Chapter 242 Just Like Grandpa
Since receiving guidance from Yao Shuli and Xiao Tiantian, Wang Changsheng and Wang Biying have become much more confident.
The two used to sell popsicles at the long-distance bus station in the summer. Later, when the weather got colder, popsicles didn't sell well, so they started selling pre-packaged chicken cakes, brown sugar candies, small sesame cakes, and rice candies.
Later on, whenever they had time, they would go to the long-distance bus station to sell things, when they went home for lunch after school, and on Sundays.
In short, both of them made the most of every opportunity to sell things at the train station.
Although it's a bit tough, I earn much more each month than before, enough to support my family of three.
Even more than the average factory worker.
Now that it's getting colder, Grandpa Wang had someone make him a small cart to push around on, with a roasting oven for sweet potatoes on it, so he could sell roasted sweet potatoes right next to the station.
Business was surprisingly good.
"Sister Shura, Grandpa doesn't collect garbage anymore. He earns a lot by selling roasted sweet potatoes."
Grandpa's little cart can also hold pre-packaged sponge cakes and brown sugar candies for sale.
"Grandpa said that roasted sweet potatoes are delicious at home in winter, so he specially asked us to bring some over to your house," Wang Changsheng said to Yao Shula with a smile.
“Yes, Grandpa is earning more money now,” Wang Biying added from the side.
Yao Shula then accepted the two baskets of sweet potatoes, and then put six of the remaining apples from her home into the baskets.
After finishing these tasks, Yao Shula invited Wang Changsheng and Wang Biying to sit in the main room.
...
“Biying and Shuli are both in fourth grade, so your vacation time should be the same, right?” Yao Shula asked casually.
Wang Biying nodded immediately.
"Yes, we'll all be on holiday in a week. We have exams in four days, then two days off after the exams, and then it's winter break," Wang Biying quickly said.
Yao Shula nodded and looked at Wang Changsheng again.
"Is Changsheng still helping Grandpa?"
Wang Changsheng didn't go to junior high school after graduating from elementary school. Before that, he always followed Grandpa Wang around collecting scraps.
Grandpa Wang begged and pleaded with Wang Changsheng to become an apprentice, but he refused, preferring to stay home and help Grandpa Wang with chores.
Now that he's already sixteen, he still doesn't want to go out.
Aside from taking his younger brother or accompanying his grandfather to sell sweet potatoes at the train station, he rarely goes out.
"Okay! I'll help Grandpa for now. I'll go check on things after the New Year when they start recruiting!" Wang Changsheng said softly.
Yao Shula was taken aback. Wang Changsheng wanted to join the army?
That makes sense. Grandpa Wang used to be a soldier, and it's understandable that Wang Changsheng would have such thoughts under his influence.
It's 1984 now, and after the New Year it will be 1985.
Joining the army at this time... still gives you a chance to go to the battlefield.
"Aren't you scared?" Yao Shula asked softly.
Wang Changsheng shook his head, his expression resolute.
“Grandpa said, if we’re afraid, who will protect China? I’m not afraid! Grandpa said things are much better now than when they were soldiers.”
Yao Shula stopped talking.
Xiao Tiantian and Yao Shuli both looked at Wang Changsheng with admiration.
"So you're going to register after the New Year?" Xiao Tiantian asked.
Wang Changsheng looked embarrassed for a moment.
"It's not as simple as just signing up! There are a lot of procedures involved, like a medical examination and checking if anyone in your family is a bad person."
Grandpa said that there are many people who want to join the army now, and it's not certain that I'll get a chance.
"How will we know it won't work if we don't try?" Wang Changsheng said softly.
“Actually… Uncle Wang used to be a soldier, so you would have a certain advantage if you joined the army!” Yao Shuli said.
Wang Changsheng pursed his lips and remained silent.
Yao Shula also realized something.
Grandpa Wang is an old revolutionary who receives special care from the county's civil affairs department. If he were to step in... he could definitely secure a spot for Wang Changsheng to join the army.
But Grandpa Wang is very stubborn. No matter how difficult his life is, he will only accept the assistance within the scope permitted by policy, and never mention anything else.
The two sentences he said most often were that although he had lost a leg, he was already very lucky compared to his comrades who lost their lives on the battlefield.
Therefore, Grandpa Wang wouldn't specifically join the army to find someone for Wang Changsheng...
But Wang Changsheng's situation is now somewhat special.
In terms of household registration, Wang Changsheng still has a rural household registration. It is more difficult for children from rural areas to join the army than for children from cities.
After all, everyone knows that as long as you return from military service, you can get a job in the county and have an urban household registration.
There is a fixed amount that can be eaten each month...
Wang Changsheng's family has nothing, so why should they give him the spot?
"It's okay, I often go to the recruitment office to ask. Maybe they'll recognize me and hire me!" Wang Changsheng said with a smile.
Yao Shula didn't speak, but thought about it seriously.
"Chang Sheng, do you really want to join the army?" Yao Shula suddenly asked.
Wang Changsheng nodded immediately.
"I want to! I've always wanted to! It's just... I'm afraid people won't want me!" Wang Changsheng said softly.
“Yes! My older brother really wants to join the army; he dreams about it all the time,” Wang Biying added.
"Oh, I see. Well, that doesn't mean there's absolutely no way to deal with it!" Yao Shula said with a smile.
Upon hearing Yao Shula's words, Wang Changsheng and Wang Biying immediately looked at her.
"Sister Shura, do you have any ideas?"
This older sister is very smart. She can keep such a clever boy like Tiantian and Yao Shuli under her thumb. She must be a very intelligent person.
"There are solutions, but I can't guarantee they will succeed. However, they are definitely better than doing nothing."
"Chang Sheng, listen to me. After I finish speaking, think carefully about whether you should give it a try!" Yao Shula looked at Wang Chang Sheng.
"Does Sister Shura mean that Grandpa should go find someone? Grandpa won't agree to that."
He's never asked anyone for favors in his entire life, so he definitely won't go. Grandpa said, "No matter what you do, never think about using connections or backdoors. That's not good!" Wang Changsheng said softly.
“Don’t go to your grandfather! Because if you go to your grandfather, even if he agrees, he will still go to someone else.”
"Then why don't we just bypass your grandfather and find someone else?" Yao Shula said.
Wang Changsheng was a little confused.
I'll try to find someone else, but they won't know who he is! They definitely won't pay him any attention.
"What? Can't figure it out?" Yao Shula asked.
Wang Changsheng and Wang Biying both shook their heads.
They really couldn't understand it.
"Shuli, Tiantian, what do you two think we should do to get someone to help us so they'll be willing to?" Yao Shula asked her younger siblings.
"We must make them happy!" Xiao Tiantian said immediately.
“If someone is willing to help, it must be for their own good!” Yao Shuli added.
Yes! You're both right!
"But we need to discuss the specific method carefully." Yao Shuli tossed a piece of charcoal into the gas-tight furnace.
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