Chapter 1 Graduation and Returning Home
Early in the morning, the wind was biting cold, and the alleys of Liuan were extremely quiet.
With the Lunar New Year approaching, the alleyways of Liuan are already filled with festive atmosphere, and every household has hung up red lanterns.
Carrying bedding and luggage, Yao Fanghua walked slowly home. Exhausted from a day-and-night train journey, she knew without looking in a mirror that she looked extremely haggard and unpresentable. Fortunately, it was the dead of winter, and she was bundled up warmly.
"Yao Fanghua?" Wu Peng rode past Yao Fanghua on his bicycle, then turned back to take a closer look. "It really is you. What's this? You're back?"
"I heard you got into university? You must have graduated by now." It's really rare for someone to be able to return to the city smoothly after being sent to the countryside, especially since they got into university early on. You have to say, that's impressive.
Yao Fanghua looked up and glanced at the person in front of her, frowning as she wondered who this was.
Wu Peng was wearing gloves, a winter hat, a scarf, and a thick green cotton coat, with almost nothing showing except his eyes. No wonder Yao Fanghua didn't recognize him. She was wondering how he could recognize her when only his eyes were visible.
Wu Peng scoffed inwardly. Sure enough, he was arrogant. He'd forgotten who he was, or perhaps the other person had never even remembered him. Of course, he was in college, while the other was in a labor camp; he spent four years in college, while the other spent four. It was a world of difference.
"Me, Wu Peng. Don't you really recognize me?" We went to the same primary school for a few years, after all.
"Hmm." She still couldn't remember, though she seemed to have a vague recollection. Yao Fanghua hummed in acknowledgment and continued walking home. She was carrying bedding and luggage, already exhausted and worn from the journey, and her clothes weren't warm enough; she really couldn't linger any longer.
Wu Peng, however, had no intention of letting her off the hook. "You remember now?"
"You've graduated?" "I heard you went to university in the south? How's it there? Better than our great Beijing?"
Yao Fanghua responded with a couple of "uh-huhs" in response, wanting nothing more than to get rid of the person in front of her as soon as possible.
"I'll take you." After all, she's an old classmate, and seeing how cold this girl was, with her little hands not even wearing gloves, I couldn't bear to see her like that. Saying that, I pulled her luggage over and put it on the bicycle.
"No need!" Yao Fanghua snatched back her luggage, pursed her lips, and looked intently at the person in front of her. "I have a boyfriend."
Realizing what Yao Fanghua had said, Wu Peng immediately cursed, "Fuck! Fuck your mother!" Enraged, Wu Peng swore loudly.
"Stop being so damn self-important! Just because you're a college student doesn't mean you're something special! Do you think I'd even look at you?" Wu Peng hopped on his bike and rode away. Even after he was a distance away, he kept cursing, "I was just helping others! Damn it, character, pshaw, morality!" Looking at his shabby clothes from collecting scraps, and remembering that he hadn't washed his face for days, Wu Peng uttered an even more vulgar curse.
Yao Fanghua pursed her lips, lowered her head and continued walking, trying to minimize her presence.
Actually, she has always been somewhat insecure since childhood. This is because her family is not wealthy, her parents are biased, and her father is an alcoholic.
The courtyard housed four families, with the Yao family occupying the three rooms on the west side. The main house was where the eldest brother of the Yao family and Old Master Yao lived. The other two families lived on the east side.
Yao Fanghua knocked on the courtyard gate.
"Who are you looking for?" It was Zhong Huai who opened the door. The Zhong family's house was closest to the gate, and Zhong Huai's room was right next to the gate. He always thought of himself as the gatekeeper, but unfortunately, he never slept much. He was always the one who opened the gate in the morning and locked it at night.
"Uncle Zhong, it's me." Yao Fanghua pulled off her scarf, revealing half of her face.
"Fanghua? Huahua?"
"Come in quickly. It's so early in the morning. Why didn't you say you were coming back? I could have had your dad pick you up. Why are you dressed so lightly?"
"Hmm, the winter clothes in the south are a bit lacking."
"Yao Deyi! Get up quickly, your Huahua is back!" Uncle Zhong's shout woke up the whole courtyard.
