The golden age began in 1977

Chapter 259 My Brother is Qian Jin

Wei Xiongtu then reviewed the relevant data on the resettlement of educated youth, the main problems faced, and the directional policies for solving them, stating that he would compile them into a booklet so that Qian Xi would memorize them thoroughly that evening.
I delivered the written test pass certificate today; the interview is tomorrow.

Qian Jin ate a quick meal and then arranged for several people to simulate an interview scenario, asking Qian Xi questions from different angles:
"Comrade Qian Xi, tell me about your main achievements during your ten years in Changbai Mountain."

How do you view the difficulties currently existing in the resettlement of some educated youth?

"What do you think are your strengths that make you suitable for this job?"

"If we hire you, what can you bring to the resettlement of educated youth?"

He felt that his efforts were enough to ensure that Qian Xi would pass the interview assessment.

Again.

Qian Xi is the main character, and she has a cheat code. If she can't even pass the test in this little book, how can the supporting characters pass?

He didn't believe the other test takers; there was still a mock exam tonight as a practice session!

Qian Xi took the notebook given to her by Wei Xiongtu and started reading it. At first, she stumbled over her words, but with the repeated corrections and encouragement from Qian Jin, Qian Cheng, and others, she gradually became able to think clearly and express herself fluently.

As the family watched from the sidelines, their hearts, which had been hanging in suspense, gradually calmed down as the older sister's performance improved.

The next day, following Wei Qinghuan's instructions, Qian Xi specially changed into that faded but neat and crisp blue Lenin suit.

She carefully styled her hair, revealing her smooth forehead and skin roughened by the northeast winds after years of working in the countryside.

This is a medal at the educated youth resettlement office.

Finally, accompanied by Qian Lie and his wife, she arrived at the office building of the Municipal Educated Youth Office.

The interview was held at the company's workplace.

The Office for the Placement of Educated Youth is an important part of the Office for the Placement of Educated Youth, and it is located in an old-fashioned small building.

The red brick walls and creaking wooden stairs filled the corridor with the smell of old filing cabinets and fresh ink.

A dozen or so interviewees had already arrived, some sitting and some standing, waiting solemnly for their names to be called.

The atmosphere in this setting is even more suffocating than in an exam room.

A staff member read out names expressionlessly. When he called out "Qian Xi", Qian Xi's heart suddenly raced, and she followed the staff member into the interview room.

The room wasn't large, but it was bright and clean, with three examiners sitting in a row opposite each other.

The two men were around fifty years old, dressed in dark polyester Zhongshan suits, wearing thick glasses, with their hair neatly combed back, and serious expressions, with the calm scrutiny characteristic of someone reviewing files.

The other woman was a woman in her thirties with short, ear-length hair and a slightly round face. Although she tried to keep a straight face, her eyes made her feel a little gentler.

Behind the three faces are piles of files of people awaiting resettlement, silently telling the story of the heavy pressure of this job.

Following the rehearsal from the previous night, Qian Xi bowed and greeted everyone upon entering, then introduced herself in a poised and confident manner, clearly explaining her location in the countryside, the era in which she went, and her return to the city.

The examiner in the middle, with the most serious expression, a square face, and black-rimmed glasses, is clearly the chief examiner.

He skipped the pleasantries, his gaze lingering on Qian Xi's face for a few seconds before getting straight to the point: "Comrade Qian Xi, we've reviewed your basic information registration form. Ten years at the Changbai Mountain Forest Farm, junior high school education. Hmm. Please sit down."

Qian Xi bowed slightly again: "Thank you for the arrangement, leader."

Then she carefully sat down on a wooden chair by the door, taking up about a third of the space, her back straight, her hands neatly placed on her knees, trying to suppress the slight trembling in her body.

The examiners asked several questions according to the procedure:
Family situation.

My achievements during my time working in the countryside.

What are the difficulties in resettling educated youth returning to the city?

Following the direction that Wei Xiongtu and Wei Qinghuan had outlined in advance, Qian Xidu gave a clear, concise, and factual answer.

She didn't have many fancy words, but her sincerity was her strength. When she talked about the difficulties of returning to the city and the children's problems, she was very sincere and followed Wei Qinghuan's instructions to gain the leaders' sympathy.

