Chapter 84 1/2

Although Qiao Wei was a 996 corporate slave who could work herself to death, she wasn’t someone from within the system in her previous life, so she didn’t quite understand certain things.

She wasn’t very clear about what “temporary transfer” meant. Transfer she understood, but there was also the word “temporary.”

However, she was worldly-wise and could read people’s expressions and intentions. Secretary Gao and Director Fang’s expressions and gazes told her that this temporary transfer wasn’t something particularly good.

This kind of thing couldn’t be taken lightly; she had to ask clearly.

Fortunately, Secretary Gao and Director Fang were willing to explain it to her.

“…So, my affiliation is still with the town, and my salary is still paid by the town committee? So essentially, I’m still a member of the town committee,” Qiao Wei was puzzled, “Then, am I working for the county for nothing? The town committee is at a disadvantage.”

“Cough…,” Director Fang tried to smooth things over, “It’s not exactly like that…”

But it was exactly like what Qiao Wei said. No unit would be happy to have their personnel temporarily transferred to another unit or to higher authorities.

I’m paying your salary, but you’re working for someone else; I’m left short-handed.

It was a double loss.

Initially, Qiao Wei had some doubts because she actually quite enjoyed riding her bicycle to the county.

The rural road was beautiful, with sunshine, fresh air, farmland, and elderly farmers driving thin oxen with straw hats. There were no people on the long road, and the scenery was picturesque.

By cycling a bit faster, she could reach there in about forty minutes, or an hour if she went slower.

People from small towns who could go home during breaks to extinguish forgotten stoves might feel that the distance to work was too far. But Qiao Wei was a big city person; she used to live in a first-tier city, where a one-and-a-half-hour commute each way was the norm. She didn’t consider it far.

Moreover, this time was actually due to the backward transportation means, with only bicycles available. Ten li, converted to kilometers, was only five kilometers. It would only take ten minutes by car. This distance was considered “close” in Qiao Wei’s mind.

So distance wasn’t a consideration for her.

But understanding the essence of temporary transfer, Qiao Wei didn’t want to go.

Because human nature had both good and evil sides, but besides good and evil, there was also meanness.

The most typical example was that in areas where dowries were common, kind-hearted girls who didn’t want a dowry often ended up being mistreated by their in-laws. Because the in-laws thought that since she didn’t want a dowry, she was “cheap” or “losing money,” not because she was kind-hearted, but because “my son is capable.”

If her affiliation and salary were still with the town committee, Qiao Wei wouldn’t naively think that the county committee would be grateful for her free work.

Given the understanding of society by adult corporate slaves, it was more likely that she would be treated like a servant there. Worse still, her original unit might not give her a good face either because she was using their money to work for someone else.

This logic was easy to understand even with just a little thought.

Qiao Wei immediately asked, “Can I refuse?”

Secretary Gao coughed and said, “This is an official transfer letter.”

Occasionally, for short-term temporary transfers of a few days, there was no need for a formal transfer letter; a phone call between leaders was enough. Usually, no specific person would be designated; it would just be a temporary need, and someone would be assigned to go over.

The duration would be short, and they would come back after a few days. It wouldn’t have much impact.

But with a formal transfer letter and a designated person, it meant that the duration might be longer, or they might want to poach this person.

Either way, the original unit wouldn’t be happy. They might even suspect that this person was trying to climb the ladder and wouldn’t come back. So people who were temporarily transferred often weren’t treated well by either side.

“Doesn’t a transfer letter mean you can’t refuse?” 

Qiao Wei pondered for a moment before saying, “I have practical difficulties; I have my child with me. It might not be convenient to bring a child to work at the county committee, right? I haven’t seen anyone bringing children there.”

The scale of the county committee was much larger than that of the town committee, and it seemed that the intensity and efficiency of work were much higher. There was also a strong sense of hierarchy.

In the county committee, because it was a small place, although there was still a hierarchy, everyone had intricate relationships with each other, and almost everyone had some background and connections. Sometimes the leaders felt a bit like big brothers, and the hierarchy wasn’t as strict.

But during Qiao Wei’s two visits to the county, she strongly felt the difference in hierarchy, and the feeling of the workplace and officialdom became clear.

The leaders weren’t just leaders; they even had an “official” feeling to them.

Director Fang said, “I heard that the military compound has a kindergarten. The county committee also has a kindergarten, right in the county committee’s office complex. You can also leave your child there, and you can visit anytime.”

Qiao Wei thought for a moment before continuing, “Can I refuse as a military spouse?”

Both Secretary Gao and Director Fang couldn’t help but sigh with frustration, “You…”

Qiao Wei confidently continued, “This is clearly the county committee taking advantage. The town committee and I personally don’t get any benefits from this.”

As a blue-collar worker with a strong work ethic, Qiao Wei could work diligently, but others couldn’t freeload on her labor.

Indeed, subordinates with capabilities often had their own personalities and ideas; there were few who were capable and completely obedient.

Secretary Gao persuaded, “This is a very good opportunity for you personally. You can broaden your horizons, interact with more colleagues and leaders, and learn from others’ advanced experiences. Maybe you’ll even have the chance to be officially transferred to the county committee.”

Official transfers meant promotion; temporary transfers didn’t count.

Qiao Wei firmly stated, “My roots are at the town committee, and the radio station is my home.”

She managed the little nest of the town committee so well. Colleagues got along harmoniously, and some even helped her with her child.

With such a free schedule and relaxed work environment every day, Qiao Wei already had a flowerpot on the office windowsill, and Tianming taught her how to take care of it.

Husi taught her how to knit.

Manman brought her snacks.

The station manager never raised his voice at her.

Even Yan Xiang was tacitly given his own desk and often ran errands for the office. As a result, everyone’s workload was lighter, and no one needed to leave their chairs. On payday, she, Tianming, and Hu Sui each gave Yan Xiang five cents. Yan Xiang happily accepted the “salary” of three steel pennies.

With such a divine job, who would want to go to the county and be a workhorse?

Qiao Wei had talent but absolutely no desire to leave the town committee for greener pastures. She even considered the town committee her family. With her presence, the atmosphere in the office relaxed, and Secretary Gao and Director Fang no longer acted like superior officials.

There was no longer a sense of distance with her; they became closer.

“The spirit of treating the office like home is commendable, but orders from superiors must be obeyed,” Secretary Gao pondered for a moment before continuing, “Here’s the deal: you go to the county committee, and we’ll continue to provide you with the usual holiday allowances, subsidies, and welfare benefits during festivals, and we won’t stop them.”

WTF?

So, if she doesn’t forcefully refuse and negotiates, after being seconded, she’ll lose all the benefits from her original unit, right? During National Day, while others receive oil, flour, and eggs, she won’t?

Those with emotional attachments in her original unit won’t support her, and the seconding unit won’t either. This is messed up.

But Qiao Wei knew she definitely couldn’t refuse this. If she did, not only would she offend the county, but she would also offend her own leaders.