Zhang Guoqing and his brother Zhang Guoqiang rode their bicycles to the county town, arriving past nine. The two hurriedly sped towards the County Public Security Bureau. The County Public Security Bureau now shares an office space with the women’s federation within a large courtyard. As they entered, the courtyard was bustling with people. Apart from a few staff members in uniform from the bureau, almost everyone else was a woman - a unique feature of the county bureau’s courtyard. Women hold up half the sky here, if not more. In addition to the women’s federation, the daycare center and cafeteria within the courtyard are also predominantly staffed by women. Zhang Guoqing would stop and chat with acquaintances along the way. He even spoke a few words with people from the women’s federation. What was supposed to be a short walk took him a full half hour. The two brothers finally made it to Zuo Lin’s office on the second floor. Zhang Guoqing knocked on the door, and after hearing Zuo Lin call them in, he opened the door and entered. Seeing them come in, Zuo Lin jokingly scolded, "The moment you guys walked in, I knew it. I’ve been hearing Xiao Wu’s voice for the past half hour without seeing your faces. So, how’s it going, old second? Did you see how popular Xiao Wu is? Everywhere he goes, he seems to know everyone. I’ve written a note for you; go handle the paperwork at the human resources department, then register at the finance office. Xiao Wu knows all these places, so let him guide you. Remember to get your work uniform; wear it next Monday for work. Once you’re done, come back up with Xiao Wu. I have more to discuss with you." Zhang Guoqiang nodded respectfully and replied, "Uncle, got it. I’ll go take care of the paperwork with Xiao Wu first, then we’ll come back up." Zuo Lin nodded, waved the two brothers off, urging them to hurry. Zhang Guoqing led Zhang Guoqiang a short distance to the innermost office, knocked on the door, and shouted loudly, "Sister, are you there? It’s Xiao Wu. I’m coming in." A cheerful laugh came from inside, "Come on in, the door’s not locked." The human resources staff member, Sister Lin, saw Zhang Guoqing push the door open and enter, followed closely by a man who looked similar to him. She stared wide-eyed and curiously asked, "What are you doing here? Not going to Director Zuo but coming to me, that’s rare." Zhang Guoqing nudged his older brother to sit down. He leaned against the desk and said with a grin, "This is something only you can handle, Uncle Zuo can’t. Where’s Aunt Huang and Four Eyes?" Sister Lin playfully smacked his arm and laughed, "You brat, calling him Four Eyes, randomly giving Brother Zhang a nickname, let’s see if he doesn’t beat you up. The other day when you came to the bureau, why didn’t you come up to see him? He’s been nagging about it, driving me crazy. He’s out with Sister Huang on official business today, not coming back. Do you have business with them? Tell me about it." "Sister, this is my second brother. Don’t you think they look alike? Born from the same parents. Haha... He’s starting work here, so Sister, you have to keep an eye on him for me. Here, Second Brother, give Sister Lin the note. Sister Lin, take a look and tell us what paperwork needs to be done," Zhang Guoqing said naturally. Sister Lin took the note, glanced at it, and gave Zhang Guoqing a sidelong look, "You little fox. Didn’t you know what to do? Once I register this and sign it, I’ll take you to the finance office so they can register you, and you’ll be all set to receive your salary next month. When do you plan to handle the household registration? If you want to do it right away, I’ll write you another note. And about the work uniform, I’ll find someone to get it from the warehouse for you, so just wait a sec." After saying that, she left the room and called down, getting a response from below, and returned inside, her face filled with gossip as she quietly asked, "Everyone’s been saying that your in-laws have come to the county town lately. So, is it true they’re really young? Hehe... Xiao Wu, when you all walk together, does anyone call you a pair of brothers?" She bent over laughing at her own joke. Zhang Guoqing rolled his eyes at her and laughed, "Watch your image. How blind would one have to be? My father-in-law may be young, but even if he’s young again, he’s still not below 40." Sister Lin instructed a female colleague who had entered, "Xiao Fen, get a work uniform for this colleague and make sure to check it’s complete. It’s a hassle if something’s missing." Xiao Fen nodded, looked at Zhou Guoqiang, and said to Sister Lin, "Sister Lin, would size 180 work?" Sister Lin turned to Zhang Guoqiang, "Comrade Guoqiang, would 180 be suitable? I estimate you’re about 178; 170 might be too small." Seeing Zhang Guoqiang nod, Sister Lin sent someone to take care of it. Zhang Guoqing watched her busy with relocation notifications and didn’t disturb her. He went to the side and took a kettle, shook it to find it had hot water, filled Sister Lin’s cup with it, then poured two cups for himself and his brother, and patiently sat down to wait. "Alright. Once you’ve got your work uniform, Sister will take you both to the finance office. Once registered, you’ll be set to receive your salary next month. Your household must be registered for you to have a supply book, which allows you to claim the grain and some tickets. Our bureau and the women’s federation share a cafeteria. Meals are available three times a day. It’s up to you whether you eat or not, but it’s cheaper than outside. This month, even with the supply book, you won’t make it before month’s end, so it’s only next month. Xiao Wu, you’re familiar with the finance side. Let them advance some meal and grocery tickets to your second brother; they’ll settle it next month." Zhang Guoqing nodded, "Thanks, Sister Lin, my second brother wouldn’t know about all this if you hadn’t mentioned it. His household is currently registered with the bureau, and once the family buys a house, it’ll be transferred to the neighborhood committee, right?" "Yes, once there’s a property in his name in the county town, he can bring the kids in. For now, it’s just him; the household is with the bureau, and the supply book’s grain and tickets are issued with the salary from the 1st to the 3rd of every month. From what I’ve seen, his current salary is 27.50 yuan per month, but it’ll reach grade 30, and the salary will be 32.50 yuan after three months of probation." Zhang Guoqing smiled and said, "Sister, can you spill the beans on what grade you’re at now? Isn’t your income already transparent, doesn’t my brother-in-law know how much secret stash you have?" ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✦𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚✦𝕟𝕖𝕥 Sister Lin gave a playful rebuke, "I won’t tell you, the finance department has it all noted. I’ll be sure to tell Jiao Jiao to watch out for your secret stash, Xiao Wu, you’re not honest, huh? My brother-in-law hands over all his wages and even travel allowances each month." Zhang Guoqing put his hands together pleadingly, "Please don’t. If you tell Jiao Jiao, my brother-in-law’s so considerate, she’d compare me to him constantly, just spare me." Sister Lin laughed heartily, "You’re a clever one. Isn’t Jiao Jiao under your thumb? Remember, when you’re done, find Uncle Ye. Doesn’t that old man like you best? Have him help your second brother get a dorm room. Most of the people at our bureau are locals, so there’s no big rush for dorm rooms. The year’s ending, so get this sorted in advance, because next year we won’t know. The women’s federation dorms are fully allocated; we’ve only a couple of single dorm rooms left in the bureau." Having finished, hearing footstep sounds approaching the staircase, she signaled with her eyes. The footstep sounds continued up to the door, followed by a knock. Sister Lin asked, "Is that Xiao Fen? Come in." Zhang Guoqing stood up and saw Xiao Fen carrying an armful of work uniforms. He took the topmost one and placed it on the table, curiously looking it over, and said to her, "Comrade, you’ve worked hard. Sister Lin, so you don’t have to buy clothes at work here. That’s really nice, saves fabric." "Quit your jabbering! Guoqiang, this sheet is your transfer certificate. Keep it safe, and remember to have your team stamp it when you go back, then bring it to the household registration department next Monday. I’ll take you to the finance office, and once registered, you’re all set."