Chapter 43

The hiring process at the pharmaceutical factory was causing quite a stir.

Just in the Xu family’s own alley alone, more than a dozen people had signed up to take the exam.

Not to mention that the factory itself prioritized the hiring of employees’ children.

Just thinking about it, one could already imagine the fierce competition and cutthroat atmosphere on the day of the test.

Xu Wanchun had great confidence in her mother, Xu Hehua. After years of study, her mother could prepare nearly 300 kinds of medicinal herbs—if not exactly 300, then at least 280.

From what she knew, even eighth-level pharmacists in the factory, who earned 102 to 118 yuan a month, could only process around 300 types.

So unless something unexpected happened, her mother should safely land a sixth-level worker position earning 70 to 80 yuan.

Even if not, a fourth-level tablet-pressing worker would also be decent—as long as it meant they could stay in the city fair and square.

In any case, unless there was no other choice, Xu Wanchun really didn’t want to pull strings.

Maybe she had too much on her mind.

That day, the morning of the exam, Xu Wanchun woke up before 4 a.m., long before dawn.

The alarm clock she bought especially for this occasion ended up being completely useless.

Since she was awake, she didn’t plan on going back to sleep. Just as she reached for the thin cloth covering her belly button, she realized her mother—who shared her bed—was already gone.

Was she too nervous to sleep?

Thinking this, Xu Wanchun pulled the lamp cord beside her bed, slipped into her slippers, and walked out the east wing room.

“You’re awake too?”
The light in the main hall was already on. At the Eight Immortals Table, Xu Hehua was holding her daughter’s notes and studying them. Beside her, Granny Wu was making dumplings.

Xu Wanchun yawned and walked toward them.
“You two are too much. Don’t tell me you got up at three?”

Xu Hehua looked a bit sheepish.
“More like three-thirty. I was too nervous—worse than when I took my middle school graduation exam.”

Wu Yuzhen grinned cheerfully.
“Granny Wu’s old. I don’t sleep much. Since Hehua has a big day today, I figured I’d make her something nice.”

Hearing that, Xu Hehua shivered.
“Oh my goodness, Aunt Wu, you had to say it like that? Now I’m even more nervous—my heart’s pounding! It’s only thanks to my narrow throat that I haven’t thrown up.”

Xu Wanchun had felt a bit anxious too, but her mom’s antics made her laugh. She scooped two ladles of water into the basin and washed her hands while smiling:
“Don’t overthink it. Who’s my mom? Whenever you set your mind to something, haven’t you always succeeded? Just charge forward.”

“That’s true, but… what if I don’t pass? When I went to the neighborhood committee to register, I asked them. Without a local household registration, I can only stay for one month. If I get sent back, how embarrassing would that be? I might even get sent for labor reform… No, no, the more I talk, the more anxious I get!”

Xu Wanchun dried her hands and sat beside Granny Wu to help with the dumplings.
“Mom, you’ll definitely pass. But even if, just if, you don’t, there’s still a whole month to find something else.”

“But what if I still can’t find anything after a month?”

“Then go stay with my master’s wife for a while. That gives us two months. That’s more than enough time to land a job.”
Xu Wanchun wasn’t bluffing. She actually had a backup plan—trade a traditional herbal formula for a position at the pharmaceutical factory.

The factory even encouraged this kind of arrangement.

But again, unless absolutely necessary, she didn’t want to use it.

During such a politically sensitive time, getting in fair and square was still the best choice.

=

Su Nan’s younger brother was named Su Yang.

He had just turned forty this year.

Five years ago, he left the military and took a job as deputy chief of the Hu City Public Security Bureau.

After a few more years of effort, he successfully rose to become chief last year.

Despite the promotion, he was still a man of action, used to working on the front lines. Whenever a case came up, he often led investigations himself.

Because of this, Su Yang was an extremely busy man.

But no matter how busy he was, when it came to his only remaining close relative—his sister Su Nan—he couldn’t say no.

Especially since he was also quite curious about his potential niece-in-law.

After all, in every letter from his sister and brother-in-law, they never failed to mention their little disciple…

Smart, beautiful, sensible, filial, clever, resilient…

In short, these usually reserved people used every good word in the book to describe this one girl.

