1978: Female educated youth, don’t want an illiterate husband

"It's fast, but I didn't expect it to be this fast!"

Cheng Xuemin made a casual joke to Liang Xiaosheng and then quickly went upstairs.

"Really taking over?" When Cheng Xuemin didn't deny it, Liang Xiaosheng's face instantly showed utter shock.

I quickly followed!

Cheng Xuemin went straight into the old factory director's office, where the old director had already handed him the bright red document!

"Look! Secretary Yang just sent someone to deliver this to Factory Director Cheng!" Old Factory Director Wang Yang said with a smile and a joke.

"When you shouted that, I ran into Old Liang downstairs just now, and he thought I had taken over your job!"

Cheng Xuemin shook his head, then quickly stepped forward, took the document, and glanced at it.

The document prominently displays the "Approval for the Establishment of the Oriental Culture and Art Film Production Branch," and is signed by the joint seals of the department and the ministry.

The red stamp was clearly affixed, and it was even specially marked that the branch factory was a deputy provincial-level unit.

Cheng Xuemin was appointed as the factory director to oversee all operations, and a secretary will be assigned to assist him later.

Good guy!
The document came down so quickly; Cheng Xuemin thought he would have to wait a few more days.

"I actually hope you can take over my job!" the old factory director joked with Cheng Xuemin, then added:
"Alright, your Eastern Branch Factory is now officially established! We're just waiting for the Party Secretary to be sent down from above, then you can officially open for business!"

The old factory director did not retract the red-inked document, because it was originally issued to Cheng Xuemin!

Then he added, "Now I'll take you to see the office space that our Yanying Film Studio has allocated to your Dongfang branch!"

"Ah? Old factory director, you're so quick to act too?" Cheng Xuemin was surprised to hear that the old factory director had even prepared an office space for him.

It's clear that the old factory director's speed is not bad either!
"I'm under a lot of pressure too, aren't I? If I don't settle this matter soon, what if the higher-ups change their minds and transfer me somewhere else?" The old factory director also smiled wryly, and continued:

"But don't get your hopes up too high. After all, Xuemin, you know what the situation is like in the factory right now!"

"So even if I wanted to give you a venue that's too big, the people below wouldn't agree!"

"On the contrary, it will put you in the spotlight, and they will come to your place to make trouble every day!"

Cheng Xuemin was well aware of the current predicament of Yan Film Studio, which is why the old director had been seeking change.

Seeing the old factory director's embarrassed words, Cheng Xuemin quickly said, "No, no, old factory director, please don't say that. As long as you can give us a place to stay, that's fine!"

"If all else fails, I'll just put up a sign in my old office!"

Upon hearing this, the old factory director, Wang Yang, immediately looked displeased and retorted with a laugh, "Even if our Yanying Factory is shabby, it's not that shabby!"

"We've arranged four offices for you, right across from that little red-walled building. All four offices on the first floor belong to your Dongfang branch factory!"

"There are four?! Great, great! I really have to thank you for your strong support, old factory manager!"

"Don't worry, old factory director. Once our East Factory makes money, we will definitely build our own new office building, and we will definitely repay you then!"

"Good lad, I've been waiting for you to say that, and I really have been waiting for it!"

After saying that, he offered to take Cheng Xuemin to the small red-walled building across the street to take over the office space for their Dongfang branch factory.

"Old factory director, is Xuemin really going to take over your job so soon? Are you really retiring?" At this moment, Liang Xiaosheng stepped forward and asked Wang Yang out of the blue.

"What succession? I can work for another two years!" Cheng Xuemin can make this kind of joke, but others certainly can't!

The old factory director, Wang Yang, was immediately annoyed by the question. Like other veteran comrades, he was very power-hungry. If the higher-ups didn't allow him to retire, how could he possibly be willing to step down?

Say it again!

Their good days at Yan Film Studio have only just begun. Wang Yang is still thinking of guiding this young man, Cheng Xuemin, and making a breakthrough for another two years!
“But… Director Cheng of Xuemin…” Liang Xiaosheng was speechless after being rebuked, and cautiously and stubbornly said something.

“Yes, yes, yes! Xuemin is indeed Director Cheng now! But he’s the director of the Dongfang branch factory. The official document just came down!” Wang Yang nodded repeatedly as he spoke.

