Chapter 50 : Announcer

Besides that, it turns out that the construction of the radio station is about to start quietly.

If it hadn’t been mentioned this time, Liang Qingqing might have almost forgotten about it. The most crucial part is that this gives her a perfectly valid reason not to go to work.

It’s like getting a pillow when you’re sleepy! It’s just fantastic!

According to the team leader, this project was originally scheduled to start at the end of October, but the sudden heavy rain disaster advanced the timeline.

In fact, the higher-ups had long recognized the need to address the transportation difficulties and the severe challenges in information reception and dissemination in rural areas. This situation just provided an opportunity to accelerate progress.

With a radio station, not only can everyone receive domestic news immediately and understand national policies and guidelines, but it will also facilitate learning new ideas and improving the overall quality of the populace…

In fact, the most convenient aspect will be that if something happens in the village in the future, the team leader will no longer have to run around with a loudspeaker shouting.

Although the radio station set up in Daping Village is just a small one, it is much better than Liang Qingqing had anticipated. At least she won’t have to go to the commune or other villages for job applications. However, this also means increased competition. Based on her guess, the village will probably only hire one announcer.

Even though she’s confident, she can’t be complacent. She needs to find a few books to read, practice her speaking skills, and get a feel for it, so she’ll be better prepared.

Fortunately, the team leader didn’t mention the hiring of announcers, so probably only she knows about it in the entire village. Thanks to Feng Jie for telling her, she must remember to thank her properly next time she goes to the city.

After coming to this realization, Liang Qingqing finally felt relieved. Now the only thing she needs to focus on is…

She looked at Fan Yanxing, who was carrying a load of items and talking to Liang Junqiang. The warm sunlight cast a soft glow on him, highlighting his stern and clean-cut features. His long, thick eyelashes cast a shadow on his skin as he blinked.

When he wasn’t speaking, his lips were pressed together, and his face had a cold and indifferent appearance, reminiscent of when they first met.

Liang Qingqing tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. When she heard Liang Junqiang mention going to Taoshan after dropping off the things, she was about to approach them and ask to go along when Ma Xiuzhi spoke up “Qingqing, come cook with me later. I’ll teach you.”

“Ah? Oh, okay.”

With no other option, Liang Qingqing had to put aside her intention to find Fan Yanxing. She could also take the opportunity to mention to Ma Xiuzhi that she wouldn’t be going to work tomorrow.

Soon after they returned home, Fan Yanxing and Liang Junqiang went out.

Today had been a good day, so the family was planning to celebrate. Ma Xiuzhi had Liang Qingqing help with lighting the fire, while Huang Shumin took out two pieces of pickled cabbage from the jar, preparing to wash and slice them to make a refreshing dish with the evening’s meat stir-fry.

Wang Xiaomei handed the pine nuts to Liang Shuqiang and then went into the kitchen to help.

The large pieces of red-and-white pork hanging in the cupboard made everyone’s mouths water. They couldn’t remember the last time they had meat, and just thinking about it made their mouths water and their stomachs rumble.

The reward oil and rice were locked away in the cupboard to save some for later, and combined with what they already had at home, it would last them for most of the year.

Ma Xiuzhi mentally counted and continued working, not forgetting to teach Liang Qingqing the essentials of lighting the fire. Although she had already explained this before, she repeated it again because Liang Qingqing might have forgotten.

Liang Qingqing nodded and following Ma Xiuzhi’s method, successfully started the fire. As the flames rose, she thought about the radio station and had some ideas.

Almost as soon as Liang Qingqing finished speaking, the other three people in the room turned to look at her.

Ma Xiuzhi was momentarily stunned, taking a while to remember that the team leader had indeed mentioned this matter at the end, but she was puzzled about how it related to them. Despite her confusion, since her daughter brought it up, she naturally had to ask about it.

“What’s going on?”

“Once the radio station is established, they will definitely be hiring announcers. I want to give it a try,” Liang Qingqing said directly, without beating around the bush. “I heard that announcers get paid and have various benefits. The compensation is definitely better than working in the fields.”

Upon hearing about the salary and benefits, and knowing that her daughter wanted to give it a try, Ma Xiuzhi was fully supportive and immediately said, “You should go ahead and try. I support you. But what exactly does an announcer do? Can your two sisters-in-law also try?”

Wang Xiaomei and Huang Shumin’s eyes brightened at Ma Xiuzhi’s words. As long as there was a salary, they were willing to endure any hardship! But Liang Qingqing’s next statement dampened their enthusiasm.

“You know those small loudspeakers we saw in the country seat, on trees and cement poles? The sound comes from the announcers speaking into the equipment at the radio station. It requires standard Mandarin, good speaking skills, and literacy to read the scripts…”

That was the end of it. Both Wang Xiaomei and Huang Shumin had only attended a few years of school and knew just a few characters. They wouldn’t be able to handle reading scripts into a big, intimidating machine every day. Plus, they were nervous and stuttered when speaking in front of people, let alone doing so into a loudspeaker for the entire village to hear.

Let alone speaking standard Mandarin,if they had to use their awkward, accented speech, it would be an embarrassment for the whole village.

They didn’t have the courage for that.

“Forget it, it’s better for me to work in the fields,” Huang Shumin was the first to shake her head.

Huang Shumin also agreed, “This isn’t suitable for me.”

“Probably only you can manage it at home,” Ma Xiuzhi shook her head, sighed, and then had a sudden idea: “Ah, your older brother’s reading is pretty good… though his Mandarin is a bit lacking.”

