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Grandpa Zuo and his family learned that Wang Zhenhe was heading to Xinjiang this time. The elderly man truly worried about him, considering the long and unfamiliar journey. If anything were to happen, it would be challenging to assist promptly.
“Zhenhe, if you insist on going, I won’t stop you. Just keep me informed. Your second brother is closer to you geographically; reach out to him if needed, or call me. Be extra cautious. If you can bring Qian Qian along, I’d feel more at ease. I truly miss that girl. Your Aunt and I are eager for her to come and resume her studies.”
Even Chen Minghai, not just Grandpa Zuo, missed the little girl. “Old Zuo, time flies. In a few months, that girl will be taking exams again. Our good days are coming back. I’ve planned it out—I’ll take her fishing at the reservoir in the outskirts when we have time. We’ll have fresh fish to eat,” he chuckled.
Hao Lianchun smiled and asked, “Old Chen, don’t get too excited. The girl will be here in the fall. By the way, how are things at your home? Resolved?”
Everyone was well-aware of each other’s family situations and the general happenings. Chen Minghai smiled wryly, “Same old story. Some things are just hard to deal with.”
Each family had its own challenges, and Hao Lianchun couldn’t come up with a solution to assist Old Chen without risking potential family discord. With Old Chen being widowed and his children being his sole support, including the delicate position of Chen Xu caught in the middle, some issues were too delicate to meddle with. Family matters were often complex and irrational. Hao Lianchun genuinely wanted to help his old friend, but finding a way to intervene was tricky.
Shaking his head, Old Chen said, “Let’s not dwell on this. When that girl Qian Qian arrives, I’ll have her figure something out. Sometimes, children’s playful solutions can be surprisingly effective.”
Hao Lianchun wholeheartedly agreed. That spirited little girl might just come up with solutions they hadn’t even considered.
After dining at the Zuo household, Wang Zhenhe accompanied Grandpa Chen back. Hao Lianchun suggested that the father and son stay there, but Wang Zhenhe politely declined.
“Aunt, I have a companion coming over tomorrow, and our meeting spot is close to Old Chen’s place. I’ll come back to stay after that. I’ll bring you some tasty treats when I return,” Wang Zhenhe explained.
Hao Lianchun playfully tapped him, saying, “You young lad. We’re not kids anymore. You still try to pamper us like children. Snacking is a privilege for kids. We’re old now, and our teeth aren’t what they used to be. I heard from your eldest brother that you even managed to cure his ailments. Auntie doesn’t know how to thank you. You’ve taken care of the elderly and healed the young. We truly feel blessed to have met you all in this lifetime.”
During a phone call with their eldest son and daughter-in-law, the elderly lady mentioned the gifts Wang Zhenhe had sent. Although she was a bit puzzled, she believed that sometimes it’s best not to question the origins of things, especially if they aid in curing her son’s illness.
One reason Wang Zhenhe didn’t stay was because the residents in this compound were all prominent figures, making him feel somewhat uneasy and out of place. He found the strict security checks and overall atmosphere uncomfortable. On the other hand, Grandpa Chen’s place felt more relaxed and convenient for him.
Hao Lianchun understood Wang Zhenhe’s perspective but knew that bridging the gap between them would take time. Habits are cultivated gradually.
After Wang Zhenhe and Gao Zhenhua met up, they swiftly purchased some items in the capital and left immediately. Mingcheng and Wang Xuan had planned to pick up the goods and make a profit.
However, Zuo He and Zuo Hao arrived ahead of schedule. Grandpa Zuo sent all three of them straight to the military camp for training. Wang Xuan didn’t even catch a glimpse of them, leaving her and Chen Xu to handle things on their own.
The goods had been received, and production at the factory had commenced. Even Yang Mingxuan and Cong Wei found the fruit wine made earlier to be delicious.
With Yang Nuo and Cong Tao about to start school and a shortage of manpower at the factory, Yang Mingxuan and Cong Wei unexpectedly showed up just as the mother and daughter were seeking additional help.
Feeling somewhat awkward, they explained, “Sister, we need to discuss something with you. We have two young men with us, both in need of jobs. Can our factory accommodate them?” Despite their discomfort, they were committed to helping and had to plow forward.
Both the individuals Yang Mingxuan intended to bring and Cong Wei shared a common trait—they had attended reform schools. This indicated that they had committed offenses that did not warrant imprisonment but required them to undergo compulsory education as a form of correction.
Zhang Lan also had reservations, unsure of the extent of their past actions and whether they would be compliant and productive in their work.
Understanding her concerns, Yang Mingxuan and Cong Wei explained, “Sister, these two individuals come from good families. However, due to circumstances, they ended up making mistakes. One of them was involved in a physical altercation due to defending his sister, causing severe injury, but due to his young age, he couldn’t be sentenced.
