Chapter 53: Qin Huairu Becomes the Ultimate Prize

Wang Kuirong was deep in thought when a voice suddenly called out from behind him.

"Director Wang."

"Qin Huairu, why are you here?"

"I... I wanted to ask why the factory gave me a promotion. I don't know how to cook," Qin Huairu said, looking somewhat uneasy.

"Actually, I've been pondering this myself," Wang Kuirong gave a wry smile. "I have an inkling, but I'm not sure if it's right."

"Please tell me," Qin Huairu said earnestly.

"You know about the molten iron boiler explosion, right?"

"I do."

How could Qin Huairu not know about such a major incident? Two people had died, more than a dozen were severely injured, the factory leadership was running around in a panic, and even the small kitchen had been temporarily sidelined.

"Today, the factory received two letters of commendation, both praising Director Lin. Logically speaking, since Director Lin made such a massive contribution, he should be getting a promotion or a rise in rank," Wang Kuirong said, rubbing his chin. "Yet the factory only rewarded him with a hundred yuan. At first, I felt it made no sense, but then you suddenly got promoted, and suddenly it all made sense."

"Why?"

Hearing Lin Shaowen's name, Qin Huairu immediately grew tense.

"How old is he anyway? A twenty-year-old director, already at the same rank as me," Wang Kuirong said with a hint of jealousy. "If he gets promoted again, he'll be a deputy division chief, a proper factory leader... Do you think that's reasonable?"

"Ah."

A scene instantly flashed through Qin Huairu's mind.

A twenty-something Lin Shaowen, dressed in a crisp white shirt, sitting with a solemn expression on the leadership podium, surrounded by fifty-something old men.

It indeed seemed rather unreasonable.

"So... I suspect your promotion is the factory's way of compensating him," Wang Kuirong chuckled. "I don't know if there's anything between the two of you, but perhaps someone thinks there is, so they issued the reward through you."

"What?"

Qin Huairu's face flushed crimson in an instant, and she hurriedly protested, "Director, he is like a younger brother to me. There is nothing between us."

"I know, but not everyone does," Wang Kuirong said leisurely. "You don't need to worry, though. This matter was handled personally by both the director and the deputy director. No one can overturn it."

"I understand. Thank you, Director."

Qin Huairu bowed to Wang Kuirong and went back to work.

Wang Kuirong watched her retreating figure with a bitter smile.

If Lin Shaowen kept this up, he wouldn't even be surprised if this woman eventually took over his own position.

In the First Canteen's Back Kitchen:

"Sister Qin," Liu Lan greeted her warmly.

"Sister Liu, what brings this on?" Qin Huairu was stunned.

Liu Lan was slightly older than her, and previously she had always addressed her simply by name.

"Age doesn't matter," Liu Lan said with a sweet smile.

"I say, Liu Lan, your flattery is sickening," Silly Zhu laughed and scolded.

"Oh, go on with you. Sister Qin is now an eighth-grade cook, standing on equal footing with you," Liu Lan retorted.

"Sister Qin, how did you manage to get promoted?" Silly Zhu asked, frowning.

"I have no idea," Qin Huairu replied with a wry smile.

"Could it have something to do with the Women's Federation?" Ma Hua chimed in, stepping closer. "The director seemed to mention the Women's Federation earlier."

"Ah, right! Sister Qin, haven't you been in charge of the Women's Federation work in Nanluoguxiang?" Silly Zhu suddenly realized.

"The Women's Federation."

Hearing those three words, the others involuntarily shivered.

The lingering envy they felt toward Qin Huairu vanished instantly. That group of formidable women was not to be trifled with.

The Courtyard:

After dinner.

Quite a few residents gathered together to discuss the rolling mill boiler explosion that had happened today.

Qin Huairu and Lin Shaowen were among them; one was cracking melon seeds while the other smoked a cigarette.

"Director Lin was quite a sight today. The factory even rewarded him a hundred yuan," someone sighed with admiration.

"A sight? Is he more of a sight than Sister Qin?" Silly Zhu glanced disdainfully at Lin Shaowen.

"Zhuzi," Qin Huairu glared at him immediately.

"What's happened with Qin Huairu?" Several people instantly pricked up their ears.

Jia Zhangshi and Jia Dongxu also perked up.

Silly Zhu said smugly, "Sister Qin has been doing a fantastic job at work recently, earning praise from the factory. She's now promoted to an eighth-grade cook."

"..."

Everyone looked as if they had been grabbed by the neck, staring dumbfounded at Qin Huairu.