"Eastern Branch Factory? Eastern Depot?" Liang Xiaosheng, who had followed Cheng Xuemin and written so many martial arts novels, instantly realized what was going on and gave the Eastern Branch Factory an even more awesome abbreviation!
"Eastern Depot?" This is the second time I've heard the old director use this abbreviation. Xuemin seemed to have referred to himself that way earlier too. Is there some other explanation?

"Old Factory Director, haven't you read the martial arts novels we write? Aren't they all set in the late Ming Dynasty, with eunuchs from the Eastern Depot causing chaos and the people suffering..." Liang Xiaosheng's mouth twitched violently as he suppressed a strong laugh and said.

"Eastern Depot eunuchs?" The old director didn't react for a moment. After thinking about it carefully, he asked with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, "Eastern Depot eunuchs?"

“This…” Liang Xiaosheng didn’t dare to continue, because Cheng Xuemin was staring at him with murderous eyes!

"Old Factory Director, that's just an abbreviation. I think the 'Eastern Branch Factory' you mentioned sounds much better!" Cheng Xuemin quickly changed the subject. What the hell was this all about?

His Eastern Depot hasn't even opened yet, but the news is already spreading throughout the entire Yan Film Studio!
From now on, whenever his Eastern Depot is mentioned, everyone will have to say that they are Eastern Depot eunuchs.

"The Eastern Depot? I actually think that abbreviation sounds pretty cool, and it fits perfectly with the martial arts films you make, Xuemin!"

"The eunuchs of the Eastern Depot command the world; wouldn't all the martial arts films in the country be subject to your Eastern Depot's control?"

The old factory director, instead of getting more excited, became increasingly agitated as he spoke, causing Cheng Xuemin to roll his eyes in exasperation.

"The first thing I'll do when I get back is transfer you to the Eastern Depot to be castrated!" she retorted irritably to Liang Xiaosheng, who was just too foul-mouthed.

When his Eastern Depot opens for business, the first thing he'll do is drag Liang Xiaosheng in and castrate him!

Startled, Liang Xiaosheng quickly pulled his head back, but still followed along to watch the commotion.

In front of the small red-walled building, the old factory director pointed to the four offices side by side and introduced them one by one:

"This innermost room with a suite, Xuemin, you can use it as the factory manager's office. In the future, when you're busy with work and don't go home, you can use the suite as your personal dormitory!"

"The room next door is reserved for the future Party Secretary, the next room is the accounting office, and the outermost large room will be used as a collective office. People will work here when we hire them."

"Xuemin, go in and see if it's enough!"

Cheng Xuemin followed him inside and saw that the old desk was still there, and several empty cardboard boxes were piled up in the corner, obviously because the office had just been vacated.

However, the windows were clean and the floor was swept, showing that the old factory manager had put his heart into it.

"That's enough, that's enough!" Cheng Xuemin smiled broadly and nodded repeatedly. "I'm the only one here now. Even if the Party Secretary and the accountant come, it'll be more than enough."

Wang Yang nodded, then took out a bunch of keys from his pocket and handed them to Cheng Xuemin, saying:
"Here's the office key, keep it safe. By the way, I can recommend two accountants for you. They're both experienced accountants from the factory, very meticulous. You can talk to them later and choose whichever one you prefer."

The Party Secretary still needs to wait for instructions from higher-ups; it will probably take a few days.

"Thank you, old factory director, you've thought of everything." Cheng Xuemin took the keys, feeling a warm glow inside.

The old factory director's support remains as strong as ever.

As the two were talking, Cheng Xuemin suddenly remembered the Tai Chi film crew and quickly said:
"Old Factory Director, I need to tell you something. The domestic distribution of Tai Chi is about to start, and I also want to prepare for distribution in Hong Kong. We need to get the main cast and crew back as soon as possible to discuss the publicity."

The old factory director, Wang Yang, nodded repeatedly and said, "Distribute it in Hong Kong? That's a big deal!"

"But now that you're in charge, Xue Min, you can make all the decisions about the future work of the Tai Chi production team yourself!"

"Once your Dongfang branch factory gets its official seal in the next couple of days, you can issue a letter of introduction yourself and have them come to the Yanjing factory to assemble!"

"Now that you're the factory director, you still have some power!"

As an experienced veteran, former factory director Wang Yang instructed Cheng Xuemin on how to carry out his work, and then continued, "As for taking the main creators to Hong Kong for distribution, you have to report this to Hai Zi. It's no use telling me; I don't have the authority to make that decision!"