Upon hearing this, the examiner frowned and finally said:

"Comrade Qian Xi, your answers to the previous questions were quite standard."

He raised his head, his sharp gaze behind his glasses fixed on Qian Xi, his tone calm yet extremely authoritative:
"I have a crucial question for you now."

"If you pass our recruitment and become a staff member of our educated youth resettlement office, with your abilities and position, what methods do you have to solve the employment and resettlement problems of educated youth returning to the city?"

This is an easy question.

Qian Xilai is in high spirits.

Wei Xiongtu set this test question for her last night.

So, following the answers prepared by Wei Xiongtu, she began to analyze national policies, connect them with the realities of Haibin City, and began to give a well-organized and eloquent but empty and grandiose answer.

The more she answered, the more wrong she realized it was.

The leaders didn't shake their heads or frown, but they didn't offer any optimistic outlook either. The examiners had already started looking at the next person's file.

The female examiner was quite kind and gave her a hint: "Do you have a direct way to solve the resettlement problem for several unemployed educated youth?"

"For example, do you have any relatives or friends working in the labor and personnel department, political work department, or personnel department of any organization?"

In a flash, Qian Xi almost subconsciously thought of Qian Jin's words from the previous night:

"Just remember this: we have ways to help the resettlement office solve a series of work-related problems."

"If people ask you how you solved it, just say, 'My younger brother is Qian Jin, the captain of the Taishan Road Labor Commando Team. He's particularly good at running small collective enterprises, but I also contributed to that...'"

This made her both excited and nervous. After her lips trembled a few times, she tried her best to say, "Leaders, I can't say for sure how many educated youth jobs I can solve!"

She continued, "But, but my brother is Qian Jin! Qian Jin is the captain of the Taishan Road Labor Assault Team!"

Upon hearing this, all three examiners were visibly taken aback.

Qian Xi felt that what she was saying was somewhat ridiculous. What kind of nonsense was this?
She wanted to say something to make amends, but this wasn't part of the mock interview last night.

This left her mind somewhat blank.

Actually, her on-the-spot reaction wasn't very good.

The examiner, who had been very serious just moments before, suddenly perked up and smiled, saying, "Oh, your name is Qian Xi, Qian Xi—you're Qian Jin's older sister?"

Qian Xi followed his words and said, "Yes, my older sister. I am his second older sister. I also have an older brother who just started working at the Industry and Commerce Bureau last month."

The three examiners exchanged glances and then nodded.

Qian Xi had no way to salvage the situation, so she could only bite the bullet and continue:
“My brother and I are experts at resettling unemployed educated youth. He said that the labor shock brigade he leads will ensure that the employment problem of another 100 educated youth returning to the city is solved by the end of this year!”

"Next year! We still need to take care of at least five hundred more next year! That's what the Taishan Road assault team is all about..."

"One hundred this year?! Five hundred next year?!" Another male examiner exclaimed in shock, his voice trembling.

Qian Xi nodded: "Yes, he's very good at running this small collective enterprise. Also, I... I..."

She wanted to do as Qian Jin suggested, boasting that she was also good at it, and that she had even served as Qian Jin's advisor and secretary.

But honesty and a sense of shame ultimately stopped her from saying that, so she honestly said, "I can learn from him how to do this. I think, I think I have a good talent for learning."

There was no need for her to say anything more.

The examiner with the square face put down his pen and stood up.

With a gentle smile on his face, he said in a tone of sudden realization:
"Oh dear! Comrade Qian Xi! Why didn't you say so sooner?"

Qian Xi listened carefully and found that his voice had magically taken on an indescribable intimacy and a sense of relief, all of its previous seriousness and rigidity had vanished, and he was speaking as if he were scolding an ignorant junior in the family for not revealing his identity sooner:

“Your younger brother is Qian Jin, the head of the Taishan Road team. Everyone in our resettlement office knows him very well.”

"Absolutely right, his task force was known for its toughness, a pioneer in solving the problems of educated youth and a shining example in helping them find employment!"

Qian Xi was completely stunned.

She was momentarily stunned, and stammered, "Huh? Really? But... but he never mentioned this. He told me to study hard and do well on the exam..."

