Chapter 84
Qiao Wei, although a 996 corporate slave who could work herself to death, was not originally from the bureaucracy, so she did not quite understand some things.
She was not very clear about what a secondment actually entailed.
She understood the “transfer” part, but the “loan” part was confusing.
Moreover, she was socially savvy, knew how to listen to the subtext, and could read people’s expressions, and the expressions and gazes of Secretary Gao and Director Fang told her that this secondment was certainly not a good thing.
Such matters could not be glossed over; she had to ask clearly.
Fortunately, Secretary Gao and Director Fang were willing to explain it to her properly.
“…So, my employment status remains here, and my salary is paid by the Town Committee? I am effectively still a person of the Town Committee?” Qiao Wei asked, surprised.
“Then wouldn’t I be working for the County Party Committee for free? The Town Committee would be at such a disadvantage.”
“Ahem…” Director Fang forced himself to smooth things over. “You can’t really say it like that…”
There was no other way to say it; the essence was exactly as Qiao Wei had described.
Therefore, no unit was happy to have their people seconded away by another unit or a superior.
I am paying the salary, but you are getting the work, and I am one worker short.
It was a double loss.
Qiao Wei had originally been a bit hesitant because she actually quite liked riding her bicycle to the County Party Committee.
That stretch of field road was truly beautiful: the sunshine, the air, the farmland, and the old farmer wearing a bamboo hat while herding a thin ox.
The long road was deserted, and the scenery was picturesque.
If she rode fast, she could get there in about forty minutes; if she rode slowly, it took only an hour.
People in small towns, where one could go home to turn off a forgotten stove fire in the middle of the workday and then return to work, might feel that the commute was too far.
But Qiao Wei was from a big city; she had lived in a first-tier city where a 1.5-hour one-way commute was standard, so she did not feel it was far.
Moreover, this time was only because the transportation was backward, with only bicycles.
Ten li was equivalent to 5 kilometers; by car, it would only be a ten-minute drive.
In Qiao Wei’s mind, this distance belonged to the “very close” category.
Therefore, distance was not a factor for her.
However, once she understood the essence of the secondment, Qiao Wei did not want to go.
Because human nature has both good and evil, but beyond good and evil, there is also pettiness.
The most classic example is that in areas with high bride prices, kind girls who do not ask for a bride price are often mistreated by their in-laws.
Because the in-laws think that her not asking for a bride price makes her a “cheap good” or “subsidizing them,” and it is not because she is kind, but because “my son is capable.”
If her employment status and salary remained at the Town Committee, Qiao Wei would not be naive enough to think that the County Party Committee would be grateful for her free labor.
Based on an adult corporate slave’s understanding of society, it was more likely that she would be worked like a beast of burden over there.
Even worse, the original unit might not give her a good look either, after all, you were taking their money to work for others.
This logic was clear enough to figure out with one’s toes.
Qiao Wei immediately asked: “Can I refuse?”
Secretary Gao coughed and said: “This is a transfer letter.”
If it were an occasional short-term secondment for a few days, there would be no need for a transfer letter; the leaders could just make a phone call.
Usually, they would not specify a person; it would just be a temporary matter, and they would call to say “support us with a person,” and the leader here would designate someone to go.
The time would be short, and they would return after a few days of work, so it would not have much impact.
Issuing a formal transfer letter and specifying a person meant that either the time might be quite long, or the other side wanted to poach this person.
Regardless of which it was, the original unit would not be happy.
They might even suspect that the person had the intention to climb higher and doubt that she would ever return.
Therefore, seconded people were often not favored by either side.
So, a transfer letter meant it could not be refused?
Qiao Wei thought for a moment and said: “I have practical difficulties; I have a child with me. It is not very convenient to bring a child to work at the County Party Committee, right? I haven’t seen anyone bringing a child.”
The scale of the County Party Committee was much larger than the Town Committee, and she felt the work intensity and efficiency were much higher.
The sense of hierarchy was also very strong.
Here at the Town Committee, because it was a small place, although there were hierarchies, everyone had intricate relationships with each other; almost everyone had some background and connections.
Sometimes the leaders felt a bit like heads of a family, and the hierarchy was not so strict.
But during her two trips to the county, Qiao Wei had strongly felt the difference in hierarchy, and that feeling of a workplace and officialdom had become clear.
The leaders were not just leaders; they even had the feeling of being “officials.”
Director Fang said: “I heard the Military Unit Residential Compound has a Kindergarten. The County Party Committee also has a Kindergarten, right in the office compound. You can put your child there and check on him anytime.”
Qiao Wei thought for a moment and continued to ask: “Can I refuse as a military spouse?”
Secretary Gao and Director Fang could not hold back and were left between laughter and tears: “You…”
Qiao Wei argued forcefully: “It is clear that the County Party Committee is just taking advantage of us. The Town Committee and I get no benefit at all.”
She had the spirit of a worker and could work hard, but others could not exploit her labor for free.
