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◎Day 4 of the control group◎
Jobs in the countryside are notoriously hard to find.
Many military spouses are waiting for arrangements.
The next day, Jiang Renzhou and Shen Xinglian visited Jiang Wanzhou's home and spoke highly of the rice cooker.
Shen Mingyuan nestled in his father's arms, touching Shen Xinglian's belly: "Dad, when is my little sister coming out? My uncle made me a lot of toys, and I want to give them to her!"
The laughter in the courtyard hadn't even faded when Zhou Qingyu poked her head out and started helping Jiang Wanzhou in the kitchen, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead in the setting sun.
"What are you doing standing outside? Come and try a bowl of Wan Zhou Chao's jellyfish."
Shen Xinglian and Jiang Renzhou exchanged a glance, and Jiang Renzhou pulled Shen Mingyuan into the house.
"Qingyu, how did you manage to make such a small thing work?"
"The principle isn't difficult; it was my sister-in-law who reminded me," Zhou Qingyu said, serving the food.
Shen Xinglian had already started eating: "How can I help? It was just something I said casually."
“Your sister-in-law was a good student, and your younger sister is no less so. Please keep an eye out for suitable jobs, Qingyu.” Jiang Renzhou frowned.
Jiang Wanzhou raised an eyebrow and whispered in Shen Xinglian's ear, "Is this still my chauvinistic older brother? Didn't he used to think that his daughter only needed to stay at home, take care of the family, do laundry, and cook?"
Shen Xinglian nudged her: "Your brother never said that."
Jiang Wanzhou looked over, and the two looked at each other. Shen Xinglian looked away first.
Shen Xinglian coughed lightly and changed the subject: "Wanzhou, you've really struck gold."
Jiang Wanzhou smiled and handed her a cup of brown sugar water: "Each has its own merits."
“That’s true.” Shen Xinglian nodded. “I have other things too. Zhou Qingyu is really amazing…”
Jiang Wanzhou shook her head: "It's not good to expose too much, and if you're going to work in this field in the future, it should be your idea."
"We're just people who eat the food of our descendants..."
Jiang Wanzhou quickly interrupted, "In short, I disagree. What's yours is yours. No matter how far he goes, we'll get there together."
Jiang Renzhou and Zhou Qingyu were enthusiastically discussing the island's development plan.
Footsteps could be heard outside.
Aunt Li also brought along a middle-aged man wearing a Zhongshan suit.
“Technician Zhou, Regiment Commander Jiang is also home.” Aunt Li’s voice was loud and clear. “This is my brother, he’s from our commune’s farm. He heard you made a pot, so he came to see you.”
Technician Li pushed up his glasses and curiously examined the rice cooker.
"Xiao Zhou, I heard from my sister that I'm very interested in your invention. It just so happens that we've encountered a problem at our station."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "Winter is approaching, and controlling the temperature in the incubator will be a problem. It requires constant manual adjustment, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and consumes a lot of electricity, especially since the island already has a shortage of power..."
"Could your idea be applied to incubators?"
Zhou Qingyu's eyes lit up, and he immediately stood up: "Second Brother Li, we can talk about this in detail."
Jiang Wanzhou looked helplessly at Shen Xinglian, who then brought brown sugar water to Aunt Li and Technician Li.
Shen Xinglian and the other two said goodbye and went home.
After a long while, Zhou Qingyu saw the two members of the Li family off.
Technician Li also said, "Comrade Zhou, are you free to come to the farm tomorrow? We'd like to discuss this further."
“No problem,” Zhou Qingyu readily agreed.
Zhou Qingyu turned to Jiang Wanzhou, her eyes filled with apology: "I won't be able to cook tomorrow."
"Business is important. I'm fine with eating at the cafeteria with my sister-in-law." Jiang Wanzhou straightened his collar.
Zhou Qingyu suddenly remembered something: "My company said they might apply for a technical subsidy for me."
