That evening, when Mr. and Mrs. Sun returned home, Lin Wencui was overjoyed to see what her son had bought.
The money she gave her son was barely enough, but the tickets she gave him didn't include any meat ration coupons.
As a result, her son not only bought the items, but also returned the tickets to her intact. However, Lin Wencui didn't foolishly ask any questions and simply assumed that her son had bought them through connections.
"Stop doing your homework, it's time to eat. Dajiang, don't just stand there watching, come and lend a hand."
At Lin Wencui's command, the children stopped and went to wash their hands, while Sun Dajiang went to the kitchen to help serve the dishes.
After everyone was seated, Sun Zheng'an took over his sister's job and brought Sun Dajiang a wine bottle and glasses, which earned him a roll of his eyes from his sister, who exclaimed, "Unsolicited kindness is either a trick or a theft."
Sun Zheng'an retorted, "I don't argue with women."
This really stirred up a hornet's nest, and Sun Zheng'an was immediately met with his mother's "death stare," which scared him so much that he dared not say a word.
Seeing his son's waddling appearance, Sun Dajiang chuckled and said...
“Look how scared your son is. Come on, Zheng’an, tell your dad what’s wrong.”
Seeing his father come to his rescue, Sun Zheng'an decided to strike while the iron was hot and make things clear, so he said...
"Dad, the school is discussing college application options recently, and I'd like to hear your opinions."
"What's wrong? Judging from your tone, you already have an idea! Come on, tell me first."
Hearing his father say that, Sun Zheng'an took a deep breath and mustered up his courage to speak.
"Dad, I don't want to go to high school and college, I want to go to a vocational school."
These few words seemed to have exhausted all of Sun Zheng'an's energy. He sat there helplessly, waiting for the storm to break.
However, instead of the expected storm, Sun Zheng'an received an unexpected result.
"Now that you've made up your mind, you can do what you think is best! Your parents will definitely support you."
"Yay...! Mom and Dad, I love you!"
Looking at his cheering younger brother, Sun Zhengguo couldn't understand. Was it really that simple?
Seeing his parents' nonchalant expressions, Sun Zhengguo suddenly realized something.
I realized that I was influenced by later generations and thought that going to university was the best option. But that's not true. In this era, a vocational school diploma is highly valuable, not much different from a university diploma. So my parents didn't care at all.
"Sigh! It really is true that empiricism can kill people. The two of them prepared so many arguments, but they were not used at all."
Sun Zhengguo thought to himself.
When it was time for bed that night, Sun Zheng'an was probably too excited and kept talking nonstop, which annoyed Sun Zhengguo so much that he brought up Xiao Li to threaten him, and only then did Sun Zheng'an quiet down.
The next morning, after everyone finished breakfast, they began packing their things to go back to their hometown.
Today was the weekend, and everyone in the courtyard was there. When Sun Dajiang's family passed by in a large entourage carrying their things, the neighbors could only feel envy.
“Dajiang, you’re back in your hometown again, carrying so much stuff. You’re such a filial son.”
"Door God Yan Bugui said with an envious look on his face."
"Yes! It's been a long time since I've been home. I have to go now, I need to catch my train!"
After leaving the courtyard house, the family soon arrived at the bus station, where they met Lin Jiguo, who was also there to meet them. They bought tickets together and boarded the bus back to their hometown.
Before 10 a.m., Sun Dajiang and his family got out of their car on the road outside Dongxiang Village.
As soon as Sun Zhenghong got out of the car, he ran excitedly.
"We're home! Hurry up!"
"Hey! Sis, you weren't like this in the car just now. I remember someone almost threw up."
Sun Zhengguo joked from the side.
"I get carsick! I'm fine as soon as I get off the car."
"Hahaha……."
The family chatted and laughed, and soon entered the village. When they met acquaintances on the way, Sun Dajiang kept greeting them, and introduced the children to those he didn't recognize.
In Sun Dajiang's hometown, his grandmother was doing housework when she suddenly heard a commotion outside. Before she could come out to see what was going on, she heard someone shouting.
