Lin Hong hadn't really thought that far ahead. After a pause, she said uncertainly, "That's the Zhou family's grandson. If she doesn't keep an eye on him, who will?"
Xu Ningyan scoffed: "Don't be naive! You're not pregnant yet, so next time your mother-in-law asks, just ask her directly, 'Who will take care of you when you're pregnant, who will take care of you during your postpartum period, and who will take care of the baby?'"
"If she pretends to be confused, or doesn't give a direct answer, or says directly that it's a matter between you and your husband, you can tell her that since it's a matter between you and your husband, then you should make your own arrangements! Don't think about it all but don't give anything in return!"
"And also, don't make the same mistake when you have children! Don't neglect your work because you're taking care of them! You need to know that in this world, everything can betray you, but as long as you work hard, your job and money won't betray you! To paraphrase what you told me, as long as you have a job and money, you'll have confidence! That's your last line of defense, understand?"
Lin Hong nodded quickly: "I know, I know!"
While hugging and nuzzling Xu Ningyan, he thought, "Xiaoyan is so good. She always thinks of me and puts me first."
Even her own mother only told her to be more tolerant, saying that this is how it is after marriage, that all women go through this, and that things will get better when the children grow up.
Why should I?!
Xu Ningyan ruffled Lin Hong's hair: "There's something else, I'm only telling you this, so keep it to yourself!"
Hearing the seriousness in Xu Ningyan's tone, which was different from before, Lin Hong knew it was important. She quickly sat up straight, placed her hands on her lap, and looked at Xu Ningyan respectfully, like a primary school student.
"During my trip to Beijing, I vaguely heard some news. There's a shortage of talent in various government departments, and some people are suggesting that we reinstate the college entrance examination," Xu Ningyan said in a low voice.
This wasn't just empty talk; Jiang Zhiyuan had subtly implied this meaning, telling Xu Ningyan not to give up on her studies.
They also arranged for Xu Ningyan to go to the capital not only to work, but also to attend night school.
At that time, night school graduates could still receive a graduation certificate.
Xu Ningyan didn't even have a primary school diploma before. After going to night school, she had to start from scratch. At the very least, she should get her primary, junior high, and senior high school diplomas.
Lin Hong didn't understand for a moment: "Huh, what do you mean?"
"That means the national college entrance examination might be reinstated in the future! Do you understand?" Xu Ningyan glanced at Bai Linhong.
Lin Hong's eyes widened, and she covered her mouth.
"real?"
"I'm not sure either, it's just a guess! But I think for the future of the country, the college entrance examination will definitely be reinstated! It's just a matter of when! If you're willing to do it, while you're still young, make the most of these two years and review the knowledge you've almost forgotten! You never know when it might come in handy! If the college entrance examination is reinstated, whether you get a job after you go to university or come back to Jingshan County, things will be very different from before!"
Xu Ningyan explained it to Lin Hong in detail.
Lin Hong's eyes lit up at first, then showed a hint of timidity: "My grades weren't very good before, even if I study, I'm not sure I can do it! And it's not even certain—"
Xu Ningyan patted her on the shoulder: "Even if it's not certain, learning more is always better than wasting time! Look at your uncle and your brother, they have skills and education, aren't they much better than the average person? They'll have more advantages than others when it comes to promotions and advancements in the future!"
"The most important thing is that you use your spare time to study, and tell others that you don't want to work in the warehouse for the rest of your life, but want to learn something else, like accounting, so that you can have a more respectable future! That's being ambitious, so who would dare to say anything to you! Even if your mother-in-law has any objections, you can have your son Zhou Zi'an deal with it!"
"Don't be silly and keep everything bottled up inside! If you marry a man who can't even manage his own family, what's the point of getting a wife? You might as well stay single for life!"
Lin Hong was deeply moved and held Xu Ningyan tightly, feeling even more reluctant to part with him.
However, since Xu Ningyan was so considerate of her and had even planned out her future, she wasn't naive enough to not understand, and naturally hoped that Xu Ningyan would do better and better as well.
Thinking back on the few words he had told Xu Ningyan, he felt a little embarrassed and said self-deprecatingly, "You understand these principles better than I do, and I was worrying about you! It was all for nothing, so don't laugh at me!"
Xu Ningyan snuggled up to her affectionately and said with a smile, "I understand, but the fact that you said those things shows your sincerity! How could I not understand? If you say those things again, you're just distancing yourself from me!"
Lin Hong stopped thinking about it and the two started chatting and laughing again.
Hearing that Xu Ningyan had made progress in finding a job in Beijing, Lin Hong was even less worried.
He chuckled and sighed, "I've been a fool for not being a decent person. We've all seen how Comrade Jiang treated you! His character is impeccable. Even if I don't trust my Zhou Zi'an, I trust Comrade Jiang's integrity!"
Zhou Zian, who was at work, sneezed, completely unaware that his wife was complaining about him.
Knowing that Xu Ningyan wanted to get rid of her current job, Lin Hong gave her some advice: "Just ask around for jobs within the company. Regular jobs are in high demand right now, especially jobs at our department store—the benefits are great. So many people are scrambling to get in! Deputy Director Li's son, Section Chief Wu's daughter, and several other children from the department store—if they don't have jobs, they'll all have to go to the countryside!"
"If you're shy, I'll go and find someone for you! This kind of job pays 36 yuan a month now, plus food subsidies and all sorts of receipts, that's over 400 a year, and almost 1000 in two years. This job needs to sell for at least 1000 yuan to be worthwhile! With more money, what in Beijing doesn't cost money? The expenses are much higher than in our county—"
Xu Ningyan interrupted Lin Hong: "I already have an idea about the job. Let's see if Uncle Jianguo's family wants it. After all, if it weren't for him, I wouldn't have been able to get into the department store! I appreciate your kindness, but consider this job as me repaying their favor."
Seeing that Xu Ningyan had her own ideas, Lin Hong didn't say anything more.
Xu Ningyan then asked Lin Hong, "Speaking of which, you and Zhou Zi'an are still living in the dormitory, right? That room is only one big room. Haven't you thought about moving to a bigger one?"
The dormitory assigned to Zhou Zi'an's group was divided into two rooms: one for sleeping, and the other for eating and entertaining guests. Cooking was done in the corridor.
Now that it's just the two of them living here, they're already quite well-off.
Other colleagues' homes have rooms this big; they could house a whole family.
However, if Zhou Zi'an and his family have a child, they won't have enough room to live together.
Lin Hong wasn't happy about this either. Before she got married, she had her own room, and her family's house was big, so she had plenty of room to live in.
Living in a dormitory after marriage is always a bit of an adjustment. The rooms are all large and crowded, and at night, you can hear the children crying and the couple next door having sex.
"There's nothing we can do about it. We're both young and haven't been working for many years. We're lucky to even have a dormitory! We don't know when we'll be allocated a proper apartment! It's manageable for the two of us now, but once we have a child, I'm afraid there won't be enough room!"
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