Chapter 33: Openly Snitching

Foreman Sun was very satisfied with her answer. He turned to say a few words to several technical masters before they all left together.

When it was time for the shift change and meal break, Wang Ailian came straight over, carrying a small stool.

"Sister, while you were talking to the foreman just now, that Zhao Yuejin was hiding behind the pillar peeking at you. Tsk tsk... I don't know what that 'Fox Zhou' sees in him; he's just full of sleaziness. I just don't get it—if you're going to cheat, why not find someone better? It's more satisfying that way, isn't it?"

Hearing her friend's lament, Li Xiangqin gave her a subtle look.

"You think she doesn't want to? What kind of decent person goes out to cheat?"

"That's true." Wang Ailian shrugged. It was a case of flies flocking to dung.

"Ooh, you're cutting those vegetables quite aggressively, aren't you?" Wang Ailian teased, glancing at her lunch box.

"Since I started working, I've delegated the housework. This was made by my fifth child; they haven't quite mastered it yet. Want a taste?"

"Then I must try my niece's cooking."

Wang Ailian picked up a potato strip and popped it into her mouth.

"Mmm, the sweet and salty balance is just right. You should have done this long ago. With such a large family, how could you expect to do everything yourself? You can't grow three heads and six arms to take care of everyone."

Seeing that she had finally let things go, Wang Ailian felt happy for her.

"We're grandmothers now; we have to take better care of ourselves. Otherwise, when we're old and bedridden, what does it matter if we have a mountain of children? Won't we be the ones suffering? A person shouldn't meddle in the affairs of two generations; meddling too much only brings anger. I've long since let it go."

"You're the smart one. And thanks for the reminder."

Li Xiangqin deeply agreed. In her past life, this same close friend had advised her not to push herself too hard and to care for herself more. Back then, she had treated it as wind blowing past her ears, believing that a mother must devote her entire life to her children.

She thought that when she eventually needed help, her children would treat her the same way... Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Her six children still couldn't escape their tragic deaths in the nursing home.

"Fortunately, I've come to my senses now." Had she listened sooner, perhaps the old man could have lived a few more years. *Sigh.*

"It's never too late to realize it. We're only a few months away from retirement. When the time comes, we'll enjoy our old age together."

Wang Ailian laughed heartily. After finishing her meal and washing her lunch box, she went back to work.

The people who had been surreptitiously watching her, waiting like tigers to find fault, were nowhere to be seen during the second half of the shift; they were as elusive as rats.

Li Xiangqin enjoyed a peaceful shift. Having finished her eight hours, she didn't feel particularly tired.

After finishing two middle shifts, she would switch to the night shift tomorrow, followed by two days off.

As she walked out of the factory gates with the crowd, Li Xiangqin made a point of looking left and right. Only after ensuring no one was following her did she stride purposefully toward home.

As soon as she entered the house, the fourth child poked her head out from her room. "Mom, you're back! I left some food in the pot; just heat it up and you can eat."

"Why aren't you asleep yet? I can handle myself. Don't let it affect your work tomorrow."

Li Xiangqin sighed. If only this girl's worrying nature were distributed among the others, those brats wouldn't be so cold-blooded.

"It won't. I've already slept for a bit; I only woke up when I heard the door."

The fourth child gave a giggle. Perhaps because she had a job to go to, her whole face seemed to glow. Compared to her former dullness, she was like a completely different person.

This was how it should be; young people should be full of vitality.

"How has it been following the master these past two days? Has anyone bullied you?"

The fourth child shook her head.

"The master is very good to me. I've been looking at the materials these past few days and haven't talked much to the others. I'm not sure if they are easy to get along with."

Mainly, she was too shy to take the initiative to be friendly.

"It's okay, take it slow. If someone really tries to give you trouble, you don't have to endure it. We go to work to earn a living, not to take abuse. Showing a bit of temper can actually stop people from messing with you easily."

Although most people in the factory were good, it was inevitable to encounter a few sharp-tongued or mean-spirited ones. Moreover, people tend to flatter the strong and trample the weak; if they know you aren't an easy target, they won't intentionally cause you trouble.

Listening to her mother's guidance, the fourth child responded obediently.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll definitely get along well with everyone."

Li Xiangqin froze. Looking at the fourth child's smiling face, she sighed silently. This girl's soft temperament had been a long-standing issue; changing it wouldn't be easy.

After a few quiet words, the two went to sleep.

When she opened her eyes and looked at the small alarm clock, it was 9:30 AM.

Hearing the rustling sounds from the living room, Li Xiangqin dazed off for a moment before getting out of bed.

She was startled to see the third child and his wife in the living room.

"Mom, I'm on the middle shift today," the third child said with a grin, explaining himself automatically. "Breakfast is warming in the pot. I'll go bring it to you."

Zhao Meijuan gave a gentle smile and turned toward the kitchen, bringing out a steamed bun, half a bowl of pickles, and a bowl of millet porridge.

The fifth child crawled out from her room and curled her lip.

"Stop pretending to be hardworking. Brother Three made breakfast anyway. We agreed it would be one day each, but you're breaking our deal by bringing in 'help'."

Hearing this, Zhao Meijuan didn't feel embarrassed at all; instead, she looked quite proud.

"Fifth sister, that's not right. Your brother and I are a married couple; whether he does it or I do it, it's the same. When you get married, you can also share the chores as a couple."

"I won't be like you. I'm going to be a woman of the new era!" The fifth child raised her head defiantly and walked to Li Xiangqin's side. "Mom, am I right?"

Looking at the pride in the fifth child's eyes, Li Xiangqin did not discourage her.

"As long as you can get into university, you'll be a person of status. Even without a man, you can live a very good life."

Zhao Meijuan choked on her words, her expression souring. She knew it—not a single person in this family looked up to her.

Seeing his wife's face, the third child gave a sheepish smile. "Everyone is different. Didn't your mother say, 'Marry a man, marry a man, and you'll have food and clothing'? I'll provide for you in the future."

"Pfft, what era is this? Still stuck on the 'man works outside, woman stays inside' routine? Nowadays, women hold up half the sky, and both career and family are carried on both shoulders!"

The fifth child raised her chin and shouted the slogan directly. "Brother Three, your thinking is feudal. It's outdated!"

"As if you could do it. Why don't you just fly to heaven then?"

The third child rolled his eyes at her. Seeing his wife's unhappy face, he glared at the girl again. *That brat, always causing trouble.*

Unfortunately, with Li Xiangqin presiding, the fifth child wasn't afraid at all and even made a face at them.

"What's the use of shouting slogans? Taking care of yourself is better than anything," Li Xiangqin spoke calmly, effectively ending the conversation.

Zhao Meijuan lowered her head and took a deep breath, silently warning herself not to get angry before slowly raising her head.

"Mom, since you're about to retire, do you need to submit an application to the factory in advance or something?"

"I haven't asked about that yet. Why?" Li Xiangqin saw the calculation in her eyes. Was she starting to eye her job?

Unfortunately, in this lifetime, she had no intention of letting the third child's wife take over her position.

(End of Chapter)