Help others? It's better to help yourself - Chapter 5

With only 4 cents of pocket money, including what Mother Xu gave her, Xu Jing’an now had just 3 cents left. Lunch would have to be at school because anything outside required ration coupons, which she didn’t have. Xu Jing’an quickly took advantage of the fact that students hadn’t yet been dismissed, allowing her to get food without waiting in line at the cafeteria. After finishing her meal, she immediately rushed back to Guomian Factory No. 1.

Looking out the bus window, she noticed the sparse snowfall. Even inside the bus, she could hear the snow lightly hitting the windows. Xu Jing’an stretched her hand out of the window, feeling the cold wind, which carried moisture. The snowflakes were as small as grains of salt, initially tickling her hand, but they melted upon contact with the ground, leaving the pavement wet.

The bus, already old, moved even more slowly now, barely faster than an ox cart. Before she had experienced this era, Xu Jing’an never knew she could hate winter so much, especially snowy winters. Summer could be endured, but winter felt unbearably long.

The wind seemed capable of cutting through her bones, causing her to shiver uncontrollably. No matter how much she shrank her neck into her shoulders, the cold wind still found its way in. Despite having once memorized poems about snow and read articles describing the beauty of winter, none of it came to mind now.

As she arrived at the factory gate, she saw Hao Meimei standing by the wall, stomping her feet to stay warm.

“Comrade Hao, have you been waiting long?” Xu Jing’an asked hurriedly. Without a watch, she had no idea what time it was and worried she might be late, leaving the other waiting.

“No, I’m just anxious,” Hao Meimei replied, her impatience evident. “So, have you made up your mind? If you’re sure, let’s go see my uncle before the workers get off. It’ll get crowded then.”

“Alright, let’s go. This isn’t a good place to talk,” Xu Jing’an agreed, noticing Hao Meimei’s soaked head and deciding not to delay further.

In the cold weather, their breath visibly steamed with each word they spoke. The fact that Xu Jing’an was here meant that nothing would change her decision. Hao Meimei grabbed Xu Jing’an’s hand, and they hurriedly made their way to Hao Weiguo’s office, avoiding others.

Upon entering, Xu Jing’an saw a middle-aged couple, both under fifty, dressed in dark blue work uniforms. They were both stocky, just like Hao Meimei, clearly family.

Time was limited at noon, and no one had time to waste. Hao Meimei’s parents got straight to the point: “Young lady, since you’re here, you’ve made your decision. We truly want this job.”

“We won’t waste time on pleasantries. We’ll give you 500 yuan, plus a watch coupon, 30 industrial coupons, and 2 pounds of cotton coupons. How does that sound?”

“The coupons are valid for quite some time, not expiring until the end of next year. This is our sincere offer!”

It was clear they were trying to help her. After all, anyone with eyes could see that she wasn’t doing well—her thin, old cotton clothes, the patched-up coat, her yellowing hair, and her small stature.

Xu Jing’an was overjoyed to hear this. She had left the pricing of the job sale to Director Hao, knowing they wouldn’t shortchange her. But she hadn’t expected them to offer so much.

This price was more than fair by current standards. Xu Jing’an was about to nod her agreement when Hao Weiguo added, “We’ll also throw in 20 feet of fabric coupons. When the list is published, I’ll make sure to list Hao Meimei’s name instead.”

“Don’t mention today’s business to anyone after you leave this room,” Hao Weiguo cautioned. “Let’s make sure everything is handled cleanly. No one wants to leave a trail.”

Without hesitation, Xu Jing’an agreed. “Don’t worry. Once I leave, I’ll forget everything. But, Director Hao, about the exam paper I took today…”

Her meaning was clear. Hao Weiguo nodded in understanding. He retrieved Xu Jing’an’s exam paper from that morning and burned it. Then he tore off and burned the original registry of the three names—Wang Shunfeng, Chen Yuanyuan, and Xu Jing’an—before copying it anew without Xu Jing’an’s name.

Xu Jing’an finally felt at ease. After all, Xu Duoduo was the female lead. With a “female lead’s halo,” who could predict what might happen? Erasing all traces could prevent a lot of trouble, especially since she’d be working in the same unit as Xu Duoduo, practically on her turf.

Xu Jing’an took the money and coupons, completing the transaction. As she left, she stopped Hao Meimei, who was about to escort her out. “Meimei, I need to use the bathroom.”

Hao Meimei thought for a moment before leading Xu Jing’an to the restroom in the administrative building, typically reserved for the leaders, making it cleaner and less crowded at this time of day.

Inside the restroom, Xu Jing’an quickly scouted the area, ensuring no one was around. She then took out a pair of underwear from her bag and carefully sewed the money and coupons into a hidden pocket. She layered this pair over her current underwear before putting her cotton pants back on. When she finished, she hid the needle in the hem of her coat.

By the time she was done, she was shivering from the cold. Without wasting any more time, she quickly left, knowing Hao Meimei was waiting outside. Although Hao Meimei had been waiting for a while, she said nothing and quietly escorted Xu Jing’an out through a side door. This door was mainly used by leaders during lunch since it led directly to the residential area, and no one was around before the end of the workday.

Once she left the residential area, a bus stop was conveniently located in front of the gate, allowing her to take a direct bus back to school. She spent her last penny on the fare and arrived just as the bell rang.

As the teacher hurried into the classroom, Xu Jing’an took out her book and focused on the lesson.

That afternoon, when she got home, she found her mother already there.

“Mom, why are you back so early today?” Xu Jing’an asked sweetly.

“Don’t even mention it. There was pork and seafood available this morning, and I twisted my ankle in the rush. I had to take the day off,” Mother Xu grumbled angrily, another reason why Xu Jing’an had avoided going home earlier.

“Did you get what you needed?”

“Yes,” Xu Jing’an replied as soon as her mother asked. But Mother Xu had already grabbed her school bag and started rummaging through it.

She pulled out the dark blue fabric, which was thick and durable. Despite being marked as flawed, it only had a few small white spots here and there, easily avoidable when cutting. No one would notice.

Next, she took out the household registration booklet, the receipt for the fabric purchase, and the remaining money.

Xu Jing’an pressed her lips together, remaining silent. What could she say? That parents should respect their children’s privacy?

What a joke! If she said that, Mother Xu would slap her into the next week!

Next came Mother Xu’s monthly bookkeeping session.

Xu Jing’an, meanwhile, busied herself with preparing dinner for the evening.