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

Lin Qin was also talking to Chen Wenjun about Bai Junjun and Gao Lei.

"I never expected Gao Lei to be such a romantic. This is the first time I've ever seen him so attentive to a girl!" Lin Qin said with a gossipy and incredulous expression.

Chen Wenjun nodded in deep agreement, "That's right! He really took it to heart today!"

Lin Qin frowned, somewhat worried, "I wonder how this kid is in relationships with women. What if he's unreliable? How am I going to explain this to Junjun!"

The main reason she helped Gao Lei today was because of their friendship.

Over the years, Gao Lei has been incredibly devoted to the couple. Whenever there's something good, they're the first people he thinks of, and he even helps them find customers. Gao Lei's contribution is indispensable to Chen Wenjun's successful seafood wholesale business.

Furthermore, Gao Lei has really changed a lot in the past few years. He looks more mature and his temperament has become much calmer. Compared to when he was collecting debts, he is a completely different person.

This person is loyal and devoted to Lin Qin, and he is also loyal and responsible to the brothers who follow him.

Seeing her worried expression, Chen Wenjun chuckled and patted Lin Qin's hand, reassuring her, "Don't worry! I've heard a lot of stories from A-Gui. Gao Lei used to be a hothead who was always fighting and had no sense of right and wrong when it came to matters of love. He was only focused on making his business bigger and stronger."

He's not kind to any woman who messes with him; his fearsome reputation keeps everyone at a distance. It's only in the last two years, with his business ventures and increased social engagements, that women have started to approach him. Luckily, he has many brothers around him who help him keep an eye on women, preventing any from getting close.

Besides, the Gao family isn't an ordinary family. Gao Lei's parents are quite strict about his conduct, so he has neither the thought nor the opportunity to do anything reckless. Don't worry!

Lin Qin was completely relieved.

The couple whispered to each other for a while, and then Lin Qin told Chen Wenjun about the dividends she had received that day. The couple happily hugged each other and fell into a deep sleep.

University life was quite busy for Lin Qin. After laying the foundation in the first semester, the daily routine of the six people in dormitory 301 was also set. Everyone was striving for their own goals, and even the children were no exception.

Before she knew it, it was summer of 1990, the time when Lin Qin graduated from junior college.

The corners of the campus are filled with busy figures, almost all of them striving for their future.

Ge Qiuyue, Zhang Hong, and Zhou Xue returned from the student council, drenched in sweat and steaming from their bodies.

Upon seeing the freshly cut early-ripening watermelon on the table, the three of them immediately grabbed a slice and began to enjoy it.

Lin Qin returned with water and, seeing that they were all back, hurriedly asked, "What did Director Zhang say? Can you be assigned to work in Anshi?"

Ge Qiuyue flashed Lin Qin a bright smile, her voice unusually cheerful, "Of course there's no problem! The three of us have been working like slaves in the student union these past few years, not daring to neglect our student union work even when we're selling clothes on weekends. Why? It's all to win over Director Zhang!"

The results have been remarkable! Director Zhang has agreed to recommend us to several companies in Anshi, based on our employment preferences. As long as the companies approve our applications, we can stay and work here.

I've thought it all through. Once my job is stable, I'll apply for housing from my employer and bring my partner and kids from my hometown over. Even if the company doesn't provide housing, it's okay; we've saved enough money over the years to buy our own house.

Anshi has developed very rapidly in the past two years, with commercial housing springing up one after another like mushrooms after rain, and the prices are not too expensive. Ge Qiuyue and her colleagues worked part-time for three years, and with a little effort, they were indeed able to buy a decent commercial apartment in Anshi.

Lin Qin gave them a thumbs up, "That puts my mind at ease!" Zhang Hong asked, "Sister Qin, which unit do you want to go to?"

Without hesitation, Lin Qin replied, "Go to the TV station! Our E-Company has made a name for itself in the past three years and even published a magazine. As the founder of E-Company, I think there's a good chance I'll be selected for the TV station."

Zhang Hong's eyes lit up instantly. "A TV station is great! If I go to a TV station, will I be like a celebrity on TV and appear on TV?"

Lin Qin laughed loudly, "How could that be! I majored in Chinese language and literature, not journalism and broadcasting. At most, I'll do some behind-the-scenes work and also take care of E-Company on the side."

Over the past three years, E-Company has earned her a lot of money. The reason she wanted to go to the TV station was to keep up with current events and policy trends so that she could respond in a timely manner and ensure that E-Company would remain standing.

Zhang Hong looked on with envy, "Sister Qin is Sister Qin, we can't compare to her. Juanhua and I have discussed it, we'll go to whichever unit we can get into, and continue to set up a stall to save money after get off work and on weekends. If our families can't help us, we'll find our own way."

“That’s right. My family has already emptied their savings to support my college education. Fortunately, I’ve earned quite a bit from part-time jobs over the past three years. I listened to Zhang Hong before and didn’t dare to tell my family the truth. After graduation, I plan to give my family 20 yuan every month and save the rest myself so that I won’t have to ask for money in the future.”

Du Juanhua pursed her lips, speaking with much more confidence than she had three years ago.

Lin Qin was genuinely happy for them that they all had life plans.

A short while later, Zhou Xue and Bai Junjun also returned. Both of them came from wealthy families, and their futures were already arranged by their families, so Lin Qin didn't need to worry.

While everyone was there, she carefully took a camera out of the cabinet. "Come on! Everyone, get dressed up and let's take some pictures. After we're done, I'll return the camera to you. We'll have a nice dinner tonight. I'm packing my bags to go home tonight."

Bai Junjun was overjoyed. "Great! I brought back some cosmetics, so let's all take out our prettiest clothes and take a nice set of graduation photos! I also need to pack up and send my luggage home tonight."

Lin Qin teased, "Is Gao Lei here to pick you up?"

Bai Junjun blushed and then readily admitted, "He came back from Guangdong Province these past few days, which is perfect for helping me. Sister Qin, I think we should just have him take you back with us, so your husband won't have to make the trip."

Lin Qin immediately agreed, with an expression that said, "I haven't spoiled you for nothing."

The two joked and laughed for a while before asking about the other people's plans.

Ge Qiuyue said, "We're all from out of town, so we'll stay a few more days until our jobs are completely settled before going back. What about Xiaoxue?"

Zhou Xue lay under the fan to cool off, lazily muttering, "I'm waiting for my brother to pick me up, but it probably won't be that soon."

Bai Junjun breathed a sigh of relief, "That's perfect, let's take a good look at the photos today and try to take as many as possible!"

Everyone was taking showers, combing their hair, and putting on makeup; the whole dormitory was very lively.

The people in the next dorm room were incredibly envious when they heard the commotion.

Lin Qin was quite generous and, at the request of several dormitories, took a few photos for them. (End of Chapter)