Chapter Nine: Securing a Job.

"It’s nothing serious. My wife and I rescued someone on the way here; these bloodstains belong to someone else," Su Dawei explained.

Qin Jiuhong took a closer look and realized she had indeed gotten a few specks of blood on herself earlier.

"I'll go back and get some clothes for you both to change into. It really isn't appropriate to meet people looking like this," Su Yunzhi said. Since her home wasn't far away and she agreed that their appearance was unsuitable, she added, "Wait here for a moment, Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law, I'll be right back."

After a short wait, Su Yunzhi returned with two blue work jackets, which effectively covered the bloodstains.

"Third Sister-in-law, the recruitment exam is about to start. You should head in," Su Yunzhi said, pointing toward the entrance of the machinery plant. She then slipped an envelope into Qin Jiuhong's hand. "Brother Hong worked hard to get this from the leadership. Show it to the comrades at the security office later."

"Thank you, Yunzhi," Qin Jiuhong said.

"You're welcome, Sister-in-law. Go on in," Su Yunzhi waved.

The recruitment exam was supposedly only for the families of internal employees. Lin Hong, being a team leader in the workshop and well-acquainted with the workshop director, had naturally known about the opening.

While Qin Jiuhong went to take the exam, Su Yunzhi took Su Dawei to purchase a position and complete the transfer at the machinery plant's personnel department. Both sides were pleased with the arrangement. Once they stepped out of the plant, Su Dawei handed over the seven hundred yuan they had agreed upon. The other party, a middle-aged woman, left immediately after the transaction.

"Third Brother, you can just come in to start work tomorrow," Su Yunzhi said, genuinely happy for him, though she didn't ask where the money had come from.

Not long after they emerged from the plant, Qin Jiuhong came out as well.

"Wife, how did the exam go?" Su Dawei asked with immediate concern.

"The questions were quite simple," Qin Jiuhong replied, full of confidence. If they both secured jobs, their family would become a dual-income household. Soon, they could apply for housing and move to the city.

"Third Sister-in-law, I'm sure you passed," Su Yunzhi said, feeling happy for them. If the family moved to the city, Su Dawei and Qin Jiuhong would no longer need to work in the fields for labor points.

"Thank you for everything today, Yunzhi. Since it's already afternoon, let's go grab something good to eat. Your Third Brother and I would like to treat you to thank you for running around for us," Qin Jiuhong suggested, intending to take her to the state-run restaurant for a proper meal.

"Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, do you have food coupons?" Su Yunzhi asked with a smile.

"What kind of coupons?" Su Dawei asked, not immediately grasping her meaning.

"Food coupons. You need them to eat at the restaurant," she explained.

"I completely forgot about that!" Qin Jiuhong slapped her forehead. In this era, everything required coupons. She wished she had asked Su Dawei to trade for some on the black market earlier.

"It's alright. Once your household registration is transferred in a couple of days, you'll be able to get commercial grain rations," Su Yunzhi said. "Let me treat you today to celebrate Third Brother getting his job!"

"Alright then, we're putting you to expense, Yunzhi," Su Dawei said, scratching his head in embarrassment.

"Third Brother, I've noticed you've really changed!" Su Yunzhi joked.

"Where... where have I changed?" Su Dawei asked, his expression turning serious. He was genuinely afraid she might notice something, as he was, in fact, a different person inside. Qin Jiuhong also felt a surge of tension, worrying that if people found out they had been replaced, they might be reported and taken away for medical dissection.

"I just meant that you and Third Sister-in-law have become so polite!" Su Yunzhi changed the subject. "Let's go to the state-run restaurant for dumplings. By the time we finish, the results of the recruitment exam will be posted."

"Sounds good," Su Dawei said, letting out a quiet sigh of relief as he led Qin Jiuhong to the restaurant.

At the restaurant, Su Yunzhi ordered three bowls of dumplings and a few meat buns. After they finished eating, they checked the notice board at the machinery plant to see the results.

"Wife, I don't see your name on the passing list," Su Dawei said after searching for a long time.

"It's fine. It's normal not to pass, given how many people applied," Qin Jiuhong said, having only hoped to try her luck. In this era, every job was a prize.

"Third Sister-in-law, if it didn't work out this time, I'll make sure to let you know the moment there's another recruitment exam at our plant," Su Yunzhi said, patting Qin Jiuhong’s hand.

"Thank you, sister," Qin Jiuhong said with a grateful look. She thought to herself that if all else failed, they would just have to sell more gold to buy a position.

"It's only right," Su Yunzhi said. "I'll head home now. Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, let's eat out again next time."

"Sure," Su Dawei replied, though he resolved that next time, it would be his treat.

After Su Yunzhi left, Su Dawei said, "Wife, let's check out the scrap collection station. Maybe we can find some bicycle parts and assemble one."

"Agreed," Qin Jiuhong said, also hoping to find a bargain.

With that plan, they walked toward the scrap station. An elderly man in a white undershirt was cooling off under a large tree by the gate.

"Old man, taking a break?" Su Dawei asked, skillfully offering him a Da Qianmen cigarette.

"Do you need something, comrade?" the old man asked, taking the cigarette and putting it in his mouth.

"I’m here to check the acquisition prices and look around the scrap yard to see if there’s anything I can use." Su Dawei produced a matchbox, struck a match, and lit the man's cigarette.

"Looking for a bargain? Go ahead. Go to the third building and find Old Li. Let him take you around, and if you find something, have him issue you a receipt," the old man said with a wave of his hand. He had seen plenty of people like them; finding a hidden gem wasn't as easy as they thought, as anything valuable had usually been picked over long ago.

"Thank you, old man," Su Dawei said before heading inside.

After passing through the gate, they walked to the third building. After knocking, they were greeted by a middle-aged man.

"Excuse me, are you Old Li?"

"I am."

"Hello, Old Li. I'm Su Dawei," he said, introducing himself while offering a cigarette. "And this is my wife."

"Hello, Old Li," Qin Jiuhong greeted.

"What can I do for you two comrades?" Old Li asked, accepting the smoke.

"I just came to look at the price list. The man at the gate sent us to find you," Su Dawei said, skillfully lighting Old Li's cigarette.