The director of the recycling station, Zhang Yang, was now walking with a spring in his step.

After making two phone calls, news of the five job openings had “accidentally” spread.

In the director’s office, he was humbly refusing offers over the phone.

“This isn’t appropriate. We don’t need so many people.”

“Oh, this is too much. Well, alright, I’ll reluctantly accept.”

“Dinner? No, no, our kitchen is out of order. Bring your own? Oh, that’s too kind.”

“Hahaha! Alright, alright!”

After hanging up the phone, the director looked at Jiang Cheng with an especially kind expression.

What a good comrade!

Not only did she always praise him behind his back, but she also helped him solve problems.

“Xiao Jiang, your temporary assignment is almost over, right? I think your performance has been excellent. Would you consider staying here?”

The director genuinely wanted her to stay, but Jiang Cheng truly didn’t have the time.

However, saying that outright wouldn’t sound good.

“Director, I really don’t know how to thank you. It’s just that I can’t cook, and my small frame probably isn’t suited for sorting work.”

The director thought about it and realized she had a point.

It wouldn’t be right to ask Du Yun to do the sorting.

That would make it difficult for Comrade Jiang to carry out her work and could disrupt internal harmony.

For the moment, the director didn’t have a better solution.

“Director, I know you genuinely care about your subordinates. It’s my misfortune that I can’t have the honor of working under you. But rest assured, as long as I’m working at the recycling station, I’ll do my job diligently!”

Jiang Cheng’s smooth words provided the perfect stepping stone, and the director gladly took it.

At the office door.

“Comrade Jiang Cheng, keep up the good work. Given your outstanding performance, I’ve decided to pay you this month’s salary and benefits as a full-time employee.”

“Thank you, Director! I’ll work hard and live up to your expectations!”

Both parties were satisfied as they parted ways.

Director: Complimenting Comrade Jiang Cheng always feels rewarding.

Jiang Cheng: A few words exchanged for over ten yuan? What a great deal!

The day at the recycling station passed in cleaning and organizing.

After work, Jiang Cheng rode her bicycle to the night school.

Principal Wang was eagerly waiting for her at the entrance.

Jiang Cheng braked sharply, nimbly jumped off her bike, and used her foot to stop right in front of Principal Wang.

“Did it work?”

Principal Wang nodded.

“It worked! The higher-ups are very supportive of this initiative.”

Principal Wang couldn’t help but reflect on how any leader would love such a project—it built goodwill, improved performance, and enhanced their reputation.

Jiang Cheng nodded, first greeting Old Wang and handing him a handful of sunflower seeds before following Principal Wang to his office.

The two talked in the office for over ten minutes. Several times, people outside heard Principal Wang say, “Why? Why so many people? Advanced Unit?”

The teachers: What’s going on?

After leaving the principal’s office, Jiang Cheng went to Teacher Lü’s office to continue her studies.

At the end of the session, Teacher Lü directly handed Jiang Cheng ten thick books.

“Take these back for self-study. This is your homework. If there’s anything you don’t understand, come ask me. You don’t need to come at the usual time tomorrow.”

Jiang Cheng packed the homework into her bag but left the books in the office to collect later.

She playfully crouched down.

“Teacher, don’t miss me too much!”

“I don’t have time to miss you!”

Teacher Lü’s words were tough, but Jiang Cheng just grinned. “I know, so I’ll come see you every day. That way, you won’t have to miss me too much!”

Jiang Cheng stood up, said “See you tomorrow” in Russian, and cheerfully returned to the classroom.

In the office, Teacher Lü’s mood lightened after Jiang Cheng’s words. She let out a long sigh and stood up.

“What sin have I committed to have to teach these kids whose tongues seem to have run away from home?”

“If only there were another Jiang Cheng.”

Teacher Lü muttered to herself, but as soon as she stepped out of the office, she put on her usual stern expression. The sound of her footsteps echoed as she headed to Advanced Class One.

Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng, back in Advanced Class Two, stood at the podium and lightly tapped the desk. The room quickly fell silent.

“Classmates, have any of you known children who were stolen or friends who were deceived?”

“Classmates, human traffickers are despicable!”

“Now, we have an opportunity to contribute our own efforts to combat human trafficking!”

…

Jiang Cheng successfully convinced two-thirds of the class to sign up. The remaining third simply couldn’t spare the time but actively promised to help.

The only one in the class who remained unmoved was He Dan.

Jiang Cheng didn’t deliberately target He Dan, and neither did her classmates.

Regarding He Dan’s earlier confession, everyone kept silent.

They felt that bringing it up would be like rubbing salt in Jiang Cheng’s wounds.

But He Dan didn’t see it that way. She felt everyone was judging her with prejudice and distanced herself from them all!

With a look that screamed “You’re all ignorant, I’m not wrong,” she pushed away anyone who tried to talk to her.

Jiang Cheng wasn’t a saint and had no intention of reaching out to her.

Over the next few days, Jiang Cheng used the time she would have spent with Teacher Lü to rehearse an anti-trafficking play with the students who had signed up.

Once the play was nearly ready, Jiang Cheng turned her attention to publicity.

Without promotion, no one would come to watch the performance, and all their effort would be wasted.

Moreover, in the book’s plot, human trafficking was a significant theme. Lin Chengyuan rose to power by loudly advocating against it, though his actual actions were minimal.

Yet, this empty rhetoric helped Lin Chengyuan build a very positive, proactive image.

His promotions came as easily as drinking water.

He Dan also benefited from Lin Chengyuan’s influence. She organized several political ideology classes at the night school and took the lead in comforting the families of victims.

Through a few superficial publicity stunts, He Dan was named an Advanced Individual.

This honor provided her with significant advantages in her later career.

Jiang Cheng’s dislike for Lin Chengyuan and He Dan was a fact, but she also didn’t want the tragedies of human trafficking to actually occur.

So, this time, she would handle the publicity herself, and it wouldn’t just be empty slogans.

She wanted to see real results.

As for the titles of Advanced Individual and Advanced Unit, she had already set her sights on them.

During her free time, Jiang Cheng visited the paper factory.

She wanted to get some flyers printed.

At the paper factory.

The factory director didn’t recognize Jiang Cheng at all and was shocked when she walked into his office.

“How did you get in here?”

The director began to question the management of his factory.

Jiang Cheng smiled politely and took out a piece of paper. “I have a letter of introduction from the night school. I’m here to purchase paper.”

The director knew about the night school, and his factory did have dealings with them.

“Oh, for purchases, you should go to the procurement department head.”

The director’s tone was clearly dismissive, but Jiang Cheng pretended not to notice.

“Director Xu, I’m not here to buy paper today. I’m here to bring honor to your paper factory!”

Director Xu: …

Yeah, right. How stupid does she think I am to believe that?