Chapter 71

Now, their morning exercises as a couple were balanced. It wasn’t like when Qiao Wei had just arrived, and both of them were out of practice and went too hard, often leaving Qiao Wei unable to get up in the morning.

Now, both of them woke up refreshed in the morning, and they went out for a run together.

Qiao Wei’s physical fitness had noticeably improved.

When they returned from their run, she asked Yan Lei, “Have I become more solid?”

She could feel it herself; her arms and legs didn’t feel as soft anymore, and her muscles had become more elastic.

Her appetite had improved, her digestion had become stronger, and her body’s metabolism had increased.

Yan Lei had a particularly strong say in this matter.

He praised her, “Your waist has become firmer, especially powerful. Your legs are strong too.”

Nobody understood better than him.

Men’s attention… Qiao Wei gave him a big eye-roll.

Yan Lei emphasized, “Really.”

“Your complexion has improved too.” He searched for the words, “Rosy and radiant.”

This point was indeed correct.

When Qiao Wei had just arrived, she often felt that her complexion was too pale when she looked in the mirror, lacking in color and unhealthy, making her look dull.

After a month of consistent exercise, her complexion was now healthy, and her eyes were bright.

Full of energy and healthily rosy.

This was the state she had dreamed of in another lifetime, and now she has it.

Priceless.

As Yan Lei was about to leave, he leaned out of the courtyard gate and said, “You should thank me; I gave you some of my yang energy.”

He said it so seriously.

Qiao Wei spat and laughed at him, “Bah! Hurry up and go!”

Yan Lei put on his hat, chuckled, and left.

Today, Qiao Wei had to submit her manuscript, so after buying groceries with Yan Xiang, she went to the unit early and handed the manuscript to Chief Lu.

Chief Lu was very satisfied; he flicked the manuscript with his fingers, and this time, he didn’t make a single change before approving it, “That’s it. If Chief Xie asks for it this afternoon, just give it to him like this.”

Qiao Wei crisply agreed, “Okay.”

Sure enough, in the afternoon, Chief Xie said, “The radio station also needs to prepare promotional materials.”

“After yesterday’s meeting, I arranged this matter,” Chief Lu stood straight, “We’ve already prepared.”

As he spoke, he gestured to Qiao Wei.

Qiao Wei handed over the manuscript.

The efficiency of the radio station was so high that Chief Xie was a bit surprised. He took it and quickly scanned through it, realizing that this manuscript wasn’t hastily put together just to appease people; it was a very serious and informative piece of propaganda.

Lu Manman was his wife’s cousin, so they were very familiar. He knew her level very well. This definitely wasn’t written by Lu Manman.

He glanced at Qiao Wei, “Qiao Wei wrote this?”

Chief Lu answered for Qiao Wei, “Although Qiao Wei is a newcomer, she has a positive and serious attitude towards work and took the initiative to take on this task. The small article is written beautifully!”

Chief Xie understood; in just a week’s time, Qiao Weiwei, the military wife transferred by the military district, had already established herself firmly at the radio station. She had even gained Chief Lu’s favor.

This was great. The radio station also fell under the jurisdiction of the propaganda department. With a capable person at the radio station, it was like he had gained a capable person too.

As a leader, of course, he was happy.

“Everyone should learn from this proactive attitude towards work. Don’t be half-dead like some people,” Chief Xie returned the manuscript to Qiao Wei, “Qiao, read it again, and everyone listen and provide feedback.”

Today, it seemed like there wouldn’t be a need for individuals to be called upon to speak about their learning experiences. It was like a teacher announcing the cancellation of an exam and letting everyone study on their own.

Everyone applauded happily.

Qiao Wei read it out fluently.

Colleagues occasionally made sounds of realization.

“It’s quite scary to listen to.”

“Are mosquitoes really that dangerous?”

“My uncle once got malaria; he never knew how he got it. It could have been from a mosquito bite.”

Even Chief Xie asked, “Qiao Wei, is all of this true?”

“It’s true.” Qiao Wei didn’t change her expression, “The information is in the library, although it’s scattered, you can find it. Everyone can go and check it out for themselves.”

Actually, the information in the library at this time was limited, with more books on political studies. Some of the content was written by Qiao Wei herself based on her memory.

But seeing how everyone was usually half asleep during meetings, Qiao Wei knew that nobody would be diligent enough to actually check the sources of the content she included in her article.

Chief Xie was touched, “Did you really go through each and every book?”

The military district was really doing a good job this time! If they could send more military wives like her who were willing to be accepted, that would be great!

“Pay attention, everyone! Learn from her; this is the kind of attitude and spirit we need for our work!”

Everyone nodded like chickens pecking rice, with their eyes half-opened. Who knew whether they were dozing off or not? They had mastered this skill long ago.

It didn’t matter if they were suddenly awakened by applause; they just joined in with the applause.

“I’m new here and have a lot of shortcomings; I hope everyone can provide me with more feedback,” Qiao Wei smiled, “Encourage me to improve quickly and catch up with everyone soon.”

Everyone’s expressions were subtle.

Please don’t…

If you keep improving, you’ll be faster than a tractor, and we won’t know who should be catching up to whom.

Applause resounded.

Only two leaders and the people from the radio station applauded sincerely.

The leaders with diligent and capable subordinates were the happiest.

The more capable Qiao Wei became, the less work Lu Manman would have to do. It wouldn’t affect her salary either. Lu Manman applauded vigorously.

Hu Sui and Lu Tianming were used to being supporting actors, but when the spotlight was on them, they had to applaud for the entire radio station.

