Go back to the prosperous days and become a layman

Chapter 884 883 The Unexpected ZIP
June 22, Wednesday, sunny.

After arriving at the Post and Telecommunications Institute early in the morning, Tang Zhitong went to the logistics department first.

Although the day after tomorrow is the day when the subsidies and receipts will be distributed, the final exams for the cable department start tomorrow. In order to reduce unnecessary trouble during the exam period, Tang Zhitong plans to collect them today and distribute them to the students in advance.

We had already distributed them more than ten times before, and the students were very familiar with the process and cooperated very well. After Tang Zhitong brought them back, it took less than half an hour to distribute them.

However, he didn't get a break. He had just delivered the food coupons to Teacher Zhou when he was greeted by his classmates from the research class.

"What's wrong? Why are you so excited?" Tang Zhitong teased.

"The chick has hatched! Team Leader Shi sent me to call you over to take a look!" The student who came to deliver the news was beaming with excitement. He had only ever seen chickens brooding before, but he had never seen a machine incubate eggs before, so it was all very novel to him.

"Let's go take a look." Tang Zhitong was much calmer. He had seen incubators, not to mention hatcheries that produce tens of thousands of chicks at once. However, the incubator in the research class was a qualitative leap compared to purely manual incubation.

When I arrived at the research class, a group of men were gathered around the incubator, watching a peculiar spectacle and chattering away, saying all sorts of things.

Some people say we should help the chicks and help them crack the eggshells.

Some say we should take out the chicks that have already hatched.

Some suggested preparing some millet to soak and feed to the chicks later.

Shi Zhengze was taking care of her like her own child, and he was worried about whether or not he should lend a hand.

With Tang Zhitong's arrival, the students seemed to have found a pillar of support, and their endless debates awaited his decision.

"Looking at me won't help, I have no experience either. But I think we should get the chicks out first, starting with those whose feathers are already dry. You guys find some baskets, or if you really can't use any, nail together some wooden boards, about 20 centimeters high, so the chicks can't jump out." Tang Zhitong said he didn't understand, but he arranged everything in an orderly manner.

Although Tang Zhitong has never hatched chicks herself, she has been exposed to short videos during the era of their popularity and knows a little about many things.

"Do you have millet here?" After arranging things, Tang Zhitong turned to ask Shi Zhengze.

"No." Shi Zhengze shook his head. They had no experience in hatching chicks and hadn't even considered this issue.

"Do you know Director Su's phone number? Never mind, I'll call him myself."

First, remove the eggshells from the incubator. For those that have already hatched, try to let them come out on their own. If they seem too weak, you can give them a little help. Take them out after their feathers have dried.

And for those with intact shells, never deliberately break them; let the chicks inside peck them open themselves.

Tang Zhitong arranged things quickly and efficiently, then went downstairs to call Su Qingxiang, asking him not only to support Xiaomi, but also to arrange for someone to connect with the farm.

With so many chicks, we can't expect the research students to carry them all by themselves, can we?

"Okay! Okay! I'll send someone over right away!" Su Qingxiang was very excited when he heard that the chicks were ready, and Tang Zhitong could hear it even over the phone.

"Okay, I reckon it can be transported to the farm in the next day or two. We can raise them slowly there." Before the famine, there were also vendors selling chicks. They would sell the chicks after two or three days and wouldn't keep them in their hands for too long.

It's just that the situation is different now, and there are fewer people selling chicks.

Whether in the past or present, most people who sell chicks don't pick and choose their chickens. They have more professional ethics than the chicken vendors at the park entrance decades later, whose chicks are basically the leftovers and whose lifespan is measured in days.

"Okay! I'll arrange it!" Su Qingxiang's voice was loud, and it reached Tang Zhitong's ears along with the crackling sound of electricity.

After Su Qingxiang finished speaking, he paused for a moment and then said, "Xiao Tang, thank you! You've gone to a lot of trouble with Zhiping's matter."

"You're too kind. We're classmates and roommates, it's only right that we do this." Tang Zhitong was slightly surprised; it seemed Luo Zhiping had finally come clean with his family.

After hanging up the phone, Su Qingxiang sat at his desk and sighed. Although Tang Zhitong said it was all as it should be, where in the world are there so many "shoulds"?
After making the call, Tang Zhitong went to the research class.

I need to study for the exam and don't have time to stay here all the time. Shi Zhengze still needs to keep an eye on the chicks: "Team Leader Shi, I reckon the chicks won't be out so soon. I'm afraid you'll have to keep an eye on them in the classroom tonight."

"It's alright, I'll just consider it gaining experience. I'll be reporting to the Second Bureau of Commerce in a few days, and I'll be able to use it there." Shi Zhengze didn't hesitate at all and agreed readily.

"That's a great attitude," Tang Zhitong said with a smile, then continued to instruct, "By tomorrow afternoon, you can throw away any eggs that haven't hatched. Be careful when you handle them, and don't break them."

"Why?" Shi Zhengze asked, puzzled.

