"The skills assessment at the factory office, Zhou Qun's level is currently just barely enough for a level seven," said Wang Er, who had come to spread the news. It seemed that everyone had turned into Sherlock Holmes that day, closely watching every move of the higher-ups.
Sure enough, as soon as there was a result, Wang Er rushed out to share the gossip with everyone.
Zhuang Zhixi was surprised: "He's only just enough for a level seven?"
"Exactly, you know, if you say there wasn't any cheating in his previous exams, no one would believe it. I heard from Lao Tian from the second workshop, who was there as a representative. He said that with Zhou Qun's current level, if they were strict, he definitely wouldn't pass. But under normal circumstances, everyone would let him through. It's more like he's on the borderline, passable but not guaranteed. However, since retaking the exam might make him more nervous and lead to worse performance, everyone still thinks that Zhou Qun passing the level seven is no problem at all. Zhou Qun himself explained that his recent poor physical and mental condition affected his performance."
"What about the factory? How did the factory decide to handle it?"
"I heard the leaders discussed and decided to let him pass. On one hand, his current level is enough for a level seven, and on the other hand, it's not easy for the factory to cultivate a master craftsman. As for all the rumors and gossip, since there's no evidence, the factory doesn't take them seriously."
In fact, everyone in the factory believed the rumors were true.
But the factory also had to save face, and since Zhou Qun just barely met the level, they decided to protect him.
Everyone looked at each other, and Bai Fendou directly complained: "He's been stuck at this level for two years? His current level is barely passing, so two years ago, he definitely wasn't at this level."
Wang Er: "He said that these past few years, because they haven't had a child, he's been preoccupied with the child issue, which has delayed his progress in his main job. So he hasn't made any progress."
Zhou Qun was really good at finding excuses for himself.
He even managed to throw some dirt on Jiang Lu.
However, the excuse he came up with was somewhat reasonable, as it's understandable that after ten years of marriage without a child, the urgency would be evident to everyone.
Bai Fendou: "Pfft, really, what else do they do besides forcing black dog blood on their daughter-in-law!"
Aunt Wang and her daughter-in-law thought they were doing things secretly, but how could they hide it from their close neighbors?
Wang Er and Zhang San immediately perked up: "Black dog blood? Tell us about it?"
This kind of gossip, they hadn't heard before.
Bai Fendou: "Alright, I'll tell you."
Old Huang: "Xiao Zhuang, pass me the red chalk."
"Sure!"
Bai Fendou: "Let's go, we'll talk while patrolling."
The three security guards left together, and Zhuang Zhixi shrugged and laughed, muttering, "It's really..."
Old Huang glanced at Zhuang Zhixi and said, "Feeling that not dealing with Zhou Qun isn't fair?"
Zhuang Zhixi shook his head, saying, "I knew from the start that they wouldn't deal with Zhou Qun. As long as Zhou Qun isn't too far off, he can get through this. It's just that his reputation will be ruined."
Old Huang was intrigued and asked, "Why do you think he can get through this? You seem quite confident in your neighbor."
Zhuang Zhixi: "I'm not confident in him, but in the factory leaders. They wouldn't want this exam to turn into a scandal, so they'll definitely let Zhou Qun pass. Plus, the reason Zhou Qun gave is passable, right?"
Old Huang pursed his lips.
Zhuang Zhixi: "Besides, Zhou Qun's teacher has been very generous with him, not holding back any techniques. Zhou Qun started higher than others and learned more. Even if his level isn't perfect, he's still stronger than his peers. After all, most master craftsmen hold back some techniques. Zhou Qun's foundation is solid. He's also young and skilled, so the factory leaders, for the sake of work, won't be too harsh on him. But I think Zhou Qun's future upgrades will be very difficult."
Old Huang: "You make a good point."
While they were discussing Zhou Qun, others were also talking about him. Zhou Qun had become the hot topic of the factory, enjoying a moment of "unmatched popularity." Unfortunately, Zhou Qun himself didn't want this kind of fame. He returned to the office with a dark face, finding it empty.
In the past, the electricians in their group would still flatter Zhou Qun a bit, seeing him as young and promising, with some family background. It was clear he would have a bright future, so naturally, they were happy to befriend him. But now, things were different. No one dared to get close to him, as who knew if he might try to seduce their wives.
Everyone kept their distance, as no one liked the idea of wearing a green hat.
