Chapter 191

Xu Wen shook his head, "It may be difficult to do for the time being."

In addition to communication, video calls also require cameras.

Today's photography technology is still based on film, and even color photos are rare.

Cameras are pretty big, but if you want to record videos, you have to at least make the camera digital.

Moreover, cameras are not like mobile phones. Mobile phones are gradually becoming a necessity, but cameras are not.

Xu Wen was worried that he wouldn't be able to find sponsors.

Like mobile phones, three big guys are fighting for them, that’s the necessity of mobile phones.

The R&D department does more than just research and development; research and development also costs money.

I cannot answer these questions for the time being.

Lu Yuanzheng just said it casually and sighed.

Xu Wen also missed him: "When will you come back?"

"It's hard to say. At the moment, it looks like I can go back on time, probably in time for your due date. Are you okay? Are they bothering you?"

"It's okay now, but I'm afraid it will be very uncomfortable in a while! My belly is much bigger than when I was pregnant with the beginning of summer. So ugly!"

"How could that be! You will always be the most beautiful in my eyes."

"Humph! Do you dare to complain? Don't forget whose child is in my belly!"

"I dare not. Mine." Lu Yuanzheng paused, "I won't mind if you don't have children. I won't like you enough!"

Xu Wen asked, "What's wrong with you today?"

The sweet talk is a bit unlike the style of the long journey.

"Nothing, I just missed you after being apart for so long."

Xu Wen felt that something was wrong with Lu Yuanzheng, "Are you injured?"

"No, don't think about it."

Xu Wen couldn't see it, Lu Yuanzheng denied it, and she didn't know what was going on. The two of them said a few words, and Lu Yuanzheng hung up the phone for fear of delaying her dinner.

"This cell phone is really convenient!" Zhu Meizhen chatted with Xu Wen when he came back from the yard, "We can contact him wherever we go."

Xu Wen hummed and stroked the fuselage without saying anything.

"What's wrong?" Zhu Meizhen saw Xu Wen frowning and his expression was not right.

Xu Wen shook his head, "It's okay."

Maybe she was overthinking it.

People are like this sometimes: nothing is wrong at first, but they start to think in a bad direction, and then they feel that something bad will happen, and they become restless unless the thing is confirmed.

When Xu Wenhui wanted to rescue Wang Xiuxiu, did Lu Yuanzheng call her because he wanted to tell her something? But he didn't say anything because she was busy?

The more I thought about it, the more upset I became, and finally I couldn't sleep.

Xu Wen let out a long breath and forced himself to think of something else.

After thinking about it, the only thing I can do to pass the time is work at the factory.

Most of the female workers are in their prime and it is time for them to fall in love.

If these people were in their hometown, matchmakers would have lined up to propose marriage to them.

I followed her to work at Rainbow Island, and was busy in the production workshop every day at such a young age.

In my spare time, I can just stroll along the beach or take a boat ride.

Although it is convenient, it still takes one or two hours to get to Pengcheng. It is closer to the Central Island, but there is not much space to visit.

When shopping, they always have to buy things, but they are reluctant to spend money.

When we first arrived on the island, we were all very interested in the sea. After work, we ran to the beach to play in the water, play games, and pick up shells.

After a long time, the novelty wore off and I didn’t want to go to the beach under the scorching sun anymore.

There is a reading room and an entertainment room in the factory, but only a few people actually go there to read or play.

Besides, the female workers need to be taught a lesson and not to be so easily fooled.

In addition, if they can find a reliable partner, they don’t have to worry about being cheated.

Xu Wen lay back on the pillow, yawned, and tried to fall asleep while he was feeling sleepy.

When I was about to fall asleep, I suddenly remembered that so many single soldiers are also worried about finding a partner!

How about organizing a social?!

Xu Wen is a man of action. He will put his ideas into action once he has them.

She went to find Shi Lei first, and Shi Lei asked the Propaganda Department to cooperate with Xu Wen to organize a military-civilian liaison.

Xu Wen has never been to a serious blind date and has no experience.

But the people in the Propaganda Department had experience, and by coincidence, after Ding Yufeng had finished her interview at Central Island, she stopped by to thank Xu Wen for cooperating with the interview last time, and she also brought some small gifts to Xu Wen.

