Chapter 34 p1
The clothing factory would definitely expand in the future, and it would certainly need more talent. While the factory was still in its early stages of development and the pressure was relatively low, Lu Ze gave him an opportunity to learn and master the knowledge in this area.
Moreover, in the future, when filling out his college application, Xu Qingyan’s first choice was finance, and he was also admitted to this major at the Capital University. So, it wouldn’t hurt to let him get in touch with these things in advance.
Giving him a path to grow on his own was far better than Lu Ze having to help him with everything.
Lu Ze looked at him and said, “Although the work of an accountant is not tiring, you have a lot to learn, and it will definitely take up most of your time. If you feel that it affects your studies…”
Before he could finish, Xu Qingyan said decisively, “It won’t.”
He said seriously, “I can balance my time between the two.”
Lu Ze looked at him deeply. “It’s good that you have confidence.”
And so it was settled. Lu Ze said that he would leave tomorrow, and Xu Qingyan went back to pack his things.
Xu’s mother was dizzy from this good news, and her attention was not focused. She almost cut her finger while chopping vegetables.
“Lu Ze,” she looked at Lu Ze with a worried face and hesitated, “did you go through a lot of trouble to find such a job for Yanyan? You’re still working there yourself, and you’ve arranged for another person to go in. Will people have any objections? Why don’t we just forget it? I know your intentions, Auntie, but it’s not easy for you to be alone now. It’s best to use those connections sparingly…”
Lu Ze’s heart softened when he heard this. He knew that this elder was genuinely considering him, so he smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Auntie. I actually invested some money in that factory myself. It’s nothing to introduce a person.”
“And it’s just to give Qingyan an opportunity. Whether he can stay or not still depends on his own ability. Don’t worry.”
Only then did Xu’s mother feel at ease. Although she had many questions about the factory that Lu Ze said he had invested in, she tactfully did not ask. She just said, “After going to the city, I’ll be a trouble to you after all.”
Lu Ze said, “Qingyan has always been sensible. What trouble can he be?”
After leaving the kitchen, Xu Qingyan was standing at the door of the room. When he saw him, he called out, “Lu-ge.”
Lu Ze looked up at him. The young man’s eyes were black and bright, and he looked at him steadily. His still somewhat childish face was serious, and he said, word by word, “Thank you.”
“I won’t embarrass you.”
Lu Ze’s steps paused. He looked at him and said, “What you should be thinking about is not whether you will embarrass me, but what you can learn by sacrificing this period of time.”
“And,” he passed by him, raised his hand and patted his arm, and said, “it’s not me you should be thanking, but yourself.”
He strode into the main room.
Leaving only Xu Qingyan standing on the side, he raised his hand and covered the place he had patted, his eyelids trembling and lowering, and he was in a daze.
.
The next morning, after packing for the two children, Xu’s mother returned to the room and sighed.
Xu’s father was weaving a bamboo basket on the side. Seeing this, he said, “This is a good thing. Why are you sighing?”
Xu’s mother said, “I was just thinking that our family owes this child more and more.”
Xu’s father lowered his head and wove the bamboo basket in a muffled voice. “What’s there to say about owing or not owing? That child is sharp-minded and doesn’t like us to say these things.”
He was silent for a moment, then sighed. “In the end, it was I who dragged Qingyan down.”
Xu’s mother patted him. “What’s there to say about dragging him down or not dragging him down? How sad would the child be if he heard it?”
She looked at the bamboo baskets and said slowly, “I just hope that they can be successful.”
Whether it’s Xu Qingyan or Lu Ze, I hope they can have a smooth life without any more hardships.
.
The weather was still good today, and it was not so cold to ride a bicycle on the road.
Xu Qingyan sat on the back seat of the bicycle, his hands on the seat below, his head covered with a hat and a scarf. Lu Ze in front completely blocked the wind for him.
He looked up and saw that Lu Ze’s scarf had slipped down, so he reached out and pulled it up for him, covering his ears.
Lu Ze paused, but didn’t say anything.
It would take more than an hour to ride from here to the county town. Halfway through, Xu Qingyan took the initiative to say that he would ride, but Lu Ze just said no need.
Besides the two of them, there were also Xu Qingyan’s clothes and daily necessities on the bicycle. The weight was not light, not to mention that the road in the countryside was not good. Lu Ze had been exercising recently, and his physical fitness had improved a lot, so it was not too tiring. If it were Xu Qingyan, he would probably be panting after a short while.
