The military could request quotas from factories, but it would undermine their principles and risk scrutiny. Lin Ting, as a military family member, made it a legitimate opportunity for both the army and the factories.

Wei Lu continued, “We need to implement this quickly. Tonight, after work, your sister-in-law will take you to meet the unemployed family members. You can distribute the eight spots.”

Lin Ting was taken aback. “Me? Is that appropriate?”

Pang Lihua rolled her eyes. “Why not? You worked hard for these positions.”

“But it might offend people. There are 20 to 30 unemployed family members.”

“Then we’ll do a lottery,” Pang Lihua suggested.

That seemed fair. Lin Ting realized her close friends were mostly teachers and didn’t need these jobs. Mrs. Wen Lan had also declined, so she had no personal bias in the selection.

“Should I inform Political Commissar Liu?” Lin Ting asked, knowing this fell under his jurisdiction.

The brigade commander hesitated before shaking his head. “No need, he’s busy.”

Lin Ting had doubts but said nothing.

_

At the office, she overheard gossip from Gu Fang.

“What? Liu Wenyan was pushed into the well by Ding Feiyan and is being sent to the countryside as an educated youth?” Lin Ting was shocked. She had only been away for three days—how had things changed so quickly?

Gu Fang, munching on an egg cake, replied, “Not surprising. If a family has multiple children, any unemployed adult must go for re-education. Haven’t you heard? Political Commissar Huang’s eldest son, 18, will be sent to the countryside after graduating unless he finds a job before recruitment ends.”

Lin Ting had heard of this, but she was still puzzled. “But Political Commissar Liu is at the brigade level and favors Liu Wenyan. Wouldn’t it be easy for him to arrange a job for her?”

Gu Fang leaned closer and whispered, “Brother Rongxuan analyzed it—Political Commissar Liu wants to show compliance, especially to Captain Cao. After a few months, when no one is paying attention, he’ll find Liu Wenyan a better position elsewhere, but she won’t return here.”

Lin Ting smirked. Political Commissar Liu had manipulated Captain Cao before, but now, Cao had struck back with a powerful move. For the division headquarters to transfer someone personally, they must have serious backing!

This iron plate kick… is so satisfying!

Unfortunately, only Liu Wenyan was gone, while Political Commissar Liu remained Huo Xiao’s superior. Lin Ting, unaware that her husband had also set his sights on Political Commissar Liu, felt sorry for Captain Huo’s future work environment.

After school.

Lin Ting knew her friend was helping the brigade commander’s wife organize a lottery for unemployed military spouses. Worried that those who didn’t win might cause trouble and harm the pregnant woman, Gu Fang decided to join them.

Earlier that day, Pang Lihua had informed the military families to attend a meeting at the literacy class after dinner. To avoid competition and disputes, Hu Xiu, Lin Shuang, Tang Wenlan, and Pang Lihua kept the job details secret. Many assumed Mrs. Pang gathered them to raise funds for disaster relief, as rumors had spread days earlier.

Some women were reluctant, but others eagerly participated. Their husbands had described the desperate conditions of the disaster victims, evoking sympathy. Additionally, many organizations outside the military were also fundraising. Some wives saw an opportunity to donate more to improve their family’s standing in the eyes of military leadership.

Lin Ting had no idea what was on their minds. She and Gu Fang followed Mrs. Pang into the classroom, where all the military wives had gathered. Pang Lihua decided to tackle the difficult topic first, discussing donations before job opportunities.

Lin Ting found a seat while Mrs. Pang delivered her speech. Since the women were prepared, they applauded when she finished. One by one, they stepped forward to hand over their pre-set donation amounts, which Mrs. Pang recorded.

Most donated five yuan, some gave one or two, while a few contributed ten. The donations were voluntary, with no pressure.

Sitting in the third row, Lin Ting and Gu Fang observed the donations closely, as it was their first time participating. When the second regiment commander’s wife donated twenty yuan, they followed suit. However, someone objected.

“Mrs. Lin, you earn two salaries. Isn’t donating so little a bit selfish?” Ding Feiyan, bitter from past conflicts, had recently tried to align herself with Liu Wenyan. But now that Liu Wenyan was gone and Political Commissar Liu was disgraced, she had nothing to lose.

