I Got Rich in Period Fiction
Chapter 317: Iron Rice Bowl and Clay Rice Bowl

Chapter 317: Chapter 317: Iron Rice Bowl and Clay Rice Bowl

When passing by the commune, Qiao Qingyu visited Xiaxi Commune again. She gave Mr. Qian a red envelope because his daughter had given birth to a healthy baby boy a few days ago.

The red envelope was quite thick, making Mr. Qian squint with happiness.

He couldn’t help but feel grateful. If it weren’t for Qiao Qingyu, and if he hadn’t wholeheartedly followed her, the path to prosperity for him and the members of Xiaxi Commune wouldn’t have been so smooth.

Qiao Qingyu placed her basket at the door and went to find Fang Xiaomei, who was reportedly busy arranging her wedding.

As expected, Fang Xiaomei’s face was lit up with the joy of her upcoming marriage. Qiao Qingyu felt it wasn’t the right moment to say much, so she just offered her best wishes.

However, Qiao Qingyu trusted Fang Xiaomei and had always had an idea in mind, which she expressed then. If handled well, it could provide Fang Xiaomei with security in the future.

After all, Fang Xiaomei had helped her out a lot in the past.

The question was whether Fang Xiaomei could let go of her stable job.

Even though she was currently just a cadre in the commune, Fang Xiaomei was officially employed and received a salary every month.

Qiao Qingyu didn’t beat around the bush, and straightforwardly shared her thoughts, leaving Fang Xiaomei startled. Fang Xiaomei then picked up her tea mug and gulped down a whole cup of water.

Fang Xiaomei wasn’t one to follow convention, as seen when she had previously accompanied Qiao Qingyu to Nangang City, where she took out her private savings and even borrowed quite a bit, secretly making over one thousand yuan.

She still had that money saved, making her richer than any other girl her age, which gave her confidence.

Ever since Wang Laogen started working with Qiao Qingyu, his household had improved significantly; his children were not only well-fed but also attended school, dressed neatly, and even his parents were reportedly healthier, affording medical care. Moreover, his wife walked with a straighter back, and they had even rebuilt their house—a splendid five-room tiled structure.

Thus, within just a year, Wang Laogen had experienced a significant qualitative leap.

But Wang Laogen was a farmer who didn’t have a stable job; he managed a fragile "clay bowl," which could shatter easily—not the same situation as hers.

Yet, Qiao Qingyu’s proposal was truly tempting.

With pursed lips, Fang Xiaomei said, "Qiao Qingyu, you’re too cunning, luring me with such a big opportunity."

"It’s not about tempting you," Qiao Qingyu replied. "It’s just that some opportunities should be seized early. Otherwise, you might not get such a good position in the future, right?"

"I know that," said Fang Xiaomei. "Working with you now is like the novels say—fighting battles side by side with you, right?"

Qiao Qingyu smiled and nodded. "You got the gist of it."

"I need to think about it."

"Take your time to think," Qiao Qingyu said. "If you decide to join, you’ll take care of human resources and finance here."

At the commune, Fang Xiaomei was in charge of human resources. As for finance, she had studied it for a year and was particularly talented in this area. Even now, she was formidable when it came to managing accounts. Initially, she hadn’t been placed in finance because the department was adequately staffed, and despite being the commune chief’s distant niece, she couldn’t just push people out.

However, Qiao Qingyu’s accounts for the year had been managed with her help.

"I’m planning to clear out the vacant offices next to my Zone 5 Laboratory after spring," Qiao Qingyu mentioned.

Fang Xiaomei’s eyes lit up—oh my gosh, her biggest dream was to work at the base! Even though, strictly speaking, the Zone 5 Laboratory was peripherally affiliated with the base, it was still essentially part of it, connected in some way after all.

"Really, are you going to set up your office next to your laboratory?" Fang Xiaomei asked again.

"Of course."

Qiao Qingyu simply told Fang Xiaomei the truth, "After the development of seed cultivation and agricultural planting, an agricultural base will be established based on the Tenghai Research Base. It’s hard to say what the staffing will look like now. Who knows what it will be like in five or ten years, but I can guarantee that this job will definitely be more secure than your iron rice bowl."

Fang Xiaomei’s eyes brightened the more she listened; she was truly moved.

Not having a staffing plan wasn’t scary at all, as long as she could work at Tenghai Research Base and enter through that gate, her life would be worthwhile.

Neither Chen Sheng nor his family members would dare to look down on her.

Especially now, Qiao Qingyu was no ordinary person.

Qiao Qingyu having invited her like this, and even proactively, if she hesitated or made excuses, she would really not know what’s good for her. She knew that anyone would be thrilled by such an opportunity.

And Fang Xiaomei believed that Qiao Qingyu would definitely achieve something remarkable. Following Qiao Qingyu, she wouldn’t suffer.

Actually, Qiao Qingyu really wouldn’t let her suffer.

Coming from the future, she of course knew the development trajectory and the issues that would be encountered along the way, such as the difficulties state-owned factories and other enterprises would soon face, not being able to pay workers’ salaries, product overstock, factory operations grinding to a halt, and consecutive years of losses.

Then, naturally, layoffs would follow.

Factories had to maintain operations, but without sufficient funds, so they would have to downsize.

In the 1980s and 90s, unpaid leave, layoffs, and staff reduction were common occurrences.

Xiaxi Commune would encounter this situation too; the commune wouldn’t have ample funds and wouldn’t be able to support many people like now.

Preparation in advance was beneficial.

Qiao Qingyu patted Fang Xiaomei on the shoulder and smilingly said, "Of course, this is my suggestion, not a compulsory one. You need to consider it carefully to avoid regretting later and don’t blindly believe that following me means living the high life—that’s hard to predict. Maybe by working with me, you might end up not getting paid at all."

Fang Xiaomei stared at Qiao Qingyu, "Qiao Qingyu, are you trying to scare me?"

"I’m not trying to scare you, I’m discussing possible scenarios with you."

Fang Xiaomei didn’t mind, "I understand, it’s like doing business; it’s normal to have losses and gains. Don’t worry, if I decide, no matter what happens, I won’t regret it. Give me a few days to think it over, okay?"

"Alright, discuss it with your family... right, and your partner as well."

Then Qiao Qingyu added, "No rush, these are things we need to do next spring."

"I know." Fang Xiaomei wasn’t naive; she wouldn’t expect everything to be perfectly arranged before she would consider joining. The world didn’t work that way.

"Alright, how many more days until you leave by train?"

Qiao Qingyu checked the time, "Five days from now."

"I’ll give you a call tomorrow."

The two of them chatted casually for a bit, and Qiao Qingyu asked Fang Xiaomei where she would live after getting married. It wasn’t until they talked about applying for dormitory housing that Qiao Qingyu remembered, the base didn’t have enough houses, and many employees were married and applying for dormitories.

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