The 1960s: The Story of a Country Girl's Journey to the City

Bao Ya still felt nauseous after washing her hands, and kept that hand outstretched, refusing to cook.

She couldn't understand why these people could resist washing their hair; it smelled sour when she got close.

The monkey had no choice but to make do with some millet porridge and an egg.

When he reached for the second egg, Jiang Yuan ruthlessly slapped it away.

Jiang Yuan peeled the egg open and held it to Bao Ya's mouth, feeding her bite by bite.

Bao Ya hasn't moved the hand that had just grabbed Widow Qin's; she wouldn't even move it while eating.

"If you're not going to use that hand, just cut it off."

The monkey said cheekily, "I really can't stand how these two are all lovey-dovey."

"Mind your own business. Finish your food and leave. Don't get in my way."

Bao Ya rudely chased them away.

This time, the monkey went to work obediently, just as his mother wanted, and was given some work in the office. She felt more at ease keeping him under her watchful eye.

But he had the same problem as Bao Ya: he couldn't sit still. So Director Song sent him to the purchasing department with Jiang Yuan to gain some experience.

Yesterday was my first time going to the countryside to collect pigs, and we encountered heavy rain. On the way, our vehicle got stuck in a pothole, and the pigs escaped. The three of us spent half the night catching the pigs, leaving us in a sorry state.

"You went to the sales department? That job isn't really suitable for you."

The monkey ignored Bao Ya's attempts to shoo him away, chatting with her casually without showing any intention of leaving.

"Hmm, your dad's job is perfect for me, you see..."

"Forget about it. The old man is obsessed with officialdom. Unless he can get a higher position, he'll die in that position."

"Haha, you really know your dad."

The monkey didn't hold back at all when complaining about his father, then suddenly he solemnly said to Bao Ya:

"Be careful of Sun Bin in your office, that guy is really cunning."

Sun Bin? Why not Director Wang? Bao Ya asked, lost in thought.

"Why be wary of Sun Bin? Isn't he that old lecherous man surnamed Wang?"

"Ha, you could slap that guy surnamed Wang to death, there's nothing to be afraid of. But the guy surnamed Sun is different, a dog that bites doesn't bark."

They all warned her to be wary of the man surnamed Sun and looked down on Director Wang. Although she didn't understand why, Bao Ya didn't dwell on it and just listened.

On Monday, Bao Ya changed into a light blue dress and wore a pair of off-white plastic sandals.

Plastic sandals that she would never have glanced at in her past life are now priced at 3.5 yuan a pair, and require two industrial tickets.

Three yuan and fifty cents is enough to buy ten feet of cloth and make a set of clothes. This abnormal price made Bao Ya hesitate for a long time.

"You wear this to work?"

Jiang Yuan looked her up and down. The most fashionable style at the moment, a simple round neck, a waist that was just right, making her waist look slender, the hem of the skirt just past her knees, swaying gently in the breeze. Wasn't she a little too beautiful? He almost didn't want her to go to work.

"Yes, there's no fan in the office, and no..."

She wanted to mention air conditioning, but in the end she kept quiet, turned around and went inside to get a small palm-leaf fan, then called out to Jiang Yuan.

"Let's go, time to work."

Jiang Yuan pushed his bicycle behind her, feeling annoyed. He saw her smooth, fair legs from behind, and she wasn't wearing socks. Was she that afraid of the heat?

Yesterday I saw nylon stockings at the department store. They were only one yuan a pair, and they were terribly ugly. Bao Ya would rather not wear them than buy them.

After a busy morning, Bao Ya and Zhao Yufen started chatting casually again.

Not every office has an electric fan; only the factory director's and secretary's offices have them, the others don't.

Moreover, at this time, it wouldn't be conspicuous for women to wear skirts. Except for female workers on the front line who have dress requirements, most others, especially those sitting in offices, wear skirts in the summer.

"Xiaolin, did you buy this dress at the department store? It looks similar to the one Xiao Yang from the factory office has."

Zhao Yufen, sitting opposite her, looked at the dress she was wearing and felt that the color of Bao Ya's dress was more pleasing to the eye.

"Yes, I bought it at the department store yesterday, but not many people buy this color. Other colors and sizes are sold out, but there are still several pieces left in this color."

Zhao Yufen was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, a dark blue skirt, and plastic sandals with white socks today. Those white socks were such an odd choice.

"This color is picky about skin tone; it makes darker skin look even darker, but it suits you and makes your skin look even whiter."

Zhao Yufen sincerely praised her, saying that the young wife in front of her was so pleasing to the eye, had a good temper, and was always laughing and joking, which made her happy just looking at her.

Bao Ya chatted happily with her and even shared the sunflower seeds she had brought with her.

Several male colleagues in the office kept glancing this way, and Director Wang from the inner office had already made several excuses to come out.

Bao Ya didn't care if they looked at her a few more times, since no one dared to come near her anyway; if they did, it would just be a matter of a few slaps.

Soon it was noon, and Bao Ya and Zhao Yufen took their lunchboxes to the cafeteria to get their food.

She and Jiang Yuan had agreed that they would eat lunch and then go back to the cafeteria for a nap. The cafeteria had a wide variety of soups and stews, and occasionally steamed buns and noodles. Eating at the cafeteria would mean they wouldn't have to cook at home.

When they arrived at the cafeteria, there were already many people queuing up. Zhao Yufen and Bao Ya followed the queue and moved forward little by little.

In the center of the cafeteria were four large buckets filled with mung bean soup, probably made that morning, though it was no longer hot. Everyone would get a bowl of the free soup after their meal.

Although it's not as good as what I make at home, it's free and I don't have to put in any effort, so of course I'll come and drink it.

They bought two steamed buns at the first window and then went to the second window to get their food.

"Which dish would you like?"

"Stir-fried celery with pork, and hot and sour shredded potatoes."

Upon hearing the familiar voice, the two of them simultaneously looked up.

The person serving the food turned out to be Yan San's wife, Ji Xiaotao. Obviously, Ji Xiaotao had also seen her and immediately gave her a big eye roll.

She hadn't even given her a cold shoulder yet, but she got the cold shoulder in return. Bao Ya was very unhappy, and what happened next made her even more unhappy.

Ji Xiaotao's hand trembled even more violently than Wu Lao Er's when she scooped the food for her. After she finished, there was only a bottom left in Bao Ya's lunchbox.

She could tolerate that eye roll, but she couldn't tolerate having her food cut back on.

The food in the canteen was sold by portion; meat dishes cost 20 cents a portion, and vegetable dishes cost 5 cents a portion.

The two dishes I ordered, one meat and one vegetable, cost a total of 25 cents.

The amount she gave herself was less than half of what she usually gives; it's really unfair.

Bao Ya immediately placed her lunchbox at the food serving window, looked at Ji Xiaotao inside, and said impatiently:

"What's wrong with you? I ordered two dishes and you only gave me this little bit? What, did you embezzle the money you were supposed to take from me?"

Bao Ya's voice was loud and clear, and most of the cafeteria could hear her. When she said that there was embezzlement in the cafeteria, everyone peeked over to take a look.