Li Chunying woke up with a start and saw that Yao Deyi was still fast asleep. She slapped him hard on the back, saying, "You can't wake up if you haven't had enough to drink! You're heartless!"
After being sent to the countryside, Yao Fanghua never returned. Later, she went to university in the south and spent her holidays at school. Having not been home for almost six years, she felt somewhat estranged from her family.
Li Chunying pushed open the door and saw that it really was her daughter who had returned. She couldn't help but feel a little happy. "That heartless child, she hasn't sent many letters home all these years. She didn't even give a specific date for her return, so I could have picked her up."
"Quickly bring the child inside, he'll get cold." Uncle Zhong had already helped carry the luggage into the house.
Yao Fanghua: "I rushed too early and couldn't buy a suitable train ticket, so I had to rush back very early."
Hearing the commotion, Yao Deyi hurriedly put on his clothes, came out, and stared in the eye. Sure enough, it was his eldest daughter who had returned. He couldn't help but laugh. "Fried meatballs, I'll fry some meatballs in a bit. My daughter loves them. Stew, stew for dinner. My daughter loves it too. And the ribbonfish, I'll fry those too. Perfect for having with drinks."
"Okay, you guys go ahead with your work. I still have water boiling on the stove, I need to go back and check on it." Zhong Huai delivered the luggage and then went home.
Yao Fangyuan was still sleeping in the next room when Yao Fanghua took her luggage in. Her upper bunk was piled high with things.
Yao Fangyuan poked her head out from under the covers. "Sister, don't touch my things. I'll pack them myself when I get up."
"good."
There was a stove burning inside, so Yao Fanghua moved a small stool and sat down by the stove to warm herself. Her feet were so cold that she couldn't feel them, so she simply took off her shoes to warm them as well.
Today she needs to buy a thick cotton coat, a pair of cotton shoes, a thick scarf and gloves, a thick quilt, and some cloth to make a duvet cover.
Cloth ration coupons have been gradually phased out, so even if you needed coupons, it wasn't a problem. She used the few coupons she had left. She also had other various coupons; she used those that were usable as soon as possible, and exchanged the rest for cash. The fact that cloth ration coupons were being phased out was a signal that other coupons would definitely be phased out in the future. She currently had a thousand yuan saved up, enough for her to settle down.
After clearing her mind and taking stock of her money and belongings, Yao Fanghua, having warmed her hands and feet, took out a piece of wood and a small knife and began to carve. A lifelike little lion slowly emerged.
Yao Fangyuan slowly got out of bed, then leisurely tidied up her things on the upper bunk. While tidying up, she secretly glanced at Yao Fanghua, "Sister, you've graduated from university?"
"Um."
"Have you been assigned work?"
"Um."
Seeing Yao Fanghua's cold attitude, Yao Fangyuan snorted inwardly and turned to leave the room. What's so great about that? She just got a job; she had one too! She didn't even need to go to university!
Yao Fangyuan went out of the house and circled around to her mother, who was cooking, and whispered, "Mom, will my eldest sister be living at home from now on?"
Li Chunying was also thinking about this, and upon hearing this, she glanced at her youngest daughter and said, "I don't know."
Yao Fangyuan stamped her foot. "Then does that mean I won't be able to have a room by myself anymore?" So many people envy her for having a room to herself. These people returning to the city are such a nuisance; they really are just coming back to steal things.
"You should be glad it wasn't your eldest brother who came back." Otherwise, their family might have had a similar uproar as the Zhong family. The Zhong family has two sons and a daughter, and two rooms. The daughter is married and settled, but one son went to the countryside and the other stayed in the city. Ever since the eldest son returned with his family, they've had a huge fight over the housing situation, and even now the Zhong family still argues from time to time. With so many people and so many children, it's a real headache.
Yao Fangyuan stuck out her tongue. "Oh, Mom, I'm just used to sleeping alone."
Yao Weimin lifted the curtain and came in. He couldn't stand Yao Fangyuan's behavior, which was always vying for the best. "I'll switch with you. You can go to my room. I'll share a room with my older sister."
"What are you yelling about!" With that loud voice, you're afraid others won't hear your joke, aren't you!
"I'm not changing. Your room is right next to a public toilet; the stench is unbearable."
