Back to 1979: Sending the Educated Youth’s Wife Back to the City

Chapter 152: Give a Show of Power
As Han Mei was leaving, she saw a job posting by Teacher Gao at the door. She parked her bike and went over to take a look. Why hadn't her mother-in-law and sister-in-law told her about the job posting?
She met the initial requirements for a high school diploma, but they wanted Japanese language proficiency. They also required language aptitude, and within two months, she had to be able to make and receive phone calls in Japanese. There was also an on-site language proficiency test. Frowning, she got on her bike and left.

Not to mention her, many people nearby came to see this job posting. After all, the travel agency offers high wages and has a good reputation for earning foreign exchange. I heard that it has a big backer! At least it won't be as unstable as other private companies.

There are no state-owned enterprises recruiting people now, so it would be nice to find a job with a stable income and then look for another one.

But when they saw that they were looking for someone to learn Japanese, and the requirements were so high, many people chose to give up. Although the two countries have established diplomatic relations, many people have heard about the past from their elders. Some can't get over the hurdle in their hearts. The key is that the requirements are really too high! In comparison, starting from office odd jobs is a small matter.

In the evening, Lin Yan and Fang Mingche talked about this matter. Fang Mingche was too lazy to pay much attention to the matter between Lin Yi and Han Mei, but he did not object to Yan and her parents-in-law using the travel agency job to control Han Mei.

Han Mei had secured the position she desired, and she had been performing well over the past few months. Her family hadn't been causing any trouble. Whether they were playing the long game or trying to catch a bigger fish, they hadn't been.

This is indeed a trick! As long as she works in the travel agency, she has to behave herself. We are already a family, as long as she doesn't make trouble, it's okay to give her a chance.

"Okay, as long as she can pass the probation period and learn to speak and make phone calls in English within three months, it'll be fine. As for her future development, that's up to her."

Lin Yan said, "Then I'll tell her later. Otherwise, she might think I'm just using the position to keep her hanging. By the way, when we have money, we can install our own phones, right?"

That phone rental is really too high! 2000 yuan a year could rent a 240-square-meter apartment in the Overseas Chinese Apartments. 1500 yuan would at least be enough to rent a 180-square-meter apartment.

"Yes, we can't keep renting forever. The rent is 1500 a year, and it will be enough for the initial installation fee in four years. When we get a business license, we should be qualified to install telephones. If it doesn't work, then it's time for Wang Dexian to play his role again."

He heard about the reaction to the job posting in the evening. In fact, it was quite enthusiastic at first, after all, there are still many educated youth or other young people who are unemployed. But when they saw that they had to learn Japanese and take Japanese tourists on tours, the reaction became much colder.

"Ayan, take the old and the young to Brother Mingfeng's place tomorrow. I need to go to the office."

Lin Yan had a little trouble getting on and off the bus, but the driver brought up a wide stool that was lower than the bus for her to stand on, turning one step into two, making it much easier.

She nodded, "Okay, is it about recruiting Japanese language support staff?"

"The main thing is to contact Cui Yingqi and Wu Mingju. We only had a quick meeting last night, it was too hasty. Tell me, why has the matter of finding the Japanese language group's logistics support been met with such a cold reception?"

Lin Yan looked at him speechlessly. "Do you even need to ask? The most famous images of Chinese people who speak Japanese are those traitors in anti-Japanese dramas."

Fang Mingche thought about it. He only remembered that a number of Japanese TV series were imported to China in the early 80s. For example, "Zizaku Sanshiro," "The Volleyball Girl," "Oshin's Story," and "Blood Coagulation." Yamaguchi Momoe even became the goddess of a generation. But this was only February 1980, a year after the first "Zizaku Sanshiro" series was imported. Even if these TV series had already been filmed and broadcast in Japan, their official introduction to China would still take time.

Therefore, Chinese people are still somewhat resistant to Japanese and Japanese tourists. Moreover, learning Japanese in a short period of time is not easy.

It's true that cultural exports like TV dramas can foster a sense of cultural identity and reduce resistance. He remembers watching "Oshin's Story" back then. The heroine, Oshin, was the epitome of a good wife and mother in East Asian culture. Her struggles were truly relatable to the Chinese people!

