright go see your mother today. Come have a meal at our place another day.”
“Okay, I’ll definitely come next time!”
Just as Xia Wan was about to stand up and leave, a salesperson rushed in anxiously.
“Director!”
Seeing this, Director Liu wiped the smile from his face. “Why are you so flustered?”
“Sorry… it’s just that one of the machines malfunctioned. We already invited an expert over, but there seems to be an issue with coordination. The interpreter might be late. We can’t find another translator right now I’m afraid we’ll offend the expert!”
Hearing this, Director Liu frowned. “Go ask around the factory immediately see who else can translate. We can pay them for the translation.”
Xia Wan’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
Director Liu had momentarily forgotten she was still there and jumped in surprise.
“What? Niece can you do it?”
Xia Wan nodded repeatedly. “Of course! Uncle Liu, I’m preparing for the college entrance exam, so I’ve been studying English recently. Why don’t you let me try?”
The salesperson laughed. “Miss, studying English isn’t the same as communicating smoothly with foreigners.”
Xia Wan looked at Director Liu urgently.
“You can’t find anyone else right now how will you know if I can’t do it unless you let me try?”
“Besides, Uncle Liu, you know me. Just like my father, I never fight a battle I’m not prepared for! I would never embarrass you. Please let me try!”
Meeting her resolute gaze, Director Liu steeled himself. “Alright! You’re coming with us. You’ll be the interpreter!”