Chapter 32
In the evening, with the afterglow shining across the sky, a green tram slowly pulled into the platform, and the copper bell on the front of the train emitted a series of crisp jingling sounds.
When Ye Manzhi and Wu Zhengrong got off the tram, there was still more than an hour before the movie started.
The two decided to go to a state-owned restaurant near the Cultural Palace for dinner first.
After ordering two dishes at the counter, Wu Zhengrong leaned over slightly and asked, "Would you like a drink?"
"I'm not an alcoholic, so how could I possibly drink with every meal?" Ye Manzhi said proudly, "I only drink Moutai now!"
Wu Zhengrong nodded calmly and said to the waiter, "Comrade, please add a bottle of Moutai."
waiter:"……"
Do I look like Moutai?
"..." Ye Manzhi suppressed a laugh, "Comrade, he's joking, we don't drink!"
The waiter's gaze flicked between the two young men's faces, then pointed to the wooden barrel behind the counter. "We have draft beer. It just arrived this afternoon. Would you like a couple?"
Wu Zhengrong asked the female comrade for her opinion, "Can I have a drink?"
Ye Manzhi wanted to try it, but she had just said that it was impossible to drink with every meal. Wouldn’t it be a contradiction to nod now?
Her thoughts were written all over her face. Wu Zhengrong had already reached a unilateral understanding and said to the waiter, "Please take the trouble to get us two drinks."
After finding a seat with a foaming beer in hand, he asked, "Have you ever had beer before?"
"No. I didn't have many opportunities to drink alcohol before. I would occasionally try it when the adults did, but my father usually drinks soju."
Ye Manzhi took a sip of the beer. It tasted a bit bitter, but the refreshing feeling flowed through her throat, making her want to praise him. "Last time, I had the white wine, and this time, the beer. It was all thanks to you that I was able to try them!"
Hearing this, Wu Zhengrong curled his lips and said, "Laiya is quite sweet."
Ye Manzhi's eyes were tinged with embarrassment. "Why are you suddenly calling me by my nickname?"
"I don't want to call out anything else right now." Wu Zhengrong smiled and looked across at the other side. "Do I need to report before calling out names?"
Ye Manzhi was amused by him, and her black and white eyes sparkled, very beautiful.
"Then go ahead and shout. You don't have to file a report this time."
She picked up a piece of pork elbow for herself and said with a smile, "Captain Wu, tell me about supporting the army and caring for the families of soldiers."
"It's a rare date, so why don't we talk about work?"
"You were the one who brought it up first!"
"That was just a trick to get you out. As for the issue of supporting the military and honoring their families, go back and ask Comrade Feng Chaoyang from your unit. She's been liaising with the military representative office on this matter."
"Aunt Feng is in charge of supporting the military and caring for the families of soldiers?" Ye Manzhi looked puzzled. "She was the one who mentored me when the veterans in our unit were mentoring the newcomers. In the past two months, I've never heard that she's still in charge of this aspect of the work!"
"She is indeed in charge. We organized an event together during the August 1st event." Wu Zhengrong said with a smile, "It seems that your relationship with this master is not very good."
"Well, to be precise, she and I have an average relationship. Aunt Feng is emotionally reserved and cold, but I think she's a nice person," Ye Manzhi murmured. "When our neighborhood office voted, I got two votes, and one of them was cast by Aunt Feng."
Wu Zhengrong put down his chopsticks, paused for a moment, and said, "She was also rather cold when she contacted the military representative office, but she herself is a martyr's family member, so she has advantages in supporting the military and providing preferential treatment to veterans. If you have any questions, you should communicate with her more."
Ye Manzhi asked in astonishment, "Auntie Feng is a martyr's relative?"
"Well, just keep it to yourself. Don't tell anyone else. There's no need to treat her differently for this. Just looking at her name, you can tell she's a very proud person and doesn't need anyone's sympathy."
Ye Manzhi looked at him curiously: "How can you tell from the name that Aunt Feng is proud?"
"Peng Beihai, Feng Chaoyang. Carrying books and swords, they set out on a vast journey." Wu Zhengrong said as a matter of course, "Decades ago, families who could name their daughters 'Feng Chaoyang' were likely from scholarly backgrounds. Children raised in such families tend to be somewhat arrogant and conceited. Even though she's old now, that's not something she can easily change."
