country bumpkin

Kong Xiufang stayed at her third sister's house in the city for three days before returning to her eldest sister's house.

Inside the room, Kong Xiujuan said with a smile, "My clothing factory is short-staffed right now, but the wages for apprentices aren't high. Do you think you could go?"

Kong Xiufang said happily, "It's okay, big sister. It's already very good that we can find a job in our small city."

Kong Xiujuan added, "I heard that there's a 500 yuan insurance fee, and they're worried that the trainees will quit once they learn the skills. The manufacturers are afraid of losing talent and wasting time, since training someone is a huge time-consuming process."

Kong Xiufang hesitated for a moment, then said, "Well, okay then! I don't have any other work to do anyway, so I'll give it a try."

Kong Xiujuan said shyly, "The factory has free dormitories, and you can eat at my house. I originally wanted you to stay at my house, but it's small and there's not enough room, so..."

Kong Xiufang smiled at her eldest sister and said, "Elder sister, I know. I understand without you having to tell me. As for meals, I'll eat at the factory. I can't always trouble you, after all, you haven't separated from the family yet, and your mother-in-law is fierce. I can't be a burden to you and make things difficult for you in your husband's family."

Kong Xiujuan was both grateful for her younger sister's thoughtfulness and felt sorry for her. She held her sister's hand and said, "Little sister, after your older sister has separated from the family and built a big new house, you can come and live with your older sister."

Kong Xiufang also grasped her elder sister's hand in return, saying, "Elder sister, as long as you are well and not mistreated at your mother-in-law's house, I'll do anything."

Kong Xiujuan felt a warmth in her heart; her own sister was still the closest. She knew her sister's difficulties and always considered her needs.

The 500 yuan fee for entering the factory was borrowed from a neighbor by my eldest sister. My eldest sister's family didn't have much money, so she gave 200 yuan. I also got another 200 yuan from my second sister's family, and my eldest sister's neighbor lent me 100 yuan to make up the difference.

After making their decision, the two sisters planned to go to the factory to register tomorrow.

The next morning, Kong Xiufang arrived at the garment factory early. A large number of people had already gathered at the entrance to register, and she felt a little nervous.

At this moment, a staff member came over and began registering the applicants' information. Kong Xiufang handed over her ID card, silently praying that she would be able to pass the registration smoothly.

The female workers were interviewed by a woman on the west side of the factory gate, while a man interviewed the male workers on the east side of the gate.

Several groups of people had already been interviewed before it was finally Kong Xiufang's turn. The interviewer was the head of the human resources department, a middle-aged woman who looked very serious.

After asking some questions about Kong Xiufang's basic information and work experience, she nodded and said, "Okay, you've passed the initial screening. Next, we will arrange skills training for you."

Kong Xiufang was so happy she almost jumped for joy. She quickly thanked them and followed the staff to complete the onboarding procedures.

There were also many young men who had successfully passed the interviews among the male workers. One of them, a tall and handsome young man, was particularly eye-catching.

Several of the newly hired female workers who had successfully passed the interview all turned to look at the handsome young man.

The man lowered his head, his face flushed, and followed the group, listening to the director speak.

The supervisor who conducted the interview explained the important points to the new worker, told them to start work officially the next day, and then dismissed them.

Back at her eldest sister's house, Kong Xiufang happily shared her joy with her sister.

Upon hearing this, Kong Xiujuan's mother-in-law, Gao Qinglian, began to have some ideas.

She ran to Hu Jinhua's house and told her about it.

Hu Jinhua said, "I already know, Old Sun. Yi Yao has already told me. However, I'll have to trouble you to put in a good word for me with Xiu Juan in the future."

He continued, "I will bring Yifei home as soon as possible so he can meet and spend more time with that girl and develop feelings for her."

Gao Qinglian chimed in, "Yes, you'll get to know each other better if you move around more."

That night, Kong Xiufang stayed at her eldest sister's house. Gao Qinglian called Kong Xiujuan to her room, wanting to sound her out.

"Xiujuan, does your sister have a husband?" Gao Qinglian asked.

"No, they're still young, no rush. Let's talk about it in a couple of years!" Kong Xiujuan said.

Gao Qinglian flattered, "You're 18 years old, aren't you? You're not young anymore. Let's look around first and see if there's anyone suitable. Otherwise, all the good ones will be taken, and we'll only have some ugly ones left, which would be a loss."

Kong Xiujuan said, "Let's talk about it after we've settled in the city! But, Mother, it seems like you're hiding something from me."

Gao Qinglian looked away guiltily, "No, it's nothing, you should go back and rest!"

Since Kong Xiujuan gave birth to a son, her mother-in-law Gao Qinglian has toned down her behavior a bit, because she has no other grounds to criticize Kong Xiujuan.

Kong Xiujuan didn't tell her sister about it when she got back, because she didn't want to add to her sister's worries.

A good night's sleep.

The next day, Kong Xiufang went to the factory early to report for duty. It wasn't far, only a 20-minute walk.

Sun Zitao came home for breakfast, and Kong Xiujuan told her husband about her mother-in-law's visit.

Sun Zitao and Kong Xiujuan both realized something at the same time. Kong Xiujuan said, "Could it be that Mother is deliberately trying to get information out of me? I guess someone is eyeing my little sister."

Sun Zitao agreed with this view. He nodded and said, "I guess it's Granny Hu. She's been coming to our house a lot these past few days, talking to our mother for hours on end."

Mu Shuyun nodded, "That's right. I was wondering why she was staring at my little sister so intently when I went to Hu Jinhua's house to find Yiyao that day."

Sun Zitao said, "Doesn't she have an older son who's almost 30 and still unmarried? Is she just eyeing this younger sister? Humph, she's dreaming."

Kong Xiujuan also sneered, "Hmph, she doesn't even look at what kind of person her son is. He just wanders around all day, can't do anything, and is so lazy."

Sun Zitao said worriedly, "Be careful in the future, don't let your little sister suffer. It's best to keep your distance from her family."

Kong Xiujuan said, "I understand. I haven't told my younger sister yet, because I was afraid it would bother her. But now it seems I have to tell her so she can be careful in the future and not get bullied."

Sun Zitao agreed, "Yes, that's right."

Kong Xiujuan then asked, "I heard that Xiaohui, who works with you, also went for a job interview at the garment factory. Did he get the job?"

Sun Zitao said, "It seems I passed the interview. They said it's about managing the inbound and outbound inventory. The job is pretty good, the work is easy and the pay is high, but it involves a lot of worry and responsibility."

Kong Xiujuan said, "That's great, Xiaohui will be the one to support this family from now on."

Sun Zitao also said with pride, "That's right, don't you know whose brother you are?"

Kong Xiujuan looked at him with a smile, "What's wrong? You're so happy to talk about him! It's like you were selected to work in the factory."

Sun Zitao said, "Xiao Hui has had a tough time. His mother raised him alone, enduring a lot of hardship and prejudice. Now, things are finally looking up."

Kong Xiujuan nodded in agreement, "Yes, this child has a hard life. Such a good young man is so old and still not married."

Suddenly, I felt a sense of having missed something. It vanished in an instant.

After finishing his meal, Sun Zitao went to the market to wait for work.