Rebirth in 1960, My Industrial Age

Chapter 83: Preparing to go home, Zhou Yan's father is angry (please subscribe)
"Dear fellow workers, our Second Machinery Factory has achieved brilliant results in the past year."

At the staff meeting, the factory director Li Zhengyang spoke passionately about the factory's achievements last year and praised all the employees in the factory.

The Second Machinery Plant was the best performing one in the entire Ministry of First Machine Building, and was even praised by higher-level leaders.

That's why Li Zhengyang's voice trembled with excitement when he was holding a general staff meeting.

As usual, after talking about the achievements of the past year, the next thing is the commendation meeting.

To award honors such as advanced individuals and model workers, a certificate and some prizes will be given to those who are successful.

Water cups, scarves, cotton gloves, etc. are all small items exchanged by the Labor and Personnel Department. Although their value is not high, they are a great honor.

Especially when you become famous in front of all the employees. If you go on stage to receive the award, thousands of people in the entire factory will remember the honored worker next year.

'Hey, comrade, who are you looking for?'

'Looking for Li XX, he is from your factory, right?'

"Oh, factory model worker, I'll call someone for you later."

It is an honor to say it out loud, and everyone whose name was called to go on stage to receive the award held their head high.

Zhou Fengnian's name was naturally on the commendation list, and he also received two honors, Model Worker and Advanced Individual.

He is the only one in the entire factory who can receive two honors at the same time this year.

The workers and employees in the audience were all shocked to see this scene, and many of them were confused, but even if they were jealous, they would not make trouble at this time.

Some senior workers did know the reason, but all senior workers who came out of the machine tool workshop were told to keep it confidential, so they couldn't talk about it everywhere.

After the factory-wide staff meeting ended, Director Li also announced that the factory would be completely closed today and would not reopen until the start of work next year, which would be about ten days of vacation.

"Fengnian, congratulations, you have won two honors."

When the staff meeting ended and everyone dispersed, Zhou Yan came forward and said with a smile.

Then he took the certificate from Zhou Fengnian and looked at it. This was not just an honor, it would be recorded in the file, and people like this would be given priority for promotions in the future.

"This honorary glove is for you. The glove you gave me is enough for me."

Zhou Fengnian said with a smile, and then handed the prize to Zhou Yan, who smiled even more after receiving the cotton gloves.

The model worker was given a cup, the advanced individual was given cotton gloves, and two certificates of merit were given. These are what I received at the staff meeting today.

"Zhou Yan, are you going to my house tomorrow? Will you go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some things later?"

Zhou Fengnian asked again. Buying things was not the point. He wanted to confirm whether Zhou Yan really wanted to go.

"Okay, let's set off early tomorrow morning. I'll wait for you at the street corner where you usually drop me off."

Zhou Yan said without hesitation after hearing this.

"Okay, I'll pick you up tomorrow morning. Let's go to the supply and marketing cooperative first today."

Seeing that Zhou Yan did not hesitate, Zhou Fengnian said without hesitation: "I have saved a lot of tickets recently, so I can buy more good things tomorrow."

He now has everything except a place to live. The only thing he lacks is a sewing machine, and he even has the ticket for it.

Apart from the ten yuan he gave to his family every month, Zhou Fengnian had saved eighteen thousand yuan.

This was the savings he had left after buying two big items within a year, and he had no chance to spend it normally.

I checked before leaving work, locked up the more important things, and then left the factory for vacation.

Zhou Fengnian rode a bicycle with Zhou Yan and soon arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative.

There are quite a few people in the supply and marketing cooperative at this time, and people are coming and going to buy New Year's goods, but fortunately it is not yet the busiest time.

When all the factories are closed for holiday, people will have to rush to buy things, and each person may not be able to buy even half a pound of crispy candy.

"There are so many people here. Fengnian, should we buy them separately? This way, we can be more efficient."

Zhou Yan was surprised to see so many people and said, there is even a group of people gathered in front of the match cabinet, how long will it take to sell the matches?

Zhou Fengnian shook his head and said, "Let's go together, it's safer.

There are thieves on the job before the New Year. I encountered a thief last time at the supply and marketing cooperative. If you can’t buy everything today, you can buy more tomorrow.”

"Okay, it's up to you."

Then the two of them went to queue up to buy things together. They wanted to buy quite a lot of things, but mostly side dishes.

Toffees, fruit candies, snacks, peanuts and melon seeds, etc.

Zhou Fengnian bought the noodles and meat with his elder and second brothers yesterday. They went to the early morning market before going to work.

In winter, the meat you buy can be stored for a long time, even for a week.

After a while, the two went to five or six counters and bought a lot of things. Zhou Fengnian was carrying two large net bags.

Zhou Yan looked at it and asked, "Fengnian, what else do you want to buy?"