As for the other individual, his parents were sent for re-education during a difficult time. To support his younger siblings, he resorted to stealing food. Unfortunately, he was caught in the act.
From what we’ve observed, these are good kids. Their actions were driven by circumstances. They haven’t committed any major crimes like rape or murder. Once they complete their school education, it’s uncertain if anyone back home will be willing to employ them. Keeping them at home for an extended period isn’t a viable solution, as they might fall in with the wrong crowd in society, nullifying their parents’ efforts. As parents ourselves, we understand the anguish their families must be feeling. They have come to us seeking help, and these are genuine relationships. It wouldn’t be right for us to turn them away.”
Upon hearing the introductions from Yang Mingxuan and Cong Wei, Zhang Lan found their backgrounds acceptable. It wasn’t a matter unforgivable enough to warrant concern. If they were convicted of serious crimes like rape, she wouldn’t feel comfortable having them around, especially with unmarried young women present, as it could tarnish the reputation of the place.
In her heart, she believed that physical altercations were more forgivable than crimes like rape. The former was often a result of youthful impulsiveness and a lack of consideration for consequences, while the latter was a matter of moral integrity. Although both were mistakes committed before reaching legal age, there was a fundamental difference between them.
“Alright, have these two individuals come over tomorrow for me to assess. If they seem suitable, I’ll keep them. We still need more hands around here. Once Yang Nuo and Cong Tao leave, we’ll be short-staffed. These kids are truly capable. Both of you have raised good children.”
Yang Mingxuan and Cong Wei were pleased with the praise for their children. They hadn’t expected to return and find their kids diligently attending classes and studying. They acknowledged that this positive change was also due to the assistance provided by Wang Zhenhe’s family.
“Hehe, sister, you sure know how to compliment. Without your initial help, these kids wouldn’t have turned out like this. Tomorrow, we’ll have these two individuals come see you. Please keep an eye on them. We wouldn’t want them causing any trouble. The parents on both sides truly worry for them.”
In the evening, Zhang Lan discussed the matters Yang Mingxuan had brought to her with both children, and they unanimously agreed to accept them. Individuals like these usually had connections, and their past deeds weren’t significant enough to outweigh their potential assistance. Helping someone was always better than causing harm.
“Mom, tomorrow, my brother and I will accompany you to have a look. Since we have the day off, we’ll keep an eye out and see if these two individuals are capable,” her daughter suggested.
Mingyuan shared the same sentiment. If these two individuals proved beneficial, they would be assets. Otherwise, they could potentially stir up trouble. It all depended on how they were utilized.
The next day, when they arrived at the factory, the two individuals were already waiting at the entrance. Wang Qian immediately sensed their nervousness and unease, understanding that at this point, people valued their reputation greatly. Those who had served time or been to reform schools were often viewed with suspicion.
“Don’t be nervous, both of you. We are all like family here. Brothe Yang and Brother Cong are our friends. Just consider this place your own home. Come, let’s head to the office and have a chat,” she reassured them warmly.
Wang Qian felt it inappropriate to have a conversation at the entrance gate, considering the constant flow of people and the need to maintain everyone’s dignity. Respecting their reputation would also facilitate their work. Perhaps in a fresh environment, these young men could potentially excel.
Upon seeing the two young men with Wang Qian and Mingyuan, they appeared nothing like troublemakers. Both had a pleasant appearance, and their demeanor even seemed a bit shy.
Inside the office, Wang Qian warmly addressed them, “Don’t be nervous, feel free to have a seat, gentlemen.”
Mingyuan proceeded to introduce the identities of the three individuals, including the two newcomers, gaining insight into their backgrounds.
The taller one was named Song Jun, while the shorter one was called Qian Jin. Wang Qian couldn’t help but find joy in the latter’s name, as “Qian Jin” hinted at wealth and prosperity. Mingyuan provided them with a notebook for registration.
“Don’t worry, all our staff here undergo detailed registration. This way, if there’s ever a need, we can quickly locate you. Everyone follows the same process,” Mingyuan explained.
To dispel any concerns they might have, Mingyuan showed them the registration details of other employees, ensuring they understood that this procedure was standard practice and not targeted specifically at them.
Seeing others following the same procedure visibly helped ease the tension for the two young men.
“Song Jun, Qian Jin, I’ve heard about your past from the elders. In my opinion, what’s done is done, and there’s no need to carry it as a burden forever. You both are no less than anyone else, and your past actions were likely driven by circumstances. Our factory is newly established, so the workload might be a bit hefty initially. However, rest assured, our wages are competitive with other factories. If you work diligently here, you might even earn more than in a traditional factory,” Wang Qian reassured them.
Initially skeptical of Zhang Lan’s words, the two individuals found solace in the opportunity to work, considering it a significant piece of good news for them.