"Ha, once you get married, that house will be mine sooner or later. But I'll just let you have it!"
"Mom, look at my second brother." "I'm never getting married in this life. Even if I do, that house will still be mine. Chairman Mao said that women hold up half the sky and that men and women are equal. Why should all our things be yours?"
"Alright, everyone shut up. Set up the table and move the chairs, let's eat." "Hua Hua, let's eat."
Yao Fanghua made the bed and placed her important belongings under the pillow at the head of the bed. She didn't even unpack her clothes from her bag, simply placing them next to the wardrobe.
The Yao family had three rooms. Yao's parents lived in the largest room in the middle, which they converted into a one-bedroom apartment. Yao Fangyuan lived in the room on the north side, and Yao Weimin lived in the room on the south side. After Yao Fanghua and her eldest brother Yao Weiguo went to the countryside, the Yao family lived in a relatively spacious house.
Li Chunying cooked rice porridge, boiled five eggs, and then steamed buns, pickled radishes, and salted vegetables.
"Why didn't you cook a dish?" Yao Deyi said with some dissatisfaction. "Even just heating up a few of the freshly steamed cabbage buns would have been nice."
"Why cook anything so early in the morning? We can talk about it at noon." Li Chunhua was used to being frugal; even if she had extra food, she wouldn't eat or drink it.
Yao Deyi didn't say anything more. They had all come from hard times, and frugality seemed to be ingrained in their genes. As long as he didn't lack his alcohol, he was fine with anything.
Yao Fanghua picked up a piece of radish and thought, "I must say, my mother's pickling skills are pretty good."
After dinner, Yao Fanghua helped wash the dishes and clear the table. Then she went back to her room and took out five packets of sugar and two packets of tea.
He handed Li Chunying a packet of tea and a packet of sugar.
"You silly child, what are you bringing back from your own home?" Li Chunying took the sugar and tea leaves; there was half a pound of tea and half a pound of sugar. "How much did they cost?"
"It's not much. I'll go and take it to Grandpa and Uncle."
"You child, no need. What are you going to give them? Who cares about you? Don't go." She felt bad giving these things away, and she felt even more bad buying all these things. "Why are you wasting money?" There are so many good things you could do with that money.
Yao Fanghua didn't say anything, turned around and left.
"Look at her, what kind of behavior is she? She's been disobedient since she was little, making me look like a petty person." She's never been considerate since childhood. It's not like I don't know she doesn't get along with the eldest son's family, especially her sister-in-law. She'd rather feed that stuff to the dogs than give it to the eldest son's family. When the children were still young, just because there was another child in their family, her sister-in-law wouldn't even give them New Year's money, saying it was too much trouble to give and take, she was just afraid of being taken advantage of.
Yao Fanghua delivered candy to the Zhong family, the Yu family, and her uncle's family across the street. She also brought tea and candy to Grandpa Yao. Just then, she ran into Yao Fangfang, who was wearing a red down jacket and leather boots with wavy hair, hurrying out of the house.
"Sis, I'm in a hurry to get to work. I'll come talk to you later."
Aunt Yao chased after her, stuffing two eggs into her mouth. "You always sleep in, and once you get up, you're always getting ready. You don't even have time for breakfast." Aunt Yao turned to Yao Fanghua and smiled. "That's the bad thing about working at the supply and marketing cooperative. Everyone else gets a holiday, but they don't. They say they're going to stick it out until the first day of the Lunar New Year. Every single day."
"It's been years since I last saw Fangfang, and she's grown into a beautiful young woman. The job at the supply and marketing cooperative is so wonderful; everyone envies her."
"That's still not as good as you, you're a college graduate. I heard from your mom that you got assigned to a fan factory?"
"Hmm." Yao Fanghua chatted with Aunt Yao for a few words, then left the courtyard with all the money and tickets in her pocket.
She first bought two meat buns, and then slowly walked towards the supply and marketing cooperative.
As soon as Yao Fanghua left, Yao Fangyuan began rummaging through Yao Fanghua's belongings.
A pair of leather shoes and a pair of sandals looked nice, but unfortunately her feet were a size bigger than Yao Fanghua's.
