Chapter 40: Oh No! Workplace Bullying

“Is there really a special cadre for women and children? That means you can support us women in the future,” Aunt Hua said, her eyes brightening, feeling her back straighten as she couldn’t help but scoop two more pieces of meat into her large bowl.

“Look at you, so thin! Come find Aunt Hua earlier for lunch in the future, and I guarantee you’ll eat your fill.”

Jiang An’an smiled shyly, “Thank you, Aunt Hua.” The little dimples on her cheeks melted Aunt Hua’s heart even more. She beckoned Jiang An’an to come closer and confidently asked, “The director must have made things difficult for you this morning, right?”

Jiang An’an’s eyes widened in surprise.

There’s some gossip here!

Aunt Hua told Jiang An’an to eat first and brought over two large sweet potatoes after the meal, generously sharing one with her.

Jiang An’an reciprocated by pulling out a handful of peanuts from her pocket and handing them over. Aunt Hua became even more enthusiastic, pulling her in to explain the enmity between the commune secretary and the director.

“Our director rose through the ranks from the grassroots level. Before the old secretary was transferred, he was the most promising successor, always flaunting his authority as secretary.

Unexpectedly, a university graduate secretary was parachuted in from the county, which infuriated Chen Xingtong. The staff under him rebelled and refused to take orders from the new secretary. So, no matter how much background the secretary had, it didn’t matter; for all these years, he’s been a lone commander.

Little Jiang, you also came from the county, so you naturally stand with the secretary. It’s no wonder Chen Xingtong is unhappy.”

Jiang An’an understood that the top leaders of the commune were vying for power, with the parachute officer and the local power player in conflict, while the ones suffering were the staff beneath them.

There’s always power struggles everywhere. Jiang An’an smiled slightly, “My department is still connected to the county Women’s Federation; I’ll just do my best to fulfill my duties.”

At that moment, Aunt Hua looked at her affectionately, but who knew which side of the power struggle she belonged to? She remained cautious to avoid being caught in the crossfire and becoming a scapegoat.

From then on, no matter how Aunt Hua tried to pry, Jiang An’an responded half-truthfully and cheerfully, appearing like a naïve little rabbit without a scheming mind.

Chen Xingtong glanced at her from a distance and asked the staff member beside him, “What did Jiang An’an do this morning?”

The staff member disdainfully replied, “Didn’t do anything, didn’t ask us any questions, just read books all morning. The Women’s Federation is basically a retirement department; this Jiang An’an is probably just gilding her resume by going to the grassroots.”

Some cadres specifically go down to the grassroots for a few years to enhance their resumes so that when it comes time for promotion, they advance faster than those of us who are grounded.

Like Secretary Yang.

Chen Xingtong’s expression darkened, and he let out a cold laugh from his chest: “Just focus on our own duties; I can’t be bothered with her.”

Using the same tactics he employed against Secretary Yang, he continued to implement the “three no” policy: no helping, no acknowledging, and no cooperating, treating her like a cold breeze.

“But we still haven’t arranged a desk for her. What if she goes to the county to complain?” another staff member expressed concern. “At least we need to save face; we’ve already put Jiang An’an in her place for the whole morning, which is enough.”

Chen Xingtong tidied up the lunch box and casually said, “The commune desks are limited. If there’s no notice from above, it takes time to prepare one on short notice.”

“Besides, she’s just a temporary worker who got in through the back door. How much influence and ability can she really have? Is the director of the Women’s Federation going to stand up for her?”

In the afternoon.

Jiang An’an indeed sat on the cold bench again.

By the time work ended, Secretary Yang still hadn’t returned, and she realized she had been played by her colleagues.

Tsk!

Jiang An’an pressed her tongue against her cheek, wondering how much animosity the higher-ups must have to affect her, an innocent bystander.

The commune had a strong bias against the parachute officers from the county, and while it didn’t directly impact her, constantly being undermined was frustrating. She needed to think of a way to resolve this quickly.

