Transmigration: On the Gossip Front
Chapter 203 True or False First Love 3_1

Chapter 203: Chapter 203 True or False First Love 3_1

Zhang Shifen originally did not want to mention it, worrying that the word might get out. Most importantly, the matter was not yet set in stone, as they were waiting for approval from the higher-level authorities.

Seeing Zhou Lina worried, Zhang Shifen could not hold back, fearing that if she didn’t, Zhou Juan would be swayed again and continue to make trouble about becoming an educated youth. What then?

Although she knew Zhou Lina, she wouldn’t continue to be close after being deceived by Zhou Juan.

But regarding Zhou Juan, Zhang Shifen dared not let her guard down, lest the girl pop up from somewhere unexpectedly.

"Don’t talk to anyone, but the factory is considering whether to expand production."

The steel mill’s capacity had always been inadequate, and the demand for steel was high. There had been rumors about increasing production capacity.

It seemed that the higher-ups had finally received approval to expand production, which meant they would need to recruit more workers.

If production was to be expanded and workers needed to be recruited, it was certain that the jobs wouldn’t be given to outsiders but would first consider the descendants of existing employees.

Of course, candidates had to meet certain qualifications in order to apply, and then they would have to take an examination. Only those who passed could work in the factory.

Zhang Shifen had absolute confidence in Zhou Lina. The girl was like her real father, though sometimes a bit too soft and easily swayed, but smart nonetheless.

Throughout her schooling, Zhang Shifen never had to worry; Zhou Lina’s grades had always been good, ranking within the top ten of her class.

It might be that she couldn’t attend university now, but if she were able to take the college entrance exams, Zhang Shifen believed Zhou Lina would definitely be admitted.

If she could pass a university entrance exam, then a simple factory test should be no problem at all.

As long as Zhou Lina passed the test, no one could take her place. That was the foundation of Zhou Lina’s confidence in the steel mill.

Here it comes, just like the original owner’s brother said. Not long after he went down to the countryside, the steel mill began recruiting.

"Mom, don’t worry, I will definitely take the exam seriously."

A plant like the steel mill would certainly have men working in the workshops, so someone with Zhou Lina’s slender arms and legs shouldn’t even think about it.

What she could strive for was a clerical position in the office, and as a high school graduate, she should not have much trouble passing such a test.

"Mom, if I pass the exam, can I move out of Uncle Zhou’s house?"

Knowing that the other family was scheming against her, it was indeed impossible to continue living under the same roof as them.

After all, she did have her own house. Why live like a pitiful dependent when she could have her own place?

Especially since Zhou Yong was about to announce the joyous news of his marriage. Zhou Yong and his half-brother Zhou Xuan, born from Zhang Shifen’s remarriage, had always been displeased with them, and Zhou Yong’s wife disliked them even more.

If that was the case, why suffer the imposition? It was better to be straightforward and take back the house.

Getting closer to work and asserting dominance over Zhou Dajiang and the rest could be beneficial.

Take back the house? Zhang Shifen saw no problem with that idea. It was originally Zhou Dahai’s son, Zhou Hong, who had needed a place to live when getting married, with the understanding that it was only temporary.

They were supposed to move out after getting housing from the mechanical plant, but ended up with only a single room. They claimed that a single room was not enough for their family of four and, saying that the house would be vacant anyway, they never moved out.

While Zhang Shifen was very unhappy with the situation, she gave Zhou Dajiang some face. Now she truly regretted it, as they kept plotting against her and her daughters, yet she had still considered their feelings.

"When you go to register for the exam, I will talk to Zhou Dajiang," so that they could prepare, rather than being rushed to move out overnight.

Calling Zhou Dajiang by his name, interesting. You should know that Zhang Shifen used to address him respectfully as Uncle Zhou.

Although it was just a change in how she addressed him and could not prove anything, it did show that Zhang Shifen had grievances against Zhou Dajiang.

