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

Chapter 219 Resource Allocation
In March, when spring was in full bloom, Lin Yan and Fang Mingche went to bid farewell to Wang Dexian and Yang Mei. Going to the United States these days was no small matter, even for a family like theirs. They held a farewell banquet at the municipal government's canteen.

Fang Mingche drove his new car with his wife and children to the banquet. This time, he couldn't give the Qin family of three a ride. Firstly, the car couldn't fit that many people, and secondly, it wasn't on his way. He went directly from the Overseas Chinese Apartment.

The Qin family of three hailed a black cab driven by Master He from the alley. Master He had been driving for over two years, earning two to three thousand yuan a year. He was considered one of the more financially well-off people in that large courtyard area.

However, it's rare for cars to actually go inside the city government building. At most, they just park outside the gate. Today, Wang Dexian registered Fang Mingche and Master He's license plates, so they were able to drive right in.

Master He greeted Wang Dexian and Yang Mei, who opened the car door, and then turned the car around to continue his business.

The Qin family of three went upstairs and saw Fang Mingche's family, so they went over to them. Wang Dexian's rented house was quite lively at this moment.

Yangmei brought out a lot of fruit, candy, and snacks to entertain her relatives and friends.

Last time Lin Yan came back from Hong Kong, she brought back a lot of individually packaged, portable Hong Kong-style dim sum for Yang Mei. Yang Mei shared some with her grandparents.

Grandpa Wang, Grandma Wang, and Sister-in-law Wang don't need her. Lin Yan was originally meant for Grandpa Wang and Qin Hua and her daughter.

Yang Mei then gave the rest to the female leader of room 301, the husband's wife, and Wang Dexian's boss. Telling them it was "brought back from Hong Kong by a friend" was quite prestigious.

She herself only tasted a little of each. Therefore, today's pastries were all bought from Daoxiangcun.

Wang Dexian's third aunt said, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Yangmei, you got Hong Kong dim sum, but you're not willing to share it with us?"

Wang Dexian took away a lot of resources from her son, so she was naturally dissatisfied. That's when she started picking fights and making 'jokes' about it.

Yang Mei's smile froze for a moment.

Seeing this, Lin Yan quickly said, "Aunt Wang, it's my fault, it's my fault. I shouldn't have thought that the things I brought back couldn't exceed the tax-free limit, and I should have bought more. Hong Kong is a shopping paradise, isn't it? It's dazzling. I couldn't resist and bought a little bit of everything. I really didn't buy many snacks, so there were fewer for Yangmei. It's also because I have less foreign currency on me, so I don't dare to spend recklessly."

Aunt Wang (Wang Dezhi's mother) smiled and scolded, "You're still an aunt, yet you're still thinking about your nephew's wife's snacks. Didn't the old man divide them all up among us?"

Aunt Wang said, "Sister-in-law, I was just joking with my nephew's wife."

Qin Hua was stunned as she listened, as she was helping Yan Yan take care of Chang Chang.

As soon as the snacks were laid out, Changchang saw them and ran over. Yan Yan, who was assigned to look after her younger brother today, went over as well. She definitely couldn't let him eat too many. Otherwise, he'd miss his regular meals, and eating too many snacks isn't good for him anyway.

Qin Hua went over to help, since she didn't know the others well anyway.

At this moment, she whispered to Yan Yan, "Now I understand why my mother said that being the daughter-in-law of a high-ranking official is actually not a pleasant experience."

How can you be happy when there are always people trying to find fault with you and dig traps for you? Her mother said that marrying up is like swallowing needles, so she shouldn't even think about marrying up in the future. But marrying down to help the poor is definitely not an option either; marrying someone of equal standing is fine.

Therefore, if you want to marry well, you have to do well yourself. This high school entrance exam is extremely important; it's the first major turning point in your life.

She was truly exasperated with her mother; no matter what she said, it always ended up revolving around the high school entrance exam.

However, her sister-in-law's family is also well-off! That's why she encountered someone who takes advantage of their age. Her mother must have had an even harder time back then.

Yan Yan didn't quite understand, but she felt something was off. This kind of conversation didn't sound like a loving family! Their whole family wouldn't talk like that.

However, she had no room to express her opinion here. Even Sister Qin Hua only said one sentence before falling silent.

Yan Yan picked out a few snacks and, together with Qin Hua and Chang Chang, sat down on the sofa next to them to eat slowly.

Wang Dezhi's son greeted her with a smile, and she responded with a smile, "Hello, Brother Wang!"

Changchang also said, "Hello, Wang family, brother!"

He should just call his sister whatever he wants. Mom said so!

