"Mr. Qian, please come in."

"Director Jiang has a good life."

"Oh, really? Just an average life, I guess. Mr. Qian, what brings you here?" Jiang Xinyu decided to cut to the chase and ask directly. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Qian Jun placed the bag he was holding on the table. "Secretary Jiang, this is your hard-earned fee."

Jiang Xinyu instantly understood. Mr. Qian must’ve made quite a profit this time, which Sun Baosheng and Lv Beiguang didn’t catch on to, but she did. So, he’s giving her a portion to keep her silent.

"Mr. Qian?"

"This is rightfully yours. Thank you for your excellent performance. Successfully entering the territory was your achievement."

"Mr. Qian, this is my job."

"Just take it. Alright, I’m off."

"Then, Mr. Qian, I’ll accept it without being polite. Thank you."

Qian Jun nodded and turned to leave, casually noticing a men’s bicycle. It’s Wei Kaiyun’s. How did it end up here?

After seeing off Qian Jun, Jiang Xinyu hurried to boil water for a bath. In the evening, she chewed on a pig’s trotter and checked the space where she had 33 more pig’s trotters left. That should be enough for her for quite a while.

She hoped these 33 pig’s trotters would bring her some progress.

On Saturday morning, she made hand-pulled noodles, waiting for Wang Ailing to finish work so they could eat cold noodles together, which would be especially delicious when mixed with sesame paste. She also picked two cucumbers from the cucumber patch to slice and mix with the cold noodles, imagining the taste felt delightful.

She planned to go eat outside at noon. Since Secretary She said taking someone along was okay, she’d let Wang Ailing join her.

"Xinyu, Xinyu."

Jiang Xinyu rushed out to open the door. "What’s the matter?"

"Xinyu, I just found out that Kong Mengjie actually stepped out from a place not far from our factory." Wang Ailing whispered closely to Jiang Xinyu.

"Sis, just pretend you don’t know about this. Don’t tell anyone."

Wang Ailing nodded in confusion, "I won’t say a word."

"Sis, do you want to take a bath?"

"I washed before coming. I’m hungry."

"I’ll cook the cold noodles right away. We’ll eat out for lunch with the secretaries from each factory, so let’s eat less in the morning."

"Am I coming with you? Would that be inappropriate?"

"No, I already asked Secretary She, and she said it’s fine."

Each of them had a bowl: Jiang Xinyu had a medium bowl, and Wang Ailing a large one.

"It’s really delicious. I haven’t had sesame paste in years."

"Sis, want to sleep for a while? I’ll wake you when it’s time."

"Okay, what time should we leave?"

"Ten o’clock."

"There’s still an hour left. I’ll take a nap." The young girl found working the late night shift quite exhausting.

Sitting on the kang doing some sewing, Jiang Xinyu pondered over Kong Mengjie.

Did she find a sweet deal? She became a team leader, but that’s trading body for position, isn’t it? She investigated Zhao Zhongshuo’s situation with the security department.

Everything seemed suspicious. Just a few parts lost. Zhao Zhongshuo admitted them proactively, yet failed to explain why he stole them. The parts were found on his bed. What was really going on?

The records were vague, and the specifics couldn’t be discerned. Yet, based on the book’s descriptions, Zhao Zhongshuo was taking the blame for Kong Mengjie.

Still, what use does Kong Mengjie have for a few spare parts? It’s baffling.

Five minutes to ten, she woke Wang Ailing, and after freshening up, Jiang Xinyu took her on the bike.

"Xinyu, your life is really nice, able to go to restaurants occasionally."

"It’s not as good as it sounds. They’re thanking me this time. Eating requires money and food tickets.

Moreover, restaurants don’t have much to offer these days.

By the way, Sis, is our village raising pigs?"

"Yes, but there’s no feed, just wild vegetables, so they’re not gaining weight."

"Are they raised collectively?"

"No, pig raising is each household’s task."

"Are there any families raising extra?"

"Almost every household raises two pigs. Are you thinking of buying some pigs?"

"Yes, please tell Mother when you go back to help arrange a few."

"Sure thing," Wang Ailing replied cheerfully.

Jiang Xinyu was sweating while biking ahead; the weather was too hot. Passing the farm fields, seeing the tall stalks wilted and lifeless in this drought during critical booting season, indicating another poor harvest.

"Xinyu, it’s tough again this year. What can we do?"

"We can only hope for heavy rain." Jiang Xinyu sighed too. In the city, farmland isn’t visible, understanding the drought isn’t as direct as seeing it with your own eyes.

Once they arrived, they noticed Secretary Hao Shichao had already reached.

"Secretary Hao."

"Secretary Jiang, you’re quite early. And this comrade is?"

Jiang Xinyu parked the bicycles, and with Wang Ailing, moved under the eaves.

"This is my village sister Wang Ailing, she also works in the textile factory.

Sis, this is Secretary Hao Shichao from the furniture factory."

The two shook hands and introduced themselves.

"Let’s sit inside; there’s no breeze outside."

"Rain would be great," Jiang Xinyu sighed as she followed him indoors.

"Indeed, listening to the radio, the situation elsewhere is worsening," Secretary Hao sighed as well. Farming depending on weather really is challenging.

"It’s like leaving no path for survival," Jiang Xinyu sighed once more.

"Xinyu, I think it’ll rain soon, there’s something odd about this heat."

"Sis, everyone is hoping."

While the three were talking, Liu Yuwei, Wang Fangtian, Hou Wenquan, and Cao Xuelian came in together.

They exchanged pleasantries. "Just missing Secretary She, Beiguang, and Meng Fanxing," Liu Yuwei said after taking a big gulp of water.

"That’s right, only the three of them are left. Secretary She will surely come with Beiguang."

Following his remark, everyone burst into laughter. She Xiaoyun chasing Lv Beiguang wasn’t just recent.

While Jiang Xinyu didn’t know the specifics, she knew She Xiaoyun didn’t really stand a chance. Having been with Lv Beiguang for over a month, understanding him as a person, and after seeing that woman last time, she sensed a special relationship between them.

If possible, she should advise a bit. What’s going on with Lv Beiguang? Why not clarify? It’s unfair to mislead a girl like this; he’s being a bit of a jerk.

Sitting together, everyone couldn’t help expressing gratitude towards Jiang Xinyu.

"No need to be so polite; it was just a fortunate opportunity."

"Secretary Jiang, I heard you’ve been promoted to Director Jiang?" Wang Fangtian asked with a smile.

"Yes, I’ve gotten a pay raise, so I’ll be the host today," Jiang Xinyu boldly admitted.

"No way, today’s our gratitude feast."

"Truly, please don’t be overly formal."

"Those three are here together."

Jiang Xinyu noticed She Xiaoyun riding the bike in a dress looked really uncomfortable.

"Xinyu, you sure came early."

"Sister She, I’m the second to arrive."

"It’s too hot today. Xinyu, is this your sister?"

"Yes, my village sister who looks after me a lot. You should help her out if she visits the supply and marketing cooperative."

She Xiaoyun waved her hand, "No problem, visit me for any matters there."

Wang Ailing nodded with a smile. "I won’t trouble you too much."