Of course, in the end, Chief Xie took away the manuscript, saying, “Let me take a look and make some changes if necessary.”

After all, this manuscript hadn’t been changed by Chief Lu at all.

However, for the first time, it’s a bit like a declaration of intent, or you could say it’s a way to assert authority. You can’t just let it pass directly. Chief Lu was the same way before.

Those who have experienced the workplace understand. Qiao Wei said, “Chief, please be strict with me. I need your guidance and supervision.”

Oh, Chief Xie found that pleasing to the ears.

The declaration of intent was smoothly submitted.

On Wednesday morning, someone from the propaganda department returned the manuscript. “Chief, it’s been edited, and it’s ready to be finalized and broadcast.”

Chief Lu took it and glanced at it before giving it to Qiao Wei. “Let’s broadcast it today. Mobilize everyone.”

Qiao Wei took a look.

There was a part that said “…united, follow orders.” Chief Xie had drawn a reversed symbol with a red pen and changed it to “Follow orders, united.”

Qiao Wei smirked.

She asked her colleagues in the propaganda department, “When will the specific arrangements be made? It’s better to have the process before promoting specific operations.”

Her colleague from the propaganda department said, “I’m not sure, the county hasn’t issued it yet. Don’t worry, we’ll give it to you when it arrives. Chief Xie instructed us.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem.”

As the colleague from the propaganda department walked to the door, they couldn’t help but glance back at this female colleague.

She had a scholarly air, spoke with a smile, was confident and sunny, and beautiful.

What a pity.

The colleague sighed softly, shook their head, and left.

Lu Manman happened to see this and asked Lu Tianming, “What’s wrong with Xie Houshan? Why is he sighing? Is there something wrong at home?”

“I don’t think so,” Lu Tianming said, “I went for a swim with Xie Houlin after work yesterday and didn’t hear him mention anything about a problem at home.”

The two of them then started talking about other people with the surname Xie, and then they brought up those with the surname Xu. In this group, they could discuss the entire family tree.

There were even discussions about how names were chosen based on seniority. The complex family relationships made Qiao Wei dizzy.

With the manuscript finalized, it was broadcasted in the afternoon to warm up the town residents.

Middle-aged and elderly women gathered under the shade of trees with their grandchildren, fanning themselves with palm leaves, saying, “It’s quite scary to listen to.”

“Some mosquitoes are poisonous, especially the ones in autumn.”

“Yes, that year, I was bitten by a black and white mosquito, and the swelling was this big, so big.”

“Nonsense, it couldn’t have been that big.”

“Don’t fool me, I’m not a fool!”

“How many times have you acted like one?”

Even when Chief Xie returned home, his spouse was pressing him for details, asking, “When is the mosquito eradication scheduled? Hurry up.”

The first round of publicity had a very good effect.

When reporting to Secretary Gao on Thursday, Chief Xie received praise for the work of the propaganda department. A sense of accomplishment shone on Chief Xie’s face.

Secretary Gao asked, “The military wife who recently joined the radio station, is she doing well?”

“More than well,” Chief Xie said, “This time, the military region has really come through.”

Secretary Gao, a former military officer turned cadre, was well aware of the families of soldiers. He nodded and said, “Let competent comrades shine and give them opportunities.”

Station Chief Lu went to Section Chief Xie’s office and came back to ask Qiao Wei, “Do you know how to ride a bicycle?”

Qiao Wei was about to say “yes” but luckily her brain reacted quickly, and she changed her answer, “I can’t handle the 28-inch bike.”

The 28-inch bike was quite famous.

Riding that bike required a certain height. Moreover, the way to get on the bike was different from what people were used to in later years. You had to stand on the left pedal, with one leg sliding on the bike. Then, the right leg either swept past from behind or swung over the top bar.

This was too difficult for someone who was only used to riding shared bicycles!

Chief Lu said, “There’s a women’s bike, 26-inch, can you ride that?”

“26-inch should be no problem,” Qiao Wei asked, “But why do you need me to ride a bike?”

Lu Man preemptively asked, “Is it for going to the county?”

The town committee didn’t have small cars.

No harm in asking. The county did.

The town committee had four bicycles, three 28-inch ones, and one 26-inch women’s bike. The women’s bike was specifically for female colleagues to use.

These were public transportation tools. Whenever someone needed to go to the county for meetings, delivering or picking up items, they just had to get a travel permit from the leaders, then they could take the bike from the warehouse and ride to the county.

“Yes, Qiao, tomorrow you, Chief Xie, me, and Chief Li will go to the county for a meeting. It’s about the mosquito eradication, to hold a mobilization meeting.”

They were still in the mobilization phase, mainly the work of the propaganda department.

Although Lu Man also wanted to go to the county, she knew that the person who really had to do the work would go. Qiao Wei was carrying the main responsibility this time, so she had to accompany her on the business trip.

“Go ahead, go ahead. The county health department and the county committee are together, their canteen food is better than ours,” she said.

Chief Lu added, “You’ll also get a transportation subsidy of 20 cents and a subsidy of 30 cents.”

Going out for a day could earn an extra fifty cents.

Qiao Wei was a bit puzzled, “Can’t we take the public bus?”

“Qiao, you never know when that bus is coming,” Chief Lu said, “Sometimes it runs every two hours, sometimes every four hours. Don’t count on it, or you’ll never make it to the meeting on time.”

“Oh, I see,” Qiao Wei said. “Okay, then I’ll ride the bike.”