Arriving at Yulin Food Factory.
A sheet of paper was posted on the factory wall, with the words “Now Hiring” written hastily in black ink. Because they weren’t recruiting many people, the notice would only be posted briefly—whoever was lucky enough to see it could go in for the test and interview.
In her previous life, Jiang Shan had seen this notice on this very day and successfully entered the food factory.
Of course, she hadn’t passed the exam—she got in through connections.
After accidentally learning that the factory needed workers, she went home to call her mother. They spent 300 yuan, 20 grain coupons, and twenty jin of cotton to buy the position from a woman who had already been accepted.
Carrying a cardboard box, Jiang Zao walked toward the factory. “This time, the spot is mine.”
Working in a factory meant benefits during holidays—various perks for employees.
Some factories were stingy, handing out cups or their own brewed alcohol. More generous ones gave out fine liquor like 1973 Honghualang. Electronics factories gave gloves, calendars, and enamel mugs.
But the most practical was naturally the food factory.
In an era when everything required coupons, the food factory distributed popsicles, soda, soy sauce, and vinegar in summer. In winter and during the New Year, they gave out grain, biscuits, white sugar, and brown sugar—good for eating and impressive for gifting.
A job at the food factory brought both practical and social advantages.
Everyone wanted such a good job. That’s why Feng Miao was willing to spend so much to buy one for Jiang Shan.
By the time Jiang Zao entered, more than a dozen “lucky ones” were already waiting. She stood at the back, holding her things, keeping her head down and saying nothing.
Those waiting for the exam all wore troubled expressions, afraid others might notice they knew anything.
Jiang Zao hugged her belongings, took a deep breath, and let out a long sigh.
“Sigh…”
Soon after, another chubby girl arrived. Behind her was a man in a food factory uniform, holding the recruitment notice that had been posted on the wall.
Once the notice was taken down, no more applicants would be admitted. The exam was about to begin.
The factory cleared out a large storage room for the test. There was a written exam covering basic literacy and arithmetic.
Liu Chunhua had been farsighted.
She made the men in the family study through high school and the women through middle school—whether for jobs or marriage, it gave them better opportunities.
Jiang Zao had a middle school education, so the test was easy for her.
After finishing, she didn’t rush to hand it in. She sat there frowning, holding her chin, pretending she didn’t know anything, and only submitted her paper among the last two.
After the written test came the practical test—pinching dough portions.
This was a common method for assessing cooking skills. Dough portions could be cut or pinched; experienced chefs could achieve perfect accuracy by feel alone.
The tables in front of them turned into cooking stations. The test papers were replaced with long strips of kneaded dough, about the thickness of a rolling pin.
The examiner held up a piece of dough. “This is a 50-gram portion. Take a look. I’ll collect it in a moment—whoever pinches portions closest to 50 grams will score highest.”
For the second test, Jiang Zao quickly understood.
So they were recruiting for the pastry section.
No wonder they didn’t just assign family members—this required skill. Hiring someone useless would only create problems.
It made sense why Jiang Shan hadn’t passed.
Jiang Zao memorized the size of the sample portion, cupped her hand to estimate it. When the examiner gave the signal, she picked up the dough, rolled it slightly, held it with her left hand to expose a section about the right size, then used her right thumb and forefinger to pinch and tear it off cleanly.
The others began as well—some glanced around, unsure of what to do.
Jiang Zao didn’t look up, focusing carefully on her work.
The examiner silently noted those who weren’t paying attention.
Each person submitted five portions. Once collected, the test ended.
“The admission list will be posted on the wall in three days. Those accepted should report with their household registration.”
After leaving the food factory, Jiang Zao carried cured meat and sausages to the agricultural goods store and found the clerk, Sister Wang Yan.
“Sis, come here.”
Jiang Zao often cooked and frequented the store, so she had grown familiar with Wang Yan.
Wang Yan finished sweeping, wiped her hands on her apron, and walked over. The two moved to a quiet corner to talk.
Jiang Zao said, “Last time you mentioned your mother-in-law is from the south and wants cured meat and sausages. I managed to get some—do you want them?”
The cardboard box was slightly open, revealing sausages with a golden sheen and distinct red-and-white marbling, along with dark red smoked meat rich in aroma.
Wang Yan nodded eagerly. “Yes!”
Wang Yan and her husband had a marriage everyone envied.
She was a village girl, and her husband Zhao Tiezhu had been a sent-down educated youth. Unlike others who married local girls to change their status, they had fallen in love genuinely.
During a flood in the production team, Zhao Tiezhu injured his leg and was stranded on the mountain. Wang Yan, who had been gathering wild apricots there, was also trapped.
Before the floodwaters surged down, Wang Yan rolled up her pants, tightened her belt, and carried the nearly 1.8-meter-tall Zhao Tiezhu on her back for over half an hour down the mountain.
Just after they reached safety, a flash flood tore through the mountain, snapping trees in half and washing down crushed wild boars.
Seeing the devastation, Zhao Tiezhu knelt and kowtowed in gratitude for saving his life.
From then on, they met, fell in love, and married. When Zhao Tiezhu returned to the city, he brought Wang Yan with him and even helped her find a job.
The only regret was that after five years of marriage, Wang Yan still hadn’t conceived.
Zhao Tiezhu’s mother grew increasingly impatient—seeing others with grandchildren, even puppies on the street made her envious.
Over time, she even considered finding another wife for her son.
Unable to bear a child, Wang Yan lost her usual composure and tried everything to get along with her mother-in-law.
“Sis, how much do you want for these?” Wang Yan asked.
Jiang Zao replied, “My fiancé gave me this cured meat and sausages. You know my family situation—my parents give everything to my brothers. If I take this home, I won’t even get a bite. Since you need it, just give me 10 yuan.”
If she asked for nothing, Wang Yan wouldn’t accept it. If she asked too much, Wang Yan couldn’t afford it since she handed over her salary.
Wang Yan was stunned. “That’s too cheap…”
Making this much cured meat required so much effort.
Jiang Zao smiled. “Better to turn it into money than bring it home and not eat any. Just don’t tell anyone where you got it.”
Wang Yan nodded, eyes moist. “Don’t worry—I’ll keep it to myself.”
She untied her cloth belt, pulled out hidden savings, and handed over fifteen yuan.
“Here.”
Jiang Zao took the money and gave her the meat. “Alright.”
With this exchange, their relationship grew closer.
Wang Yan sighed. “I wonder when I’ll finally have a child… boy or girl, just one is enough.”
Whenever she heard of people secretly drowning babies, she felt bitter about fate—why was it that she, who wanted a child so badly, couldn’t have one?
Jiang Zao counted the money twice before putting it away.
“Sis, don’t worry. You and Brother Tiezhu are good people—you’ll have a child soon.”