Chapter 13: Talking About Work

Because Wang Fangli said that Director Chen had something urgent to discuss with her, Lin Wei didn’t linger once she got home. She just dropped off her things and headed back out with the two kids.

Director Chen’s house was also by the sea, but it was at the opposite end from Lin Wei’s. It took about seven or eight minutes to walk there, about the same distance as to the Military Dependents Placement Office.

But unlike the row houses near the Military Dependents Placement Office, the houses near Director Chen’s were all standalone villas with gardens in front and back, and seven or eight bedrooms each.

It wasn’t easy to live in that area—you had to meet certain rank requirements. To even apply for a house there, you had to be at least at the deputy regiment level.

Walking over, Lin Wei couldn’t help but feel these houses were much better than the ones near her place—not just bigger, but newer too. The shorter construction age made them look fresher and more modern.

Of course, Lin Wei wasn’t exactly envious. First, she knew it wasn’t something she could easily attain. Second, she was quite content with her current home. There were only four of them in the family, and the house they had now was plenty big.

Other than the old houses behind, the newly built row and standalone houses were all fairly similar, differing mostly in size. Since there were no signs on the road, Lin Wei counted the houses as she walked.

When she reached the tenth house, she stopped and turned to the two boys, who were bent over picking up shells. “Mommy has something to talk about with someone. You two play outside, don’t run off, understand?”

Hearing their mother’s voice, Mingming quickly straightened up and hid his hands behind his back. “Got it!”

They had walked along the beach, where from time to time they spotted little pointed shells or empty conchs poking out of the sand. At their age, things like that were endlessly fascinating, so as they walked, the two brothers picked up a bunch. In just a few minutes, each of them had a large handful.

But Mingming didn’t dare let his mom see, because every time he brought stuff like that home, she would scold him and make him wash his hands—with soap!

Seeing his brother’s reaction, Ruirui quickly hid his hands behind his back too.

Watching the boys’ classic guilty behavior, Lin Wei found it funny but didn’t say anything. She just repeated, “Stay right here and play. Don’t go far, and absolutely do not go into the water, got it?”

Mingming, getting annoyed, complained, “Got it! Mom, you’re so naggy.”

Lin Wei was both amused and exasperated. “Every time you say ‘got it,’ but do you ever actually listen? Ruirui, keep an eye on your brother for me. If he leaves this area, shout for me, okay?” Between the two, the younger one was definitely more reliable.

Ruirui straightened up proudly and said, “Mission accepted!”

Once she had the boys settled, Lin Wei turned and entered Director Chen’s yard.

The yard was divided into two sections. One half was for growing vegetables—there was a patch of soil with a few sticks planted, and green vines climbed them, interweaving to form a net from which long string beans hung in abundance.

The other half was filled with various flowers in bloom, their vibrant colors adding cheer to the yard.

Lin Wei didn’t go too far in and just stood at the entrance and called, “Is anyone home?”

She hadn’t waited long when someone came out from the house.

And as it turned out, Lin Wei had seen this person before—at the Military Dependents Placement Office. They hadn’t spoken then, just nodded at each other as they passed.

Surely it’s not because I didn’t greet her properly? Lin Wei wondered, then laughed at herself. Have I let Wang Fangli influence me into thinking I offended someone again?

She shook her head and stepped forward to ask, “Are you Director Chen Wenfang? My neighbor said you were looking for me.”

Apparently, Director Chen remembered her too. Without asking for her name, she nodded and said, “Yes, I wanted to talk to you. Come in and have a seat.” She glanced behind Lin Wei. “You didn’t bring the kids?”

“I did. They’re playing outside. Should I call them in?”

Not knowing what Director Chen’s temper was like or whether this meeting was good or bad, Lin Wei had told the kids to wait outside.

But now that she’d met the director, she felt that whether this was good or bad news, Chen’s temperament seemed fairly decent. Plus, the woman had mentioned the children, so Lin Wei turned around and called the boys in.

As soon as she left, Mingming quickly stuffed the shells into his pocket and was about to dig in the sand with his hands. But just as he was about to, he heard his mother call, so he brushed his hands off and followed his brother into the yard.

As soon as they stepped in, Lin Wei noticed their bulging pockets and the sand clinging to them.

If they were alone, she definitely would’ve scolded them a bit. But with Director Chen right there watching, Lin Wei just patted off their pants and told them to say “hello.”

The boys greeted her cheerfully. Mingming even gave his trademark grin—completely charming. Ruirui didn’t smile, but with his handsome little face and sparkling eyes, even the coldest of hearts would’ve softened.

Director Chen couldn’t help but smile too. Her tone was gentle as she said, “It’s hot out here. Come inside and sit.” She then asked the boys if they wanted some sugar water.

At that time, sugar water was considered a treat. Lin Wei’s family had a supply because they had city registration, but she strictly limited it—worried about cavities. So the boys rarely got to drink it.

Now hearing they could have some, both boys lit up like lanterns. “Thank you, Auntie!”

Director Chen poured each of them a glass of sugar water, then asked Lin Wei what she’d like. Aside from sugar water, she had tea and coffee at home.

Lin Wei didn’t drink tea often—it made her restless. As for coffee, she’d never had it before, but she’d heard it was bitter and complicated to make. “Just plain water for me, thanks.”

Director Chen nodded and went to the living room to get two glasses of cooled boiled water—one for Lin Wei, and one for herself.

After taking a sip, Director Chen sat down in a single-seat armchair and casually asked, “So, how are you finding the island?”