Aunt Feng's calligraphy and painting skills are very good in the whole city. It is very likely that she really comes from a good family and upbringing as he said.
Ye Manzhi wondered if this could also be applied to himself.
Zhengrong, Zhengrong, such a name must have placed a lot of expectations on the elders.
Comrade Zhengrong also comes from a scholarly family and is very talented. It seems that he is also arrogant because of his talent.
Ye Manzhi supported her chin with one hand and looked at him. Suddenly, she said, "You are amazing! I have worked with Aunt Feng for so long, and I have never thought of connecting her name with poetry."
The praised Captain Wu is not as humble or grateful as ordinary people.
He studied her face calmly and carefully for a moment, his eyes showing a clear and insightful look. He suddenly smiled and said, "Feng Chaoyang and I may have similar backgrounds, but we have different temperaments. You don't have to, um, don't deliberately flatter me..."
Ye Manzhi laughed out loud and exclaimed from the bottom of his heart: "You are so smart!"
His future children will surely be very smart...
Ye Manzhi was unable to find out the specific details of the policy of supporting the military and caring for the families of soldiers, but she still happily went to see the movie "Dragonfly Girl".
Because it was advertised as a Soviet romance film, and it was a rare color film in those days.
The scene in front of the Cultural Palace was unprecedentedly grand, and some young people who were unable to buy tickets were even willing to pay a high price to buy them.
The story of the Dragonfly Girl takes place on a farm in Georgia. The heroine, Marino, was spoiled by her grandmother and neglected to be disciplined. This led to her dislike of work and lazy study. She spent her days singing and dancing, never resting a moment, earning her the nickname "Dragonfly Girl."
There was a tea-picking girl on the farm with the same name and surname as Marino. Because of her active participation in labor, she was awarded the title of "Socialist Labor Hero".
Ye Manzhi feels that it is more of a comedy educational film than a romance film.
After falling in love and failing the college entrance exam, Marino, with the help and encouragement of the Communist Youth League, began to work hard. She transformed herself into an excellent poultry breeder and was even featured in Mars magazine.
She is no longer the dragonfly girl who only knew how to sing and dance!
If she was not certain that Wu Zhengrong could not possibly know about her past deeds, Ye Manzhi would have suspected that the other party invited her to watch this movie in order to take the opportunity to educate her!
Why does she feel that she is so similar to Marino!
After leaving the Cultural Palace and heading home, Ye Manzhi couldn't help but ask tentatively, "Do you think I look a bit like Marino?"
"What do you mean?"
Of course, Ye Manzhi could not reveal her own shortcomings, saying that she used to dislike working, going to school, often showing off, and indulging in entertainment activities, and there has been no particularly obvious improvement so far.
She suppressed her thoughts and changed the subject to say, "It's just that we both sing very well!"
Wu Zhengrong said truthfully: "I haven't heard you sing yet."
So, Ye Manzhi improvised a song from the movie on the street.
“May is wonderful, May is good~ May makes my heart happy~ White clouds float in the blue sky~ Flowers in May are fragrant everywhere~ Abadeli deli deli dela~ Abadeli deli deli dela~ Abadeli deli deli deli dela~ Abadeli deli deli deli dela~~~~”[1]
The interludes in the movie were sung by professional singers with obvious bel canto characteristics.
Ye Manzhi's voice is unpolished, with the clear and melodious voice unique to a young girl.
Wu Zhengrong clapped his hands in support and looked at her with a warm and bright smile.
"That sounds good. If Comrade Lai Ya doesn't want to be a street cadre, he can switch to working in a song and dance troupe."
Ye Manzhi knew he was complimenting her. Of course, ordinary people's singing skills could not compare to professionals, but she still said excitedly, "Of course, I have been a lark since I was a child!"
"puff--"
Before Wu Zhengrong could say anything, the two young men walking behind them laughed out loud.
The stranger's ridicule made Ye Manzhi blush instantly, and he turned around and glared at the two people.
One of the fat guys quickly explained: "Comrade, I'm sorry, your singing is very beautiful, we don't mean anything else!"
