Chapter 194: Foreign Feelings 3
In those days, wages in China still lagged far behind those in the United States. Even those like Fu Bao, who studied abroad on government funding, were not financially well off, and many had to work part-time to pay for their studies. Even those with decent financial means could earn a little money by working part-time, such as washing dishes in a restaurant. The small salary they earned in the United States could be sent back home, a substantial sum, enough to buy a TV or a washing machine in China.
Perhaps this is why so many people are desperately trying to qualify for government-funded study abroad. Some who are not qualified risk their lives and a suitcase and rashly leave the country and head for this unknown world.
However, Fubao did not have to wash dishes. One reason was that she did not have the ambition to earn a living by washing dishes in Country M to buy a TV and a washing machine for her family. The other reason was that she was not short of money.
Whether it is Gu Weidong and Liu Guizhi, Yu Anmin and Ning Huiyue, or even Xiao Dingkun, they are not short of money.
She is now studying abroad, and both her parents are very proud of her and can't wait to give her money.
In this case, there was no need for her to go to Country M to earn money and waste her precious time washing dishes. Besides, Xiao Dingkun was reluctant to do so.
The last time Xiao Dingkun came over, she mentioned that her classmates went out to work as dishwashers and would come back very late. Xiao Dingkun had also warned her not to go.
Fubao, who does not have to wash dishes, can devote more time to scientific research. In addition to scientific research, she can also take time to participate in some activities of local graduate students, such as public welfare and charity activities or interest activities. It is not that she wants to come to Country M to do charity, but she wants to understand the society of Country M.
After all, we have spent the country's money to come here thousands of miles away. We not only need to learn the world's advanced knowledge, but also need to understand the cultural atmosphere and humanities of this society.
On this day, Fubao participated in a community activity organized by local people, and it was already late when he returned to the apartment.
She now lives with two other Chinese female students who are also studying abroad on government funding. When she returned, she saw Wang Ruihua reading a book and said, "Fubao, I have your phone number and I called you several times."
Roommate Chen Jing said enviously, "Fubao, your fiancé must be really rich to be willing to call you like this."
It is very expensive to make overseas calls from China. It costs several dollars per minute. At that time, a person’s salary was only a small amount. Just talking for a while might cost half a month’s salary.
So the roommates had already made an agreement with their families not to answer the phone. If they hung up after three rings, it meant nothing was wrong and everything was fine.
If the call doesn't go through, you won't be asked for money, so you can save the money for reporting your safety.
But just now, Fubao's fiancé had called three times. Even if each call was just to ask if Fubao had returned, that would be ten dollars per minute.
Chen Jing couldn't understand why someone would waste money like this.
Wang Ruihua, standing next to him, was no longer surprised. "In the past six months, her fiancé has flown over to see her three times. What do you think of her fiancé? Could he be short of money?"
Chen Jing was new to this apartment, and was speechless when he heard this.
Air tickets are so expensive, and you came here three times in six months? Okay, I don’t want to say anything more.
Fubao didn't think much about it and hurried over to make a phone call. However, as soon as his hand touched the phone, it rang and he quickly picked it up.
As soon as the call was connected, Xiao Dingkun's voice came from the other end: "Please ask if Fubao is back——"
He stopped abruptly in the middle of his speech.
Across the ocean, Fubao could sense the tension in the voice on the other end.
She chuckled: "Brother Dingkun, I'm back."
After these words were spoken, there was no response for a long time, only the sound of slightly heavy breathing.
Fubao: "Brother Dingkun, what's wrong? I'm fine. I'm back. Are you okay?"
When Xiao Dingkun spoke again, his voice was low, but he seemed calm: "Nothing. Why are you back so late?"
Although he didn't say anything else, Fubao was a little worried: "I mentioned to you a few days ago that I was going to attend a community event today, but the event ended very late, and I just got back now."
Xiao Dingkun: "Don't come back so late in the future, it's too late."
Fubao raised his watch and looked at the time. It was 8:30 in the evening and the lights were still on outside.
Is it late?
Xiao Dingkun: "Next time you go out, go out with your roommates, otherwise it's very unsafe. You don't know that the security in Country M is not good now. At night, some areas are drinking, causing trouble, fighting, and robbery."
Xiao Dingkun listed the various dangers of coming home late.
Fubao was speechless for a moment. The public security in some places in Country M was indeed not good, but she was in a university campus, where the public security was very good and that kind of situation had never happened.
After talking for a while, Xiao Dingkun suddenly stopped.
Fubao: "Brother Dingkun?"
Xiao Dingkun: "I'll buy a plane ticket tomorrow and go there."
Fubao: "Brother Dingkun!!"
What's the point of this? You can't just keep running back and forth for no reason. Aren't plane tickets money?
Xiao Dingkun: "You little fool, I'm worried about you."