"I know that, it's a rotten egg! Once it's cracked open, the smell can travel three miles against the wind. It's so smelly that it can make people vomit for days." A member from the next group chimed in, fanning himself with his hand under his nose as he spoke, as if recalling some unpleasant past events.

Tang Zhitong listened and laughed, realizing that this young man had a story to tell, just like himself when he was young.

There was one unhatched egg left in the henhouse. My mother told me to throw it away, and I obeyed, throwing it against the wall.

This act of throwing not only resulted in a beating, but also vomiting and three days of loss of appetite.

Although the smell couldn't travel more than three miles on the wind, Tang Zhitong felt it was hundreds of times stronger than the smell of rotten dead rats, extremely biochemical, and that getting a beating was entirely justified.

“Yes, it’s a rotten egg. The smell is so strong that if it breaks in the classroom, this building might not be able to hold classes for three days.” Tang Zhitong nodded to the young man.

The celebration banquet a while ago didn't involve any activities from Group 1, which caused some discontent among them. However, their discontent wasn't directed at Tang Zhitong, but rather at their own group leader, Tao Yingjie, who complained about Tang Zhitong behind their backs.

Now look what's happened! Not only did they miss out on a great meal, but their group also missed out on any spots to stay in Beijing.

Tao Yingjie was in a terrible predicament. He was indeed trying to stand up for his friend, but he also had the idea that getting rid of one would reduce one of his competitors.

I never imagined things would develop to this point.

After lingering in the research class for a while, watching the students work together to nail the box containing the chicks together and move the chicks inside, Tang Zhitong gave some instructions about feeding them water before leaving.

The chirping of a single chick is relatively gentle, but when dozens or hundreds of chicks gather together, the sound becomes pure torture for the ears.

At the school gate, after arguing with the security guards for a while, Tang Zhitong finally saw the people from the Municipal Public Security Bureau.

After sending the people from the Municipal Bureau to the research class, Tang Zhitong continued to return to the classroom to study.

This time it was quiet, and Tang Zhitong studied quietly until the afternoon.

If it weren't for the thought of picking up Xiao Wang from school, Tang Zhitong could have stayed until school was over.

After leaving the classroom, Tang Zhitong went to the cafeteria first, used the 1.5 jin of grain coupons he had tricked Xiao Wang into buying apples to buy steamed buns, and put them into his spatial storage for later use. After buying the steamed buns, Tang Zhitong remembered that Xiao Wang hadn't mentioned the grain coupons when he took the apples home yesterday.

I don't know if she's just forgetful because of pregnancy, or if she remembered but didn't say anything.

It's good that they don't make a sound; keeping quiet will save the family money on food stamps.

On the way to the National Library of China, Tang Zhitong thought of the little rabbits in his space. He didn't have a chance to get rid of them right now, so he could only let them stay young forever for the time being.

Since the wheat harvest, there have been far fewer beggars on the streets. If a family has enough to eat, it's unlikely anyone would go out begging, except for the governor of Los Angeles, the famous beggar Fatty Ding.

“The streets are peaceful now, and I’m not due yet, so I can go home by myself. You can come pick me up when winter comes.” Seeing her husband sweating profusely, Xiao Wang felt sorry for him and took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat.

“It’s on my way. It would be great if we could move to a place around here, so you could walk to and from get off work.” Tang Zhitong was very satisfied with the security in the area. Not only was it near a park, but there weren’t many residents, so it was quiet and peaceful.

"What a coincidence." Ever since Xiao Wang mentioned changing houses last time, he has been paying attention to the location and size of the replacement houses available at his workplace. There are very few detached houses like his own, and even if there are, the location is not suitable.

"Let's wait patiently, maybe we'll find one tomorrow." Tang Zhitong said cheerfully. He had also asked Sister Chen from the union to keep an eye out, but they hadn't found anything suitable yet.

The two walked home chatting and laughing. When they were almost at the iron wheel handle, they saw a group of people gathered around the water room of Mr. Zhu, the director of the information center.

"Anzi, off work?" A neighbor greeted Tang Zhitong.

"Hey, you're off work? What happened?" Tang Zhitong smiled and nodded to the neighbors, then dismounted his bicycle and asked.

"Liu Chengzhi is gone."

"Huh? I saw him just a couple of days ago, he seemed to be doing well." Tang Zhitong was surprised to hear this news.

Although the two sides are at odds, it is merely an internal conflict among the people, and it would never reach the point of killing each other.

"The accident happened at work; I heard it was because he got distracted while working."

"This matter has become quite a mess, and no one from the Liu family has stepped forward to handle it; only Old Lü is managing it all by himself."

"I'll put the bike down first and come back later." Tang Zhitong nodded to the neighbors and helped Xiao Wang put the bicycle under the gate.

"Are you still going over there?" Xiao Wang knew about the history between the two families and didn't want her husband to get involved in this mess.

