Help others? It's better to help yourself - Chapter 20

Four days passed in the blink of an eye.

As Xu Jing’an arrived at the office in the morning, Zhang Huan, a colleague who worked in the same office, asked, “Jing’an, have you heard?”

Xu Jing’an, confused, replied, “Heard what? I just got here.”

“Director Han’s spouse came to visit him,” Zhang Huan said, pulling her chair closer and whispering, “Director Han even took a leave today. It’s not easy for them.”

“When did Director Han join the unit?” Xu Jing’an quietly asked.

“Last October,” Wang Meili, who joined the unit last year, answered.

“Yes! During the New Year, he was alone in the office. It was said that his wife wanted to come, but the director didn’t allow it. He said it was unsafe for her and their seven children to travel by train,” Zhang Huan confirmed.

“Everyone wants to go home for the New Year, but the train station is crowded!” Xu Jing’an added, “So these two are living apart?”

“She’s good to come over, but arranging work is another issue,” Zhang Huan said, pouring water from the cabinet into a teacup.

Jiao Dajie, across the room, also holding a teacup, blew on it and said, “So now there are two situations: wanting a family reunion means no work, while keeping the job means living apart like the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.”

The whole morning, the office was abuzz with discussions about Director Han and his wife.

In the dormitory building, Director Han’s wife, Guo Caixia, looked at her husband with concern, “You see, you’ve lost weight.”

“Are you willing to give up work?” Han Yi smiled at his wife.

“Even if we don’t want to, we have no choice. Can we keep living like this?” Guo Caixia said as she hung the freshly washed bedding on the clothesline, with Han Yi helping beside her.

“The kids miss you too; they keep asking when they’ll see Dad.”

Han Yi glanced around, then leaned closer to his wife and whispered, “And you? Do you miss me?”

Guo Caixia smiled and gave him a playful look, nudging his waist with her elbow before turning to go into the dormitory.

Han Yi, with a wide smile, followed her in and locked the door…

After lunch break, Xu Jing’an headed back to her dorm to get her food container. As she came out, she bumped into Guo Caixia at the corner of the dormitory building.

Xu Jing’an greeted her with a smile, “Are you Sister Guo?”

“Yes, that’s me. How should I address you?” Guo Caixia responded warmly.

“Sister, I’m Xu Jing’an, and I just started this month. You can call me Xiao Xu.”

“Alright, Xiao Xu. The cafeteria has braised chicken with potatoes for lunch today. Go quickly!”

“Thank you, Sister Guo. I won’t take up more of your time. I’ll talk to you later.”

Guo Caixia nodded, smiling, “I’ll be around for the next few days, so come by anytime.”

When Guo Caixia returned to the dorm, she told Han Yi about the encounter. Han Yi dried his wife’s hands with a towel and said, “Don’t overthink it. We’ll figure it out eventually.”

Guo Caixia thought for a moment, then said, “How about this evening, I’ll go for a walk, and you come down later.”

The mutual understanding between the couple was clear, and Han Yi nodded in agreement.

After dinner, Xu Jing’an stood by the window, watching as the sky darkened. She saw Guo Caixia come out alone and quickly went downstairs to pretend to run into her.

“Sister Guo, what a coincidence! Shall we walk together?”

“Sure, Xiao Xu.” The two chatted as they walked, reaching the sports field where no one else was around.

Knowing time was limited, Xu Jing’an got straight to the point. “Sister, now that you’re here, everyone in the office is talking about how difficult it is for you and Director Han.”

“Nowadays, no one’s life is easy,” Guo Caixia responded, not letting herself be caught off guard.

“When I heard about your situation, I felt that it was fate’s arrangement,” Xu Jing’an said directly.

“How so?” Guo Caixia asked, puzzled by the young woman’s words.

“I’d like to switch positions with you,” Xu Jing’an said straightforwardly.

“What? Switch positions?” Guo Caixia was taken aback and suspected she had misheard. She thought the other party was asking Han for something, and she wanted to assess the situation before deciding whether to involve Han.

Xu Jing’an said, “Sister Guo, nowadays it’s tough for everyone, especially for young women. At home, my life is the hardest. As soon as anyone knows I have something good, before others even get a chance, my family members are already reaching out. I work here, and my family doesn’t even know about it.”

Guo Caixia listened quietly, without interrupting.

“So, I want to stay away from them. First, there will be fewer issues and conflicts. Second, if I’m far away, they won’t be able to control me so easily.”

“I’ve just started this month, and to get a permanent position, it will take at least a year, or even up to three years. I heard that there are still some people from two years ago who haven’t been confirmed yet.”

Guo Caixia nodded; she had indeed heard Han Yi mention this before.

“Three years is too long; I can’t wait that long. I heard you work in the data room, which is a lighter job. So, I thought, if we switch positions, it would solve both our problems.”

Guo Caixia was clearly interested upon hearing this.

“You might have to endure some hardship, as I haven’t been confirmed yet,” Xu Jing’an added.

“What hardship?” Guo Caixia denied, “Let me discuss it with Han Yi when I get back, and I’ll give you an answer tomorrow.”

“Okay, I’ll wait for your news!” Xu Jing’an said politely, but she was confident that the arrangement would work out.