Indeed, capable subordinates always have some personality and ideas of their own; it is rare to find someone who is both capable and submissive.
Secretary Gao persuaded: “This is a very good opportunity for you personally. You can broaden your horizons, meet more colleagues and leaders, and learn from others’ advanced experience. Maybe you will have the chance to be officially transferred to the County Party Committee.”
An official transfer would be a promotion, but a secondment was not.
Qiao Wei said righteously: “My roots are at the Town Committee, and the Broadcasting Station is my home.”
She had managed her little nest at the Town Committee so well.
Colleagues got along harmoniously and could even help her look after her child.
Every day, time was so free, and work was so relaxed and comfortable.
There was already a flowerpot that belonged to her on the office windowsill; Tianming taught her how to care for it.
Hu Sui taught her how to crochet.
Manman brought her snacks.
The Station Chief never raised his voice at her.
If the switchboard operator in the next room heard any gossip on the lines, she would immediately rush over to call her, and they would all eavesdrop together with great relish.
Even Yan Xiang was implicitly considered to have his own desk and often ran errands for the office.
Everyone was more relaxed because of this and did not even have to leave their chairs.
On payday, the three of them each gave Yan Xiang five cents.
Yan Xiang was thrilled with his “salary” of three coins.
With this heavenly job, who would want to go to the county to work like a beast of burden?
Qiao Wei was talented but had absolutely no desire to leave the Town Committee to fly higher; she even regarded the Town Committee as her home.
The atmosphere in the office suddenly became relaxed, and Secretary Gao and Director Fang stopped using official jargon.
The distance between them disappeared, and they became closer.
“This spirit of treating the office as a home is good, but you must also obey the scheduling orders of your superiors,” Secretary Gao mused.
“How about this, when you go to the County Party Committee, all the subsidies, allowances, and welfare benefits from our side during holidays will be given to you as usual, without interruption.”
WTF?
Does that mean if she hadn’t fought for it just now, her benefits from the original unit would have been gone after she was seconded?
National Day was coming up; others would be getting oil, flour, and eggs, but she would get nothing?
If the original unit, with whom she had an emotional connection, wouldn’t give them to her, the seconding unit certainly wouldn’t give them to her either.
This was too much.
But Qiao Wei knew that she definitely could not refuse this matter; otherwise, she would not only offend the county but also offend her own leaders.
Qiao Wei first asked: “Exactly how long is the secondment? When can I come back?”
Secretary Gao said: “It’s hard to say, um… a month?”
Liar. Never believe it when a leader says such things.
When a leader says one, you should consider three to five. Do not really believe that what he says is what it is.
She could work diligently, but she could not be bullied. She had to be paid according to her labor; she must have the benefits she was entitled to, and the difficulties she encountered could not be left for her to solve alone—whoever proposed it had to solve it for her.
Qiao Wei said: “I really have many objective difficulties. To overcome these difficulties and work for a higher-level unit, I need the leaders to support and help me. Otherwise, it is really too hard for a mother with a child.”
As long as she didn’t throw a tantrum, everything else was easy to solve.
Besides, deep down she didn’t want to go and was committed to the Town Committee.
Secretary Gao was willing to protect her: “Tell me.”
Qiao Wei proposed her requirements one by one.
Secretary Gao said: “Director Fang, make a call.”
The Town Committee’s phone was on one line, and the phones in each office were extensions.
Director Fang picked up the phone and said to the switchboard operator: “Connect me to the County Party Committee.”
The switchboard operator next to the Broadcasting Station helped him connect to the County Party Committee’s switchboard.
Director Fang said to the operator on the other side: “I am the Director of the Xiahekou Town Committee Office; connect me to Secretary Huang.”
The office was very quiet, and Qiao Wei listened to Director Fang haggling with Secretary Huang of the County Party Committee about her affairs.
She could not speak at such a time, so Qiao Wei gestured to express her meaning.
Director Fang nodded at her while haggling with Secretary Huang.
You have to say, office directors are best at this kind of haggling.
Finally, he hung up the phone and finalized the ultimate terms.
During Qiao Wei’s secondment, all welfare benefits from the original unit would continue as usual.
During Qiao Wei’s long-distance commute, she would receive a 20-cent transportation subsidy per day, but she would not enjoy additional travel allowances.
Considering specific problems, Qiao Wei’s start time would be 9:00 AM, one hour later than others.
If needed, Yan Xiang could enter the County Party Committee Kindergarten tomorrow.
Considering the safety issues of a young woman commuting on the road without streetlights, before National Day, Qiao Wei’s end time would be 4:00 PM, an hour earlier than others.
After National Day, when it got dark earlier, Qiao Wei’s end time would be 3:30 PM to prevent danger from traveling in the dark.
On rainy and snowy days, Qiao Wei would not go to the county and would work at the Town Committee.
If there was anything, they could remote control her via phone, and she guaranteed she could work on time and in quantity.
