Chapter 158 Educated Youth in the 1970s (Twenty-Two): I Want to Build! I Want…

When he got home, it was just in time for dinner.

A table laden with delicious dishes was laid out on the dining table. Song Ce and Jian Fangning were sitting on the sofa, chatting with Song's parents. As soon as Song Fei returned, Song's mother quickly got up and greeted him, "Xiao Fei, come here quickly! Our whole family has been waiting for you."

Song Fei nodded and explained somewhat apologetically, "Something urgent came up, so I went out for a bit..."

Song's mother smiled and added, "Xiao Fei's workplace was busy before the New Year; he was often working overtime just a few days ago!"

Song Ce nodded, took the dumplings from his mother, placed them in front of Song Fei, and said with a smile, "Brother, eat them while they're hot. You have to go to work this afternoon. How can you not eat your fill?"

Song Fei paused, took the bowl, picked up a dumpling and put it in his mouth. It was filled with cabbage and pork, and it smelled delicious!

The Song family's meal was exceptionally lively.

Song's mother kept putting food on Jian Fangning's plate, smiling as she asked about everyday matters. Jian Fangning wasn't shy at all, answering generously, occasionally exchanging sweet smiles with Song Ce. Song's father watched with a smile, occasionally interjecting with a few words, asking about Song Ce's work.

Song Fei ate his dumplings silently, listening to his family's lively conversation, and his heart seemed to gradually calm down. He looked deeply at his younger brother beside him, who was well-mannered and had a gentle face, without saying a word.

After finishing his meal, Song Fei picked up his bag and said calmly, "Dad, Mom, I'm going to work." Without even glancing at Song Ce, he left the house.

Song Ce naturally didn't miss the subtle emotion in Song Fei's eyes. His hand holding the beverage cup unconsciously clenched slightly, and he immediately summoned 702 in his mind: "System, what's wrong with Song Fei? I feel like he's acting a bit strange?"

A calm, unwavering voice rang out: "Host, abnormal power fluctuations have been detected on the target, Song Fei. The system speculates that he has been reborn."

Song Ce: "...What did you say? Rebirth?"

702 spoke very quickly, its electronic voice ringing clear in my mind: "Yes, rebirth. The target, Song Fei, has not yet let go of his obsessions from his previous life, and by chance, he has been reborn."

Song Ce was taken aback and asked 702, "Then... will he affect the mission's progress?"

702 scanned Song Fei and analyzed: "According to the system detection, the soul fluctuation frequency of the target person Song Fei is significantly misaligned with the current magnetic field. Based on the data analysis, the target person Song Fei may cause unknown interference to the host's mission progress."

“Unknown interference…” Song Ce murmured, repeating it again, without asking any further questions.

After the family finished dinner, Song Ce took a deep breath and knocked on Song Fei's bedroom door.

"Brother, it's me, Xiao Ce."

After a long while, Song Fei slowly opened the door.

"Is there something you need?" Song Fei asked indifferently, his voice devoid of emotion.

"Brother, you've been so busy with work these past few days, we haven't had a proper chat." Song Ce leaned against the wall, looking at the simple furnishings in Song Fei's room, and asked with a smile, "Won't you let me in for a bit?"

Song Fei paused, then stepped aside to let Song Ce in.

A faint smell of tobacco filled the bedroom. Song Fei pointed to the chair next to the desk and said calmly, "Sit down."

The framed photos of the two brothers hanging on the wall were no longer there. Song Ce looked at Song Fei and asked directly, "Brother, I wrote you so many letters, why didn't you reply to a single one?"

Song Fei was silent for a few seconds before tugging at the corner of his mouth: "There's too much work at the company, I can't keep up."

"I see..." Song Ce said dejectedly, "You don't even have time to write a reply?"

Hearing Song Ce's low question, Song Fei's hands slowly clenched, and he looked up at his younger brother, asking in a daze, "Xiao Ce, can you answer a question for me?"

"Brother, what's wrong?"

Do you...like Fang Ning?

Song Ce was taken aback at first, then laughed: "Brother, what are you talking about? If I didn't like Fang Ning, why would I date her and propose to her?"

Song Fei's Adam's apple bobbed, and he lowered his voice: "Xiao Ce, I know a young man who fell for his older brother's girlfriend, and they even got married. But this young man didn't treat the girl well, and as a result, she died before she was even twenty."

Song Ce: "..."

The air fell silent. He knew perfectly well that what Song Fei was saying was exactly what the original owner of this body had done in his past life. Now that he was "Song Ce," he had no choice but to take the blame.

"Brother, who is this guy you're talking about? Do I know him? How dare he do this? Isn't anyone going to report him?"

Seeing Song Ce's indignant expression, Song Fei swallowed back the words he wanted to say.

"Let me give you an example. If you were that young man, what would you do?"