This Ashin is no ordinary person. He is the founder of the large Japanese retail brand Yaohan!

Forget it, let's put up notices at the Siheyuan and Huaqiao Apartments to recruit people. If the logistics aren't working out, let Wei You handle it. Just being a tour guide is enough, so two will be enough.

Lin Yan rolled her eyes after hearing what he said. "What do you mean by not low requirements? Your requirements are clearly very high. I can be considered a college graduate and a talented person. But with such requirements, I wouldn't dare to apply rashly."

Fang Mingche disagreed. "How can you learn a foreign language well without a talent for languages? If you can't learn well, you can only work as an office handyman. The income gap with tour guides is very large. If you want to seek a high income, you must accept high standards. You should make this clear to Han Mei."

"understood."

So, the key is to have high standards. The slight discomfort I feel because my country is now on good terms with Japan isn't the most crucial factor. That's fine!

The next morning, Fang Mingche drove a business car to take his wife and children to Fang Mingfeng.

My cousin prepared half a lamb, so we can have more food today! The mutton soup is already being stewed, and the temporary red brick stove in the courtyard is steaming. The three children are not allowed to approach! Fang Tong took Yan Yan and Fang Kang to the hillside behind to hold the "Auntie's Feast".

Father Fang said, "I said I was going to visit Mingche's scrap yard these days, but I was always distracted by this or that. I'd better take a closer look at your place, Mingfeng, first."

Fang Mingfeng heard that his cousin had rented a 240-square-meter apartment in the Overseas Chinese Apartment as an office, so he hurriedly asked, "How much did you pay for the rent?"

Fang Mingche made a 'two' gesture and said, "Two thousand."

"So how much did your phone cost?"

"Three thousand a year, but half of that is phone bills. That's fifteen thousand yuan for rent! Come on, I have to go back. People in the alley have to take this bus to go to work in the morning."

Now there are two business class cars, one parked downstairs of the Overseas Chinese Apartment, and the other one continues to be parked in the alley on the side of the small courtyard.

"Okay, remember to come over for dinner."

Fang Mingche nodded, "Okay!"

Fang Mingfeng said, "Call your father-in-law and brother-in-law over as well."

"I'll call and ask my father-in-law what he thinks."

Fang Mingche drove the business car back and took his men to work. After all, he had a driver's license.

Now the three drivers are staying in the office overnight. Lingzi has been driving in the morning and evening these two days. Last year, she was allowed to take time to learn. At that time, it would get dark earlier, so she had time to learn after get off work. But now the days are getting longer, so Weiyou can be arranged to learn to drive.

Well, Lingzi doesn't have a driver's license yet. But the traffic police are understaffed nowadays, so no one checks driver's licenses on the street. She drove when the traffic police were off duty or not yet on duty, so she got away with it for two days. She has already signed up for the next test to get a driver's license.

The guys were brave, and they rode back and forth in Lingzi's car these past two days, and no one was afraid. It was most convenient to use a retired car soldier, who knew how to drive, had a driver's license, and was also a good driver.

Well, there are fewer cars on the streets now, much less than in later times. It's quite pleasant to drive like this.

Traffic lights were installed in the most prosperous areas of the capital as early as 1932. They are still in use today, and there is a trend of expanding their scope.

Arriving at the Overseas Chinese Apartment, Fang Mingche entered his office. If he had sent a message, Lingzi would have turned on the heating in the occupied office when she entered. The heating came on quickly, and Fang Mingche took off his woolen coat directly.

In comparison, the staff of the travel agency are indeed much better off than him. His wife is pregnant, and they haven't lived in such a good house yet. But fortunately, the small side yard is their own and relatively quiet. If Yan wants to keep warm, just put a few more stoves.

Huo Chen went back to the scrap yard and told Geng Shan about the travel agency's new office in the Overseas Chinese Apartment. Geng Shan kept saying, "Teacher Fang hasn't had that good of a life yet. The travel agency earns money from foreigners and expatriates, so it needs to look better. He'd told us all this before."

Huo Chen said, "Well, I was just saying it casually. It's not about being unbalanced. Teacher Fang gave me a cigarette and said that he would try to build me a small, portable shelter this winter. And since there's an office inside, it would be much more convenient for me to go to the bathroom and get water."

