Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 2609 Too Many Benefits Given (First Update, Please Subscribe)
Meanwhile, in a field in the Central Plains, hundreds of kilometers away.

Although the weather in May is neither too hot nor too cold, it's still inevitable to sweat after being in the sun for half a day.

Wearing a tattered vest and with his trousers rolled up, Lin Wei mechanically wielded a hoe to weed along the edge of the field. Sweat streamed down his face, soaking his old vest, which clung tightly to his back.

The dozen or so people who were sent to the countryside with him were scattered in the fields, all working hard. Only the occasional panting broke the silence of the fields.

The whistle signaling the midday break finally sounded, and everyone straightened up, rubbing their aching backs, and gathered under the big locust tree by the field.

"When will this end?" someone sighed first, unable to help but complain, "Didn't they say we could go back to the city? Why is there no news about going back? My parents are getting worried sick."

These words instantly struck a chord with everyone, and they began to discuss them animatedly.

"That's right. Some of the classmates who were sent to the countryside with us back then have already gone back. Some have been assigned jobs, some have gone to factories, and some have gone to government offices. Only we are still here, toiling in the fields."

"I heard that many people went back but didn't get any jobs and are now unemployed at home."

"That's why you need to go back early; the later you go back, the less work you'll have."

Lin Wei sat to the side, listening silently, his heart heavy. Like everyone else, he also hoped to return to the city as soon as possible and be back with his mother, but he didn't bother to inquire about it at all, after all, his status was what it was.

As for returning to the city through the college entrance examination, I never even thought about it. My level is what it is. I didn't even graduate from junior high school, so what university can I take?

Just then, Li Ming, who was leaning against the big tree, suddenly laughed triumphantly. While rolling his pipe, he said, "Brothers, I reckon I'll be going back soon. My family has pulled some strings and is already helping me get back to the city. We might hear from them in the next few days."

As soon as he said that, the surroundings fell silent, followed by a chorus of envious exclamations.

"Really? No wonder you've been walking with such a brisk pace these past few days; it turns out you're heading back to the city!"

"Li Ming, you're pretty good, you got it done without making a sound!"

The way the female educated youth looked at Li Ming changed; their previously indifferent gazes now held a hint of eagerness and ingratiation. Surrounded by the group, Li Ming's smugness intensified as he talked incessantly about the arrangements for his family, as if he had already boarded the train back to the city.

Lin Wei felt a pang of sadness, a mixture of envy and disappointment.

He knew his family's situation; not only did they lack connections, but they also had other problems. Even if he waited in line for a spot, once it was his turn, it would all be for naught if someone reported him.

Are we just going to have to stay here for the rest of our lives?

Just as he was lost in thought, a rapid bicycle bell rang out in the distance, growing louder as it approached. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw the commune's cadre riding a 28-inch bicycle, hurrying towards the fields.

The officer stopped the car, wiped the sweat from his face, glanced around at the young people, and shouted, "Lin Wei! Who is Lin Wei?"

Lin Wei was startled and quickly stood up: "Yes, it's me! Officer Zhang, is there something you need?"

He was puzzled, wondering why the commune wanted to see him. Had he done something wrong?

The officer strode up to him and said urgently, "Quickly, go back and pack your things, get back to the city immediately! We received a telegram from your hometown. They've approved your return!"

"What?" Lin Wei was completely stunned. The blade of grass in his hand fell to the ground, and his eyes widened. He thought he had misheard and asked in surprise, "Officer, what did you say? I...I'm going back to the city?"

“That’s right!” The clerk nodded and urged, “Don’t just stand there, hurry back and pack your things, let’s go now! Someone will tell you the details when you get back to the city, so hurry up and don’t delay!”

The people around were also stunned. Those who had been surrounding Li Ming turned around and looked at Lin Wei, their eyes filled with shock and envy.

Li Ming's smug expression froze instantly; his mouth hung open, and he couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

Lin Wei hadn't fully reacted yet; his mind was a jumbled mess, but his body was already running involuntarily toward the village.

We've returned to the city.

We're heading back to the city now!

What the hell is going on here?
That evening, on the train heading north, Lin Wei's feelings were complicated. He had already learned from the commune cadres why he was returning to the city.

It wasn't because he had any special background, but because he had an older brother—the guy who fled abroad more than a decade ago for his own selfish reasons.

The kid is back now.

Thinking of the hardships his family had suffered because of him over the years, Lin Wei's brows furrowed.

"Are we just going to forgive him like that?"

As this thought flashed through Lin Wei's mind, images of his classmates and friends came to mind. Their long-cherished dream of returning to the city, and even their dream jobs—things that seemed unattainable to ordinary people, things they wouldn't even dare to dream of—had fallen upon him.

Now he has not only returned to the city, but also has a job.

These are things that people dream of.

