My wife and I are both time travelers.

Chapter 54 Nicknames
Xu Guoqing took a drag of his cigarette, glanced at Zhou Jiye and Lin Ying, and then laughed, "Speaking of which, you two are really lucky. If it were now, getting a household registration wouldn't be so easy."

"Why is that?" the two asked curiously.

Xu Guoqing said, "There was news a few days ago that the higher-ups are planning to introduce a new policy to change communes into townships, did you know?"

The two looked at each other, not knowing this. However, the commune was a historical institution, and in the future, the term "commune" would no longer exist, replaced only by townships.

"This matter is already being discussed, and it is estimated that it will be gradually implemented after New Year's Day next year if all goes well. Shanghai is different from other places. Once this policy is implemented, Shanghai will definitely be the first to be affected. When it is officially launched, the original commune organization will be completely changed, including the subdivision of many functions. The authority of the commune will be greatly weakened..."

Xu Guoqing briefly explained the matter to Zhou Jiye and the others. After hearing his explanation, Zhou Jiye and Lin Ying finally understood. If this was true, they were truly lucky. You see, the communes now wielded immense power, controlling everything from civil affairs to other matters. Coupled with the unique historical circumstances, as long as the commune leader gave the nod, there was practically nothing they couldn't accomplish.

Although Zhou Jiye had never worked in the commune, don't forget that his father, Zhou Furong, was the Party branch secretary. In addition, his two older brothers were the production brigade leader and the militia company commander, respectively. They were all key figures in the commune and naturally knew about this situation.

A look of relief flashed across Zhou Jiye and Lin Ying's faces. Just as Xu Guoqing had said, they were really lucky. They were even more surprised that Xu Guoqing was so well-informed. Logically speaking, how did Xu Guoqing know about such a thing?

"Cats have their way, dogs have their way, each has its own way," Xu Guoqing replied with a smile.

"Brother Xu, since you have these connections, why are you working in a place like this?" Zhou Jiye asked curiously. Logically speaking, Xu Guoqing has such extensive connections and a wide network of contacts that he can even know about this kind of thing. Even their household registration was handled by Xu Guoqing. How could someone like him be a chef in a small state-owned restaurant?

"There's nothing wrong with being a chef. There's an old saying: 'Even in a famine, a chef won't starve.' I spent several years working in the countryside in Northeast China. Back then, all I wanted every day was to have a good meal. But what good food could there be in the Great Northern Wilderness? We couldn't even get enough to eat with the rations, let alone meat. Now that I'm a chef, I'm finally satisfying my cravings."

Xu Guoqing said with a smile that what he said was true. Zhou Jiye and Lin Ying both came from rural areas in Northwest China. Zhou Jiye was better off, since he came later, but Lin Ying had really endured several years of hardship. If it weren't for Zhou Jiye's appearance, Lin Ying might have been forced to marry the old cripple by her father.

"Brother Xu, with your abilities, it's really a waste of your talents to be here." Lin Ying sensed that Xu Guoqing didn't want to talk about this topic anymore, but she still said it with emotion.

“There’s no such thing as a noble or lowly job. It’s good enough that I can come back and find a proper job. I’m a lazy person and don’t like being managed. I don’t want to go to a factory with too many rules. I’ll just make do here for now and see what happens later,” Xu Guoqing said meaningfully. Zhou Jiye and Lin Ying nodded in agreement, and then changed the subject to talk about other things.

The four chatted idly about everything under the sun, and time flew by. Before they knew it, it was evening. Looking at the time, they saw that the "Farewell My Concubine" stew was almost done. Xu Guoqing went to the kitchen to check on it, then called Zhou Jiye and Lao Wen over to help. They started by steaming the hairy crabs, then lit the stove and quickly stir-fried a few dishes. They told them to take the dishes out, and by then the hairy crabs were steamed. As for the "Farewell My Concubine," that was the grand finale; they would let it simmer slowly until the other dishes were almost finished.

Several dishes were laid out on the table, and wine was poured. Old Wen smiled and suggested that everyone have a toast first. On the one hand, it was a holiday today, and on the other hand, it was to congratulate Zhou Jiye and Lin Ying on the successful registration of their household registration. At the same time, it was also to drink a toast to everyone's fate and gathering.

A sip of Fengjing rice wine warms the stomach and feels especially comfortable.

The stir-fried eel shreds were cooked in a rich, dark sauce and sprinkled with pepper; they were absolutely delicious.

Needless to say, the hairy crabs that Lao Wen brought each had seven or eight heads. Such hairy crabs will be a rare commodity in a few decades, but they are worthless now. The steamed hairy crabs filled a large basin, and we could eat as many as we wanted.

The crab roe and crab meat were incredibly delicious, and when dipped in the special sauce made by Xu Guoqing with vinegar, sugar, ginger, and other seasonings, it was simply heavenly. After taking a sip of Shaoxing wine and eating the hairy crab and eel, they could even use their chopsticks to pick up some vegetables to cleanse their palates. It was safe to say that this was the best meal Zhou Jiye and Lin Ying had ever had since they came to this era.

Clinking glasses, exchanging toasts, laughing and chatting, the wine flowing freely, until halfway through the night, tears streamed down as they reminisced about the past…

Perhaps it was the alcohol, but they gradually loosened up and chatted freely about the topics they hadn't finished discussing.

Xu Guoqing is a man of strong emotions. Once he started talking, he relaxed a lot. Moreover, he has a wide range of knowledge. Having been a sent-down youth, he has seen a lot. He talked about the interesting things that happened when he was sent to the countryside in Northeast China with great enthusiasm, which made everyone listen with great interest.

