“If work leaves you tired, rest well—do not worry yourself over things at home. Should you ever face hardship, or if anyone gives you trouble, come straight home and tell us.”
Her family spoke gently, clearly taking Lu Jinxia’s side in every matter.
Lu Lichun listened to those repeated words of care, and the sour resentment in her heart deepened all the more. Still, she could only quietly shovel rice from her bowl into her mouth, too afraid to speak. She knew well enough that any petty remark she made now would only earn her a sharp rebuke.
She had finally accepted reality. This Lu Jinxia was no longer the soft, helpless girl fresh from the countryside. She had found work on her own, escaped rural assignment, carried money in her purse, and stood with confidence—even her parents and elder brother favored her. Resentful and dissatisfied as she might feel, she could only swallow her grievances and keep her peace.
Over dinner, the atmosphere settled into a semblance of calm.
After the meal, Wang Xiulan cleared the bowls and chopsticks, her thoughts turning again and again to her eldest son’s approaching marriage. The costs were mounting: engagement gifts, the sewing machine, the bicycle—every item demanded hard-earned money, weighing heavily upon her heart. She had hoped that an additional wage coming into the household might lighten the load. Yet Lu Jinxia would contribute only three yuan each month—a sum so small it could scarcely make any difference at all. And still she could not protest; Lu Jinxia had argued her case with perfect logic, and her husband had already given his ruling. There was nothing for it but to privately regret the situation.
Lu Jianguo, pleasantly tipsy and in high spirits, sat smoking his pipe beside the table. “It is a fine thing,” he murmured contentedly. “She need not go to the countryside. She stays here in the city, working honestly—nothing could be better than that.”
Lu Lichun sat beside him cracking sunflower seeds, though her ears remained fixed on every word spoken. The sharp edge of jealousy had begun to fade, and with it came clarity. She reasoned that she ought to make a better effort to get along with Lu Jinxia—after all, with her now employed, there would surely be times when she might prove useful. Envy gave way to calculation; she began turning over in her mind how she might mend their relationship.
Before long, shuffling footsteps echoed along the corridor, accompanied by familiar voices. Several neighbors who had failed to glean details in the shared kitchen had come calling, unable to contain their curiosity.
“Good evening, Old Lu, Xiulan!” called Aunt Zhang, poking her head around the door with a bright, eager smile. “We’ve just heard the wonderful news about Jinxia! Couldn’t resist coming over to offer our congratulations.”
Wang Xiulan could not very well turn them away cold-shouldered. She stood and gestured warmly. “How kind of you. Do come in and sit.”
The visitors seated themselves, their eyes turning as one toward Lu Jinxia, resuming the very questions they had begun earlier that afternoon.
“Jinxia, what a fortunate girl you are!” one said. “Of all this year’s graduates, it seems you alone have found such luck.”
“The printing factory is well-run and prosperous—far better than most others!” added another. “How did you manage to secure such a place? Our son frets day and night, terrified of being sent off to the countryside with this batch.”
Nods of agreement passed around the room. In those days, remaining in the city or being sent away meant two entirely different fates.
Lu Jinxia replied with composure, leaving no opening for further inquiry. “It was simply good fortune. The factory needed extra hands at short notice, I applied, and was chosen. Even so, I am only a temporary worker. I have secured steady work, but there is no guarantee of a permanent position.”
Her listeners felt both envy and disappointment—marveling at her remarkable luck, yet realizing with regret that there were indeed no vacancies left for their own children.
Aunt Li persisted gently, her voice soft with hope: “And regarding the Youth Resettlement Bureau—now that you have secured work, your name will be withdrawn from the rural assignment lists, won’t it? Only the other day, the Subdistrict Office was going door to door compiling names.”
This touched upon the very matter Lu Jinxia cared most about. She replied evenly, “Yes. The factory has already registered my employment. My records will be formally filed, and the Bureau will no longer count me among the unemployed graduates awaiting assignment.”
A single, concise reply—closing every avenue of further question. The neighbors understood at once. Her position was secure. Lu Jinxia had escaped the countryside entirely and would remain here in the city, employed by the state.
Everyone in the lane knew well enough what life in the countryside entailed: exposure to wind and sun, labor counted in meager work-points, scarce food, and the sheer lottery of whether one might ever return to the city. Countless urban youth had been sent away, never to return.
Aunt Zhang sighed admiringly. “Heaven truly smiles upon you. Your family may rest easy—no parting, no sending your daughter away, and another wage coming in besides.”
Wang Xiulan listened to the praise with visible pride, her heart swelling with quiet satisfaction. A successful child brought honor to her parents before all the neighbors.
After sitting awhile and realizing no further details would be revealed, the neighbors politely ceased their questioning. They exchanged a few pleasantries and took their leave.
Once the door had closed, the room fell quiet. Lu Jianguo exhaled a puff of smoke and spoke slowly. “Attend your work with peace of mind. I shall call upon the Subdistrict Office and the Youth Resettlement Bureau myself. I shall ensure your name is struck permanently from the rural assignment lists. You need never concern yourself with it again.”
Lu Jinxia could not have hoped for better. “Thank you, Father,” she said with a nod.
The next morning, breakfast was eaten at home. Since the printing factory lay some distance away, she would not return at midday—instead taking her meals at the factory canteen, and returning home only in the evening. This arrangement had already been agreed upon the previous day.
Wang Xiulan rose early to prepare porridge and several cornmeal flatbreads, setting out a small dish of pickled vegetables alongside. The family gathered to eat, no one speaking further of rural assignments or employment. The mood was calm and peaceful.
“Walk carefully on your way,” Wang Xiulan advised as she ate. “The factory observes strict rules. Be diligent in all things, and never idle.”
“I will, Mother,” Lu Jinxia replied, biting into her flatbread.
Beside her, Lu Lichun ate quietly, glancing over from time to time—her expression, if nothing else, appearing considerably more composed.
When breakfast ended, Lu Jinxia gathered her things and set out. She arrived at the factory gates just as the morning work whistle blew. She clocked in, then walked toward the workshop alongside her fellow workers.
Inside, the machinery roared at full volume, and the sharp scent of ink and paper filled the air. Dozens of presses turned in unison, the vibration humming through one’s bones.
She was placed under the guidance of a straightforward, capable woman of middle age, who worked with remarkable dexterity and taught her patiently—step by step—how to sort paper and stack finished publications. Lu Jinxia learned quickly, her movements sure and efficient. She soon grasped the workflow and fell naturally into rhythm.
All morning passed in constant industry, scarcely affording a moment to pause. When the noon bell finally rang, workers laid down their tasks and streamed toward the factory canteen.
The hall was crowded, with long queues forming at the service windows. The meal consisted of cabbage stewed with vermicelli served alongside coarse-grained steamed buns—plain fare, yet generous in portion and filling enough, if nothing memorable in taste. Lu Jinxia collected her meal, found an empty seat, and ate while listening to the chatter and conversation of those around her.