"How much does an eighth-grade cook make?" Jia Zhangshi asked Jia Dongxu.

"Th-Thirty-seven yuan and fifty cents," Jia Dongxu swallowed hard.

"What? Isn't that the same as Silly Zhu?" Jia Zhangshi shrieked.

Those who had previously dismissed the idea of courting Qin Huairu because of the heavy debt on her shoulders suddenly felt a spark of hope reignited.

Qin Huairu was on her own with no family to support.

With a salary like that, she could pay off a thousand yuan in less than three years.

If they married her into their family, everything after that would be pure profit—a dual-income household!

"Huairu, dear, what do you think of our Xicheng?" the Third Matriarch asked with a beaming smile.

"What?" Qin Huairu didn't follow.

"My Xicheng has a high school education, and now he's working in the textile mill. The leaders praise his work, and he'll be made a regular employee soon," the Third Matriarch said proudly. "In our courtyard, who among his peers is better than him?"

"Lin Shaowen is a deputy section chief, making ninety-nine yuan a month," Silly Zhu remarked lazily.

He was a few years older than Yan Xicheng, so he didn't count himself among his peers.

"Silly Zhu, if you don't know how to speak properly, shut your trap," the Third Matriarch snapped angrily. "Director Lin is a college graduate, how can you compare them?"

"You know he's a college graduate, then? What's old Yan's high schooler showing off for?" Silly Zhu sneered.

He wasn't stupid; he knew full well what the Third Matriarch was up to.

"You—"

The Third Matriarch was fuming, and forgetting about Qin Huairu, she picked up her small stool and stormed back to her rooms.

"Silly Zhu, I haven't offended you lately, have I?" Lin Shaowen complained, discontented.

It wasn't that he feared the Yan family holding a grudge against him, but he hated being used as a tool by Silly Zhu.

"I was just praising you," Silly Zhu grinned.

"Go to hell."

With a parting curse, Lin Shaowen stood up and walked back to his quarters.

"Huairu, I have a nephew, twenty-one this year. He might be a bit young, but he has a great temperament," the Second Matriarch sidled up to her. "If you agree, I can have him come over tomorrow to meet you. The young man is quite spirited."

"Huairu, I have a nephew too..." Matriarch Qian chimed in as well.

...

"Thank you, aunties, but I have no such intentions at the moment," Qin Huairu smiled and shook her head. "I'm going back to rest now. I have to work tomorrow."

The crowd watched Qin Huairu's retreating back, secretly grinding their teeth.

They had to find a way to marry into Qin Huairu's family. Good grief, having a woman pulling a salary of thirty-seven yuan and fifty cents—bringing her home was no different from getting a hen that laid golden eggs.

As for her being a widow with a prior marriage?

What did that matter? Qin Huairu was only twenty-seven; it wasn't like she couldn't have children anymore.

Several matriarchs exchanged glances, a spark of competitive fire igniting in each other's eyes.

The Middle Courtyard:

As Qin Huairu passed by, stick-boy (棒梗) immediately darted out, wrapped his arms around her leg, and cried out, "Mom."

"What is it?" Qin Huairu asked with a straight face.

"I missed you," Stick-boy offered a flattering, ingratiating smile.

"Huairu, come sit for a while. Stick-boy has missed you terribly," Jia Zhangshi beckoned warmly.

"Jia Zhangshi, I know what you're plotting, but I advise you to give it up," Qin Huairu sneered. "And as for you, Stick-boy, don't set your sights on my belongings either. I've already discussed it with my older brother—once I pay off my debts in a few years, I'll adopt just one child."

"What did you say?"

The complexions of Jia Zhangshi and Jia Dongxu darkened instantly.

"You heartless woman, you vixen!"

After hurling an insult, Stick-boy bolted back behind Jia Zhangshi.

Qin Huairu looked at Stick-boy without moving an inch.

"Qin Huairu, let me tell you, if you dare lay a finger on him today, I'll fight you to the death!" Jia Zhangshi shrieked shrilly.

Jia Dongxu remained silent; truth be told, he was somewhat afraid of Qin Huairu now.

Qin Peiru watched Qin Huairu with a worried gaze. Anyone would find it agonizing to be cursed like that by their own flesh and blood.

After a long silence.

Qin Huairu suddenly burst into laughter.

In the past, when Stick-boy cursed her, she felt deep anguish and had even wept on several occasions.

Yet this time, she felt absolutely nothing.

Perhaps this was what it truly meant to let go.