CHAPTER 221: 221 NEW YEAR’S DAY PARTY

"Alright, go ahead, I’ll call the supply and marketing cooperatives in other counties and see if they can spare some."

"Chairman Lu, you can start the application process now."

"Director Jiang, shall we go together?"

"Sure, let’s go together." Jiang Xinyu smiled.

The two found Qian Jun, who raised his eyebrows upon seeing them enter together.

Lu Changchun nudged Jiang Xinyu’s arm. She understood; it was her cue to speak.

"Mr. Qian, here’s the situation: the union is organizing a New Year’s party. Our factory has done pretty well this year. Can we apply to prepare some peanuts, melon seeds, candies, and apples for the party?"

Lu Changchun placed the application on the desk. Qian Jun glanced over it.

"Alright, I agree. However, you’ll need to figure out the supply yourself."

"Hmm, I’ve already asked the supply and marketing office. Peanuts and melon seeds are no problem, but we can only get a hundred pounds of candies, and Chairman Lu will handle the apples."

Qian Jun looked at Jiang Xinyu and smiled, "Director Jiang, did you come prepared, or did you just assume I’d agree?"

"I think Mr. Qian would definitely agree. You’re so generous to the workers, offering such high bonuses; you surely wouldn’t refuse such a small budget."

"Director Jiang still knows how to talk." Qian Jun signed and handed the document to Lu Changchun.

Next came the tight arrangements by the union, with the venue, of course, being the club.

The workers were already aware and were eagerly anticipating it. The club hadn’t officially opened yet, so this party was the perfect opportunity to utilize it.

Jiang Xinyu was as busy as usual, and She Xiaoyun ended up preparing one hundred and fifty pounds of candies; it was truly the most they could get.

"Director Jiang, how about you host the event this time?" Lu Changchun asked with a smile.

"Spare me, I don’t have the talent for that. Plus, I don’t have a performance ready."

Jiang Xinyu actually didn’t want to participate, but during a factory-wide celebration, she couldn’t really escape.

"By the way, Chairman Lu, for those comrades who hold their posts, we should give more of these peanuts and melon seeds."

"Hmm, it’s already arranged."

In the afternoon, she received a call from Lv Beiguang.

"Jiang Xinyu, can you bring the kids to your event?"

"Sure, I’ll arrange it."

Lv Beiguang was truly a good father. However, it was uncertain whether his kids were spoiled. Overindulgence was also irresponsible parenting.

On the thirty-first, Jiang Xinyu and Lu Changchun went to the club again to check everything. There were no issues.

"Chairman Lu, I’ll ask Secretary She from the supply office if she wants to join in the fun."

"Haha, it’s appropriate."

"Sister She, do you want to join us at the club tomorrow for some fun?"

She Xiaoyun was five months pregnant, and her face was full of spots, looking uncomfortable.

"I’m not going. With that time, I’d rather be lying at home.

By the way, can you get me a membership card for the club later?"

"No problem. I’ll bring it to you once processed."

At the supply office, Jiang Xinyu bought two pounds of rice candy. It was all they had, and she’d be acting as the kids’ caretaker tomorrow, so she had to prepare some snacks for them.

After getting home that evening, she took a hot bath and lay down. There were only two weeks left until exams, and it was time to take a break. She decided to take a leave starting from the sixteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.

Song Qingqing had already checked for her; she could take sixty-five days off, meaning she could return to work on March 30.

It all sounded wonderful. This time, she didn’t want anyone she knew to find out that she was going to the Provincial City; she’d figure out the sleeper ticket arrangements once on the train.

The next day, bright and early, Jiang Xinyu skipped the factory and went straight to the club. Whoa! It was looking festive.

The peanuts and melon seeds were divided among the groups, just for a celebratory touch.

The host was a young lady from the union, adjusting the microphone. She was new, with good connections in the city, and seemed eager to shine.

After a quick tour, she returned to work.

"Director Jiang, I brought some sour jujube powder from home; it’s deliciously sweet and sour." Pan Xiulan handed Jiang Xinyu a small cloth bag.

After smelling it, Jiang Xinyu’s mouth watered with the sour taste.

But since it was a gift, she couldn’t refuse; that would be rude.

During lunch, she bumped into Wang Ailing, who looked unwell.

"Sis, what’s wrong?"

"Nothing, I’m pregnant—two months."

"Haha, congratulations!" It seemed like marriage just naturally led to children.

"I feel awful, you know? I have such a healthy body, yet this big of a reaction?"

"How would I know? You can ask the older sisters.

Are you still attending the party tonight considering you’re on the night shift?"

Wang Ailing shook her head, "I really don’t want to move; I feel terrible."

"Anything you want to eat? I can make it for you tomorrow."

"I want bread."

"No problem, you’ll have it tomorrow."

The party was slated to start at six in the evening, lasting for two hours.

At four, Jiang Xinyu visited the elementary school, picking up Lv Beiguang’s two kids.

"Thank you, Aunt Jiang." Lv Guodong politely greeted Jiang Xinyu.

"You’re welcome; I didn’t have time to cook, so we’ll nibble on rice candy."

"Rice candy? That’s awesome! My dad bought some for me before."

"Does Jing Chu like it?"

The little girl nodded, "Aunt Jiang, will my aunt come to watch the party?"

"I’m not sure if she’ll attend; I don’t know which class she’s in."

The little girl sighed with disappointment.

"Guodong, sit at the back, and Jing Chu, how about sitting up front on the beam with me?"

Both nodded. Jiang Xinyu took the kids straight to the club.

By now, there were quite a few people on the road, all greeting them.

"Director Jiang, whose kids are these?"

"They’re my friend’s kids, here to watch the party."

An answer Jiang Xinyu repeated twenty times.

"Aunt Jiang, you sure have good relations with people."

"Haha, Guodong even knows what good relations mean?"

"Of course I do." The trio arrived at the venue, and Jiang Xinyu first took the kids to the restroom, then seated them upfront in her spot.

"Can you two sit quietly here? Aunt has some work to do."

Both nodded obediently, and Jiang Xinyu handed them each a bag of rice candy.

"Don’t wander around; I’ll be checking on you occasionally. There are too many people, and I’m afraid I’ll lose sight of you." Jiang Xinyu urged again.

"Aunt Jiang, we will. We definitely won’t move."

Still uneasy, Jiang Xinyu asked the canteen lady sitting not far behind to keep an eye on the kids.

The responsibility seemed too big, and she regretted agreeing to pick up Lv Beiguang’s kids; it would have been better if he’d brought them himself.

She still had a lot of work, with a speech to give later. It was all so daunting, as she wasn’t keen on stealing the spotlight. Yet, Qian Jun insisted.