“We’ll still be living here. The old and young members of the Liu family are all in jail. The youngest was arrested for stealing our chickens. Now Liu Chengzhi doesn’t even have anyone to hold a ceremonial banner for him. We have to consider what the neighbors will say.” Tang Zhitong sighed. This was an issue that couldn’t be avoided.

There's an old saying that goes, "The death of a person is the greatest loss."

Unless it's a deep-seated blood feud, once someone dies, the hatred fades. You might even have to offer sacrifices at their memorial. Even if it's not for the deceased, it's for the living, and you have to do it for others to see.

After handing the bag to Xiao Wang, Tang Zhitong, now lightly equipped, walked back.

"What happened to the body? Was it brought back?" Tang Zhitong asked proactively.

"There was no body. The whole person was crushed into a pancake. It looked terrible. Old Lu said that the company took it down, piled it up, and took it directly to the crematorium for cremation." Several neighbors were discussing Liu Chengzhi's violent death. According to the older generation, this kind of death was caused by not having enough good fortune, not accumulating virtue, and committing sins.

“Anzi, Chengzhi is gone, Jiaming is his only son. You have a lot of influence in this area, could you talk to the police station and ask him to be released early?” Lu Dexian was in a hurry and didn’t know where he was going. He suddenly stopped when he saw Tang Zhitong.

"The way you're talking makes it sound like I can control everything in Tielugu. The police station isn't my private property; I don't have the final say. Besides, Liu Jiaming is in the juvenile detention center, which has nothing to do with the police station. Besides him and his grandson, there are other people in the Liu family. Have you forgotten about Chu Chunxue?"

Tang Zhitong didn't believe that Lü Dexian had any good intentions in raising this question in front of the neighbors. Looking at his bloodshot eyes, he left no room for negotiation. Whoever has the ability can go to the juvenile detention center to bail him out; he himself couldn't do it anyway.

“Didn’t she leave Cheng Zhi and go back to her parents’ home? It’s not appropriate for her to get involved in this.” Seeing that Tang Zhitong not only refused to help but also brought up Chu Chunxue, Lü Dexian immediately rejected the idea.

"If you ask me, only she is the right person to handle this matter."

Chu Chunxue was Liu's lawfully wedded wife, and she and Liu Chengzhi were a legally married couple who had obtained their marriage certificate from the neighborhood committee.

They just had a fight, and Chu Chunxue only went back to her parents' home in anger. They didn't say anything about getting a divorce!
Even a day as husband and wife should be considered a hundred days of kindness. They had a fight, and you're already advising them to get a divorce? Did you go to the neighborhood committee to complete the formalities?

Tang Zhitong didn't know what sinister intentions Lü Dexian was harboring, but Chu Chunxue was determined to say, "What the enemy opposes is what we support!"

If we don't call her back, who knows what kind of rumors Lü Dexian will spread about me.

With Chu Chunxue around, even if Liu Chengzhi really was Lü Dexian's son, Lü Dexian wouldn't have a say in Liu Chengzhi's funeral arrangements.

"I didn't, don't talk nonsense. Nobody knows where Xiao Chu's family is, and it would take a lot of time to go back and forth. The funeral can't be delayed." Lu Dexian was a little flustered. After saying that, he wanted to slip away, determined not to give Chu Chunxue a chance.

"That's easy, just make a phone call. Does anyone in the neighborhood know which village Chu Chunxue's family is from?" Tang Zhitong didn't give Lü Dexian a chance at all.

The more Lü Dexian refused to let Chu Chunxue intervene, the more Tang Zhitong felt there was something fishy going on.

Tang Zhitong knew that Chu Chunxue and Wang Bo were from the same village, but he still asked in front of everyone to mobilize the masses.

"It seems to be Qin Family Village in the west of the city."

"It's Qin Family Village in the west of the city. My great-aunt's second aunt's third daughter married into that village."

Because of the Liu Jiaming incident, Lü Dexian has been removed from his position as a joint security guard, and his prestige has plummeted. The neighbors, who usually enjoy Lü's favoritism, are now jumping out to undermine him.

"Qin Family Village? Okay, I'll make the call!" Tang Zhitong started the conversation, taking it upon himself to make the call.

He didn't do this to use Chu Chunxue to disgust Lü Dexian.

Liu Chengzhi owes a mountain of gambling debts, and may have already paid off some of them by selling his body, but that doesn’t mean he has no inheritance.

Liu Chengzhi was crushed to death at work. No matter what, it was a work-related death, and according to regulations, his job can be inherited!
Chu Chunxue is the only one in the Liu family who is suitable to take over!
If Chu Chunxue takes over, not only will the work problem be solved, but her quota will also be resolved.

There will definitely be more mobilizations to go to the countryside later, but her husband died in the line of duty, and she still has elderly parents and young children to support. Given her situation, who would have the nerve to lay a hand on her?
…………

I started watching it again from the beginning these past few days, trying to find any plot holes I missed before, but I was surprised to find that many comments had disappeared. I didn't do that... Please be mindful of the boundaries when you guys discuss this!

(End of this chapter)