Chapter 4, Rumors
He ate faster and faster, and by the time he finished the three pieces of braised pork, only a little more than half of the sweet potato rice and braised cabbage remained, while there was nothing left of the boiled potatoes and mixed grain steamed buns
This has already cost Shang Jianyao 14 contribution points: half a pound of sweet potato rice 5 points, one multigrain steamed bun 2 points, one serving of boiled potatoes 2 points, and one serving of braised cabbage with oil 3 points
Shang Jianyao nodded without hesitation and said
Chairman Ji has stated that a harmonious and healthy marriage is the key to maintaining employees' mental stability in the current environment
It is fortunate that you arrived early; if you had come a bit later, it would have been gone. The lady at the window is very kind to Shang Jianyao, as they are in the same "block". "32 o'clock"
Long Yuehong, filled with curiosity, followed Shang Jianyao over.
Two whole grain steamed buns
Shang Jianyao shook his head
On the left side is a market filled with long counters and individual stalls, where many employees who prefer not to dine in the cafeteria are selecting their food and quietly calculating their choices. On the right side is the "Employee Cafeteria," which has doors and windows, with aromas wafting outside.
Then, he held the utensils and followed the person in front of him along a fixed route, heading towards different windows
"How can this be called a good thing?" Ren Jie said with a darkened expression, "The ability to nurture life is a sacred right bestowed upon us by the divine, uh, heaven. How can it be entrusted to machines? When the time comes, how will you establish a bond with your own children?"
The merchant sees the road ahead
You are quite understanding of the situation indeed
Let's wait and have a meal together
After finishing the clear soup, Long Yuehong casually asked
A serving of boiled potatoes
No.
Her name is Ren Jie, and she lives next door to Long Yuehong. She is an employee in a department under the company's "Strategic Committee" and holds only a D3 level.
Listening to the conversation between the two, Chen Xianyu interjected with a smile:
"What rumors are there?" Long Yuehong asked curiously.
Long Yuehong shook her head without a second thought
At this moment, Chen Xianyu, the old man Chen, withdrew his gaze and looked at the pile of military canned food in front of him, unable to resist touching his belly and swallowing a mouthful of saliva
We are discussing a recent rumor
Ding ding ding
He immediately said thank you, brought a bowl of free clear soup, walked around the cafeteria for a while, found Long Yuehong, and sat down opposite her
Go back and listen to the broadcast, and rest early
Long Yuehong furrowed her brow slightly, pondering with a hint of confusion and said
Amidst the discussions of the crowd, a sudden ringing sound came from next door to the "Activity Center"
Shang Jianyao ignored him, first setting aside the portion of sweet potato rice mixed with meat sauce, and then picking up a piece of braised pork, taking a gentle bite.
"How satisfying." Both Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong across the table put down their chopsticks and sighed.
Shang Jianyao glanced at the three hefty pieces of braised pork, took out his electronic card, and swiped it on the machine
He seems to recall the feeling of opening something akin to military rations when he was at the brink of extreme hunger
Indeed, indeed. A man sitting diagonally opposite her stroked his hair and said with concern, "It is said that the Old World was ultimately destroyed due to a series of unethical and taboo experiments conducted there."
This is a carnivorous window
Mr. Ji, whose full name is Ji Ze, is a member of the company's board of directors and serves as the vice president at the M3 senior management level. He often delivers speeches on the broadcast and, at the end of the year and the beginning of the new year, he greets everyone through the display screen of the "Activity Center".
You actually agreed with Aunt Ren's words
This is just a reminder to everyone. When the time comes, if someone comes to solicit opinions, be sure to oppose it
On the other side, Ren Jie looked around and said in a lowered voice
Are you going to the Activity Center
No.
Relatively speaking, whether in ordinary schools or universities, the occurrence of romantic relationships based on free choice has become more frequent
Yes, indeed
Seeing the neighbors begin to move towards the "staff canteen," Long Yuehong glanced at the businessman beside her, Shang Jianyao
"Will you invite me?" Shang Jianyao put down the can and stood up
The soy sauce-colored meat juice quickly spread in the bowl, moistening nearly half a bowl of rice
What do you think about the system of 'reproductive centers' that liberates women from pregnancy and childbirth
Ren Jie glanced at the smiling Shang Jianyao and continued speaking
Company employees have only one opportunity to take the university entrance examination. If they fail, they will be assigned jobs uniformly. After starting work, if they perform exceptionally well, they may be recommended for university admission. At this time, they are often only 18 years old, which is before the mandatory age for participating in the unified marriage arrangement
After a few seconds, he finally spoke up and asked
Finally, Shang Jianyao arrived at the window that exuded the most intense fragrance
There were quite a few employees gathered there, as if discussing something.
Long Yuehong saw Aunt Ren's eyes wide open, bloodshot and staring at him, and he let out a low hiss.