He smiled and said, "Indeed, Teacher Fang and Teacher Lin haven't enjoyed anything themselves."

The travel agency's phone was on Lingzi's desk. Fang Mingche came out and called his father-in-law at the factory. He hung up first, then called back ten minutes later. He was there.

Nowadays, only ordinary people can make phone calls, so the factory office directly notified us through the loudspeaker and would not neglect us. Then my father-in-law heard it and came over, about ten minutes later.

"Hello, Dad, I'm Mingche. Brother Mingfeng is treating you to mutton soup today. Do you want to go? If so, I'll have a black taxi pick you up at noon. I'll also take the same car. I've already sent Mom, Ayan, and Yanyan over."

Father Lin said, "I have to go to work this afternoon."

"It's very convenient to have a black taxi, and we'll make it in time. When you and Lin Yi come back, it won't be a loss for both of you to take a taxi. We earn money to make life convenient, so don't worry about the travel expenses."

Father Lin thought for a moment and said, "Okay. I'm planning to invite your parents over for dinner on Sunday. I'll go over today and invite Mingfeng and his daughter along."

My son-in-law's business is really doing well, and it's time for him to change his mindset. Han Mei said that my son-in-law has been taking his parents, nephew, and Yanyan out to play in the dark these days.

After the call was hung up, the person from the factory office asked, "Master Lin, your son-in-law wants to pick you up for dinner?"

"Yes, they said they were going to have mutton soup. I asked a black taxi to pick me up, and I'll make it in time."

Anyway, if you go back to the factory gate in the dark, you will see a lot. There is no need to hide or conceal it.

"Your son-in-law is really capable. He even thought of you while eating mutton soup. He made phone calls and arranged for a car to pick you up."

Father Lin said: "Well, he is indeed good."

On the way back, he took a detour and went to the workshop to tell Lin Yi, who then asked him to find time to go back and tell Han Mei. His home was right in front of the factory, so he could run back and forth quickly and it would take only fifteen minutes.

In this kind of factory, everyone working there knows each other, so if you need to leave for a while, you can just ask a co-worker to do the work for you. If the time is long, you can ask the team leader for leave, and if it's not long, you can just treat it like going to the toilet.

Lin Yi was naturally very happy, "Okay, okay, I understand."

Fang Mingche hung up the phone and called Cui Yingqi and Wu Mingju to his office.

"I've talked a lot with your family before, but I haven't had much direct contact with you two. I was too busy the night before last, so let's have a good chat today. What did you do in the office yesterday?"

What did they do? Teacher Qiu questioned them for a long time when they came in the morning. This made them less arrogant. They thought they were indispensable, so the boss invited them again and again. But after this discovery, they found that they were just trying to save time. Otherwise, if Teacher Qiu studied for another two months, he could take people to learn Japanese. This is probably a contingency plan for them not to come back, and it would just take up another half a year.

As for the afternoon, Lingzi came to tell them how the Sakura language group was prepared in the early stage. The meaning was also very obvious, so they took out the time schedule for the preparation of the Japanese group at this time.

Fang Mingche looked at it and nodded. A loud drum doesn't need a heavy hammer. He looked at their proposed plan and said, "It's all OK. Let's do it according to your plan. I recruited you to lead a team, so the salary is higher than that of ordinary tour guides. But the response to the recruitment notice is a little different from what I expected."

The two men heard this and said, "Teacher Fang, it's probably because the news hasn't spread yet. Time is too short! The annoyance towards Japan can be put aside for now under the pressure of survival. After all, our country has established diplomatic relations with Japan, and our capital has even become a sister city with Tokyo. It's mainly because our demands are relatively high! Yes, really high."

Fang Mingche said, "I asked the woman who manages our compound to report the situation to the subdistrict office and ask them to recommend suitable candidates. The subdistrict offices should be connected, so we can spread the news through this channel. However, this is the only way for now. Advertising in the newspaper is not suitable for the current national conditions. Secondly, if we want to apply for the position, it will take a long time and the cost will be relatively high."

He can be a little more bold and openly post recruitment notices. But it is still not appropriate to make a big fuss in the newspaper. The red line of "employment is exploitation" cannot be crossed openly. Many things are better done in a low-key manner nowadays.