Uh, that's true!
Now that Cheng Xuemin is the head of the Eastern Depot, summoning his people is as simple as issuing a document.

Say it again!

Although the Eastern Depot was affiliated with the Yan Film Studio, in reality, it operated as an independent branch entirely separate from the Yan Film Studio. The Eastern Depot was granted a special license by the Emperor!

What the Yan Film Studio can manage, the Eastern Depot can also manage; what the Yan Film Studio cannot manage, the Eastern Depot can still manage!
So you can do whatever you want yourself!

Of course, it's a way of showing respect to the former factory director by casually mentioning him!

Otherwise, before the Eastern Depot has even officially opened, it'll be wagging its tail in front of the old factory director.

This is not good!

One should never forget one's roots!
……

After securing their own territory at Yanying Film Studio, the next step was to move offices.

But Cheng Xuemin was lazy and planned to move the house after he had recruited Li Lianjie and Ji Chunhua.

But then I happened to see Zhu Lin, who seemed to be moving!
He stepped forward and asked, "Sister Lin, what's wrong...?"

"Uh... Xuemin, I..." Zhu Lin blushed instantly when she saw Cheng Xuemin, and then said happily, "Xuemin hasn't told you yet! The factory has assigned me a single dormitory room, and I can move in here now!"

Although it wasn't a direct welfare housing allocation, a single dormitory room was still extremely precious to Zhu Lin.

At least this way, she finally has her own little place.

No more going home to live with my parents, brother, sister-in-law, and younger sister in a cramped room.

Zhu Lin's family's housing conditions were indeed very difficult, especially after she and her brother and sister-in-law returned to the city one after another, making the room in their house even more cramped.

This is also why the family has been hoping to resolve Zhu Lin's personal issues as soon as possible.

So, during the six months since Zhu Lin returned to the city, her family has arranged many blind dates for her, but Zhu Lin always makes excuses, or if she really has to go, she will say it's not a good match after just one meeting.

Ultimately, it comes down to comparing yourself to someone else in your mind, and there's no one suitable.

Not long after returning from Bolin, her family took advantage of the New Year to settle Zhu Lin's personal life. After all, a daughter is too old to stay at home forever, and Zhu Lin is already twenty-five or twenty-six years old.

In this day and age, she is an extremely old young woman.

Just when Zhu Lin was getting fed up with being pressured to get married, the factory actually assigned her a single dormitory room, which freed her from home!
"Oh really? The factory arranged housing for you! Congratulations, Sister Lin!" Cheng Xuemin said without thinking much of it. "Sister Lin, I also have some good news to share!"

"Huh?! What good news?!" Zhu Lin had been busy moving things around all day and hadn't heard the current discussions in the factory. She asked with great curiosity, "Is the Tai Chi 2 production team about to be assembled?"

"The Tai Chi 2 production team is also being assembled!" Cheng Xuemin nodded and added, "However, before that, our Oriental Culture and Art Production Branch has just received a very important document from Hai Zili, announcing its official establishment!"

"The venue is right in the little red-walled building up ahead!"

"The Oriental Culture and Art Film Production Branch?" Zhu Lin was completely bewildered and followed up with, "Xuemin, the film production branch, are you the branch director, Xuemin?"

"Yes, the higher-ups have temporarily put me in charge!" Cheng Xuemin nodded. There weren't any familiar faces in the factory right now, so he could only share this joy with Zhu Lin.

"Ah! Really?! Then...then from now on, won't all our Tai Chi staff be from your branch factory, Xuemin?"

"I...I...can I be transferred to our branch factory?"

When Zhu Lin heard that it was true, her face lit up with surprise and excitement when she heard that Xuemin had become the factory director!
"Well... I'll call everyone over later and we'll talk about that. Besides, Yan Film Studio is going to throw us a celebration!"

"That's right, that's right, this is double happiness! Xuemin, shall I treat you to lunch? Let's eat at a restaurant outside?" Zhu Lin was really excited this time and blurted it out. She had been thinking about this for a while, but she didn't know how to ask Xuemin to treat her to lunch.

After all, the factory was able to allocate her a single dormitory room this time entirely because of Taiji's achievements in earning foreign exchange overseas, which is why the factory made an exception to reward her!

