Chapter Thirteen: Gao Changming

“Since that’s the case, I’ll come by another day,” Gao Changming said as he stood up to leave.

“Hey, don’t go just yet,” Elder Su said, rising to grab his arm. “Comrade, my son saved your life. How do you plan to repay him?”

“Madam, how do you think I should repay him?” Gao Changming replied cautiously.

In just a short moment, Gao Changming sensed the old woman’s intentions were not entirely pure.

“Get our Yaozu a job,” Elder Su said without hesitation.

This man in front of her had to be a high-ranking official—his clothes had no patches, he wore a Zhongshan suit, and the gifts he brought were generous.

Gao Changming fell silent.

“Madam, let’s talk about the job when Comrade Su Dawei returns,” he said.

“I’ll be going now,” he added hastily.

“Oh, there’s a guest at home!” Qin Jiuhong had just finished work and immediately saw Gao Changming sitting in the main room.

“You must be the comrade who had the accident. Are you recovering well?” she asked.

Seeing the gifts on the table, Qin Jiuhong instantly understood the situation.

The man had just been talking with Elder Su for a while, and as she stood near the door, she had faintly heard the woman’s request.

Luckily, this comrade wasn’t a fool and wouldn’t be led by the nose.

“Hello, I’m Gao Changming,” he said, scrutinizing the woman before him.

“Are you Su Dawei’s wife?”

“Yes, my husband is Su Dawei. I’m Qin Jiuhong,” she replied calmly.

“I deeply appreciate you saving me the other day. I’ve come to visit with a small token of thanks,” Gao Changming said, now certain she was one of his rescuers.

“No need for thanks; it was nothing,” Qin Jiuhong replied, pouring him a glass of water. “Please, have some water.”

“Where is Comrade Su working now? If you two ever need assistance, just say the word,” Gao Changming continued.

“Dawei just started at the machinery factory today,” Qin Jiuhong said steadily. “As for any rewards, there’s no need—we were just doing what anyone would.”

When she helped him, Qin Jiuhong had guessed the man’s identity was not simple.

---

“It’s still necessary. I have some influence at the machinery factory. Whatever you need, just ask,” Gao Changming said upon hearing it was the machinery factory, feeling this could be managed.

Of course, what the old woman suggested wasn’t impossible, but since she hadn’t saved him, he couldn’t agree to her demands.

“Is it also possible to arrange housing?” Qin Jiuhong asked.

Elder Su eagerly signaled to Qin Jiuhong: Hurry and get the machinery factory job! What a fool!

Su Qiqi looked at Qin Jiuhong expectantly. This man was no ordinary person; he was Gao Changming, the life-saving benefactor, and now it was time to make requests.

That meant they could ask for almost anything.

“Is Comrade Su currently an apprentice?” Gao Changming pondered. “I can handle the housing issue.”

He had a decent relationship with Director Cai at the neighborhood office, who had a few vacant apartments. He just needed to pass the word along.

“Thank you very much, Comrade Gao.”

“Qin, what about your personal request?” Gao Changming asked. Since both had saved him, helping them a bit more was no problem.

“I’d like a job,” Qin Jiuhong said.

The old woman’s eyes brightened—this woman finally understood her meaning and was willing to ask for a job for Su Yaozu!

“All right. Your job isn’t really suitable for the factory, so I’ll arrange something for you at the neighborhood office in the county seat. Coincidentally, I’m familiar with the director there. I can help you with both matters,” Gao Changming quickly promised. “You can go to the neighborhood office tomorrow. Someone will assist you with the housing and employment.”

“I’ll be there on time!” Qin Jiuhong said hurriedly, bowing to Gao Changming. “Thank you, Comrade Gao.”

She hadn’t expected that by casually helping Su Dawei, they had actually saved a big shot—someone who could solve problems that had troubled them for years.

“You’re welcome. I should be the one thanking you,” Gao Changming said, glancing at his watch. “It’s getting late; I have many things to attend to. I’ll be going now.”

“Let me see you out,” Qin Jiuhong said as she stood to escort him.

“No need, no need!” Gao Changming waved as he reached the door, then mounted his bicycle and left.

---

After he left, Qin Jiuhong went back inside and saw Elder Su collecting the cakes, candies, and egg pastries Gao Changming had brought.

“Mom, these are from Comrade Gao for us and for me,” Qin Jiuhong said, trying to grab some.

There was no point in letting the treats gather dust—they didn’t benefit the family like that.

“Once the items are home, they belong to the communal family. We haven’t divided the property yet, and you’re acting way too bold!” Elder Su scolded. “You keep pestering the third brother about splitting the family—what a shameless woman!”

“Why is Dawei’s family splitting? Because of you and Dad’s crooked backsides,” Qin Jiuhong retorted, giving up on grabbing the treats. “Mom, if you want to take our things, go ahead. We’ll be moving to the city soon anyway!”

“When Dawei and the others come home tonight, we’ll divide the family—grain, communal property, everything clear.”

“…If you want to split, fine. But make sure the third brother gets a job at the machinery factory for Yaozu,” Elder Su said, putting the pastries back on the table.

“You’ve lived here eating and drinking for so many years. It’s only fair to lighten the family’s burden.”

“We’ve worked plenty these past few years,” Qin Jiuhong snorted coldly.

They all shared housework and labored outside. The original owner of the house also worked regularly, earning six units a day.

“What do you mean by just eating and living off us?”

“Yaozu never works, just eats and drinks. Why don’t you complain about that?”

“Yaozu needs to study; he’s going to college!” Elder Su straightened her back in defense.

“As long as he studies hard, he’ll get into a good university and become an official.”

“With his grades? College?” Hearing Elder Su say Yaozu would take the college entrance exam made Qin Jiuhong want to laugh. Yaozu’s report card was filled with failing marks.

“Who are you looking down on? Yaozu is the best,” Qin Jiuhong said as Yaozu left for class. He and Su Yanchu were in the same middle school but different classes.

“Mom, I told you, you’re the crooked one,” Qin Jiuhong laughed again. “We should split the family soon. Everyone can live their own lives. Even if we don’t split, we’ll start moving out tomorrow.”

“Fine, move out. But you’ll give us ten yuan a month or you’re unfilial,” Elder Su stepped back.

If they really moved out, neither she nor her husband could stop them.

In this era, reputation mattered greatly; being branded unfilial would only hurt Su Dawei’s chances for promotion at work in the future.