The subdistrict office was tasked with finding employment for unemployed youth within its jurisdiction. Furthermore, under the banner of earning foreign exchange for the country, it wasn't taboo to approach them for help.

The two men were also born and raised in Beijing, and they nodded in understanding of the reasons Mingche gave.

"If no one comes for the time being, let Wei You do odd jobs in your office. The two of you will take turns serving as tour guides. For the next two weeks, you can rent Master He's car and go observe the English group's work."

"Ok."

"I'm usually not in the office. I only come here when I don't have classes. If you need to talk to me, just ask Lingzi to tell me."

At this moment, Mr. Qiu has gone to the Investment Promotion Office to help. The old man took this matter very seriously. He got up early in the morning, dressed up, carried his briefcase, and took the bus to go there.

Fang Mingche was indeed a little worried, but he could not stop this matter.

Fang Mingche then had nothing else to do. He had come to talk to the two people who had returned from Japan. Seeing that there was nothing else to do, and their schedules didn't have anything else to do this morning, Lingzi had already told them that the boss would be meeting with them in the morning.

So Fang Mingche casually asked about the current situation in Japan.

Cui Yingqi said: "Teacher Fang, the gap between the capital and Tokyo is really too big. The capital now feels old and poor to me. It is not open enough and not developed enough. But Tokyo is now in its golden age and is very prosperous. The unemployment rate is low, high-rise buildings are emerging, and the streets are full of vitality but crowded."

This low unemployment rate is naturally in view of the fact that the capital now has a large number of educated youth and retired soldiers who are difficult to place. In addition, there are many young people of working age like Han Mei and Wei You who have not been arranged for formal work. If we really calculate the unemployment rate, the data will be very scary. Moreover, our population base is large!

Wu Mingju also said: "High-rise buildings and skyscrapers are rising from the ground in Tokyo's business district, becoming new landmarks of the city. These buildings often have a strong sense of technology. Near mid-range train stations, large department stores have sprung up like mushrooms after a rain, surrounded by lively public squares, attracting countless consumers. Old wooden houses in residential areas are gradually replaced by modern concrete buildings, and the city has a new look."

"Are there any photos?" Fang Mingche asked.

The two nodded and went back to the office to get it. Fang Mingche took it in his hands and looked at it slowly. It was not much different from what he saw in "Tokyo Love Story" in his previous life.

In her previous life, Yanyan loved watching Japanese dramas, the kind from the '90s, urban dramas. Not the old-school '80s dramas like "Oshin's Story." Which was her favorite? Oh, "Love Letter" and "It Started with a Kiss," starring Takashi Kashiwabara. She also had a lot of stickers of that pretty boy on her wall.

It was the late 90s, and his daughter was already in high school and college. To keep up with the times, he watched it too.

He asked, "Lao Cui, Lao Wu, do you think there will be a significant increase in land and housing prices in Tokyo?"

It seemed that it would continue to surge until the Ministry of Finance (Japan's Ministry of Finance) took the initiative to burst the real estate bubble in 1991. In other words, it could continue to soar for another ten years. It would be nice to follow the trend and make some money if you have money. Anyway, the earliest soaring real estate prices in China would have to wait until 1992. It would be a good opportunity to make some money in Tokyo and then invest in Hainan.

It's a pity that he is a foreigner. He can't get a loan from the bank to buy a house like locals. He has to pay the full amount. However, there is still time to do it. He is concerned about this matter. But for now, he still has to make the travel agency bigger and stronger. It would be best if he could open a branch in Tokyo. In addition to attracting tourists, he can also do reverse tourism in a few years. He can take the rich people to travel there to broaden their horizons. He can make money on both ends.

In that case, buying a house or land in Tokyo would be much easier. If you kept it for a few years and then sold it in 90, you could make a fortune.

Cui Yingqi and Wu Mingju looked at each other in shock, and then Wu Mingju spoke up, "It feels like there is a big upward trend, and it's already started. In addition, the United States is no longer supporting Japan's economy as it did after World War II. Japan is already posing a threat to the United States in many ways."