After she heard that Xu Wen was going to organize a social gathering, she was particularly active and offered to help.

"Trust me! I often write articles about military-civilian relations and have witnessed it several times. I have plenty of experience!"

Seeing Ding Yufeng's confident look, Xu Wen couldn't help but believe it.

A few people gathered together to briefly discuss the procedures of the military-civilian liaison meeting.

The first step is to let female comrades of appropriate age have a preliminary understanding of the soldiers.

First impressions matter.

Xu Wen’s suggestion is that it would be best to let the girls see the soldiers’ plus side first.

When is the most handsome time for a soldier?

Ding Yufeng: "Go to the battlefield and kill the enemy?"

Xu asked: "..."

"How brave you are to have a blind date during a war?"

Ding Yufeng was just joking, "How about we let our soldiers teach your female workers how to tidy up their houses?"

Xu asked: "..."

She took a deep breath and asked Ding Yufeng doubtfully, "Are you sure you have really participated in many military-civilian liaisons?"

What kind of crazy idea is this?

Which woman would be willing to have a blind date with a man in her own dormitory?

And you still want the other person to teach you how to fold the quilt and arrange your personal belongings?

No woman would think a man is handsome at this time. They would just want to die, and it would be best if they could disappear on the spot.

Either the other person disappears or you disappear.

Ding Yufeng coughed lightly, her eyes somewhat guilty, "I really participated."

But not many times, just one or two times.

Xu Wen understood. This guy really looked lively, but don't expect him to help.

It was the camp staff who came up with the idea: "How about letting the girls come and visit our internal affairs?"

Ding Yufeng curled her lips and said, "What is there to see in your class? They are all the same."

The same bedding, the same toiletries, the same quilt, and no trace of any individual in the entire dormitory.

It was only after becoming a military wife that Xu Wen realized that classes in the army were different from classes in school.

A squad in the army is a dormitory, and everyone eats, lives, and works together.

Xu Wen retorted to Ding Yufeng, "You must have seen enough of it every day! But ordinary people rarely see it. Seeing such neat internal affairs, they must think the warriors are amazing!"

"It would be better to watch them train! They are also neat and orderly, and can show the heroic spirit of our warriors."

The people at the camp were also very discerning and said quickly, "We can arrange both."

The first step in the military-civilian liaison was thus established.

First, visit the camp, including the housekeeping and soldiers' training. Of course, you can't go to the military restricted area.

The second step is introductions to each other.

I have to introduce myself.

The third step is of course playing games.

After discussing, we selected some small games that were highly interactive and harmless.

The last part is the confession.

We must give everyone a chance to express their affection to the comrades or fighters they like.

…

All in all, the whole process went smoothly.

At the end, Xu Wen suddenly remembered another question.

Most of the female workers in the factory were brought by her from Wei Zhuang.

Girls' parents are unlikely to allow them to marry far away.

The most likely choice is still the same province or even the same city.

Ding Yufeng rolled her eyes and said, "Then why are you still bothering yourself? In this small place, you want to find someone from the same city? I guess you can't find more than three or five people in a city."

Thus, the meeting, which was almost over, was aborted.

Xu Wen had never thought about this problem before because transportation will be very convenient in the future and everyone will go to school in cities far away from home, so it will be natural to find a partner.

But in 1982, trains had not yet been speeded up and airplanes were still under military control.

For someone like Wei Zhuang, the longest distance her parents could accept was that their daughter's in-laws were not in the same county. Any farther than that would be unacceptable.

After a while, Xu Wen invited Ding Yufeng to his home.

Ding Yufeng originally came to see Xu Wen, so she didn't bother to be polite with her and followed her back to the family building.

"Wow! Your decoration is great!" Ding Yufeng exclaimed.

She didn't know much about decoration, so she couldn't say what was good about it. The decoration seemed simple, not as extravagant as in rich people's houses.

The furniture styles are simple, but they look exquisite and comfortable.

"Is this your work?" Ding Yufeng asked.

Xu Wen nodded and shook his head, "I made some requests, and Lu Yuanzheng and my dad did the renovation."

She opened the refrigerator, took out the freshly made kumquat lemon passion fruit tea, poured a cup for herself and Ding Yufeng, and took out two small cakes.

