bookbashuk Chapter 117 was reported
Chapter 117 was reported
She stopped abruptly, staring at Wang Xiuying: "And I heard from Officer Wu today that the section chief has a very good impression of Lin Weiwei, thinks she's a talented person, and wants to recruit her into the propaganda section! They're only recruiting one person this time! What will I do if Lin Weiwei gets in?"
Wang Xiuying looked up and whispered, "Gu Lin, don't worry. Your dad is a battalion commander. Even if you don't get into the propaganda department, he can arrange another position for you, maybe even a better one..."
"What's so great about it!" Gu Lin interrupted her. "The propaganda department is easy, I get to write things, and it'll be easy to transfer to the government office later. Other positions? Factories? Farms? Are those places for me?"
Wang Xiuying shrank back as she was yelled at, but her mind was racing with ideas.
Is Lin Weiwei going to join the publicity department?
No, absolutely not.
She recalled that in her previous life, Li Jianguo was able to earn merit and awards and be transferred to a better position largely because Gu Lin joined the propaganda department and wrote those reports praising him.
If Gu Lin can't get in this life, Li Jianguo's path will be difficult.
Moreover... if Lin Weiwei gets a job in the publicity department and has a formal position, her status will be different.
Su Wanwan has made another contribution to the cultural troupe. Won't the two of them be able to get whatever they want in the military compound in the future?
Wang Xiuying's fingers unconsciously fiddled with the bed sheet.
Lin Weiwei must be stopped.
How to stop it?
The rumors circulating in the family compound over the past two days flashed through her mind.
The aunties were gathered together, whispering and talking about what Lin Weiwei and Su Wanwan were researching... sanitary napkins.
Yes, sanitary napkins.
Wang Xiuying's eyes lit up.
That thing was made of cotton and fine cotton cloth; it was very elaborate.
These days, is cotton really that precious?
Ordinary families wouldn't even use a cotton-padded coat more than necessary, yet they used it to make sanitary napkins?
What is this if not the behavior of a bourgeois young lady?
Seeking special privileges, indulging in luxury, and becoming detached from the masses.
Wang Xiuying had an idea.
She looked up at Gu Lin, who was still sulking, and softened her voice: "Gu Lin, don't be angry. I'm the one who dragged you into this. But... it won't be so easy for Lin Weiwei to get into the publicity department."
Gu Lin gave her a disgruntled look: "What's so difficult about it? Even the section chief has taken a liking to her."
"The section chief is interested in her paintings." Wang Xiuying leaned forward and lowered her voice. "But what does our army value most when recruiting? Ideology and conduct! What's Lin Weiwei's background? A capitalist's daughter! Have you heard what she and her best friend Su Wanwan have been up to lately?"
Gu Lin frowned: "What's going on?"
"What are they researching for sanitary napkins!" Wang Xiuying said with disdain. "Using sterilized cotton and fine cotton cloth to make that thing for women! And they're going around telling everyone to use it. Tell me, isn't that petty-bourgeoisie? Isn't that bourgeois hedonism?"
Gu Lin was stunned for a moment, then she remembered the discussions she had vaguely heard over the past two days.
She hadn't taken it to heart at the time, but now that Wang Xiuying had pointed it out, she immediately realized it was a weakness.
"you mean……"
"Let's report this to the organization!" Wang Xiuying's eyes gleamed. "We'll tell them that Lin Weiwei and Su Wanwan, as military dependents, aren't frugal and simple; instead, they're acting like capitalist heiresses, wasting scarce resources and promoting unhealthy lifestyles. How can they be allowed into the propaganda department? Isn't that just tarnishing the image of the military?"
Gu Lin listened, and a thought crossed her mind. This was indeed a good idea.
If they can ruin Lin Weiwei's reputation, the propaganda department will naturally no longer want her.
But she still hesitated: "Will this... work? Sanitary napkins, after all, are for women..."
"Why not?" Wang Xiuying said confidently. "Our unit emphasizes unity between officers and soldiers, and hard work and pioneering spirit. Lin Weiwei using cotton to make that is special treatment! It shows a problem with her thinking! If we report this, the organization will definitely investigate. Even if she isn't punished in the end, her job in the propaganda department will definitely fall through!"
Gu Lin thought about it and agreed. She was still seething with anger, so she nodded, "Okay! Let's go report it! But... I don't think we should speak out directly; it would offend people."