Why did the organization give him priority?
"Because your older brother is a foreign guest."

Looking at Lin Fang, who had just returned from the countryside, and seeing her daughter's bewildered expression, Lin Liu said to her.

"What? My older brother is a foreign guest? Wasn't Lin Jian sent to the countryside as part of the 'Down to the Countryside Movement'?" Subconsciously, Lin Fang could only think of Lin Jian. As for Lin Kang, she had even forgotten about him.

"It's Lin Kang!"

When Lin Liu mentioned this name, she looked at her daughter with a hint of guilt in her eyes. After all, the Lin Kang family had suffered a lot because of her back then.

"He, he's still alive."

Lin Fang looked at her mother with disbelief in her voice.

"Did he really go abroad?"

As she said this, Lin Fang sat down in the chair, and then she said:
"Is it because he had an external illness that I was able to return from the countryside and get a job at the textile factory?"

"And Lin Wei, and your two younger sisters..."

Lin Liu's feelings became somewhat complicated. She didn't even know how to describe the matter. That day, Director Wang came to her house, persuading her while telling her about the organization's support for her family.

Hearing that the children could return from the countryside and even get a job, how could Lin Liushi possibly say no? Besides—no matter what, Lin Kang was still her son.

"Oh, I never expected it, I never thought it would turn out like this."

At this moment, Lin Fang didn't even know how to describe her feelings. Over the years, she had hated and resented that brother.

However, thinking that her return to the city and her job were all thanks to that brother—because he was now a foreign guest and thus received such preferential treatment—Lin Fang suddenly didn't know what to say.

"Then...where is my older brother now?"

Lin Fang looked at her mother and asked:
“He’s in a hotel now. After he found out I didn’t want to see him, he begged me and you to give him a chance to make amends.”

Seeing her mother speak cautiously, with a questioning look in her eyes, Lin Fang began to speak:
“Mother, no matter what, he’s still my older brother. Even though he made mistakes when he was young, he’s still my older brother and your child. Now that we’re home, we can’t treat him like an outsider, don’t you think?”

We're all adults now, so naturally we need to learn to weigh things.

However, in just a short while, Lin Fang had already made up his mind—he wanted to acknowledge this brother.

Of course, Lin Jian had to acknowledge this brother. Even though his feelings were very complicated, he knew very well that the reason why ordinary families like theirs could return to the city so quickly and have jobs arranged for them immediately was entirely because he had an older brother who was a foreign guest.

Although they suffered a lot of grievances in those years because of their eldest brother's choice, they are now receiving corresponding care because of his status as a foreign guest.

So... we have to acknowledge this guy.

And just like that, everything was resolved.

With the care and concern of leaders at all levels, Lin Kang, who was previously unable to enter his home, returned to his family. Welcomed by his neighbors, Lin Kang, who had been wandering abroad for many years, finally returned home.

After a warm welcome, the family was finally reunited.

That day, Lin Kang and his family went to pay their respects to his deceased father, kneeling before his father's grave. Lin Kang burst into tears.

He never imagined that his departure that year would be his last. After paying respects to his father, Lin Kang spoke to his younger siblings.

"Okay, things are different now than before. From now on, let's live a good life together. I've made some money over there over the years."

I'll get you both color TVs and refrigerators later. Now that you both have jobs, you can get married and live a good life together.

Knowing that his older brother and sister had suffered a lot because of him over the years, Lin Kang only hoped to make up for his regrets in this way.

However, those things are indeed not expensive. A TV set only costs a few hundred yuan, and even if you buy a refrigerator and everything else, it will only cost one or two thousand yuan.

At this moment, Lin Liushi spoke.

"Alright, at least our family is finally reunited. Let bygones be bygones. Everyone's back in the city now, let's look forward..."

Since their mother had said that, the eldest brother and sisters naturally couldn't say anything else. After they all agreed, Lin Wei looked at his eldest brother and said...

"Big brother, my older sister, younger sisters, and I were able to return to the city and get jobs thanks to the leaders who took good care of us. You must thank them properly."

Lin Kang nodded and said:

“I know, I will write them a thank-you letter and present them with a banner later. After I return to Siam, I will also write to the newspaper to tell them about the help they have received. The leaders here are really treating us overseas compatriots like their own family.”

When Lin Kang said these words, his words were full of gratitude, which was absolutely from the bottom of his heart.

He's just an ordinary person, yet he receives such care and attention from those leaders. How could he not be moved?
In fact, people are always like this; they are always moved by small things. And this kind of care for foreign guests is not limited to Lin Kang alone; there are others, and many others. Almost every foreign guest receives various kinds of care. After all, they are all overseas compatriots. Now that they have returned, they must feel the warmth of a mother, so the care for them is naturally meticulous.

And this meticulous care will naturally bring corresponding rewards...

(End of this chapter)