Fang Mingche nodded. That's right, although the Plaza Accord was not officially signed until 1985, the report "The Contradiction between the US Dollar and the Japanese Yen - Existing Problems and Solutions" was officially published on September 1983, 9. The report pointed out that the obvious overvaluation of the US dollar against the Japanese yen was the root cause of the sluggish US manufacturing industry, and the United States must promote the appreciation of the Japanese yen.

In the 90s, the Japanese economy collapsed and the stock market fell from more than 38000 points to more than points. It was obvious that the United States was shorting and harvesting Japan. There is an opportunity here to take advantage of the east wind and make some money. After that, it was the "lost thirty years"! He had no psychological pressure to make money from Japan.

Therefore, he must accumulate wealth in the next ten years, otherwise he will miss a great opportunity!
Cui Yingqi chatted with Wu Mingju and Fang Mingche and found that he had a deep understanding of Japan and a broad vision. He was a little puzzled.

Is this the quality of college students? But think about it, Mr. Fang was able to think of opening a foreign travel agency when he was a freshman. He is much more capable than the average gifted child. It is normal for him to have such insight.

After a brief exchange in Japanese with Teacher Qiu, and after today's in-depth discussion with Fang Mingche, even the arrogance they had previously displayed towards their compatriots had been completely subdued. Sometimes, one has to admit it! The associate professor and university students at this prestigious university are indeed far superior to them. No wonder government departments are constantly borrowing personnel from travel agencies.

Fang Mingche achieved his purpose of showing off his power. "Okay, then you two can start observing this afternoon. See how the English group leads the tour, so you won't fall into the same trap. They were groping in the beginning and actually made a lot of jokes." "Yes." The two men's attitudes were obviously much more respectful.

Fang Mingche dealt with some daily tasks, and then went out to watch Huo Chen collect waste. It would definitely be bad to ignore it, as it would give Huo Chen some ideas.

He simply sat on one of the small stools Huo Chen had prepared, smoking and watching. The two would occasionally chat while Huo Chen collected scrap.

"Xiao Huo, I heard from Geng Shan that the amount of waste you received these days is slightly more than what he received?"

Huo Chen nodded. "Yes, but it's probably a short-term phenomenon. Mainly because the weather is still cold, and many scavengers haven't returned to Beijing yet."

The locals actually make up a small percentage of the scavengers, and the people in the capital are not that poor. But as long as they stay at home and don't come to the city, no one will send them back to their hometowns. It's Chinese New Year, and people know that the capital is cold, so some people haven't come from their hometowns yet.

"What about the vegetable business? Is it getting better?"

Huo Chen said, "I heard from Sister Wei that it's better than the coldest time before."

Fang Mingche nodded. He saw that Hu Yong and the others hadn't regained their energy from last autumn, and Zhu Dahai was even more so! Hu Yong and his friends at least had some vegetables to resell. Now, Geng Shan and Liu Qingfeng were the ones bringing vegetables and eggs from the two scrap yards back to supply them. And they prioritized supplying these stable customers.

Zhu Dahai's business has almost stopped. There are several months of no business in a year, and he must be feeling the pressure. Especially compared with the relatively high income before, these months are particularly difficult.

Liu Qingfeng was quite quick. He was still in the process of opening up the land, but he had already started the vegetable business. However, he would indeed receive a commission from it in the future. It was reasonable for him to make plans in advance. Starting from the second month of opening, he would not receive the average income of the previous three months of commission, but would have to be linked to the new store!
Gao Xiang also came to the office today. He said the conditions here are better than at home. He came to write a promotional advertisement for the second scrap yard. Liu Qingfeng ordered one hundred sheets from him at the same price of two yuan.

When Fang Mingche was communicating with others before, he would just go out and sit at an empty workstation to write.

Fang Mingche returned and told him, "You're openly trying to make extra money!" His voice was relatively low. There was still some distance between him and Lingzi, Wei You, and the others.

Gao Xiang said, "I'm working for you anyway. And I don't work in an office, so this can't be considered my working hours. I've already done the financial work on time. Hey, this heating is so comfortable! I've been dressed like bears in the winter, but now that I've taken off my thick clothes, I feel like I can move around a lot more."

Fang Mingche said, "Yes, if we can rent another smaller apartment, I would like to have Yan come here to recuperate after giving birth."

