Chapter 199: Pulling Strings
Less than twenty minutes later, the Cultural Palace venue lent for the exhibition fair was tidied up.
It also smoothly passed the Cultural Palace’s inspection, but in fact, even if it didn’t pass, that was all contributing to the country.
There was naturally a celebration banquet in the evening.
The city had prepared it, right at the Swan Hotel.
Zhen Xi and the others happened to all be staying here.
All members of the Trade Group were naturally present.
Although everyone was physically very tired, their spirits were uplifted.
They had finally lived up to the organization’s great expectations and successfully completed the task.
Team Leader Xu said, “Qiao Ge, you should come to the Foreign Trade Section.”
Lu Qiaoge pursed her lips and smiled; no need to say anything else, Team Leader Xu definitely understood.
Director Zhou, in high spirits, remembered the matter Lu Qiaoge had asked him to inquire about, so he came over and said to Lu Qiaoge, “I’ve asked around for you. Now the military factory and the local system are not the same, you have your own school, so it’s just the textbooks and joint exams that need coordination from the city. As for teachers, as long as they have teaching experience or relevant cultural qualifications, it’s fine.”
Only then did Lu Qiaoge remember that there was no such thing as a teacher qualification certificate yet.
It was all by recommendation or direct appointment from superiors.
For example, if the authorities’ leader said Lu Qiaoge could teach first-grade Chinese language, then she could take up the post immediately.
Now there were still private teachers and public teachers.
The night school run by the military factory could be handled however you like; the Education Bureau wouldn’t interfere, of course they wouldn’t send teachers to draw salary either.
So there wouldn’t be much problem setting up Xiangyang Night School.
The task was completed without any mistakes, especially with the money.
So she, as a group member, didn’t need to worry about anything, sitting with Elder Sister Su waiting for the leader’s speech and then dinner.
After dinner, Elder Sister Su quietly said to her, “Qiao Ge, we all have bonuses. I’ll call you when the bonuses are issued.”
Lu Qiaoge was familiar with Elder Sister Su and didn’t stand on ceremony, getting into the city’s jeep with Elder Sister Su.
It was already nine o’clock in the evening, so naturally they had to send Elder Sister Su who lived farther away and the even farther Lu Qiaoge back.
Lu Qiaoge hadn’t ridden her bicycle today; in the morning Qin Hengzhi had come with her.
But after noon Qin Hengzhi had gone back, and hadn’t come until now, definitely gone to the military factory’s research institute.
When Lu Qiaoge arrived at the military factory’s main gate, she said something to the gatekeeper before the city’s jeep was allowed to drive in.
At the Lu Family’s hutong entrance, the jeep stopped, and Lu Qiaoge got out carrying her canvas bag.
She thanked the driver and watched him drive away; only then did Lu Qiaoge feel that she was still very tired today.
At this time, only Meng Xia and Old Mrs. Lu were still awake. Lu Qiaoge said a few words to them, washed up, lay on the bed, petted the cat a few times, and then fell asleep.
Meng Xia stood in the courtyard for a while; Old Mrs. Lu said in a low voice, “Alright, nothing to feel sorry about. This is also a kind of training. Besides, when you young people were her age, you suffered much more.”
Meng Xia thought about it and agreed; she quietly went back to her room.
The next day.
A good night’s sleep.
Because she still had to go to the Trade Group meeting, Lu Qiaoge got up early.
Old Mrs. Lu got up the earliest, heated steamed buns and congee, and made a plate of braised eggplant with the eggplants sent by Brigade Leader Lin.
The fermented bean paste was pickled by Meng Xia herself; Northerners actually don’t call it pickling, they say to add fermented bean paste.
The flavor was extremely rich.
Using such paste to make braised small fish tasted both fresh and fragrant.
Seeing Lu Qiaoge get up, Old Mrs. Lu said to her second granddaughter, “Why up so early? Do you still have to go to the city today?”
