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

Chapter 221 Graduation Season

When her youngest son, Tang Yu, came home for the weekend, his mother conveyed Tang Jing's message to him: "Your sister wants you to study hard and try to get into university. She's going to work part-time this summer to earn money and won't be coming back."

"Sixth Brother, you have to study hard for your sister's sake. That thousand yuan is enough for you to go to university. If it's not enough, you can do part-time work like your sister. Your dad and I will work hard to earn money."

Tang Yu slowly lowered his eyes and nodded obediently, "Mom, I understand, I will try my best."

He originally planned to focus all his efforts on the college entrance examination and work regardless of whether he passed. Now that things have taken a turn for the better, he is even more determined to work hard so as not to disappoint his parents and sister.

When Tang's parents saw that their youngest son had taken their advice to heart, they smiled with relief.

A semester has passed in the blink of an eye.

The incessant chirping of cicadas in the height of summer means that summer vacation is just around the corner.

After finishing the college entrance examination, Tang Yu boarded a train to the capital and traveled to the suburban morning market that Tang Jingxin had mentioned.

It was still a little past seven in the morning. The simple-looking boy carrying a woven bag weaving through the crowds at the morning market, looking around. Based on the information in Tang Jingxin's letter, he finally found a stall in the morning market where he could buy clothes and shoes.

I also saw Tang Jing, smiling brightly and warmly greeting guests in the morning sun.

Tang Jing was completely different from the fifth sister he remembered. Tang Yu stood there, mesmerized.

Tang Jing realized something, looked up and saw Tang Yu standing there. Overjoyed, she waved and called out, "Xiao Yu, you're here! Come here quickly!"

Tang Yu hurriedly ran over.

Tang Jing still had to sell her things, so she didn't have time to exchange pleasantries with him. She took out ten yuan from her bag and stuffed it into his hand. "Go to the market and buy some food first. Buy whatever you want to eat. Take a walk around and rest well. We'll go back together and have a proper talk after I close up shop."

Xu Jiahui, who was standing nearby, immediately spoke up, "Jingjing, why don't you chat with your brother for a while? We can help you watch the stall."

They still each have their own stall, continuing last year's model, but they sell different things each time.

Tang Jing smiled and shook her head, "No need, no need. My brother just arrived. Let him go get something to eat and rest for a while. He'll have plenty of time to catch up when he gets back at noon."

In the sweltering summer heat, the morning market closes at 11 a.m., and people only start setting up stalls again around 3 or 4 p.m., continuing until around 6 p.m.

Tang Yu wanted to refuse, but when he met his sister's distressed gaze, he immediately obeyed.

There were many snacks at the market that he had never seen before. He didn't know what to eat, so he just observed quietly, bought a few relatively cheap snacks, and also bought Tang Jing a bottle of soda.

When he returned to his stall, Tang Jing had just seen off a customer.

The two also had a moment to talk. "How did the exam go?"

Tang Yu replied gently, "I performed normally. I estimated my score, and I should have no problem getting into university. I'll also apply to a university in the capital, and I'll go with my sister."

Tang Jing grinned, "Not bad! If you also get into university, our family will be famous, and your parents will be able to hold their heads high."

Tang Yu nodded emphatically, "Sis, let me help you sell your stuff."

Tang Jing pointed to Xu Kang and Chen Ruiyu across from her and said, "Those two are my roommate's brothers. They weren't planning to set up a stall, but they set up one for a few days because they knew you were coming. You can take over their stall and save the money you earn yourself. You don't need to help me earn money."

"Sister!" Tang Yu was shocked. Tang Jing smiled kindly at him and said, "Go and greet your older brother and sister, help them sell their things, have some sense, and see how they do business."

Tang Yu obeyed and obediently went over.

They quickly started chatting with Chen Ruiyu and the others.

Tang Jing watched silently, her heart filled with joy.

This summer vacation was destined to be busy and fulfilling. Two months of hard work and sweat brought a new life to the Tang siblings.

Together, the two earned more than 30,000 yuan.

This money was a huge sum for them, and they didn't know what to do with it, so they simply deposited it in the bank.

After the start of the semester, Chen Xinyue brought up the matter with her roommates, asking, "Now that you have some money, do you want to consider investing it?"

"Investment?" Tang Jing and the other two looked over at the same time.

Chen Xinyue nodded seriously, "My mother said that this year's policy will cancel job assignments for college graduates, which means that when we graduate, the government will not arrange jobs for us, and we will have to rely on ourselves for everything."

"What? Then what's the point of all that hard work to get into university?" Xu Jiahui asked excitedly.

Chen Xinyue sighed, "There's nothing we can do. We're just unlucky. My mom said it's an inevitable trend. After all, there are only so many government agencies, and there are a lot of graduates every year. It will eventually become saturated. We just didn't catch the right time."

But don't be discouraged. Although there are no job assignments, we have more options. If we have enough money, we can continue to take the postgraduate entrance exam or even pursue a doctorate. That way, we have a great chance of staying in a university to work.

If you don't want to continue studying, you can take the civil service exam after graduation. After all, you are a college graduate and don't have to worry about employment. You can work for some large companies or start your own business. These are all options.

What I mean is that you have money now, so you can plan for the future. If you want to stay in the capital, you can buy a house now while prices are still low. This is what my mother said; she's very farsighted. I think you should seriously consider it.”

The three looked at each other, still reeling from the blow of having their work assignments canceled, and for a moment they didn't know what to say.

After a long while, Zhou Miaoqing finally spoke with a worried look on her face, "I am an only child, so I will definitely have to go back. Since there is no job assignment, my parents will most likely force me to take the civil service exam and get a stable job, or work in my parents' workplace. Staying in the capital is not realistic. Even if I want to buy a house, I will buy it back in my hometown."

“That works too. Houses in our hometown aren’t expensive these days. You can talk to your aunt and uncle when you go back this winter break,” Chen Xinyue said confidently.

Zhou Miaoqing had to face this problem squarely and began to consider its feasibility.

Xu Jiahui looked at this and then at that, and said without hesitation, "I'm going back to Anshi too. You know how homesick people are there. My family is in the county town, and I guess I'll go back to take the civil service exam and settle down in the city."

At this point, she looked at Chen Xinyue with envy, "You're so lucky, you were born in Rome, and now I'm waiting to come to Rome to find you."

Chen Xinyue laughed heartily, "Okay! I'll wait for you! If you want to buy a house in Anshi, I can give you some advice."

Xu Jiahui made an "OK" gesture.

Only Tang Jing remains.

Everyone looked at her.

Tang Jing's eyes were still blank. Thinking of the 30,000 yuan, she subconsciously pursed her lips. "We definitely can't afford a house in the capital with the money we have."