Following A-Ming through the factory grounds, my eyes never stopped, curiously observing everything around me. In the garment factory workshops, workers sat at their sewing machines, skillfully operating them. Fabric flowed swiftly through their hands, quickly transforming into semi-finished garments. The hum of the machines mingled with the workers' conversations, creating a busy atmosphere completely different from that of a restaurant.
A-Ming first took me to the dormitory. It was a large room with several rows of bunk beds. Although not spacious, it was fairly tidy. A-Ming pointed to an empty bed by the window and said, "A-Qiang, you can sleep here. I'll get you some bedding in a bit; you can tidy up first."
I looked at him gratefully, "Thank you, A-Ming."
"Don't mention it. It's not easy for anyone traveling. From now on, we're brothers," A-Ming replied with a smile.
After settling me into my bed, A-Ming gave me a tour of the factory, explaining the functions of each workshop and the factory's rules. He told me that I worked from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break. Overtime might be necessary to meet orders. He emphasized the importance of safety, especially when handling fabrics and goods, and warned me not to injure myself.
"Also, the factory pays wages on the 15th of each month, directly into your bank account. Go to the office and ask the finance department to open a bank account for you," Ah Ming instructed.
"Okay, I got it," I nodded earnestly. All of this was new to me, and I was afraid of missing anything.
Soon, I started working at the factory. My main tasks were moving fabrics from the warehouse to various workshops, sorting and packing finished garments, and transporting them to the shipping area. Although it was all physical labor, it was much easier than washing dishes and mopping floors in a restaurant, and the pay was higher.
At first, I wasn't familiar with the types and sizes of fabrics and often made mistakes. Fortunately, my colleagues in the workshop were very helpful, patiently explaining and teaching me how to distinguish between different fabrics. With their help, I gradually became more skilled, and my work efficiency improved significantly.
Once, the factory received a large order and needed to produce a batch of clothes within half a month. To meet the deadline, everyone in the factory worked overtime. During that time, I was exhausted every day, my back aching, but the thought of earning more overtime pay and sending more money home made it all worthwhile.
At the factory, I also made many new friends. Besides A-Ming, there was Lao Wang from Sichuan, Xiao Li from Hunan, and Brother Zhao from Northeast China. During breaks, we would sit together and chat, sharing interesting stories from our hometowns. Lao Wang would tell us how spicy Sichuan hotpot is, Xiao Li would sing a few lines of Hunan flower drum opera, and Brother Zhao, with his thick Northeastern accent, would make everyone laugh. I would also tell them about the customs and culture of Vietnam and the beautiful scenery of the Mekong River. Although language communication was sometimes difficult, everyone listened with great interest.
During my time working at the factory, I not only learned new skills but also experienced a warm and supportive team atmosphere. This was completely different from my previous experiences on construction sites and in restaurants. Here, I was no longer a stranger, someone to be bossed around and bullied, but a member of this big family.
As time went on, I became increasingly adept at my work in the factory. The boss, seeing my performance, grew more and more satisfied with me. After my probation period ended, he called me into his office, smiled, and said, "Qiang, you've done a great job this month. You're hardworking and reliable. Starting next month, your salary will increase to 1000 yuan. Keep up the good work, there will be more opportunities in the future."
Hearing this news, I was overjoyed. 1000 yuan! This meant I could send more money home, my mother's illness might receive better treatment, and my younger sister could continue her schooling.
"Thank you, boss! I will definitely work even harder!" I said excitedly.
Leaving the office, I couldn't wait to tell A-Ming and the others the good news. Everyone was happy for me. Amin even patted me on the shoulder and said, "Qiang, well done! Keep it up, things will definitely get better and better!"
That night, I lay in bed, gazing at the stars outside the window, my heart filled with hope for the future. In this unfamiliar country, I had finally found a stable job and made a group of like-minded friends. I believed that as long as I persevered, I could definitely change my own and my family's destiny.