1979: Reopening Wenhao Road from the Village

"What do we do?"

"Let's register our household first, and then see how things go."

Chen Weidong wasn't too surprised, after all, he had gone through this process in his previous life. He had returned earlier than he was now and had been sitting at home for several months, but still hadn't received any notification from the neighborhood committee.

Finally, Chen's father took early retirement and had Chen Weidong take his place. After working at the street motor repair shop for a few months, Chen Weidong couldn't stand it anymore and chose to resign and start writing.

In the end, he didn't finish his classes, and his writing was a complete waste of several years, resulting in nothing. He even forced his father to retire early.

Chen Weidong led Su Man through the streets, police station, and youth affairs office with ease. First, they went to the police station to transfer their household registration from Yangjiatun back to Yanjing, which was the first step in obtaining urban status.

Next, the files of the two former educated youths were transferred, and their files were placed at the Mao'er Hutong Subdistrict Office. However, some former educated youths did not have relatives or a specific subdistrict to accept them, so their files were placed with the labor department for subsequent employment placement.

The two then went to the grain department. Since the country was still under a planned economy, household registration and grain rations had to be transferred simultaneously. After registering their household, they needed to immediately obtain a grain and oil supply certificate from the grain department; otherwise, they would be unable to purchase grain in Yanjing.

Although there is food at home, the amount is limited. If you keep eating from home, even if you have enough money, you won't have enough food coupons. Therefore, obtaining a food and oil supply certificate is the most important thing to do when returning to the city to settle down.

Many educated youth are now facing difficulties in obtaining local residency, such as their parents' housing being occupied, their work units being unable to accept them, or incomplete documentation, resulting in a large number of educated youth becoming "unregistered residents" or stranded at train stations.

Back at the neighborhood office, there seemed to be more people in the courtyard, sitting or standing in twos and threes, waiting idly.

Actually, these people are considered relatively good. Many educated youths simply drifted into the streets and alleys, gradually becoming hooligans who spent their days either messing around, fighting, or playing around.

In his previous life, Chen Weidong gradually became the latter type. Actually, he was considered lucky. Some people even got a "secure job" and lived a life of luxury, except for the lack of freedom!

"Comrade, when will we be able to get work arranged here?"

After registering, Chen Weidong asked the staff member.

"Comrade, I'm sorry, I can't be sure about that either. There are too many educated youth returning to the city right now. We have to plan step by step. You should go back and wait for news. We will notify you when we have news."

Upon hearing this, Chen Weidong immediately knew that the "letter" was probably a long way off.

As soon as she entered the house, Chen's mother immediately began to ask questions.

"How's it going? Are you done yet?"

"The household registration is complete, but I'm still waiting for news about a job."

"Once you've settled your household registration, there's no need to rush. The streets are full of educated youth returning to the city. Everyone's doing it this way, taking it one step at a time."

Chen's mother offered a word of comfort, then asked Su Man, "Su Man, what would you like to eat for lunch? I'll make it for you."

"I'm fine with anything, Mom. Let me make it for you."

Chen Weidong then went to the main room.

"Grandpa, Grandma."

Today, when he and Su Man went out, it was Old Man Chen and Old Woman Chen who helped take care of Chen Xiaosui and Chen Xiaoan. Otherwise, Old Man Chen would have gone out for a walk long ago at this time.

"father."

Chen Xiaosui called out, then lowered her head and continued playing.

What are you playing?

"A toad! My great-grandfather gave it to me!"

Chen Xiaosui held up a toad made of folded newspaper and said happily.

When Chen Weidong was a child, his father folded this for him. If you blew on it from behind, it would move forward. It was one of the toys that children had at that time.

"How's it going?"

Old Chen asked in a low voice, afraid of waking Chen Xiaoan, who was already fast asleep.

"I've completed the household registration and grain and oil certificate procedures, but I still have to wait for notification regarding work."

Old Chen understood. "Have your mother buy some later, and have your father take you to see Director Wang tonight."

"Okay, Grandpa."

Chen Weidong did not refuse. Although he was making a good living from writing, it was still not very stable. Moreover, without tickets, it was difficult to make a living. Finding a stable job would not only allow him to earn money, but also provide him with a channel for tickets.

He had been longing to buy a bicycle, but without industrial vouchers, he couldn't buy one even if he had the money.

Moreover, the end of the universe is the system. In his previous life, when he was young and ignorant, he always felt that doing the same job every day, which didn't earn much, was too restrictive of his freedom.

It's only when you get old that you realize how desirable a stable job is; the salary is the least important thing, and the various benefits are the real prize!

At lunchtime, Old Man Chen gave his mother another piece of advice, and Old Lady Chen even handed her two ten-yuan bills.

"Xiulan, don't hesitate to spend money later. Money should be spent wisely."

Old Mrs. Chen, perhaps fearing that Sister-in-law Chen would feel wronged, took out another twenty yuan and handed it to Sister-in-law Chen.

Although Old Mrs. Chen favored Chen Weidong, she outwardly treated her eldest grandson, Chen Jianguo, equally. As for secretly buying eggs and candy for Chen Weidong in the past, that was another matter.

"Xiao Rong, I see that Xiao Teng and Xiao Ting have started school. Let's keep this money to buy pens and notebooks for the children."

"Mother, I have money, you can keep it for yourself."

Chen's mother was the first to return the money. She was doing things for her son, so how could she use the old man and woman's retirement money?

"Grandma, really, you don't need to. You can keep this money for yourself."

Sister-in-law Chen also refused, understanding Old Lady Chen's intention—she was afraid that Old Lady Chen would be wronged.

"Take it if I tell you to. This is for my two grandsons. As for your grandsons, that's up to you from now on."

Old Mrs. Chen said to her mother that she did not collect the money.

"We're all family, if you don't want it, you can give it all to me."

Chen Weidong smiled and tried to smooth things over, even pretending to extend his hand.

pop~

"You're everywhere!"

Chen's mother patted Chen Weidong's hand and continued, "The east wing has been cleaned up. You two can see if you need anything else and buy it later."

"Yes, Mother."

Su Man nodded and followed Chen's mother to wash the dishes. After Chen Weidong and Chen's mother went out to buy things, she started arranging the things by herself.

I opened the packages I had brought from my hometown and put them away one by one.

……

"Sister Mei."

"Aunt Ma."

Chen Weidong followed his mother to the grocery store.

"Wei Dong is back. Why didn't you bring your wife with you?"

"She's packing her things at home. We'll bring her along sometime to introduce her to Aunt Ma."

"Haha, that's great!"

Ma Mei said with a smile.

"Sister Mei, I need your help with something. I wonder if you have any good cigarettes or alcohol left? I'd like to get some of each."

Ma Mei glanced at Chen Weidong and had a guess in her mind. Parents' hearts are always full of love and worry!

"Right now, the store still has Peony, Daqianmen, Hengda, and Guangrong cigarettes. As for liquor, all that's left is Xifeng and bulk grain liquor. Xiulan, which one do you want?"

……