CHAPTER 434: 434 BECAME

"Mom, I want to eat fish."

"Alright, but we can’t have it today. I’ll buy some fish tomorrow afternoon, and we’ll eat it tomorrow night."

"Great."

Yao Shimin returned to the factory and dialed Qiao Dongshan’s number.

"Mr. Qiao, please tell Jingyi to come over when she has time in the next few days. I want to order furniture and I’m not sure what she likes."

"Sure."

After hanging up, he went straight back to his dormitory.

The next day, after finishing the morning meeting, Yao Shimin called his mom at her workplace, "Mom, please take a leave today with Dad. I have a girlfriend now, and I want you to meet her family."

"You already have a girlfriend?"

"Yes, a colleague introduced her. She’s a college graduate and currently a teacher."

"Okay, I’ll go find your dad in a bit and check the bus schedule at the station this noon."

"Alright, Mom, you and Dad can just get off in the city. I’ll come over early too."

"Okay. I’ll call you once we have the tickets."

Feeling more at ease, Mother Yao hung up the phone and hurried to ask for a leave from her leader.

Many people already knew about what was happening in their family. Her leader was also Father Yao’s comrade, so upon hearing they were meeting Yao Shimin’s future in-laws, he granted the leave.

Mother Yao found Father Yao and informed him that she had already secured the leave, asking him to book tickets at the station during lunch.

Father Yao came back with the train tickets, "The train tonight is at 10:30, directly to the city."

"Great, I’ll call Shimin."

Yao Shimin calculated on receiving the call, saying that taking the train tonight would mean arriving by Wednesday afternoon, so he quickly called Brother Qiao again.

Now the meeting time between both families was set, allowing Yao Shimin to relax.

His ex-wife, Yu Wensu, also heard the news and was seething with rage, refusing to believe that Yao Shimin could have found someone so quickly; he must’ve been seeing someone else before.

Having been fired, she’s now at home with nothing to do. Her man, Sun Wenqing, was also fired, and they’ve fought several times over this, now being apart but still needing to report to the Revolutionary Committee. When major meetings are held, they’d still be publicly paraded.

"I don’t believe it. I don’t believe it. Yao Shimin is trying to ruin me. This can’t happen, I won’t let it be."

The elderly Yu couple shed tears watching their daughter like this. It felt like calamity. They were also displeased with Yao Shimin, feeling he must have had someone outside, but divorcing was one thing; there was no need to ruin their daughter’s reputation, leaving her unable to leave their home, even unable to hide in the countryside to escape the storm.

"Mom, Dad, I want to find Yao Shimin."

"Aren’t you embarrassed enough? You can’t leave now. You’ve always been so thoughtless; otherwise, things wouldn’t have come this far."

"How am I thoughtless? Yao Shimin must have had another woman from before."

"So what if he did beforehand? You didn’t catch him, but instead, he caught you."

"Yao Shimin is really not a good person, a beast, treating me like this?"

"You better stay put and find someone from far away to marry in a few years. If you still don’t behave, you’ll suffer for it."

Yu Wensu was so angry, her chest was heaving. Unable to go out, everyone was pointing fingers at her. Even her sister-in-law came over to scold her for half the day, saying her bad reputation was affecting the family’s niece.

But there really was no way now. She had nowhere to go and couldn’t believe Yao Shimin wouldn’t return. If she ever runs into him, she wouldn’t easily let go.

The old Yao couple were quite excited as they boarded the train. Their son had finally found someone he liked, which was a relief. Their son had really had a hard time out there, and now someone could take care of him.

The couple was a bit anxious, unsure of what kind of girl their son had taken a liking to, and whether she’d be easy to get along with.

On Tuesday morning, Yao Shimin held the morning meeting with a cheerful face.

After the meeting, he walked with Jiang Xinyu to her office to reimburse money and provide receipts.

"Vice Factory Director Yao, are you satisfied now?"

"Yes, my parents left last night. I’ll bike to the city tomorrow night and then take a leave."

"Congratulations, Yao Shimin. Qiao Jingyi is a really nice girl. Make sure you treat her well."

"Don’t worry, I will. I’m not the kind of person who shirks responsibility."

"I believe you. By the way, did Jingyi ever mention wanting to come to the textile factory?"

"She never mentioned it, but her family wants to hear your opinion."

"I think a job at the trade union is good, but it would waste her talents. She should do statistics instead; accounting has too much responsibility."

Yao Shimin immediately grasped her meaning. "I’ll discuss it with her and let her choose."

During lunch, Pan Xiulan quietly asked Jiang Xinyu, "Vice Factory Director Jiang, is there good news for Vice Factory Director Yao?"

"Why do you ask?"

"He’s been smiling all morning."

Jiang Xinyu burst into laughter, "Yes, he has a girlfriend now, so of course he’s happy."

Pan Xiulan laughed, "I thought so. He’s smiling so foolishly."

Jiang Xinyu and Song Qingqing both laughed, indeed, Yao Shimin did look a bit silly lately.

Song Qingqing suddenly leaned towards them, "Why hasn’t Mr. Qian done anything? He seemed a bit different recently, but now he’s back to how he used to be?"

Both shook their heads. Qian Jun is different from Yao Shimin. He’s the factory director, and no one dares to joke with him, even Jiang Xinyu speaks to him formally.

Jiang Xinyu had thoroughly gotten a handle on her work, so she wasn’t as busy as before. Since her son wanted to eat fish and there was none left in their space, she picked up the phone to call Ding Shihong.

"Brother Ding, this is Jiang Xinyu."

"Congratulations, sis, you’re now a vice factory director. Your future is very bright."

"Thank you, Brother Ding. When will you deliver the peppers and garlic?"

"I’ll bring them over on Saturday. I’m worried you wouldn’t have time during the weekdays."

"Brother Ding is so considerate. By the way, I wanted to ask if there’s a place where I can buy fish?"

"Why?"

"The kids want to eat fish."

"I’ll check this afternoon. If there’s any, I’ll send it over. If not today, I’ll have someone catch some for you."

"Great, thank you, Brother Ding."

"No need to be so polite with me, sis."

After putting down the phone, Jiang Xinyu thought, if there’s no fish today, she’ll bring home shrimp or dried fish instead.

She had promised the kids, and not being able to deliver made her feel uneasy.

She had to find a chance to go to the seaside. More shrimp would be good for the kids, as it’s rich in calcium and beneficial to their health.

With that thought, Jiang Xinyu couldn’t sit still, pondering how she could make a trip to the seaside.