Reborn in 78, I made my fortune by working in the mountains, supporting three families on my own.

"Oh dear, right, I almost forgot about that. So what should we do now? Has Jiang Xinyue explained why she suddenly wants to fire people?"

Zhao Lei looked somewhat troubled.

"Brother Li, the problem lies in her background. The factory says my wife is the daughter of a capitalist, and her origins are not clean."

"What? Capitalists?" Deputy Factory Director Li exclaimed in surprise. "It's already 1978, almost 1979, and you're still bringing this up?"

Zhao Lei chuckled awkwardly: "Brother Li, it's all old grudges from many years ago."

Deputy Factory Director Li frowned deeply, sat back down in his chair, and tapped his fingertips lightly on the desk.

"Lei Zi, looking at it this way, your wife's situation is indeed special. With such a family background, it's inevitable that people will use it against her and investigate her."

"Two factory officials came to my house yesterday to question us, and we answered truthfully. My wife was born into a wealthy capitalist family, but she was sent to this area for labor reform five or six years ago. The production team has always given her top marks every year, so she's already reformed, right? How could she still be affected?"

Deputy Factory Director Li's expression was grave as he slowly spoke, "Lei Zi, this is hard to say. There will definitely be an impact; but it's not entirely without a chance. The key is who you bring in."

"Looking at people? Looking at what kind of people?"

Deputy Factory Director Li pondered for a moment.

"When I say judging people, I mean judging them by their social skills and interpersonal relationships. This matter can be a big deal or a small one. By the way, Lei Zi, what's the current situation with Jiang Xinyue's family?"

Zhao Lei knew in his heart that this matter could no longer be concealed, and he had no choice but to tell the truth.

"Here's the thing, Brother Li. Xinyue's father's name is Jiang Dingtian. The whole family is originally from Beijing. Six years ago, they were labeled as capitalists, and her father was imprisoned in Beijing for reform."

Fortunately, my father-in-law cooperated well with the investigation, so the sentence wasn't too severe, and the case is still under review and investigation.

Xinyue, her mother-in-law, and her brother-in-law were all implicated in this incident, labeled as family members of capitalists, and sent to the countryside for labor reform six years ago. It was around that time that I met Xinyue.

Deputy Factory Director Li nodded slowly after listening.

"So that's how it is. Was the case officially classified in the end? What was the verdict from the capital?"

Zhao Lei shook his head.

"I don't know the specifics either. I've never met this father-in-law. Not to mention me, even Xinyue hasn't seen her father for over five years. They've almost stopped exchanging letters in the last two or three years, so we have no way of knowing the truth."

A wry smile appeared on Zhao Lei's face.

"Brother Li, if we're talking about reform, Xinyue has been reformed very successfully. She deserves a chance to show her abilities. She studied finance before, so she has a solid foundation of knowledge, and her personal abilities are impeccable. Her father's mistakes shouldn't be blamed on her."

Deputy Factory Director Li pondered for a moment.

"To be honest, our factory is currently short of this kind of talent. If we want to find someone who is professionally knowledgeable in finance and has a high level of education, we have to go to Yunchang County to find people. But the people in the county are unwilling to condescend to come to our small factory in our town. We are caught in the middle."

It was precisely because I had no other choice that I discussed with the factory manager about posting job advertisements to try my luck. To be honest, I genuinely hoped that Jiang Xinyue could get a job at the factory. Personally, I don't care about that old capitalist label anymore; what era are we living in?

Furthermore, the authorities have recently relaxed their stance, and the control over trade and commerce is unlikely to be as strict as before.

Zhao Lei thought to himself, "Sure enough, the reform and opening up is just around the corner. Even the factories in Qingfeng Town have already sensed the policy changes."

He asked, "Brother Li, is there still room for maneuver in Xinyue's case? We can't let her talents go to waste and end up back in the village feeding pigs and farming."

Deputy Factory Director Li let out a long sigh.

"Such a rare talent, it's such a waste to send him back to feed pigs and farm. Lei Zi, here's what I'll do, I'll think of something. I'll go and sound out Old Zheng first, you go back and wait for my news in two or three days."

Zhao Lei knew that he could only place his hopes on Deputy Factory Director Li, so he nodded immediately.

"Then, Brother Li, I'll leave this to you. I'll head back now."

"Xing Leizi, don't worry, wait for my news. Once I find out what's going on, I'll have someone send you a message."

Zhao Lei smiled and said, "Brother Li, how could I trouble you to send a message? I'll come find you again tomorrow, and we can have a meal together."

"Alright, Lei Zi," Deputy Factory Director Li joked, "You seem to be having a lot of free time lately. Not going hunting in the mountains anymore?"

"Hunting is just a way to make a living and support the family. Right now, the family matters are more important, and we need to settle Xinyue's affairs first."

Deputy Factory Director Li laughed heartily: "No wonder you managed to marry three beautiful wives, so family-oriented and caring. But I've always wondered, if you value family so much, why did you all get divorced?"

"Brother Li, please stop joking with me. I had no choice. Every family has its own problems, and my family has three."

"Haha, okay, I'm just kidding. I still have work to do, I'll go chat with Lao Zheng when I have time."

"Then I'll leave to you, Brother Li. I'll be going now."

"Okay, take care."

Zhao Lei bid farewell to Deputy Factory Director Li and walked out of the office building back to the factory gate.

When the gatekeeper, Uncle Liu, saw him come out, his face was full of smiles.

"Lei Zi, how did things go?"

Zhao Lei nodded: "Uncle Liu, we've made some progress. Let's head back to the village now."

"Okay, be careful while riding your bike on the road."

After leaving the factory, the two bought some daily necessities and odds and ends at the town's supply and marketing cooperative, and also bought some meat. They tied everything to the back frame of the old-fashioned bicycle before pedaling back to the village.

After a bumpy ride on the dirt road, Jiang Xinyue, sitting in the back seat, asked softly, "How's it inside?"

"Deputy Factory Director Li agreed to help us sound out Section Chief Zheng, but we'll have to wait two or three days for a definite answer. Don't be too anxious, I'll come see him again tomorrow. If we keep an eye on things a few more times, he won't forget about this and will be more attentive to his work."

Jiang Xinyue said softly, "Sanshi, isn't it a bit inappropriate to keep bothering people like this?"

"It's hardly an inconvenience. We're friends now. When I held my housewarming party, Deputy Factory Director Li even gave me a ten-yuan gift. Besides, I never visit empty-handed."

Jiang Xinyue felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

She clearly saw that Zhao Lei had put in a lot of effort and thought into his job during this period.

Not only did he try to find a way to get through to Deputy Factory Director Li, but he also frequently went to Boss Deng's place in the black market to inquire about information and find out what everyone was saying.