The Machinery Factory is a good unit, and Fourth Child is a rather introverted child, making a job that involves staying put the most suitable for her.
Li Xiangqin parked her bicycle at the shed and took her daughter into the factory office building.
Just as they turned toward the staircase, they heard hurried footsteps. Li Xiangqin pulled her daughter aside, waiting for the group to pass before going up to the second-floor Human Resources Department.
A group of five or six people came down the stairs. The person leading them wore a white shirt and gray Western Trousers, with his sleeves rolled up high. He had a sparse combed-back hairstyle, his hair streaked with white, but his eyes were sharp, possessing considerable presence.
Li Xiangqin recognized this person; it was Director Liang of the Machinery Factory.
Walking beside him was a young man in his twenties, wearing a white shirt paired with black Western Trousers. He held a folder in his hand, closely following the Director, reporting something in a low voice as they walked.
“Immediately convene the production backbone staff for a meeting, make sure…”
Mid-sentence, Director Liang stepped back two paces, looking at Li Xiangqin and her daughter, and spoke with surprise,
“Sister Li, why are you here at the factory? Hasn't Old Zhang’s matter been fully resolved yet?”
“No, no, thank you for your concern, Director. My Old Zhang’s matter was handled very satisfactorily. The factory even provided a position for a successor. I brought my daughter here to report for duty.”
Li Xiangqin quickly waved her hand, knowing that a Factory Director is extremely busy, and she did not want to cause trouble.
Director Liang nodded, glancing at the somewhat nervous young girl, “Why not take a few more days off? There’s no need to rush.”
“The factory arranged Old Zhang’s final affairs very properly; I, as the family member, am very moved. Since things are this way, it’s better to get back on track sooner, which is good for the children.
So, I brought the child over and was just heading to the Human Resources Department to report.”
Li Xiangqin expressed her gratitude, her eyes showing thankfulness, and she bowed to Director Liang with her daughter.
Director Liang waved his hand, pondered for a moment, and turned to instruct,
“Xiao Wang, take Sister Li and her daughter to the Human Resources Department. After they are settled, come to the conference room. Sister Li, I have an urgent meeting, so I won’t keep you any longer.”
“Thank you for the Director’s care; we are already very moved. Please proceed.” As expected of a Factory Director, his words were comforting.
Watching the group hurry away, Xiao Wang, who was left behind, walked over to the two with a gentle demeanor and greeted them politely,
“Auntie, please follow me.”
“Oh~, thank you for the trouble, Officer Wang. To be working alongside the Director at such a young age, your future is limitless,” Li Xiangqin said politely, pulling her daughter along as they went up the stairs.
Xiao Wang smiled gently,
“I just graduated and was newly assigned to the Machinery Factory. I am learning by following the Director.”
“A university student! That is talent for the nation; even more remarkable.”
As they spoke, Xiao Wang led them directly to the second-floor Human Resources Department. The Section Chief was initially half-reclining on his office desk, holding a cigarette and puffing smoke.
He glanced at the people entering, immediately sat up straight, quickly stubbed out the half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray, and came around from behind his desk,
“Oh, Officer Wang, what a pleasure to have you here! I apologize for not greeting you sooner. Does the Factory Director have an instruction?”
“Section Chief Zhao, this is Aunt Li…” Facing Section Chief Zhao’s flattery, Xiao Wang remained composed and directly conveyed the Director’s message.
Upon hearing this, Section Chief Zhao turned to look at Li Xiangqin and her daughter, his smile bright,
“Sister Li, I know about your family’s situation; please accept my condolences. Rest assured, our factory always provides preferential treatment for employees’ children.”
“Then I thank you, Section Chief Zhao. As a widow and mother, we owe everything to the capable leadership. Otherwise, I truly don’t know what I would have done?”
Li Xiangqin expressed her thanks, her eyes reddening slightly.
After a few polite exchanges, Section Chief Zhao returned behind his desk, took out a folder, and began flipping through it. After a moment, he looked up at Li Xiangqin.
“Sister Li, to be frank, the positions in our factory are always one position for one person. Luckily, you arrived at a good time; there are two positions currently recruiting apprentices. One is a Machinist, and the other is a Chemist. Which one would you like to choose?”
He dared not neglect a matter personally instructed by the Factory Director.
After her initial surprise, Li Xiangqin repeatedly expressed her thanks, “May I ask, Section Chief Zhao, I know what a Machinist does—operating machine tools. What does a Chemist do?”
“A Chemist is responsible for product testing and corresponding data. This job doesn’t require much physical strength but demands sufficient patience and a sense of responsibility.”
Xiao Wang also nodded beside her, “Auntie, the Chemist position is easier for a young girl.”
“Officer Wang is correct; machine tools are a bit difficult for a young girl. The Masters in both positions will retire in another two years, so the factory needs to prepare in advance. This information is currently confidential.”
Nowadays, every single position is highly sought after; if word got out, the office would be swamped.
Li Xiangqin blinked,
“We choose the Chemist. Although my Jianhong is a bit introverted, she is diligent and patient; this suits her.”
“Haha… Sister Li is right; what suits her is the best.”
Section Chief Zhao readily took out an HR form from the drawer and considerately handed over a Fountain Pen,
“Fill out this form, attach a one-inch photo, and I will stamp it directly. You can officially start work tomorrow morning.”
While the two filled out the form, Section Chief Zhao pulled Xiao Wang aside and whispered secrets to him…
When she finished filling out the form, Section Chief Zhao took it to look, picked up the large red seal, blew on it a few times, and stamped it with a crisp sound.
Afterward, he took out a work logbook, filled in the name and job type, and handed her a slip of paper.
“There you go. From today onward, Comrade Zhang Jianhong is a formal Employee of the Machinery Factory. Tomorrow morning, take this slip to report to Master Lu. The apprenticeship period is two years.
The first year’s monthly Salary is twenty-one yuan; the second year, she will be directly designated as a Level One Worker with a Salary of thirty-four yuan.
It’s said you are fortunate, Comrade. The apprentices who joined last quarter were only earning eighteen yuan; you caught the recent raise.”
Li Xiangqin looked at the large red seal, feeling completely settled, “Thanks to Section Chief Zhao, my Jianhong now has a stable future.”
“No need for thanks. Our Machinery Factory is the solid backing for employees’ families,” Section Chief Zhao said with a bright smile. “If you have any questions in the future, just come ask me. I promise to tell you everything I know.”
“Oh, thank you so much, Section Chief Zhao. The Leaders of our Machinery Factory are truly approachable.”
If people are just being polite, taking it seriously will make one look foolish.
Li Xiangqin repeatedly thanked him with her daughter. This was an example of how having connections makes things easier.
“Then we won’t take up any more of your time; please carry on with your work. I will take my daughter to the Inspection Department to familiarize ourselves with the route.”
“That’s right, go ahead.”
After seeing them to the door, Section Chief Zhao chatted with Officer Wang, saying they should sit down together sometime.
The three went down to the first floor together. Xiao Wang pointed down the corridor,
“Aunt Li, Comrade Jianhong, the Chemist Department is at the end of this path, then turn left. I won’t accompany you any further.”