The subsidy deadline is one month after university students are assigned to work and officially start their jobs
Feeling the explosion of meat aroma in his mouth, Shang Jianyao quickly lowered his head and scooped a mouthful of sweet potato rice that had not been tainted by meat juices
Ren Jie glanced at Long Yuehong and sighed
As they spoke, the two had already arrived outside the "Supply Market"
The man mentioned earlier, who spoke of the rumors of the old world, said in a tone:
The "Aunt Ren" he mentioned is a middle-aged woman in her forties, dressed in a polyester shirt, with attractive features and her hair simply styled in a bun
A serving of braised cabbage
Shouldn't happy things be shared with friends
Indeed, there are not many who can truly experience the freedom of love. After starting work, one leaves home at 7:30 AM and finishes at 6:00 PM, fixed in a position with only one hour for lunch and dining. By 9:00 PM, the "activity center" closes, the streetlights go out, and everyone has to return home to prepare for rest. Consequently, young people have very few opportunities to meet suitable partners of the opposite sex, and the time available for such interactions is also limited.
Indeed
Young people in this stage yearn for romantic freedom, as it is certainly preferable to random assignments, which rely purely on luck and lack an emotional foundation
Ren Jie responded very seriously
I don't know if they would be interested in me. After genetic modification, I am only 1.75 meters tall, my appearance is average, and my grades are not particularly good. I have not been reserved by any department...
Isn't this a good thing
Xiao Shang, Xiao Yue, what are your thoughts? Do you also believe that the ability to give birth to life is the key aspect that defines humanity, a sacred right bestowed by heaven?
Finally, Shang Jianyao poured the braised cabbage into the rice bowl, mixed it with the leftover sweet potato rice that had meat sauce, and finished it in one go.
As Ren Jie spoke, a woman in her twenties who was watching nearby could not help but interject
If this regulation is implemented, will it lead to the abolition of marriage and the cancellation of unified marriage arrangements
It is said that the company wants to deprive everyone of their reproductive rights
There is no main gate here, allowing one to see the situation inside at a glance
Although Shang Jianyao's parents left behind little in terms of inheritance, the company provided a certain amount of compensation. When he entered university, he also received an additional monthly subsidy of 1,200 points, which is given to every university student
Ah, it is said that the aim is to liberate women from pregnancy and childbirth, alleviating the shortage of labor in companies
"Do not call me by my nickname..." Long Yuehong first mumbled a phrase, then smiled broadly and said, "My mom said there is no need to wait for next year's unified marriage arrangement. Some daughters of my dad's colleagues did not get into university and have just started working. She is planning to introduce us to each other to see if we can develop a romantic relationship"
"Wow, luxurious." Long Yuehong exclaimed sincerely upon seeing his dinner
Shang Jianyao did not bring a lunchbox. After entering, he separated from Long Yuehong, turned to the right, and collected two wooden bowls and a plate.
Please give me a serving of braised pork, with extra sauce
Except for a few individuals, the vast majority seemed to hear the call to charge and stood up simultaneously
Aunt Ren, what are you all talking about
Ren Jie nodded repeatedly, then turned to look at Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong
After passing by the four windows, Shang Jianyao found that the two bowls were already filled to the brim—stewed cabbage topped with boiled potatoes and two golden yellow steamed buns, while the sweet potato rice seemed to be stretching the other bowl to the point of almost cracking.
Hmm? After living for so many years, Chen Xianyu is questioning for the first time whether there is something wrong with his ears
He scanned the area and, upon seeing an acquaintance, immediately asked:
Shang Jianyao answered without hesitation
He greeted with a beaming smile
Isn't this a good thing
Shang Jianyao held the can, neither responding nor putting it down
He looked through it from left to right, then from right to left, and hesitated before saying
This allowed Shang Jianyao to barely maintain a subsistence level of living
Not long after, the cafeteria doors opened, and the employees from the 495th floor entered in an orderly manner, some carrying their own utensils while others had their hands empty
Ah? This topic was somewhat unexpected for Long Yuehong, and he was momentarily unable to comprehend what it truly meant
The company may allow couples who wish to have children to submit biological materials under the guidance and assistance of a doctor
Are you all being too serious? This is just a rumor, and my uncle works in a subsidiary of the board and hasn't heard anything about it
Shang Jianyao did not show any embarrassment from being rejected on his face, and said with a smile
Can it sing
At this moment, Long Yuehong rushed in from outside the "Activity Center" holding two yellow plastic lunch boxes and saw Shang Jianyao
Half a pound of sweet potato rice
Long Yuehong was left speechless
It seems that something is happening over there..." Shang Jianyao interrupted Long Yuehong's self-pity, pointing to an old table a few meters away.
Please rephrase your question and ask again
The lady in a gray-blue uniform at the window held a spoon, scooping up three pieces of enticing braised pork, each the length of a finger, with a mix of fat and lean, and poured it into the bowl containing sweet potato rice that Shang Jianyao was using.
Do you mean to say that inviting someone to a meal is the best way to share? Long Yuehong has become increasingly accustomed to the dynamic thinking of Shang Jianyao over the past two months
Do you not still have quite a few subsidies?
Some remain silent, some nod in agreement, while others, with rich associations, ask questions:
As Long Yuehong spoke, she suddenly became somewhat melancholic
Indeed, Xiaoyue, you were so dejected in the afternoon, yet you became so cheerful in the evening; you must have encountered something good
This ringing comes from the "Supply Market" and serves as a reminder that there are only three minutes left until the cafeteria opens
Then, establish a large 'Fertility Center' in the research area to uniformly conduct in vitro cultivation, artificial womb gestation, infant growth assistance, and intervention. In short, by the time you receive your children back, they may already be several years old
At this moment, an employee chuckled and said
"It really can sing... No, it makes my stomach and soul sing," Chen Xianyu remarked with genuine emotion.