Courtyard House: I Rely on Time-Space Trade to Build a Nation

On New Year's Eve, on the other side,

The industrial and textile zone of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps was filled with jubilation.

All the factories are organizing a factory party today.

In the morning, we did a thorough cleaning of the factory area, then went back to the dormitory to change into new clothes. The party started at noon, with food and entertainment. Afterwards, around 4 or 5 pm, we went to see a movie, followed by a dumpling dinner at the canteen. Then it was three days off. Everyone in all departments except those on duty, except for those in the canteen, had the day off. As for whether those on duty or in the canteen had any complaints? With triple pay, double New Year's gifts, and compensatory time off after the holiday, everyone was eager to sign up.

At noon, the female workers from the No. 3 Textile Factory gradually arrived at the newly built Phase III factory building.

When the third batch of female workers from North Crea arrives in March, this will be their workplace.

The equipment hasn't arrived yet, so the empty factory space has become the perfect venue for the party.

Five hundred round tables were laid out, filling the space completely.

Ten people per table, just enough to seat 2000 female workers from the agricultural reclamation corps and 3000 female workers from North Crea.

The roof is high, so your voice and laughter echo.

Colorful ribbons were pulled down from the beams, and a row of red lanterns were hung.

The stage was set up at the very front, covered with a red carpet, and people on stage were singing. The tune was cheerful, and the lyrics were not very clear to those below, but the applause was deafening.

Each table has roasted lamb chops, hand-pulled rice, naan, big plate chicken, and fruit.

The most sought-after drinks were sodas—orange and peach flavored, with the glass bottles hissing as you unscrew the caps.

The bottles were brought in by the box, all in large plastic bottles. Two bottles were placed on each table first, and more were added if needed.

Choi Myung-hee reached for the bottle, poured some for the newcomers next to her, then tilted her head back and took a big gulp, letting out a burp.

Jinxi laughed from the side, "Wait a minute, there's more."

Zhang, a worker from the state farm, stood up, moved another case from the side, put it under the table, and gestured with a smile: "Drink as much as you want, all you can eat."

Sister Zhang is in her forties and is a veteran worker in a textile factory.

Today, two Chinese female workers were assigned to each table as hosts to organize the reception, in case the North Korean female workers felt embarrassed as it was their first time attending such an occasion.

Sister Zhang wasn't talkative, but she was quick and efficient, warm-hearted, and always smiling. She quickly became familiar with the group of young women of marriageable age.

In Sister Zhang's eyes, these female workers from North Crea were all about the same age as her daughter and needed her care.

The program on stage changed, and several Xinjiang girls dressed in colorful skirts danced a folk dance. They played the dombra very fast, and their skirts spun around like flowers.

Some people cheered and clapped along. Choi Myung-hee clapped too, her eyes fixed on the stage, while she held a half-empty bottle of soda in her hand.

None of the company commanders who usually supervise them are here today.

Ye Juan had made special arrangements—it was a holiday, so she had arranged a separate place for them to rest and relax.

After all, these people often did bad things, so why were they so "diligent" in promoting Zhao Ping's plan?

Zhao Ping'an certainly wouldn't treat them unfairly; that's why he prepared double the New Year's gifts.

On the other hand, the gifts from their relatives back home were also doubled. The gifts from them were not much, just a few bags of cornmeal, but in famine-stricken North Crea, this was not only an honor, but also a lifesaver.

The female workers were left unattended, which actually made the atmosphere more lively.

Choi Myung-hee leaned closer to Kim Hee and whispered, "Kim Hee-sister, I heard that a company commander married a worker from the factory next door?"

Jin Xi was gnawing on a lamb chop when she heard this, and nodded: "Is that so?"

As working hours and experience increased, and because he was always following Lee Jin-young,

Jinxi has now become a class monitor and also serves as the dormitory head. There are eight people in her dormitory: two are older students, and the other six are from the second batch of students to arrive.

Watching these people go through the same phase he had experienced—from initial disbelief, to cautiousness, and finally to their usual cheerful laughter—it's heartwarming to see how they've come to be.

Kim Hee was also filled with mixed feelings. Before coming, she thought she was going to suffer, but when she arrived, she found that it was paradise.

Choi Myung-hee's eyes lit up: "How is she doing?"

"I've heard it's pretty good," Jin Xi said. "Before, I could only get 30% of my salary, but now I get the full amount myself, plus more benefits."

I heard that after three years of childbirth, or after having a second child, one can obtain citizenship, become a citizen of the Republic, and live here permanently.

Several other newlyweds nearby also gathered around to listen, their eyes sparkling.

Everyone came prepared to suffer for three years, but it turned out they would enjoy three years of happiness instead.

Once they get to know each other, some people naturally start to have their own ideas. Who wouldn't want to stay forever?

Choi Myung-hee hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Then... what about her family?"

Jinxi looked at her.

Choi Myung-hee continued, "Weren't we here to help the country make money? Now that she's married, she's no longer one of us, so she's not helping the country make money anymore... What about her family?"