Old Wen is a natural businessman, very shrewd and adept at social interaction, and he has a knack for creating a lively atmosphere through conversation.

Zhou Jiye and Lao Wen were already quite familiar with each other, calling each other brothers and getting along well. Their personalities were compatible, so they were naturally relaxed in this setting. As for Lin Ying, she mostly listened, but her questions always hit the nail on the head, making the conversation even more engaging. The four chatted more and more amiably, and emboldened by the alcohol, Lao Wen suddenly suggested that they stop calling each other "Brother Wen," "Brother Xu," "Little Zhou," or "Little Lin," as it was too formal. A more intimate way to address each other would be more appropriate.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiye, whose face was flushed from drinking, clapped his hands and cheered, then asked with a grin what the appropriate form of address was.

"I'm the oldest of the four, so just call me Big Brother," Old Wen said, patting his chest.

Upon hearing this, Xu Guoqing didn't react much, but Zhou Jiye and Lin Ying almost couldn't hold back their laughter. "Eldest Prince?" That title seemed a bit too grand. It might be fine in Shanghai, but what if they went to Beijing? Wouldn't it cause misunderstandings?

"I think we should keep calling him Brother Wen, or maybe Brother Qiang?"

"I have no objection, you can shout whatever you want," Xu Guoqing said cheerfully.

Old Wen was immediately dissatisfied, feeling that the title "Elder Prince" was better. At this moment, Lin Ying couldn't hold back any longer and explained with a smile the meaning of "Elder Prince" in the capital. After listening, Old Wen thought about it and felt that it was indeed a bit inappropriate. He could only nod and say that the title "Elder Prince" was not good and could easily lead to misunderstandings.

"It's easy to address Guoqing, just call him Guoqing or Aqing," Lao Wen said with a smile, pointing at Xu Guoqing.

When Zhou Jiye and the others went to Jiangdong to handle their household registration, they heard someone call Xu Guoqing "Brother Aqing" before, so they immediately smiled and agreed, and started calling Xu Guoqing "Brother Aqing".

As for Lin Ying, Lao Wen pointed and said, "Among the four of us, only my sister-in-law is a woman. She's the youngest, so according to the custom in Shanghai, we call her 'little sister'?"

"Sister? Lin Daiyu? This is good, this is good! Hahaha!" Xu Guoqing laughed loudly.

Zhou Jiye chuckled upon hearing this, glancing at Lin Ying beside him. He thought to himself that it was rather incongruous for Lin Ying to become Lin Daiyu!
Lin Daiyu in Dream of the Red Chamber is frail, which is somewhat similar to Lin Ying, but their personalities are completely different. Compared to the sentimental Lin Daiyu, Lin Ying is extremely independent. I was often bullied by her at home. How can this be Lin Daiyu? Is she a violent version?
"Okay, just call me little sister from now on, hehe." Lin Ying readily agreed, then asked Lao Wen with a grin, "Where's my husband? Brother Wen, you've talked about everything, why didn't you mention my husband?"

Old Wen scratched his head and looked at Zhou Jiye, saying, "I originally had two titles, but after thinking about it carefully, they weren't quite right."

"What's the name?"

“One is Long Legs,” Lao Wen said. “Brother Zhou is the tallest, over 1.8 meters tall, standing out from the crowd, so calling him Long Legs is quite fitting. But after thinking about it, there are quite a few people outside who are called Long Legs, and although Brother Zhou is tall, he is also very robust, so it’s a bit inappropriate.”

"What about the other one?" Lin Ying asked curiously.

"Of course he's a big guy!" Everyone burst into laughter when Lao Wen said this. It has to be said that this nickname is more fitting than "long legs". What else could Zhou Jiye be but a big guy when he is tall and strong?
"Brother Wen, can't you give me something better? Long Legs? Big Guy? What are these?" Zhou Jiye shook his head vigorously, his face contorted with embarrassment. He felt incredibly awkward if people called him these nicknames.
Zhou Jiye absolutely refused to accept either of the nicknames and insisted on a more suitable one. At this point, Xu Guoqing jokingly asked Zhou Jiye where he was ranked in his family. Zhou Jiye replied that he had two older brothers and was the youngest.

Xu Guoqing immediately had an idea. He said that since "long legs" and "big guy" were not suitable, they should call him "Maodou" according to Shanghai custom. "Maodou" means edamame, which refers to the youngest child in the family. This is better than "long legs" and "big guy," right?

"No way, no way, Edamame? Absolutely not!" Zhou Jiye rejected it without even thinking. What kind of nicknames are these? Of the four of them, the other three are all normal, so why is it that he's called Long Legs, Big Guy, or even Edamame? This is too much of a bullying!
Lin Ying, who was standing to the side, was laughing so hard her stomach hurt. She couldn't stop laughing, especially when she saw Zhou Jiye's face turn red and he was refusing to accept the nicknames.

With great difficulty suppressing her laughter, Lin Ying tried to smooth things over, saying that she had a rather fitting nickname. Lao Wen and Xu Guoqing quickly asked what the nickname was, and Lin Ying brought out the nickname she had given Zhou Jiye, "Xiao Ling," and even explained the origin of the nickname.

Upon hearing Lin Ying's explanation, Lao Wen and Xu Guoqing were immediately amused, nodding repeatedly in agreement. They then disregarded Zhou Jiye's objections and began calling him Xiao Ling. Zhou Jiye was annoyed, but since he could not object to most of the four people, he had no choice but to accept the nickname. He glared at Lin Ying, who was secretly laughing, with a resentful look.

(End of this chapter)