Li Xiangqin watched Xiao Wang leave and couldn't help but sigh, "Look at this university student, that demeanor—it's incomparable to ordinary people."
The value of a university student at this time was exceptionally high.
"Mom, if I were subpar, would the Factory Director have selected me?" Zhang Jianhong clutched the note, feeling extremely excited; from tomorrow on, she would be an Employee of the Machinery Factory.
The two followed the direction Xiao Wang pointed and walked all the way to the Inspection Department.
It was a two-story building, and as soon as they entered, there was a smell of washed iron rust.
After asking someone, the two went up to the inspection room on the left side of the second floor, where an Eldest Sister wearing reading glasses was sitting behind a simple desk, transcribing something.
Knock, knock~
"Come in~" The person didn't even look up and spoke directly.
Li Xiangqin entered with her daughter, "Excuse me, are you Master Lu?"
"I am. Who are you looking for?" Master Lu looked up, took off her glasses, and squinted at them.
"Hello, Master Lu. This is my daughter, Zhang Jianhong. She is taking over a position at the factory and has been assigned to the Inspection Department to be your Apprentice. She is to report first thing tomorrow morning, so we came ahead to familiarize ourselves with the place."
Zhang Jianhong stepped forward two paces, bowed respectfully, "Hello, Master Lu. My name is Zhang Jianhong. I hope you will criticize me often in the future."
After speaking, she handed over the note in her hand for Master Lu to confirm.
Master Lu put her glasses back on, took the note and looked at it, staring at Zhang Jianhong's slightly nervous expression, and nodded,
"The Human Resources Department was quite fast this time. Since you're here, just stay."
Then, she took out a stack of documents from a drawer and placed them on the desk,
"These are the basic theoretical knowledge that a Chemist needs to understand. Memorize them before we talk further."
Zhang Jianhong quickly went over and picked up the documents, flipped them open, and nodded with a serious expression,
"Rest assured, Master Lu, I will definitely memorize them."
Master Lu glanced at her, noncommittally, and continued to transcribe data with her head down.
Seeing this situation, Li Xiangqin leaned closer to her daughter, "Since that's the case, Mom will go back first. You familiarize yourself here first. Don't be nervous; take your time. I'll leave the Bicycle for you."
Zhang Jianhong hugged the documents and pursed her lips, nodding, "Mom, be careful on your way back."
Li Xiangqin walked along the tree-lined path in the Factory Area. The buzzing sound of machinery still echoed in her ears, and the workers coming and going were chatting and laughing; the atmosphere was relaxed.
This old Machinery Factory has managed to stand firm; I heard it participated in developing components with very high precision.
Fourth Child working here is quite comfortable.
Leaving the factory, Li Xiangqin saw that it was still early and went directly to the Textile Factory to cancel her Sick Leave, hoping to return to work the next day.
Before she could find a way to bring in income, she had to pick up her Job again.
As a Loom Operator, she was very dedicated in her youth; she was someone who had won the title of Model Worker in a skills competition.
As she stepped through the factory gate, the familiar smell permeated the air.
The Textile Factory was divided into the front spinning section and the back spinning section; she worked in the Weaving Workshop in the back spinning section.
The noise in this workshop was loud, and due to the sizing process, there was a sour smell in the workshop.
"Li Xiangqin, you're here?"
Just as she was about to look for the Foreman, a loud voice called out from behind her.
"Wang Ailian, long time no see."
Li Xiangqin saw the familiar person from her memory, excitedly rushed over, and gave her a big hug,
"I missed you so much."
"Let go of this Old Mother, it's too sappy."
Wang Ailian was momentarily stunned, then immediately broke free,
"Here to extend your Sick Leave again?"
"No, I'm here to return to work."
Li Xiangqin smiled sweetly and leaned closer, "It's only half a year until retirement, I have to hurry up and come back to work. I wonder if it will affect my retirement benefits?"
"You only remember now? Is it too late?"
Wang Ailian glared at her. In the past, no matter how much she persuaded her, she wouldn't listen, insisting on being a Housekeeper for her children. She worked herself ragged like an old ox, yet her children didn't seem that grateful.
Especially those Daughters-in-law, each one more difficult than the last; none of them were easy to get along with.
"My Old Zhang passed away, and I still have three children who haven't settled down yet; I have to start planning."
Wang Ailian's lecture died in her throat upon hearing this. "The workshop recently produced a batch of defective products, and Sun Weiguo is furious. Be careful."
Sun Weiguo was the Foreman of the Weaving Workshop, primarily responsible for production. If quality issues arose, he would be held accountable.
"I knew my good sister would warn me. Thank you for the reminder."
Li Xiangqin inwardly cursed her bad luck, but since she was here, she still wanted to go take a look.
"Once I'm back at work, we can chat slowly."
After parting ways with Wang Ailian, Li Xiangqin went directly to the Foreman's Office. The noise from the weaving machines was immense, and fine cotton fibers filled the air, making her nose feel itchy when she breathed.
The Foreman's office door was closed. Just as Li Xiangqin's hand reached the door, she heard an angry voice from inside.
"We hold meetings every day to stress production and quality, do you all treat it as nonsense? Look at the oil stains on this cloth, the snags, the broken wefts—such low-level mistakes are right in front of your eyes, are you all blind and can't see them?
Based on the cloth number and batch, the relevant Loom Operator, repair mechanic, and auxiliary worker will all have their pay docked, be reassigned, and criticized in a general meeting."
Li Xiangqin immediately pulled her hand back. The Foreman was unusually furious; she wouldn't Bring bad luck upon herself by showing up at this moment.
Just as she turned to leave, the door was yanked open from the inside, and Sun Weiguo walked out with a dark expression.
When he saw Li Xiangqin, he called out to her without thinking,
"Li Xiangqin, you've gotten addicted to resting, what are you doing here?"
Li Xiangqin slowly turned back, putting on her kindest smile,
"Foreman, I'm here to cancel my leave and prepare to return to work. I apologize for causing trouble for you in previous years."
To show her sincerity, she even bowed to the Foreman.
Seeing Li Xiangqin's respectful Attitude, Foreman Sun was startled and couldn't help but look her up and down.
That shrew had made herself look like a ghost back then just to get Sick Leave, sitting in his office with a pale face. If he had delayed agreeing for even a moment longer, she would have fainted on the spot.
He had no choice but to approve it because she caused such a scene.
He heard her husband died and the family lost its support, so now she was coming back to work?
"Li Xiangqin, do you think the factory is your home? You can leave when you want and come back when you want?"
Seeing her, Sun Weiguo felt a surge of anger. When they were young, she was competitive, mastering every skill to become a Model Worker, only to turn around and Quit on him.
"Foreman, scold me. I was blinded by Lard in the past. I caused trouble for the workshop, and I will certainly correct my past mistakes. I will do whatever you tell me to do, without any argument."
In the past, she risked losing her Job just to look after her Grandson, specifically so she wouldn't worry her Son and affect his work.
To ease her Son's burden, she truly felt she owed him a great deal, so Li Xiangqin couldn't muster any defiance against the Foreman's anger.
Sun Weiguo saw her attitude of accepting punishment, snorted, "You've been away from your Position for several years, and you're getting old. What can you even do now?"
"The skills for being a Loom Operator are etched into my brain. I can start anytime; I'm a skilled worker."
Li Xiangqin stood up straight, maintaining a respectful and serious Attitude.