Go back to the prosperous days and become a layman

Chapter 856 855 Victory Concludes
The conference for outstanding figures in education and culture was well-organized and progressed steadily.

When the delegations from different regions held separate meetings, Tang Zhitong, as a participant in the entire process of compiling the "Barefoot Doctor's Manual" and the initiator of medical insurance for commune members, once again raised his thoughts and suggestions on the issue of medical insurance.

I believe that by speaking out at this level, we can greatly promote the implementation of funding and reduce the burden of insurance participation for members.

June 11th, the last day of the Cultural and Educational Elite Conference.

The meeting adopted the "Tribute to Electricity" document and awarded certificates to outstanding units and individuals.

Luo Qingquan, representing the editorial team, received an award for outstanding unit, while Tang Zhitong received an award for outstanding individual.

The meeting was successfully completed.

Due to the meeting schedule, many delegations did not have time to take a group photo.

After the meeting, many delegations gathered in front of the hall to capture the glory and honor of the moment in photographs.

"Is that all?" After eating at the Sijiucheng Hotel for ten days, Wang Bo had gained weight. Now, holding his certificate, he stood at the entrance of the hall, seemingly in disbelief.

"Yes, the meeting has successfully concluded." Tang Zhitong said cheerfully. After sitting for more than ten days, one's buttocks might not have been able to endure it without some willpower.

"Yes, yes, the event concluded successfully," Wang Bo quickly corrected himself.

"Alright, back to work. Implement the revolutionary tasks based on the meeting's outcomes, and keep up the good work." Tang Zhitong patted Wang Bo on the shoulder, then prepared to get back on his feet.

Actually, there was one last item on the agenda for the meeting—a dinner.

Tonight's banquet is even more extravagant than the last one, with many leaders in attendance, and the representatives on this side are the members of the Presidium of the Gathering of Heroes.

Tang Zhitong was not one of them and was not qualified to go over that night, so he planned to go back to the Sijiucheng Hotel and ride his bicycle to the escort office.

The days of plenty of food are short-lived; one cannot become so immersed in them that one cannot escape them.

"Aren't we going to have another meal here tonight?" Luo Qingquan asked Tang Zhitong as they arrived at the entrance of the Sijiucheng Hotel.

"No, Uncle Luo, I have too many things to take care of at work. I need to catch up today and try to rest tomorrow. I have to go to class the day after tomorrow." The students from the Wired Department who went out to participate in production labor will return in the next couple of days, and classes will officially start the day after tomorrow. Although Tang Zhitong, as a student, did not participate in production labor, he still had to attend classes.

"Alright, then I won't keep you any longer. Be careful on the road." Luo Qingquan waved to Tang Zhitong.

It's often said that people from Beijing have an advantage, but when it comes to hospitality and entertainment, they are far inferior to representatives from other regions.

Representatives from other places can arrive in Beijing earlier not only because of their train schedules, but they also have to check their train schedules when they leave. This allows them to eat standard meals at the hotel for several more days. However, the people in Beijing only have a four-dish-and-soup meal and then leave without even being offered a room.

"Hey, Xiao Ma, busy?" Tang Zhitong rushed into the finance department an hour or so before the end of the workday. Ma Wei was staring blankly at the letter on her desk.

"Section Chief, is the meeting over?" Ma Wei hurriedly covered the letter on the table, her face flushed, and she stood up to greet Tang Zhitong, trying to appear calm.

"I'm done here. Come over and take care of these receipts. You've been working hard lately." Tang Zhitong pretended not to notice Ma Wei's unusual behavior, and turned his back to Ma Wei to hang up his schoolbag and coat, giving her time to compose herself.

“It’s not hard work, it’s just my job.” Ma Wei folded the letter and put it in the drawer, then said, “Section Chief, I’ve received a phone call and a letter from you recently.”

"Okay, thank you. Who called?" The coat was the one she wore to the meeting. The air conditioning in the meeting room was on full blast, and when she arrived at the finance department, Tang Zhitong wished she could work shirtless.

"One was from the telephone company, surnamed Gu. The other said he was your classmate, surnamed Shi. I told them you were in a meeting and I would contact them when you got back." There weren't many calls, but Ma Wei remembered them clearly.

"Okay, I understand, thank you." Tang Zhitong could roughly guess why Shi Zhengze wanted to talk to her, probably about the research class. But what did Gu Yong want? Tang Zhitong couldn't guess.

There was also a letter on the table, sent from the Post and Telecommunications Institute. Tang Zhitong didn't have time to read it, as he planned to deal with the backlog of receipts first.

"Oh, right, and your salary too." Ma Wei took out the prepared money from the desk drawer and handed it to Tang Zhitong.

