The Self-Cultivation of a Reborn Massage Therapist

Chapter 188 Cutting
Lin Wei's family is a successful example of training one person, employing one person, and lifting one household out of poverty.

However, behind Lin Wei's success lies the harsh reality that out of 20 people who participated in the training, only 5 stood out!
Xiao Wang pushed his bicycle through the crisscrossing alleyways of the old Fatou community.

As a community volunteer who has worked for two years, he knows every tree and every loose paving stone in this area like the back of his hand.

As he turned the corner, he immediately spotted Lin Wei's parents.

The elderly couple were walking back side by side, their steps light and quick, their faces glowing with an irrepressible joy.

Old Lin was even carrying a gourmet food box with the "Relax and Slow Travel" logo on it, handling it carefully, as if he were holding some kind of treasure.

Xiao Wang stopped the car with a smile and greeted him, "Uncle Lin, you two look so happy, what great news has happened?"

"It's Xiao Wang!" Lin's mother immediately beamed with joy. "This is wonderful news! Our Weiwei... she's been promoted! From now on, she's a full-fledged instructor at 'Easy Slow Travel'! Little Hammer will be personally mentoring her!"

"Really?!" Xiao Wang was genuinely excited. "That's wonderful! I knew Weiwei could do it!"

Watching the elderly couple walk happily into the building, Xiao Wang felt a complex mix of emotions—hard work and pride.

Outsiders only see Lin Wei's current success and the amazing treatment given by "Easy Slow Travel," but few people know how many people and how many processes are working silently behind the scenes to achieve this "promotion."

He still remembers the bustling scene in the community when "Easy Walk" launched this employment program for visually impaired people in conjunction with the street office.

The subdistrict office screened disabled participants for training, notified and mobilized them, and coordinated with the community for venue and logistics.

There are 3-5 community volunteers like Xiao Wang who are responsible for picking up and dropping off trainees, assisting with tactile paving, and providing daily care during the training period (such as getting meals and water).

Lin Wei was personally contacted and picked up by Xiao Wang!

Xiao Wang pushed his bicycle back

Upon entering the community workstation, a cool breeze wafted in from the doorway, dispelling the summer heat.

The old standing air conditioner in the station was blowing loudly, and colleagues were gathered around the desk, as if they were studying some new and interesting gadget.

"Xiao Wang, come here quickly!" As soon as Sister Li saw him, she waved excitedly, "Look, the gifts sent by Easy Travel are here!"

Xiao Wang went over and saw several kraft paper-colored canvas tote bags neatly arranged on the table. The bags were printed with the logo "Easy Travel" and the phrase "Salute to grassroots workers" in simple lines.

There weren't many things in the bag, but every item showed thoughtfulness.

The most eye-catching item is a dark gray thermos with a frosted texture, smooth lines, and a heavy, substantial feel when held in the hand.

Xiao Wang picked it up and weighed it in his hand, his heart skipping a beat. Young people like him knew these things inside and out. He'd seen this brand before in the high-end kitchenware section of a department store; one of those cups cost him a week's worth of food.

Next to the cup was a tube of sunscreen. The packaging had a simple Japanese design, white background with blue lettering, which looked refreshing. A colleague was holding it and examining it: "It's quite stylish, SPF50+, what does that mean?"

"Sister Li, this is really good stuff!" Xiao Wang couldn't help but say. "It has an SPF of 50+, which is the highest level, and it's specially designed for people who do outdoor activities. My girlfriend has been talking about this brand before. It's ridiculously expensive, but she says it feels refreshing and non-greasy when applied."

"Really? That's perfect." Upon hearing this, the colleague carefully put the sunscreen back into the bag, as if it weren't a tube of cosmetics but some kind of expensive ointment.

Inside the bag was a small, sealed, waterproof square that felt cool to the touch. Upon opening it, I found a high-tech cooling towel that could instantly cool down after being soaked in water and shaken. In addition, there were several boxes of chrysanthemum and cassia seed tea bags and a small box of individually packaged salted plums—all practical items for quenching thirst, cooling down, and replenishing electrolytes.

There were no fancy fruit baskets, no cloyingly sweet pastries. Everything they offered precisely addressed the needs of these volunteers who toiled in the community under the scorching sun.

Looking at these things, Xiao Wang pursed his lips and asked his colleague:
"How many of them succeeded?"

“Five!” his colleague said with a wry smile. He didn’t know what to say about such a cruel elimination rate. “But there is good news. The fifteen people who were eliminated by Easy Slow have been snapped up by chain stores such as Six Fingers and Fuqiao. It is said that the first one eliminated is already a senior technician in a mid-range store.”

Xiao Wang didn't say anything, but silently picked up the gift bag with his name on it.

Just as he untied the drawstring of the bag, a delicate card slipped quietly through the gap and landed lightly at his feet.

To Mr. Wang Muye: He cherishes his heart and soul, simple and sincere; though the road is long, perseverance will lead to the destination. Thank you for guiding them and walking with us. Sincerely, [Name]

He picked up the card, his fingertip lightly gliding over the phrase "shepherding the heart's wilderness," and then carefully placed the card in his pocket, close to his chest.

His throat felt inexplicably tight, so he went to the water dispenser, filled a glass with ice water, and swallowed it in large gulps.

Xiao Wang raised his head and blinked hard, but his eyes still involuntarily reddened.

"Xiao Wang, we have something to do again."

A colleague who had also looked at the card spoke up, his tone no longer filled with joy, but with an unprecedented solemnity.

Xiao Wang quickly went over and stared at the computer screen.

"Competitive Negotiation Announcement for the Third Quarter 2020 Intermediate-Level Blind Massage Therapist Skills Training Program at the Chaoyang District Disabled Persons Comprehensive Service Center"

I. Project Name

2020 Intermediate-Level Training for Blind Massage Therapists

II. Procurement Entity

Chaoyang District Disabled Persons Comprehensive Service Center
III. Budgetary Funds

159000.00 yuan (RMB: One Hundred and Fifty-Nine Thousand Yuan Only)

IV. Procurement Method

Competitive Negotiation

V. Procurement Content

In accordance with the requirements of the Chaoyang District Disabled Persons Comprehensive Service Center, we will conduct intermediate-level blind health massage therapist skills training at the end of the third quarter of 2020.

"Secretary Liu from the subdistrict office just issued a notice requiring the selection and training of junior massage therapists in the subdistrict."

"The five technicians hired by Easy Slow Travel have settled their training fees with the subdistrict office, amounting to 4 yuan per person!"

Xiao Wang was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Too much."

"Is it a lot?" my colleague asked slowly. "From personnel to financial investment, the government, community and social forces provide systematic support for the employment of people with disabilities. The career transformation of blind massage therapists requires collaboration in multiple stages, including planning, training, assessment and employment. Every expense and every role is indispensable."

"Xiao Wang, I work in an office, so I don't know if 4 is a lot or not, but I know that the hard work and dedication of community volunteers like you, who are not on the payroll, working tirelessly in the wind and sun every day, is something that money can't buy!"

Xiao Wang patted his pocket: "That card alone is worth it."

That 4 was indeed too much. The colleague immediately grasped the crux of the matter and slowly gave a wry smile:
"Cut!"

"What do you mean?"

"Players have to share money with the Basketball Association when they go abroad to play."

Xiao Wang understood and gave a wry smile.

"Taking it easy and slow makes us think too highly of ourselves and too poorly of some people."

"Don't you know that we and they are actually the same kind of people?"

(End of this chapter)