Chapter 30 (Second Update)

Although it was slow, the team was moving forward quite quickly.

Luo Yan and her daughter moved forward little by little, only to find that the accommodation and non-accommodation areas were separated.

The crowd suddenly became clearly divided, and even familiar faces appeared.

Luo Yan didn't have the habit of scrutinizing others, but the person recognized her and exclaimed in surprise, "Luo Yan!"

Luo Yan was stunned for a moment. Luckily, she had a good memory and managed to recall this elementary school classmate, saying, "Jin Hong."

Omitting the surname makes it seem less formal.

Chen Jinhong was surprised that she still remembered her, and said warmly, "What a coincidence, we are actually in the same college."

Luo Yan: "Yes, what's your major?"

Chen Jinhong: "Railway transportation, what about you?"

Luo Yan: "Transportation Management".

The word "management" sounds more like a leadership role.

Chen Jinghong thought to herself, "No wonder she's been a class monitor since she was little," and said, "That's a pity, we can't be in the same class."

Luo Yan chimed in, "Yes."

She felt that polite words were necessary and thought the other person should too, since she had been disliked by most people in elementary school for diligently reporting to the teacher.

But Chen Jinhong seemed to have forgotten, or perhaps she thought it was harmless, and when she noticed that there were adults around, she greeted them, "Hello, Auntie."

My daughter attended the factory's affiliated primary school, where most of the students were children of factory workers.

Liu Yinfeng recognized her and tentatively asked, "Are you Tie Yan's daughter?"

Chen Jinhong was surprised that she could recognize her, saying, "My mother has been transferred to the garment factory for a long time, but Auntie still remembers."

Liu Yinfeng: "Your mother has been an advanced worker and a model worker in the factory every year."

Da Xiao is a celebrity.

When Chen Jinhong talks about her mother, she feels proud, and her pride is written all over her face.

Instinctively, Luo Yan felt that she was probably a very easy person to get along with, and that there was less of a pretense in her smile.

Chen Jinhong also smiled and casually mentioned the recent situations of several elementary school classmates who knew about the situation.

As fellow members of the same family, we see each other all the time, living in the same few alleys nearby. Any slight disturbance will surely spread.

Luo Yan didn't really interact much with most people, and in fact, she didn't know as much as Chen Jinghong, who transferred schools in the third grade. She could only be a listener.

Chen Jinhong noticed that she kept nodding her head, and he could hardly remember what she looked like as a child.

The two chatted quite well, and seeing this, Liu Yinfeng ran to the school's supply and marketing cooperative to buy popsicles.

She ran all the way back, but she couldn't stop the ice from melting.

Chen Jinhong thought to herself that if she refused any longer, she would really melt away, so she readily accepted the gift: "Thank you, Auntie!"

The outgoing and generous child is endearing. Liu Yinfeng said, "You're welcome. It's a rare treat to meet you today."

It was indeed a coincidence, but the connection was also very short-lived.

Soon it was Luo Yan's turn. She took out all her enrollment materials and greeted the teacher first.

This time, the name was correct. After carefully checking, the other party flipped through the list: "Luo Yan, Transportation Management Class 2, meet at 8:00 AM tomorrow in Room 203 of Teaching Building 1."

Luo Yan: "Where is Teaching Building 1?"

Teacher: "The left side you are facing is Building 1, and the right side is Building 2."

She repeated this sentence many times throughout the morning, and it was inevitable that she would become impatient if she said it again.

Luo Yan noticed that her voice was hoarse, and after thinking for a moment, she politely said, "Thank you, teacher."

Liu Yinfeng didn't think the other party's attitude was bad. She had experienced the old society, and even her well-behaved daughter would be told by the teacher every year when she was sent to the teacher, "If you don't behave, you can hit me."

Luo Yan was never beaten, but her brother was criticized a lot when he was in school.

"You can tell what a person will be like at three years old," Liu Yinfeng knew from that time that her son's academic performance was hopeless.

As she walked a little further away, she sighed, "You and your brother are completely different, even though you both came from the same womb."

Luo Yan tried to explain scientifically: "Mom, our genetic makeup is different."

Liu Yinfeng: "What chicken?"

Luo Yan keenly realized that what she said was not the same word as her own, and she did not try to brush it off, but tried to explain it as concisely and clearly as possible.

