Transmigrated as Cannon Fodder — I Rise to Female Lead Through Hard Work-Chapter 126: Finding the Right Place

Le Min Food Factory.

The gatekeeper at the factory was familiar with Ding Ancheng and Yi Roujing, and immediately sent for Yi Weiliang to come out.

Yi Weiliang was wearing a blue work uniform, but there were black oil stains scattered on his uniform and face. His hair had been cut short, and he had tanned a bit. Yi Roujing didn’t recognize him at first glance.

"Little Sis, brother-in-law." Yi Weiliang came running out, waving at the two as he ran.

"Third Brother." Yi Roujing called out with a smile.

"It’s quite hot now; let’s go somewhere cooler." Yi Weiliang greeted the gatekeeper and led the two into the factory.

"Third Brother, here are some meals my mom prepared and asked us to bring to you." Yi Roujing’s words were understood by Yi Weiliang.

"Your mother-in-law is too kind." Yi Weiliang felt a bit embarrassed, but when Yi Roujing handed over the lunchbox, he accepted it, "Just in time, I haven’t been to the canteen yet to eat."

"I’ll come to pick you up tonight, Third Brother, and help you pack your things to stay at our place." Ding Ancheng invited.

"Ah, no need, there’s staff dorms in the factory, it’s free and I might as well take advantage." Yi Weiliang waved his hand dismissively.

"With so many people squeezed in one room, can you sleep well?" Yi Roujing rolled her eyes, "They’re all about your age, right? Can they even keep it clean? It must be stinky."

"Come stay with us, mom will be at ease knowing, plus my mom’s cooking is excellent, you won’t want to leave once you’ve stayed." Yi Roujing said.

"And there’s also a very important reason." Yi Roujing stated seriously, "Mom and Dad might be going back to the brigade soon, leaving only Anguo, and we’re worried. You’ll make us feel better if you stay."

Hearing this, Yi Weiliang couldn’t refuse, so he nodded.

"Little Sis and brother-in-law won’t be staying with us?" Yi Weiliang asked a bit puzzled.

"Ancheng applied for a couple’s room, so we’re staying at County First Middle School." Yi Roujing replied. She actually had another motive: hoping Ding Weihuo and Li Hongying would be reassured and come to the city sooner.

"Oh, I see, alright, I’ll pack my things tonight." Yi Weiliang readily agreed.

"Third Brother, how many days off do you get in a month?"

"Four days." Yi Weiliang replied, "We rotate days off. I’m still an apprentice now, mainly following Master Niu to learn skills, not only driving but also repairing vehicles. The rest time is scheduled by Master Niu. You know, Little Sis, Master Niu is really amazing..."

"You kid, if you put your talent for complimenting people behind their backs into studying, you’d graduate faster." Niu Zhengdao, also in a blue work uniform, approached with a chuckle from behind Yi Weiliang.

"Ancheng..." Niu Zhengdao greeted Ding Ancheng. When he saw Yi Roujing, his eyes widened, "Hey, well, who would have thought your wife is the one who’s about to become a nurse at our food factory staff hospital, technically top-notch."

"Master Niu."

Yi Weiliang, Ding Ancheng, and Yi Roujing all greeted him.

"Hey kid, when are you planning to start at the hospital?" Niu Zhengdao asked Yi Roujing with a smile.

"Monday." Yi Roujing replied with a smile. She didn’t just come to the county town to renovate the house but also reported to the hospital and arranged her start date with Mr. Chen.

"Good, good."

"Third Brother, Master Niu, we’ll go back and eat now." Ding Ancheng said, "Next time, Master Niu, come to our home for dinner. You can’t refuse."

"Hahaha, got it." Niu Zhengdao waved to the two, and after seeing them off, turned his head to look at Yi Weiliang.

With a slightly puzzled look in his eyes, he sized him up and down.

"Master Niu, what’s up?" Yi Weiliang asked, not understanding.

"I mean, your sister is so smart, and your brother-in-law is quite the character. How come you, kid, are like a silly dolt?" Niu Zhengdao chuckled, shaking his head.

"I-I’m okay, I guess." Yi Weiliang scratched his head with a bashful smile, "But my sister is the smartest in our family. My grandpa used to praise her a lot when we were little."

Niu Zhengdao grinned at those words. Honestly, he liked apprentices like Yi Weiliang, "Alright, go get some food. After you eat, I’ll let you have a crack at the steering wheel today."

"Really..."

In the afternoon, Ding Anguo and Xia Xingchen went to the county government together, with Ding Anguo going to report and Xia Xingchen accompanying him while going to the youth office.

Ding Anmin had to report to the food factory, and since she’d never been there, Ding Ancheng went with her.

Yi Roujing accompanied Ding Weihuo and Li Hongying for a stroll around the county town.

Though they brought a lot of things with them this time, it seemed like they were missing something for prolonged stays, plus the weather was getting hotter, so mats needed buying.

It was the first time Li Hongying witnessed Yi Roujing’s shopping power firsthand, and it left her in awe.

"Roujing, we don’t need to buy mats. Someone in the brigade can weave them, and we can just trade something for them later. They’re too expensive."

"Roujing, we have enough clothes, no need to buy more... We’ve also got fabric stored, don’t buy... "

"Soap? Now, soap is useful and needed."

"Ovaltine, milk candies... Roujing, just buy some if you and the kids like ’em."

"And those clamshell oils and friendship creams are more suitable for you young girls, I’m too old for those."

"Hey, why buy leather shoes? They hurt your feet. Where are they more comfortable than cloth shoes?"

...

Yi Roujing led Li Hongying and Ding Weihuo to try on leather shoes. Both of them were a bit awkward, but Yi Roujing insisted. Finally, after some persuading back and forth, Ding Weihuo made the decision to go ahead and buy a pair for Li Hongying, but not for himself.

On the way home, Ding Weihuo carried a green net bag filled with Ovaltine, milk candies, friendship cream, soap, and whatnot.

Li Hongying hugged the pair of leather shoes in her arms, murmuring all the way to Ding Weihuo.

Yi Roujing was completely unfazed. She even took Li Hongying to familiarize herself with the food station and shops to know exactly where to buy meat, vegetables, and other daily necessities.

"Things in the county are certainly more than what you find in the supply and marketing cooperative." Li Hongying sighed once.

Back home, Yi Roujing handed some money and tickets to Li Hongying, "Mom, the household is in your hands for the next few days. This is for the month; once we start working and receive our salaries and ration coupons, we’ll cover living expenses every month."

Li Hongying was quite hesitant, not knowing whether to take it. At this moment, she truly realized how tough it was in the county; everything had to be bought. Unlike in the countryside, where they grew their own food and vegetables, chips being distributed every year meant there was no fear of starvation as long as the family worked hard.

"Mom, think about it, in the countryside even leading and working a whole year, we only get a bit of dividends at year’s end, even fewer tickets. Although we have more places to spend here, we also have more money. Who wouldn’t envy the city’s commodity grain eaters?" Yi Roujing understood Li Hongying’s mindset and joked, causing Li Hongying to realize she had been thinking along the wrong lines.

"But your father and I can’t stay forever, our hukou is still in the brigade, not working means no dividends or grain, and gossip would drown us." Li Hongying remarked.

This time not only Ding Anguo, but also Yi Roujing and Ding Anmin’s hukou were transferred out.

"Then just move your hukou out, sooner or later, it’ll have to be done." But Yi Roujing’s suggestion wasn’t agreed upon by Li Hongying.