Xu Qingyan could only continue to sit on the back seat of the bicycle and try not to cause him any trouble.
By the time they arrived in the city, the sun had not yet set. Lu Ze calculated the time and sent him directly to the factory.
It was at this time, hearing the employees call him “boss,” that Xu Qingyan knew that the clothing factory Lu Ze had mentioned was actually his own factory.
Hiding the surprise in his heart, Xu Qingyan didn’t ask any more questions and just followed Lu Ze. Soon, they arrived in front of an office.
He pushed open the door, and inside was a middle-aged man who was writing something with his head lowered.
“Boss!” When the man saw Lu Ze, he quickly stood up to greet him.
“Old Li.” Lu Ze nodded at him and introduced Xu Qingyan behind him. “This is the new accountant in our factory. He’s young and has no experience. You should teach him more. If there’s anything, you can also arrange for him to do it.”
Xu Qingyan greeted him obediently.
Lu Ze had also mentioned this matter to him during the meeting two days ago, so Accountant Li was not surprised. He quickly smiled and agreed, and then patted Xu Qingyan’s shoulder. “You can work with me for now. If there’s anything you don’t know, just ask. I’ll definitely teach you what I can!”
Xu Qingyan was very sensible. “Thank you, Accountant Li.”
After the two got to know each other, Lu Ze took him away from the office area and walked towards the dormitory area next to it.
“Single employees share a room for two, with water and electricity. The roommate I’ve arranged for you is a thirty-something in charge of logistics, surnamed Wang. You can just call him Brother Wang. He’s an honest person, so you don’t have to worry about getting along with him.”
Xu Qingyan nodded in agreement. “Thank you for your trouble, Lu-ge.”
Lu Ze sent him to the dormitory door. “The accountants in the factory are usually only busy at the beginning and end of the month, and it’s usually quite leisurely. Accountant Li will also teach you seriously. You can do what he arranges for you. When you have nothing to do, you can study on your own. He won’t say anything.”
Xu Qingyan nodded and said okay.
Lu Ze added, “You’ve just joined the factory, so your salary won’t be too high. It’s thirty yuan a month. When you become more proficient in the future, your salary will be raised.”
Xu Qingyan said, “Thirty is already a lot.”
Lu Ze said, “That’s the standard in the factory. It all depends on whether you can meet the standard then.”
Xu Qingyan nodded vigorously, but for some reason, he felt a faint sense of loss in his heart when he heard his words.
Lu Ze said, “You should go and pack your things first. If there’s anything you haven’t brought, I’ll take you to buy it later.”
Xu Qingyan quickly went back to the room and put his things down. He didn’t have time to look at the furnishings in the room and rushed out again.
Lu Ze took him to buy a quilt, a water cup, and other things. After sending him back, it was just time for dinner. He took him to the cafeteria for a meal. Seeing that he was adapting well, he sent him back.
He didn’t say much. After a moment’s hesitation, he reached out and rubbed his head, like a brother to a younger brother, and said, “Go to bed first. Work starts at eight tomorrow morning. After you get to the factory, go directly to Accountant Li. He will tell you what you should do.”
Xu Qingyan nodded. He saw Lu Ze turn to leave, opened his mouth, but couldn’t help but say, “Where do you live?”
Lu Ze paused. “I don’t live in the dormitory.”
Xu Qingyan was stunned for a moment and blinked in a daze.
Lu Ze looked back at him. He could probably understand the child’s mood now, so he said, “But I should be at the factory all the time during this period. If you have anything, you can come to my office to find me directly.”
Xu Qingyan pursed his lips and nodded with some reluctance.
Lu Ze thought for a moment, then gave him an address. “This is where I’m living now. If I’m not at the factory, you can come and find me here.”
Xu Qingyan let out a low hum in agreement and memorized the address in his heart.
Although he knew that he probably wouldn’t have a chance to go there.
After everything was explained, Lu Ze turned and left. Xu Qingyan watched his retreating back until it disappeared, then slowly returned to his room and slowly tidied up his own space.
He had also lived in a dorm in junior high school. At that time, he was still young, and he was more curious about the new place.
He had never had this kind of feeling before.
Xu Qingyan couldn’t explain why.
…
