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

Chapter 52: Stubborn Old Man
This time when Fang Mingche called again, the proprietress did say that his cousin had returned.

So Fang Mingche asked the other party to convey a message that he would call back at 5:30 tomorrow afternoon.

When I went to set up the stall again the next day, the big bowl tea stall and the handicraft cooperative stall were still right next to each other.

The big bowl tea stall is doing good business thanks to the popularity brought by the craftsmen making products on site.

Yanyan suddenly pulled Fang Mingche's pants, "Dad——"

Fang Mingche finished making tea for the guest and lowered his head to ask, "What's the matter?"

After saying this, he didn't need to wait for Yanyan to explain, he had already understood what she meant by following the direction of her finger.

Today, a man with a seagull camera came to the square to take pictures of tourists, and many people went over to watch.

Yanyan also wanted to watch the fun.

Her mother was washing dishes during her free time, so she wanted me to take her over to see her.

Children are definitely curious about everything.

Yanyan was very well behaved as she didn't make any noise and followed them to set up the stall.

This small request must be met.

"Ayan, take her over there and have a look. If she wants to take a photo, take one with her."

Without anyone to lead the way, a child of this age would be afraid of being squeezed.

Fang Mingche squatted down and took over Lin Yan's washing job. This was hot water, so it wouldn't freeze your hands.

He wanted Ayan to walk around and relax.

It has been half a month since arriving in BJ, and Fang Mingche actually feels a little guilty towards his wife and daughter.

They were forced to work every day without any rest, let alone sightseeing.

But the vendors have no choice. One day less work means one day less money.

They work as individuals, unlike teachers in the past who had Sundays to rest.

Moreover, if he takes a day off, this position might be taken by someone else. This position is just a convention and will not be assigned to him.

It would be inappropriate for Lao Wang and his neighbors to help him occupy the house, as it would cause big trouble later.

Lin Yan nodded, wiped her hands on her blue and white apron, and led her daughter over.

Fang Mingche had also thought about taking photos of tourists in Tiananmen Square.

This is easier than setting up a big bowl tea stall. Moreover, the competition is relatively less, and you don’t even need to have a stall.

When he was purchasing goods in Guangzhou, he actually saw the Seagull camera.

Without the camera ticket, it costs about 100 yuan more than the mall. It costs about 500 to 600 yuan.

However, his photography skills are average, and he doesn't know much about aesthetics and composition.

The key is that today's cameras require you to develop the film yourself. This is a technical job that not everyone can do.

In his previous life, his level was just limited to taking pictures everywhere with a digital camera or mobile phone, but he didn't know how to develop film.

Nowadays, it is not like the later times. If you want to learn something, you can just open your computer and search on Baidu, and then DIY it.

These skills cannot be learned without a master.

After a while, the mother and daughter came back.

Fang Mingche asked, "Did you take the photo?"

Lin Yan said: "No, I asked him about his get off work hours. He said he could take a photo of our family of three at noon when there were fewer people around."

Fang Mingche smiled. What time to get off work? As long as the self-employed have business, it is completely fine to postpone it.

Moreover, since they are right here in the square, they can save on postage costs.

"Okay, let's take a photo at noon."

Lin Yan and Yan Yan both nodded, very happy. Fang Mingche continued: "Ayan, Women's Day is coming in a few days, so I'll give you a day off. You can have fun with Yan Yan in BJ."

On Women's Day, Lao Wang can find someone to take over A Yan's shift.

It's reasonable for lesbians to celebrate the festival.

But it is definitely not a good idea to let your wife rest at ordinary times and ask others to arrange someone to help.

Lin Yan thought for a moment and said, "No need to play during the holiday. But I have to buy spring clothes for you and Yanyan."

The father and the son only have two sets of outer clothes to alternate between. It's time to buy some clothes!
It wasn't as cold as before, so Fang Mingche had already taken off his military coat. Lin Yan washed it for him and asked him to wring it out together.

At that time, the two of them were quarreling in the yard for a long time.

He was now wearing the short woolen Zhongshan suit he brought with him.

Fang Mingche nodded. "Just make the arrangements. The money is yours anyway. You should buy yourself a couple of sets of clothes. Don't always wear the same old ones."

They had earned about 170 or 180 yuan in the past ten days. The full 150 yuan was deposited in Lin Yan's bank account.

The scattered money of twenty or thirty yuan went into Fang Mingche's pocket to cover his daily living expenses.

Lin Yan nodded, "I know."

She was also very happy at the thought of buying new clothes.

Now that I can earn money, I can buy something slightly better for myself and my daughter.

Well, I also need to buy two sets for Mingche.

We earned more than 30 yuan today, and when we rode back home by bike, our family of three were all smiling.

Song Quan, who was walking with them, said, "It's a pity that my wife works in the factory, otherwise it would be nice to go to and from get off work together with her all day long."

Fang Mingche said: "Your wife has a stable job in a state-owned enterprise, and she doesn't mind that you work in a collective unit. You don't know how satisfied you are."

"You will definitely be able to get into college, and you will have a stable job in the future. And it will be better than the stable job of ordinary workers."

The Fang brothers and their wife can even speak English. If they can't get into college, who else can?
After returning home, Fang Mingche moved all his things into the empty room.

Then he looked at his watch. It was twenty-five past five.

"Ayan, take Yanyan over to order food first. I'm going to call my cousin."

"it is good!"

They had agreed on this in advance, so when Fang Mingche called, it was his cousin who answered the phone.

They usually make short trips to meet up with the boss, so the boss's wife can pass on the message.

"Mingche, are you okay in BJ?"

Fang Mingche said: "It's fine. I'm working in Tiananmen Square now."

My cousin was stunned. "Nonsense, there is no office there. There are only soldiers standing guard. Why don't you say that you got a job at ZhongXhai? You should have some credibility when you brag."

"Haha, I actually set up a big bowl tea stall in Tiananmen Square. A bowl costs two cents, and with the popularity of the square, business is pretty good."

"That makes sense. But why are people setting up stalls in the square?"

"Yes, there are now 1700 million educated youth who have returned to cities, 230 million idle urban laborers, and 105 million college and technical school graduates and demobilized soldiers. The country is worried! The capital is under greater pressure than other places, with 40 unemployed young people. The restrictions on setting up stalls have been relaxed. There are still many stalls in Tiananmen Square now!"

My cousin clicked his tongue twice, and thought that the business must be really good.

What’s wrong with two cents a bowl? Small profits but quick turnover.

However, my uncle may not be able to accept it. In his eyes, everything is inferior except reading!

Fang Mingche's next sentence was, "Does my old man treat you well?"

"No! I ran into him on the road yesterday, he was carrying a hoe and weeding. I called him, but he just rolled his eyes at me. I still think that not only did he not try to persuade you, but he also took advantage of the situation and gave your job to my sister."

"Old people are stubborn, so please bear with me. Maybe he will change his mind when I get into college."

(End of this chapter)