As if sensing Su Xiu's hesitation, Zhou Ziyang parked his bicycle and kindly said, "Are you having trouble finding the Personnel Department? I can take you there. I don't have much to do this morning anyway."
Su Xiu immediately thanked him, almost instinctively. "Comrade, thank you. You're such a kind person!"
Having been labeled a "good person" first thing in the morning, Zhou Ziyang smiled brightly, clearly in a good mood, and led her to complete the onboarding procedures at the Personnel Department.
Holding the olive-green uniform issued to her, Su Xiu could hardly believe it. "I… I can wear a police uniform too?"
As they walked, Zhou Ziyang replied, "You're now an official clerk at the Public Security Bureau. Of course you need to wear a uniform. We're issued one set every quarter—four sets a year—so it's enough for rotation and washing."
Then he asked, "By the way, Comrade Su Xiu, are you staying at home, or will you live in the staff dormitory?"
Surprised, Su Xiu asked, "I can stay in the staff dormitory?"
Zhou Ziyang nodded. "All single employees of the bureau can stay in the dormitory. It's just a street away—very close to the bureau. The conditions are decent, and it's convenient for work."
Hearing this, the light in Su Xiu's eyes dimmed slightly, and her voice lost some of its earlier excitement. "Oh… then I can't stay. I'm getting married next month."
"…" Zhou Ziyang fell silent as well.
He stole a glance at her, surprised that such a beautiful young woman was already taken. Could it be that in the entire bureau, he was the only one—almost twenty-five—still single?
That was a bit of a blow to his pride.
With Zhou Ziyang's help, Su Xiu completed her onboarding, changed into her brand-new olive-green uniform, and admired herself in the inspection mirror. After adjusting her cap, she sat down at her assigned desk.
The work of a clerk wasn't difficult, but it was tedious—she had to respond to anyone who called for her.
All morning, Su Xiu was flustered and busy. Fortunately, her colleagues didn't make things difficult for her. Instead, they kindly guided her on how to handle documents and other tasks.
At lunchtime, she saw her coworkers in the office picking up their lunchboxes and heading to the canteen. Only then did she realize she hadn't brought one herself and froze in embarrassment.
Zhou Ziyang, thinking of taking care of the new colleague, came by to check on her and noticed her predicament.
Kindly, he lent her his own lunchbox so she could go eat first.
Su Xiu refused. "Comrade Zhou, if I use your lunchbox, what will you do?"
He shrugged. "I'm not hungry right now. You can return it after you finish eating."
Wouldn't that mean they both used the same lunchbox?
Su Xiu suddenly felt her face heat up and didn't dare look at him.
Zhou Ziyang simply placed the lunchbox into her arms and turned away.
Carefully holding it, Su Xiu followed the others to the canteen.
When she opened the lunchbox while waiting in line, she found ration coupons inside—grain coupons and even meat coupons.
"This…"
She felt deeply grateful. She hadn't even considered that she didn't have any ration coupons on her and had been wondering whether the canteen staff would serve her.
At that moment, her impression of Zhou Ziyang improved even more.
She tucked away the meat coupons, used only a small grain coupon, and got a serving of rice along with a free vegetable soup. She ate the meal with great care, washed the lunchbox thoroughly afterward, and returned it to him.
Later, when Zhou Ziyang went to eat and opened the lunchbox, he found the meat coupons intact and the remaining grain coupons neatly returned. He couldn't help but pause in surprise.
Although Su Xiu hadn't yet adapted to the busy and tedious work by the end of the day, she felt genuinely happy.
It was, perhaps, the most comfortable and joyful day she had experienced in her entire life.
---
By the time Su Xiu returned home, the sky had already darkened.
The coal factory residential area was about an hour and a half away from the Public Security Bureau. Taking a bus could save an hour, but she was reluctant to spend the money, so she walked all the way back.
As soon as she arrived, she noticed that the house was brightly lit—unlike its usual dimness.
From inside came the enthusiastic voice of a middle-aged woman:
"In-law, I heard Xiuer has started working at the Public Security Bureau? That's wonderful news! If I hadn't run into your neighbor while shopping today, I wouldn't even know. My future daughter-in-law is truly capable!"
Zhao Manfen's voice followed, carrying a trace of disdain. "You're mistaken. Your son is marrying into our family. Any children they have will carry the Su surname. Don't go around calling her your daughter-in-law. And after they marry, you'd better not come here too often—being a live-in son-in-law is not the same as taking a wife."
The other woman laughed awkwardly, while He Qiang's sharp voice rang out from inside:
"Aunt Su, that's going too far! Even if I become a live-in son-in-law, my mother is still my mother. After I get married, this will still be my home. She can come whenever she wants—I'd like to see who dares stop her!"
Zhao Manfen snorted coldly. "He Qiang, you're not even married into the family yet, and you already dare to speak to me like this? Don't forget—our Xiuer is now a public security officer. Whether this marriage goes through is still uncertain!"
"With your attitude, I really need to reconsider whether we should even accept you as a live-in son-in-law."
"And it's getting late. We're about to have dinner. Stop standing here and get out!"
At Zhao Manfen's words, He Qiang's mother's smile vanished.
"In-law, you shouldn't joke about such things. The engagement is already settled, and everyone in the neighborhood knows they're getting married soon. If you back out now, won't people criticize you?"
"Now that your Su Xiu has a job, you're suddenly changing your tune?"
"In this entire residential area, who else would agree to be a live-in son-in-law for your family besides my son?"
She sneered and added, "Zhao Manfen, let me tell you the truth—this marriage is already set in stone. It's no longer about whether you agree, but whether my son agrees to marry into your family!"
"If you're willing to transfer Su Xiu's job at the Public Security Bureau to my son, then we'll proceed with the wedding as planned next month."
"Otherwise, we'll call off the engagement—and your Su Xiu will be abandoned. Let's see who will still marry her then!"
These words infuriated Zhao Manfen.
Even Su Yonghe couldn't hold back. "This is outrageous! Why should our daughter's job be given to your son?"
He Qiang's mother put her hands on her hips, domineering as ever. "Then let her become an abandoned woman! Not only that—we'll spread rumors that she already belongs to my son. Once her reputation is ruined, let's see if anyone will marry her!"
Zhao Manfen could no longer tolerate it. Grabbing a shovel, she drove them out.
"Get out! You shameless scoundrels—get out of my house! If you dare come here again, I'll split you in half!"