Liu Yinfeng's level of education sounded like gibberish to her, and she thought that perhaps she couldn't blame her son; he was just a slow learner from her.

She said, "Your brother will need to marry a smart wife in the future."

Huh? Why did you suddenly change the subject?

Luo Yan teased, "If you're too smart, how could you possibly be interested in my brother?"

That's what my daughter said, but actually, my brother is the best in the world, even my father has to take a backseat.

Liu Yinfeng: "It's good enough to have a wife."

The mother and daughter teased those who weren't present, and only went home after finishing their fennel dumplings.

As soon as Luo Yan entered the room, she turned on the fan and blew it on her sweaty head.

Seeing this, Liu Yinfeng said, "Be careful not to catch a headache."

Luo Yan took two steps back, chair and all, as obedient as someone receiving snacks in a preschool class, with both hands on her thighs.

Liu Yinfeng walked past her daughter, rummaged through the cabinet, and said, "I'm going out for a bit."

Luo Yan didn't ask her where she was going, but instead took out a book and decided to finish reading this martial arts novel before school started.

I was so engrossed in watching it that I forgot to eat and sleep; I didn't even put it down during dinner.

Luo Hong was a little late getting off work, and by the time he arrived at Donglaishun, the pot was already boiling.

He lightly patted his sister on the back of the head: "Why are you studying so hard on the very first day?"

Luo Yan was getting to the exciting part, and her heart was clenching with anxiety. She complained, "You hit me every day."

Bringing up this matter would bring up old grievances, and with a flick of his wrist, he asked, "Who made this?"

He has a five-inch scar two centimeters below his elbow, which he got when he was nine years old because he lost his balance while holding scissors.

She grumbled, "Crossing the river and then dismantling the bridge."

Why tear down the bridge? The parents didn't understand, but they knew their children had more than one or two secrets, so they said, "Eat quickly, meat won't shut you up."

Luo Hong glanced at the book cover and said, "This is a borrowed copy. Keep it safe so it doesn't get splashed later."

Luo Yan put the book into her bag while listening to her parents talk.

The No. 8 State-owned Cotton Mill and the Garment Factory were closely connected. Luo Xinmin remembered Wang Tieyan as soon as his wife mentioned her, saying, "She's definitely going to be the deputy director now, just waiting for the person in front of her to step down."

Liu Yinfeng: "I remember she was about my age, and she rose through the ranks so quickly."

Luo Xinmin: "She is also a national model worker and has received commendation from the Chairman at the Great Hall of the People before."

Wow, that's amazing! Luo Yan's eyes widened a bit, but she gradually lost interest in the people and things mentioned later, and looked away, focusing only on the sesame paste in front of her.

Luo Hong asked, "How's the new school?"

Luo Yan thought about it carefully: "I don't feel anything for now."

She spent so long pondering those five words, it was a complete waste of other people's time.

Luo Hong said irritably, "I'll ask you again tomorrow. You need to say at least a hundred words."

Luo Yan wrinkled her nose and actually reported the next evening: "There are thirty-two students in our class, two more boys than girls. The one who came from the farthest away is from Hainan. She shared coconut candy with everyone. It was quite delicious; I've never seen it in the city. The teacher said that our major will involve a wider variety of subjects. In the first semester, we have ten courses: Surveying, Advanced Mathematics, University Physics, Linear Algebra, Accounting, Statistics, Economics, Transportation Engineering, Physical Education, and Ideological and Political Education. I looked at the schedule, and I have to attend classes tonight."

Luo Hong was getting dizzy from all her talking about this and that, only managing to catch the last few words: "Evening? Until what time?"

Luo Yan: "At the latest, eight o'clock."

That sounds alright. Luo Hong: "How many nights?"

Luo Yan: "Except for Saturdays."

The entire country now operates on a six-day work week.

Good heavens, Luo Hong: "I thought getting into university would make things easy."

Luo Yan: "I definitely won't have an easy time; I have to try to get assigned to a good unit."

She was true to her word and got into the swing of things on the first day of school, but soon found that her old methods were no longer working.

She used to follow her teachers' instructions when she was studying, and she could master the knowledge by repeatedly reviewing what she learned in class. However, universities give more autonomy, and since the college entrance examination has only been reinstated for a short time, the teaching methods in various schools have not yet become systematic, and the teaching styles of teachers have not been standardized.

Simply put, it requires a lot of self-study.