Jiang Wanzhou looked up upon hearing this: "Really?"
“Hmm.” Zhou Qingyu nodded. “With the industrial vouchers I saved up before, we might actually be able to get a new air conditioner before summer, so you won’t have to feel so hot in the summer.”
Jiang Wanzhou felt a warmth in her heart, but was worried: "There are still typhoons on the island."
"Saving money is no big deal, you should focus on your work."
“How can making your life better be a small matter? Everything I do for you is what I should do.” Zhou Qingyu held her hand.
Just then, a rapid whistle sounded in the distance, signaling the mobilization.
The couple exchanged a glance; this was a signal of an urgent mission.
But Shen Xinglian is also about to give birth.
A moment later, Jiang Renzhou was seen walking briskly out of his house, already dressed in military uniform.
"I'm leading a team on a mission. Please take care of Xinglian." Jiang Renzhou gave a brief explanation, his expression full of worry.
"The mission is important, and my sister-in-law understands," Zhou Qingyu nodded. "Be careful in everything!"
Jiang Renzhou nodded, took a lot of money and stuffed it into Jiang Wanzhou's hand, then turned and ran.
"Hey, big brother, can I still take your money?" Jiang Wanzhou called out from behind.
Zhou Qingyu hugged her: "Big brother is afraid I'll have something to say. I'll give my sister-in-law credit for the pot later."
Jiang Wanzhou leaned on his shoulder.
The novel's plot has been changed; the male lead's identity is established because of the female lead.
Having lost the protagonist's aura, can Jiang Renzhou still return safely and ascend to a high position every time?
In the distance, beams of searchlight streaked across the night sky over the sea.
—
A few days later.
Dozens of miles away, in the dormitory of the supply and marketing cooperative, Jun Yanghong combed her hair in front of a small mirror.
A delicate face was reflected in the mirror.
"Did you know? The new technician Zhou on the island got a rice cooker made at the factory my mom works at. Do you want to buy one?" the girl in my room said.
“Yes, my sister-in-law is praising him too, she’s always nagging me to exchange my brother for industrial vouchers,” another girl said.
The girl who started said again, "My mom said we don't need industrial coupons."
"Really!"
Jun Yanghong snorted coldly: "You know how to please women."
The comb in her hand slammed onto the table, and the girl who had spoken pursed her lips.
In her previous life, when Zhou Qingyu achieved great success, there was clearly another woman from a prominent family standing beside her.
How could this happen...?
She suppressed the turmoil in her heart and asked calmly, "Is this the educated youth Zhou from the Red Star Brigade before?"
"How did you know?" the other two leaned closer.
“He and my sister-in-law were sent-down youths together, and we met at the agricultural trade fair. He’s still living next door to me.” Jun Yanghong’s eyes darkened.
"Comrade Jun, my mom made it..."
"Xiao Hong, my brother snatched two movie tickets, and nobody wants to go with me..."
—
Jiang Family Courtyard
"Xingxing, I added some wild honey. Qingyu said it tastes better than the ones sold at the supply and marketing cooperative." Jiang Wanzhou walked out carrying the pastries.
The delicate white pastries exude the aroma of coconut and rice.
Today is the weekend, so Shen Mingyuan doesn't have to go to class.
He quickly picked up a piece: "Mom, eat this, it's not hot."
"Our Xiaoming is such a good boy," Jiang Wanzhou praised.
"If you like it, just have one yourself." Shen Xinglian tasted it and her eyes lit up. "This cooking is getting better and better. You've finished your honeymoon, right? The cafeteria needs you."
Just then, Technician Li arrived again.
Zhou Qingyu picked up the pastry: "Brother Li, have a taste."
Technician Li took a bite and nodded repeatedly: "Excellent craftsmanship. This tastes just like the pastries I had at the Canton Fair."
“My husband made it,” Zhou Qingyu said proudly.
Jiang Wanzhou smiled slightly.
Technician Li looked up in surprise, thinking he had bought it at a department store.
