Cultural Center Employment

Zhao Dongchuan rode his bicycle with Jia Bing sitting sideways on the back seat, holding onto Zhao Dongchuan's waist and occasionally pointing the way. The two quickly arrived at the Huangyuan Cultural Center on Erdao Street.

The Huangyuan Cultural Center was a three-story building, vaguely showing signs of its past grandeur, likely a renovation of a small Western-style building left behind by powerful gentry from the old society.

After parking the bike, Jia Bing led Zhao Dongchuan straight to the Director's office.

The Director of the Huangyuan Cultural Center, surnamed Wang, was an old Comrade in his fifties. He had also been in a "cow shed" before, and in recent years, as policies gradually relaxed, he was reinstated and assigned to be the Director of the Cultural Center.

"Director Wang, this is Zhao Dongchuan, the author of 'love of life', here to report for duty today!" Jia Bing stepped aside slightly to introduce him.

"Hahaha, as expected, a talented young man with an extraordinary demeanor," Director Wang, having met countless people, immediately noticed Zhao Dongchuan's unique spirit and energy.

"Director, you flatter me. This junior is just a bit lucky, and there is still much to learn. It is a great honor to work with all the seniors!" Zhao Dongchuan quickly replied. He dared not accept such high praise.

Director Wang saw Zhao Dongchuan speak and knew that this person was not a bookworm, which put him at ease. Someone who could write 'love of life' must certainly have a well-thought-out mind.

This young man has great potential for the future and can be a key person to cultivate, making his efforts to pull him up a few ranks worthwhile.

"Good, good," Director Wang nodded and smiled.

"Currently, your position is Cultural Center Editor, primarily responsible for compiling and collecting poetry and novels from the northern Shaanxi region. This will not only broaden your horizons but also give you more time for creation. I eagerly await your new works!"

"You've just arrived and are unfamiliar with many things. Follow Teacher Jia, and let him help you get acquainted!"

"If you encounter any difficulties in work or life, you can come directly to me, and I will help you solve them," Director Wang said with a kind smile.

After leaving the Director's office, Zhao Dongchuan was still a bit confused. Honestly, it seemed like the Director was a little too kind to him.

He wasn't sure if it was genuine or not, which left Zhao Dongchuan somewhat bewildered.

Perhaps sensing Zhao Dongchuan's internal doubts, Jia Bing explained, "Director Wang is very supportive of new people. Given the current situation, literature has suffered a great blow, and he is doing his best to support new talent, hoping that the literary world can pass on its torch. Our Director has high hopes for you!"

Afterward, Jia Bing took Zhao Dongchuan to the Human Resources Department to complete the onboarding procedures, including transferring his household registration and personnel files. At the same time, according to regulations, Zhao Dongchuan's monthly salary was set at 40 yuan, with 30 jin of ration coupons each month, as well as other daily-use coupons for cloth, oil, etc.

Additionally, he was given two sets of uniforms, which needed to be worn during working hours.

Finally, Jia Bing took Zhao Dongchuan to the Cultural Center's staff dormitory. Since most people had homes in the city, fewer people lived in the dorms, so fortunately, Zhao Dongchuan had a four-person dorm all to himself.

However, the dorm hadn't been lived in much, so it was quite messy and piled with various items. Jia Bing then led Zhao Dongchuan to move the clutter into the adjacent storage room. By the time they finished, it was already midday.

To express his gratitude, Zhao Dongchuan insisted on treating Jia Bing to a delicious meal at a state-run restaurant.

"Oh, young Zhao, you shouldn't have spent so much," Jia Bing said, wiping the oil from the corner of his mouth.

"It's nothing. Teacher Jia, you've helped me so much and have been busy with me. It's truly hard work. In a couple of days, once I'm settled, I'll invite you and your wife to eat at my place," Zhao Dongchuan said sincerely.

"Alright, then I'll have to taste your cooking," Jia Bing said with a chuckle.

"You should go back to the dorm now and tidy up properly. See you tomorrow.

Oh, and today you also need to get a 1-inch ID photo taken and submit it to Human Resources. Tomorrow, you can pick up your work ID from Human Resources," Jia Bing instructed.

"Alright, Teacher Jia, see you tomorrow."

After parting ways with Jia Bing, Zhao Dongchuan went to the photo studio Jia Bing mentioned. The Cultural Center staff often took photos there. Zhao Dongchuan changed into his uniform, paid 1 yuan, and had an ID photo taken. Hearing he was from the Cultural Center, the staff helped him expedite the process.

Zhao Dongchuan waited for about two hours and then received the photo. Looking at his refined self in the black and white photo, he chuckled. Although he had been in this world for quite some time, he still felt a sense of disconnect.

After submitting the photo to the Human Resources Department, Zhao Dongchuan returned to his dorm, took out a rag and basin from his space, filled it with water, and began cleaning.

Before long, the dorm was completely refreshed, and Zhao Dongchuan felt a strong sense of accomplishment. His university dorms back then had never been this clean.

With better physical fitness, doing housework was much more efficient, hehe!!!

Because he had been cleaning and getting water, the dorm door was open. Just then, someone came back and passed by the dorm entrance.

The person curiously peered inside.

"Oh, it's you???" the person exclaimed in surprise.

Zhao Dongchuan turned his head to look at the doorway. It was none other than Runye's classmate, Du Lili, who had previously helped Zhao Dongchuan find submission materials.

"Uh, what a coincidence, Sister Lili," Zhao Dongchuan said.

"Why are you here??" Du Lili asked, a little incredulously.

"I just started my new job today and reported in. The Cultural Center arranged for me to live here, and I'm in the middle of a big cleanup!" Zhao Dongchuan said with a smile.

"Starting a job? You're working at our Cultural Center??" Du Lili asked, somewhat disbelievingly.

"Yes, I met with the Director this morning and have already completed the procedures at Human Resources," Zhao Dongchuan said, putting down the rag.

"Oh, I transferred jobs. By the way, why were you looking for me?" Sister Lili said.

"Nothing much, just to thank you for helping me submit my work!" The periodical hadn't been published yet, and Zhao Dongchuan didn't want to mention the publication of his work, lest it seem like he was deliberately showing off.

"It's nothing, just a small favor."

Du Lili felt that for such a "small matter," he went all the way to the county to find her, and then coincidentally met her here again today. How could an educated youth with no background, who was sent to the countryside, jump several ranks to work at the Regional Culture Center? If he had such connections, would he even need to go to the countryside? He's bragging without even thinking!

"Is this kid interested in me and deliberately trying to get close?" Du Lili thought to herself.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt it was true. Du Lili couldn't help but get a little angry. Who was she? The daughter of the County Cultural Center Director, no, now the Deputy Director of the Huangyuan Cultural Bureau. She was beautiful and had a stable, respectable job in the city. How could she possibly be interested in him?

He's truly a toad trying to eat swan meat!!!!!

Thinking this, Du Lili couldn't help but show a look of disdain as she looked at Zhao Dongchuan, then quickly turned and walked away, afraid of being entangled.

Leaving Zhao Dongchuan stunned in place, utterly bewildered.

Zhao Dongchuan didn't pay attention to the suddenly somewhat "neurotic" Du Lili. He closed the door, took out daily necessities, bedding, the "self-study series of mathematics, physics, and chemistry," and other items from his space, arranging them one by one.