Gao Xiang said, "Come on, your family's conditions are very comfortable for confinement. There are many small stoves in the house, and honeycomb coal doesn't produce smoke. You live in your own yard, it's very quiet."

However, living here was truly comfortable. He even envied the three drivers. Of course, they could only live on their own; bringing others to stay was strictly prohibited.

Xiao Fang said before that he would lend money to his mother for medical treatment after paying off the previous debts. He had already paid back the remaining 2 yuan for the bicycle after receiving his salary in February. But now Fang Mingche himself was worried about the money for the third commercial vehicle, so Gao Xiang didn't mention it.

Fang Mingche took the initiative to bring it up, "Take Aunt Gao to the hospital for a thorough checkup first, so you can have an idea of how much money it will cost. However, the interest rate for loans I make now is 12%, so you have to pay the interest yourself."

If it can be cured, it is worth any amount of money. I am afraid that if it is a disease of affluenza, I have to keep it alive, which is a real bottomless pit.

Gao Xiang nodded, "I know, it's good that you're willing to lend it. Besides, you don't make a penny in interest. There will be a gap of 10,000 yuan when buying a car in mid-March. Is this okay?"

"No problem. Borrow another 12 from Lao Zhou, and the scrap yard can lend you for a month. The interest rate is % on both."

Gao Xiang thought for a moment and decided that if the scrap yard didn't buy a pickup truck for the time being, borrowing 70 yuan wouldn't have much of an impact. That was fine, that would be yuan in interest a month.

“When will the equipment for showing the movie be paid for?”

Fang Mingche said, "Let's go pick up the equipment this Saturday afternoon. We'll pay for it and receive the goods. Ah Yan isn't feeling well, so you can go with Master He."

He knew Gao Xiang had no classes on Saturday afternoon.

"Okay! Then will we show a movie that night?" Gao Xiang nodded in agreement.

"Well, Sister Qiu will go back to Beijing Normal University on Saturday morning to pick up the film. Let's play 'Gone with the Wind'. I think 'Gone with the Wind' seems to be the most popular copy at the small library."

The so-called small library was a row of bookshelves in the corner of the conference room. Lingzi was in charge of this as well, keeping track of who borrowed which book. Each book could be borrowed for half a month, and if it was lost, the owner had to pay the price.

Gao Xiang nodded, "Yes, and Scarlett O'Hara and Melanie each have their own supporters, and the dispute is quite intense."

However, most people read the translated version. Except for Mr. Qiu and the two resident English tour guides, no one else can read the English version. He also compares it himself. But being able to compare it is also good for learning English.

Fang Mingche laughed. "Chinese people just love to create oppositions. It's the same with 'Dream of the Red Chamber'. Either they honor Daisy and Chai, or they honor Daisy and Chai. Can't they honor both Chai and Dai? They're doing the same with Scarlett O'Hara and Melanie, both of whom are foreigners. But if you want to start with the basics, you should actually read 'Jane Eyre' first."

Gao Xiang asked, "Will there be Chinese subtitles?"

"I heard that there is one. The English Department of Beijing Normal University translated and added it themselves." It may not be as good as the Shanghai Translation Studio version, but it should be okay.

"So a long-term lease?"

Fang Mingche smiled and said, "Let's rent it first. We can watch it over and over again. When the school cinema is repaired, we won't have such a good opportunity anymore."

"You knew I was asking if I could try to make a copy."

"We'll need to have the conditions to do that. Let's rent it first. Then ask Wang Dexian where we can get it. He has a lot of connections."

Gao Xiang said, "You lent money to the travel agency yourself, why didn't you think of asking Mr. Wang to add some more?"

"I heard that he still asks his secretary to send money every month to those subordinates or their families who are not doing well after being persecuted for ten years. I guess it's not very convenient for them. I'll make the 70 yuan."

A subordinate might not need a lot of money, but a little bit adds up. The old man is supplementing it out of his own pocket, which must be a bit difficult.

The travel agency only makes money but never pays out a cent. I can handle this myself now, so I won't bother him.

Gao Xiang sighed, "This kind of person is just like what's written in the book."

People of their generation grew up reading articles such as "The Golden Fishhook" in Chinese textbooks.

Fang Mingche said: "Most of the people who participated in the revolution of that generation were like this. And they were consistent in their words and deeds."