"I almost forgot about it if you hadn't mentioned it, thank you." Tang Zhitong is a "ten-thousand-yuan household" after all, so he really doesn't lack this little bit of money. He's been so busy lately that he really forgot about it.

Tang Zhitong counted the money in front of Ma Wei and stuffed it all into his pocket.

Ma Wei had the finance department in perfect order; the receipts were not only neatly arranged but also properly affixed, just waiting for Tang Zhitong to return and sign off on the accounting.

For large sums, Tang Zhitong would do the mental calculations; for small sums, he would sign directly.

Tang Zhitong trusts Ma Wei, but if there's an error in the amount, he'll definitely recalculate the total amount of all the receipts in this stack today.

Fortunately, Ma Wei did her job well and made no mistakes, saving Tang Zhitong time.

In no time, Tang Zhitong finished signing and handed the receipts back to Ma Wei: "I'll be going to the Post and Telecommunications Institute next week. Keep an eye on the finance department."

"Okay, Section Chief." Ma Wei agreed readily. Having a leader who was easygoing and generous was a godsend for someone like her who wanted to slack off.

That's right. Although Ma Wei is efficient at her work, she has been slacking off these past few days. Besides reading newspapers and books, she has been corresponding with Wu Aijun.

Although the two only wrote two or three letters to each other, each one was thicker than the last.

"Alright, you go ahead with your work. I'm going to Director Fang's office." Tang Zhitong felt relieved after signing the papers and planned to take this opportunity to visit Fang Yuan. She had missed him terribly after not seeing him for over ten days.

Tang Zhitong's words, "You go ahead and do your thing," made Ma Wei blush again.

Ma Wei felt herself becoming increasingly sensitive, as if she had no secrets from Tang Zhitong, fearing that he would ask her how far her relationship with Wu Aijun had progressed.

Ma Wei wasn't busy today and didn't devote herself to her correspondence with Wu Aijun, because in a recent letter, Wu Aijun invited her to Beihai Park tomorrow and said he wouldn't go back until he saw her.

How could he be so certain that he would receive this letter today? If he didn't, wouldn't he really have to wait in vain at the entrance of Beihai Park all day?
That's so shameless!

Age is a thorn in Ma Wei's side.

Before Wu Aijun revealed his feelings, Ma Wei never felt old.

However, Fu Caiyun could see the little secret between the two. After mentioning their age difference, Ma Wei became a bit fixated on it, fearing that she might marry the wrong man. That's why she mentioned her university life in the first letter.

University life, huh? Anyone who knows a little math knows how old they'll be when they graduate, right?

Wu Aijun almost lost all his hair because of this letter.

At the Municipal Public Security Bureau, Wu Aijun couldn't figure out what Ma Wei was trying to express in the letter. Back home, he still couldn't. Wu Aijun locked himself in his room, scratching his head. He couldn't reply if he couldn't understand, but not replying wasn't his true feeling either.

He smoked one cigarette after another.

With a pack of cigarettes almost finished, Wu Aijun still had no clue what to do.

Picking up the "Selected Works," Wu Aijun recalled a saying: "Strike the weak first, then the strong; you fight your way, I'll fight mine."

Does that mean I won't reply if I can't guess the answer? Of course not!

Since I can't guess, I'll just write whatever comes to mind, about my campus life. Maybe I'll get some clues in the next reply?
This is called luring the snake out of its hole, being flexible and adaptable!

After receiving the letter, Ma Wei opened it and read it. The letter was full of Wu Aijun's campus youth, including his mischievousness, his helpfulness, and some embarrassing personal stories.

As she watched, Ma Wei relaxed, as if she were seeing the youth of a sunny young man.

The entire lengthy letter made no mention of age.

In Ma Wei's view, this just shows that Wu Aijun doesn't care about his age!

As for the recent letter, Ma Wei originally intended to be reserved. It had only been two weeks, and it seemed a bit too fast to be strolling around the park like this.

But a little Ma Wei in her heart, wearing pink horns, kept telling her: How can you know if he's considerate if you don't meet him? How can you know what he's like in real life if you don't meet him? Only by meeting him can you decide whether to continue the relationship or cut your losses!

Although it wasn't time to leave work yet, the scales of victory had already begun to tip in favor of Little Mawei, who was wearing pink horns...

Tang Zhitong chatted with Fang Yuan about what she had seen and heard at the Gathering of Heroes, and told him about her plans for next week. She didn't stay in Fang Yuan's office for long because it was time to leave work.

When Tang Zhitong returned to the finance department, he saw Ma Wei lost in thought once again.

"Ma Wei, work is never-ending. Take care of yourself. We'll deal with it next week." Tang Zhitong knew perfectly well that Ma Wei was distracted by her relationship. Even a literary young woman has her pride, okay?

"Oh, goodbye, Section Chief." Ma Wei snapped out of her daze, blushing as she packed her things.