Because of this incident, the apprentices and trainees in the factory benefited. In the past, masters would sometimes take advantage of their apprentices, whether a little or a lot. But now, that practice had completely disappeared.
The masters strictly forbade their apprentices from visiting their homes.
After all, who knew if they might end up like Zhou Qun, indiscriminate and not even sparing older women.
Moreover, due to the recent events, masters were now more cautious in teaching their apprentices, afraid of being made an example of. The leaders might seem lenient for the sake of the factory's reputation, but that didn't mean they weren't angry. For various reasons, the new employees, who were apprentices, were now benefiting greatly.
It could be said that Zhou Qun's reputation was sacrificed to benefit the majority.
While the men like Zhuang Zhixi were discussing this, the women were also talking about it. The mechanical factory had few women, but each workshop had some. Usually, Wang Xiangxiu didn't interact much with the female workers, as everyone disapproved of her flirting.
But recently, she had been spending more time with them. After all, their courtyard had a lot of drama.
Especially Zhou Qun, who was a very famous character.
They got first-hand gossip from her.
Of course, there were other sources of gossip, but that didn't stop everyone from chatting about it.
"Xiu'er, hey, do you think Zhou Qun and his wife not having a child all these years is because he's really not interested in younger women?"
As soon as this question was asked, everyone immediately perked up their ears.
Wang Xiangxiu: "Who knows? Anyway, all the women involved are older, and he doesn't have a child." He likes older women, right? He tried to seduce me, clearly because he's not capable.
However, Wang Xiangxiu didn't show any of this on her face.
She had to say that Zhou Qun liked older women, or else she wouldn't be able to clear her name.
She said, "But who knows, he even stares at my mother-in-law, making her very uneasy now."
"Older women do need to be careful."
"Exactly."
"Your mother-in-law has it tough."
"Maybe he couldn't get your mother-in-law, so he framed you to get revenge."
Wang Xiangxiu: "..." You really dare to think.
She hesitated: "Who knows?"
They discussed passionately, and Zhou Qun was always the central figure in the conversation.
Even Li the Cook and his son-in-law, who had old grudges with Bai Fendou, temporarily set aside their feud to gossip about Zhou Qun.
This trend was suppressed twice by the factory, but it was ineffective. You can't stop people from talking. Zhou Qun was like a rat crossing the street, with everyone shouting to beat him. Amidst Zhou Qun's deep misery, the day quickly arrived for Labor Day.
Labor Day is a holiday for laborers, and also the most important holiday for the working class.
Labor is the most glorious!
On the morning of Labor Day, Zhuang Zhixi got up early and changed into a short-sleeved indeed cotton shirt, looking very spirited.
Zhuang Zhixi needed to go early to check the venue, saying, "I'll go first, you all must come later to watch."
He specifically mentioned his wife: "Come early, don't get stuck in the back and miss seeing your man's handsome appearance."
Ming Mei smiled: "Stop bragging, go quickly."
Zhuang Zhixi smiled and left quickly. He knew this was important and couldn't be delayed.
Ming Mei also sped up her eating, and Zhao Guihua saw this and said, "You don't need to rush."
Ming Mei was very straightforward, saying, "I want to get to the front early to watch."
Zhao Guihua thought for a moment and nodded, "There will definitely be a lot of people today, since it's been years since the last event like this."
There wasn't much entertainment available, so with a party happening, the crowd would surely be huge.
Hutou chimed in, "Granny, I want to go too! Hutou wants to go!"
Xiao Yanzi, soft and sweet, echoed, "Xiao Yanzi wants to go too."
"We'll take you both, don't worry," assured Zhao Guihua.
The two kids immediately brightened up.
Zhuang Zhiyuan, who had just returned from a business trip, said, "There will be a lot of people, so be careful the kids don't get stepped on. I'll carry Hutou, and you, wife, carry Xiao Yanzi. We'll all go together."
It was rare for his younger brother to be the host, so Zhuang Zhiyuan naturally wanted to support him.
Liang Chunyu had no objections to this. She said, "I wonder how many people will show up."
"Come on, our factory is a huge one with thousands of employees, plus all the family members. It's bound to be packed," Zhuang Zhiyuan replied.
Zhao Guihua remembered how crowded it had been in the past, to the point of being overwhelming.
In her previous life, she had even lost a shoe when it got stepped on and kicked off.
"Guihua, Old Zhao!"
Zhao Guihua put down her chopsticks and went outside. "Aunt Wang? What's up?"