So when they proposed an engagement between Jingliang and the girl, Su Yang hadn’t been surprised.

But at 7 a.m. that morning…

Standing at the door of the Xu family home, Su Yang didn’t expect that his nephew’s fiancée… would look like an underage child.

After brief greetings, he asked,
“Your name is… Peach Blossom, right?”

Xu Wanchun smiled sweetly and obediently.
“Yes, Uncle Su.”

That smile made her look even younger—like a delicate porcelain doll. Su Yang cleared his throat.
“Since you’re engaged to Jingliang, you can call me Uncle instead.”

Xu Wanchun nodded cheerfully.
“Uncle!”

“Eh…”
Su Yang pulled out the red envelope he had prepared for their meeting. After she accepted it, he couldn’t help asking,
“Um, how old are you again? I remember you’re a first-year student at Military Medical University, right?”

Xu Wanchun: “…?”

“Pfft…”
Granny Wu finally understood what he was awkward about and burst out laughing.
“Xiao Yang, our Peach Blossom is only sixteen. She skipped five grades.”

Su Yang rubbed his nose. Yep—definitely a smart one.
And just as he guessed—she was nine years younger than his nephew!

=

The exam at the pharmaceutical factory was scheduled for 9 a.m.

To be extra cautious, the three of them set out at 7:30.

The alley was lively by that time. One auntie was crouched down using a newspaper to light the coal stove, while another granny was flinging wet clothes onto the drying pole. Young men on bicycles zipped through the narrow lanes delivering fresh milk…

No matter their demeanor, anyone who saw the Xu mother and daughter would always greet them warmly.

The three of them walked through the bustling morning scene of daily life and soon arrived at the bus stop.

There was a direct route—11 stops in total.

Just after 8 a.m., the bus finally rumbled its way to the front of the pharmaceutical factory.

“So many people!”
As soon as she got off, Xu Hehua was startled by the black mass of people gathered at the factory entrance.

There were indeed more people than expected. Xu Wanchun gently linked arms with her mother and said,
“Didn’t we already agree? No fear, no matter what.”

“Yes, yes, no fear. Let me double-check the documents.”

Seeing something familiar in her mother’s bag, Xu Wanchun’s expression turned a little blank.
“You brought the newspaper?”

At the mention of it, Xu Hehua looked pleased.
“It might actually come in handy at a crucial moment.”

Xu Wanchun didn’t exactly doubt it. That newspaper article could really help during the political vetting stage—after all, moral character was highly valued. But with Uncle Su from the Su family present, the possibility of someone pulling strings to replace her mother was already dead in the water. Her mother was basically guaranteed to pass.

Still, Xu Wanchun wasn’t the type to ruin the mood. She immediately praised her,
“You really do think of everything, Mom. I didn’t even consider that. My mom is the best!”

Xu Hehua beamed with pride.

It seemed that his niece-in-law had quite the silver tongue—just a few sweet words had calmed Xu Hehua, who had been tense just moments before.

Su Yang couldn’t help but ask, “What newspaper?”

At the mention of her daughter’s achievements, Xu Hehua became just like every proud mother in the world, eager to show off. She immediately pulled out the paper.
“This one—it’s the article about our Peach Blossom being the provincial top scorer.”

Su Yang took it and read it quickly. After finishing, he sighed,
“It’s a great article. You two are truly admirable.”

His sister had never gone into detail about the girl’s background. He hadn’t expected that Xu Hehua had been illiterate until the age of 30.
But now, she not only had a middle school diploma and could prepare nearly 300 types of medicinal herbs, she had also worked as a village accountant for years…

They must not have had a single day of rest all these years.

Thinking about that, Su Yang was even more impressed.
“Leave the newspaper with me. While you’re inside taking the exam, I’ll show it to the factory director.”

=

At the exam site—

Those taking the test, after having their IDs checked, were led into the factory.

Family members and friends accompanying them had to wait outside.

Except for Xu Wanchun and Su Yang.

After watching Xu Hehua and the other examinees leave with the HR officer, the two of them used their “face card” to make their way directly to the factory director’s office.

That “face” naturally referred to Uncle Su.

The director of the pharmaceutical factory looked to be in his early forties, not tall, but with a sharp, upright presence—he clearly had a military background.

