Chapter 90 2/2

“Now that we’ve got a 28 bike, when will Brother Zhao use it? Ah, when will he use it?”

“You and sister-in-law can’t ride it anyway. It’ll just sit at home collecting dust, waiting for Brother Zhao to have time to ‘grace’ it? That’s the real waste.”

“You see my bike, yes, it may not be able to carry people and things like a 28 bike, but look, I ride it every day. It’s so comfortable with Xiang Xiang sitting on the back. Right, Xiang Xiang?”

Yan Xiang eagerly agreed, nodding immediately, trying to persuade Sister Yang, “It’s really comfortable, and I don’t have to hold onto Mom’s belt anymore.”

“You see,” Qiao Wei said, “whether something is wasteful or not depends on whether its utility value has been realized.”

“A piece of paper filled with children’s drawings isn’t wasteful, but leaving it to be eaten by bugs until it can’t be written on anymore is wasteful. A dollar spent by children on snacks isn’t wasteful, but being reluctant to spend it and burning it into ashes in the stove crack is wasteful…”

Sister Yang’s face changed color. “Will it burn into ashes?”

Qiao Wei: “?”

Sister Yang turned and hurried to the kitchen!

Qiao Wei: “…”

There were some noises coming from the kitchen, accompanied by Sister Yang’s exclamation.

Fortunately, Sister Yang came out holding a roll of bills. “It didn’t turn into ashes, just got a bit yellowed! Thank goodness you reminded me!”

Qiao Wei: “…”

“If it had been left for a long time, it would have really turned into ashes.” Sister Yang shuddered. “Originally, I didn’t put it there. Earlier, when there were mice, I was afraid they’d bite it, so I opened the stove and stuffed it in… It hasn’t been long.”

Sister Yang was so grateful, she slapped Qiao Wei on the shoulder. “Thanks to you!”

Qiao Wei almost fell down with both herself and the bike.

On this Monday morning, she saved Brother Zhao’s family’s savings, which was refreshing.

Moreover, Qiao Wei estimated that Brother Zhao’s family’s savings were not as much as hers. Yan Lei was really good at saving money!

In the future, with her own salary added, with only one child at home, the money saved could all be used to improve their quality of life.

What a beautiful life!

The child seat on the back of the bicycle attracted attention as soon as they entered the county town. All the way to the county government, people kept turning their heads to look curiously.

Even when they entered the office, they were surrounded.

Many unfamiliar people greeted her, “New bike, huh?”

“Women’s bikes are really pretty.”

“This seat is great, the kids must be really comfortable sitting on it.”

“You see this leg protector below, it prevents your legs from getting stuck.”

“My child’s leg got stuck in the wheel once, and he cried in pain. The axle of the bike was bent, and it was hard to find someone to fix it.”

“This is good, this is good.”

Qiao Wei was forced to socialize for a while, explaining a few key points to everyone: “Backrest and leg protection are the most important. The rest, armrests are optional, foot pedals are best to have, for comfortable legs.”

Those who need to remember, intend to get one too.

Qiao Wei dropped Yan Xiang off at kindergarten.

The teachers welcomed him warmly.

“Xiang Xiang looks so clean again,” the teacher said. “We’re going to tell a story today too.”

Yan Xiang was enthusiastic. “Great!”

If a child doesn’t have a good time in kindergarten, it will show directly in their mood. They can’t fake it.

Seeing Yan Xiang like this, Qiao Wei felt reassured about the kindergarten. After all, it was a kindergarten for the children of the town government officials, and its quality was somewhat better than other places.

Qiao Wei entered the office with her bag. “Good morning, Chief Zhou.”

Chief Zhou’s impression of her had improved a lot now. He didn’t see her as the arrogant type from Qing Shan Town anymore. Whenever she returned from the Town Committee office, she would always report to him on everything, showing that she respected him.

As for the relationship between her and the clerks, as long as there were no arguments, and she didn’t come to him asking for resolutions, then it wasn’t his concern.

Chief Zhou responded with warmth, “Good morning. The weather’s nice today.”

“Yes, the scenery while biking is lovely,” Qiao Wei said, smiling brightly.

Even though she had been excluded and mistreated for two days last week, she still looked so cheerful, which made people feel comfortable.

Chief Zhou was impressed by her resilience.

Someone who didn’t like her remarked sarcastically, “It’s not that early now. We’ve been working for an hour already.”

Qiao Wei ignored him and handed Chief Zhou a manuscript she had written. “This is what Secretary Meng asked for, he wants it submitted today. Chief, please take a look and review it.”

Chief Zhou put on his glasses and read through it, showing appreciation in his eyes.

Moreover, the manuscript was neat, with no signs of corrections. Obviously, it had been proofread and copied neatly.

Chief Zhou nodded. “Go ahead, quickly send it to the secretary.”

Qiao Wei then went to the office.

The person who had been ignored was very angry and cursed, “Is this person deaf?”

Some people felt that Qiao Wei was not to be trifled with and advised, “Let it go, let it go.”

“Let it go? We’ve been working for an hour, and she’s still saying ‘good morning.’ It’s really audacious.” That person persisted in complaining, “I’ve never seen anyone like her. Chief Zhou, what do you think? Say something.”

Since this person was cueing Chief Zhou, Chief Zhou had to say something.

He thought about this talented girl who had been seconded here. Her talents were evident from her articles, and she must have won the favor of the leaders above, otherwise she wouldn’t have been specifically seconded to the county. But since she arrived, she had never shown him any disrespect.

Then he thought about this girl who brought sunshine with her when she entered the room, making people feel comfortable. Then he looked at some people’s sour faces.

Who looked pleasant and who didn’t, it was quite clear.

“When she comes back, ask her what time she left. Then look at what time you left.” Chief Zhou said, “Your bus takes five minutes, while she rides for an hour. When she left, you were still picking your eyes in bed.”

Laughter filled the office.

“Enough,” Chief Zhou, for the first time, spoke on behalf of Qiao Wei who had been seconded here, setting the tone, “Colleagues from lower-level units who are seconded here are here to help us reduce our burden. She even brought her child along, overcoming difficulties. As long as she doesn’t slack off or make mistakes at work, keep quiet and don’t let me hear anything. Colleagues should be kind and helpful to each other, in this office, no one is allowed to spread negative vibes.”

Before, when the leaders pretended not to hear, it was equivalent to tacit approval. So the subordinates dared to do as they pleased.

Now that the leader had spoken and set the tone, anyone who didn’t listen would be disrespecting the leader.

The office quieted down.

Someone grumbled, “Why bring a child when you’re seconded here? Is there no one in Xiahekou anymore?”

Some people were confused, and others pondered deeply upon hearing this.

Chief Zhou pretended not to hear and lifted the teapot to drink tea.

Self-improvement in life lies with oneself, and no one is obligated to be your life mentor, teaching you office philosophy. Whether you understand or not, whether you can see through it or not, depends on yourself.

What makes a good person in the office?

Not setting traps for you, not digging pits for you to jump into, is considered a good person.

If they see a pit and don’t warn you, and watch you fall in on your own, as long as the pit wasn’t dug by them, they’re not considered bad people.

At most, they’re just… ordinary colleagues.