Chapter 100 - 34: "Wherever the Red Star Shines Is Beloved Homeland

Chapter 100: Chapter 34: "Wherever the Red Star Shines Is Beloved Homeland

The supply and marketing cooperative was open from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Lin Zhao had a quick bite for lunch. The moment it was quitting time, she packed her things and headed home.

As soon as she left, Liu Chunhong slammed her rag onto the counter and started ranting, "What kind of attitude is that? Just what you’d expect from someone who pulled strings to get in. Not an ounce of sense. Her seniors haven’t even left, and she’s the first one out the door. Unbelievable! Absolutely unbelievable! I can’t tell if they hired a salesclerk or a queen. If my daughter had gotten this job, she would never act like that."

Li Fen, who had a good impression of Lin Zhao, spoke up. "It is quitting time. She didn’t leave early."

"If you’re that desperate to get your daughter a job, why don’t you just give her yours? Stop picking on the new comrades. You’re a senior employee, so you should at least act like one."

With that, Li Fen left.

’She truly hoped Liu Chunhong would see reason. Those two new women had overcome incredible odds to get hired directly as permanent staff. What did that tell you? It meant they had powerful backing!’

’If it came to a real confrontation, there was no telling who would end up on the losing side.’

Liu Chunhong knew Li Fen had a point, but her face still darkened with anger.

"Who’s picking on anyone? How am I not acting like a senior employee?! I’m still perfectly capable of working. How could I just give my job away? What would I do then!? A job is only worth something when you hold onto it yourself. If Li Fen is so high and mighty, why doesn’t she give her job to her sister!"

"It was Lin Zhao and Wang Ju, those two flashy things... They stole my daughter’s job! The second I heard about the openings, I went to the director. He clearly said nothing was decided, so I thought my daughter had a chance! I pulled strings all over the place, spent so much in cash and tickets, and in the end, I got nothing! How can I not blame those two?"

’It was a miracle she hadn’t tried to sabotage them already.’

The more Liu Chunhong stewed, the angrier she became. Her gaze hardened as she stared in the direction of Lin Zhao’s counter.

"I know you feel wronged, but they’ve already been officially hired. Just let it go," an older colleague who was close with Liu Chunhong tried to comfort her.

Liu Chunhong said nothing more.

’She couldn’t let it go.’

’Her family couldn’t just swallow this loss.’

The image of her daughter’s tear-swollen eyes flashed through her mind. Liu Chunhong was determined not to let the two newcomers have an easy time.

The bright morning sun had given way to an overcast sky. A breeze blew against her face, chasing away the sweltering heat.

Lin Zhao walked at a leisurely pace, first stopping by the post office to mail a letter. "Comrade Liang, any mail for me?" she asked the woman at the counter.

Liang Yi replied, "There is! It just came in this morning. Hold on, I’ll find it for you."

With that, she crouched down and began to rummage around.

A moment later, she stood up with a letter in her hand. "Here you go. Your letter."

"I started working at the supply and marketing cooperative today," Lin Zhao said with a smile. "From now on, you don’t need to send my letters to the village. I’ll just come by every few days to pick them up."

Liang Yi’s eyes widened in surprise. "You’re a salesclerk now?!"

"Yep, today was my first day," Lin Zhao answered.

Liang Yi leaned forward, pressing against the counter and grabbing Lin Zhao’s hand. She lowered her voice. "Congratulations, Comrade Lin! If you ever have any slightly damaged goods, don’t forget about me. I’ll make sure it’s worth your while."

"Of course," Lin Zhao agreed. "We help each other out. You’ve helped me plenty over the years, and I haven’t forgotten."

Liang Yi’s face lit up with a grin. She was about to say something more when someone else entered the post office, and she quickly swallowed her words.

Lin Zhao gave her a wink, waved the letter, and strolled leisurely out of the post office.

Once outside, she eagerly tore open the envelope.

The letter was quite thick.

She found a random spot to sit and unfolded the letter.

Two tickets fell out: one for a bicycle and one for a watch.

"!!"

Lin Zhao froze. Her fair fingers pinched the two tickets, holding them up against the faint light of the overcast sun for a moment before she snapped back to reality.

’They were real!!’

A delighted smile spread across her face, making her eyes curve into crescents.

Lin Zhao carefully tucked the tickets into her satchel and began to read the letter.

To my dear Comrade Lin Zhao,

I hope this letter finds you well.

I was overjoyed to receive your last letter.

I am greatly relieved to hear that you will soon be starting your post at the supply and marketing cooperative. I have already written to Mother, asking her to help look after the children so that you may devote yourself to the cause of socialist construction without worry.

Considering the long journey from the brigade to the county cooperative, I asked a comrade-in-arms to procure two tickets for you: one for a "Forever" brand bicycle and one for a "Shanghai" brand watch. The former should ease your commute, while the latter will help you keep time for your work. I hope you will put them to good use, my dear wife.

Both of these are necessities. You should go to the county department store and purchase them as soon as possible. I have enclosed a remittance slip for three hundred yuan (Remittance No.: Ge-****).

Though we are far apart, we serve under the same shining red star. Please, take good care of yourself.