“Forget about Shuqiang. With his temperament, being an announcer would be like a death sentence,” Wang Xiaomei covered her mouth and laughed at her husband, showing no mercy in her teasing.

That’s true. Liang Shuqiang would be more suitable, but he was a troublemaker when he was younger and didn’t study properly. Even now, he didn’t have much knowledge.

Liang Qingqing smiled and said with some concern, “But I’m not sure about it either. So I thought I’d take this time off from work to stay home and practice. If I get the job, it’s a great opportunity with good pay and respect. If not, I can go back to work. It’s just a little over half a month it won’t delay much.”

There was a moment of silence. Before Ma Xiuzhi could say anything, Huang Shumin jumped in with a change in attitude, smiling and saying, “I think this is a good idea. It would be great for our family to have an announcer.”

Ma Xiuzhi looked at her second daughter-in-law with surprise, feeling a slight shift in her thoughts. Was the sun rising in the west today?

“And I noticed today when Qingqing spoke on the platform, her words were so articulate and well-read, sounding like someone who’s been educated. Her demeanor was even more impressive than that of the leaders, and her Mandarin was standard. She’ll definitely make a good impression!”

Huang Shumin’s eyes were sparkling as she looked at Liang Qingqing, like she was seeing a “money tree.” She had misunderstood her sister-in-law before, thinking she was a burden on the family. But after today, she saw that Qingqing was bound to be successful.

Although she didn’t want to admit it, Huang Shumin had to acknowledge that Liang Qingqing might be the most visionary person in their family.

Measures to prevent heavy rain, saving people with a kiss…

One thing after another, it seemed like meddling or creating trouble for others, but with Liang Qingqing, these ideas brought about actual benefits. The rice, oil, and pork were the best proof.

Thinking about having meat for dinner, Huang Shumin swallowed.

So this announcer opportunity must be promising!

And if Liang Qingqing really gets the job, and since the Liang family hasn’t considered splitting up yet, any money she earns would end up contributing to the family. It would benefit everyone.

Even if things didn’t go perfectly, half a month isn’t a big deal. Besides, Liang Qingqing’s effort in the fields wouldn’t amount to much, so it might as well be worth letting her try this.

The more she thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. Seeing that Ma Xiuzhi hadn’t said anything for a while, Huang Shumin grew anxious and said, “Mom, you can’t be indecisive at a time like this! This is a big opportunity for Qingqing’s future!”

“…”

Ma Xiuzhi twitched her mouth, giving Huang Shumin a sharp look. “I know, I haven’t said I disagree!”

She was already pained by the idea of her daughter going to work, and now there was a ready-made reason in front of her. How could she disagree, especially when it was beneficial for Liang Qingqing’s future? She had to let her give it a try.

“I’ll go talk to the team leader.”

Seeing Ma Xiuzhi nod, Liang Qingqing felt relieved and glanced gratefully at Huang Shumin. After spending so many days together, she had gotten to know a bit about her second sister-in-law’s personality.

Self-interested and somewhat selfish, prone to taking small advantages and talking a lot, but not inherently bad. She was hardworking and genuinely cared for her second brother, Liang Junqiang. Despite her dissatisfaction with her as a sister-in-law, she could still help deal with external challenges, like with Ding Aixia before…

She was a contradictory person. Liang Qingqing didn’t particularly like or dislike her, but she wanted to maintain a good relationship for her second brother’s sake.

“If you get the job, it would be a great thing!” Wang Xiaomei patted Liang Qingqing’s arm, encouraging her to do her best.

Huang Shumin, not to be outdone, put her hand on Liang Qingqing’s shoulder. “That’s right. Little sister, you should practice hard during this time. Don’t worry about the household affairs.”

“It’s sweltering hot, don’t huddle together.” Ma Xiuzhi frowned.

Watching the scene before her, where everyone seemed to be vying for attention, Liang Qingqing couldn’t help but laugh and shake her head. She suddenly remembered something important and quickly reminded them, “Don’t let this news get out. This is just my guess, and if everyone finds out, the competition will become even tougher.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t spread it around.”

“Make sure to keep it under wraps.”

With this additional good news, the atmosphere in the kitchen became much livelier. Everyone chatted more warmly than usual.

As various delicious dishes were served on the table, Liang Qingqing’s eyes were drawn to the sweet and sour ribs, making her sniff appreciatively. Even the winter melon stew beside it didn’t catch her attention.

“Why haven’t they come back yet?” Liang Qingqing washed her hands and walked towards the kitchen door. Wang Xiaomei, overhearing her, smiled and asked, “Waiting for someone?”

Hearing this, Liang Qingqing’s face turned red. She cleared her throat and replied with a higher pitch, “Not waiting for anyone, just hungry.”

The more she tried to downplay it, the more it seemed like she was hiding something. Wang Xiaomei touched her nose, regretting her question. She glanced at Liang Qingqing and then at Ma Xiuzhi, who was boiling water at the stove, debating whether to share her suspicions with her mother-in-law.

After hesitating, she decided not to say anything. Young people should handle their own matters; she didn’t want to interfere and risk damaging her relationship with her sister-in-law.

Besides, deep down, she hoped for Qingqing’s happiness. With her looks and personality, she deserved to be in a good place, though she wondered if Fan Yanxing was the best match.

As dusk fell, Fan Yanxing and Liang Junqiang finally appeared in the yard. The moment Fan Yanxing stepped through the door, he noticed the charming figure at the kitchen door. Her alluring fox-like eyes met his gaze directly, unblinking, as if to say that she had been waiting for him.

All the frustration he had held in throughout the afternoon suddenly dissipated.