Rebirth in Famine: She Thrives by Lucky Space

”So envious, I’ve never had the textile factory’s braised pork.”

The girls nearby all burst into laughter. ”Director Jiang, when are you planning to start work?”

”Yeah, Director Jiang, I’m so envious of you.” They all asked in a flurry of voices.

”On the sixteenth, there’s still a week of joyful time left.”

”Xinyu, aren’t you lonely at home by yourself?” She Xiaoyun asked.

”No, I’m quite busy every day. I’m a motivated person with aspirations. I signed up for high school before the New Year and I’m studying.”

”Really? Is that even possible?”

”Yes, I took the exam and I passed.”

”What about your job?”

”Just go to school when there’s an exam, right?”

”Xinyu, be honest, how many gifts did you send?”

”None, I’m just too excellent.”

Everyone looked at her in shock, astonished that Director Jiang could be so shameless.

”Xinyu, you really make me see you in a new light.”

”Sister She, no need for that, just treat me normally.” Some things are better left unsaid.

After lunch, she was ready to go home. A morning of relaxation was just about enough.

She was bundled up so tightly that even walking head-on with Kong Demin, she wasn’t recognized.

She saw him rush into the supply and marketing cooperative.

Why did this guy come over again? Her good mood took a slight hit upon seeing him.

She rode her bike home, took a nap, and then got up to read.

On the tenth, she went to the supply and marketing cooperative again. Last time they mentioned there might be glutinous rice flour available.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, one should eat sweet glutinous rice balls, but she really hadn’t prepared any. Even if she’s alone, she wants to make the most of every day.

”Director Jiang, you’re here. We have glutinous rice flour today. How much do you want?”

”Xue, how much can I buy?”

”There’s no limit,” the young girl winked at Jiang Xinyu.

”Okay, give me fifty pounds.”

”Director Jiang, fifty pounds would require fifty pounds of food tickets.”

”No problem, I have them. I haven’t used my food tickets for several months. I still have enough for fifty pounds.”

”Alright, I’ll weigh it for you now.”

”Do you need anything else?”

”Brown sugar and white sugar, both are limited. Two pounds per person.”

”I have sugar tickets. Give me two pounds of brown sugar.”

”Director Jiang, I really envy you.”

”What’s there to be envious about? You all use it for your whole family, while I use it for myself.”

Everyone nodded. That’s indeed the situation.

Jiang Xinyu happily rode her bike home, took out a bowl for herself to eat, and stored the rest away in space.

She thought that fried sweet glutinous rice balls would taste better. Then she peeled the steamed sweet potatoes and mixed them into the glutinous rice flour to make dough. She also planned to fry some twisted dough sticks, so she could grab them when she craves them later.

Since she’s frying once, she might as well fry more. There aren’t many buns in the space, and she can also make dumplings and wontons to store.

From the ninth day, the fragrance from the Jiang Xinyu’s household once again spread down this street.

She was busy until the fourteenth and finally prepared all her favorite foods.

Tomorrow is the fifteenth, and she thought that since it’s an important festival, she shouldn’t skimp on herself. She prepared several dishes and had a delightful meal.

In the evening, she found the bathroom scale to weigh herself. She gained ten pounds this month; those delicious foods didn’t go to waste.

Her pants felt a bit tight, so she found some jeans. They felt loose on her, so she decided to make new ones, another chance to wear new clothes.

On the morning of the sixteenth, after breakfast, she rode her bike to work feeling a bit thrilled but decided she shouldn’t take such long vacations in the future.

As she entered the factory, she greeted everyone constantly. Her mood was great.

Upon entering her office, she found it quite clean, though she still tidied it up meticulously.

”Director Jiang, your vacation is over, that’s great.”

”Haha, Secretary Song, did you go home for the New Year?”

”No, not at all. Mr. Qian was too busy, and as his little secretary, it wouldn’t have been right to leave the Factory Director and take a vacation myself.”

”Haha, that’s true. Did Secretary Pan also not take a vacation?”

”No, Vice Factory Director Yao developed a new product, and she’s even busier than I am.”

”Our Vice Factory Director Yao is so impressive?”

”Indeed. I heard that after the first lunar month, textile factories from other provinces and cities are coming to learn from us.”

”Are we really going to selflessly share Vice Factory Director Yao’s achievements?”

”How is that possible? But both Factory Directors are currently discussing this matter.”

Song Qingqing and the others chatted for a few minutes, then she returned to do some cleaning.

”Director Jiang, come to my office for a moment.”

”Sure.” Jiang Xinyu put down the phone.

Entering Qian Jun’s office, she found Yao Shimin there too. ”Happy New Year, Mr. Qian. Happy New Year, Vice Factory Director Yao.”

”Happy New Year, Director Jiang. It seems you had a great holiday, while I might have lost weight.”

”Haha, Vice Factory Director Yao, you’re such a joker.”

”Alright, Director Jiang, take a seat. Find a sturdier chair, don’t damage the public property.”

”Hahaha!” Yao Shimin burst into laughter at Qian Jun’s words, nearly doubling over.

Jiang Xinyu gave a fake smile, thinking, why such resentment? Vacation time was something she was entitled to.

”Vice Factory Director Yao, explain the specifics. Director Jiang is quick-witted, let her think of a solution.”

For the entire morning, the three of them discussed the problem, with lunch brought in by a secretary.

”I really have no other options. Applying for a patent seems the most beneficial. Why be afraid? It belongs to Vice Factory Director Yao, after all.”

”But the textile management bureau wants to take it.”

”That’s fine, but wouldn’t we want some benefit in return? At the very least, Vice Factory Director Yao and those workers who researched day and night should be recognized, right?”

”They agreed to that,” Qian Jun nodded with a frown.

Jiang Xinyu swallowed some soup, ”So it’s only about titles and not anything tangible?”

”Yes.”

”Well, since the textile management bureau wants it, we can only speak from a public standpoint. What should we strive for for our textile factory?”

”Director Jiang, accompany Vice Factory Director Yao to the Provincial City. The negotiation with the management bureau is up to you.”

”Haha, you both have too much confidence in me. I’m not capable.”

”It’s fine, just go and strive for the best. The worst-case scenario is what we have now.”

”The pressure is immense.”

”Haha, if Director Jiang is under pressure, she can still gain weight.”

”Vice Factory Director Yao, I bet you’re not married and don’t have a girlfriend. Do you want to know why?”

”No, I don’t want to know. I want to dedicate myself to the revolutionary cause.”

How naive.

Yao Shimin looked at Jiang Xinyu’s disdainful gaze and felt like going crazy. This kid is a real piece of work.

”Alright, the two of you will set off tomorrow.”

”Mr. Qian, what does it mean for me to always be on business trips as the director’s assistant? Why don’t you promote me to Vice Factory Director or something?” Jiang Xinyu cheekily asked.

”If Director Jiang has aspirations, you should work in that direction.”

Pfft!

”Vice Factory Director Yao, are we taking the sleeper train? I witnessed Secretary Song’s miserable state last time. I’d hate to lose the weight I’ve gained.”