Back to 1984: Earning Money, Raising Kids, and Keeping the Household Busy

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes widened and they gave Lin Qin a thumbs up.

"Wow, Sister Qin! You seem to know a lot. How about we collaborate and start a training institution together?" Bai Junjun looked at Lin Qin with pleading eyes.

Everyone else pricked up their ears to listen.

Lin Qin remained noncommittal, then smiled and said, "Cooperation is no problem, it depends on the form and the division of labor needs to be clear. First of all, I can provide funding and contribute in the early stages, but I definitely can't handle the later management."

Bai Junjun nodded happily, "Leave the post-management to me, I definitely won't trouble you!"

Everyone was amused by her fawning manner.

Ge Qiuyue, Zhang Hong, Du Juanhua, and Zhou Xue discussed, "How about we come up with a way to make money?"

The three nodded in unison, while the four looked at each other without saying a word.

Finally, he looked at Lin Qin with pleading eyes, "Qin~ can you help us think of something?"

The fierce woman's coquettishness gave Lin Qin goosebumps all over. After a pause, she said, "Buy some pretty clothes wholesale and set up a stall. Everyone needs to buy clothes for the New Year, so there's no worry about selling them. We can make a quick buck. Besides clothes, we can also sell other candies, cookies, snacks, anything that can be used as New Year's goods."

There are four of you. Should you set up one stall or two? It would be best if two people worked together, as one person definitely couldn't manage it all. If you want to sell clothes, I have a supply channel and can help you get in touch.

My family also grows oranges, and everyone needs oranges for the Lunar New Year. I can wholesale them to you, as well as seafood and other things. It's up to you what you're looking for.

The four of them were excited and huddled together, whispering amongst themselves. They finally decided to try setting up a stall on the weekend, taking a small amount of goods. They wouldn't be afraid of losing money if they couldn't sell them, and they would just focus on their studies during the school year.

Lin Qin thought this arrangement was quite good.

Everyone had a hearty dinner and didn't return to the dormitory until almost nine o'clock.

The next day, when everyone was in class, they started to make plans for setting up a stall. Lin Qin was only responsible for giving suggestions and did not participate in their decision-making.

Bai Junjun clearly had a target in mind, and quickly decided on the location of the organization and started to arrange it.

On the 12th.

Lin Qin rode her bicycle directly to Shanglin Village after school.

As soon as I arrived at Lin Qingxiang's new house, I heard the clinking of wine glasses and bowls.

Winter days are short, and by now, the banquet has already been held once.

Chen Wenjun and the others sat and talked in the living room without taking their seats while waiting for Lin Qin.

The captain was in charge of making tea and chatting with everyone.

Upon seeing Lin Qin arrive, everyone teased, "Hey! Our college student is back! It hasn't been that long since we last met, and you've gotten younger and more beautiful! I almost didn't recognize you!"

Lin Yi looked proud and said modestly with a smile, "Don't praise her too much, or she'll get too proud!"

The brigade leader disagreed and asked Lin Qin warmly, "Qin, my son also wants to go to university. Where did you take classes, and for how long? I'll have him come over so you can talk to him." The brigade leader was very excited and shouted several times. After a while, Lin Shaoyi came in.

The young man was four years younger than Lin Shaojun. He was also a troublemaker in the village when he was a child. He didn't like to study and was pressured to drop out of junior high school. His family found him a job through connections.

"Uncle, Shaoyi was doing well at the textile factory, why does he suddenly want to take the college entrance exam?" Lin Qin asked, puzzled.

The team leader kept sighing, "The textile factory's performance has been declining since last year. At the end of the year, even the regular employees didn't receive much in bonuses, let alone him, a temporary worker."

I thought it was just temporary, but who knew this year would be even harder. Orders in the first half of the year were down by a third compared to previous years, a huge reduction. The factory leaders are under a lot of pressure, trying to get orders everywhere, but the results are really not good. Now that the Chinese New Year is approaching, I'm worried that we won't be able to pay wages during the holiday.

There are rumors circulating in the factory that there might be layoffs after the New Year. If there really are layoffs, the first ones to be laid off will definitely be the temporary workers. He himself is not sure. I think he is still young. He might as well study hard for two more years like you and try to take the college entrance examination. If he passes the exam, he can change his fate!
If things really don't work out, we can always find another job. We can afford to wait two years.

Lin Qin couldn't help but admire the brigade leader's foresight and courage. She turned to Lin Shaoyi and said, "What do you think? If you really want to study, then you can go. But if your heart isn't in it, then all your father's efforts will be in vain."

Lin Shaoyi scratched his head sheepishly, “Sister Lin Qin, I was ignorant before. I always thought studying was hard, but I only realized how hard it is to work after I actually started earning money. I know what my dad said. Now I want to study hard and try to get into university. Like my dad said, it's only two years. If I don't get in in two years, I'll accept it.”

Lin Qin admired his courage and nodded through gritted teeth, "Okay! When I have a holiday, I'll take you to see my former homeroom teacher, Mr. Su, and tell him about your situation. You can start attending classes there after the New Year. You're better than me; at least you've finished junior high. I only learned a few characters in elementary school. When I first went there, I didn't think too much about it. I just planned to learn more, learn more characters, and cherish the opportunity to study."

It was Teacher Su who said I was smart and learned quickly, and insisted that I give it a try. He also kept encouraging me and found me a lot of practice papers and materials; otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to get into this junior college. You should work hard and try to get into university!

With Lin Qin's encouragement, Lin Shaoyi and the brigade leader were overjoyed.

Just then, a new round of banquet began, and everyone in the house was called out to eat.

Lin Qin sat down next to Chen Wenjun and whispered, "How much money did you give them as a gift?"

Chen Wenjun looked around, nodded and exchanged pleasantries with the others, before replying, "I packed two packs, one pack is a hundred, and Dad will also give a hundred as a gift."

Lin Qin nodded. At this time, when people in the village held banquets, the maximum gift was five yuan, three or four yuan was common, and ten yuan was considered very generous.

Their gift of one hundred yuan was an astronomical figure for the villagers.

"You didn't tell anyone, did you?" Lin Qin asked, somewhat worried.

Chen Wenjun shook his head, "Not only did I not say anything, but Dad didn't say anything either. He even told Uncle Qingxiang and the others not to tell anyone. We should just keep it to ourselves."

Lin Qin secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile appeared on her face. "Dad and Uncle Qingxiang are like brothers, and Shaojun has been helping you with things. I'm the one who arranged this marriage, so it's only right that we give more betrothal money. I'm just afraid that others won't think so."

Chen Wenjun nodded; he understood that one had to hide one's wealth these days.

The wedding banquet lasted for an hour before it ended.

It's about time for Lin Qin's family to prepare to go back.

Li Lian suddenly appeared, tugging at Lin Yi's sleeve and starting to complain, "Brother, we're your relatives. If Lin Qin can introduce a partner to Lin Shaojun, she can definitely find a capable partner for her cousin too. We don't ask for much, as long as the other person can earn a hundred yuan a month." (End of Chapter)