Reborn in '77, I have a job panel!

"Chengzi, today when we delivered bean sprouts, Director Liu asked again if we could deliver more."

Qian Cheng asked, "What did they say?"

Qian Lu said, "He said the workers love to eat it, and forty jin a day isn't enough. Could we increase it to fifty jin?"

Qian Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Fifty catties, sure. We can take turns with the three tanks, plus what you can harvest in the next couple of days. Fifty catties a day is no problem."

Qian Lu nodded: "Then I'll talk to him tomorrow, okay."

The two talked for a while longer before Qian Lu went back.

As soon as it was light, Qian Lu arrived carrying his load.

Qian Cheng was tidying up bean sprouts inside the house when he heard the sound of the gate opening and peeked out.

Qian Lu entered the courtyard, put down the empty basket, and went straight into the house.

"Brother, you collect it yourself today, I'll go to the market."

Qian Lu nodded, squatted down in front of the vat, and reached in to scoop up the bean sprouts.

He's practiced it these past few days and his movements are very nimble.

Each leaf was carefully placed into the basket, neatly arranged, not a single one broken.

The two vats of bean sprouts were harvested in less than half an hour.

Qian Cheng watched from the side, feeling quite satisfied.

"Brother, your skills are good enough. From now on, you can send and receive your food at home by yourself. I don't need to worry about it anymore."

Qian Lu chuckled twice: "It's all thanks to your excellent teaching."

He picked up the two baskets meant for the mine and weighed them: "Shall I go?"

"Go ahead, drive carefully."

Qian Lu carried his load on his shoulder and went out.

Qian Cheng collected the remaining vat of bean sprouts, packed them into two baskets, and carried them towards town.

Today is the 22nd, and it's market day in town.

These days, Qian Cheng's bean sprouts have already made a name for themselves at the market.

Regular customers know that there's a young man surnamed Qian who grows tender, cheap, and clean bean sprouts.

When I arrived at the market, I had just squatted down in my usual spot when people surrounded me.

"Hey, you got some money? Give me three pounds."

"I want two jin too."

"I bought too little last time, so I'll take more this time, five jin."

As more and more people gathered, Qian Cheng frantically tried to greet them.

Weighing, collecting money, bundling bean sprouts—they never have a moment to rest.

An old man selling tofu nearby chimed in, "Come and see! These bean sprouts are so tender, only a dime a pound!"

An older woman bought three jin (1.5 kg) and asked, "Xiao Qian, why haven't you come for several days? I thought you stopped selling."

Qian Cheng smiled and said, "Auntie, I've been busy these past few days, but I'll come more often in the future."

In less than an hour, both baskets of bean sprouts were sold out.

Qian Cheng counted the money: three yuan and fifty cents.

He carefully put the money away, greeted the old man, and walked back with the empty basket.

Back home, Qian Cheng put down the basket, changed into clean clothes, and headed out to the Zhang family's house.

I have nothing to do today, so I'm going to learn some carpentry.

When they arrived at the Zhang family's house, the courtyard was quiet.

Qian Cheng pushed open the courtyard gate and went inside, but didn't see anyone.

He walked to the door, pushed it open, but there was no one inside.

"Master? Mistress?"

No one answered.

Qian Cheng was stunned for a moment, and was about to turn around and leave when he suddenly heard a noise from the inner room.

He walked over, pushed open the door to the inner room, and saw Zhang Mingxi sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed), reading a book while leaning on the kang table.

She was so engrossed in watching that she didn't notice the door had opened.

Qian Cheng stood at the door, looking at her.

Sunlight streamed in through the window and fell on her.

She lowered her head, her hair hanging down, covering half of her face, and held a pen in her hand, writing and drawing on the paper.

Qian Cheng tiptoed over quietly.

He walked up behind her, suddenly reached out, and covered her eyes.

"Ah!" Zhang Mingxi was so startled that he dropped his pen.

She struggled hard, trying to pry his hands off, but Qian Cheng suppressed a laugh and wouldn't let go.

"Who? Who?" Zhang Mingxi's voice changed in panic.

Qian Cheng leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Guess."

Zhang Mingxi was stunned for a moment, then relaxed completely.

"Qian Cheng!" she laughed, reaching out to pry his hand away. "You scared me to death!"

Qian Cheng let go of her hand, walked around to face her, and looked at her with a smile.

Zhang Mingxi blushed slightly and glared at him, "Why are you like this? You didn't even make a sound when you came in."

Qian Cheng said, "I called out several times, but no one answered. Are you home alone?"

Zhang Mingxi nodded: "My mom went on a house call, and my dad was called away by the brigade to help out, so I'm all alone."

Qian Cheng sat down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), looked at the book in front of her, which was a Chinese textbook. He turned to an article, and next to it was a workbook with half a page of writing on it.

"Reading a book?"

"Yeah, I'm studying. The college entrance exam is in a few months."

Qian Cheng nodded, feeling a little ashamed.

These days I've been busy with bean sprouts, so I haven't had much time to read, and my proficiency in student-related professions has improved slowly.

Zhang Mingxi looked at him and asked, "What brings you here? Aren't you selling bean sprouts today?"

"I sold it all before I came here to learn carpentry, but I didn't expect my master to be gone."

Zhang Mingxi laughed: "Then you can stay with me for a while."

Qian Cheng looked at her, and a thought struck him.

He moved closer to her, and Zhang Mingxi blushed again, but didn't flinch.

The two sat side by side on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), neither of them speaking.

After a while, Qian Cheng suddenly reached out and hugged her waist from behind.

Zhang Mingxi stiffened and whispered, "What are you doing?"

Qian Cheng didn't say anything, but rested his chin on her shoulder and pressed his face against hers.

Zhang Mingxi's face burned, and her heart pounded.

She remembered what happened in the house last time, those embarrassing scenes, and her whole body went limp.

Qian Cheng gently blew a breath into her ear.

Zhang Mingxi shuddered and tried to dodge, but his waist was wrapped around hers and she couldn't escape.

"Qian Cheng..." she whispered, her voice trembling.

Qian Cheng didn't respond, but gently kissed her ear.

Zhang Mingxi closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling violently.

The stove in the house was burning brightly, making it warm and cozy. The kang (heated brick bed) was also very warm, and sitting on it made one feel comfortable all over.

Qian Cheng turned her around so she was facing him.

Zhang Mingxi lowered her head, not daring to look at him.

Qian Cheng reached out and lifted her chin, making her look at him.

Her eyes were watery, her face was flushed, and her lips were slightly parted.

Qian Cheng leaned in and kissed her.

It started gently and slowly, but then it became uncontrollable.

The two fell onto the kang (a heated brick bed).

The cotton-padded coats and sweaters were taken off, and one by one they fell to the side of the kang (a heated brick bed).

The fire crackled, casting their shadows onto the wall, overlapping each other.

After a long while, the room became quiet.

Zhang Mingxi huddled under the covers, only her head peeking out. Qian Cheng lay beside her, watching her and smiling.

Zhang Mingxi glared at him and slapped his arm.

"It's all your fault," she whispered.

Qian Cheng laughed shamelessly, "My fault, my fault."

Zhang Mingxi hit him again, but not hard.

Qian Cheng reached out and pulled her close. Zhang Mingxi leaned against him, her face pressed against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

"Qian Cheng," she whispered.

"Um?"

"Will you marry me?"

"Yes, I will marry you after I get into university and have a stable job."

Zhang Mingxi looked up at him: "You mean it?"

Qian Cheng looked at her and said seriously, "You keep your word."

Zhang Mingxi smiled and buried her face back in his arms.