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

Chapter 225: The Internship Begins

Margaret Thatcher's trip was scheduled for September. Fang Mingche, now a senior, had an internship. Lin Yan and Gao Xiang were in the same situation. All three of them were studying at teachers' colleges and were supposed to do their internships at schools.

Fang Mingche went to the department to ask if it was possible for him to intern at an international organization, since he was an English major.
These days, it's not easy to get an internship at a company that deals with foreign affairs, but he owns a travel agency that does. If all else fails, he'll intern at Old Wang's company. The investment promotion office has always had an excellent relationship with him and the travel agency.

It worked out there. Over the past three years, the international travel agency has become quite well-known. And it was originally affiliated with a government department. The official seal was affixed to the internship report, and the department recognized it.

So, Lao Cheng, Xiao Meng, Zheng Xing, and others who were preparing for postgraduate entrance exams or future political careers all registered their names with a foreign-related travel agency. Zheng Xing had almost already decided to go to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (later the Ministry of Commerce).

This direct nomination is for people you have a good relationship with. If you don't have a relationship with them, then you have to pay money.

It wasn't that Fang Mingche desperately wanted to make money; he wasn't short of cash. But if he didn't charge, he'd attract far more people. There was a limit to the number of internships. To avoid pleasing his aunt and displeasing his sister-in-law, charging was the most convenient option for him.

But Gao Xiang and Lin Yan weren't English majors, so things didn't work out that easily. Gao Xiang went back to the school where he used to teach and contacted them; he and Lin Yan would go there for their internships. It was closer to home.

Actually, each school is supposed to arrange internship locations. But it's unclear which school those internships will be at, and they might not even be located in the capital's urban area.

Fang Mingche and his classmates from the English Department of the Normal University were doing internships teaching English at various high schools in the capital. There's been a shortage of such talent in recent years, especially with the college entrance exam. Schools are very welcoming.

For Chinese literature majors, it's not so rare. There's no shortage of Chinese language teachers.

Students can find internships themselves, and the school agrees. All that matters is submitting the internship report with the official seal in the end.

Gao Xiang and Lin Yan were going to attend classes, but they just wanted to make it convenient for them to be close to home.

Fang Mingche ignored everything and continued to study at Peking University.

Han Mei will be responsible for writing the internship report.

Among the familiar faces who came, besides Zheng Xing, Lao Cheng and Xiao Meng were already working as part-time tour guides here. As for the few who paid to come to prepare for postgraduate entrance exams, they were just asked to come a couple of times to familiarize themselves with the process.

Yan Yan has started first grade, and Kang Kang is in preschool. As for Chang Chang, he's a little over two and can still play at home. There are too many children in daycare, so they're definitely not as well cared for as at home. Some children wet their pants and can't be changed promptly, and the teachers are too busy.

He was at home, with Fang Min looking after him. His grandparents were also there. So he still spent all his time playing in the courtyard.

That day, Fang Mingche rode his bicycle home and saw him carrying a stick, pretending to ride a horse. He was shouting, "Giddy up, giddy up—"

"Hey, stop pretending. How about Daddy takes you to ride a real horse?"

It was Wang Sange, Wang Dezhi, who invited him to go horseback riding at the military region. But Old Wang won't be returning to China until next month, so Wang Sange has been the one communicating with the travel agency and building rapport with Fang Mingche these past few months.

Yes, he was in a meeting when Qiu Yin got married last time. It was Wang Defang who represented the Wang family at the wedding. Qiu Yin is a key member of the travel agency, so the Wang family had to show their appreciation.

Upon hearing that there were real horses to ride, Changchang immediately threw down his stick and ran over.

Fang Mingche said, "Put it back where it belongs and don't litter."

"Oh." Changchang had no choice but to take it back and put it away, then ran out again.

Fang's mother asked him, "Where are you going?"

"Dad took me to ride a real horse."

When Fang's mother came out and saw that it was indeed her youngest son who had returned, she asked, "Are you taking him to the military region?"

"Yes, I probably won't be coming back for lunch."

Fang's mother looked at him and asked, "Aren't you going to change your clothes?"

Wearing a hoodie and sweatpants, he could easily pass for an unmarried graduate student. That's the kind of person they've seen at universities. Except his eyes are clearer, giving him an innocent, naive look.

"It's alright, this outfit is perfect for riding."

"Then I'll change his clothes. He should be dressed more neatly when he goes out as a guest."

Fang Mingche nodded, "Go change your clothes with Grandma. Don't be impatient. If you're more particular about cleanliness, you don't have to change. It'll save you trouble, and it'll save Grandma and Sister Min even more trouble."