The examiner stood up and said in an admiring tone, "Captain Qian is a role model for the educated youth today. He is known for his law-abiding and disciplined behavior."

"To be honest, I didn't even know his sister didn't have a job—you're his second sister? What's your relationship like?"

Qian Xi said, "Yes, my dear second sister. We have a very good relationship. My child usually plays at her house, and we basically eat all three meals together every day."

The examiner exclaimed, "What a big family! You really are a big family!"

He then turned to those around him and said, "Good, good, excellent! Look, isn't Comrade Qian Xi a timely help for our resettlement office?"

"We're just struggling to find staff who are cultured, competent, and resourceful like this."

The female examiner smiled and said, "Yes, that's right. I've seen her written test score; it's an outstanding A!"

The male examiner also laughed and said, "The main thing is that her situation is very special. How could we not know how much influence Qian Jin's team has? He has helped us relieve so much pressure on a daily basis!"

The examiner glared at him.

He chuckled and repeated, "Your situation is very special! Very special!"

The examiner sat down and gestured for everyone else to sit down as well: "Alright, that's all."

"Comrade Qian Xi, I can tell you right now, you've been hired!"

"Welcome to our team of educated youth resettlement workers! Do a good job!"

The male examiner next to him chuckled and said, "One of your important tasks will be to keep in touch with your younger brother, Comrade Qian Jin, from now on."

The whole process was so fast that Qian Xi felt like she was in a dream.

Just a minute ago, she was so scared by that tricky question that her palms went cold, but just a minute later, she was hired instantly because she mentioned her younger brother's name, and was even treated as an honored guest by the examiners.

The dizziness caused by the huge change in altitude made her steps unsteady when she walked out of the interview room.

On the way home, the autumn sun was brighter than ever before, and even the wind carried a warm feeling.

When Qian Lie and his wife asked her what happened, she said, "Oh, I got it."

When Qian Jin finished working overtime and opened the door to enter the room, the room was filled with laughter.

Seeing her younger brother's face, Qian Xi clapped her hands happily and said, "Fourth brother, it's done, it's done! Second sister has been admitted to the educated youth resettlement office."

Qian Jin was delighted and said, "That's wonderful! How did it go?" "Got it? Don't even mention it!" Qian Xi began her nth vivid recounting of the day:

"Guess what question the interviewer asked at the end of the interview?"

She mimicked the examiner's serious expression and tone: "'Comrade Qian Xi, if you are hired, how many educated youths can you solve their employment problems?'"

As she mimicked him, Qian Cheng exclaimed, "That's the right way to say it! That's the same expression and tone my boss uses when he asks me questions."

Qian Xi said, "Oh dear, I was completely stunned! I thought to myself, how am I supposed to respond to that? How much can I solve? How much can a lowly worker like me solve?"

Qian Xi laughed heartily, her face beaming with the joy of finally being able to unload a heavy burden.

"All I can think about is our commando team, and you!"

She pointed at Qian Jin with a happy smile: "I just gritted my teeth and said directly: 'Leaders, I can't say how much I can solve! But my brother is Qian Jin! Qian Jin from Taishan Road!' So I gave you your name!"

"Pfft—" Qian Jin, who was about to drink water, spat out a mouthful of water on the spot and couldn't help coughing because he was choked.

This is not an exaggerated performance on his part.

He looked at Wei Qinghuan and spread his hands:
What did I say last night?

Wei Qinghuan said awkwardly, "Isn't this just you using your connections to find a job for my second sister?"

Qian Jin said, "How can these be the same?"

"Am I genuinely and truly helping educated youth solve their employment problems?"

“My second sister is a relative of mine. If she works at the educated youth resettlement office, wouldn’t she be able to communicate directly with me and better solve the employment problem of educated youth?”

"Besides, my second sister passed the written exam thanks to your tutoring and her own abilities. She also gained the opportunity to take the exam through her own experience in the countryside and her junior high school education!"

Wei Qinghuan said helplessly, "Yes, yes, you're right."

Qian Jin proudly raised his head: "That's right. If I bring gifts to their workplace to pull strings, that's called getting her a job through connections."

