Refusing to marry a widower, I went on a crazy spree of sending my children to the army.

In the evening, He Nian picked some greens to make noodles.

Tell me, tell me, it's only been slightly scalded, and the pot is already emitting an enticing aroma.

With the addition of double-yolk eggs from a young hen, the quality of this bowl of noodle soup is self-evident.

Qiao Manman finished eating without even looking up, and then took out two Black Jade Bone-Mending Plasters.

"Father, just two more doses of medicine, and you'll be fully recovered!"

Qiao Runming happily accepted it: "Thank you, my dear!"

Qiao Manman hummed in agreement: "I've ordered crutches and a wheelchair for you. Just accept them when Uncle Pei delivers them. I've already settled the bill."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Runming knew that his daughter was about to go out.

He hurriedly asked, "How many days are you going to be gone?"

Qiao Manman laughed heartily: "It's not decided yet. Maybe I'll go, maybe I won't. Whatever happens, I'll let you know in advance!"

Qiao Runming breathed a sigh of relief: "Take good care of yourself, my daughter. Dad is very satisfied with our current life."

Qiao Manman hummed in agreement and went back inside to harvest wheat.

Before dawn, Yan Chengke, the office director of the machinery factory, arrived at Qingshan Brigade early in the morning with a package in hand and on his bicycle.

A knock sounded at the door.

Qiao Manman stretched and opened the door: "Who is it?"

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Yan Chengke exclaimed excitedly, "Is that Comrade Qiao Manman? I'm Director Yan from the machinery factory. We've met before!"

Qiao Manman raised an eyebrow and unlatched the door: "Director Yan isn't at work, what are you doing in this nook and cranny?"

Yan Chengke laughed heartily: "Well, I've come to visit the employees' families! Comrade Xiao Qiao, won't you invite me in for a seat?"

Qiao Manman smiled and gestured for them to enter.

Yan Chengke smiled as he pushed his bicycle in, glanced around the yard, and noticed that it was even more exquisite than it had been a month ago.

"Comrade Xiao Qiao, how have you been lately? How is your father's leg? Has he gone to the city to have it checked again?"

If you don't have enough money, the factory can advance your wages. Don't worry, Uncle Yan will take care of it for you!

He opened the package and said, "Hey, these are the autumn and winter clothes that the logistics department ordered for Comrade Xiao Qiao, and this is for Comrade Runming to improve his health!"

Seeing his sincerity, Qiao Manman smiled and poured him some tea and served him some peanuts and melon seeds.

"Fortunately, with the help of the brigade leader and the commune members, and the occasional payment for writing, life has slowly become better."

Qiao Manman's gaze swept over the work clothes: "I appreciate Comrade Yan's kindness, but given my mother's condition, I may not be suitable to work in a machine factory!"

"Hey, Comrade Xiao Qiao, why are you still holding a grudge? That was just a temporary measure back then. Actually, our factory director has no problem with you."

Qiao Manman drank her tea without saying a word.

"In this way, we'll be regular employees when we join the factory, sitting in the office, with a monthly salary of 36.5 yuan, and year-end bonuses and benefits."

"Just write an article every now and then to report to your superiors on the spirit of our machinery factory."

Qiao Manman was somewhat tempted, but she was petty and held grudges.

"Director Yan must have heard about my uncle's situation before he came, right? We all have the surname Qiao, what if someone causes trouble?"

"You two broke off your relationship, didn't you? The newspaper about breaking off your relationship is still being collected at the factory!"

"What about my cousin and her husband? I heard that the 'vegetarian man' has become famous even in the next city!"

"Hey, what does it have to do with you that the relationship has ended? You're a young lady, don't take things too seriously!"

He Nian thought that this director had a good temper.

This is the second time I've come here to get my daughter a job at the factory, and I never come empty-handed.

Qiao Runming also felt that one should not be too arrogant, otherwise even if one gets a job in a factory, one will easily be targeted.

Besides, Manman is just a little girl. There are so many grown men in the factory; if she gets bullied by someone, the leaders will have to intervene.

"Hey, why don't you reconsider and say yes?"

Qiao Manman tapped her fingers on the table a few times and nodded: "Okay, but I have one condition!"

"Tell us your conditions, and we'll try our best to agree!"

Qiao Manman pursed her lips: "Director Yan, I have some personal matters to attend to and would like to start work in a month."

If possible, I would like to ask the factory to issue me a letter of introduction for my trip to Suzhou!

Yan Chengke hesitated: "Postponing your start date is fine, but what are you, a young girl, going to Suzhou for?"

A flutter of excitement welled up in Qiao Runming's heart, but fearing that his guess was wrong, he didn't dare to speak.

Qiao Manman did not answer directly, only saying, "I won't do anything bad, and I can ensure my own safety."

After hesitating for a moment, I gave the other person a reason: "I've heard that the buildings over there are very beautiful. I've never been outside the province before."

Yan Chengke didn't believe it at all, but said, "The factory is going to Shanghai next week to discuss cooperation. Why don't you go with them?"

I'll tell my colleagues in the sales department not to worry about you; they can just focus on their own work!

Qiao Manman smiled and nodded: "Okay!"

"In that case, come back with me to report for duty. We'll get the formalities done first, and we can buy you a train ticket while we're at it!"

Qiao Manman asked in surprise, "So urgent?"

"Ah, you should go and familiarize yourself with the work first, and then you can officially start work next month!"

Qiao Manman: "......"

Okay, whether it's a day earlier or later, it doesn't make much difference.

But she was reluctant to part with the big yellow dog, the little hen, and the wheat grains that had just been planted.

He Nian was afraid that her daughter would change her mind, so she picked all the seedlings with a basket and said, "Take this to the factory manager."

He glanced at Yan Chengke, who looked embarrassed, and smiled: "Director Yan has some too, I'll pick some for you right away!"

Just as Yan Chengke was about to offer some polite words, He Nian picked three or four cucumbers and seven or eight tomatoes.

They looked so fresh and juicy, it looked delicious. Yan Chengke swallowed hard, but didn't refuse.

Qiao Manman took the opportunity to go back to her room to change her clothes, took her graduation certificate and household registration book, and went to the brigade headquarters to get a letter of introduction.

After learning about the situation, Wang Defa gave his full support and said many encouraging words.

Then, following Yan Chengke, they headed straight for the county's machinery factory.

On the way, Director Yan said, "Comrade Xiao Qiao, the factory dormitories are in short supply, and we can only get you one bed."

"When a small single room becomes available in the future, you can bring your parents to the city."

Qiao Manman thanked them with a smile, and soon they arrived at the entrance of the machinery factory.

The gatekeeper remembered her, asked a few simple questions, and then let her through.

Qiao Manman parked the car downstairs at the office building and followed Yan Chengke straight to the factory director's office.

Miao Shoujun had just received instructions from his superiors to conduct legal training for employees when he heard someone knocking on the door.

Upon seeing Qiao Manman, he asked in confusion, "This is...?"

"Director Miao, this is Comrade Qiao Manman!"

"Ah, Qiao Manman, the one who got first place in the recruitment exam and had two articles published in the provincial newspaper, the industrial newspaper, and the Beijing newspaper!"

I remember your name, but you're getting old, so I don't quite recognize you. I hope Comrade Xiao Qiao doesn't mind!

Qiao Manman smiled and placed the basket on the table: "Director Miao is a busy person, I understand."

Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity. I will do my best to bring honor to our machinery factory.

This is a small token of my mother's appreciation, and I hope Director Miao won't mind!