At this moment, Shen Xinglian and Jiang Wanzhou were teaching Shen Mingyuan how to speak.
Shen Mingyuan learned some English in kindergarten.
Technician Li was even more surprised: "Comrade Shen also speaks English!"
"I know some basic English," Jiang Wanzhou said modestly, her palms already sweating.
She is a fair and upright farmer, unafraid of investigation.
The stars still can't reveal a single detail.
Zhou Qingyu chimed in appropriately: "My husband has a great talent for languages, and he's always able to create innovative things, as the cafeteria staff have also said."
Technician Li didn't think much of it and assumed that Zhou Qingyu had taught him.
Aunt Li also mentioned that Zhou Qingyu and Jiang Wanzhou met and fell in love during their time as sent-down youth.
It's not surprising that someone who has studied for several years has reached this level.
Technician Li pondered for a moment, then said, "That's perfect. Actually, I came here today because my wife is in a bit of trouble. There's a foreign trade exchange meeting next month, and she's coming to the island for an inspection. However, the person originally scheduled to come is sick, and we urgently need someone who speaks a foreign language and knows about food to help with the reception. I wonder if Comrade Jiang would be interested?"
Zhou Qingyu's eyes lit up when she saw Jiang Wanzhou, and she was certain that Jiang Wanzhou was willing.
The island was in dire need of reconstruction, and Jiang Wanzhou had hardly ever gone out since her marriage.
But he was thinking about more things.
He frowned: "Of course we're willing to contribute to the organization."
"They're just sick, only sick this month, they'll be better next month..."
Technician Li quickly replied, "That's great! You agree!"
"My partner actually revealed that the people over there didn't want to come because they couldn't agree on the salary, so..."
"I'm only telling you this."
Zhou Qingyu nodded: "Second Brother Li, don't worry, we won't tell anyone."
"So what does Comrade Jiang mean?" Technician Li looked at Jiang Wanzhou hopefully. "We will pay Comrade Jiang the support salary as if he were a regular employee."
Jiang Wanzhou said gently, "Of course I'm willing to contribute to the organization. Can my sister-in-law go too?"
Shen Xinglian nudged Jiang Wanzhou and smiled apologetically, "Where would I go with my big belly? I don't need to cause trouble for the organization."
Shen Xinglian was better able to handle this kind of situation.
She had heard about what diplomacy was like in the 1970s.
Besides, after Shen Xinglian became pregnant, the furthest distance she could travel was to her place.
She felt sorry for him too.
The pregnancy is going very well.
Technician Li was pleased: "Applying for one more person is fine. It's just a visitor's spot."
Jiang Wanzhou quickly thanked them, saying, "We will definitely complete the mission well and won't embarrass the organization."
Jun Yanghong passed by the entrance.
She returned to the supply and marketing cooperative dormitory and immediately inquired.
Upon receiving the result, she was filled with disbelief: "What? How can Jiang Wanzhou be allowed to receive foreign guests?"
She's clearly a country girl!
"I heard that Comrade Zhou taught her a foreign language and made delicious pastries." My roommate remembered something else. "Xiao Hong, weren't you and Comrade Zhou very close? Why didn't you tell us before that Comrade Zhou already had a lover?"
“We have contact with Comrade Zhou, but his wife has a bad reputation in the village, so we didn’t mention it,” Jun Yanghong quickly realized.
Although many things have gone astray, Jiang Wanzhou's bad reputation remains.
A man like Zhou Qingyu deserves someone better, such as a reborn person like her who knows about major future events.
It's just a foreign language; if she had gotten Zhou Qingyu sooner, she could have learned it very well too.
[Author's Note]
I had originally decided to take the exam, but I was also busy with work and could only update one book at a time. This book required a lot of research, so I stopped updating it.
I'm not planning to take the exam anymore, I'm back! [cat paw][cat paw]
Apologies for the hiatus [hugs][hugs]
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