Ye Manzhi was speechless and pulled Wu Zhengrong to turn at the nearest intersection.
"What are you laughing at?" Ye Manzhi looked to the side suspiciously.
She looks so spoiled and helpless that one can't help but want to kiss her.
But the location was wrong.
Wu Zhengrong bent his index finger and hooked it on her chin. "I'm not laughing at you. Aren't you a little lark? Be more confident!"
*
When the two took the last tram back to the military industrial compound, there were no residents left.
Ye Manzhi thought no one would notice them, so she let Wu Zhengrong take her to the corridor entrance.
However, when she returned home from get off work the next day, she was stopped by Chi Dongsheng because of this.
"Ye Manzhi, are you dating someone?" Chi Dongsheng asked nonchalantly, twirling a bunch of keys on his index finger. "Who was that guy who brought you home last night?"
"You must have seen it wrong. I was at home all night." Ye Manzhi never thought before telling a lie.
Chi Dongsheng is one of the fourth brother's cronies and a well-known unemployed vagrant in the compound.
I have nothing to do all day and just run around everywhere.
"Oh, my eyesight is 1.0! There's no way I'm wrong!" Chi Dongsheng said with a sly expression, "You're so good, Ye Manzhier, you found a partner so quickly!"
"Stop spreading rumors about me! I'll tell Uncle Chi!"
Her relationship with Wu Zhengrong was not something shameful, so she was not afraid of being found out.
However, once her family knew that she was in contact with Wu Zhengrong, a small matter would become a big one.
Just her uncle and aunt are very worrying.
The uncle wanted his grandson to work in the factory, so he went to Zhou's house without her knowledge and spread rumors that she wanted to get back together with Zhou Mu.
If they knew about Wu Zhengrong's existence, they might try to get close to him again.
They don't even have a formal relationship, so why should Wu Zhengrong help her relatives?
"You're mistaken," Ye Manzhi said with a straight face. "Besides, what does it have to do with you whether I'm dating or not? Why are you joining in the fun?"
"Hey, you girl! Didn't I tell you before, if you want to find a partner, find me!"
Ye Manzhi used to be the daughter-in-law of the deputy factory director. These guys in the compound have the desire but not the courage to commit crimes.
Now that the two families have called off the engagement, the situation is different and the thief can be so bold.
Otherwise, why would so many guys come forward every time she came to the hospital to mobilize people!
"If the people who want to date me could line up around the factory, how could I possibly agree to all of them?" Ye Manzhi rolled her eyes and said, "Wake up! If you dare to spread rumors about me again, I'll let my fourth brother beat you up!"
These unemployed vagrants in the courtyard just took advantage of her with words, and she never took them seriously.
Seeing that he was still trying to block her way, Ye Manzhi glanced upstairs and shouted at a window on the second floor, "Uncle Chi! Uncle Chi! Your Chi Dongsheng is trying to steal my money. He won't let me go home unless I pay!"
"..." Chi Dongsheng was so angry that he laughed, "Who of us is spreading rumors? Who stole your money? Okay, okay, just leave now. I really can't afford to offend you!"
Ye Manzhi gave him a glance and left, but she didn't intend to let Chi Dongsheng go easily.
After dinner, she went to Chi's house.
The two families were in the same building, and she could just walk down the stairs to get there.
"Oh, Xiaoye is here, come in and sit down!" Uncle Chi and Aunt Chi greeted him warmly.
The daughter of the Ye family is now a street cadre and is in charge of their area. Everyone is still willing to have a good relationship with her.
Ye Manzhi sat down on the chair and complained to Chi Dongsheng.
"Uncle and aunt, I'm here to play the bad guy today and tell you about Chi Dongsheng. My family already has Ye Mangui, so I have no right to say anything about your Chi Dongsheng. Besides, I'm your younger sister after all, so I shouldn't say this. But today, I really have to talk about this."
"My fourth brother is at least married, with a wife to look after him. Chi Dongsheng isn't married. If he dares to block my way today, will he be able to block other women tomorrow? That would have a very bad impact on our courtyard! It's not good for him, and it's not good for your family's reputation either!"
Uncle Chi slammed the table and asked, "Did this beast really dare to rob people?"
