Seeing that the "fish" was about to take the bait, Jiang Si curled her lips in satisfaction.
On her way to the cotton mill, she happened to pass by the Spark Day-and-Night Store. In these times, it was never good to visit someone empty-handed. Spotting some freshly stocked crispy pears in the store, Jiang Si bought a few.
She stored half of them in her space, planning to stew a small pear soup for Third Uncle the next day. She wasn’t much of a cook, but making pear soup was within her abilities. Third Uncle was suffering from pneumonia complications caused by a high fever, and pear soup brewed with spiritual spring water would be the perfect remedy.
The remaining half, she packed into a nylon net bag and set off for the address Section Chief Zhou had given her.
However…
Less than three minutes after entering the residential compound of the cotton mill, Jiang Si was completely lost.
The gatekeeper had pointed her in a general direction, but the compound was packed with identical red-brick apartment buildings. To make matters worse, the building numbers weren’t even in sequential order.
Just as she was about to ask someone for directions, a cheerful woman’s voice called out from behind her.
"...Is that Comrade Jiang?"
Turning around, Jiang Si saw a woman with a neat ear-length bob, dressed in a pale yellow Lenin-style outfit.
"I am surnamed Jiang. And you are...?"
"I’m Section Chief Zhou’s wife. You can call me Auntie Zhang."
Zhang Lihua introduced herself with a smile before adding, "Our cotton mill’s residential compound isn’t designed very logically. Everyone gets lost here."
"Old Zhou mentioned you’d be coming today, so he asked me to come out and meet you."
So that was it.
Jiang Si quickly greeted her, "Hello, Auntie. I’m Jiang Si."
"Good, good. Let’s walk and talk."
Whether this matter would work out or not, Zhang Lihua made sure to observe all the proper courtesies.
Once they reached the house, she invited Jiang Si to make herself comfortable while she brewed a cup of malted milk.
"Xiao Jiang, have something sweet to drink first. Old Zhou will be back in about twenty minutes. I’ll stir-fry a couple of dishes, and we can talk over dinner."
"Auntie, don’t trouble yourself. Actually, I came to see Section Chief Zhou today about a work-related matter."
Zhang Lihua was already aware of this and couldn’t pretend otherwise.
"Old Zhou mentioned your situation at lunch. He said you originally planned to transfer your job to your younger sister but changed your mind?"
Jiang Si nodded.
Zhang Lihua hesitated before speaking again. "So... do you want to go back to work now, or...?"
"Auntie, to be honest, she’s not my biological sister, and I never intended to transfer the job to her."
"But my family situation is complicated. My father—well, never mind him."
"Anyway, I definitely can’t keep this job. Rather than let it go to waste, I’d prefer to sell it."
"However, I’ve only been working at the cotton mill for less than a month and don’t have many connections. I was wondering if you might know anyone interested in buying a job?"
"I’m not asking for more than the current market price. Payment in ration coupons would be even better."
Jiang Si wasn’t short on cash, but while she had some ration coupons, daily life required many more.
The reason she’d approached Section Chief Zhou was simply for convenience. After all, as the head of the Labor and Wages Department and a veteran of the cotton mill, he could ensure the factory wouldn’t deliberately delay the paperwork.
"Xiao Jiang, are you sure about this?" Zhang Lihua’s voice trembled slightly.
"Yes, Auntie. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come at this hour."
Seeing Jiang Si’s genuine intention to sell the job, Zhang Lihua was so excited she could barely speak.
For the past two years, not only had schools suspended classes, but all major factories in Shanghai had frozen their hiring quotas without exception.
Of course, that was the official stance. Whether there were any openings or not didn’t matter—what mattered was that any available positions were reserved for internal hires.
If outsiders were given jobs, the factory’s long-time employees would raise hell.
When the job assignment policy for the class of ’66 was announced in July, Zhang Lihua had a feeling the students of ’67 and ’68 wouldn’t fare well.
Though the authorities insisted the policies would remain largely the same, the city only had so many positions.
With the class of ’66 already filling most of them, where would the later graduates go?
Sure enough, when the assignment policy for the class of ’67 was announced last month, it felt like the sky had fallen.
Among all the children in the cotton mill’s residential compound, Zhang Lihua hadn’t seen a single one assigned to the city.
The luckier ones were sent to Chongming Farm in the suburbs. A small number were dispatched to other provinces to support the Third Front construction, while the rest were sent to the countryside for re-education.
Recently, Zhang Lihu had discreetly inquired about the assignment policy for the class of ’68 through an acquaintance.
Though the person hadn’t explicitly confirmed it, their hesitant tone told Zhang Lihua that her youngest child’s class would likely face a "complete red" assignment—meaning all would be sent to rural areas.
She had considered buying a job for her youngest, but in these times, a permanent position was a "iron rice bowl"—a secure, lifelong job with good wages and benefits, even allowing children to inherit the position after retirement. Who would willingly sell such a thing?
Even if someone did, they’d prioritize selling to relatives or close friends. Why would they sell to an outsider like her?
Now, this stroke of luck had fallen right into her lap. Zhang Lihua couldn’t contain her excitement.
"Xiao Jiang, since you’re being upfront, I’ll be direct too."
"My youngest doesn’t have a job yet. If you’re truly set on selling, why not sell it to me?"
"Don’t worry—I’ll make sure you don’t lose out on the price."