Aunt Wang said, "I just counted, and everyone in our courtyard is going to the factory to watch the fun. So I plan to lock the main gate. I came over to let you know. If I'm slow coming back, wait at the gate for a bit, don't rush to climb over the wall, it's not safe, okay?"
Zhao Guihua replied, "Sure, that's a good idea. It'll be safer too."
With everyone out of the house, it would be easy for burglars to take advantage.
Zhao Guihua asked, "When are you leaving? We can go together."
Aunt Wang said, "You go ahead. I'll be the last one out since I need to lock the gate."
"Alright then."
Zhao Guihua didn't mention trying to get there early to secure a good spot. That was unlikely, and it might be hard to even find each other in the crowd.
Aunt Wang said, "Okay, I'll go notify the others now."
She went door to door, informing everyone. When she arrived at Lan Sihai's house, the elderly couple was already preparing to leave. Aunt Wang couldn't help but sigh. People really do need to dress up. The first time she saw Luo Xiaohe, her hair was gray, and although her clothes were clean, they were clearly old and worn. But after marrying into this household, Luo Xiaohe had dyed her hair black and got herself new clothes. She looked at least ten years younger.
Clothes make the man, as they say.
She repeated the lock-up plan to Lan Sihai, who nodded and said, "I understand. We won't be back for lunch, so it won't affect us."
Aunt Wang knew that Lan Sihai was planning to dine out. She admired how impressive Lan Sihai was. In their generation, whether it was their elders or their children, everyone focused on their kids.
Take her family, for example. With two grandsons, they had to save money for their future marriages. If her daughter had more children, they'd need to save even more. But Lan Sihai was the first old man she'd seen who lived only for himself. He was truly one of a kind in the entire region.
He only cared about his own happiness.
Everyone in their courtyard had seen Ming Mei's mother, Lan Sihai's daughter, come by to bring food and tidy up the house. That was before Lan Sihai started dating Luo Xiaohe.
Lan Sihai had even told his daughter to come less often, not to interfere with his carefree life. Can you believe that?
Everyone in the courtyard knew that this old man was selfish.
But while Aunt Wang complained, she also felt a bit envious. She believed others felt the same. Sure, they all said he was selfish, but who wouldn't want to live like that?
She snapped back to reality and said, "Alright, you're leaving now? That's pretty early."
Lan Sihai smiled, "We want to get a good spot. You all have sharp eyes and can see from far away, but we can't, you know!"
Aunt Wang: "..."
His words were as annoying as ever.
But she was used to it. Plus... she had arranged their marriage and received a big chunk of pork head as a reward. They had enjoyed it for three meals. So in her eyes, Lan Sihai was a good man.
She smiled and said, "Find a safe spot, okay? It'll be crowded, so don't get pushed around."
Lan Sihai raised his chin and said, "I'll arrive early and hang around the leaders. Maybe I can score a seat. After all, I'm old, hehe, hehehe."
Aunt Wang waved her hand, "You're amazing. We can't compare."
Lan Sihai said, "I won't waste time chatting with you."
Luo Xiaohe also said goodbye and followed Lan Sihai.
Aunt Wang sighed, "Luo Xiaohe is lucky."
Though Luo Xiaohe had suffered in her youth due to bad choices, she had now reaped the rewards of her hardships. While Lan Sihai was older, if a twenty-year-old married a forty-year-old, people would gossip. But a fifty-year-old marrying a seventy-year-old? It didn't seem so odd.
After all, they looked like an old couple, so people didn't pay much attention or judge harshly. So Luo Xiaohe and Lan Sihai together seemed quite fitting.
Aunt Wang, with a hint of envy, smiled and continued her rounds, informing the rest of the courtyard.
Lan Sihai and Luo Xiaohe walked together, with Lan Sihai asking, "Have you ever seen a performance like this before?"
Luo Xiaohe shook her head, "No. In the years after my father passed away, I was the only one working, and my mother had no job, only doing some paper box folding. My siblings were in school, and the family was very poor. Even if I had time, instead of resting, I would go to the outskirts to dig wild vegetables or help my mother with the paper boxes. Later, when my siblings grew up, my brother-in-law was very kind and helped us a lot. But my mother believed that a married daughter is like water thrown out (meaning she's no longer part of the family). Our family was already burdened, and she didn't want my brother-in-law to dislike my sister, so we didn't receive much help. Then, something happened, and my sister came back with her two kids. Though she had a job, the family burden increased again. Luckily, my brother also started working by then. You see, my family has always been busy, so I've never had the chance to watch such performances."