Song Ce looked shocked and raised his voice: "Brother, your analogy is too outrageous! Sister Ziling is my sister-in-law, and she's your girlfriend! Besides, Fang Ning and I are already legally married! Unless I've lost my mind, who would do such a thing?"

Song Fei: "..." You did the same thing in your past life.

"Brother, if you're too embarrassed to report him, just tell me." Song Ce leaned forward, angrily saying, "This kind of scum deserves to be taught a lesson!"

Song Fei: "..."

"Brother? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Song Fei looked at his upright and dignified younger brother with a complicated expression, and suddenly felt that the resentment he had been holding in for so many years didn't seem so heavy anymore. He didn't understand, how could he not hate this person when they had the same face?

He took a deep breath, no longer wanting to dwell on his past life, only wanting to cherish everything in front of him. Perhaps, his so-called rebirth was just a dream?

An absurd and bizarre dream.

...

Since this was the first year of the resumed college entrance examination, Song Ce had to report to Tsinghua University before March 1st. Jian Fangning's enrollment time was even earlier; she had to arrive at the school before February 20th. All told, the couple would only have about twenty days together at most.

The good news that the Song family suddenly had two prospective college students spread like wildfire, and within two days, the whole neighborhood knew about it.

Aunt Zeng and Song's mother usually got along very well. These past few days, while she was shopping at the vegetable market, she couldn't help but boast to the familiar sales clerk, "I have some good news to tell you, my nephew got into Tsinghua University! You know Tsinghua University, right? It's the number one university in China!"

The saleswoman chuckled upon hearing this and immediately chimed in, "Oh my, you've got a highly educated person in your family, auntie! Alright, today's potatoes are fresh in stock, feel free to buy as much as you want, I'll pick out the bigger ones for you!"

"Oh, I can't accept this!" Aunt Zeng said politely, but her hands didn't stop at all as she deftly peeled the potatoes. She continued, "Do you know what's even more amazing? My nephew's wife got into Beijing Medical University! From now on, she'll be a doctor in a white coat!"

The sales clerk's eyes lit up: "That's great! Now if Auntie gets a headache or fever, won't we have someone to rely on?"

"Look at what you're saying! How can we take advantage of the country? We should get medical treatment as usual, and we can't break the rules!" Aunt Zeng said loudly.

As soon as she said this, several vendors nearby gathered around, offering their flattery, which made Aunt Zeng beam with joy. When she reached the alley entrance with her vegetable basket, she bumped into Sister Zhang carrying a washbasin.

After Aunt Zeng walked over, Sister Zhang threw the soap into the basin, pursed her lips and muttered, "Second Xiao is Old Song's son, what does he have to do with Old Zeng's family? She brags like her own child got into college, tsk tsk, isn't she ashamed!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Aunt Zeng immediately turned around with her hands on her hips: "Don't think I don't know, aren't you just jealous of Erxiao and his wife? I heard that a family in our alley had two sons who took the exams this year, and neither of them passed! Oh dear, they're probably not going to have a good year!"

Sister-in-law Zhang immediately became unhappy. She slammed the washbasin on the ground with a bang. "So what if my two sons didn't pass the exam? They can try again next year! Unlike your Ran boy, who's destined to be a worker his whole life! He wants to be a cadre? Dream on!"

"Hey, I don't like hearing that!" Aunt Zeng retorted, raising her voice even higher: "Listen up, everyone! Old Zhang's family said that all workers' children are destined to be poor their whole lives! They'll never become cadres! What, are you trying to defy the heavens? If this were before, your two children would never have been able to go to university!"

Upon hearing this, Sister-in-law Zhang turned pale. Although things were much more relaxed than a few years ago, if this class-based thinking were reported by someone with ulterior motives, her two sons' futures would be completely ruined!

"You...you mustn't be talking nonsense! Our Zhang family is a proper farming family, with impeccable revolutionary credentials!"

"Tch, now you're scared? Let me tell you, it's too late..."

As the two were arguing, Song's mother, wearing an apron, came out of the yard and grabbed Aunt Zeng's arm. "Auntie, we're all old neighbors, please stop arguing. My two children are just lucky to have such good times. Erxiaogang even said he wanted to bring his girlfriend over for a visit!"

"Oh! Oh! I need to go back and get ready." Aunt Zeng immediately put on a smiling face, glared at Sister-in-law Zhang, and happily followed Mother Song into the courtyard. Sister-in-law Zhang wiped the sweat from her forehead, thinking that it was fortunate that the Song family came at the right time, otherwise she really wouldn't know what to do.

Not long after, Song Ce arrived with Jian Fangning, carrying some things.

"Erxiao, you're here, why did you bring anything?" Aunt Zeng said, but her eyes couldn't help but glance at the bag Song Ce had brought. If she wasn't mistaken, it looked like there was a bag of candy and a few large apples inside, with a bulging bag underneath.