With that, Zhang Lihua went to the bedroom and brought out a tin cookie box, laying all her cards on the table.
Jiang Si’s job was an office position, unlike other roles where workers had to endure three years as apprentices.
In Shanghai, first-year apprentices earned 16 yuan a month, plus 1.84 yuan for clothing expenses—totaling 17.84 yuan.
In the second and third years, wages increased by 2 yuan annually, while clothing expenses remained the same.
Only after the fourth year, upon becoming a full-fledged worker, would the salary reach 36 yuan.
Hence the local saying: "Long live 36 yuan!"
As for how much a job could sell for, there was no fixed standard—it all depended on negotiations.
However, one general rule was that the price usually amounted to two or three years’ wages.
"Xiao Jiang, your current monthly salary is 28 yuan. Over three years, that’s 1,008 yuan."
"The cotton mill has good benefits—holiday bonuses like fruit, meat coupons, fabric coupons, and so on. For those earning over 20 yuan, there’s also an industrial goods coupon each month. All in all, the benefits add up to about 30 yuan a year, so let’s call it 100 yuan over three years."
"Additionally, the wage difference between a full worker and an apprentice over three years is about 288 yuan. I’ll round it up to 300 to compensate you."
If nothing else, she owed Jiang Si this much for sparing her youngest three years of hardship.
Jiang Si had originally estimated the price to be around a thousand, but she hadn’t expected the other party to be so generous.
She didn’t pretend to refuse out of politeness and readily agreed.
"That works, Auntie. Let’s go with what you suggested."
"Ah, wonderful! Then it’s settled!"
Zhang Lihua nodded eagerly, then opened the tin box and pulled out a stack of ration coupons.
"I heard you wanted more coupons. Take a look—do you see anything you need here? If not, just tell me what kind you’re after, and I’ll see what I can do."
Living in a large residential compound had its advantages. While she couldn’t promise much, gathering coupons wasn’t a problem.
Besides, everyone in her family except the youngest held government jobs, so they received plenty of coupons every month.
Jiang Si examined them and was struck by the sheer variety of coupons from this era.
Grain coupons? Unnecessary—her space could grow crops.
Oil coupons? Also useless, since her space had a [One-Click Oil Press] function. She could just plant more rapeseed.
In the end, Jiang Si picked out some industrial vouchers, soap coupons, scented soap coupons, toilet paper tickets, sanitary belt tickets, and detergent coupons.
These were daily necessities, and she wanted to stock up in her space, just in case.
She also took a wristwatch coupon. The few watches she owned were too flashy, so she planned to buy a simpler one for telling time.
Zhang Lihua asked, "Don’t you want grain, oil, or fabric coupons?"
Those were the most sought-after, and she had been saving them for months.
"I’m good, Auntie. I still have some left," Jiang Si replied.
She had already gotten plenty of fabric coupons from her scoundrel of a father, and Shen Qingqing’s room still had unused cotton fabric—more than enough for her needs.
As they spoke, there was a noise at the door.
It was Section Chief Zhou.
Zhang Lihua immediately brightened and hurried to let him in, excitedly telling him about the job transfer. To her surprise, he frowned.
"Jiang Si, jobs these days are like one hole per peg. Once the transfer paperwork is submitted, there’s no going back."
"And going to the countryside is no joke—are you sure you can handle the hardship?"
A permanent job was tempting, but he didn’t want to compromise his conscience for it.
Hearing this, Jiang Si couldn’t help but feel moved.
A stranger could show such concern, yet her own father had never spared a thought for her well-being, only scheming to send her off to the countryside!
"I’m sorry, Section Chief Zhou. This morning, I was desperate and said things I didn’t mean. I don’t actually plan to go to the countryside."
"And as for the job transfer, I’ve thought it through carefully, so please don’t worry."
"Once I’ve settled matters at home, I’ll be leaving Shanghai."
Seeing her resolute expression, Section Chief Zhou didn’t press further, only reminding his wife not to shortchange the young woman.
"What kind of person do you take me for?" Zhang Lihua huffed, handing Jiang Si the prepared money and coupons.
Without hesitation, Jiang Si counted everything in front of them. After deducting the coupons she’d taken, she received 1,220 yuan.
Next, both parties signed an agreement and pressed their fingerprints.
With the matter settled, Jiang Si stayed a little longer before rising to leave.
"Uncle, Auntie, I’ll be going now."
"Jiang Si, why not stay for dinner? I made braised pork—simmered in rice wine for two hours without a drop of water. It’s delicious!"
Jiang Si smiled. "No need, Auntie. There’s still some business at home."
Seeing her insistence and noting the late hour, the couple didn’t press further.
But before she left, Zhang Lihua pulled a lunchbox from the cupboard—brand new, never used.
She packed it full of braised pork and shoved it into Jiang Si’s hands. "Take it home. Don’t be shy."
Unable to refuse, Jiang Si accepted.
However, she didn’t head straight back. Instead, she stopped at a state-run restaurant.
The "fish" had already started biting—she had to give them time to take the bait.
Yet, even after leisurely finishing her meal and strolling home, the house remained exactly as she’d left it.
Still, Jiang Si wasn’t worried. It was only the first day, and she had a feeling the "fish" wouldn’t keep her waiting long.
After all, the lure of 10,000 yuan was powerful indeed.