Lin Wei took a sip of her water too and replied with a smile, “It’s nice. The place is great, and so are the people.”

Director Chen teased, “Even after meeting Comrade Gao, you still think the people are nice?”

Lin Wei hadn’t expected her to know about that and was momentarily stunned. “Everyone’s different. No matter where you go, you’ll meet all sorts. But from yesterday to today, most people I’ve met have been kind.”

“Well said,” Director Chen nodded approvingly. She was just about to get to the main point when she noticed the two boys had finished their sugar water. “Would you like some more?”

This time, the boys didn’t dare say yes. They just looked up at Lin Wei with hopeful eyes.

Unfortunately for them, Lin Wei shook her head. “No, thanks. I’m worried about cavities. I usually don’t let them have too many sweets.”

Director Chen, who had raised children herself—even though they were grown now—understood the importance of dental care. Smiling, she said, “You’re right, kids need to be careful. I’ll get them some plain water.”

She got up and poured each of them a glass of boiled water.

Even though the water didn’t taste like much, the cups hadn’t been thoroughly rinsed, so there was still a bit of sugary residue at the bottom. Swirled around, the water still tasted faintly sweet.

But the boys were already full, and now they just sipped slowly, looking around, shifting in their seats—clearly bored.

Seeing this, Lin Wei said, “Go play in the yard.”

With that permission, the boys leapt up like they’d been pardoned and ran off. Lin Wei called after them, “Stay in the yard! Don’t go too far, understand?”

After calling out, she turned her head and said a little embarrassedly, “Sorry you had to see that.”

As someone with experience, Director Chen completely understood Lin Wei. “That’s how it is with raising kids — when they’re around, they annoy you, but once they’re out of sight, you can’t help but worry.”

“Exactly.” Lin Wei let out a sigh, then remembered the main reason for her visit. “By the way, why did you ask me to come over? I heard from the neighbors that it seemed urgent.”

“It’s like this,” Director Chen set down her teacup and looked at Lin Wei. “Our hospital’s pharmacy assistant, Xiao Hu, is returning to his hometown. There’s no one to take over the job, and the military family placement office doesn’t have a suitable candidate either,” she said. “I heard you graduated from high school?”

Understanding what Director Chen was getting at, Lin Wei’s expression turned serious as she honestly explained, “I do have a high school diploma, but in truth, I only attended for less than two months before school was suspended. Later, when elementary and middle schools resumed, our high school never reopened.”

Back in 1968, the schools gave their batch of high school students — from first to third year — graduation certificates all at once, then sent them to the countryside.

After getting her certificate, Lin Wei didn’t go elsewhere for reeducation. She stayed in her local brigade as a scorekeeper until she later took over her mother-in-law’s job at the cotton mill and became a warehouse manager.

She held that position all the way up to when she joined the army unit.

All of this was written in Lin Wei’s file, so Director Chen already had some understanding. But she didn’t interrupt — only after Lin Wei finished speaking did she ask, “How did you find the warehouse manager job? Did you do it well?”

Lin Wei answered confidently, “I think I did a good job. During my time at the cotton mill, I never once messed up the inventory or lost a single item.”

“So, you’d say you’re very detail-oriented?” Director Chen raised an eyebrow.

Lin Wei nodded firmly. “Yes.”

Director Chen then shifted the topic. “Do you think you’re capable of handling the job of a hospital pharmacy assistant?”

Although Lin Wei had mentally prepared herself, she was still a little stunned to hear it confirmed. She explained, “I’ve never attended a medical school and I don’t have any relevant work experience.”

“That’s not a problem. Once you start, I’ll assign someone to train you. All you need to do is be diligent — study attentively during training, and be meticulous once you’re working on your own. Can you do that?” Director Chen looked at Lin Wei as she asked.

Lin Wei hesitated a little.

Of course, she wanted a job. Although her family didn’t have financial pressure at the moment, having two incomes was better than relying solely on Zong Shao.

But she had just arrived on the island with the army — there was still so much to settle, not to mention two kids at home… And this was a big decision; she had to at least talk it over with Zong Shao.

Seeing Lin Wei’s hesitation, Director Chen said, “If you have any concerns, feel free to tell me.”

Hearing that, Lin Wei immediately spilled all her thoughts like beans from a jar.

“You just got here, and of course the house needs some settling. Let’s do it this way — I’ll give you three days. Take care of all your personal matters, and then come in to start work.”

“As for the kids, you can bring them to the hospital. As long as it doesn’t interfere with work, it’s fine. The pharmacy has fixed hours — 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a 1.5-hour lunch break. The cafeteria serves three meals, so you should be able to manage feeding them.”

“You don’t have to answer right away. Go home and talk it over with your husband. Just let me know your decision tomorrow.”

In Director Chen’s view, all of Lin Wei’s concerns were easily solvable. She resolved them in just a few sentences and even asked, “Any other questions?”

Lin Wei quickly shook her head. “No. Anything else you need from me?”

Director Chen smiled. “No, that’s all. Just think it over. Once you’ve decided, come see me at my place.”

“Alright, I’ll head out then?” Lin Wei said as she stood up.

“Take care on the road.”

Director Chen handled things swiftly and decisively — the matter was settled in a flash. Lin Wei was still a little dazed when she stepped out.

Of course, she wasn’t the least bit unwilling. After all, anyone could guess that a hospital pharmacy job would be in high demand. The fact that it landed in the lap of a military wife who hadn’t even gotten her household registration sorted yet — it was like winning the lottery!