“Now their unit is obviously looking to recruit relatives and friends of people who can solve the problem of unemployed educated youth, and my second sister is such a person.”

Qian Xi's laughter grew louder:

"That's right, the examiner's face changed instantly, just like a face-changing act in a play."

She gestured to illustrate the changes in the examiners' expressions, and said with a smile, "The examiners said on the spot, 'No problem! You're hired! Your important task from now on is to keep in touch with your brother, Comrade Qian Jin!'"

She laughed for a moment, then became a little embarrassed: "Actually, Teacher Wei is right. In the end, I only got this job because of you, didn't I?"

Qian Cheng comforted her, saying, "But we didn't pull any strings. Even my job was only possible because the boss gave Lao Si a break in the end."

"If my ancestors were just farmers on the Loess Plateau, and now that I've come to Haibin City, even if I meet all the policy requirements, would the Industry and Commerce Bureau let me in?"

"We don't need to overthink this. Anyway, neither of us got our jobs through bribery or back channels. We both met the policies and requirements and got into our respective units honestly and openly."

The autumnal equinox has long passed.

The days were getting shorter, and night was falling much earlier than in previous days.

The sea breeze, carrying the chill of late autumn, crept into the narrow alleys of Taishan Road. The dim yellow lights shining from the windows of each household resembled scattered fishing lights floating on the inky sea.

Although Qian Xi had been back in the city for some time, she still felt like a fishing light.

Floating on the sea, cold, desolate and lonely.

The job problem was finally resolved today.

Until a unit actually accepted it.

At this point, she felt that her family had completely established itself in Haibin City!

Ma Hongxia understood her feelings. Although her family had moved back to the city and registered their household there, she still felt that everything in this place was unreal and made her uneasy.

But once her husband got his work permit and a stable job, she suddenly felt at ease.

She understood her sister-in-law's feelings, so she smiled and said, "Today I took the kids to the farmers' market and bought beef and mutton. Shouldn't we celebrate tonight?"

Qian Jin said, "We should definitely celebrate."

Ma Hongxia said, "Oh, that's good. I was really afraid you'd come back and see that I've wasted money buying beef and mutton during this holiday season..."

“Sister-in-law, look at what you’re saying.” Wei Qinghuan rolled up her sleeves. “You are our pillar of support in life. We will follow your arrangements.”

Ma Hongxia helped her put down her sleeves: "Listen to my arrangements. Teacher Wei, you can rest. Everyone else can rest. I'll go and get busy."

"I've almost finished preparing dinner. Try some of our hometown's flavors. I don't know if you'll like them..."

"I'll definitely like it, Mom. My aunt's cooking for dinner is so delicious!" Qian Xi's eldest son, Chen Jianguo, said with great enthusiasm.

Qian Xi laughed heartily: "It smells so good!"

Qian Jin watched the adults playing with the child, then took off his coat and found a chair to sit down.

At this moment, he had shed the decisive and efficient demeanor he displayed at work during the day, revealing a rare sense of relaxation.

And the composure of the head of the family.

Zhao Xiaohong, his third sister-in-law, who had just returned to the city, quickly poured him a cup of tea. He thanked her and then took the tea and looked around the room.

As long as the weather is good and there are no unexpected events, the whole family eats together; this is a rule he set.

At this moment, Qian Cheng was reading a book next to him on his left.

His skin tone is about the same as when he first returned to the city, but his demeanor is different.

The main reason is that he used to wear coarse cloth clothes, but now he is wearing a brand-new dark blue Zhongshan suit, and his top button is fastened meticulously, which naturally gives him the unique feeling of a government official.

Qian Xi was in a good mood today, and Chen Shoujiang was an active person, so the couple played with a group of children and a dog.

Qian Lie, the third son of the Qian family, and his wife Zhao Xiaohong sat properly on the sofa, watching the children play with smiles. Every now and then, a child would run into their arms, and they would playfully joke in response.

Qian Lie's features are most similar to Qian Jin's, but he is more weathered and thinner.

His shoulders were slightly slumped, and he habitually hunched over while doing anything—a habit he developed working in the mountains and forests of southern Yunnan.

Meanwhile, Ma Hongxia was busy going in and out, and a delicious aroma was wafting from the kitchen, attracting the children to run behind the door and peek inside from time to time.

