Hua Qingqing's first stop in the county town was to go to the supply and marketing cooperative to find Yu Linxiu.
She planned to invite the other party to have a meal at the state - run restaurant to reconnect the sisterly bond that had been absent for almost two months.
She was short of people. Yu Linxiu, a high - school graduate, was very outstanding in this era. Such a talent should belong to her!
However, it might be a bit difficult to persuade the other party. At this time, having a job meant holding an iron rice bowl. Who would throw away such security to follow a private factory with an uncertain future?
Alas, the road ahead was tough!
"Qingqing, you're back!"
"When did you come back? How was it in the capital?"
Yu Linxiu's tone was full of concern.
Qingqing had lived in the Wuxing Production Brigade all her life and had never been anywhere farther than Nan County. And her uncle who lived in the capital had never come to see her. It was as if she was not his own niece.
Yu Linxiu had been worried since the day Qingqing set off, afraid that she would be treated badly there.
Qingqing had called home twice, always reporting the good and hiding the bad.
Facing such sincere concern, Hua Qingqing showed a genuine smile. "I'm fine. Aunt Wu and Sister Miaomiao are all very nice."
Yu Linxiu was relieved.
She knew who Aunt Wu and Miaomiao were from the two phone calls. One was Qingqing's step - mother and the other was her half - sister.
For Qingqing to praise them repeatedly was quite rare. It could only mean that they were really good.
"It's noon. Let's go and have a meal. Let's go to the state - run restaurant."
Huh?
Wasn't this supposed to be her line?
Hua Qingqing nodded. "Sure. Yang Wang should be there too. I just have something to ask him."
Hearing the familiar name, a faint blush appeared on Yu Linxiu's fair face.
During lunchtime, the state - run restaurant was crowded!
Hua Qingqing spotted an empty small table and quickly pulled Yu Linxiu over to sit down.
She then asked what the other person wanted to eat and said she would go and order.
The blackboard on the wall showed today's special dishes. Hua Qingqing looked at it carefully. There were still two meat dishes left. She mentally ticked them off! And there was also oil - splashed noodles. She ticked that off too!
Yu Linxiu said, "Let me go and order. You watch the table."
Huh?
Big cousin was being overly proactive today...
Looking at the back figure in front, Hua Qingqing squinted her eyes. Could something have happened during her absence?
After a while, Yu Linxiu came back with Yang Wang, who was holding several big white steamed buns.
All her doubts were answered at this moment.
Yang Wang put the buns on the table.
"When did you come back?"
Hua Qingqing said, "I came back yesterday. Comrade Yang Wang, I have something to ask you..."
"Don't be so formal. You're giving me the creeps. What is it? Just say it."
Yang Wang exaggeratedly rubbed his arm. His long, thin face grimaced in a funny way, making Yu Linxiu beside him burst out laughing.
Hua Qingqing felt like a super - bright light bulb at this moment.
Hua Qingqing asked, "Aren't you busy now?"
Yang Wang nodded. "Of course I'm busy!"
"Then I'll wait until you're not busy."
This wait lasted until the afternoon.
After lunch, Yu Linxiu went back to the supply and marketing cooperative.
There were fewer people in the restaurant in the afternoon. With the temporary workers taking over, Yang Wang got half a day off.
As soon as they walked out of the restaurant, Hua Qingqing looked at Yang Wang with a knowing and somewhat critical look. "You and my cousin..."
Yang Wang was stunned and quickly waved his hands. "No, no. We have no relationship!"
"Ha? Why are you so nervous? I haven't even said anything yet. You're confessing without being accused."
Yang Wang blushed and only then realized his embarrassment. He had been too nervous and was tricked by this sly Hua Qingqing!
Yang Wang really wanted to punch this sly girl, but she was a girl and also Yu Linxiu's cousin. It was all thanks to her that he and Yu Linxiu had met.
"...I haven't established a relationship with Ah Xiu yet."
Oh, got it. He hadn't won her heart yet.
Hua Qingqing changed her cold attitude and showed a gentle and hearty smile. "Don't be afraid. I was just joking with you. Whether you and my cousin get together is your freedom. I have no right to interfere. Besides, do you think you're as shameless and annoying as Xu Guangzong?"
"Absolutely not! How can he compare with me?!"
Yang Wang retorted without hesitation.
Speaking of that scoundrel Xu Guangzong, Yang Wang was still angry. Especially... after he and Ah Xiu had developed feelings for each other, his dissatisfaction with this person had gradually increased.
The other person had connections in the family and had been released from prison. He was afraid that Xu Guangzong would go and cause trouble for Ah Xiu. So during this period, he would go to the supply and marketing cooperative whenever he had time.
Yang Wang told Hua Qingqing that Xu Guangzong had been released. The latter showed a calm expression!
"There's no need to be afraid of him. The Xu family has already lost all their face because of this incident. They redeemed Xu Guangzong, surely not for him to cause trouble again. So Xu Guangzong will be more restrained. After all, if he makes another mistake, he'll really have no way out."
Yang Wang was comforted by Hua Qingqing's words, but then he was made nervous again by her next sentence.
"However, it's not certain. After all, Xu Guangzong is not a smart person. If he has a brain fart, he might really come to cause trouble. Alas, my cousin is so pitiful, forced to be involved with such a person."
Yang Wang gritted his teeth. No, he still had to go to the supply and marketing cooperative more often!
Yang Wang suddenly remembered that Hua Qingqing had something to ask him.
"What on earth is your matter? Couldn't you say it inside?"
Hua Qingqing walked to the side. "It's not that I couldn't say it. It's just more convenient to act outside. Let's go to a place first."
Hua Qingqing took Yang Wang to the Zhou family.
She had already told Zhou Cai yesterday that before she finished high school, he would be in charge of the factory for the time being.
She was just a student now, not the domineering CEO who could easily make others' lives miserable like in her previous life. Being too prominent was not a good thing for her. She had never intended to put herself in the spotlight from the beginning.
Yang Wang rode his bike and chased after her, trying to digest this information all the way.
Hua Qingqing said that she had partnered with someone to run a private factory and asked him to help find a suitable place in Nan County.
This suitable place naturally referred to the abandoned factories.
But this was really a bit absurd -
"Are you serious? You partnered with someone to run a factory?"
"Are you joking?"
Good heavens, this girl had just been admitted to high school!
"Are you sure you weren't scammed?"
Yang Wang chattered all the way. Hua Qingqing ignored him until they reached the gate of the Zhou family, then she replied.
"I'm not like you. The person who can scam me probably hasn't been born yet. Just relax. I'm counting on you to find the factory."
She didn't plan to let people know that she was the factory owner of the private factory, but she couldn't stay completely out of it. So she gave herself the name of a technical partner.
Yang Wang still didn't believe it and was afraid that she was being scammed. "Where did you get the money? Running a factory in partnership is no joke."
"I saw a bookcase in a book. It was used by the ancients to hold books. I gave Master Zhou an idea to change the wood to cloth. When I was in the capital, I sold almost two hundred schoolbags!"