"Grandma, we're here."
"Mom, are you feeling alright?"
Upon hearing the voice, Grandma was overjoyed to see her eldest son and his entire family had arrived, and she quickly came to greet them.
"I'm perfectly fine, son. You must be exhausted from the journey. Come on, come inside and rest. I'll have someone inform your father and the others."
After Grandma finished speaking, she called to Laibao next door and asked him to help her get down from the ground and call Grandpa and the others.
Before long, Grandpa and the others returned after receiving the news. The family was reunited and they were overjoyed. Sun Dajiang was busy distributing the gifts. When Grandma saw so much flour and meat, she couldn't stop smiling. She picked up the meat and headed to the kitchen.
At noon, Lin Hong's family was also invited over. There were nearly twenty people, young and old, who were still divided into two tables, one for adults and one for children.
At the dinner table, Grandpa brought out some homemade sweet potato chips, and the group started drinking. After a few rounds of drinks, Sun Dajiang began to get down to business.
"Dad, Mom, I have something to discuss with you when I get home today."
"You silly child, just say what's on your mind. Why are you being so polite with your father?"
"Okay, I'll say it then. A few days ago, I passed the Level 8 worker exam at the factory, and the factory rewarded me with a job opening. I'm planning to..."
Before Sun Dajiang could finish speaking, Sun Dahe, who was standing next to him, stood up excitedly.
He didn't understand that his older brother had passed the Level 8 worker exam, but he knew about the job openings! Besides, his older brother had promised him that his family would get a chance next time!
How could he not be excited? The eldest son of the Lin family earns 49.5 yuan a month at the steel mill. Everyone in the village envies him.
Thinking of this, Sun Dahe asked in a trembling voice.
"Brother, this is for your nephew."
Sun Dajiang nodded and said.
"If you agree, I will take Zhengdong back."
"Agreed, agreed, thank you so much, brother."
"Thank you, brother. Thank you, brother."
The second uncle and second aunt expressed their gratitude together.
"We're brothers, so there's no need for thanks. If anyone should be thanking someone, it's me, the elder brother, who should be thanking you. You've taken such good care of our parents all these years; I feel guilty about it!"
"Brother, don't have any thoughts. I've never resented you. As Father would say, this is fate. Back then..."
The two brothers talked about the job quotas and the helplessness and hardships of the past, which made the eyes of the people at the table red.
Lin Wencui was quite pleased to see that the two brothers had turned what should have been a happy occasion into a bittersweet reminiscing session, so she quickly said something.
"Alright, you two brothers, stop talking. You've ruined such a good atmosphere. Let's drink and eat."
Grandpa quickly chimed in from the side.
"Yes, yes, Wencui is right. Let's have a drink and celebrate."
"Come on, cheers!"
"cheers!"
"Hahaha……."
After the laughter subsided, the men started drinking again, with Sun Dahe drinking one cup after another, because he felt that the Dizhua dry liquor tasted exceptionally fragrant and mellow today.
After finishing his drinks, Sun Dahe was completely drunk. His wife didn't blame him at all and helped him to bed.
"Dajiang, don't worry about him. Second brother is just too happy today. I've never seen him drunk in all these years."
"Dad, I don't mind. You've had quite a bit to drink today, so go and rest for a while. Don't worry about me."
"Okay, we're all family, so I won't stand on ceremony with my son. I'm going to lie down for a while. Let me know when you're leaving."
After everyone had left, Sun Dajiang went to lie down on his nephew's bed for a while.
When it was time to leave in the afternoon, my brother-in-law had already delivered a letter of introduction, and my sister-in-law had also packed her son's things.
Everyone except Sun Dahe arrived. They all came to the village entrance and saw their grandson who was about to leave home. The grandmother gave him many instructions and advice, while the second aunt wiped away her tears.
Only after the car arrived did the two sides say goodbye, and Sun Dajiang's family boarded the car to return to the city.
As Sun Zhengdong was leaving his parents for the first time and about to enter society, he looked at the blurry figure in the distance and felt a little melancholy.
He didn't know what would happen after he entered the city.
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