Chapter 471
Mr. Su returned to the office and shared the city leaders’ opinions with the factory’s senior workers. The once hopeful atmosphere in the room turned into one of silence. Everyone knew that getting Machinery Factory to allocate 40% of the available job positions to Steel Mill workers’ families was a good outcome, but the additional conditions were simply too harsh. At the very least, they couldn’t guarantee that the new steel would be ready before the national conference.
After a long pause, someone finally spoke up. “Factory Director, why don’t you ask your daughter if she has any other ideas in mind? She’s so smart, maybe with a month’s time, she could come up with something successful?”
“No!” Mr. Su immediately rejected the idea without a second thought. “This isn’t something my daughter should be concerned with. How can I put that kind of pressure on her? She’s still so young and shouldn’t have to bear the burden of securing jobs for so many workers.”
“But with Steel Mill getting those job positions, she might get one too. Isn’t she out in the countryside? If there are job openings, she could come back to fill one,” someone quietly added.
Mr. Su shot a cold glance at the person who spoke, his voice stern. “No matter how the energy-saving stoves end up being produced, as the designer, my daughter will definitely get a job, as promised by the city leaders.”
The person quickly apologized, a little embarrassed. “Factory Director, I didn’t mean to upset you. I was just suggesting.”
Not wanting to dwell on the subject, Mr. Su glanced at his watch. It was already 5:30 p.m. “It’s getting late. Let’s all go home and think it over. We’ll discuss anything else tomorrow.”
Knowing his family was waiting for him, he left the office and headed home. As soon as he stepped into the yard, he saw his daughter running towards him. Her face lit up with a bright smile, and she cheerfully said, “Dad, why so happy today?”
“Because I’m with you and your Mom. I’m always happy when we’re together,” Mr. Su replied, feeling a warm rush in his chest. It’s true—daughters really were the best! No matter the situation, they were a source of comfort.
Su Xiaoxiao wanted to ask her father about the city leaders’ stance on the energy-saving stoves, but seeing that he didn’t bring it up after a while, she realized that things probably weren’t going well. She chose not to press the issue.
After a pleasant dinner, with her grandparents heading to bed, Su Xiaoxiao finally sat down opposite her father with a serious expression.
“Dad, did the city leaders decide not to let Steel Mill produce the energy-saving stoves?”
“Did you figure it out?” Mr. Su asked, a little surprised.
“Well, without rules, nothing can be accomplished. Especially in China now,” Su Xiaoxiao answered calmly. “But I believe the city leaders aren’t completely unreasonable.”
“True,” Mr. Su agreed. “They’ve promised to allocate 40% of the jobs for Steel Mill workers’ families, but…”
“But what?” Su Xiaoxiao asked, curious.
Mr. Su looked at her, his brow furrowed. He opened his mouth several times but couldn’t find the words. Finally, he sighed. “These things are for us to worry about. Don’t think too much about it.”
“Dad, we’re family. Is there anything you can’t tell me? Besides, I want the energy-saving stoves to work out in the end,” Su Xiaoxiao said earnestly.
Mr. Su smiled and replied, “There will definitely be a good result. The city leaders already promised that no matter what, you’ll get a job. It’ll be a level 3 employee position, with a monthly pay of forty-five yuan.”
“That’s just the expected result. I wouldn’t call it a good one,” Su Xiaoxiao pouted and muttered.
“Since when did you start worrying about these things?” Mr. Su poked her forehead playfully, teasing her.
Su Xiaoxiao looked at him pitifully and clung to his arm. “Dad, just tell me. I’m your daughter. If there’s a problem, we can figure it out together. Besides, I won’t be under pressure. If it can be solved, we’ll solve it; if not, there’s nothing we can do. I won’t let myself get stressed.”
Mr. Su helplessly looked at her and finally gave in to her persistence. He couldn’t resist her soft, pleading eyes. He told her what Mu Haifeng had requested.
Su Xiaoxiao listened carefully, her brow furrowing deeply.
“Alright, stop thinking about it too much. Didn’t you just promise me that you wouldn’t put pressure on yourself?” Mr. Su urged, hoping to calm her down.
“I won’t think about it!” Su Xiaoxiao smiled brightly, her eyes twinkling.
Father and daughter chatted a little longer, and then Su Xiaoxiao was led by Jiang Yexun back to her room. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she noticed the deep concern in Jiang Yexun’s eyes.
Although she quickly masked her emotions when he looked at her, the heavy mood still lingered, and Jiang Yexun noticed it. Without asking immediately, he let her take a bath first. When she returned, he gently helped her dry her hair. Then, as he kissed the top of her head, he asked softly, “What’s bothering you? Ever since Dad mentioned the requirements from the city leaders, you’ve seemed off.”
“I…” Su Xiaoxiao began, but the words stuck in her throat. She wanted to tell him about her rebirth and the secrets she was carrying—about the energy-saving stoves, the new steel, and the herbs in her space—but she didn’t know how to begin.
Jiang Yexun leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Don’t be afraid. We’re married now. Whatever you want to do, I’ll fully support you. And if there’s something you don’t want to tell me, I won’t push you. Whatever you want me to know, I’ll know. What you don’t want me to know, I won’t ask.”
His voice was so gentle, it was like comforting a child.
Su Xiaoxiao realized that Jiang Yexun was someone she could truly trust, and the weight on her heart began to lift. If she needed to explain, she could say that she had inherited a jade bracelet from the Guo family, which gave her a space and sometimes she had dreams. That would be enough, wouldn’t it?
She looked at Jiang Yexun, smiled softly, and thought that maybe this secret could stay hidden for just a little longer.