Chapter 197: Temporary Worker
Ning Qingyuan quickly signed the contract in his hand. As soon as he put down the pen, he nodded to Zhang Xu and shot forward like an arrow drawn on a bowstring, landing in front of Ning Xiyue.
“What are you two chatting about? You seem so happy,” Ning Qingyuan interrupted their conversation. He gritted his teeth, forcing a stiff smile, scanning their faces, and finally fixing his gaze on Ji Yanming.
Ji Yanming slowly wiped the smile off his face, restraining his expression. The revolution was just beginning; he couldn’t let the enemy discover him so quickly and affect his revolutionary progress.
He had already sharply sensed an unusual anger emanating from Ning Qingyuan. Knowing the two brothers well, he realized this man was a potential obstacle, not an ally.
Ji Yanming did his best to diffuse the anger, naturally nodding at Ning Qingyuan as if he knew nothing, carefully wording his responses to redirect the tension and lower Ning Qingyuan’s guard.
“Oh, I was listening to Xiyue say that you’ll take her to the Capital to eat roast duck when you have time. I also said your sibling relationship is really nice. I’m so envious.”
The moment he said this, Ning Qingyuan’s anger subsided. His face softened into a genuine smile, tinged with pride.
“Really? You can’t envy it, then. Only my sister is this good. Comrade Ji, you’ll never experience it without a sister.”
“Yes, I’ll never experience it. I’m not as lucky as you to have a sister.”
Cunning Ji Yanming smiled and played along, nodding with exaggerated agreement, smoothly taming Ning Qingyuan’s temper.
Ning Qingyuan puffed out his chest like a proud rooster: “Good boy, you know your place.”
Ning Xiyue quietly watched the two of them perform this little exchange. When they were done, she finally asked about Ning Qingyuan’s situation.
“Brother, are you and Editor Zhang done talking? How did it go? Will the article get published?”
“Of course. Your brother handled it perfectly. It’s already confirmed.”
At this, Ning Qingyuan’s expression faltered for a moment. “But this time there’s no payment, only two notebooks. I can’t buy candy for my sister.”
Ning Xiyue comforted him: “Two notebooks are fine too — a good start. Brother, you’ve done great. Many people submit articles but get rejected. You got accepted on your first try, which shows you have talent.”
“Very impressive,” Ji Yanming gave a thumbs-up in praise.
Ning Qingyuan, seeing his dramatic pause pay off, laughed heartily: “Haha, I have more good news. In a month, I’ll have a salary.”
He had originally been aiming for the submission fee. But after discussion, he learned that most submissions didn’t pay; contributors usually received notebooks, pens, and daily necessities instead.
But Editor Zhang saw that his writing suited the style of a newly opened column and, as a friend, helped him secure the opportunity to write for the “Young Intellectuals” column.
From then on, he was essentially a temporary worker for the newspaper, contributing six articles a month regularly, with occasional extra assignments. He didn’t need to report to the office, and he’d earn ten yuan per month.
Ning Qingyuan was very satisfied with this work and immediately decided to sign the contract. One word: do it.
He told Ning Xiyue and Ji Yanming about being a temporary worker, earning further praise from both.
“Brother, this is even better than submitting articles. You basically have a fixed job — that’s amazing!” Ning Xiyue cheered for her brother, clinking her tea cup with his in celebration.
The three clinked their cups together with crisp sound, all smiling happily.
“To our success!”
After taking a sip, Ning Qingyuan raised his cup toward Ji Yanming.
“Comrade Ji, I really have to thank you. You helped me a lot to get this job.”
Even though he was wary of Comrade Ji getting close to his sister, that didn’t stop him from expressing gratitude. These were two separate matters.
“It’s my pleasure. We’re friends. No need to say thanks,” Ji Yanming said with a calm smile, clinking his cup with Ning Qingyuan’s.
Ji Yanming then shared his past experience writing articles, and Ning Qingyuan listened intently.
Ji had contributed numerous articles to this newspaper in the past, and Zhang Xu, the editor, was his childhood friend. Ji had helped his friend’s work countless times, not even remembering all the pieces he had written.
His extensive writing experience allowed him to give Ning Qingyuan a lot of guidance.
Ning Qingyuan immediately took out his notebook, eagerly asking Ji Yanming for writing tips.
This was exactly Ji Yanming’s plan — teaching him thoroughly to win favor with his future brother-in-law.
Ning Qingyuan listened carefully and asked actively.
Ning Xiyue rested her chin on her hands, watching the two discuss literature back and forth, fascinated.
She hadn’t expected Comrade Ji to be such a talented and versatile person, knowledgeable about everything.
Her brother was also outstanding and eager to learn.
For a while, the three of them shared a harmonious atmosphere, a stark contrast to the angry, gritted-teeth expression Ning Qingyuan had worn earlier.
The harmony was broken only when Zhang Xu arrived with the signed, stamped contract.
He handed over the contract and two notebooks representing the submission payment, then extended his right hand: “Comrade Ning, welcome aboard.”
“Thank you, thank you, it’s my honor,” Ning Qingyuan said, holding the contract and notebooks in his left hand and shaking Zhang Xu’s hand with his right, smiling broadly.
After leaving the newspaper office, Ning Qingyuan kept looking at the contract and occasionally showed it to Ning Xiyue, clearly overjoyed.
“Sister, this is my first job. When I get paid next month, I’ll buy you candy. We’ll split these two notebooks.”
He handed one notebook to Ning Xiyue, eagerly anticipating the ten-yuan salary next month, imagining all the ways he could spoil his sister. Comrade Ji truly was his benefactor.
“To celebrate my brother getting a good job today, let’s head straight to the department store to shop!” Ning Xiyue said, putting away the notebook and waving grandly.
Ji Yanming immediately volunteered: “I’ll guide you.”
The three of them headed toward S City’s largest department store.
As expected, the system notification sounded as they reached the entrance:
[Ding. Check-in location detected: department store. The host must make a heart gesture to check in. Does the host check in?]
“Check in.”
Making a heart gesture was simple and unobtrusive. Ning Xiyue chose the easiest method: placing her thumb and forefinger together on her head as if patting it.
Then she turned to her brother and Ji Yanming, exclaiming dramatically: “Big city department stores really are different — so grand!”
Her movements were natural and fluid.
[Ding. Check-in successful. Rewards obtained: one 14-inch black-and-white television, one radio, one camera, one electric fan.]
Wow — these were the most valuable household items of the era. Owning any one would earn a family admiration and envy from neighbors.
The check-in rewards were impressive. Even if they couldn’t use them yet, Ning Xiyue was delighted just seeing them.
She looked forward to exploring the department store, eyes sparkling.
Ning Qingyuan shared her excitement, also amazed at the grandeur: “No wonder it’s a big city — the department store is so much taller than ours.”
“Brother, Comrade Ji, let’s go inside,” Ning Xiyue said, putting down her hand and eagerly stepping forward, curious about the interior and the check-in rewards.
