Chapter 17: Announcement of the Workshop Supervisor Election Results

Lu Meiqin sneered coldly, "Song Jianshe, you won’t stop calling me ‘Mom’!"

Song Jianshe wanted to divorce but hesitated too much.

His greatest concern was the impact on his position as workshop director.

Getting divorced right after becoming director would look bad. Seeing Lu Meiqin’s iron resolve, he half-heartedly said, “I’ll wait until after the election to divorce. Tonight, let Mom sleep in the double bed; you and Wen Ran can share a room and make do.”

Lu Meiqin deliberately disgusted him, “Then you share the bed with your mother and don’t think you can escape to the workshop! If you can do that, I’ll wait until after the election to divorce; otherwise, tomorrow I’ll make you the laughingstock of the entire factory.”

Song Jianshe: “-_-||”

In the end, Song Jianshe relented and slept in the double bed with Old Madam Song.

Old Madam Song, unable to handle Lu Meiqin and her daughter, tossed and turned all night, sleeping poorly, which also caused Song Jianshe to have a restless night, waking up with panda eyes.

Lu Meiqin, however, was full of energy.

Wen Ran even gave her some snow cream she had bought at the supply and marketing cooperative, telling her to apply it to look healthier.

Looking in the mirror, Lu Meiqin said, “I only used to see others put on snow cream, but now that I’ve tried it, it really moisturizes. I feel like I’ve gotten fairer. Is this snow cream expensive?”

“Even if it’s expensive, you have to use it. Women should treat themselves better,” Wen Ran said. Her skin was naturally fair with a rosy glow, smooth even without the cream.

She had bought the snow cream with Song Jianshe’s secret savings, intending to give it to her mother.

Lu Meiqin knew what money was used to buy it; last night when Wen Ran gave her the money, she didn’t take it.

She entrusted it to her daughter’s care, feeling reassured.

She hadn’t expected that the sense of security she now felt came from her daughter. Checking the time, she urged, “Ran Ran, you should go to work now. I can manage at home.”

“All right.” Wen Ran didn’t want to add to her mother’s worries.

They had discussed life after the divorce the previous night; this was a recent topic between mother and daughter.

After all, divorce was not a light matter.

In this era, without the courage to burn bridges, divorce was impossible.

It involved many factors: family, housing, reputation, and children.

Without proof from the workplace, a divorce couldn’t proceed.

Trying to get the workplace to issue such proof meant the leaders would try to persuade them otherwise.

---

In their residential compound, a couple whose relationship had broken down tried to divorce, but the leaders skillfully talked them out of it, discussing everything from national construction to personal development—their persuasion skills were top-notch. They ended up convincing the couple to stay together!

Because of this, the divorce rate in their garment factory’s residential compound was the lowest—unless a spouse died.

Death was the first exception, but in the story, Song Jianshe lived into his seventies.

They wouldn’t resort to unnatural death; that would be illegal and inhumane.

Besides, this wasn’t a fantasy novel where killing at will was possible and human life was trivial.

The house was assigned to Song Jianshe. Even if they divorced, Lu Meiqin would have to find somewhere else to live.

It wasn’t that easy.

Going back to her parents’ home wasn’t a long-term solution. Although her maternal uncles and aunts were kind to them, they had their own large family to support and struggled to make a living.

At work, Lu Meiqin was somewhat distracted, which Ruan Ling noticed.

Quietly, she asked, “Wen Ran, do you have something on your mind?”

“I didn’t sleep well last night, feeling a bit sleepy,” Wen Ran whispered. “Have you memorized the medicines yet? We still have an inspection later.”

Ruan Ling was confident this time. “Don’t worry. With your supervision, I’ve memorized them well.”

“That’s good.” Wen Ran gathered her thoughts and focused fully on her work.

After a busy day, no day was more eagerly awaited than today’s end. As soon as work finished, she hurriedly rode her bicycle home.

Actually, she didn’t even need to approach the high-rise building; she could guess the situation from people’s reactions as soon as she entered the compound.

Passing through the corridor, she confirmed it: Song Jianshe had lost the election.

No congratulations were heard, only people’s hesitant looks when they saw her.

Sure enough, as soon as she entered, Old Madam Song cursed, “It must be that jinx you brought, ruining your father’s luck. He said the workshop director position was almost guaranteed. How did he lose it?”

“You say it was almost guaranteed before you came, but after you came, it was lost. Who’s the real jinx here?” Wen Ran retorted sharply.

Looking around but not seeing her mother or Song Jianshe, she guessed they had gone to see the factory leaders for a certificate.

Ignoring Old Madam Song’s livid face, Wen Ran turned and left.

She didn’t even put down her army green shoulder bag, heading straight to the factory office.

---

In the office, Director Fu and two other leaders were patiently trying to reason with Song Jianshe and Lu Meiqin.

“The children are grown; why get divorced? Don’t be mad at Old Song. Couples fight behind closed doors but make up in bed. Besides, Old Song is a rare good man in our factory. You should just put up with it!”

“It’s normal for couples to quarrel, but don’t bring up divorce lightly. Impulsive decisions might seem fine now, but you’ll regret it later. Talking too much only hurts feelings!”

“If you divorce Old Song, life will be hard for you and your daughter. Don’t be so stubborn. Couples should support each other.”

“Your daughter’s so grown and beautiful; who in the factory doesn’t envy you? You should give up the idea of divorce!”

“...”

“Enough with the persuasion. I definitely want a divorce!” Lu Meiqin said firmly. “He’s nice to everyone, the acknowledged good guy! But this good man only vents on me, as if he hates me to death! If his heart’s not with me, what’s the point of staying married?”

“It’s you who stirs up trouble all the time. I’ve been accommodating you. Every time it’s you who argues fiercely. What have I ever said? Better divorce—then we’re both free!” Song Jianshe, unable to become workshop director, was pushed to the breaking point by Lu Meiqin’s words and stopped pretending.

The leaders’ repeated persuasion only deepened his resentment over losing the position.

They were all clever; Director Fu, for example, clearly resented the factory head’s special favor toward Song Jianshe, but on the surface, he spoke formally.

In truth, he had long wanted to issue the certificate and send them away but hesitated because the other two section chiefs were present.

Lu Meiqin was resolute; no matter how much the leaders tried to counsel her, she insisted on divorce. Song Jianshe, blaming her for ruining his future, was equally determined.

Just as Wen Ran arrived at the factory office door, Director Wei also showed up.

Director Wei discreetly sized Wen Ran up, thinking Shen Nanzheng truly had good taste.

Such long legs, an almost perfect figure—a natural model for clothes.

With a fresh, delicate face and skin like creamy jade, her clear and pure aura made her one of the most outstanding in the factory.

No wonder Nanzheng cared so much.

If they really got together, it would be a match made in heaven.

Director Fu, puzzled by Director Wei’s attitude, immediately put down his crossed legs and dropped his cigarette, standing up: “Director, look, Old Song and his wife insist on divorcing. We can’t persuade them no matter what.”