In the book, the female supporting role dreams of being an idle fish

"In the past, we washed clothes at the wellhead. But people only had time to wash clothes at that time. And every family had dirty clothes to wash. You could wash them, but he couldn't."

"Everyone always rushed to wash clothes at the same time. There was always a lot of noise. Later, the factory leaders decided that the daily quarrels were not a big deal. Although the dam was high, if they could find a way to divert the water, wouldn't they no longer have to squeeze with everyone?"

"Everyone suddenly felt a glimmer of hope. Later, in the low-lying area by the river behind the family compound, there was a natural crescent-shaped bay. They built an elliptical platform several dozen meters long with stones. That's where people washed their clothes. The platform was over a meter above the ground and paved with smooth stone slabs, extending all the way to the mouth of the river."

Gu Lixia didn't know where Xiu'er was, so she thought that she had been sitting there for the whole afternoon, so she might as well go out and relax.

I suggested, "I don't know where it is yet, and you've been working all afternoon. Let's go wash these things and rest our eyes and necks."

"Okay, then let's wash the coarse and summer cloth that have been hemmed, as well as Huainan, Huaibei, and your clothes. We'll make one set for each of you, and two for you."

Gu Lixia went to wake up Huainan and Huaibei, and asked them whether they wanted to go with her to wash clothes or stay at home to look after their younger brother.

Both children wanted to go with them, so she picked up two baskets, locked the door and went out with the three children. Lixia left a note in the main room and went out to wash clothes.

After walking for about 6 minutes, Gu Lixia saw two middle-aged women washing clothes there.

The surface of the platform has been polished smooth to prevent people from slipping while washing clothes. Occasionally, a few small grasses peek out from the cracks in the stones, adding a bit of vitality to the platform.

The river flowed quietly beneath the platform, crystal clear. The water shimmered, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds. When the wind blew, ripples formed on the river, creating a dreamlike scene.

One can imagine women arriving here with baskets filled with clothes.

They washed clothes and chatted, their laughter echoing in the air.

The children were playing on the grass nearby, enjoying the beauty of nature.

There is only the sound of the river flowing, birds singing and people laughing.

On this laundry platform by the river, people wash away not only the dirt on their clothes, but also the fatigue of life.

Seeing Gu Lixia and Jiang Xiu, the two short-haired aunts greeted them with a smile on their faces, their voices full of intimacy. "My last name is Huang, so I'm Aunt Huang. This one next door is Aunt Zhang. We both live in this family compound, so we're neighbors."

Gu Lixia and Jiang Xiu brought the children to greet her. She chatted with Gu Lixia and Jiang Xiu, asking about their recent situation. The topic was relaxed and pleasant.

When her eyes fell on Gu Lixia, the aunt couldn't help but tease the new daughter-in-law, which caused another aunt to laugh happily.

A shy blush appeared on Gu Lixia's face, while Jiang Xiu stood beside her, looking at her gently.

The middle-aged woman was skilled. She first soaked the clothes in water, then picked up a piece of clothing and scrubbed it vigorously.

Her face showed concentration and seriousness, as if she was treating a precious item.

Gu Lixia was not unfamiliar either. The original owner's experience and her own experience were still there. They worked hard to wash the clothes.

The river water flows through their hands, taking away the dirt on their clothes and also witnessing their hard work.

The children were playing nearby, and bursts of laughter could be heard from time to time.

Gu Lixia and Jiang Xiu finished washing the clothes and hung them on the branches nearby.

The sun shines, the breeze blows, the clothes sway gently, and a fresh scent is emitted.

"Thank you, this place is really nice." Gu Lixia said sincerely to the two aunts who helped.

"We are all neighbors, don't be polite. Come often." Aunt responded with a smile.

After saying goodbye to the two enthusiastic aunts, Gu Lixia and Jiang Xiu carried the baskets and took the children home.

It turns out that there is only one intersection in the family compound, and at the end, it is separated from the school on the other side by a wall.

When I got home, Jiang Wen was already back, concentrating on turning the soil.

The aunt and sister-in-law hung the clothes, bed sheets and mosquito nets on the wire in the yard.

Jiang Xiu continued to operate the sewing machine, while Gu Lixia cooked red bean and vegetable porridge and prepared a cold dish of cucumber mixed with sugar.

The family had their meal, washed up, and went to bed.

When I woke up the next day, Jiang Xiu had already prepared dinner and we ate.

It's time for the family to go to work or school.

It was the first day of work, there were very few people on the road, the sun was shining brightly, and the two of them were in good shape. Come on!

On my first day at work, I felt a bit nervous, but also excited and expectant. A new environment, new challenges.

Gu Lixia and Jiang Wen will work hard to adapt to and meet every challenge at work.

Entering the steel mill and walking through the open space, the first row of offices I came to was the Finance Department on the far edge, the Propaganda Department in the middle, where Gu Lixia would work, and the Logistics Department against the wall.

Gu Lixia and Jiang Wen separated, and Gu Lixia joined the Propaganda Department, where someone had already arrived.

"Hello, I took over my father-in-law's job. My name is Gu Lixia."

"Oh, I know. I found out yesterday. Uncle Jiang was sitting there, by the wall near the window. Let me introduce you to the people in our office."

"There are five of us in the office, so we put five large cabinets against this wall. It's just right, filling up the entire wall."

"There are three seats here. Wang Ling and I will sit opposite each other. Zhang Jing will sit in the corner. Uncle Jiang and Aunt Shen will sit facing each other by the window."

"My name is Cui Min, and Aunt Shen's name is Shen Yue, but she is about the same age as Uncle Jiang, so it's not necessary. Everyone calls her Aunt Shen."

"Uncle Jiang's place, nothing has been moved. Everyone should wipe the table with a rag this week."

"In this weather, the doors and windows that are open need to be cleaned every day because there is dust every day. Please clean them again."

"Those who want to get water should go to the cafeteria. Go back to our row, where you went yesterday, and that's the office of several factory managers and secretaries."

"The next row back is the security department's territory. They have strict management. The office is a large room, and the section chief and deputy section chief each have a small room inside. The other 18 people use the outside area."

"The dormitory is a single room. I heard there were five camp beds, and there was also an interrogation room between the office and the dormitory."

"Further back, the cafeteria is closest to the moat."

"The cafeteria and the bathhouse are connected."

"We could only see the cafeteria windows and the tables, chairs and benches."

"The chefs and vegetable cooks in the cafeteria all enter from the back, and the bathhouses are also separated for men and women."