Fubao was helpless and tried to persuade him, telling him which one he had gone to.
The people who were traveling with them included local community workers and so on. They explained everything to him and finally made various guarantees that he would never come home late again. Only then did Xiao Dingkun reluctantly give up the idea.
Fubao looked at the time. The call had been going on for more than ten minutes. Thinking of the painful phone bill, he hurriedly said, "Brother Dingkun, okay, I'm hanging up first."
Xiao Dingkun: "Why did you hang up?"
Fubao: "Phone bills are very expensive."
Xiao Dingkun: "I don't think it's expensive, why do you think it's expensive?"
Fubao burst out laughing: "Okay, you have money, let's just fight, okay?"
Xiao Dingkun also laughed.
The voice coming through the phone sounded particularly hoarse and mellow: "By the way, I have good news for you."
Fu Bao felt relieved when he heard him laugh: "What good news?"
There was warmth in Xiao Dingkun's voice: "After returning from Country M last time, I went to the Southern Special Economic Zone and negotiated a long-term export cooperation plan."
Fubao: "Hmm? What's the plan?"
Xiao Dingkun: "In this special economic zone, there will be no restrictions on export quotas, and there is no need to apply for export quotas."
Fu Bao couldn't believe it after hearing this: "Really? Is there such a thing?"
You have to know that in this era, foreign trade import and export activities are all exclusive and monopolized by the state. All import and export activities require quota indicators from the Bureau of International Trade. There are also private trading companies outside, such as Xiao Dingkun's company, but all his development is subject to the quota restrictions approved by the Bureau of International Trade.
To put it simply, all the market he worked so hard to open up and the export contracts he signed would be in vain if he could not get the quota indicators from the Bureau of International Trade.
But now, he actually told himself that there would be no restrictions on export quotas?
Xiao Dingkun: "Yes. This is a long story. It's a change of times, and it's also an opportunity for me. I just happened to catch up."
Fubao: "Brother Dingkun, what about my mother's clothes?"
Xiao Dingkun: "The factory next to Pingxi Village has already increased its production capacity."
Fubao was overjoyed: "That's great!"
She naturally understood that this was not only a matter of money, but also involved future development prospects and the development of Pingxi Village, all of which had a driving effect.
Xiao Dingkun said, "Fubao, I have to thank you for this."
Fubao: "Ah? Thank me?"
Xiao Dingkun on the other end of the phone hummed softly, but lowered his voice slightly: "Fubao, since we have been together, your good luck seems to have been passed on to me."
Fubao was a little confused: "But we have been together for several years, why didn't we -"
Halfway through her words, she suddenly understood.
After she understood, her face turned red and she secretly looked at her roommate next to her. Fortunately, the roommate was reading a book and didn't notice her at all.
She lowered her voice and gritted her teeth into the receiver: "I won't talk to you anymore. I want to save the phone bill!"
She wanted to curse him. After that incident, he was so lucky? What was he thinking?
Fubao had just hung up the phone when the bell rang and Xiao Dingkun called again.
Fubao was embarrassed and helpless and didn't answer.
The phone continued to ring.
Chen Jing beside him clicked his tongue: "Fubao, your fiancé is simply... He's just burning money!"
They usually don't want to answer the phone. They will wait for three rings to signal they are safe. Even if they answer the phone because of something important, they will just say a few words and hang up quickly. When hanging up, they will also keep an eye on the call duration and make sure to hang up before 59 seconds turns to 00.
But these two people can make international calls as if it’s free!
Fubao felt embarrassed to disturb his roommate, so he had to pick up the phone again.
Xiao Dingkun: "I have something important to say, why did you hang up?"
Fubao muttered softly: "If you have anything else to say, tell it all in one breath. The phone bill is very expensive."
Xiao Dingkun chuckled: "Fubao, our wedding room is ready and everything is decorated inside."
Fu Bao's face was flushed by his smile: "Well, then wait until I get back to take a look."
Xiao Dingkun: "Our bedroom has a big bed, two walnut wardrobes, a desk, and a dressing table. I also made a small study for you with a bookcase in it, so you can put your books in it."
It sounded quite touching, and Fubao immediately yearned for it.
At this time, Xiao Dingkun's hoarse voice came into his ears again: "I am lying on the big bed in our bridal chamber now. The bed is very comfortable and big. There is definitely no problem sleeping on it for two people. Even if you roll over, you won't fall off."
There was a "boom" in Fubao's head, and her whole body felt hot.
"Forget it, I won't tell you anymore!"
Having said that, he quickly hung up the phone.
What on earth does he mean? What on earth does he mean?
Fubao quickly ran into the bathroom, washed up and washed his face.
While washing, her mind cleared up. After she cleared up, she kept thinking back to the bridal chamber, the big bed, him lying there, calling her overseas, looking forward to her coming back...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
