My workplace is placing some employees on leave for vocational skills training, and I'm on the first batch of the list. They call it skills training, but everyone knows it's just a form of layoff. I heard there will be an exam after the training, and those who fail will be officially laid off. I'm utterly miserable. After all, I'm a union officer—a position of some authority. How can I possibly save face by going to training with the workers?Back home, I brooded alone. My first-grader son pestered me to help with his math homework. I snapped at him to solve it himself first, then I'd check. My husband, sensing my mood, sat silently beside me. The boy diligently worked on his problems. After finishing, he nagged me again to review his work. Reading his answers, I couldn't help but burst out laughing.It turned out one problem asked: "Nineteen people need to cross a river. There are three boats at the riverbank, each capable of carrying five people at a time. Can all nineteen cross in one trip?" This was a simple calculation problem, but my son's answer was: "They can all cross if they squeeze together." I laughed until tears nearly came to my eyes.My son puffed out his cheeks and retorted, "What's so funny? Of course the extra four people have to squeeze in. Don't we always squeeze together when riding the bus?" I finally managed to stop laughing and explained to him that the standard answer should be: "They can't all fit." My husband read it and laughed too. Afterward, he said meaningfully, "Actually, your son’s answer isn’t wrong either. Our national circumstances are unique—Chinese people value flexibility and adaptability. When things get tight, we just squeeze through." Hearing this, I fell deep in thought. Finally, I resolved to focus solely on the training and stop overthinking everything. Thanks to my rigorous practice, I ended up scoring first place in the entire system on the final skills exam.Upon returning to work, my supervisor promoted me beyond the usual progression and raised my salary by two grades. Later, I learned the supervisor had intentionally selected me and the Youth League Secretary—two young cadres—to take the exam to avoid worker discontent over the layoff process. The Youth League Secretary, disheartened by the prospect of layoff, had no motivation to study and ultimately lost his job. My misfortune turned into a blessing.This truly owes much to my adorable son and wise husband. They were right: always do your best in everything. When difficulties arise, maybe we can squeeze through them together!
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