As soon as the policy was announced, families across the country sprang into action, each displaying their unique abilities and resourcefulness.
Gu Xiaogu entered the retirement home with a preoccupied look on her face. The staff opened the door for her, and Gu's parents were in the living room.
What brings you here?
Grandma Gu hadn't seen her daughter for a while. Since coming to the retirement home, it had become so peaceful. She didn't know what her children were busy with, and she only saw them a few times a month.
"They wouldn't come to the temple without a reason!"
Grandpa Gu understands now that few of his children are truly filial.
"Dad, look at what you're saying. I was busy before, wasn't I? Tian Hang is not young anymore, and he still doesn't have a girlfriend."
"What's wrong? Is it settled?"
Grandma Gu still misses her grandsons and granddaughters.
"No, I've been on a few dates, but none of them worked out. Mom, I came here this time because of Huihui."
What's wrong with Huihui?
The old lady had been staying here for a long time, and since Grandpa Gu didn't tell her about what was happening outside, she didn't know anything.
"Mom, don't you know? The current policy requires high school graduates without jobs to go to the countryside. Huihui is included in this category. She's already eighteen. If she goes to the countryside, who knows when she'll be back? How is she going to find a boyfriend?"
On the way here, Aunt Gu had already decided that she couldn't say she wouldn't go to the countryside, since Gu Nan and Gu Mei were also included. She could only bring up their age and marriage; her Huihui was already eighteen, and they couldn't afford to delay any longer.
"Why send the kids to the countryside? Isn't that just creating trouble for themselves? What can they possibly do?"
"Keep your voice down. Is this something you can talk about? This is policy from above. What are you complaining about?"
Grandpa Gu glared at Gu Xiaogu, saying, "You only remember your parents when something happens. Why don't you ever come to visit us normally?"
"I, I, I..."
Grandma Gu was startled. She had been there for so long that she had forgotten the tense atmosphere outside.
"Dad, can you think of a way to find Huihui a job?"
"What were you thinking before? Running around all day, ignoring everything I said. Now you want to find jobs? There aren't any jobs left for you. They've all been taken. Even temporary jobs like Gu Nan won't do. What a pipe dream!"
Gu Ze visited Grandpa Gu and mentioned this matter. It's a policy from above, and no one can escape it. Many leaders' children are also on the list of those sent to the countryside. Everyone's watching closely; now, even enlisting is difficult.
"What should we do then? Huihui is at the age to go to the countryside. Are we going to have her find a partner there?"
Grandma Gu had disapproved of Gu Xiaogu's marriage from the start. Although she was a college graduate from a rural area, her family background was too restrictive, and the financial burden on her family was too heavy. But Gu Xiaogu was determined to marry, and no one could stop her.
"Dad, could Gu Ze please help us? Huihui is still his cousin, no matter what."
Gu Xiaogu didn't want her daughter to find a partner in the countryside either; after all, the man she found was a college graduate. Young and naive, she thought that good looks, a college degree, and love were enough. But compared to the others in the compound, she realized how foolish she had been!
"It's no use looking for Gu Ze. There are even more people watching him. You'd be better off finding her a suitable partner to marry. If that doesn't work, make some arrangements to find her a better place and wait for things to calm down before figuring out what to do next."
Grandpa Gu had no choice; every family has children, and everyone wants their children to go to the countryside—they're all watching.
Gu Xiaogu knew her father wasn't lying; her son, Tian Zhiming, had tried to pull strings, but to no avail. Every factory was overflowing with apprentices; some were even recruiting internally without posting job openings. Her daughter had taken the exam once but failed.
Gu Xiaogu didn't stay long; she had to go back and figure out a solution.
After making some arrangements, Uncle Gu found that two of his three children had secured stable jobs, so Gu Nan had to go to the countryside.
The distance to the countryside varies. Most of them were going to border regions like Yunnan Province, which was too far. Uncle Gu used his connections to get Gu Nan a place in the nearest province among the available options—a county commune in a neighboring province. He had a friend in that county, and they would depart after the New Year.
Aunt Gu knew this was the best outcome. During this time, she exchanged the household receipts and prepared some things for Gu Nan so that it wouldn't be difficult to exchange them after the New Year.
Meanwhile, Xu Fang was talking to Gu Xiangdong about Gu Mei, "Xiangdong, what should we do about Gu Mei? Should we really send her to the countryside?"
"It's not easy. I tried asking around, but the chances of her staying are slim. I told her to study hard, but she's been playing around like crazy."
Gu Xiangdong was at a loss. He had also approached Gu Ze, but aside from the official response, he hadn't heard anything from him. At that moment, he knew that Gu Ze also resented him, just not as obviously as Gu Ye.
"Do you think there's any chance Gu Mei has a crush on the youngest son of the Han family?"
"Don't even dream about it, that Han family boy wouldn't even look at her."
Gu Xiangdong was quite self-aware. Gu Mei wasn't particularly pretty or capable; she had nothing to offer. The Han family's son, on the other hand, was arrogant.
Gu Mei, upon hearing from Han Weidong's follower that he had signed up to go to Yunnan Province, was overjoyed. Without discussing it with her family, she also signed up to go to Yunnan Province. She had no idea how big Yunnan Province was; she assumed that since she had signed up, they would be assigned to the same province.
"Mom, I signed up! Just like Brother Han, I'm going to Yunnan Province to be an educated youth and help build a new countryside!"
Gu Mei's words stunned her parents.
"When did you register? Why didn't you discuss it with your family first?"
Xu Fang thought her daughter was brainless and acted impulsively without thinking.
"What's wrong? I just registered! I asked around, and Li Gang and the others said that Brother Han registered for Yunnan Province. I want to go with him; it's good to be close to him."
Gu Mei fantasized that Han Gege would be moved by her and agree to date her, and that the two of them would come back together to hold their wedding.
"Wake up! Do you even know how big Yunnan Province is? Do you think you can be assigned to the same class as that kid from the Han family? Li Gang said, but is what Li Gang said necessarily true?"
Xu Fang was furious. Was this child stupid? She believed everything people said. If she really wanted to be in the same place as her, she would have told her long ago.
"Xiangdong, go and see if you can find a way to change to a closer place. Yunnan Province is too far away."
"Mom, I want to go with Brother Han."
Gu Mei still doesn't understand what her mother means; she's focused on developing a relationship with her brother Han.
Gu Xiangdong went out to the educated youth settlement; his children are all a burden!
When Gu Xiaogu returned home, she told Tian Hui what had happened. Tian Hui was stunned; there was nothing anyone could do. She didn't want to go to the countryside, and she would never go. Tian Hui's eyes darted around, and she made up her mind.
She went back inside to change into a beautiful cashmere coat, combed her hair again, applied some face cream, and then went out.
"Huihui, where are you going?"
Hearing the door close, Gu Xiaogu chased after her, only to see Tian Hui's back.
Where has the child been? It's getting dark.
At this hour, there were still quite a few people outside, all hurrying from one house to another. Families with even a little means wanted to try, clinging to a slim hope, so that their children could stay in the city.
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