After being reprimanded by her husband, Ding Feiyan knew Fang Shuigen’s career change at the end of the year was inevitable, so she no longer held back. Since she had already offended Political Commissar Liu, why fear a regiment commander?

With a provocative expression, she met Lin Ting’s gaze.

On the podium, Lin Ting stopped Mrs. Pang from intervening and exchanged reassuring glances with Gu Fang and Wen Lan. She then turned to Ding Feiyan, whose face had darkened in the past few days.

Looking around at the mixed expressions in the room, Lin Ting calmly said, “I have two jobs because I was assigned by the higher-ups. Do you have an issue with the division headquarters’ decisions? If you think you can do it, you’re welcome to try.”

Ding Feiyan’s face flushed. She could barely read, let alone take on such a position. But she refused to back down. Raising her chin, she scoffed, “You think you’re the only one capable? Of course, I can do it too!”

Lin Ting’s eyes gleamed. “Oh? Then you’re not interested in working at the factory?”

Ding Feiyan, assuming it was a trick, scoffed again. “Of course not!”

Lin Ting had no intention of giving job opportunities to someone like Ding Feiyan. Smiling sweetly, she responded, “I respect your decision, then.”

Ignoring Ding Feiyan’s confused expression, Lin Ting turned back to the podium and announced the eight available job positions.

Gasps filled the room. Those who had resented Lin Ting for earning two salaries or admired her abilities now looked on in shock.

Seizing the moment, Mrs. Pang declared, “Comrade Lin Ting is selfless! She didn’t do this for personal gain. She sacrificed sleep for three nights, even while pregnant, to secure more jobs for military families. Some military spouses, lacking ideological awareness, harbor impure thoughts. This must be disheartening for Comrade Lin!”

Lin Ting’s ears burned as she frantically signaled Mrs. Pang to stop exaggerating.

But Mrs. Pang, also the Women’s Department Director, wasn’t finished. She looked at the room full of wives, whose expressions now burned with shame, and asked loudly, “Do you still think Comrade Lin Ting is selfish?”

“Comrade Lin Ting is a good comrade!”

“She’s doing this for us!”

“She’s a role model. I want to learn from her!”

“Fang Cuihua’s success is thanks to her!”

“Tingting, you’re so selfless!”

Lin Ting, dying of embarrassment, glared at Gu Fang, who was pretending to wipe away tears. Why are you joining in?!

Mrs. Pang, an expert in handling situations, capitalized on the momentum. “There are only eight jobs available right now. Not everyone will get one.”

Having said this, Pang Lihua paused and scanned the faces of the military families. As expected, many looked nervous.

She continued, “I’ve discussed this with Lin Ting and Lao Wei. To keep it fair, we’ll use a lottery. Any objections?”

Everyone responded in unison, “No problem! When does sister-in-law start smoking?”

Pang Lihua, ever straightforward, bent down and took out a lottery box from under the desk. Placing it on the table, she added, “Come up one by one according to your positions… Let me be clear, if anyone who didn’t get to draw causes trouble later, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Hearing this, the military dependents eagerly nodded and rubbed their hands in anticipation. Those sitting at the back regretted their choice, fearing all spots would be taken before their turn.

Lin Ting, who had transitioned from being ridiculed to being appreciated, curled her lips. Well, not everyone appreciated her.

She glanced at Ding Feiyan, who was rubbing her hands, clearly determined to win. Lin Ting smirked, “Comrade Ding Feiyan, don’t feel pressured to participate.”

Everyone was stunned.

Ding Feiyan jumped up. “Why?”

Lin Ting feigned confusion. “Didn’t Comrade Ding say she didn’t want a factory job? I’m respecting your wishes!”

Ding Feiyan choked and instinctively retorted, “I was just joking…”

Lin Ting didn’t let her escape. “Comrade Ding is very considerate! If you step aside, someone else will get a chance. Everyone will be grateful.”

Quick-thinking military wives immediately chimed in:

“Yes! Comrade Ding is so kind!”

“A selfless person!”

“I misunderstood you before, Feiyan. You’re really generous!”

Several tall military wives quickly carried Ding Feiyan out and locked the doors. Standing in the corridor, she looked utterly confused.