Wang Dezhi's son, Wang Hao, reached out and touched his head. "Changchang, you've grown up so fast! It seems like you've grown up in the blink of an eye."

Yang Mei's parents work out of town, and her grandparents haven't arrived yet. Her aunt from her maternal side laughed, "I only had a taste at my in-laws' place, so I guess there really isn't much. Xiao Lin, is there a limit to what you can bring back?"

Tsk, no class whatsoever! All you do is play these petty tricks? There wasn't a lot of it; it's impossible for everyone to get a share. You didn't get any, and neither did I!
Lin Yan nodded, "Yes, otherwise you'd need to go through import procedures to get it to work. I'd love to bring back a few sacks to make a profit. I guess that's what they're worried about."

Yang Mei glanced at Wang Dexian's third aunt, then smiled again and said, "Lin Yan, then there won't be many things I can bring back from America in the future, will there?"

These people absolutely mustn't ask her to carry anything; she finds it troublesome. Otherwise, she'll end up pleasing her aunt while offending her sister-in-law. Those dollars were hard-earned by her; she doesn't want to carry things for someone like her third aunt.

Lin Yan nodded, "Of course. Besides, Americans only allow us to buy daily necessities. I even saw them openly selling guns in supermarkets. Those things can't get through customs, so even if you pay for them, you can't get them back."

Aunt Wang laughed and said, "Lin Yan and you two are so lucky. You can go anywhere. Your knowledge is also much broader than ours."

Her daughter, Wang Defang, nodded in agreement, "I'm so envious!"

Fang Mingche said, "Since you're not studying at a military academy, you can go abroad for a trip during the summer vacation. Just go with our own travel agency; they have rooms for you wherever there are shops. This is the treatment for family members of internal employees. You can work part-time or go with your grandpa or dad and just scrape together enough for the round-trip airfare. Your fourth brother and sister-in-law will still be in the United States during the summer vacation, so you can go and see them."

Wang Defang nodded, "It seems like it really can."

"Yes, travel agencies can also handle passport and visa applications. The service fee is low, and it's half price for our own staff."

Wang Defang nodded repeatedly, "Okay, okay, Brother Fang, I'm really tempted!"

Most members of the Wang family either work in the military or in politics, so she, as a college student, really has relatively more freedom.

After a few words, everyone changed the subject. Today is a farewell party, so let's not make it unpleasant.

Wang Dezhi glanced at the wall clock. "I've booked a private room at the small canteen. How about we go sit there? We can get together and play cards or something."

This is a two-bedroom apartment, and the living room isn't very big. It's about right for everyone to sit down. But some colleagues haven't arrived yet, so we've moved them all to the cafeteria area. That will make it more spacious.

As expected, the municipal government and colleagues from 301 arrived one after another after the transfer. Fang Mingche and Lin Yan greeted their acquaintances from the investment promotion office with smiles.

After a day of gathering, Lin Yan breathed a sigh of relief as she finally got into her own car. "It's so troublesome to get along with rich families! Compared to them, my sister-in-law and I are both very guileless; we wear our hearts on our sleeves."

Even among the sisters-in-law, there were times when they clashed. But these were always open and honest disputes, and once they were over, they were forgotten. Fortunately, there weren't any particularly sharp-tongued elders in the family. Fang Mingche said, "That's how it is when there's competition for family resources. We're lucky that we started our good life three years ago by setting up a large tea stall."

Otherwise, Lin Yi and Han Mei would definitely be the same as they were in their past life. So, now that the old ones are gone, they'll probably never see each other again.

Lin Yan said, "Old Wang is back from his six-month study abroad trip. He should be able to advance another step in his career, right?"

"He should be fine with taking a step forward. He was promoted to deputy section chief two years ago. He also finally got his night school diploma in the last two years, which can be considered as making up for a shortcoming."

After seeing Wang Dexian and Yang Mei off, the travel agency needs to start processing the passports and visas for the next group of people going overseas. Those from Tokyo and Paris were the first to be brought back, and then quickly moved on to London and New York. By then, arrangements for those going to Hong Kong should be finalized as well.

As a result, the proportion of employees with overseas experience or about to be stationed abroad increased significantly. Han Mei watched as those with similar qualifications and good performance had the opportunity to go abroad, and when she returned home, there was no smile on her face.

Lin Yi was still thinking about what his father had said—that his sister was unhappy that he wanted to find a weekend part-time job but refused to do it himself, only letting Han Mei and his mother go. Suddenly seeing Han Mei looking like someone owed her 500 yuan, he immediately made an excuse to go outside.

This was clearly a work-related problem, and he didn't want to be the punching bag. As Han Mei's earnings increased, her temper also worsened.