Having grievances was a good thing; Zhou Lina had been hoping for Zhang Shifen to divorce Zhou Dajiang and not be dragged down by his family.

Even though Zhang Shifen had given Zhou Dajiang a son, Zhou Xuan, his status paled in comparison to that of Zhou Yong, the eldest son.

Worried about how Zhou Yong, growing up under his stepmother, was faring, Zhou Dajiang was extremely protective and attentive towards this eldest son.

Whenever there was an issue, Zhou Dajiang would scold Zhang Shifen and her son, always blaming them, and his attitude was even worse when Zhang Shifen was out of work.

Could such a man ever be kind to Zhang Shifen and her son? Nothing but exploitation.

Considering this, it would be better to get a divorce sooner rather than later. Whatever troubles the Zhou family might face in the future would no longer concern her own family.

But there was no hurry; things could be taken slowly. She didn’t believe that Zhang Shifen held no grievances towards Zhou Dajiang, especially after all his obvious favoritism in the past.

Some things required patience and grinding, but given a good opportunity, their downfall was only a matter of time.

"Right, keep the household registration book with you. If Zhou Juan comes looking for you again..." Zhang Shifen didn’t quite know how to continue advising.

"I’ll tell her the household registration book is with you," said Zhou Lina, who didn’t want to fall out with Zhou Juan at this moment.

"Right, isn’t Zhou Juan supposed to go to the countryside as a youth educated in the city?"

"I’m the only daughter in my family, so I can opt out. But I don’t understand why she hasn’t registered or seems to be in any rush to do so," she added casually, "Could it be that she’s already figured out a way out?"

In her past life, Zhou Juan had taken over Zhang Shifen’s job, but in this life, Zhang Shifen had never considered this. The possibility of Zhou Juan trying to stay by using these means was out of the question.

If there was another way, it would have to be through marriage—perhaps staying in the city by marrying Zheng Weijian.

Perhaps her in-laws would not look favorably upon this, but it was still better than going to the countryside as a youth educated in the city.

"Take over someone’s job?" For once, Zhou Lina started to think things through, and Zhang Shifen seized the opportunity to educate her a bit.

"Whose job could she take over?" joked Zhou Lina. "She can’t be hoping that I’ll go to the countryside soon so that you can give her your job."

Zhang Shifen was astonished; she had planned to properly discuss the family situation with Zhou Lina after some time.

Yet to her surprise, the girl had come up with this idea on her own, which excited Zhang Shifen immensely.

If Zhou Lina thought more about these matters, Zhang Shifen would be much more at ease even once her daughter started working.

"But even now, not going to the countryside, I’ve never thought about taking over someone’s job, and you certainly wouldn’t give her your job."

"Her family doesn’t have a job for her to take over, and even if there were, they wouldn’t give it to her."

Zhou Hong’s Wife was just a temporary worker, and if Yang Zhaodi could pull something like that off, Zhou Hong’s Wife would undoubtedly make a fuss and cause instability at her in-laws’.

"Zheng Weijian is the only son in his family; would his parents really let him go into the countryside as a youth educated in the city?"

"His married sisters are all very protective of their maiden home. With their combined efforts, buying him a job wouldn’t be too difficult."

Indeed, to purchase a job required not only money but also the right connections, and even though Zhang Shifen worked at the steel factory’s trade union, she had a good relationship with the machinery factory as well.

Knowing that Zhou Lina was scheming against those two, how could Zhang Shifen not take the opportunity to properly teach them a lesson?

Zhou Lina wasn’t asking for much; if they were plotting to send the original owner to the countryside, praising how good it was there, then they should have a taste of it themselves.

"Once Zheng Weijian has a job, he could marry Zhou Juan, even if he doesn’t have a job, it’s fine."

Right, staying in the city through marriage was also an option—Zhang Shifen suddenly felt a wave of fear, realizing she had forgotten about this possibility.

However, it didn’t matter; remembering now wasn’t too late, and there was still a chance for remediation.