Chapter 157: Job Recruitment

When the autumn harvest ended, Fan Sizhe and Jin Dapeng came to find Xu An and informed him that the county’s machinery factory was starting a recruitment drive, advising him to go early the next day.

Xu An said, “Sister, Fan Sizhe mentioned that a new workshop has opened, and they need to hire dozens of people. The requirements are for junior high and high school graduates.”

Xu Ning thought for a moment and said, “Xiao An, I remember Jianmin’s second brother also graduated from junior high, right?

And there’s Hongdang from Grandpa Chen’s family; he graduated from high school two years ago. You should go tell them and see if they want to give it a try.”

Understanding her intention, Xu An replied, “Sister, I’ll ride my bike to the village right now to inform them and help them get ready. We can all go together tomorrow.”

“Xiao An, just tell them the machinery factory is hiring; there’s no need to elaborate.”

“I know, sister.”

He first rode to Jianmin’s house, and Aunt Dashuan and Jianhua were very happy to hear the news.

Jianhua held his hand and said, “Xiao An, thank you so much. So, what time should we go tomorrow?”

“Brother Jianhua, I heard from my classmates that the machinery factory is hiring, and the requirement is for middle school and high school graduates. I know you graduated from middle school, so I came to let you know. Whether you can get in is still uncertain, so don’t thank me.”

Jianhua smiled and replied, “Xiao An, I appreciate you thinking of your second brother when there’s good news. As for whether I can get in, we’ll find out by trying. If not, it’s no big deal; I can always continue farming. After all, we are farmers.”

Xu An laughed and said, “My second brother has an open mindset. So tomorrow morning, eat breakfast early, and we’ll meet at the village entrance. I’ll go to Grandpa Chen’s and let Uncle Hongdang know.”

When Hongdang saw Xu An arrive, he smiled and said, “Xiao An, what brings you here today? Is there something going on?”

“Uncle Hongdang, my classmate told me that the machinery factory is hiring tomorrow. I thought since you graduated from high school, I’d come and ask if you want to go and give it a try.”

“Really, Xiao An? Such a great opportunity! Of course we should give it a try. What time tomorrow?”

They agreed on a time, and Xu An rode his bicycle back. When he reached the entrance of the educated youth compound, he thought for a moment and decided to go inside.

He told the male educated youth about the hiring conditions and schedule at the machinery factory.

After hearing this, everyone expressed their desire to go with him the next day. It would be foolish not to try when such an opportunity arose.

Even Gu Wenping felt a bit excited, while Lin Miao’s reaction was rather indifferent. She knew that the college entrance exams were approaching and that they would soon be leaving, so she felt it didn’t matter much.

However, since Gu Wenping wanted to go, she fully supported him. Working in the city would mean a salary and a ticket; this job could also help save quite a bit for future college expenses.

This way, they could have some extra pocket money instead of waiting each month for the few yuan sent by Gu Wenping’s family.

When Xu An returned home, he told Xu Ning about his visit to the educated youth compound.

Xu Ning smiled and said, “The machinery factory is only hiring a few dozen people in total, and nearly ten from our village are going for interviews. Tomorrow at the factory gate, it’s going to be quite a spectacle.”

Xu An chuckled, “Well, I’ve already informed them. Whether they can get in depends on their own abilities.”

Xu Ning looked at him with a smile. This brother of hers was truly wonderful—both mature and steady.

The next day, when Xu An arrived at the machinery factory gate with the group, Fan Sizhe and Jin Dapeng were both stunned.

Fan Sizhe pulled him aside and said, “Xu An, why did you bring so many people? My dad’s small position only allows for three of us to keep our slots; he can’t handle this many!”

Xu An laughed and replied, “Don’t worry. These few are just here to give it a try. Whether they pass depends on themselves.”

Fan Sizhe let out a sigh of relief and said with a smile, “You gave me a scare! But it should be quite difficult for them to get in on their own. My dad said that the slots are mostly predetermined, filled with connections. Unless someone has particularly good qualifications and understands machinery, they might have a chance.”

“I understand. But since they’re all from the same village, it wouldn’t be right not to mention that the factory is hiring,” Xu An replied.

Fan Sizhe nodded in agreement and patted him on the shoulder, appreciating Xu An’s thoughtfulness.

At the factory gate, there were at least two to three hundred people waiting, and the interviews lasted the entire day.

When Xu An returned, Xu Ning asked, “How did the interviews go? Were there a lot of people today?”

“At least a few hundred. Fan Sizhe said that the slots are mostly predetermined. Unless someone has knowledge in this area, there might still be a chance; otherwise, it’s just a wasted trip.”

Xu Ning sighed. It was now more competitive to get a job in the factory than to take the civil service exams in the future.