She wasn't complaining, just stating her circumstances.
Lan Sihai said, "You've been really strong. Your family relied on you early on."
Luo Xiaohe proudly raised her head, "Yes, even though I was just a temporary worker and didn't earn much, Heaven won't let people starve. My siblings also helped by folding paper boxes from a young age."
Because their family worked together from a young age, she couldn't understand the neighbors, the Su family, who had only one worker but spoiled their children.
Spoiling children was never a good thing.
Her siblings were grateful and well-behaved, thanks to their upbringing. If they had been like the kids in the Jin family... she thought she might really go crazy.
Lan Sihai said, "Your family is quite strong-willed."
Luo Xiaohe said, "Yes, when my father died, my mother feared we'd be bullied, so she went to great lengths to protect us, even if it ruined her reputation."
People are hard to understand. Her mother pretended to be a crazy, violent person to protect them, but she didn't like Luo Xiaohe and wanted to keep her tied to the family forever.
While her mother saw her siblings as having their own families and didn't want to burden them, she saw her eldest daughter as someone who could be kept around. After all, she hadn't married, and she wasn't young or successful.
Lan Sihai asked, "What's wrong?"
Luo Xiaohe shook her head forcefully, "I thought of some unpleasant things. I don't want to think about them anymore."
Lan Sihai smiled and said, "In fact, even parents may not be able to treat their children equally. It's normal to have favorites and to look down on the least accomplished child. It's also normal to cling to the one who gives the most selflessly. I've seen this kind of thing many times, so you don't need to take it to heart. Sometimes, distance makes the heart grow fonder, and maybe if you leave, your mother will behave normally. And even if she doesn't, what can you do about it? People live their lives, and it's always important to think about yourself."
Luo Xiaohe sincerely said, "You're quite carefree."
Lan Sihai smiled, "Since my eldest son passed away, I've realized that one should cherish every day. Life should be lived happily. You can either spend your day gloomy and unhappy or joyful and content. Why choose the former?"
"That makes a lot of sense."
"Of course it does."
Both of them laughed. Surprisingly, they seemed to get along quite well.
Although Lan Sihai hadn't received much formal education, he was well-traveled and had a wealth of life experience. His knowledge might not have been extensive, but he had a good grasp of common sense. Luo Xiaohe, who was past the age of being impressed by looks, was genuinely impressed by Lan Sihai's experience and wisdom.
They entered the factory together. Sure enough, they had arrived more than an hour early, yet they weren't even among the first to arrive. The place was already bustling with activity and filled with people.
"Master Lan, Master Lan, over here," Director Li from the office called out, spotting Lan Sihai immediately. "Master Lan, we've reserved a spot for you here."
These veteran technical experts were highly respected.
Especially someone like Master Lan, who was skilled in handling gold—a rare talent—was practically treated like a treasure by the factory.
As expected of a leader, Director Li, seeing Old Man Lan with a female companion, immediately said, "This must be Mrs. Lan, right? Come, come, join us. You two look like a perfect match. Here, have some melon seeds."
Although it was somewhat unusual for Old Man Lan to be on his fifth marriage, Director Li didn't show any hint of surprise, handling the situation with natural ease.
Although it was a grand performance, the front rows were reserved for factory leaders, veteran technicians, and senior skilled workers. Ordinary workers mostly stood at the back.
Everyone was used to this arrangement and didn't mind much.
After all, there weren't enough chairs to accommodate everyone.
When Ming Mei and her family arrived, the venue was already packed. Ming Mei exclaimed, "Wow!"
Hutou and Xiao Yanzi echoed her, also exclaiming, "Wow!"
Ming Mei asked, "Should we try to squeeze to the front?"
Looking at the crowd, she swallowed hard, imagining that just squeezing through would probably help her lose at least three pounds. There were just too many people. She marveled, "Is the entire factory here?"
Zhao Guihua replied, "Indeed. The factory hasn't held a performance in three or four years, so it's only natural for everyone to come and join the fun."
"But we can't see anything from here," Ming Mei said.
Liang Meifen, being of average height, found herself completely blocked by a few tall men standing in front of her. Some people had even brought stools, clearly planning to climb up for a better view.
But this made her feel a bit uneasy, worried that someone might fall off a stool in the crowded space.