For the next two days, Han Mei barely smiled at home. Eventually, even Lin's mother couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong with you two?"

"Nothing much, she's just having some work troubles. Mom, do you think my sister is really waiting for me to beg her?"

Lin's mother said, "What is there for you to be ashamed of in front of your sister? Do you really expect everyone to feed you? Your sister has grown up now and won't listen to me anymore. You should go and say some nice things to her yourself."

Han Mei bought a women's bicycle, and Lin's mother was quite envious. But Han Mei had initially demanded that the dowry include a "three turns and one sound" (a set of bicycles, a sewing machine, a radio, and a watch), which the Lin family hadn't agreed to. Now that Han Mei hadn't offered to let Lin's mother ride her bicycle, Lin's mother felt a little embarrassed.

Fortunately, she receives a monthly pension of about forty yuan, and Lin Yan gives her holiday allowances every year. The old lady also asked Sister Cui to get her a bicycle voucher so she could buy one herself.

When Lin Yan found out, she said to her, "How about I sell this car to you for a lower price, then you won't have to spend 50 yuan to get a ticket."

"If you don't ride it, why doesn't Fang Min ride it when she goes grocery shopping or picks people up?"

"And Mingche's bike is at home. Xiaomin is tall, so riding a 28-inch bicycle is no problem for her. But you're not young anymore, so if you're going to ride one, you should ride a 26-inch women's bike."

Lin's mother stammered, "You still want to take my money?"

Lin Yan said, "You don't even touch your daughter-in-law's things; you're just taking your daughter's things without paying?"

She wouldn't have minded giving it away for free, but the thought made her inexplicably uneasy. Besides, her mother would just secretly give the money she saved to Lin Yi later.

"How much is that?"

“You know how much Mingche spent to buy this for me. It cost over two hundred yuan including the ticket and the bus fare. You can give me 150. I wouldn’t be willing to pay that price for anyone else.”

Lin's mother thought for a moment, "100, you've been riding it for more than two years."

This bike hasn't been ridden too hard; it's still about 70% new.

Lin Yan said, "120."

Lin's father, listening to the mother and daughter's earnest bargaining, was speechless. Yan Yan looked even more puzzled.

Only Changchang didn't understand much, and sat there eating the boiled edamame that her grandma had peeled for her.

Lin's father looked at him, and Mingche said that his son looked like a small Buddha statue when he sat down. Looking at his round head and round belly, he really did look a bit like one.

In the end, the car was sold for 120. Lin Yan said she would bring it to her door in her car later.

Lin's mother said, "You'd better hurry up."

"Okay, please get the money ready."

On the way back, Yan Yan and Chang Chang sat in the back seat. While waiting at a red light, she asked, "Mommy, why did you still take money from Grandma?"

“I won’t take the money, and she’s already used it to help your uncle. I’m not happy about that!”

The light turned green, and Lin Yan focused on driving. "Don't talk to me."

Yan Yan thought about it all the way home, then stared at her younger brother. Chang Chang looked on, confused, and asked, "Sister?"

She was thinking that if her parents gave Changchang everything in the future, she wouldn't be too happy about it.

When she got home, she told Lin Yan this.

Lin Yan said, "It's normal, but Dad and Mom can only try their best to treat them equally. Sometimes it might not be absolutely fair. As parents, they will definitely favor the child who is not doing well."

Yan Yan smiled and asked, "Mommy, if you want anything from me in the future, can I charge you to buy it for you?"

"What do you have that you bought with your own money? And you're selling it to me!"

Yan Yan thought about it and realized that there really wasn't any.

She changed the subject, "Sister Qinhua said that if she gets into the school Uncle Wang designated, she can go to America with Aunt Defang during the summer vacation. She also asked me where the fun places are in America. I told her that the scenery along the highway is especially beautiful."

Qin Hua has a passport, and Han Mei is currently helping her schedule her visa interview. Han Mei has been dealing with passports and visas every day lately, and naturally, she's becoming increasingly annoyed.

This Saturday night, Lin Yi finally rode his family's old bicycle to the Overseas Chinese Apartment to ask his sister for a part-time job.

Lin's father looked at him and said, "You've been working for almost three years now, and you're still riding my bike. Why don't you buy your own? Don't talk to me about your meager salary. I earned less than you back then, and I still managed to support my family."

Lin Yi could only say, "I'll buy it when I earn money from my part-time job."

“Even if you take a part-time job as a driver, you’ll only make ten or eight yuan a day at most. How many months do you plan to save up to buy a car? Why don’t you just let Han Mei keep your part-time salary for you, and buy the car as soon as you have enough? Her salary is so high, she definitely won’t cheat you out of that little bit of money.”

(End of this chapter)