The more than 1955 people who were awarded titles in were all revolutionary to the end! Not a single one of them engaged in corruption or bribery, or lost their integrity in their later years.

Gao Xiang thought about it and said, "That's true. If you are selfish, you won't come out to risk your life and shed your blood."

Fang Mingche said, "I'm going back now. Do you want to go with me?" He informed Master He to pick him up at 11:30.

"No, I haven't finished it yet. I'll have lunch with Lingzi and the others at noon. I'll finish early in the afternoon and go back by myself. Otherwise, I'll wait for the business car."

When Fang Mingche went out again, Huo Chen had already closed his stall and returned to the scrap yard. After waiting for two or three minutes, Master He's car arrived.

"Let's go to my father-in-law first."

When we got there, we picked up the three people from the Lin family and went straight to Brother Mingfeng's place. As soon as we entered the door, we could smell the aroma of mutton soup and steamed mutton with rice flour.

Fang Mingche couldn't help but say, "It's been a long time since I last had steamed pork with rice flour." His mouth was starting to secrete smelly saliva.

Fang Mingfeng said, "I knew you were thinking about this. There's a sister-in-law in the village who married in from Sichuan a long time ago, and I specially invited her to help with the cooking."

This fellow not only helped with cooking, but also helped him take care of Fang Tong. If it hadn't been arranged in advance, how could he dare to bring his five-year-old daughter all the way here?
Fang's mother, who was sitting next to the mutton soup stove and playing cards with Lin's mother and Lin Yan, heard what he said and couldn't help asking, "Can we hire someone?"

Fang Mingfeng said, "My place is remote, not in the city, so no one is watching so closely. Besides, we are from the same hometown, so she can come to help take care of it and go back home as usual at night."

Lin's mother was drawing a card and preparing to play, so she held the card in her hand for a while longer.

Fang Mingche said nothing. What was going on? In his previous life, his mother had even mentioned the idea of adopting him and passing down his household registration book. Ah Yan was pregnant with her second child, so it was easier to refuse this matter than in the previous life. He didn't care about it at all.

In his previous life, he simply didn't go back to his hometown and only sent back the money he gave as a token of his filial piety. After two years, his mother never mentioned it again.

After dinner, Fang Kang returned home and saw the candy figurine spinning stall still standing at the entrance of the alley. After getting off the car, he pulled Yan Yan's sleeve and asked, "Second sister, do you want to go spin some candy figurines?"

"Are you treating?" Yanyan asked.

When Fang Kang came here, Fang Mingche also gave him a dollar of pocket money. As for his parents, he gave each of them twenty dollars to spend first. Fang Kang and his three siblings also gave each of them ten dollars as New Year's money, which he also gave to his parents.

Fang Kang touched his pocket and nodded. Then he said, "You go and tell them." You have to say hello to the adults before going out, otherwise you won't be allowed out.

Yanyan said, "I'll try."

She looked for the most talkative elder: her father, but was not allowed.

"You're about to go to bed and take a shower, why are you still going out to buy candy figures? Go tomorrow." The one selling the candy figures is from the alley, so the stall is still there.

Fang Mingche was closing the gate at the moment, and he locked it right after he finished speaking.

Yanyan spread her hands towards Kang Kang and said no.

"Are you still treating us tomorrow?"

Kang Kang thought about it and thought about how his second sister gave him everything to eat, so he nodded and said, "Please."

"Okay, let's go tomorrow."

After Lin's mother entered the house, she saw that her son-in-law and granddaughter were not there, so she whispered to Lin Yan, "I think if the country hadn't restricted the flow of people and prohibited employment, I don't know how many old relatives your mother-in-law would want to send to Mingche."

She couldn't quite understand the rural mentality of "one person's success brings prosperity to the whole family." If one child in the family succeeded, all the relatives and friends would come to share in the glory. Although she had been transferred to Beijing with her parents from another province, she had previously held a city hukou.

Lin Yan had lived in the countryside for a few years and was quite familiar with this situation.

