Back to the 1970s: Building My Fortune Through Time Trading-Chapter 374: Becoming a Literacy Class Teacher
She casually stuffed the small electric pot she just took out under the table and shouted outside, "Who is it?"
Hearing her voice, the person laughed and said, "Xiaoxiao, it’s me, you’re home."
Su Xiaoxiao paused for a moment, recognizing the voice as the village’s women’s director, Zhao Ruimei.
She hurriedly opened the door, "Sister Zhao, my mom isn’t back yet, are you looking for her?"
"No, I’m here to see you."
Sister Zhao was a middle-aged woman in her early thirties with a round face and double eyelids, always smiling while speaking, giving an impression of easygoing.
"Looking for me?"
Su Xiaoxiao was a little puzzled.
What business could Zhao Ruimei have with her?
Thinking to herself, she directly asked, "Sister Zhao, what do you need from me?"
Zhao Ruimei didn’t beat around the bush, getting straight to the point, "Xiaoxiao, here’s the thing, there’s a policy from above to set up literacy classes in our village. I’m wondering if you would be willing to be a teacher for this literacy class? The work is easy, just need you to spend an hour after work teaching the others a few words, twice a week."
Does this mean after working herself to exhaustion every day, she still has to continue working when she gets home?
And probably with no pay.
Sure enough, the next second, Zhao Ruimei laughed and said, "This is a big honor, you’re one of the few high school graduates in our village. The village leaders gave you this position because they value your ability. At the public commendation meeting, you’ll even be awarded a certificate. See how glorious it is."
Su Xiaoxiao: "..."
This pie in the sky sounded even more skillful than her former company’s boss.
Back then, her boss would at least give a token raise in salary, but this, nothing at all, just a lot of talk.
This honor, she might as well pass on it, better off getting some rest with the same effort.
"Sister Zhang, I’m really sorry, I wasn’t too good back in school, so let’s not lead others astray, maybe you should find someone else."
Zhao Ruimei didn’t expect her to refuse outright, feeling a bit embarrassed, "Xiaoxiao, this is such a good opportunity. I’m telling you, there’s no shortage of people wanting to be this teacher, it’s just because I have a good relationship with your mom that I thought of leaving this position for you."
"Thank you, Sister Zhao, but I’m really not capable, besides I really don’t have the time since I have to work every day."
Her refusal was reasonable and justified; seeing this, Zhao Ruimei had no choice but to leave.
"Xiaoxiao, if you change your mind, come find me anytime."
Su Xiaoxiao thought to herself, it’s impossible to change her mind, she’d never work for free, wouldn’t it be better to make some extra money with that effort?
Just as Zhao Ruimei left, Liu Cuilan and the others came back. Spotting Zhao Ruimei’s departing figure from a distance, they asked her, "Old Three, what did Director Zhao come for just now?"
Su Xiaoxiao then recounted what just happened.
In those days, people generally had a strong sense of collective honor. She thought Liu Cuilan would too, but unexpectedly, after hearing her story, Liu Cuilan just nodded in agreement, "That’s right, doing things without benefits, whoever does it must be a fool."
Mother and daughter held the same opinion, and the matter was quickly dismissed.
The next day, Su Xiaoxiao went to work.
Just as she entered the doorway, she ran into Zhang Dongmei.
Seeing her, Zhang Dongmei raised her chin, looking proud.
Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t be bothered to respond, turned to leave, only to be blocked by Zhang Dongmei just as she lifted her foot.
"Su Xiaoxiao, have you heard about our village holding literacy classes?"
Not only had she heard, but she nearly got forced into being the literacy class teacher.
Su Xiaoxiao answered in her mind, and when she looked at Zhang Dongmei, she only said calmly, "Comrade Zhang Dongmei, could you please move, you’re blocking my way."
Zhang Dongmei seemed like she didn’t hear and continued on her own, "Director Zhao came to me yesterday, asking me to serve as the teacher for our village’s literacy class. Why didn’t she ask you? Is it because your grades were too poor?"
Su Xiaoxiao: "..."
So, Zhang Dongmei is the real fool working for no pay.
She had really overestimated her intelligence.
The expected look of envy and jealousy didn’t appear. Instead, Su Xiaoxiao’s gaze held a hint of sympathy.
"What do you mean by that?"
Zhang Dongmei got angry.
"Nothing, just think you’re really remarkable, working hard for the collective honor of our village."
Su Xiaoxiao earnestly patted Zhang Dongmei’s shoulder and turned to leave.
Her calm demeanor left Zhang Dongmei with no satisfaction from showing off.
It felt as if Su Xiaoxiao’s words weren’t meant to praise but to subtly criticize her.
Or maybe it was jealousy, jealousy that she was better.
Yes, that must be it.
Su Xiaoxiao didn’t know how her actions had been interpreted by Zhang Dongmei. Spotting Zhang Yulan from afar, she quickly walked a few steps to catch up with her.
"Sister Zhang, how did things go yesterday? Did those old folks give you any trouble?"
Seeing her, Zhang Yulan smiled, "No, they secretly went to Zhang Xiaofang to discuss work matters, I guess they’ll take action in a couple of days."
Zhang Xiaofang is Zhang Defa’s sister and had never been kind to Zhang Yulan since she married into the family.
No matter how well Zhang Yulan treated her, she always looked down on her sister-in-law.
"Xiaoxiao, about finding Zhang Xiaofang a job..."
Zhang Yulan was a bit worried about how to arrange a job for her, as there was no vacancy in the counter.
"Sister Zhang, don’t worry, I’ve already thought it through, our department store still needs a temporary cleaner, let’s get her in for that."
"Is that okay? Won’t it be exposed on the first day, and what if they refuse to agree to a divorce then?"
Zhang Yulan was still not reassured.
"Don’t worry, leave this to me. I’ll make sure they’re happy to agree."
Su Xiaoxiao patted her chest confidently, it’s simple, just make Zhang Xiaofang believe the cleaning job is temporary and there’s a better position awaiting her.
Isn’t it just painting big pictures? She’s skilled at that.
Today was Su Xiaoxiao’s first official day as a sales manager.
With the new broom sweeps clean spirit, her first move focused on Zhang Dongmei, who was happily walking over.
Zhang Dongmei, like Su Xiaoxiao, was off work yesterday and didn’t know she’d become the sales manager, otherwise, she wouldn’t have shown off in front of her just now.
Humming a little tune, Zhang Dongmei walked over, noticing it was almost time to start work, yet Su Xiaoxiao was idly loitering in the lobby, hands behind her back. An idea struck her.
Glimpsing Chen Meilan approaching from afar, she deliberately raised her voice, "Oh, Comrade Su, it’s work time now, why aren’t you hurrying to the deputy food counter?"
As her voice fell, all eyes around turned to them, expressions filled with surprise.
But Zhang Dongmei didn’t notice people’s strange reactions, only seeing Chen Meilan walking closer, with a proud smile, "Su Xiaoxiao, you’re dead!"
