Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

Xu Bei saw Zhao Fengying's determination and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Since things have come to this point, it's better to get a divorce.

Although obtaining a divorce referral letter in the 1980s was not easy, it was not impossible to succeed as long as one persevered.

His parents didn't divorce in his previous life, but his mother died of a heart attack when he was in his twenties, which must have been related to their constant arguing and getting angry.

After all, anger is harmful to health, and many illnesses are caused by anger. If a mother is happy and content, she will definitely live a long and healthy life.

Xu Bei didn't want them to dwell on negative emotions, so she quickly changed the subject, "By the way, besides bringing back a lot of goods last time, I also bought red sausage and rye bread."

Zhao Fengying wiped her wet eyes. "Oh? That must have cost a lot of money!"

Xu Li sniffed and asked, "Brother, I heard that big loaf of bread can be huge and hard, how do you eat it?"

With red eyes, Xu Juan asked curiously, "Yeah, brother, can we eat it right away?"

Faced with the combined gazes and questions from the mother and her two daughters, Xu Bei achieved his goal and smiled with satisfaction.

"It didn't cost much. We make money quickly now, so we don't have to worry about money. I wanted to buy some when I was buying goods last time, but I was too tight on money, so I didn't."

There are so many ways to eat that big loaf of bread! You can slice it and eat it with red sausage, or dip it in sauerkraut soup or sourdough soup... I think we should take the bread out and organize it first, then open for business. We can figure out how to eat it later.

"Yes, yes, hurry up and get the goods ready and set up, we can't delay opening for business."

"Absolutely right, we've wasted enough time being wasted by those scoundrels."

"Yeah, if they hadn't caused this mess, the goods might already be on display and they'd be selling them. It's such a rip-off..."

Meanwhile, Xu Dashan and his wife Xu Dahong, who had been being criticized and cursed by the mother and her two daughters, arrived near the entrance of the timber processing plant.

But the biting wind cleared Xu Dashan's head somewhat, and he became less inclined to get the letter of introduction.

However, the old lady and Xu Dahong were determined to win and would not allow him to back down.

They used every trick in the book to force the man into the factory.

Watching Xu Dashan dawdle as he walked in, turning back every few steps, Xu Dahong whispered worriedly to the old lady.

"Mom, do you think it's okay for the two of us not to go in with my second brother? What if he agreed so readily, but then his boss at work says something and tries to persuade him to change his mind and not want to get the referral letter for the divorce?"

A glint of shrewdness flashed in the old woman's triangular eyes. "It's no use if he doesn't want to open the business; this divorce is definitely happening! Didn't you see the jinx and those ungrateful wretches just now? Now that they've borrowed money to open the business, they're determined to get a divorce!"

Xu Dahong felt a little relieved, but then she said with great resentment, "They said they borrowed so much money to open that shop, but I don't really believe it!"

How old is that brat Xu Bei? How could he possibly know so many people who would readily hand over 500 yuan and even lend it to him?

If you ask me, maybe they're cutting corners there! Ultimately, it's still using the money my second brother has earned over the years!

The old lady spat on the snow beside her and said, "Da Hong, let's not worry about whether they're cheating or not. The most important thing is to get a real divorce. Otherwise, things might get complicated. If they reconcile, there will be no place for us."

Your second brother is over fifty years old, and he can retire from heavy physical labor in a few years. The more they fight and kill each other, the less likely Xu Bei will be able to take over the worker's job. In the end, he will have to choose one of your eldest brother's fifth or sixth son.

If they got local residency and became workers, wouldn't they be devoted to me, their grandmother, and you, their aunt? They'd be a hundred times better than those ungrateful wretches!

Xu Dahong nodded vigorously, unable to hide her excitement. "Mom, you're right. If Xiao Wu and Xiao Liu take over, they'll definitely be filial to us! Unlike those others, especially Xu Li, who dared to hit her aunt as a niece. She's really going against the grain!"

If Xiao Wu and Xiao Liu found out, they would definitely stand up for me and avenge me...

Unlike the mother and daughter, who became increasingly excited and enthusiastic as they talked, Xu Dashan walked heavily through the yard piled with timber and headed towards the two-story red brick building at the far east end of the factory area.

Because he has been working the night shift for the past week, he shouldn't be at work during the day, so he greets familiar colleagues and asks them a few questions.

This left Xu Dashan feeling very embarrassed, annoyed, and frustrated, but he couldn't tell the truth and could only try to laugh it off.

It felt like I had overcome numerous obstacles to finally reach the office building. I took a deep breath before going inside.

But when they got to the second floor and reached the door of the supervisor's office, they hesitated and didn't even dare to knock, lingering at the door.

The closed office door was opened from the inside shortly afterward.

The workshop director came out with a document in his hand and closed the door behind him.

"Old Xu! What are you doing standing at the door? I remember you're on the night shift today."

Xu Dashan forced a smile. "Director Zhang, I need to speak with Secretary Ma about something."

Director Zhang was a shrewd person; he guessed something from Xu Dashan's expression. "Secretary Ma is here. You can go in."

Xu Dashan had no choice but to bite the bullet and knock on the office door.

"Come in!"

A loud, slightly hoarse voice came from behind.

Xu Dashan pushed open the door and went in.

In the office, behind a large desk sat a man around fifty years old, with a square face, thick eyebrows, big eyes, and neatly combed hair.

He looked up and saw it was Xu Dashan. His brows furrowed slightly. "Oh, it's Old Xu. What's up?"

Xu Dashan mustered his courage and said, "Secretary Ma, I... have something to say about my family, and I would like to ask the organization for help."

Secretary Ma picked up the enamel mug on the table, took a sip of strong tea, flicked off his cigarette ash, and asked, "What's going on at your home?"

Xu Dashan swallowed hard, his voice trembling slightly, "My wife and I really can't go on like this anymore. I think... I think I should apply to the organization for a letter of introduction to get a divorce."

"Divorce?" Secretary Ma's voice suddenly rose, and he slammed his cigarette butt into the ashtray. "Xu Dashan, do you know what you're saying?"

Our factory has such a heavy production task this year. As a veteran worker, instead of taking the lead in production, you're even going so far as to file for divorce. Aren't you just bringing shame to the factory? We absolutely cannot allow such a corrupting influence to occur.

Go back and reflect on your actions! Tomorrow I'll have Old Zhang from the labor union and Little Li from the women's federation go to your house to mediate. Husbands and wives shouldn't hold grudges overnight. They argue in bed and make up before they get out of bed; there's no hurdle that can't be overcome…”

Afterwards, Xu Dashan softened his tone and patiently persuaded his superiors for a long time, explaining the current situation as if he had met a confidant.

"Secretary Ma, I was forced into this situation... so please give me this letter of introduction. I promise to work even harder from now on and never bring shame to the factory!"

Secretary Ma looked at the old worker in front of him, who was usually quite hardworking, and sighed, "Old Xu, I understand how you feel."

However, organizations have their own discipline. Divorce is not a matter of impulse; it must be considered carefully. This letter of introduction cannot be issued now. You should go back first and let the union intervene and mediate…”