"It's not robbery, it's just blocking my way," Ye Manzhi waved his hand and said, "That's not the point. I didn't do this to get you to teach Chi Dongsheng a lesson."
The Chi couple are confused. They don’t allow us to teach our son a lesson, so why are you here to complain?
"There's a group of unemployed young people in our compound. They haven't broken the law, but they're causing trouble everywhere. They're giving the security department and the police station a headache. Your Chi Dongsheng and my fourth brother are among them."
Uncle Chi felt a little embarrassed when talking about his brat, but fortunately he had Ye Lao Si to compare him with, so it wasn't too embarrassing.
Ye Manzhi continued, "However, my fourth brother graduated from high school, and Chi Dongsheng graduated from junior high school. They are both educated. I recently wanted to find a job for my fourth brother, and since Chi Dongsheng has a good relationship with him, I came to your house to ask if I could help Chi Dongsheng find a job as well."
Aunt Chi said quickly, "It would be great if we could give him a job."
Her youngest son has always been undisciplined and wild-minded. After he graduated from junior high school, his family found him an office job in a nail factory.
As a result, he felt that the unit was too far from home, so he sold his good job for a hundred yuan.
He took the money and spent it on eating and drinking with his friends.
Now I just hang around in the yard all day.
Ye Manzhi smiled and said, "It's not a particularly good job, but the hidden benefits are quite good. As you know, our street office is planning to organize literacy classes. We want to invite some educated residents to teach there."
"Ah, can my Dongzi be a teacher for someone?"
"It's just teaching people to read, what's the big deal? Besides, we'll train the teachers and use standardized teaching materials. As long as they're willing to serve everyone, there's nothing they can't accomplish!"
Ye Manzhi frankly said, "Uncle, teaching in the literacy class is semi-voluntary labor, and we're not sure how much we'll be paid yet. We'll pay the teachers a lump sum when the class ends. But teaching in the literacy class is considered supporting the work of the neighborhood committee, and teachers will become active members of the neighborhood committee from now on."
Aunt Chi asked, "Xiao Ye, what are the benefits of being a street activist?"
"If the subdistrict office has job vacancies in other units, it will definitely give priority to recommending subdistrict activists to work there."
"Being a street activist also qualifies you to run for resident group leader. Being a resident group leader gives you the chance to become a neighborhood committee member. Only neighborhood committee members can run for neighborhood committee director. We all know the status of the neighborhood committee in our compound. It's high-ranking and their words carry weight."
"Regardless of whether my fourth brother and Chi Dongsheng are willing to join the neighborhood committee and serve the residents, being a literacy class teacher will earn them recognition and respect. Especially Chi Dongsheng, with his reputation for being proactive and motivated, it will be easier for him to find a wife..."
Without her having to persuade him any further, Uncle Chi made the final decision, "Xiao Ye, I'll make the decision for Dongzi on this matter. Let him go to the literacy class and teach!"
Anyway, that kid is not making any money now. Instead of letting him cause trouble in the compound, it is better to send him to the literacy class.
Besides, Ye Lao Si also wants to go to class together, and Xiao Ye will never let her brother down.
Ye Manzhi suggested: "Why don't we talk to Chi Dongsheng himself? The literacy class will last for several months, and the teacher can't give up halfway!"
"I have the final say on this matter. I'll take him away even if I have to tie him up!"
Uncle Chi made a big promise.
Dongzi was somewhat interested in the girl from the Ye family. He told him that this was a job recommended by Xiaoye, and he would always think it over carefully.
After getting the agreement from the Chi family, Old Ye took the lead in mobilizing the fourth brother, and Ye Manzhi followed suit and went to three other families to mobilize them.
Of course, she couldn't just hire troublemakers as teachers. She still had to find a few officials who were educated and interested in developing careers in the neighborhood committee.
When she handed the list of teachers for the literacy class to Director Mu, Mulan was shocked.
"These people really don't want any salary?"
"Hey, salaries definitely need to be paid, but they don't have to be paid monthly. I've agreed with them that they'll be paid out in one lump sum after the literacy class is over! This will give us, Yu Fu, a few months to find funding!"