"By the way, are you still taking the bus? Do you need me to take you to the bus stop?" Tang Zhitong slung his bag over his shoulder, stuffed the unopened letter inside, and draped his coat over the bag. The whole process was smooth and efficient, and he was done as soon as he finished speaking.

“No need, I’m riding my bike now,” Ma Wei waved her hands repeatedly.

"Okay, goodbye. Remember to lock the door when you leave." Tang Zhitong waved and left decisively. This artsy young woman was shy; what if Wu Aijun, for "safety" reasons, came to pick her up from get off work and she bumped into him? Should she congratulate them?

Tang Zhitong felt that given their family backgrounds and personal conduct, it was highly unlikely that they would establish a relationship in just ten days; that was far too fast.

Humming a little tune as she rode her bike, feeling the warmth of early summer, Tang Zhitong was already planning that she could finally sleep in tomorrow.

"Isn't dinner provided tonight?" Zhang Guifang was used to her son leaving early and returning late every day, so she was surprised to see him come home early today.

"I've been craving your cooking for over ten days," Tang Zhitong said with a smile.

Zhang Guifang's face lit up with joy when she heard her son say that.

"Is the meeting over?" Little Wang chuckled, covering his mouth and teasing him.

"Hey, even though it's over, I'll still cover dinner tonight," Tang Zhitong said matter-of-factly.

"Then you've missed a meal." Zhang Guifang felt a little sorry for him after hearing this.

"Mom, we should be content. We can't keep taking advantage of the government, can we?" Tang Zhitong didn't even put down her bag. She scooped a ladle of water from the water tank and drank it straight from the ladle. Right now, there was no way to get chilled water at home, so she could only make do with room temperature spring water.

"Be content, be content." Zhang Guifang didn't care that her son drank cold water; she had done the same thing a lot when he was a child.

Including the two trips to work on the farm recently, her son had gone almost twenty days without the family's ration. This saved the family more than twenty kilograms of grain, and Zhang Guifang was very satisfied.

"Mom, I'll cook today, you can rest. I'll go back to my room to change." Tang Zhitong put down the water ladle, wiped her mouth, and turned to go back to her room. It was getting hotter and hotter. Shirts were formal attire, suitable for meetings and work. But at home, she could wear whatever was comfortable, like a tank top.

Xiao Wang followed closely behind, intending to go back and find clothes for her husband.

Upon entering the room, Tang Zhitong hung his coat on the back of the chair, placed his satchel on the desk, and took out his certificate of outstanding individual and the letter he hadn't had time to read.

"Look, my retirement pension will increase again in the future." Tang Zhitong proudly showed the certificate to his classmate Xiao Wang.

"Here, change your clothes." Xiao Wang disagreed with buying a mattress, but she spared no effort in updating her husband's vests, buying him two new tank tops to alternate wearing.

Xiao Wang knew that her behavior was not very rational, as buying a tank top was obviously not as cost-effective as buying thermal underwear, but she still wanted to buy it.

"Here, I'll give you a warm hug as a reward." Tang Zhitong put on her tank top and opened her arms.

"Don't have any bad intentions." Xiao Wang was looking at her husband's advanced individual certificate with great satisfaction, but hesitated a little after hearing her husband's "request."

"You're making me so sad. How could I have such bad intentions?" Tang Zhitong clutched his chest, feigning heartache. His acting was far better than simply shouting "1234567".

Today is the 18th day of the fifth lunar month. Xiao Wang's relative hasn't come yet, and there's no sign of her coming. After all, she's not in her forties and hasn't reached menopause yet. The young couple has basically decided that this is the successor who is about to appear.

"How do I know you don't have bad intentions?" Seeing that her husband was obviously "acting," Xiao Wang gently leaned against him and then pushed him away.

"This is too perfunctory. This is last month's salary. Give Mom twenty yuan, and keep the rest." Tang Zhitong was dissatisfied. Summer clothes are thin, and even without touching, they feel nice to the touch, but Xiao Wang wasn't very cooperative.

"Just bear with it a little longer. I consulted Dr. Lü, and it should be fine in two more months." Xiao Wang took the money and playfully gave her husband a "V" sign.

"It's like you're making me think I don't do anything else all day." Tang Zhitong shook his head and stopped insisting. Although the touch was nice, it was hot and sticky on his body, so having something stuck to his skin was really uncomfortable.

"Alright, go cook. I want to eat green beans today." Ms. Wang ignored her husband's acting skills and started ordering food directly.

"Alright, I'll go check if we have any lard at home." Tang Zhitong had been leaving early and returning late lately, so she wasn't very familiar with the family's food supplies.

There's definitely no raw meat available, and I wonder if it's time to replenish the lard at home.

(End of this chapter)