"That's true. I've noticed that the aunties in the family compound are unhappy with the sanitary napkins Lin Weiwei is researching. They're even saying in private that these things are shameful and that Lin Weiwei and the others are setting a bad example for children. If we let them speak out, it will be more effective in deterring them."
Wang Xiuying thought for a moment and continued, "The recruitment results should be out tomorrow. Tonight, we'll subtly leak the news in the family compound. Then, the older women will organize for Lin Weiwei to join the propaganda department. We'll have them go there when the results come out and tell the department head in front of him! We'll catch her off guard!"
The two discussed some details in hushed tones, and the more they talked, the more confident they were that the deal could be done.
The gloom that Wang Xiuying felt from the punishment dissipated somewhat, replaced by a sense of satisfaction at the impending success of her revenge.
Lin Weiwei, Su Wanwan, don't be too happy yet.
The next morning, Lin Weiwei was sweeping the yard at home, her mind preoccupied with the notice from the publicity department, and she was sweeping the broom idly in her hand.
Su Wanwan went to the cultural troupe, and Bai Rongbei and Bai Si'an also went to work, leaving her alone in the courtyard.
Just then, a voice called from outside the fence gate: "Is Comrade Lin Weiwei home?"
It was Officer Wu's voice.
Lin Weiwei's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly put down the broom and ran to open the door.
Officer Wu stood outside the door, pushing his bicycle, a smile on his face: "Comrade Lin, good news! The section chief has been chosen, and you're the one! You're to report to the publicity department this afternoon to familiarize yourself with the work!"
Lin Weiwei felt a surge of heat rush from her feet to the top of her head, and a big smile instantly bloomed on her face: "Really? Thank you, Officer Wu! Thank you, Section Chief!"
"Why thank me? You're capable yourself," Officer Wu laughed. "Be here at two o'clock sharp this afternoon. Bring a pen and notebook; the section chief might need to assign you tasks."
"Okay! I'll be there on time!" Lin Weiwei nodded repeatedly.
After seeing Officer Wu off, Lin Weiwei closed the door, excitedly circled the yard twice, and couldn't help but pump her fist.
Become!
It really did!
She can join the publicity department!
I have a formal job now!
She couldn't wait to tell Su Wanwan and Bai Si'an the good news.
Looking at the sun, it's not even noon yet; it will be a while before they come back.
Lin Weiwei hummed an off-key song as she carefully swept the yard again, then went to the kitchen to check on the lunch.
I was thinking to myself that I would go to report for duty in the afternoon, and then I would definitely cook some good dishes tonight to celebrate.
Su Wanwan returned first at noon.
Lin Weiwei immediately rushed over and hugged her: "Wanwan! The notice came down! The section chief wants me! He wants me to report for duty this afternoon!"
Su Wanwan was overjoyed: "That's great! I knew you could do it!"
As the two were talking, Bai Si'an returned home from get off work.
Lin Weiwei rushed over again and grabbed his arm: "Bai Si'an! I've joined the publicity department! I'll start work this afternoon!"
Bai Si'an pushed up his glasses, looked into her bright eyes, and smiled, "Congratulations."
"Just two words?" Lin Weiwei was dissatisfied.
Bai Si'an thought for a moment and then said, "I'll add an extra dish for you tonight."
Lin Weiwei then smiled: "That's more like it!"
Bai Rongbei didn't return at noon; something came up in the regiment.
Lin Weiwei decided to wait for him to come back in the evening so they could celebrate together.
After finishing her meal, Lin Weiwei changed into a clean shirt, carefully combed her hair, and even looked at herself in a small mirror.
Su Wanwan straightened her collar: "Are you nervous?"
"A little," Lin Weiwei took a deep breath, "but mostly I'm happy. Now I have a job!"
"You can definitely do a good job," Su Wanwan encouraged her.
At 1:50 PM, Lin Weiwei took her prepared notebook and pen and went out.
The afternoon sun in the Gobi Desert was blindingly bright, making it difficult to open one's eyes.
But she felt open-minded and her steps were light.
I arrived at the camp entrance at exactly two o'clock.
She straightened her clothes and stepped inside.
The door to the publicity department's office was open, and the department head and Officer Wu were both there.
There were also several women from the family compound standing inside.
They shouted at the top of their lungs, "Why should a capitalist's daughter like Lin Weiwei, who's obsessed with petty bourgeois ideas, be in the propaganda department! People like her should be sent down to a farm!"