Lu Qiaoge said she was going to a meeting in a bit, then went into her bedroom and took out the clothes she bought for the family, first giving them to Old Mrs. Lu.
Old Mrs. Lu smilingly took it; now the old woman’s clothes were either black or dark blue, basically no other colors.
The one Lu Qiaoge bought had a similar style to what Old Mrs. Lu was wearing, but it was silk, in apricot color; on an elderly person it not only looked dignified but also youthful.
This was Lu Qiaoge’s suggestion to Zhen Xi.
She had always emphasized fitting in with local customs, which everyone understood, just like if you go to a Hui family home to promote pork, you’ll get beaten.
So Lu Qiaoge’s proposals were all adopted.
Facts proved that Lu Qiaoge’s proposals were all correct.
After all, only one’s own people understand one’s own people.
What Lu Qiaoge bought for Old Lu was a shirt.
She didn’t buy him outerwear because Comrade Old Lu’s work uniform was very stylish.
And for Meng Xia, Lu Qiaoge knew she definitely wouldn’t bear to buy a windbreaker, and even if she did, she wouldn’t wear it. What Lu Qiaoge bought was women’s clothing that was still very popular now: double-breasted with three-quarter collar, no belt, slanted pockets, made of polyester khaki, in blue, gray, and beige.
Actually, as long as the cut is good-looking, such women’s clothing is not only practical but also nice.
No wonder they say fashion is a cycle.
Lu Qiaoge said she wouldn’t buy for others, but actually she still did.
Including Xiao Si, one set of autumn top and pants each.
This counted as backdoor; left in advance.
Universal style that could be worn inside or outside.
Lu Qiaoling hugged Lu Qiaoge and acted coquettishly, “Second Sister, you’re so nice.”
Then she gave one hundred yuan to Lu Qiaoge, “I just bought scarves for us few, didn’t buy anything else. Here’s the money back.”
Su Hui said, “I didn’t even squeeze in, didn’t dare to squeeze with them, too many people, really didn’t expect it.”
Lu Qiaoge smiled, “No rush, there will be more in the future.”
Lu Qiaoling asked delightedly, “Really?”
“Really.”
That was great.
She wanted to save money, save a lot.
Next time there was an exhibition fair, she could give back to Second Sister and the family.
The Trade Group meeting was very lively; everyone had rewards, and Lu Qiaoge’s bonus was the most, a full five hundred yuan.
It was said the authorities’ leader specially mentioned it.
Others got two hundred yuan each.
Elder Sister Su sincerely thanked Lu Qiaoge; without her arranging these opportunities, her work wouldn’t have gone so smoothly, and moreover, the work unit valued her very much.
Not to mention the two hundred yuan bonus.
Although Team Leader Xu happily handed out the bonuses and was certain there was no big problem, he couldn’t help but feel a trace of worry in his heart.
After all, last night the authorities called, asking him to report the exhibition fair situation in detail over the phone.
He reported every day, and this time even more detailed.
But he didn’t tell Lu Qiaoge, just smiled and told her, “After going back, just rest directly, no need to go to the work unit. I called your Director Hu this morning, and he gave you three days holiday. You can start work again next Monday.”
Oh my, three days holiday.
Lu Qiaoge happily thanked Team Leader Xu, said goodbye to the others, rode her bicycle to the road by the Swan Hotel, and listened to Xiao Cangcang and Rat Big report on the situation of those several people surveilling her.
No new situation, same as usual.
Lu Qiaoge told them no need to surveil anymore, wait until she contacted Zhen Xi.
The other thing was surveilling the Fishery Company Deputy Manager.
Before Lu Qiaoge could go there, Swallow and Tao Tao flew over to report first: 【Little Master, Deputy Manager Yan is still on business trip and hasn’t returned…】
Stockpiling drafts these days, aiming for extra updates, seeking monthly passes, seeking monthly passes!