This was because a long stretch of the road from the town to the county was a dirt road, and it only turned into an asphalt road when it reached a major intersection.
Rainy and snowy weather was too unfriendly for bicycles.
At this time, bicycles were luxury goods, so luxurious that the trend of “three rounds and one sound” (bicycle, watch, sewing machine, radio) had not yet started for weddings; that would take a few more years.
Bicycles were not yet popularized, so of course, there would be no raincoats specifically for bicycles.
There were only those long coat-like raincoats, which were very inconvenient for riding a bike and could not be used to carry a child.
Qiao Wei was basically satisfied with this result; the leaders had truly fought for her.
Qiao Wei expressed her sincere thanks.
When capable subordinates are protected by their own side and are willing to submit, leaders are also willing to protect their own.
One’s own people really cannot be bullied by outsiders; otherwise, the leaders would appear weak and unable to establish prestige.
Regarding the issue of benefits, Qiao Wei followed Director Fang to his office and watched him write the note.
When she took the note and the transfer letter back to the Broadcasting Station and told them, Lu Manman felt as if the sky had collapsed!
She had only been happy for a few days, and Qiao Wei was about to be seconded away!
“How long? When will you come back?” she asked repeatedly.
Qiao Wei said: “The Secretary said a month.”
Station Chief Lu sighed, clearly understanding that this number could not be trusted.
Lu Manman stomped her feet in anger.
After stomping, she said: “Secondments are the most annoying; they will work you to the bone over there. Keep your wits about you and don’t finish your work too quickly. If you do that, they will pile more work on you.”
Station Chief Lu said: “Listen to Manman.”
“Okay.” Qiao Wei agreed immediately, “I’m not stupid. That place is not like our place; I will drag it out as much as I can and try to come back early.”
Hu Sui asked: “What about Yan Xiang?”
Yan Xiang was also looking on expectantly.
“Xiangxiang, come here.” Qiao Wei called Yan Xiang over and asked him, “Are you willing to go to the Residential Compound’s Kindergarten, or are you willing to follow Mommy to the county? But if we go to the county, it will be the County Party Committee’s Kindergarten. However, it is right in the County Party Committee compound, and Mommy can check on you from time to time.”
Yan Xiang said: “I will go with Mommy.”
The Residential Compound was a familiar place, and he had also peeked at the Residential Compound Kindergarten through the fence, so it was not strange to him.
He wanted to explore new and unknown places.
Qiao Wei also preferred to take Yan Xiang with her.
It was only a forty or fifty-minute commute, which people from big cities would find normal.
But everyone felt particularly sorry for Yan Xiang; Hu Sui even said: “Otherwise, let Xiangxiang stay…”
If it were another child, she wouldn’t say that and take on extra trouble for herself.
She was also a cadre’s family member, not someone’s nanny to watch other people’s children.
But Yan Xiang was truly someone you didn’t have to worry about at all.
Except for the fact that he couldn’t pour water from the thermos by himself and needed an adult’s help, he didn’t need anyone to worry about him for anything else, like going to the bathroom or eating.
The desk he used in the office was kept neater and cleaner than Lu Manman’s desk.
Lu Manman was even teased by the whole office because of this.
He could also run errands for everyone and pass messages clearly and concisely.
Often, in the process of running errands, he would receive candies from aunties and grandmas.
Of course, the price to pay was having his head rubbed and face touched.
Everyone was definitely sincerely feeling sorry for Yan Xiang, but Qiao Wei could not really leave the child with others; they were only colleagues after all.
She politely declined.
She took the list of benefits that Director Fang had written and gave it to Station Chief Lu to sign.
Station Chief Lu looked at it and smiled, then signed his name: “You’re something.”
This kind of treatment would not have been offered voluntarily by the leaders; it was undoubtedly something Qiao Wei had fought for herself.
Qiao Wei giggled.
After Station Chief Lu signed, Qiao Wei took it to find Section Chief Xie.
After explaining the situation, Section Chief Xie let out a long sigh: “Sigh—”
Someone said sarcastically: “One branch is higher than the other.”
Qiao Wei couldn’t be bothered to deal with such people.
She said to Section Chief Xie: “Leader, you have to find a way for me. I am your soldier, and I will never embarrass you when I go out there. But you cannot ignore me and let me work like a beast of burden for others. You must find a way to get me back early. Don’t forget that you still have me.”
Section Chief Xie felt comforted and consoled her: “You work hard over there too.”
When he saw the terms of the benefits on the note, he glanced at Qiao Wei.
Qiao Wei smiled sweetly.
Section Chief Xie smiled.
The person from before wanted to lean in to take a look, but Qiao Wei moved sideways to block him and pointed for Section Chief Xie: “Please sign here…”
Section Chief Xie signed his name with a flourish, and Qiao Wei took the note to the Personnel Section.
That person still asked: “Section Chief, what did she sign?”
“Nothing, it’s just a secondment…” Section Chief Xie picked up his tea mug, blew on the tea leaves, and drank his tea leisurely.