Although the words were left unsaid, everyone understood. They had seen before that the families of those who fled south were punished, even…

The newcomers fell silent, staring at the two of them.

Kim Hee put down the soda in her hand.

"Don't you know?"

Several newcomers shook their heads.

Kim Hee said, "Now, many of them would prefer us to marry into the family." Kim Hee held up her index finger and pointed to the sky.

Choi Myung-hee was stunned: "Why, sis?"

Jinxi said, "You do the math, how much money can you earn in three years of work?"

Our salaries are fixed and won't change unless our skill level is improved.

But if you marry into this family, the factory's labor union will directly give our country a sum of money—three years' worth of your wages. It's like buying you outright. And, they won't even have to pay you your 30% wages…”

She paused.

"Our country now wishes we would all marry into their country."

This is a huge sum of money; it can buy a lot of things and ship them back to China.

The newcomers listened with wide eyes.

Choi Myung-hee murmured, "That...that house..."

"What are you saying?"

When the group looked up, they saw that Li Zhenying had somehow ended up standing to their side.

Choi Myung-hee was a little flustered. Lee Jin-young was now a "celebrity" in the factory, a "celebrity" who was familiar with the regimental commander and "high-ranking officials" of the Republic. She was a big shot.

Some people witnessed her "punishing" the company commander and even reprimanding the "battalion commander," and the news spread.

So, it was obvious that a "big leader" had come, how could Choi Myung-hee not panic?

"Sister? Have you eaten?" Kim Hee immediately changed her previous calm demeanor upon seeing Lee Jin-young, stood up, grabbed Lee Jin-young's hand, and acted coquettishly.

"Weren't they curious about the 16th Company Commander getting married? I'll tell them about it..."

Lee Jin-young glanced at Kim Hee, then at the other newcomers, and tapped Kim Hee's forehead. "Don't talk nonsense. Don't spread rumors."

But his tone wasn't harsh; it even carried a hint of helpless laughter.

Then he took out a bag, handed it to Kim Hee, and whispered in her ear...

"Someone gave you two bottles of face cream and said they'd meet you at the usual place at 1 PM on the first day of the Lunar New Year..."

You better watch yourself. Know what you can and can't do. Have some sense of propriety.

Don't be like the 16th Company Commander, who only reported his pregnancy after getting very pregnant. If it weren't for Secretary Ye's help,

She was executed. If she really wanted to be with him, she should have applied for a marriage certificate first, then it would have been fine...

"Sister, no, we've only just gotten to know each other..." Jinxi blushed involuntarily.

"If you see something you like, grab it now, or someone else will snatch it from you, and you'll regret it. I've looked into that kid for you; he seems like a good guy."

I'm now a level 5 skilled worker, and my salary, bonuses, and subsidies total nearly 70 yuan. My parents live far away in Hebei.

I heard my brother is a government official, and he's currently attending night school. Maybe he'll advance further and become a university student after graduation.

More than enough for someone who barely passed a third-grade math exam...

Lee Jin-young took extra care of Kim Hee, who had been following her since she arrived, and had already helped her find out everything.

"Sister~, I haven't..." Jinxi continued to whine, her face flushed.

"Be alert. We've got him. Alright, I won't say any more. I have other things to do over there."

Go back to my dorm. Secretary Ye gave me a few packets of milk candy, but I don't like them. You can take them back and give them to your dorm members.

After saying that, Li Zhenying didn't say anything more and turned to leave.

Watching her retreating figure, Choi Myung-hee whispered to Kim Hee, "Sister, is Representative Lee here to deliver something to you?"

Jinxi didn't reply, but lowered her head and took a sip of her soda, though her flushed face betrayed her...

The newcomers looked at each other, as if they understood something...

Sister Zhang didn't understand what they were saying, but seeing that the atmosphere was a bit strange, she smiled, pointed to the stage, and said in accented Mandarin, "Watching the dance, it's beautiful."

Just as the song ended on stage, applause erupted.

Kim Hee had also calmed down, her blushing subsided, and she smiled at Choi Myung-hee, saying, "Alright, don't think about it so much. Let's celebrate the New Year first."

Choi Myung-hee nodded and clapped along.

After the party ended, the female workers, carrying the fruits, candies, and packaged pastries they had received as "Sunshine Award" recipients, chattered as they walked back to their dormitories.

Outside the factory, a cold wind blew, dissipating some of the warmth, but a smile still lingered on his face.

Choi Myung-hee was still carrying a half-empty bottle of soda in her hand, thinking about what had just been said as she walked.

She glanced back at the empty factory building.

Next year, this place will be filled with machines, and many more new people will come.

Looking again at Jinxi walking ahead, and then at the lights gradually illuminating the factory area in the distance.

The wind carries the lingering aroma of roasted meat.

Someone nearby chuckled and nudged her, saying, "What are you thinking about? Come on."

Choi Myung-hee snapped out of her daze and followed.

Suddenly, this place didn't seem so unfamiliar anymore.

It seems like it would be good to stay, right?