Mulan clapped her hands and said, "Xiaoye, this is how you should work from now on! Use your brain more! I also want to go to the District Education Bureau this afternoon. The leaders of the Education Bureau have been annoyed to death by me these past two days. It seems we can all take a break."
Ye Manzhi actually wanted to talk to her about the issue of primary school students' enrollment.
There are more than 20 school-age children who have signed up for the literacy class.
There is no other primary school on the street, so it is very difficult for these children to go to school.
However, today is Saturday, so in case she has to work overtime on the weekend, she plans to wait until Monday to bring up the matter.
*
After getting the official position, Ye Manzhi felt completely relaxed.
She decided to make weekends what they should be.
So, when Ye Manzhi received the rehearsal notice this week, she did not ask for leave. She dressed neatly and carried her violin case to rehearse for the traditional Chinese music concert.
There were high school teachers and elementary school principals at their concert, and she wanted to take the opportunity to ask them for some advice on running a school.
When she walked to the door of the workers' club, Wu Zhengrong also came over from the direction of the factory on a bicycle.
"If there's something going on at the factory, don't come."
As the National Day tribute is approaching, the first truck independently developed and produced by the factory is about to roll off the production line. Recently, Wu Zhengrong is at his busiest.
"I'll stay with you for a while. I'll also take this opportunity to rest. I have to go to the provincial military region this afternoon and may not be back for two or three days." Wu Zhengrong's eyes wandered over her, and for the first time, he inquired about her clothing. "Why are you dressed like this today?"
"I always dress like this when I come to rehearsals and performances."
Ye Manzhi wore a pink printed cheongsam, but she usually only had one pigtail. But today she asked her fourth sister-in-law to braid her hair into two pigtails.
Fourth sister-in-law’s makeup skills are not very good, but she is good at combing hair. She learned this hairstyle from Zheng Dongmei.
It was the first time for Ye Manzhi to wear her hair in a bun like this. She asked anxiously and expectantly, "Does this look good on me?"
Wu Zhengrong would not beat around the bush on such matters and always spoke his mind directly.
"It looks good, I'll wear it more often in the future."
Ye Manzhi smiled and took him into the concert hall for rehearsal.
The two of them didn't arrive early, and there were already several members on the stage tuning their instruments.
Ye Manzhi hadn't come to rehearsal for two months. When the president saw her, he walked down the stage to say hello.
"Xiao Ye, why haven't you performed in so long? I thought you were going to quit the club!"
"No, no, I'm working at the neighborhood office. There have been too many activities at work lately, so I can't spare the time for now."
President Li confirmed with her, "Then you can guarantee your attendance rate from now on, right? We only have two pipa players here, and you can't miss them all the time!"
Ye Manzhi smiled and promised that she would try her best to attend in the future.
"Well," President Li turned his gaze to the tall man next to her, "Who is this?"
Since Ye Manzhi dared to bring Wu Zhengrong to the concert, he must have already thought of an excuse.
"This is my brother."
Wu Zhengrong: “…”
"Oh, oh, oh," President Li took the initiative to extend his hand to greet, "Xiao Ye's brother, right? I always saw Xiao Ye's fifth brother before, but this is the first time I see you here. Your family is really more energetic than the other!"
Xiao Ye's family has quite a lot of brothers, two or three of them have come before.
The third and fifth brothers are considered handsome, but I didn’t expect that the new brother is even more handsome.
Wu Zhengrong glanced at the girl with a frank expression, then reached out and shook hands with President Li.
The words of introducing oneself were also blocked from his mouth.
Ye Manzhi winked at him mischievously and asked with a smile, "President, is this brother more energetic than my fifth brother?"
"Well, you're quite spirited! You look like a cultured person," President Li said with the most convincing compliment. "You two are obviously from the same family!"
"Haha, President, I'll go get ready first."
Ye Manzhi no longer made things difficult for the two people in front of him and took Wu Zhengrong to the backstage of the concert hall.
However, as soon as the two of them disappeared behind the curtain, Wu Zhengrong grabbed her wrist and looked up, asking, "What's wrong?"
Wu Zhengrong leaned close to her and asked in a voice only they could hear: "Ye Lai Ya, how am I your brother?"
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