"I'll buy you another pair of leather shoes. I have special shoe tickets here."

Zhou Fengnian smiled and said, "You have walked with me for such a long time today, it cannot be in vain."

"I don't need it, Fengnian, buy yourself a pair."

"I already have leather shoes, just take them. I was planning to buy them for you today."

Zhou Fengnian's attitude was a little tough, and he pulled Zhou Yan towards the shoe counter.

There are not many people here, and leather shoes are relatively expensive. A pair of leather shoes costs seven or eight yuan, which is enough to buy seventy or eighty kilograms of coarse grains.

Only families with two working desks can afford to buy such luxury goods.

Zhou Fengnian took out the shoe ticket and put it on the counter, saying, "Comrade, please give me a pair of women's leather shoes. By the way, Zhou Yan, what size do you want?"

"Thirty-six."

Zhou Yan said with a slightly blushing face, feeling happy in her heart. Someone had wanted to give her gifts before, but she refused any of them. Today, what Zhou Fengnian gave her made her happiest.

After seeing the shoe ticket, the salesperson didn't say anything. He turned around and took out a pair of women's leather shoes and placed them on the counter.

Zhou Fengnian asked: "Can we try it?"

Upon hearing this, the salesperson was impatient and was about to say forget it, because if someone came and tried them on, how would they sell their leather shoes?

But after seeing Zhou Fengnian's face, most of the impatience in his heart disappeared, and he snorted and said, "Try it quickly."

"Thank you, comrade."

Zhou Fengnian took the leather shoes and said to Zhou Yan, "Try them on quickly. If they don't fit, we can change to another size."

"I understand, Fengnian."

Zhou Yan said with a smile, then helped Zhou Fengnian take off his cotton shoes. After putting on the leather shoes, she found that they fit perfectly, so she looked up and said to Zhou Fengnian, "It's just right, let's take this pair." It's a pity that he can't wear them now, otherwise his feet will be frozen, otherwise the white socks and leather shoes would look pretty good.

"This is the pair I want, comrade. How much is it?"

"Seven dollars and sixty cents. I'll put it in a box for you."

The salesperson looked at Zhou Yan with some envy. She also wanted a partner who was handsome and would buy her leather shoes.

After buying the leather shoes, there was nothing else to buy. Zhou Fengnian mainly bought non-staple foods, such as fine grains, pork, cigarettes, alcohol, etc. He asked his eldest and second brothers to buy them.

There are more of them, so it will be easier to carry the things. Zhou Fengnian’s bicycle cannot carry too many things.

After putting the purchased things back in the yard, Zhou Fengnian took Zhou Yan to the street corner near her home and made an appointment to meet tomorrow.

Zhou Yan agreed with a smile. She was now very much looking forward to tomorrow, and she was even so happy that she wanted to get closer to him.

However, there were many people walking on the street. If there were fewer people, she might really do something like this on impulse.

"Then I'll go back. You should go back early too, Fengnian."

After waving goodbye, Zhou Yan walked home with a sweet heart.

However, the closer she got to the family where she was born, the more joy Zhou Yan felt in her heart disappeared. When she arrived at the door of her home, she no longer felt happy at all.

Pushing the door open, Zhou Yan heard that familiar harsh voice before she could say anything: "Why did you come back just now? Your brother helped you light the fire today. Come back earlier next time. Do you hear me?"

Zhou Yan took a deep breath and said nothing.

"The factory is closed for the holiday, and I have to go out tomorrow."

After Zhou Yan finished speaking, she opened the curtain and went back to her resting place. As for dinner, she didn't even need to ask. From Lu Honghui's tone, she knew there was no dinner left for her.

Fortunately, she had the candy Zhou Fengnian gave her, so she wouldn't be hungry that night.

But before Zhou Yan sat down, Lv Honghui got out of bed and put on shoes. A few seconds later, she opened the curtain and came to Zhou Yan, asking anxiously:

"Why did your factory close early? What about wages? Hurry up and hand over 15 yuan. What is this? Did you buy anything?"

When Lu Honghui saw that Zhou Yan had not put away the leather shoe box yet, she suddenly became anxious.

"You are so good. Now you have learned to spend money recklessly. You don't know how to give your spare money to your family. Your eldest brother and third brother are still waiting for money to get married."

"Don't touch my shoes. They were given to me by Fengnian."

Zhou Yan tried to grab the opened shoe box but failed, so she took out fifteen yuan and gave it to Lu Honghui.

"I've given you the money, give me back my shoes."

Lu Honghui was a money-grubber. After taking the money, she threw the shoes back, as long as she didn't spend the money she had to hand over to her family.

After counting the money and making sure it was correct, Lv Honghui asked with a squint: "Where are you going to go tomorrow if you don't go to work? There is still a lot of work to do at home. You have to wash the bedding and clothes before the New Year.

