Chapter 151 Educated Youth in the 1970s (15) I Want to Build! I Want to Learn...

"Fang Ning." Qi Ziling gently touched her hand and sighed, "Why don't you go and talk to him?"

Jian Fangning bit her lower lip and shook her head slightly. She was afraid, afraid that if she got close to him, she wouldn't be able to hold back anymore.

Just then, Song Ce's gentle gaze pierced through the crowd and landed directly on Jian Fangning. In the instant their eyes met, the pity and reluctance in his eyes surged towards her like a tide, almost overwhelming her completely.

Looking at the villagers and educated youth with red eyes, Qin Guangde said loudly, "Comrades, fellow villagers! How about we hold a grand farewell ceremony for Song, the educated youth, today?"

"well!"

I agree!

"I agree!"

“Since no one has any objections, let’s hold it at the threshing ground. Each household can chip in some food so that Song, the educated youth, and the leaders don’t leave on an empty stomach!” As soon as Qin Guangde finished speaking, the villagers started heading home in twos and threes, afraid of being a step too late.

Soon, the threshing ground became lively.

A series of makeshift wooden tables were arranged to form the shape of a square, and people sat around them, talking all at once.

The elderly folks earnestly told Song Ce to take good care of himself while he was away; the younger people were much more direct, coming over one by one to wish Song Ce a bright future; and the veteran cadres like the brigade leader, Uncle Li, and Uncle Qian all patted Song Ce on the shoulder, encouraging him to perform well and try to keep this opportunity.

Song Ce nodded in agreement, then stood up and bowed deeply to the villagers.

As the sun began to set, Qi Ziling, Wu Wangliu, and Jiang Zhangjun, the educated youth who had come with him in the oxcart, got up one after another and came to Song Ce's side to say goodbye.

Jiang Zhangjun was very reluctant to part ways, as they had enjoyed each other's company for some time. He smiled and patted Song Ce's shoulder forcefully, saying, "Song Ce, congratulations! Even though we won't be living together anymore, we should still keep in touch and keep in touch!"

"Yes, Zhang Jun, I will definitely write to you when I get to the Municipal Agricultural Machinery Institute."

"Why!"

After the two finished speaking, Qi Ziling stepped forward. Her eyes were slightly red, and she said softly, "Xiao Ce, when there is a chance in the future, your older brother and I will go to the city to see you."

"Okay, I'll wait for you, Big Brother and Sister Ziling. I... I'll go now, take care."

"Um……"

Wu Wangliu, who was standing to the side, pursed her lips tightly. After a long while, she said, "Song Zhiqing, I wish you... a safe journey."

"Okay, Wu Zhiqing, thank you."

After the three finished speaking, their gazes all turned to Jian Fangning behind them.

A warm breeze blew from the fields, carrying the scent of dry earth and the aroma of harvested crops... making one feel inexplicably reluctant to leave.

Song Ce walked up to Jian Fangning and spoke in a slightly hoarse voice.

"Fangning, I..."

“I know.” Jian Fangning interrupted him, trying to make her voice sound calmer. “The organization needs you. You… go. In this life, you always have to look forward.”

Looking at her reddened eyes and her forced relaxed demeanor, Song Ce gripped her hand tightly and said gently, "Fang Ning, wait for me to come back."

Jian Fangning felt as if something had struck her heart, and her eyes glistened with tears. After a long while, she nodded and forced a smile: "Okay, be careful on your way. I'll wait for you here."

Feeling the warmth of the young man's hands, Jian Fangning thought that she would stay here, on this land where they met and fell in love, keeping the promise he made, and waiting for him to come back.

Perhaps, parting is for a better reunion in the future?

And so, Song Ce waved goodbye to his family, friends, and lover who had seen him off along the way, and got into the jeep with Professor Wei and Engineer Zhou. Behind him, the figures of everyone gradually disappeared into the distance, leaving only the sound of the evening wind rustling through the fields.

Because of the combine harvester that Song Ce was researching, Professor Wei had submitted a transfer document to the organization long ago regarding the transfer of the "Five Good Educated Youths" of Xinhe Village. When they came today, the superiors had already approved it.

Looking at the handsome profile of the young man beside him, Professor Wei chuckled: "Xiao Song, we'll be colleagues from now on. Don't forget to tell your family about your job transfer. The Municipal Agricultural Machinery Research Institute has already arranged accommodation for you. Get some rest today, because you'll be at work early tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Professor Wei."

The jeep bumped along the way and finally arrived in Qing City.

Looking out the car window at the bustling street scene so different from Xinhe Village, Song Ce was momentarily dazed. Soon, they arrived at the Municipal Agricultural Machinery Research Institute.

Under the enthusiastic guidance of Engineer Zhou, Song Ce arrived at the dormitory that had been prepared for him in advance.

"Comrade Xiao Song, this dormitory is a double room. For now, we'll arrange for you to stay here. Once we have more people coming to our agricultural machinery institute, we'll arrange roommates for you."

Song Ce nodded and smiled in agreement.

Engineer Zhou patted him on the shoulder: "You settle in today, I won't bother you any longer. I'll come over tomorrow morning at eight o'clock to show you around our agricultural machinery depot."

"Okay, thank you, Engineer Zhou."

"Alright, you're busy!" After saying this, Engineer Zhou quickly left.

Song Ce smiled faintly and put down his luggage one by one.

He glanced around at his surroundings. The dormitory room must have been cleaned beforehand; although it didn't look very big, it was very clean.