Liang Meifen looked pleadingly at Zhao Guihua.
Zhao Guihua, standing on her tiptoes to look around, also found it difficult to see clearly. Besides, standing on tiptoes was tiring.
Ming Mei was already swinging her arms and clenching her fists, ready for action. She declared, "Let's push through! I'll lead the way, and you all follow closely behind me."
Liang Meifen could almost see flames blazing on her sister-in-law's head. She swallowed hard and nodded, "Alright, I'll follow you."
Zhao Guihua interjected, "What are you squeezing for? Follow me."
"Huh?"
Everyone looked at her.
Zhao Guihua said, "I'll take you to a better spot."
Old Man Zhuang was puzzled. "What spot could there be that I, as a factory employee, don't know about, but you do?"
Zhuang Zhiyuan was equally confused, as he wasn't familiar with the area.
Zhao Guihua said, "We'll find a high place to watch from."
Old Man Zhuang turned around and saw people crowded at the windows of the office building. He quickly said, "The office building? We're not part of the factory administration, they won't let us up."
Zhao Guihua replied calmly, "Who said I was going there?"
She was unruffled. "Just follow me."
Ming Mei and Liang Meifen immediately followed. In their family, the women were more decisive than the men.
Old Man Zhuang and Zhuang Zhiyuan quickly caught up. As they pushed through the crowd, they saw Aunt Wang and Wang Fang with Li Junjun and Li Weiwei, looking flustered. Aunt Wang exclaimed, "Why are there so many people?"
Zhao Guihua nodded, "I'm worried someone might get trampled. Did you see those people carrying stools to stand on? I'm afraid someone might fall."
"What should we do? Are you not going to watch?" Aunt Wang asked, seeing them trying to move away from the crowd.
Zhao Guihua said, "Just follow me."
Aunt Wang replied, "Alright, I'll trust you."
"What about Li the Cook and your son-in-law?"
Aunt Wang sighed, "Oh, don't mention it. They had a lunch reception today and have been busy in the kitchen since early morning. I guess they'll manage to sneak a glance if they can."
Zhao Guihua remarked, "They're missing out."
"That's for sure. I heard Bai Fendou and the others are working as usual today."
Old Man Zhuang said, "I heard that too. The security department is in charge of maintaining order at the venue."
With so many people, the factory couldn't just let everyone do as they pleased. They had to manage things a bit, or else something might go wrong.
"Mom, where are we going?" Liang Meifen asked curiously.
Zhao Guihua replied, "Why so many questions? Just follow."
Zhao Guihua led the group around a corner and soon arrived at an empty warehouse. She said, "Let's climb up. From the roof here, we can see the venue perfectly."
"Huh?"
Everyone was stunned.
Zhao Guihua glared, "What? Don't believe me?"
Ming Mei said, "Of course we believe you."
The others did too. Zhao Guihua wasn't the type to make things up, but the warehouse looked to be about five meters high, and climbing it seemed daunting, especially for the older and younger members of the group.
Aunt Wang said, "Guihua, I believe you, but look, I can't climb that high."
Ming Mei stroked her chin. "I can climb up, but I can't just leave you all behind."
After all, she was a good person.
Zhao Guihua sighed. "Honestly, I can't get through to you people. When you do things, you don't even use your brains."
She said, "We can't climb up, so why don't we borrow a ladder? The cafeteria has one, right?"
Aunt Wang slapped her forehead. "Right, right, right! They have a ladder in the cafeteria."
The cafeteria used a ladder to access the cellar where they stored winter vegetables.
Old Man Zhuang said, "I'll go find Li the Cook."
Aunt Wang said, "I'll go. You watch Weiwei for me."
Sure enough, Aunt Wang soon returned with a ladder. Zhuang Zhiyuan said, "I'll hold the ladder at the bottom. You all go up first. Dad, you catch the kids at the top."
"Alright."
Climbing a ladder wasn't a big deal for them. In those days, even the most comfortable households had to store winter vegetables and move coal, so climbing up and down was common. However, there were four children to consider.
The children weren't very old, especially Xiao Yanzi, who hadn't even started elementary school and was just a small bundle of energy.
Ming Mei suggested, "This way, I'll stand in the middle of the ladder. You pass the kids to me, and I'll hand them up."
"No, it's too high—five meters."
Ming Mei said, "Then I'll just act as a buffer in the middle, helping the kids climb up."
"Alright."