Besides books and a few pieces of wood, the luggage contained several outfits for all seasons, which looked quite fashionable. After searching the luggage, they checked Yao Fanghua's bed, but found nothing except a set of tools under the pillow. The older sister must have kept all her money on her person; she was keeping an eye on her.
When Li Chunying came in, she saw Yao Fangyuan bending over on the upper bunk, rummaging through things. "Little darling, hurry up and put everything away. If your sister finds out, she'll definitely scold you."
"Okay. We didn't find anything. Mom, how much money do you think my sister has?"
"How would I know? I don't even know how much the school subsidy is. Look at all this tea and sugar. Your sister's clothes are a bit thin, but they don't look cheap. She must have saved up some money. Now that she has a job, I don't have to worry about her." Yao Fanghua's last letter was about getting a job and coming back before the New Year.
Yao Fangyuan: "That fan factory wasn't even as big as Dad's machinery factory."
"There are several factories bigger than this machinery factory. Your dad's machinery factory is the biggest factory in this area."
"Mom, I also want to work in a machine factory."
"Forget about the machinery factory. Getting your second brother in there was a huge struggle. Your grandfather pulled some strings, and your uncle's family was all scornful. Look at your brother Weiliang, he's still unemployed. Humph, they don't even realize that they got the lion's share of the house, while we only got a little bit of help, and they can't stand it. It's all their fault." Li Chunying pouted.
"What will I do if I graduate high school next year?"
"You good-for-nothing! You're my child, so why are you so slow? You must have inherited your father's bad temper. If you could get into university, you wouldn't have to worry about anything." You seem pretty bright, so why can't you grasp the concepts when it comes to studying?
"Getting into university isn't easy. Only a handful from their entire school get in, and if they could, who wouldn't want to go? The problem is, she really can't understand it, especially math; it's like gibberish to her." Yao Fangyuan couldn't help but mutter to herself.
"Try to find a job first. If you really can't find one, you can take over my job. Mom is almost fifty, so it's perfect for you to fill in." Having a job can improve your chances of finding a partner. Marriage is a lifelong matter, and Yuanyuan can't afford to be at a disadvantage when it comes to work.
"Mom, you're the best." Yao Fangyuan hugged her mother tightly.
"Good to know. Hurry up and put your things away. Otherwise, you two sisters will fight and become a laughingstock." Since sending her two eldest children away, she only had her two youngest left. She assumed her two eldest children were settled in the countryside and wouldn't come back. After the initial sadness, she treated them as if she only had a third and fourth child, and her heart and mind were only for her two youngest. She blamed her two eldest children for being unlucky enough to be sent to the countryside; it wasn't her fault. She just didn't expect the policy to change so drastically.
"Mom, I want leather shoes too. I also want a down jacket, or even a new cotton-padded coat if all else fails. Fangfang said her down jacket cost over 300 yuan. Good heavens, Auntie is really willing to spend that much."
"Just listen to her bragging. Fangfang works at the supply and marketing cooperative, so she must have connections and insider prices. It's definitely not that expensive."
"That must cost over a hundred," Yao Fangyuan muttered softly. She envied Yao Fangfang, who dressed like a fashionable woman every day. She longed to dress like that after she started working, but unfortunately, her mother was a packaging worker in the factory, earning less than the supply and marketing cooperative, and the job wasn't as respectable. It was infuriating. She wondered what kind of job her older sister did at the fan factory. If the pay was higher, she wondered if she could switch jobs.
"Mom, did you ask what kind of job my sister does?"
"They said they only found out after the news report. The workers in the workshop are just a few different types of people, all pretty much the same. But even though your sister is a girl, she's skilled and intelligent. Maybe she's a technician or a repairman?"
"Sigh." If she were a technician or a repairman, that would be terrible; she couldn't do it. "Mom, do you think my sister could work in an office?"
"Does getting into university guarantee an office job? If that were true, wouldn't everyone be going crazy trying to get into university?"
"Oh my god, you have no idea how hard it is to study and how hard it is to take exams."
“You just can’t stand hardship.” Li Chunying rolled her eyes at her youngest daughter. “I don’t know about studying, but I do know that without connections, getting into an office building is as difficult as climbing to heaven. There are too many people and not enough positions, so stop dreaming.”
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