In this day and age, it is already quite rare to have such a clean place to live.

Song Ce rolled up his sleeves and first made the bed before slowly tidying up the other odds and ends.

It took him more than an hour to finally tidy up the dormitory.

Seeing that it was already dark outside, Song Ce quickly washed up, then took out a pencil and notebook from his bag and began writing a letter to his family in Beijing.

After he finished rewriting the last word, glanced through it, and confirmed that there were no problems, he folded the letter in half and put it into the envelope he had prepared earlier.

It seems he'll have to get up early tomorrow and mail the letter first...

After a long day of work, even someone as capable as Song Ce was a bit tired. He placed the letter on the left side of his desk, then turned off the light and went to rest.

...

Meanwhile, in Beijing.

Song Fei, who was lying on the bed, suddenly opened his eyes, his chest heaving violently.

He was breathing heavily, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat. He patted his chest, forcing himself to calm down.

For some reason, for the past month, he has been frequently dreaming about his past when he was young... Song Fei pinched the bridge of his nose and habitually reached for the water glass on the bedside table, but unexpectedly found nothing.

Song Fei was taken aback, then gave a wry smile. It seemed he really was getting old; he had even forgotten to bring his water glass in.

However, when he propped himself up to stand up, he found that his body was much lighter... He reached out to turn on the light, only to find that the white switch was now smooth, replaced by a thin cotton thread with an iron screw hanging below it.

This is? ?

Song Fei suddenly turned on the light, only to find that the room's furnishings were quite unfamiliar, yet upon closer inspection, he vaguely felt a sense of familiarity.

This is a small bedroom with whitewashed walls, some of which are peeling. Inside, there are two simple wooden beds, a red-lacquered wardrobe, and a small desk.

This isn't... This isn't the place...

Song Fei stared blankly as he opened his hand, looking at the crisscrossing lines on his palm, feeling as if he were dreaming.

These were delicate, dry, and slender hands, not the rough hands he had in his youth, calloused from years of hard labor. Song Fei's heart skipped a beat, and an unbelievable thought surged into his mind: Could it be... he's back?

Song Fei threw off the covers and got out of bed. His bare feet touched the cool brick floor, and he couldn't help but shiver. He looked up at the calendar on the wall; the latest page clearly showed—July 15, 1974!

Upon seeing the date on the calendar, Song Fei's eyes narrowed sharply.

He couldn't hold back any longer and flung open the bedroom door. Song's mother was still awake. Seeing her eldest son's panicked expression, she was taken aback: "Xiaofei, what's wrong? What happened?"

"Mom—" Song Fei's eyes reddened, and tears streamed down her face. "I miss you so much!"

Upon hearing this, Song's mother was taken aback at first, then chuckled. She found it quite strange that her usually gentle and shy eldest son... was actually acting coquettishly towards her?

"Xiaofei, what's wrong? Did you get upset at the grain store? Come here and tell Mom about it."

Grain store? What grain store? Wasn't he a worker in a lumber mill when he was young...? Song Fei pursed his lips and shook his head blankly.

"Was I dreaming?" Song's mother patted Song Fei on the back and said with a smile, "Perfect timing, I received your brother's letter today, but I haven't had a chance to tell you yet!"

Brother… Song Fei smiled bitterly. At this point in time, Song Ce should already be married to Zi Ling…

He slowly stood up and said softly, "Was it a letter from my younger brother to announce good news to the family?"

Song's mother was taken aback, and somewhat surprised, pulled Song Fei to sit down: "Xiao Fei, you knew all along?"

"Um……"

"It's truly a joyous occasion. I never expected that Xiao Ce's time spent training in the countryside would actually lead to him securing a decent job. Going to the countryside this time was definitely the right decision!" Song's mother said with a smile.

A decent job?

Song Fei was taken aback. "Mom, what are you saying?"

"Your younger brother, Xiao Ce! He was transferred to the Municipal Agricultural Machinery Research Institute a few days ago, and he's working under Professor Wei now!" Song's mother said with a smile.

Song Fei: "..."

He recognized every single word his mother said, but when they were put together, he was completely baffled. When did Xiao Ce... join the Municipal Agricultural Machinery Research Institute? This never happened in his past life!

Song Fei glanced at his hands on his knees and asked in a trembling voice, "Mom, where am I working now...?"

"Xiaofei, what's wrong with you today?" Song's mother touched Song Fei's forehead with a worried look and asked with concern, "You work as an accountant at the Xichang Grain Store, right? Are you tired? Why don't you take a day off tomorrow and rest at home?"

Song Fei: "...Accountant?"

He's clearly... clearly a lumberjack...

The accounting job at the Xichang Grain Store, his younger brother who was transferred to the Agricultural Machinery Research Institute, and his mother who didn't seem to be worried... Song Fei's mind was a jumbled mess. With trembling hands, he finally mustered the courage to ask the question that he had deliberately kept to himself.

"So, is Xiao Ce...married?"

"ah???"

Now it was Song's mother's turn to be stunned.

Seeing her eldest son's dejected face, Song's mother got up and poured him a glass of warm water, saying with a wry smile, "Xiaofei, your dad is working the night shift at the machine factory today, don't scare your mother... How old is your younger brother? What the hell is he getting married?"

Upon hearing this, Song Fei was startled and abruptly looked up.

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Author's Note: [Pat on head] Thank you everyone for your support, I will work even harder~