They quickly began climbing, starting with the two older women and Old Man Zhuang. Then came Liang Meifen, with Ming Mei acting as a buffer in the middle, helping the children climb up one by one. The kids were nervous and trembling, but they climbed steadily.
Once the children were safely on top, the adults breathed a sigh of relief. Ming Mei quickly climbed up, followed by the others. As soon as they reached the top, they all marveled at how good Zhao Guihua's choice of spot was.
They found themselves in a spot that offered a perfect view of the stage, though not close enough to touch it, yet not too far either. This distance was just right for a clear view. If they had been down below, jostling with the crowd, they wouldn't have been able to get such a good vantage point.
Ming Mei realized that this location was quite ingenious. It was not a place that most people would think of, yet it provided an excellent view of the stage.
Next to them was an office building, and many people were leaning out of the windows to watch the performance. Their spot, however, was not particularly noticeable.
No wonder others hadn't realized this was a good spot. People assumed this area belonged to the office building and wouldn't be accessible to spectators.
The location was quite elevated, and they didn't even need to stand up. Sitting down, they had a slight bird's-eye view. Zhao Guihua cautioned, "You little ones, stay seated in your parents' laps. If you run around and fall, even a small misstep could be fatal. Be careful, understand?"
The children all replied in unison, their voices crisp and clear: "We understand."
Zhao Guihua gave them a sidelong glance. "Don't think just because you say it nicely, you'll actually behave. Not just today, but in the future as well. If I catch you climbing up and down, I'll give you a good whipping with a cane."
Aunt Wang chimed in, "That's right. Li Junjun, Li Weiwei, you two as well. If I find out you're causing trouble, I'll whip you with a belt."
The four children, threatened, all pouted, their little faces sullen. Only Xiao Yanzi obediently said, "I'm not like that. I'm the most well-behaved."
The little boys glared at her, but Xiao Yanzi just smiled softly, "I don't like climbing up and down either."
The little boys: "......"
Ming Mei watched the lively scene with the children and couldn't help but smile. "It's about to start."
As soon as she finished speaking, music began to play. Zhuang Zhixi emerged alone, holding a microphone. At this time, they didn't place much emphasis on gender pairing; it was more about getting the job done.
Zhuang Zhixi stepped onto the stage alone. The venue had already quieted down. He looked out at the sea of faces below, from the leaders in the front row to the crowd behind them. His heart raced a little, but he quickly composed himself, standing tall and speaking formally: "Celebrating May Day, welcoming Labor Day, the Qianjin Machinery Factory, in this season of blossoming spring, has welcomed..."
His opening speech was quite lengthy.
Ming Mei sat on the rooftop, watching Zhuang Zhixi, and cupped her cheeks. "My Zhixi brother is really amazing. He can remember such a long speech."
Zhao Guihua replied, "That's why he, an outsider, was chosen to be the host. It's because the speech is so long, and he also has to handle unexpected situations. That's why the propaganda department pushed it onto him—no one else wanted to do it."
It was obvious. If it were a really good, prestigious opportunity, others would have fought to take it internally.
Clearly, everyone thought it wasn't worth it.
Maybe it was beneficial to the individual, but not significantly so.
So no one wanted to waste their time. By this point, the opening remarks had ended, and Zhuang Zhixi quickly stepped down. Immediately after, men and women in white shirts and black pants took the stage, and the music began... "We Are the Workers, Full of Strength..."
Although they heard this song every day, it was the most representative of them, so it had to be included.
"Hey, your third son is in the second row. Did you see him?" Aunt Wang pointed out Zhuang Zhixi's position with sharp eyes. "Is he participating in the performance?"
Zhao Guihua replied, "I heard that they can't affect production, so the workshop staff can't be used. That's why they're short on people. They're using one person for the work of eight. Luckily, they don't need to change clothes; otherwise, they definitely wouldn't be able to manage."
"Your third son is really something. If it were my two sons, they definitely wouldn't have the guts to perform on stage."
Li Fang nodded in agreement.
Zhuang Zhiyuan chimed in, "That's not surprising, though. Don't you remember? When he was a kid, he used to strut around the courtyard, performing for everyone. Other kids were shy, but he loved showing off."
"Yes, yes, he was always an outgoing kid."
Aunt Wang laughed. "Back in the day, during our New Year's gatherings, we used to have the kids perform. Now, we don't do that anymore. I think we should bring back that tradition."
Li Junjun, Li Weiwei, Hutou, and Xiao Yanzi looked at each other, shrinking their necks. They didn't want to perform.