Don't think about hanging out with men all day. Your father is so tired at work, but you still don't know how to help share the housework. Tell that man, if he wants to marry you, he must at least give you the gift that your brother gave you to marry his wife, otherwise forget it."

"This is my marriage, I make the decision myself!"

Zhou Yan said angrily: "Besides, I am the one who earns money in the family. If you want to talk about not working, Zhou Kai and Zhou Hao are the ones who don't work. Why don't they do it?"

Lv Honghui immediately scolded: "Nonsense, what kind of man does housework every day? What kind of future does he have!"

Zhou Yan felt indignant because her boyfriend Zhou Fengnian often did housework, but he was still very successful and was even a model worker and advanced individual in the machinery factory.

"You are not allowed to go anywhere tomorrow. Stay at home and do housework!"

"No, I have to go out tomorrow. I've already made my promise."

Zhou Yan said in a firm tone, without giving in at all, that she had already thought about how to deal with Zhou Fengnian's parents, and there was no way she wouldn't go.

Lv Honghui threatened: "Are you going to look for that person you mentioned again? Believe it or not, I will go to your factory to make trouble and see what you two can do."

"Go ahead. Fengnian is a man that the factory director values. Don't blame me for not reminding you. If you go, you will definitely be arrested by the security department."

Zhou Yan felt a mixture of anger and grievance, and her attitude was tough for once.

She finally figured it out. If she wasn't tough enough, she would definitely not be able to marry Zhou Fengnian.

Although Zhou Fengnian was willing to marry her, he certainly was unwilling to agree to her mother's requests. It should be said that no normal person would agree, except for those rich men who couldn't find a wife.

Zhou Yan didn't want to sacrifice herself to help her brother and sister who bullied her all day when she was a child. She found the job based on her ability and gave money to her family every month. Why should she sacrifice herself and get married so that Zhou Kai and Zhou Hao could get married?

Lv Honghui and Zhou Yan dared to talk back, so she pointed at them angrily and said, "Then I will make a scene that everyone in the factory will know about. I will see how you can stay in the factory in the future."

"Go ahead and make a scene. Then Zhou Kai and Zhou Hao won't even think about getting married. If you're locked up, Dad's job will be affected too. Your whole family will be ruined by you!"

Zhou Yan refused to back down and fought to the end. She couldn't give in anymore.

Lu Honghui's face became more and more distorted with anger. Just as she was about to raise her hand to slap someone, Zhou Xiangde's voice suddenly came from next door.

"What are you two arguing about? Do you really want everyone in the hospital to hear you quarreling?"

After Zhou Xiangde put on his clothes and came over, Lv Honghui complained angrily: "Boss, didn't you hear what your daughter said? She didn't help the family during the holidays and wanted to go out and find another man."

"Okay, what other men? How can Yanyan be good to you?"

Zhou Xiangde frowned and said, then turned to Zhou Yan and asked, "Yan Yan, is your partner Zhou Fengnian from the machinery factory?"

Having heard his daughter mention Fengnian twice just now, Zhou Xiangde felt that the name was familiar, and it didn't take long for him to remember it.

Isn't this the name mentioned by the workers from the machinery factory in the compound next door? There is a man named Zhou Fengnian in their factory. He won two honors this year. He is not only a model worker, but also an advanced individual.

Generally speaking, only those who are extremely diligent and hardworking, and who have impressed their leaders and other workers, will be declared a model worker. Advanced individuals must have made significant contributions.

It's rare to receive two honors at the same time, at least not in their factory.

"Yes, Zhou Fengnian from the Technology Department. Dad, I have decided to marry him."

Zhou Yan did not show any weakness in her father's tone. She was now afraid that her father would be the same as her mother.

"Bring him home someday. Marrying someone is not just talk. Let me see that young man."

After Zhou Xiangde finished speaking, he said to Lv Honghui, "Go back and have a rest. Let Xiaokai and Xiaohao help with the housework tomorrow. They are so old and still stay away from home all day."

"His father, Xiaokai has something important to do."

"What business is there? I begged for the porter with a sullen face, but now he's not going anymore. What business can there be?
Don't make a fuss about Yanyan's marriage anymore. I, Zhou Xiangde, am only a level 4 fitter after all. It's not time to sell my daughter for a dowry. You won't starve."

It was a rare occasion that Zhou Xiangde lost his temper, but he kept his voice low when he said this so that people outside wouldn't hear.

The news of his daughter's marriage has almost reached their factory. She is a high school graduate, has a formal job, and is well-off.

But the people who came to inquire were all ugly and planned to pay a high bride price to marry his daughter, as if he was selling his daughter.

If he lets this woman keep yelling, Zhou Xiangde will not be able to face working in the steel mill.

(End of this chapter)