Self-study was a huge challenge for Luo Yan.

She was in a flurry of activity, spending her only days off in the school library.

The autumn chill was palpable outside, but she couldn't see it. The north wind howled outside, but she was unaware of it.

Despite the fleeting nature of time, she remained steadfast and unmoved.

——

Before we knew it, it was New Year's Day 1980.

Schools in Beijing start their winter break early, and New Year's Day coincides with the exam week of the first semester.

On a rare holiday, Luo Yan originally planned to stay home to review her lessons, but her brother "forced" her to go out.

She was wrapped in a scarf, wearing gloves and a hat, and sniffing: "Where are we going?"

Luo Hong: "Go get the money, then eat at the Beijing Restaurant."

At the mention of food, Luo Yan no longer felt cold, her eyes brightening: "Really?"

Why not ask about the first part of the question? Luo Hong: "Today is the first time I'm receiving my dividends. Guess how much it is?"

Luo Yan wasn't really sure how well her brother and Zhou Weifang's bicycle business was doing.

She raised her left hand, spreading her five fingers as if afraid of being overheard, and asked only, "Is there this much?"

Luo Hong wasn't sure how many digits she was guessing, so he bent his little finger down and said, "Four hundred."

Luo Yan: "So many!"

Her voice grew softer as she spoke, and joy spread from her eyebrows.

Luo Hongdun felt a sense of accomplishment: "Was it worth the trip?"

Luo Yan nodded repeatedly, but then started to complain that he was walking too slowly, dragging and pulling him along: "Hurry up."

It snowed yesterday; if Luo Hong hadn't had a stable stance, he would have fallen flat on his face.

He said, "The money won't run away."

Luo Yan said confidently, "I can run."

Luo Hong said irritably, "Go ahead and run, you'd better outrun the bus."

Luo Yan didn't have that ability, but she was in a good mood and didn't argue with him. She hummed a song as she went to the repair shop.

Calling it a repair shop is no longer accurate; the sign outside has been replaced with a bicycle shop, and the store now occupies three rooms—a complete transformation.

Luo Yan hadn't been here for almost half a year, and looked around curiously.

Zhou Weifang saw his childhood friend first, then Luo Yan. He paused for a moment before greeting her, "You're here."

Luo Hong didn't exchange many pleasantries with him, and Luo Yan simply nodded politely in response.

Only Zhou Weifang continued, "I knew you'd be here. How about lunch? How about we get together?"

Logically, today should be a day of celebration, but Luo Hong hesitated and turned his head to glance at his sister.

Luo Yan, afraid of appearing insincere, pulled her scarf down further, revealing a smile: "Okay!"

To be honest, this was the first time Zhou Weifang had received such a warm welcome, and he was momentarily taken aback.

But Luo Hong knew perfectly well that his sister would never turn down money, as he had said before.

He was pleased with this situation, saying, "It seems someone's treating us to dinner at the Beijing restaurant today."

Zhou Weifang earned the money for the car repair himself, and now he's quite wealthy. Without hesitation, he said, "Okay, I'll change my clothes."

While waiting for him, Luo Yan touched the new bicycle beside her and whispered, "Did the shop hire workers?"

Luo Hong: "Both of them are apprentices, learning car repair from Sanfang."

Apprentices also get paid, which shows they earn quite a bit.

Luo Yan was about to ask another question when she saw Zhou Weifang approaching out of the corner of her eye, so she pursed her lips and remained silent.

With a little effort, the dimples at the corners of her mouth became particularly noticeable, making one want to poke them.

Zhou Weifang put his hands behind his back, thinking that perhaps because it had been too long since they last met, Luo Yan seemed different, and secretly observed her.

Luo Yan noticed the gaze and smiled at him in a friendly manner.

Zhou Weifang instinctively turned his head to dodge, but ultimately remained still.

Luo Hong didn't see what happened in that instant. He started walking on his own, turning back to urge, "Aren't you going?"

Luo Yan followed closely behind, her footsteps echoing like a horse's hooves.

Zhou Weifang pressed his hand to his chest and said, "Here it comes."

For some reason, he felt his heart beating a little fast.

-----------------------

Author's note: I managed to save up another chapter when I got back tonight, so I'll update it again.

Have a great weekend everyone!

PS: I used the time manipulation technique a little, otherwise it would have taken much longer to get into the 1980s mentioned in the book title.