Aunt Wang scolded, "Look at you, such cowards."
Zhao Guihua chuckled. "Some kids just don't like performing."
Ming Mei, however, didn't join in their conversation. Instead, she focused on the big choir on stage, tapping her fingers along with the rhythm.
After the choir finished, Zhuang Zhixi didn't leave the stage. Instead, he announced the next performance: "Little Erhei's Blind Date."
Soon, two people pushed a large backdrop onto the stage. Everyone exclaimed, "Wow, this is great!"
The backdrop depicted a golden, bountiful rural scene, with heavy sheaves of wheat. In one corner, a tractor was painted.
The factory leaders nodded in approval. "This is well done."
"This must be Old Huang's work. Really impressive."
If Lan Sihai's style was sarcastic and ironic, then Old Huang's was the opposite—he was taciturn, responding with just one word no matter what you said. It made people quite uncomfortable. Moreover, he was very particular about his work, so his relationships in the department were rather strained.
But despite his poor interpersonal skills, both Director Song of the Propaganda Department and the factory leaders treated him with respect. Why? Because he had talent.
Don't think that talent wasn't valued during this time. In fact, it was even more appreciated.
Many talented people had been sent away, but he, with his clean background and ability to work, was highly sought after.
After all, someone had to get the job done.
"This backdrop is really well done. It really captures a scene of a bountiful harvest."
"Workers are the working people, and so are farmers..."
While everyone was discussing, the actors took the stage.
This skit didn't feature Zhuang Zhixi. Ming Mei excitedly said, "Did you see that backdrop? That was designed by Zhixi brother, with the help of the master painter. Zhixi brother said he learned a lot. I thought it would just be a simple backdrop, but it turned out so well."
Zhao Guihua replied, "Even I, his mother, can't boast about him as much as you do."
Ming Mei laughed. "It's really good. If he hadn't done a good job, I would have called him a loser."
Zhao Guihua chuckled. "You're quite good at describing things."
Ming Mei softly laughed. Li Fang sighed, "You two really have a great relationship."
Ming Mei replied, "Of course! We're newlyweds. If we can't get along now, it'll only get worse later."
At this point, Li Fang understood why Ming Mei and Zhuang Zhixi had hit it off. The two of them, at first glance, seemed like a perfect match.
"Wife!"
Li Fang was startled. She stood up and looked down. "Why are you here?"
Yang Lixin replied, "The leaders are still busy over there, and I can't help with anything, so I came to watch the show."
He climbed up the ladder and exclaimed, "Who found this spot? It's really great."
Zhao Guihua proudly said, "Me!"
She added with a grin, "Your Aunt Zhao, always your Aunt!"
Yang Lixin laughed. "You're amazing. I've been at the factory for so long, and I never knew the roof here was such a good spot to watch the performances."
He thought about it and realized that during movie screenings, this spot wasn't as popular. There weren't as many people, and the slightly elevated view wasn't ideal for movies. But for performances, it was perfect. He moved closer to Li Fang, took the child from her, and asked, "What's the next act?"
Little Erhei just finished. This is the third act, a solo bel canto performance.
Yang Lixin nodded. "Not too late. Hmm?"
"What is it?"
Everyone looked at him. Yang Lixin said, "Do you see the leaders coming over there?"
Ming Mei: "Where? Where?"
Zhao Guihua thought to herself that this was just like the last time.
She looked out and saw a few leaders still outside, pointing at the backdrop and nodding. This was the backdrop from the previous act, "Little Erhei's Blind Date," which hadn't been taken down yet. The next song was "The Field of Hope," which fit perfectly with the backdrop.
Although the leaders did not push their way in, the security department immediately arrived. Soon, accompanied by Section Chief Liu and the security department comrades, several leaders made their way to the front. The common folk might not recognize these people, but as someone who had been reborn, Zhao Guihua had seen them on television a decade later, sitting in the news as prominent figures.
In an era of undeveloped information, most people were unaware, but the ordinary employees might not know, yet the leaders certainly did. Just look at how the factory director and deputy directors all came forward to shake hands. Quickly, Director Song hurried to the backstage.
The aria solo ended, and Zhuang Zhixi stepped onto the stage, smiling as he introduced, "Today, the Municipal Propaganda Department and several leaders have graced us with their presence. Let us welcome them to the stage."
Ming Mei: "Is this person a very big official?"