Qian Jin picked up his teacup, blew on the tea leaves floating on top, and took a sip.

He feels that he has changed a lot.

He looks more like an official than his older brother...

But there was nothing he could do.

He's now in charge of the Qian family, and he has to take charge of it.

After thinking for a moment, Qian Jin called out to Ma Hongxia, "Sister-in-law, isn't that enough?"

Ma Hongxia said, "Hey, that's about it. I'll make another pancake in the iron pot. We'll have our local barley pancakes tonight, they're so delicious."

Qian Cheng asked, "Is there any barley flour left? We brought back about fifty catties in total..."

“I asked Lao Liu to mail it to me last month. It just arrived today. We’ll celebrate with my child’s second aunt tonight,” Ma Hongxia chimed in.

Qian Cheng was very happy and said to Qian Jin, "You were so busy last month, and you even gave us all the barley cakes you baked. Now that you're back tonight, have a good taste. These cakes are baked until golden brown and crispy on both sides, and they're delicious."

Qian Jin said, "Okay, let's have a good taste tonight. Sister-in-law, if you're almost done with your work, come and sit down."

"It's a good thing that we've all gathered together today. My second sister just found a job, so we can all have a good chat as a family."

Qian Cheng gave his wife a wink.

Ma Hongxia wiped her hands and said, "Then I'll turn down the heat for the hand-pulled mutton and put the stir-fried beef with onions in the pot to keep it warm."

Soon, all the adults in the room were focused on him.

Wei Qinghuan pointed upstairs, and Qian Tu, the eldest son, immediately herded his younger siblings upstairs like chickens and ducks.

“First of all,” Qian Jin’s gaze fell on his eldest brother, Qian Cheng, “elder brother is the pillar of our family. He was transferred to the Municipal Administration for Industry and Commerce last month, but we haven’t had a proper celebration yet.”

Then he looked at Qian Xi: "The second piece of good news is about Comrade Qian Xi. Comrade Qian Xi is resilient. A young girl went to fight in the icy mountains and snowy fields in the north of the motherland, and now she has returned and is working for the country."

"He's just a temporary worker," Qian Xi joked.

Qian Jin said, "I've inquired about this. If we work hard, the leaders can apply to the organization and we can get a permanent job."

He smiled and looked at Chen Shoujiang: "Of course, second brother-in-law, you deserve half of this military medal. These days, Comrade Qian Xi has been too busy to take care of her family, and you've been the one cleaning up those two naughty kids."

Chen Shoujiang waved his hand dismissively: "Fourth brother, what are you doing? This is my family's business, how could I not care? Besides, my wife has become a government cadre, so I can hold my head high in the transport team now!"

Qian Xi teased him, "What's wrong? Before I had a job, you were still so confident."

She pinched her husband's ribs, and the room erupted in another commotion.

Qian Jin said, "Second brother-in-law, Second sister's path is now secure, so it's up to you from now on."

“I heard Brother Qiao mention you. He said you have a knack for driving, but you just need a driver’s license.”

"This thing is very valuable now. With it, you can take the helm. When you have the means, you can start your own transportation company. We'll help you buy some trucks and run your own transportation business. You're sure to make a lot of money."

Chen Shoujiang was dumbfounded: "Huh? Start your own transportation company? What's that? Form your own transportation team? Isn't that a joke?"

Qian Jin laughed and said, "With reform and opening up, anything is possible."

"But that's not the point tonight. Just tell me if you can produce your driver's license."

Chen Shoujiang was very confident about this: "There will definitely be no problem. Let me be honest with you, I used to be able to drive."

"Just think about it. How could a place like our forest farm be without cars? A few of us brothers like driving and have been driving for a long time, but we don't have the opportunity to get a driver's license, we don't have the qualifications."

Qian Jin said, "Now that you have the qualifications and the mentor, you should work harder to get your certificate."

Chen Shoujiang nodded vigorously: "It's a sure thing. Master Qiao told me that my company has two spots for taking the driver's license test at the end of the year, and he'll definitely be able to save one for me."

Qian Jin said, "Good, we have a plan now, this will make things easier."

(End of this chapter)