Like a Flowing River (Da Jiang Da He / 大江大河)

Like a Flowing River

~ Episode 20 ~

Da Xun,

I kept feeling that my vacation leave is so strange.

The workshop is usually understaffed.

Every one is always scrambling around to get work done even with a three-shift system,

so why would they suddenly let me take a two week break?

You fool, why are you complaining when they are letting you rest?

If it was me, I would have left immediately.

I think two weeks is too little.

Do you know something and is trying to hide it from me?

Stinky rascal, you've become more astute.

I am not a fool.

Why did the Workshop put me on break?

I don't mind telling you,

but you can't tell your master. Or else, I won't tell you.

What's the matter?

You'd offended them.

During lunch time, Old Fei's secretary went to the workshop to look for Old Min and

told him to give you a lesson.

Old Min went ahead and asked what you did wrong,

but he couldn't give a reason why.

And that was the reason why old Min told you to go on break.

When he called the superior, Old Fei immediately agreed.

What did Factory Manager Fei have against me?

I don't even know him.

Isn't it all because of those two slacker subordinate of yours?

Those are Old Fei's people.

One of them is even Old Fei's wife's relative.

It must be Zhao Chao and Jia Jiawei who's behind this.

I have to do three people's worth of work

and I'd never complained to them about it,

so what do they have against me?

Villains do evil so naturally. There's no reason behind it.

I don't think it's a bad thing for you to go home and rest for a couple of days.

You were officially assigned here.

No one can do anything to you.

Go now and you might make it home for dinner.

Oh, right. The yarn you asked me to buy for your sister is in my drawer.

Don't forget to get it.

Thank you.

Dongbao.

Wait a minute.

What?

Stop for a moment.

Why?

Slowly, slowly.

What's the matter?

Do you feel like throwing up again?

It's not that.

Is my son bullying you?

I'll give him a lesson.

It's not that.

It's not good for you to take me on your bike.

Let's walk back.

Why, we have been married for so long

and you are still shy?

You are my wife, what are you scared of?

Wait.

Why are you sweating so much?

You have been so busy lately.

There's no need to walk me home.

You...

...really like to worry.

Mom, this is my salary for the past half a year.

We have enough at home.

You should keep the money you have worked for.

That's right, keep this.

You have a lot of expenditure since you live alone.

You should keep some money to buy new clothes for yourself.

Stop wearing the old clothing from college.

Your mother is right. You are a cadre now.

- You are different from your college days. - Right.

I have to wear my work uniform when I am working.

Cotton-padded jackets are being distributed when the weather isn't that cold yet.

I also have a raincoat, rain boots, and umbrella,

so there's no need to buy new clothes.

We also get an allowance to use in the cafeteria.

The food is fresh yet cheap, and there's meat every day.

We also don't need to buy soap, detergent powder, and toilet paper

because they give those out every season.

Say, this Jinzhou Factory

is indeed a good place to work.

Right. It's really good.

Dad, mom, just keep this money.

Dad! Mom!

We are back.

- Ping Ping is here. - Sister.

- Xiao Hui, when did you get back? - Older Brother.

I just got back.

Slowly.

I've haven't seen you in half a year

and you look more energetic.

Looks like they do physical training in that factory.

Oh, Sis.

I got my roommate to get you some yarn

so you can make my future nephew.

some sweaters.

Okay, I am thanking you in behalf of your nephew then.

- I am thanking you in behalf of your niece then. - Any will be great.

Whether it's a boy or a girl, both will be great.

- Come on, Ping Ping, you can't keep standing. Have a sit. - Don't worry, mom.

Slowly.

- Come. Come. Slowly. - It's okay, mom.

This little brother of yours

saved all his salary for the past half a year.

He said that the factory has everything so he doesn't need to use money.

Are the benefits that good in the factory?

I am new so I haven't gotten the full benefits yet.

I only get to see those old employees getting money

every three to five days.

Once I've become a permanent employee,

I think I'll be able to get more money.

It seems like Xiaoleijia still has a lot of catching up to do.

Dongbao.

You are doing a great job. There's some many brigade in the county that are envious of you.

Isn't that right?

Xiao Hui, I will keep this money for now,

so you can use it when you get married.

Do you have a girlfriend yet?

Not yet. I am busy, so there's no time to think of that stuff.

As the saying goes, when the melon ripens, it will fall to the ground. Will you think about it only by then?

Let me tell you that you should hurry up.

Don't wait for my son to be so much older than your son.

They won't be able to be playmates.

Drink water for now. I will go cook.

Xiao Hui surely has rushed home and probably hasn't even eaten lunch yet.

- We will start dinner earlier tonight. - Mom,

- I'll go. - No, no, no. You don't need to.

Mom, this is nothing. The doctor has already said that it's okay after the third month.

Ping Ping.

Listen to your mother. Have a sit and rest.

I have your father to help me.

- Sit down. - A mother's word is always the most effective.

When I tell her to stop working at home,

not only does she not listen to me, she yells back.

And if I say more, she would start hitting me.

Look.

We have to go cook.

Your sister's temper is not as good as it used to be.

Your sister-in-law is good in talking nonsense.

You deserved that.

Sis, drink some water.

Here, big brother.

Your son's back, yet you are still sighing.

- Peel these garlic. - Okay, coming.

I was thinking,

our hard days are about to be over.

Xiao Hui has a good job

and Ping Ping is pregnant.

We have many good news so far.

The hard days have been over for a while.

The good days are already here.

You are right

The good days are here.

In a few days,

when Ping Ping gives birth,

I must accompany her for a month.

You need to practice how to cook for yourself.

It's not like I don't know how to.

Don't worry about me.

Xiao Hui didn't come back for the new year, so today is like a make up reunion dinner.

That's right. Today is literally a reunion.

It was five people originally, but now...

...we have six.

In place of your future nephew

or future niece,

I'm paying respect to their uncle.

Okay.

Come here.

Xiaohui,

how come your factory don't have new year's vacation?

The huge equipment usually are not turned off.

Or else, it will take more energy to restart them.

Hence, our Workshop go on three-shift system

so that the equipment can always operate in full load.

There's already a lack of people during the new year,

so I stayed and worked overtime.

That's not a bad thing since you are new,

so it's important to leave a good impression.

I understand what Xiao Hui means.

It's the same with the brick kiln.

Once you've started the fire,

it can't get cold.

Or else, lighting a fire again to burn the kiln is so time and coal consuming.

Here, Dongbao.

How can their large scale refined equipment

be compared to your brick kiln?

Conservation of energy.

- The principle is the same. - See?

Dongbao,

- cheers. - Okay. Okay.

Here, Xiao Hui.

- Mom, I'll go get water. - Okay.

You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.

I am a little tired, sis.

Is it because the factory was not how you'd expected to be?

When I first got to Jinzhou Chemical Industry, I thought I found a place where my skills can be put to good use.

I thought I could accomplish things with my skills alone.

But I didn't think that