Chapter 44: Can She Also Secure a Stable Job?

It wasn't just Meng Xia who was shocked; everyone else was too.

Even Old Lu, who had always prided himself on being fair and just, had never imagined that his wife could participate in the recruitment process.

Once children reach adulthood, parents tend to think only of them.

Lu Qiaoge said, "My mom is still a few months shy of forty, so she fits the criteria perfectly."

Old Lu: "..."

The Lu family members looked at Meng Xia in disbelief, their gazes finally landing on Lu Qiaoge.

No one thought that forty was actually old for Meng Xia, but in reality, she was about to become a grandmother.

She had married at seventeen and given birth to Lu Zhiguo at eighteen. Because her birthday was in the winter months, she was still a few months short of forty.

She met the minimum standard exactly.

However, Lu Qiaoge felt this quota was a bit strange.

She asked the stunned Old Lu, "Was the recruitment like this in previous years?"

Old Lu hesitated, then recalled, "We haven't recruited anyone for several years. Most of the time, it's just retired parents being succeeded by their children. But this year, it's to take care of veteran workers who are Grade 7 or above."

Lu Qiaoge said, "So, we currently have four candidates."

Su Hui stood at the doorway, her eyes red. She wanted to say that she shouldn't be counted, but she was worried that saying so would be wrong.

She kept her head down, fidgeting with her apron.

Lu Qiaoge glanced at Su Hui and then looked at Lu Zhiguo, her voice somewhat stern. "Big Brother, what kind of nonsense was that just now, taking your anger out on my sister-in-law? Apologize first."

Su Hui waved her hands hurriedly, about to say something, but seeing her embarrassment, Lu Qiaoge realized that if Su Hui were anyone else's daughter-in-law, many things would be easy to say.

But since she was her own sister-in-law, she had to choose her words carefully. She said gently, "Sister-in-law, when you decide to announce your pregnancy, that is your freedom. Please don't take this to heart. I am truly happy that I'm going to be an aunt. Besides, you are a member of this family, and it is normal to strive for your own interests."

Then she turned to Lu Zhiguo: "No matter when, as family members, we must trust and tolerate one another. We cannot point fingers and shift blame the moment a problem arises. Big Brother, apologize."

Lu Zhiguo scratched his head sheepishly.

Lu Qiaoge added, "I might be responsible for mediating these matters in the future, so you need to set an example."

Lu Zhiguo gave his sister a humorous look and readily said to Su Hui, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that just now."

Meng Xia was still lost in her own thoughts and didn't notice this scene. Su Hui cast a cautious glance at her mother-in-law and quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Lu Qiaoge then spoke to Lu Qiaoling. "Before things are finalized, don't just listen to rumors and jump to conclusions. Do I really need to put on an act for you, Lu Qiaoling? Even if it were settled right now, what would happen? Speaking of which, including Grandma, none of our elders are actually biased toward boys. Look at Little Fourth—her health isn't great, but has she been spoiled?"

Lu Qiaoling pursed her lips, but ever since she had returned, for some reason, while she admired her second sister, she was also a bit afraid of her. She whispered, "I only said that because I was upset. I'm sorry, I won't do it again."

Lu Qiaoge waved her hand. "Alright, it's getting dark, and there's a storm coming tonight. Everyone has to work tomorrow, and no one has eaten dinner yet. So, shall we eat first or finalize the recruitment quota first?"

Old Lady Lu said, "I'll go cook, you guys discuss it."

She led Little Fourth into the kitchen.

Because of Qiaoge, the family never lacked rice, flour, or eggs. Before Su Hui had a chance to cook, the others had already started bickering.

Since Qiaoge could farm, she could naturally cook, but Su Hui always insisted on doing it, so Qiaoge just let her granddaughter-in-law handle it.

But now that she was pregnant, care had to be taken.

The old lady was quite happy; her second granddaughter was impressive, settling the conflict in just a few words.

What a capable cadre.

She said to Lu Xiao-si, "Go get Grandma a bowl of noodles. We'll make egg drop soup. It looks like it's going to rain today; let's eat something warm to drive out the dampness."

In the courtyard, Lu Qiaoge said, "To keep it short, my opinion is to give the quota to my mother."

Meng Xia's heart was thumping. Just as she was about to speak, Lu Qiaoge stopped her. "Mom, giving it to you is actually equivalent to giving it to two people. In ten years, when you retire, Little Fourth might even take over your position. By then, both you and Dad will have pensions, and you can enjoy your retirement in peace."

Old Lu's eyes lit up; this was indeed a perspective he had never considered.

Meng Xia was also extremely tempted.

She had patched cardboard boxes for many years. She had been with Old Lu for half her life, but she had missed several recruitment opportunities for various reasons.

She also wanted a formal job, to have a "steady iron rice bowl" just like her second daughter.

But she still had a son, a daughter, and a daughter-in-law without formal jobs.

How could it possibly be her turn?

Without letting Meng Xia voice her opinion, Lu Qiaoge turned to Lu Zhiguo. "Big Brother, I wanted to tell you this. Today, while Sister Qiao and I were visiting Captain Jin's mother's house regarding the storm, Captain Jin happened to be there. When he came out to see us off, he said something to me."

Lu Zhiguo's eyes widened immediately, sensing something. He lowered his voice and asked excitedly, "Captain Jin... what did he say?"

"He told me to tell you to hold steady—to definitely hold steady. He said an opportunity might be coming very soon."

Old Lu patted his eldest son's shoulder and said with a slightly trembling voice, "Don't ask any more. The meaning is clear enough. Work steadily and well; don't get mixed up with those loafers."

So, was Captain Jin doing a favor for the second daughter?

Otherwise, why wouldn't he tell the eldest son, but instead tell the second daughter?

Lu Qiaoge then looked at Su Hui and Lu Qiaoling.

Su Hui immediately stood up, a sincere smile on her face. "I agree with giving the quota to Mom. This might be Mom's last chance; if we don't seize it, there might never be another. Besides, my family background is 'rich peasant'; if it were given to me and the higher-ups didn't approve, wouldn't the quota be wasted? I'll go cook, you guys continue discussing."

Looking at Su Hui, Meng Xia felt for the first time that her eldest daughter-in-law was quite eloquent.

Originally, Meng Xia was the decision-maker, but now that she had become a candidate, her heart was in a whirl.

Lu Qiaoge then looked at Lu Qiaoling.

Lu Qiaoling wasn't stupid; she truly felt that giving it to her mother was the best choice.

Without waiting for Lu Qiaoge to speak, she raised her hand. "I am ten thousand percent in favor of giving the quota to Mom. As for me, I'm only eighteen; I'm in no rush."

Old Lu let out a long sigh of relief. He handed the form to Meng Xia and said apologetically, "When the age limit was relaxed to forty, I should have realized that this might be an opportunity for families of workers like you. But I only thought about the children and forgot about you. I'm sorry."

Meng Xia covered her mouth, and tears flowed silently down her face.

She had never imagined that, at her age, she could actually have a formal job.

***

The power went out right after dinner. Soon after, raindrops the size of soybeans suddenly arrived, accompanied by fierce winds that lashed against the glass windows.

The naughty Swallow told Lu Qiaoge: [Sleep peacefully. Our nest is very sturdy; nothing will happen.]

The tabby cat also hurriedly said: [The old turtle told me to tell you: once the rain stops tomorrow, find a chance to go to Red Star Lake. In the puddles and hollows, there will definitely be fish and shrimp washed up. Especially near the reed marshes—there will be plenty there.]

It was obvious the tabby cat was already thinking about the fish and shrimp that would be washed ashore tomorrow.