Siheyuan: Walking the Path of Qin Huairu

The news of the embroidery factory recruiting workers spread like wildfire along Xihe Street. Xu Huizhen's house, which was originally deserted, suddenly became crowded with people.

Before Xu Huizhen left the house in the morning, people knocked on her door. Some were neighbors, some were regular customers of the tavern, and some were strangers. Xu Huizhen had no choice but to tell them, "I'm in a hurry to go out. I have an appointment with someone to go to the printing and dyeing factory to order embroidery thread. Everyone can go to the neighborhood committee to sign up. I have children at home and they haven't woken up yet, so I won't entertain you."

After finally pushing everyone out, Xu Huizhen turned around and said to Hu Yingzi, "I'm not at home. No matter who comes, don't open the door. If they have any problems, ask them to go to the neighborhood committee to find me."

Hu Yingzi nodded and said, "Don't worry, Sister Huizhen, you can rest assured that I am here. I promise that the family will take good care of you."

Under Xu Huizhen's training, Hu Yingzi has become eloquent and able to handle problems in an organized manner. She is no longer as timid as when she first came to the capital.

Xu Huizhen was very busy these days. She had to do many things in the embroidery factory herself. She went to the printing and dyeing factory in the morning and ordered the embroidery thread. In the afternoon, she came to the neighborhood committee and found that it was very lively. Many people came to register. Sister Liu and Master Ge were responsible for the registration, and the line was very long.

The key is that those who have registered don't want to leave, as if they can be hired if they stay here. When they see Xu Huizhen come in, they all come up to her to get close to her. An old lady took her hand and was as affectionate as if she was holding her own child. She smiled like a chrysanthemum and said, "Director Xu, your factory doesn't recruit men? How about this? You can recruit my son and I will let him exchange jobs with my eldest daughter-in-law."

Xu Huizhen said righteously: "Recruiting workers is not something I can decide on my own. It requires a comprehensive investigation before it can be decided."

Xu Huizhen finally got rid of the clutches and said loudly: "This is not a vegetable market. Those who have registered please leave the neighborhood committee immediately. The neighborhood committee leaders will recruit workers fairly and impartially based on the specific situation. Please rest assured. Those who have not registered please line up and don't make loud noises."

It's no wonder that with the title of factory director, his words are quite effective. The scene immediately became much quieter. Those who were supposed to leave left, looking back every few steps, and the rest lined up consciously. Those at the back stretched their necks to look forward, as if if they were a step late, they would miss the recruitment quota.

At this time, someone called out at the door, "Sister Huizhen." Xu Huizhen went out to see that it was Wang Lixin, her half-brother. She smiled and asked, "Lixin, why are you here? Do you want to talk to me about something?"

Wang Lixin chuckled, pulled Xu Huizhen aside, scratched his head, and said embarrassedly: "Sister, your factory is recruiting, can you give my sister a quota? My mother forced me to ask."

Xu Huizhen guessed that the people who came to her these days were all looking for jobs. Others could ignore it, but Wang Lixin had to help.

She said, "Sure. Others can't, but my sister can. Let her come to the neighborhood committee to find me to sign up, and I'll do my best." Wang Lixin jumped up and said, "I'll go home now and ask her to come find you."

Xu Huizhen: "Let her come by herself. You don't have to come. Wearing a police uniform is too eye-catching. Don't let people think you are using the back door."

Wang Lixin blinked and said, I’m using the back door!

Watching Wang Lixin leave, Xu Huizhen sighed in her heart: "There are so many people without jobs in this era. It can be said that it is difficult to find a job."

As for Mr. Xu, after he received his manuscript fee from the post office, he came to the tavern to look for Xu Huizhen. But Xu Huizhen had not come to the tavern in the past few days.

After leaving the tavern, he felt empty inside and was absent-minded in everything he did. He knew that he had fallen in love with Xu Huizhen from the bottom of his heart. In the past, they could see each other almost every day in the tavern, and this feeling didn't seem too strong. Now, after not seeing her for three days, this feeling of missing her for three years came to his mind.

He thought about it and wanted to tell Xu Huizhen his true feelings. If he didn't tell her, he would have no hope. Even if he was rejected, he would be completely devoted to her.

So, Teacher Xu wanted to create a chance encounter with Xu Huizhen on her way home from get off work. It was not convenient to talk in the pub, and it was even worse to go to Xu Huizhen's house, because it was said that men were generally not allowed to enter her backyard.

Just like that, on the way home from get off work, Xu Huizhen and Teacher Xu ran into each other by chance. Teacher Xu smiled and said hello to her: "Huizhen, I want to treat you to a meal. I have something to tell you. I wonder if it's convenient for you."

Xu Huizhen thought he was also concerned about the job quota, so she said, "No need to eat. You know I've been very busy these days. Just tell me if you have anything to say." Then she moved to the side of the road.

Teacher Xu was a little disappointed. He adjusted himself and said, "I have taken out the royalties for that article. Let's split it in half." Then he took out the money and handed it to Xu Huizhen.

Xu Huizhen waved her hand and said, "Don't give it to me. It was mainly written by you. I didn't contribute much."

Teacher Xu: "How can that be possible? Editor Wang has a very good impression of you, and it was also because of your face that he was hired so smoothly. He also told you to come to him if you have manuscripts in the future."

Xu Huizhen said, "I haven't had time to write recently. Teacher Xu, if you are interested, we can still work together. This is your first payment, so just keep it and buy me a drink later."

Teacher Xu: "Okay then. I have one more thing to tell you." Teacher Xu coughed twice, encouraged himself and said: "Huizhen, I have something in my heart, and I feel uncomfortable if I don't say it. You may have seen that I like you. I wonder what you think of me."

Teacher Xu mustered up his courage and finished his words quickly. Xu Huizhen didn't even have a chance to interrupt him. She looked at Teacher Xu's eager eyes and thought to herself, "What's coming is coming. It's a rotten peach blossom that can't be pinched off."

But he said calmly, "Teacher Xu, you are knowledgeable and cultured, and you have a good career. If it were just the two of us, it would be a good match. But I have a daughter, and you have a son and a mother. If our two families were together, I would worry that your mother would abuse Li'er when I'm not at home. You would also worry that I would favor my daughter. It's difficult for this kind of family relationship to be harmonious. Over time, there will be many conflicts. Do you understand? So there is no possibility for us."

Teacher Xu still did not give up and said: "These objective difficulties can be overcome. If it really doesn't work, let my mother live with my son alone."

Xu Huizhen sternly refused: "That's even worse. I can't let you become an unfilial person for my own sake. I can't bear that stigma. So let's just leave it at that. I have to go home quickly."

After saying that, Xu Huizhen strode away without saying anything. As she walked, she thought: "I have to get a fake marriage with He Yuzhu done, otherwise there will be a lot of trouble."

When she reached the entrance of her alley, she saw from afar several groups of people standing in front of her house. They were probably waiting for her. She frowned and walked towards Cai Quanwu's house.