Speaking of China's cavalry, in three years, by 85, the massive reduction of one million troops will be eliminated. At that time, motorized and mechanized forces will replace mules and horses, and the cavalry will no longer be a branch of the People's Liberation Army. Only two cavalry battalions and a few cavalry companies will be symbolically retained in Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, and Gansu.

Thinking about those famous generals who galloped across the battlefield throughout history, it still makes one feel somewhat wistful. So when Brother Wang invited him to ride horses over the phone, Fang Mingche readily agreed.

His past life's experience with horseback riding was all from tourist areas; he'd never ridden a warhorse. But what man wouldn't yearn to ride a warhorse?

Later, riding side by side on horseback, Wang Dezhi also talked about how cavalry would gradually be phased out.

Fang Mingche placed Changchang in front of him and slowly walked away, holding the reins. He said, "Modern warfare will undergo many new changes."

The Gulf War in 90 would change the nature of modern warfare. We can't afford to continue practicing hand-to-hand combat while the US is already engaged in electronic warfare. Soon, that war will wake the world and re-establish America's global dominance. Then our national defense will suddenly become more prioritized, and the "civilian advance, military retreat" mentality of the 80s will be abandoned. This will allow for the development of three aircraft carriers, sixth-generation fighter jets, and more.

Wang Dezhi took the lead, saying, "Two years ago, I went with my superiors to visit an American aircraft carrier, and I had the same idea."

Speaking of aircraft carriers, the US stationed two carriers in the Taiwan Strait back then, which is why we still don't have a true national reunification. This issue has been a thorn in the side of many people for decades.

Fang Mingche asked, "The time when Commander Liu stood on tiptoe to look at the aircraft carrier?"

That photo went viral on Douyin (TikTok) countless times afterward! Countless people commented to reassure the leader that China now has its own aircraft carrier!

"Yes. After returning, Commander Liu said he would die with regrets if China didn't build an aircraft carrier. But the national treasury is empty!"

Fang Mingche thought to himself: Fortunately, when Chief Liu passed away, the first aircraft carrier was about to be launched.

"That's why the country attaches so much importance to economic development. Only when you have money in your hands can you feel at ease."

Wang Dezhi said, "That's why money-making experts like you are especially needed these days."

Fang Mingche grinned, "This year on May Fourth, I also received the Youth Medal of the Times."

When the department head presented him with the award certificate, he said that if it weren't for his prior record of fighting, he could have been directly admitted to university with such an honor.

Wang Dezhi laughed too, "You really are a trendsetter of the times."

He looked down and saw Changchang's little hand patting the horse's back vigorously. But the warhorse beneath him strolled and grazed, ignoring him completely.

"Why don't you take him for a run? Otherwise, since you're already here, just sitting and taking a walk probably won't be enough."

He called to invite him, and Xiao Fang mentioned he could ride a horse. So he didn't arrange an instructor. I heard this kid is even planning to take the entrance exam for Peking University's economics and management graduate program. He's truly like Confucius with his curved sword—capable in both literature and martial arts!

Changchang turned to look at her father, her face full of hope, "Daddy—"

Fang Mingche certainly couldn't show weakness in front of his son, "Okay, Dad will gradually speed up!" He gradually accelerated, adapting as he went. In his previous life, he had only ridden around tourist areas taking pictures, never speeding.

The horse picked up speed, and Changchang laughed heartily all the way, so happy that she was almost beyond words.

"Shut your mouth, or you'll get an upset stomach if you eat something that's too cold."

Thankfully, the kid is on horseback; even if he's a little slow, people just assume he's doing it for his son. When will we ever have enough money to go shooting guns and riding horses again?

Old Wang's club could definitely develop in this direction.

Wang Dezhi was also standing nearby, taking photos of the father and son with the camera that Fang Mingche had specially brought.

Finally, he asked Fang Mingche, "Could we arrange a profit-sharing ceremony before National Day?"

Fang Mingche knew that the Wang family needed to use political funds recently, probably due to unforeseen circumstances. These things are impossible to predict in advance. For example, someone might suddenly become available for an important position due to health reasons.

Building political achievements through road construction, like last time, also costs money. In some remote areas, attracting investment is difficult. It's understandable that they might use their own money to create political achievements.

He nodded. "All the previous dividends? That would be a real burden!"

"No need, fifty or sixty thousand will do."

"Okay." It seems it's just being used as a starting point to pave the way for further discussion.

Previously, he spent nearly 200,000 yuan opening shops and travel agencies in Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Therefore, he can only give the Wang family a dividend of 60,000 yuan first, leaving his share untouched for now. In a few months, around the Lunar New Year, he'll have 180,000 yuan, which he can then use to pay off his debts.

When Fang Mingche told Gao Xiang about it, Gao Xiang immediately said, "You think you can just ask for it like that? National Day is coming soon. We've spent most of our savings this year in Guangzhou and Hong Kong. It's not that easy to manage our finances!"