After a bit of friendly chatting with his old comrade, Su Yang introduced them,
“Old Lü, this is my niece-in-law. She’s a first-year student at the Military Medical University… Peach Blossom, this is Old Lü, an old comrade of mine. Just call him Uncle Lü.”

So he really was ex-military—and a comrade at that? That surprised Xu Wanchun, but it was a pleasant surprise. She greeted sweetly,
“Hello, Uncle Lü.”

“Ah, hello, hello,” Director Lü responded quickly, then asked with some uncertainty,
“You only have one nephew, Jingliang, right?”

Seeing that his friend was just as confused as he had been, Su Yang laughed.
“Yes, she’s Jingliang’s fiancée. The two got engaged last year.”

Only then did Director Lü take a closer look at the young girl. With her bright eyes and sweet smile—and the fact that she was a college student—his smile grew warmer.
“You two are a great match.”

Then he opened a drawer and pulled out a long black gift box.
“A little gift from your uncle.”

Judging by the shape, it was probably a fountain pen. Xu Wanchun instinctively looked at Uncle Su.

Su Yang said,
“Take it. It’s a gift from an elder.”

So Xu Wanchun got up and accepted it with both hands.
“Thank you, Uncle Lü.”

What a well-mannered child. The smile in Director Lü’s eyes deepened.
“No need to thank me. I see Jingliang as my own nephew.”

At moments like this, it was best for juniors to simply smile obediently, and Xu Wanchun did just that.

Sure enough, Director Lü soon turned to his comrade.
“You old rascal wouldn’t show up without a reason. What is it this time?”

Su Yang leaned back in his chair.
“Peach Blossom’s mom is here for your recruitment exam. I’m just here to keep an eye on things.”

Knowing Su Yang’s character, Director Lü instantly understood—it wasn’t about pulling strings.
“Don’t worry. I’ve already asked Xiao Li to personally oversee everything. As long as she passes on merit, no one will be able to replace her.”

Xiao Li was his trusted aide and secretary. With him supervising, Director Lü could rest easy.

Su Yang was satisfied. As he handed over the newspaper, he said,
“Thanks. Come by the house sometime. My wife’s cooking has improved a lot lately. Let’s have a drink.”

Director Lü instinctively accepted the paper.
“Cut it out. I’ll come if you cook. But your wife? I’ll pass.”

Su Yang huffed.
“My wife has gotten better at cooking. Don’t underestimate her. I’ll tell Moli on you.”

Yes, Su Yang’s wife was named Tang Moli. A beautiful name, but in reality, she was a bold and valiant frontline police officer—and a team captain, highly skilled in martial arts.

Director Lü was already skimming through the article.
Hearing that, he replied like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water:
“Go ahead and tell her. What, is she going to beat me up?”

Su Yang: “…”

Sitting quietly with her tea, Xu Wanchun gave her Uncle Su another curious glance.

He didn’t look much like her master’s wife.

Her shifu’s wife was a gentle, elegant beauty raised in the watery lands of the Jiangnan region.

Su Yang, on the other hand, had a rougher, more rugged face—a bit of a tough guy. Based on his calm, articulate manner earlier, she had thought he was a more restrained, composed type…

As she sat there wondering what her yet-unmet aunt might be like—

Director Lü finished reading the article quickly. His expression didn’t change, but he said just three words:
“Leave it to me.”

And with that, Xu Wanchun finally relaxed.

But by noon, when she finally saw her mother emerge at the factory gate, she wasn’t sure anymore.
“Mom? Did the exam not go well?”
Why did she look so conflicted?

Xu Hehua looked exhausted.
“It went fine. I’ll get to start work officially after passing the physical in three days.”

“Then what’s with the face?”

At this, Xu Hehua looked even more dejected.
“The HR people found out I used to be a village accountant and put me in an accounting role. The salary’s only 42 yuan a month—that’s over 10 yuan less than the technical jobs in the workshop.”

But Xu Wanchun actually liked the outcome.
“That’s great! Accounting’s definitely easier than working on the factory floor. It’s perfect for working while studying.”

This familiar tiger-mom tone made Xu Hehua flinch.
“What?! Still have to study?!”