Otherwise, Zhu Lin had only been transferred to Yan Film Studio for less than a year, so why was she able to skip the queue and be assigned to a single dormitory?
Despite the large size of the Yanying Film Factory, the number of employees needing resettlement was equally enormous. It was a large factory employing tens of thousands of people, but the number of family quarters and employee dormitories was limited!

There's simply not enough room for everyone; everyone has to wait in line based on seniority.

So, can Zhu Lin not invite Cheng Xuemin to dinner?

Of course, this was also the first time Zhu Lin had ever taken the initiative to invite Cheng Xuemin to dinner, and also the first time she had ever taken the initiative to invite a boy!

However, as Zhu Lin looked at Cheng Xuemin with anticipation, Cheng Xuemin nodded and said, "This definitely deserves a proper celebration!"

"But Sister Lin, I'll say it again: let's have a proper get-together after Xiao Li, Xiao Ji, and Xiao Li come to Beijing!"

"We'll make the arrangements then, I'll treat everyone to a good meal!"

Upon hearing Cheng Xuemin's words, Zhu Lin's smile faded slightly, and a hint of disappointment flashed in her eyes.

But he quickly perked up and said, "Yes, yes, let's talk about it after Xiaoli and Xiaolizi arrive!"

Then he remembered something else and said to Cheng Xuemin, "By the way, Xuemin, a few days ago, Deputy Director Zhao of the Shanghai Film Studio came to me and wanted me to go to Shanghai to develop my career. He said that it's hard to say what would happen after I went there, but he would arrange my housing!"

"Oh? Shanghai Film Studio is trying to poach you?" Cheng Xuemin raised an eyebrow, but he knew exactly what was going on.

Since the Shanghai Film Studio couldn't recruit them, they set their sights on the creators of "Tai Chi," and might even try to poach the other lead actors as well.

I wonder if they will encounter strong resistance from the sports school when they try to recruit Li Lianjie.

"Yes! But I didn't agree!" Zhu Lin chuckled mischievously again.

"Sister Lin, you missed a great opportunity. I heard from Director Zhao that the Shanghai Film Studio was allocating housing at this time!"

Cheng Xuemin jokingly teased Zhu Lin, then said, "If Sister Lin goes there, given Tai Chi's foreign exchange earnings, they'll definitely give you priority in getting a set!"

"Haha, Comrade Xiaoqing just jokingly scolded me like that too, saying, 'If there's a house to be allocated, why aren't you going?!'" When talking about other things, Zhu Lin was completely at ease in front of Cheng Xuemin, laughing and saying:

"However, I know that even if a single woman like me who is not married goes there, they won't just allocate an apartment to me for no reason!"

"Besides, the old factory director has already arranged a dormitory for me, and I'm actually very satisfied and happy with it!"

Zhu Lin isn't stupid. Even if they say they're trying to recruit her from the past, she's just an unmarried single woman. No matter how much housing is allocated, unmarried single women won't be given housing. No organization would have such a precedent.

Unless, of course, they poach her, then immediately introduce her to a gay man, and quickly pair her up.

Only then can you catch up with other people's housing allocation benefits.

So, if Zhu Lin wanted to find a man, why did she have to travel all the way to Shanghai to look for one?

"Haha, I'm glad you like it, Sister Lin! Actually, our Yan Film Studio is not bad, at least it's close to home, right!"

Cheng Xuemin greeted Zhu Lin a few more times and asked if she needed any help moving things, only to be told that she had already moved most of them!

So he stopped caring about it, since it was a woman's business and it wasn't appropriate for Cheng Xuemin, a married young man, to be overly concerned.

Cheng Xuemin took note of the fact that the Shanghai Film Studio had poached Zhu Lin, and he needed to contact the other members of the Tai Chi production team by phone as soon as possible.

But what he feared most came to pass. Sure enough, he saw Lao Ge, whom he hadn't seen for a while, running towards him from afar.

"Old Cheng, Old Cheng, wait for me, wait for me!" Ge You saw Cheng Xuemin from afar and quickly waved to him.

"Old Ge, your cultural troupe is on holiday? How come you have time to come back?!" Cheng Xuemin asked with a smile.

"Go away! Old Cheng, you still have the leisure to care whether I'm on vacation or not!" Ge You caught up and asked directly:

"Old Cheng, do you know that Gong Xue is going to the Shanghai Film Studio?"

……

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