Chapter 78

Time passed slowly, and soon it was the end of January in the Gregorian calendar, and the Chinese New Year was approaching.

As for the tasks assigned above, five CNC machine tools have been completed and taken away, and high-horsepower engines are being trial-produced.

What makes Du Yimeng most happy is that her application to join the party has been approved, which means that from today she has become a probationary party member.

If nothing goes wrong, she will become a formal party member in a year.

Oh, ho, ho…why is she so outstanding?

January 22, 1960 in the Gregorian calendar, the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month.

Today will definitely be a special day because the machinery factory is holding its first-ever technical competition, plus ratings.

There are three days in total, and people with the same type of work and level of work will compete together, and fairness must be ensured.

The first prize is to purchase a radio without using a radio ticket.

As soon as the news came out, everyone was excited. Not only was the title of first place very tempting, but the material reward also won everyone’s heart.

The spirit of not admitting defeat has long been engraved in the bones of the Chinese people. Who doesn’t want to be the boss of the same type of work?

Although not every family can afford a radio that costs 135 yuan, they can still exchange it privately.

Even though Du Weihai already had a radio at home, he couldn’t help but get excited and try it out.

Unfortunately, his strength does not allow it. It has only been two years since he became a level four worker, and there is a senior worker who has three years’ experience above him!

He was eliminated in the final round and was very unhappy about it.

In this era, job ratings are held every three years, and if the rating is passed, the grade will be raised by one level.

The master craftsman who defeated Du Weihai not only won the first prize, but was also rated as a fifth-level worker. Isn’t that infuriating?

As for the welfare of workers during the New Year, Yu Hongru simply waved his hand and gave each person 20 kilograms of cornmeal, and all workers, including apprentices and temporary workers, received the same treatment.

He felt that food was the most practical thing at the moment.

Next, the factory holds its year-end summary meeting. Whether in this era or in later generations, year-end summary meetings are very common activities.

It is nothing more than reviewing the work results of the year, summing up the experience and lessons learned, and formulating plans and goals for the coming year.

The year-end summary meeting was held in a cafeteria. A platform was set up in front. Song Zhi, holding an iron military megaphone, stood on it with his head held high and his chest puffed out, shouting heart-wrenchingly.

It’s finally his turn…

To be honest, the workers standing in the front were really unlucky. The trumpet was facing them and could almost pierce people’s eardrums. Many people ignored Song Zhi’s dark face and subconsciously covered their ears.

Do you think the noise torture is over?

No……

This is just an appetizer, the most painful thing is yet to come.

After the leaders finished speaking, everyone seemed to have lost their hearing.

The summary meeting was finally over. At this time, the people in the kitchen carried out a few large buckets. Everyone in the kitchen looked at everyone with a smile on their faces, as if to say that there would be no stir-fry today.

Everyone had a serious face. Yu Hongru was at the front, followed by Song Zhi and Zhou Daoyi. As for Secretary Wan, it was said that he was ill and did not even attend the year-end meeting.

Anyway, he is always ill at the end of every year and everyone is used to it.

Leaders have to set an example, and everyone has a serious face, for fear of letting others see any trace of resistance.

The workers did not have such a heavy burden, and everyone’s face showed pain and resistance. Some workers even retched while waiting in line.

It’s because today is the annual “Recalling the Bitterness and Thinking of the Sweetness” organized by the factory cafeteria. As for the ingredients of this meal, it is of course porridge made from wild vegetables, leaves, roots, corn paste, dried sweet potatoes, etc.

In short, they made the rice as unpalatable as possible, and deliberately made it difficult to swallow. Of course, even if it was not intentional, the rice would not taste much better.

At first glance, the black porridge looks like it has leaves and wild vegetables floating on top. As for the taste, it is absolutely sour and refreshing when you take a bite.

The purpose of this “Remember the Bitterness and Think of the Sweetness” meal is to make everyone remember the hardships of the old society and love the new society more.

“After you finish your meal, go back to the R&D department immediately and don’t stay in the cafeteria.” Yu Lang, who was standing behind Du Yimeng, said in a low voice.

People of his father’s level have to set an example and stay in the cafeteria to eat with the workers. Section chiefs like Du Yimeng, who don’t need to take the lead and set an example, can sneak around in a small corner where no one notices.

As for himself, he has the final say in the security department. Who dares to raise any objection to his staying or leaving?

Seeing his father’s serious face, he couldn’t help but chuckle. His father started not eating last night, simply because he was worried that he would vomit in public today.

When it was Du Yimeng’s turn, the auntie who served her only gave her half a spoonful of rice. Seeing this, she quickly covered the lunch box and thanked the auntie before leaving.

Several workers heard Du Yimeng’s “thank you” and looked at her with horror. Today’s porridge was not porridge, it was porridge that could kill people.

She actually said thank you to them. Is she stupid?

The aunt who served the food sneered at the workers. Is there any need to tell who is stupid?

She served meals to so many people every day, but only Director Du from the R&D department would say “thank you” to her. Although these two words were insignificant, they brought her great satisfaction.

The rice spoon is in her hand, she has the final say…

She wants to give special care to Chief Du, what’s wrong?

As for Yu Lang behind Du Yimeng, he did not escape the fate of Yishao.

Du Yimeng was a person who listened to advice. After finishing her meal, she ran back to the R&D department while no one was paying attention to her. Whether it was the original owner’s memory or her later curious taste, it left a deep psychological shadow on her.

I forgot to mention that in this era, whether it is a school or a factory unit, it is held once a year.

In contrast to her stealthy behavior, Yu Lang came to the R&D department openly.

Just as Du Yimeng was struggling over whether to throw it away secretly now or take it home, she saw Yu Lang open her lunch box and pour the food from her lunch box into his own.

She thought he was going to take it out and dispose of it, but his behavior the next moment shocked her. He actually drank all the porridge in one breath, and there was no trace of pain on his face.

You have to know that she only tasted it, and her stomach felt sour for the whole day. Now when she thinks about the taste, she feels a little tingling on her scalp.

Considering the living conditions of the Yu family, he should not have suffered any hardship. Then how did he manage to swallow those hard-to-swallow things without batting an eyelid?