“An’an, was your day at work smooth?”

Jiang Degui arrived at the commune just as work was ending, worried about her riding home alone.

Jiang An’an curved her lips into a smile: “Everyone is very busy, focusing on their own tasks, and they’re quite united.”

The collective effort to ignore her was on point!

Jiang Degui thought everything was going well and pedaled his bicycle even harder: “Your mother fried some melon seeds; bring them to share with your colleagues tomorrow. As the saying goes, ‘A short mouth eats a short meal,’ so if you need help in the future, they won’t be able to refuse.”

Parents who love their children plan for their future.

Jiang An’an felt a warm surge in her heart and didn’t want to take advantage of the fickle group at the commune, smiling as she declined: “No, bringing them here would be bribery and unprofessional.”

Jiang Degui took her response seriously and quickly changed his tone: “Alright, I’ll listen to you. Your mother was worried about what to give the secretary and the director today; this way, we save some money.”

Jiang An’an agreed wholeheartedly, thinking it was better to buy a hen than to give gifts. The thought of chicken made her salivate.

The Jiang family was among the better-off in the village, but they couldn’t eat white rice at every meal, and meat was a rare treat. The root of the problem was still poverty and a lack of resources.

All the way home, she reminisced about a hundred ways to prepare a hen, but when she reached her doorstep, a rich aroma of stir-fried chicken wafted from the kitchen!

A group of kids, not quite small anymore, squatted by the roadside, stretching their necks and greedily sniffing the scent.

Daobao was almost in tears, waving his little fists angrily: “Auntie, they’re bad, chase them away.”

These bad people were coming to steal the aroma of his chicken; what if it no longer smelled good after they sniffed too much?

Jiang An’an popped a candy into the little guy’s mouth and lifted him up as they walked inside.

With the candy sweet in his mouth, Daobao instantly forgot his troubles and grinned, revealing his two front teeth.

“Don’t give him any more candy; Mom found out about his cavity this morning.” Jiang Shulan came over with a cloth to wipe her son’s nose, looking a bit worried.

While other families only got candy during festivals or New Year, her Daobao had a sweet tooth and got cavities, all thanks to his grandparents’ spoiling.

Jiang An’an asked Daobao to open his mouth, and indeed, she saw a blackened cavity on the left side. She nodded and said, “You should pay more attention, big sister. Why did you suddenly make chicken today?”

Jiang Shulan replied, “There have been some rumors in the village; just this morning, Mom fought five battles. She’s getting older and accidentally twisted her back, falling on the field ridge. It was Zhou Zhiqing who happened to pass by and helped her back, then reported to the team leader about the rumors spreading in the brigade.

This afternoon, the team leader called a meeting with the members and mentioned that you secured six jobs for the brigade from the clothing factory. Those gossipy women didn’t dare to say a word to get those jobs.

Old Granny Zhu even specially brought a hen to ask Mom if she wanted it. That hen even had two eggs inside; she was really generous.”

Jiang An’an felt worried after hearing this: “Is Mom’s injury serious? I’ll go check on her.”

She handed Daobao over to her elder sister and hurried to the east room.

She saw Lin Meiru lounging on the bed, leisurely cracking sunflower seeds, with the floor covered in seed shells.

She was eating quite a bit, so that meant she was fine!

“An’an, you’re back! Was today smooth?” Lin Meiru greeted her, grabbing a handful of seeds to offer.

Jiang An’an didn’t like sunflower seeds and deliberately said with a downcast expression, “Not good; someone made things difficult for me.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Meiru immediately jumped up, rolling up her sleeves and hopping off the bed, “Which bastard dares to bully you? Just watch me tear him apart.”

As soon as she said this and saw her daughter’s expression, she realized she had been tricked and quickly put on a smile: “Mom’s back really hurt just now, but it’s much better now. I definitely wasn’t trying to slack off.”

Jiang An’an replied, “A few days of rest would be good.”

“What?”

Lin Meiru almost couldn’t react.