Aunt Zeng was a little surprised. Had these two young men made a fortune outside? Otherwise, why would they be willing to send such an expensive gift to her family?

Uncle Zeng was an honest man. When he saw that someone had come to his house, he quickly stood up and started pouring water and getting melon seeds. After Song Ce stopped him with a smile, Uncle Zeng sat down with a smile and chatted about everyday things with great tact.

In the original owner's memories, when he was a child, Song's parents were busy with work, and it was Aunt Zeng who would take him home and give him a hot meal. At that time, no family had enough food, and Song's mother felt very bad about it. She sent some flour to the Zeng family several times, but Aunt Zeng always turned it away.

"How old are the two little ones? How many meals can they eat at home?"

That's why Song Ce wanted to fulfill this bond for the original owner of this body. Now that he's successful, he naturally wants to repay that kindness.

A close neighbor is worse than a distant relative; aren't these relationships built through interaction?

After the young couple left, Aunt Zeng closed the door and carefully opened the package that Song Ce had brought.

The top layer was a package of lobster pastries with a red wrapping, and the middle layer was six large, round red apples. In this era of scarcity, the Zeng family hadn't eaten fruit for almost two years.

Who has that kind of spare money?

Aunt Zeng picked up an apple, smelled it, and sighed, "Erxiao, that child, still cares about us."

"Isn't that because you're kind-hearted?" Uncle Zeng chuckled. "Back then, out of all the families in the alley, you were the only one who was willing to give that child a hot meal."

Aunt Zeng rolled her eyes at him and pointed to the big bag of things: "Tell me, if it weren't for me, would our family be able to eat these apples?" As she spoke, she opened the bottom bag, and the two of them were stunned when she untied the slipknot.

"It seems to be...white flour?" Uncle Zeng asked stammeringly.

Aunt Zeng lifted the sack of flour and clicked her tongue, "This flour must weigh three to five pounds! Good heavens! Where did Erxiao get such fine grains? These things are hard to come by right now! If we could make a meal of cabbage dumplings for the New Year, that would be so delicious! Old man, do we still have any meat coupons?"

"Yes, yes, I also have half a jin of lean meat coupons. I'll collect them before the New Year so that the children in my family can have a good holiday!"

The Zeng family, an elderly couple, has one son and one daughter. Their eldest son works at a lumber mill, and their younger daughter is a waitress at a state-run restaurant; both have good jobs. The eldest son got married two years ago but doesn't have children yet; he and his wife live with the elderly couple. Their younger daughter also got married last year to a colleague of the eldest son at the lumber mill—a good-natured person. The younger daughter and her husband usually live with her in-laws, but they come back to visit the elderly couple when they have time off from work. Although there are occasional disagreements within the family, overall they live harmoniously.

When the eldest son and daughter-in-law returned home from get off work, they were also startled when they saw this pile of things.

Aunt Zeng brought out the prepared food and took charge of distributing it, saying, "Eldest son, these apples are a rare treat. Your father and I will keep one for ourselves. Of the remaining five, you two can share three, and you can keep two for your sister. As for the flour, just enough for one bowl of soup noodles for your sister's family. How does that sound?"

The eldest daughter-in-law's expression darkened when she heard that she was also supposed to give two apples to her sister-in-law. But after hearing what Aunt Zeng said next, she breathed a sigh of relief. It was just a bowl of soup noodles; how much flour could she possibly give away?

Seeing her eldest daughter-in-law's changing expression, Aunt Zeng patted her hand and said with a smile, "Yanzi, Mom will give you another pound of flour. When you have time, I'll send it to your parents so that your family can also benefit and have a good New Year."

Upon hearing this, the eldest daughter-in-law's face flushed red. She stammered, "Thank you, Mom, but isn't Qiaomei's share a bit too small..."

Aunt Zeng chuckled, "Then let's give her a pound too. Isn't it better for our family to be harmonious? This bag of candy, Mom will decide, keep it for you two!"

The eldest daughter-in-law was even more embarrassed. "Mom, this...this candy is so precious, you and Dad should keep it for yourselves!"

“We’re old and don’t like sweets anymore. Yanzi, listen to your mother, hurry up and take it inside, or I’ll have trouble dealing with Qiaomei when she comes over.”

"Yes, yes," the eldest daughter-in-law replied as she hurried towards the house carrying her things.

Aunt Zeng sent her eldest son back into the house, then secretly took a small bag of candy from the cupboard and stuffed it under the cloth bag, intending to let her youngest daughter take it when she returned.

Upon seeing this, Uncle Zeng immediately gave Aunt Zeng a thumbs up and praised her, "You're really good at planning! Impressive!"

"That's right! Do you even need to tell me?"

And so, the Zeng family celebrated the New Year in a lively and joyous manner, thanks to the New Year's gifts sent by Song Ce and Jian Fangning.

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Author's Note: [Dog head with rose in hand] Will you like to see story 8 or 9 next? Vote now!