Zhao Guihua: "The one at the back is the powerful one." One whose name could even get censored.
Ming Mei: "???"
She exclaimed, "That's a big deal."
Yang Lixin also marveled, "Everyone said the leaders would come to visit, but I didn't expect them to give a speech too."
They had originally thought the leaders would just take a look and leave, considering how many units there were across the district. If the leaders visited every single one, it would take a considerable amount of time.
"Dear brothers and sisters, workers of the factory, hello. I am... I am very happy to meet you on this day. Our worker brothers and sisters are the most steadfast foundation of society, and..."
As the leader spoke, everyone listened especially attentively, essentially being encouraged to strive forward and continue creating more value for society.
Ming Mei sighed, "The leader is indeed the leader. What he says is truly inspiring."
Zhao Guihua did not respond; she kept her eyes firmly on the stage, watching to see if it would unfold as it had the last time. Sure enough, as the leader was about to step down, he suddenly stumbled and bumped into a table placed by the side of the stage, which was meant to be carried up. The water from the kettle on the table spilled onto his clothes.
From Zhao Guihua's angle, she couldn't see, but she noticed someone quickly rushing up.
The faces of those preparing to change the props turned pale with fright, but the leader himself didn't seem displeased. Instead, he laughed and said, "You all are trying to make me watch one more program, aren't you?"
Normally, after his speech, he would leave, but considering that leaving immediately might make the factory think too much, or even blame the props crew, he smiled and said, "Then let's watch one more program."
Factory leaders: "!!!"
What a blessing in disguise?
Is this really a good thing?
The longer the leader stays in their factory, the more it indicates their importance.
Zhuang Zhixi quickly stepped onto the stage, remaining calm under pressure. "Next up, 'The White-Haired Girl.'"
He stepped down again, and the stage props were quickly replaced with a snowy outdoor scene. The leader nodded and said, "You've done this very meticulously, very good."
Director Song stood proudly, his chest puffed out with pride.
But little did he know, another mishap had occurred backstage.
Old Man Bai was supposed to play Yang Bailao, but at this moment, his legs had turned to jelly, and he couldn't step onto the stage. This was his first performance, and although he had rehearsed well, the sight of the densely packed audience had completely unnerved him.
The previous little incident had scared him even more, and he collapsed to the ground, unable to move.
"I can't, I can't do it. My legs are weak, I can't get on stage."
Old Man Bai's face was filled with despair.
"Damn it, the show is about to start. What are you doing? Hurry up..."
"I can't, I really can't..." Old Man Bai: "Even if you drag me up, I won't be able to stand..."
He was so scared that he almost wet his pants.
With a despairing face, he sincerely said, "I can't go up."
Everyone was stunned.
Damn, what now?
They all looked at each other, panicking. The audience below had already started to murmur. Director Song came over: "What's going on?"
Old Man Bai cried, "I can't do it. My legs are weak. Maybe you can drag me up, and I'll apologize to everyone."
That... was impossible.
The leader was down there, and they had to perform.
Otherwise, the factory leaders might just devour him.
Director Song was furious, trembling with anger: "You, you, you... Why didn't you say you couldn't earlier? Now, where am I supposed to find someone? Do you know who's down there! I..."
"Director, let's see who can take over. The props are already on stage; we can't change the program!"
"We have to replace someone; Old Man Bai like this definitely can't perform!"
Everyone's eyes were practically devouring Old Man Bai.
You're really dragging us down!
You couldn't do it; you should've said so earlier!
"Right, right, right. Who can act? Let's replace someone. Is there anyone familiar with the script?"
No one dared to speak, afraid they might be chosen. At a time like this, performing well was just saving the situation, but if something went wrong, it would be a big deal. No one dared to step forward. Besides, who would dare to say they could remember Yang Bailao's lines?
Director Song: "I've nurtured you all for a thousand days, and now is the time to use you. You all usually boast about how capable you are, and I believed you. Now, why is none of you speaking up? 'The White-Haired Girl' is a play you've all seen more than once. Yang Bailao's lines aren't that many. Can't someone step up and take over? Quickly! Who can do it? If you perform poorly, I'll take responsibility! I won't let you bear the consequences!" As a leader, he still had that much guts.
But no one dared.
They were already nervous, and this little incident made them even more so. If they went on stage, the result wouldn't be any better than Old Man Bai's.
At that moment, Zhuang Zhixi spoke up: "Or, let me try!"