"In rural areas, when there is a group fight or when people are venting their anger on their family members, all people with the same surname will fight. Families with many uncles and brothers are very advantageous. In the countryside, people with the same surname stick together! If someone becomes successful and ignores his own clan, no one will stand up for you when your family has problems in the future. Mom, you don't have to worry! Mingche said that if it is a major matter of birth, old age, sickness or death, he will take care of it. In normal times, he will help in emergencies but not in poverty! You also said that the country does not allow rural people to drift into the city blindly, and hiring is still considered exploitation. Even if they come, at most they will be placed in a scrap yard. It will not affect our lives much."

Mother Lin said, "I'm afraid your mother-in-law will think life in the capital is easier and will take her grandson to stay. Your father-in-law, on the other hand, has no such plans and seems to want to go back to farm."

At this moment, in the main room, Fang's mother was also muttering quietly, "I really don't think highly of Lin Yan's brother. He is an elder, but he doesn't know how to take care of the younger generation. It would be fine if he didn't take care of them, but he even competes with the younger generation for food. Not to mention Kang Kang and Fang Tong, he doesn't even take care of Yan Yan. I don't know how spoiled he is. He is already married, but he still behaves like this."

Father Fang said, "What does it have to do with you if it's someone else's son?"

"Humph, I didn't tell anyone else, not even Ming Che. Anyway, my mother-in-law must be a son-in-law who favors boys over girls and wants Lin Yan to help her brothers more. Lin Yi is not much younger than his sister, he is only a little over a year old. But it was his sister who came to the countryside! He was fifteen or sixteen at that time, so why couldn't he come?"

Father Fang said, "You didn't give birth to a daughter, otherwise you would still favor sons over daughters and wish your daughter could help her family."

Fang's mother said proudly, "My youngest son is capable and doesn't need help from his older sisters. Besides, I usually favor boys over girls, and I always give food to boys. That's because boys do the hard work! But when it comes to going to the countryside, boys should definitely go. I don't know how many female educated youth like Lin Yan suffered in those years."

Father Fang tapped his pipe. "That's right!" He really shouldn't have let his beautiful daughter go to the countryside. He also looked down on Lin Yan's parents for this.

"Forget it, stop talking about it. I don't think Lin Yan is the type to disregard her own family and only care about supporting her mother's family. I hope she can figure it out!"

On Sunday, Lin's father also invited his in-laws and Fang Mingfeng and his daughter back. When Fang's father and mother saw the Lin family's living conditions, they immediately thought their youngest son's family was truly exceptional in the capital. With over ten families living together, there was no telling how much friction there would be on a daily basis.

Time flies by when nothing happens. The calendar quickly turns to the end of February, and school registration is coming up.

Lin Yan called her counselor to ask how to take a leave of absence. The counselor knew her situation and quickly explained the necessary procedures over the phone.

She went to the hospital to get a certificate first, and then asked Gao Xiang to take it to the school to handle the formalities.

As for Yanyan, it was relatively easy for her to sign up. Kang Kang also went along to take a look, and Fang's mother also went along.

Seeing that Lin Yan was seven months pregnant and was too busy to take care of everything, she had to drop out of school. Fang's mother wanted to keep Kang Kang in the capital to study and let his father take good care of him, but she was ultimately unable to express her intention.

Because she also wanted to go back to the countryside and didn't want to stay. She felt more comfortable in her hometown.

Moreover, since there will be no restrictions on the number of chickens, ducks, and pigs that can be raised, she also wants to raise more. This way, she can control more of the money. If she stays in the capital, her youngest son will still be in debt. A few days ago, he asked Lingzi's father to borrow money again.

It's still early, let's talk about Kang Kang later. It doesn't matter whether he attends the Yuhong class or not. Mingche has never attended any Yuhong class, which is just a class where all the children are taken care of together.

As for Fang's father, he was obsessed with the land he had just been allocated. If Uncle Gu hadn't invited him to Gu Zhiguang's wedding, he would have been ready to go back after staying for two more days.

Fang Mingche also received a call from Wang Dexian, who arranged to take his parents to see Mr. Wang's doctor. They were to go in the afternoon after he signed up, as the doctor was off duty that day.

He discussed with his parents, "Mom and Dad, do you want to visit my school?"

Mr. Fang was somewhat tempted. They had already visited Peking University and Tsinghua University. But his son's school must have special significance.

(End of this chapter)