Australia 1671

Chapter 15: Double‑Choice Fair

Until 8:30 PM that evening, the first joint meeting of the Cabinet Committee formally concluded.

During the meeting, everyone developed specific action plans across six domains—organizational structure, military, industry, agriculture, economy, and education—based on Li Yingchun’s proposed “six‑month recovery plan,” and identified more than ten tasks that needed to be implemented immediately.

Overall, in the face of survival pressure and shared future interests, the participants collaborated sincerely—even though there were some disagreements and differing opinions, they were able to reach consensus in the end.

…

The next morning, it was ten minutes before eight o’clock.

Wei Ruru, a clerk in the original shipyard management office, hurriedly carried a broadcast script and pushed open the door to the radio room located in the shipyard workshop.

She saw Liang Shuyi, wearing professional attire, inside and hurriedly said:

“…Shuyi‑jie! Quick! The Secretariat delivered this script just now, it needs to be broadcast at 8 AM this morning! Please read through it now!”

Liang Shuyi, in her early thirties with light makeup, was sitting on the sofa reviewing a script when she looked up at the out‑of‑breath Wei Ruru, shook her head helplessly, took the new script in her hand, waved the original one, and smiled as she said:

“Xiao Ru, do you know what I’m holding?”

Wei Ruru froze, then her face fell as she said:

“…Could it also be a notice telling everyone to go to the school playground for the double‑choice fair?”

Seeing her exaggeratedly dejected expression, Liang Shuyi sighed and said:

“How many times has this been? You need to fix your rashness! You can’t stay a little girl forever, right?

If Secretary Qian from the Secretariat hadn’t come by just now to deliver the script, we two would’ve been in trouble!”

“Oh! It’s not like he came late on purpose!” Wei Ruru stuck her tongue out, then suddenly seized on the cue, grabbed her arm, and widened her eyes:

“Shuyi‑jie? What did you just say? Secretary Qian? The tall, handsome, single Secretary Qian? He’s starting to pursue you?”

“…You brat! Stop talking nonsense! Time’s almost up!”

Liang Shuyi’s face flushed, she pulled her arm from Ruru’s grasp, then stood and sat at the broadcaster’s seat, turned to make a “be quiet” gesture to her colleague, took a deep breath, switched on the mic, and with her distinct, cool voice began reading the script:

“…Citizens of the Republic! Good morning! I am today’s on‑duty broadcaster, Liang Shuyi. I will now deliver an important announcement for today.

First, according to the resolution from yesterday’s first Cabinet Committee meeting, in order to improve staffing and organizational structures across all departments and enterprises and to resume production as soon as possible, the ‘Six‑Month Recovery Plan’ will be implemented.

This morning at 9 AM, the following departments and institutions under the Cabinet Committee—Civil Affairs, Finance, Public Security, Justice, Education, Science & Technology, Agriculture, Construction, Shipbuilding, Materials, Machinery, Chemical, Safety, Foreign Affairs, Commerce, Disease & Health, Culture & Archives, Indigenous Affairs, Army Officer Academy, Navy Officer Academy, Police Academy, the Republic National University, and the First Hospital of the Republic—will hold a double‑choice recruitment fair at the Longgang Middle School playground.

Any citizen who is at least eighteen years old, willing to work and abide by job arrangements, may apply and participate in the interview!

Interviewers will base their hiring decisions on candidates’ education, professional background, and physical condition; some positions may require a written test.

Anyone may apply for up to three positions, but ultimately may select only one.

The fair will last three days. If no suitable position is found after three days, applicants may join the Agricultural Bureau’s logging and land‑reclamation brigade.

This brigade was established to help resolve the food crisis in the Republic. The work is tough, so after officially joining, members will earn more than twice the contribution points of a normal job and receive priority allocation of newly built housing.

Additionally, applicants to the Army or Navy Officer Academies and the Police Academy must meet certain physical standards and possess firm willpower and conviction—please apply cautiously, so as not to waste spots…”

The news about today’s double‑choice career fair had already begun circulating among some groups last night, and the broadcast simply confirmed it, since Li Yingchun had already said yesterday that everyone should reselect their careers based on their strengths and interests.

Such a decision that could determine the direction and fate of one’s life would prompt any reasonable person to think carefully before choosing.

Of course, for some middle‑aged people whose careers had become fixed, even if they wanted office jobs, they lacked the aptitude and learning ability—continuing in their old field was their only option.

Therefore, most of the attendees at the fair on the first morning were young people under thirty‑five.

At 8:30 AM, Zhou Jixin arrived at the Longgang Middle School playground, carrying some form sheets and blank A4 papers.

By then, the department chiefs and early-recruited staff had already begun setting up the venue.

Principal Sun Debo of Longgang Middle School had provided many shade umbrellas, roll‑up banners, and necessary chairs that were originally used for sporting events.

Interviewers from each department sat behind cardboard signs labeled with broad‑marker script such as “Finance Bureau,” “Civil Affairs Bureau,” “Agriculture Bureau,” “Construction Bureau,” and waited for the interviewees.

Zhou Jixin surveyed the scene and noticed there were more than twenty umbrellas on the playground. Seeing that the second‑to‑last one on the west side next to the Chemical Bureau spot was still unoccupied, he walked over, picked up a piece of cardboard, wrote “Safety Bureau” in large characters with a marker, and beneath wrote:

“Calm mind, keen observation, strong memory, foreign‑language proficiency—priority hiring! Excellent benefits!”

“The Safety Bureau will be the sword to strike both domestic and foreign enemies of the Republic!”

“…Tsk tsk! The Safety Bureau, huh! You’re so openly recruiting spies—aren’t you afraid of exposure?”

The mocking voice of a young girl came from beside him; Zhou Jixin didn’t turn around, but first hung his sign on the umbrella, then faced her and said:

“…Di Yilu? Do you have something to say?”

“Hmm? How did you know my name??”

The girl, a sweet-faced youth with slightly prominent canine teeth, was astonished that he called her by name.

Zhou Jixin glanced at her and said calmly:

“Yesterday when I learned about the double‑choice fair, I memorized the names of everyone interviewing today.

If I’m not mistaken, besides Director Kong at the Chemical Bureau, three others are coming today, and only one name is that of a woman…”

“Ah!” Di Yilu had thought he recognized her—but didn’t expect he had memorized every name!

“I don’t believe you remembered all their names! How can you prove it?” she asked skeptically.

“Hmm, you’re right, I was just guessing.”

Zhou Jixin looked her up and down—she wore a white floral dress and gave off unbeatable youthful charm—yawned, shook his head and said dismissively, then turned and sat beneath the umbrella.