I paid off part of the loan that was due to expire earlier, and now that I have 30 yuan in cash on hand for this store opening, I don't need to take out another loan.

Fang Mingche said, "Go ahead and draw your ticket. Do you really think we're cooperating on equal terms with the Wang family? They're our backers. If they have a need, we'll borrow money from private individuals to meet it. Besides, all they want is their share of the profits."

He bought houses several times, and the Wang family cooperated fully. On the surface, they still showed him respect.

Gao Xiang said, "I understand."

He paused, then whispered, "Aren't we too deeply tied to the Wang family? What if they lose power?"

“Then someone else will take over their shares. However, I hope to cooperate with the Wang family.”

In mid-October, Wang Dexian and Yang Mei returned, looking quite stylish.

Before, I used foreign exchange certificates to buy clothes at the Friendship Store. But it's still much more fashionable in America!

There were government officials there to pick them up at the airport, so Fang Mingche didn't join in the fun. Instead, he managed to get a private room at the Beijing Hotel on Sunday to welcome them over.

He invited his parents and Qin Hua's family of three. The Wang family members who came were Wang Dezhi and his family, along with Wang Defang. These two siblings were from the eldest branch of the family, and now they were standing together with Wang Dexian.

Before Qin Zhao went, he asked, "Are De Xian's biological father and stepmother going?"

Fang Mingche shook his head, "I invited him, but he usually doesn't come. Let's go, Uncle Qin!"

These two usually won't appear when Wang Dexian's mother and stepfather are present.

Qin Hua returned from the United States at the end of August. In her words, she went to get some fresh air because she was exhausted after starting high school.

Fang Mingche drove to pick up the family of three, and Yan Yan came along as well.

When they met, he realized that Qin Hua had grown into a young woman. Of course, she was 15 years old! She was quite different from how she and Yan Yan had looked like children two or three years ago.

Qin Hua said, "Brother Fang, why are you looking at me like that?"

She's wearing denim overalls today, and they look quite stylish.

"You're not a child anymore."

Wang Dexian's mother nodded, "Yes, we didn't celebrate Children's Day this year."

Wang Dexian looked at his sister; he hadn't chosen a good heir. His sister, however, looked about 70-80% like his mother in her youth. He hoped she wouldn't attract too many suitors when she got to high school.

While he was smoking, he whispered something to Fang Mingche and Wang Dezhi.

Wang Dezhi's son didn't seem to have much of a reaction. He just felt that his cousin didn't even have a father yet, which truly reflected the older brother's fatherly attitude. He'd heard that Qin Hua had grown up on his back, which explained their close sibling relationship.

He didn't seem to have that kind of attitude towards Defang. Defang was raised by a servant when she was young.

Xiao Fang treats her daughter very well, but that daughter is indeed her own.

However, it's certainly a good thing that Xiao Si'er values ​​relationships.

Fang Mingche said, "No, no. She's going to X High School, where everyone is aiming for a good university. She'll focus her main energy on her studies."

Wang Dexian nodded, "It was worth spending so much on tutoring fees; we finally got in through the regular exam."

What's the big deal about being at the back of the train? As long as you pass the test.

Wang Dexian said, "To be honest, the gap between China and the United States is really too big. No wonder you were so shocked when you first went there, Third Brother."

To be honest, he and Yang Mei were really envious of the welfare benefits American citizens enjoyed. Yingzi was actually right; they were among those receiving preferential treatment, and that's understandable. So it's normal that she didn't want to come back after going there.

He and Yang Mei were both descendants of revolutionaries, and they could each be promoted half a rank after returning to China. Not returning would implicate their entire family, and besides, the welfare benefits were for citizens, not undocumented residents. So they resolutely returned.

In May 1980, Wang Dezhi went to the United States for an inspection tour with his superiors. At that time, China was not as developed as it is now. Suddenly entering the dazzling world of capitalism, he was truly dazzled.

He said to Fang Mingche, "Speaking of which, you're really calm, Fang!"

Fang Mingche said, "Didn't I go to Tokyo, Japan before I went to the United States? Japan's economy is now catching up with the United States. Moreover, I believe what Chairman Mao said: we will definitely catch up with Britain and the United States."

In 2005, China's GDP surpassed that of the UK. By the time he passed away in his previous life, China would already be the world's second-largest economy. In this life, he's hoping to live another ten or eight years to see if he can witness China return to the top of the world!

Wang Dezhi said, "The Chairman was only referring to steel production."

"Same as above, surpassing everything: steel production, GDP, military strength."

Wang Dezhi smiled and said, "Grandpa said that Xiao Fang loves his country and has a firm will. The old man was right."

(End of this chapter)