Next door, when Shitou personally brought someone over, the shop owner was especially polite. "Old Wei, this is my sister. She wants to pick out a bicycle for her family."
Old Wei understood the implication. "Miss, tell me what kind you're looking for, and I'll give you the wholesale price."
Nan Sheng immediately declined. "That’s not necessary—you’ve got to make a living too. I’d like something low-key but well-made."
The bicycle was for her parents, and if it looked too new, they’d refuse it outright. Plus, neighbors would gossip if they found out.
Old Wei wheeled out a bike with rust on its frame, about seventy percent new, and explained,
"Miss, this one was only bought three or four months ago. The owner left town for a while and didn’t take care of it, but it’s perfectly functional. Try it out if you don’t believe me!"
The original owner was well-off and didn’t want it anymore after seeing the rust, opting to buy a new one instead, so the old bike ended up in his hands.
Shitou didn’t let Nan Sheng test it. He took the bike himself and rode it around the courtyard a few times before asking Old Wei, "How much for this one?"
As he reached into his pocket to pull out money, Nan Sheng quickly stopped him.
"Shitou, let’s keep things separate. I don’t mind when you bring me small things, but I’m buying this bicycle myself—or I’ll be upset!"
Shitou had only met Nan Sheng a handful of times and didn’t dare push the issue, not wanting to cause trouble for Yi-ge.
Uncle Wei chimed in, "I bought this bike for a hundred yuan. Just cover the cost, and it’s yours."
He could tell Shitou respected this young woman and was happy to do him a favor—the shop next door had helped him sell plenty of goods.
Nan Sheng pulled out a hundred and fifty yuan, not wanting to owe anyone. The extra fifty was for the receipt.
"I can’t let you work for free. This was the price when I bought my last bike—consider it a fair profit. Don’t take it the wrong way."
Uncle Wei was straightforward too, recognizing the extra as payment for the receipt. "Alright, I’ll take it. Come back anytime you need something, and I’ll give you a good deal."
After buying the bike, Nan Sheng now had two—too many to ride at once.
"Shitou, leave this one here for now. I’ll send someone to pick it up later. I’ve got to get to work!"
It was almost seven!
"Take care, Nan-jie!"
Even a thief would speak meekly in front of the law.
When she arrived at the town government office, the mayor hadn’t come in yet. The gatekeeper let her in and said, "Comrade, work starts at eight here. You’re too early."
Nan Sheng thanked him. "It’s my first day—I didn’t know the schedule. Sorry for the trouble."
The government building was single-story. She wandered around and saw offices for the Party secretary, the mayor, the Revolutionary Committee, and the Youth League.
Add in the accountant, clerk, public security officer, broadcaster, and cook, and there were at least ten staff members.
The earliest arrivals were the clerks from each department. Besides running errands for their superiors, they also cleaned the offices in the morning.
The mayor’s two clerks were Du Tang, a man who’d worked under him for years (ranked at Grade 25 despite being just a clerk), and Jia Bing, a woman assigned less than a year ago at the lowest Grade 27.
Du Tang was polite to Nan Sheng. "Comrade Nan Sheng, once the Youth League office opens, I’ll take you there to file your records. You can rest for now."
"Thank you!"
Du Tang was busy—the mayor often assigned him important tasks, from archiving documents to running outside errands.
Jia Bing, assuming Nan Sheng had no connections, started ordering her around like a senior. She felt a strange sense of superiority, finally free from menial chores now that she’d "made it."
When Du Tang returned, he saw Nan Sheng wiping down desks while Jia Bing watered plants. He quickly took the rag and apologized.
"My mistake, Comrade Nan Sheng. I didn’t explain clearly. Jia Bing, come here—Comrade Nan Sheng is a clerk recommended by the mayor. She doesn’t handle these chores."
Nan Sheng smiled. "It’s fine. I had nothing else to do."
Jia Bing snatched the rag back, resentful. Why did Nan Sheng get to be a clerk right away, outranking even Du-ge? She must have connections or have bribed someone!
When the mayor arrived, the leadership held a meeting first. He greeted Nan Sheng warmly and had Du Tang settle her at her workstation.
Clerks and junior clerks shared a large office. Besides Nan Sheng, the Party secretary also had a clerk.
The office layout was interesting—staff sat near their respective superiors.
As a clerk, Nan Sheng’s desk was twice the size of a junior clerk’s, with file drawers on either side. The keys were left in the locks, now hers to keep.
Du Tang fetched water to help clean, but Nan Sheng declined, taking the bucket and rag herself.
"You’ve already done enough for me. I can handle this much."
Du Tang didn’t insist and went to fetch her office supplies instead.
After about an hour, the meeting ended. Nan Sheng went to the Youth League office to transfer her residency records, officially making her a town government employee.
A Grade 24 clerk’s salary wasn’t high—just fifteen yuan a month—but government benefits were good: work from 8 AM to 4 PM, one day off weekly, a staff canteen, and holiday perks like during Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival.
Right after transferring her records, Nan Sheng was called in by her direct supervisor, with Du Tang present. "Nan Sheng, ask Du Tang if you need anything. He’s been here three years and knows the ropes."
Nan Sheng smiled. "Yes, sir. Comrade Du Tang has been very helpful."
After small talk, the supervisor got to business. "We meant to transfer you earlier, but you know how chaotic things were a few days ago.
Now’s the perfect time. The ice-making technique you provided is fully documented, and the workers are trained. In a few days, we’ll have villages come to town to collect it. You and Du Tang will oversee this!"
"Yes, sir!"
Yu Feng was riding high. The Party secretary, as the town’s top leader, had initially pushed the drought response onto him to avoid responsibility.
Now, Yu Feng’s influence in the town government surpassed the secretary’s. He’d impressed city-level leaders and even dealt directly with county officials—the secretary must be kicking himself.
Take this ice-making project: county leaders had asked him to share the technology.
He had a feeling that once the drought ended, he’d be promoted straight to the county level.