Ding Yufeng took a sip and said, "Wow! It's so delicious!"

After praising Xu Wen, he clicked his tongue again, "Boss Xu is living a good life!"

Xu Wen laughed: "Don't be so exaggerated! I just invited you to have a drink, not to eat delicacies, why are you so surprised?"

"It's not about what you eat or drink. It's about you being an interesting person."

"What do you mean?"

Ding Yufeng tilted her head and thought for a moment, then smiled. "It's strange. I'm a reporter who can write, shoot, and speak, but I don't know how to organize the words to describe you! Anyway, I feel very comfortable with you."

Xu Wen raised his eyebrows in surprise, "This is the most unique compliment I have ever heard."

Nine out of ten people would compliment her on how pretty she is.

Most of the rest would praise her for her knowledge and good manners.

This is the first time I've heard that it's comfortable to get along with her.

"Really." Ding Yufeng's eyes were full of sincerity, "You have a kind of aura that can make people calm down."

Xu Wen didn't say anything, she felt that Ding Yufeng might not have finished speaking.

"To be honest, I am a person who gets easily irritated due to my own reasons. But when I am with you, I can calm down just by looking into your eyes. I feel much happier just by talking to you. You are a very interesting person. You speak in a gentle and quiet manner, and you don't seem to be competitive. Whether you have money or not, you always seem to be able to make yourself feel very comfortable."

When Ding Yufeng met Xu Wen for the first time, Rainbow Island was full of tents.

Most men would want to escape from this isolated island to some extent because they are too depressed.

But Xu Wen didn't.

She didn't complain or make a fuss.

There was a shortage of supplies on the island, so she found ways to improve her life, such as making ice and generating electricity.

It's okay, take your son to sit on the beach and sunbathe.

Seeing that everyone is bored, why bother with the surfboard?

Just like now, after the female worker got into an accident, they are arranging blind dates for them.

Xu Wen never avoids problems, and is never in a hurry to solve them. Ding Yufeng even feels that in Xu Wen's eyes, the problem is not a problem at all.

Those officers and soldiers with extremely strong psychological qualities would develop negative emotions after being trapped on this isolated island for a long time, which led to the subsequent rotation of guards.

Miraculously, Xu Wen did not have such emotions and she lived a pastoral life on the island.

And, that's just the beginning.

The reason why the archipelago is called an archipelago is that there are dozens of islands or reefs of varying sizes in this sea area, some of which are connected together, while others are independently scattered. Rainbow Island in particular can basically be called an isolated island.

When the first group of soldiers landed, Rainbow Island was the worst, most remote and most desolate island in the archipelago, except for the small reefs that could not guarantee normal human survival.

Four years later, Rainbow Island has become the most popular island in the archipelago with the best living conditions.

And all this was thanks to the woman sitting opposite her named Xu Wen.

The most amazing thing is that, apart from those close to her, no one would associate all this with her.

She is extremely low-key, pushing the hard work onto others and not keeping all the money to herself.

Anyway, Ding Yufeng didn't know how to describe it.

Out of curiosity and wanting to interview Xu Wen, she followed Xu Wen for a long time, following his lead, a fine tradition of a journalist.

I found that Xu Wen was a person whom I wanted to get to know more the more I got to know him.

When I am with her, I won’t feel anxious and will slowly enjoy life.

Moreover, I followed her footsteps and lived a good life without realizing it.

Xu Wen didn't know that Ding Yufeng thought so highly of him. When he heard her say that she was easily emotionally irritable, he remembered that she had also been in a mental rehabilitation hospital. He asked with concern, "Are you still often irritable now?"

As a senior journalist, Ding Yufeng sensed Xu Wen's probing and asked in surprise, "You know everything about me?"

Xu asked hesitantly.

Ding Yufeng smiled, "Lu Yuanzheng said that, right? You don't have to be so cautious, I'm fine now!"

"That's good." Xu Wen breathed a sigh of relief.

But I also know in my heart that maybe medical student Ding Yufeng has recovered, but in fact she has not yet recovered, otherwise she would not have said a word about the past.

"Then would you like to consider joining our social gathering?" Xu asked tentatively.

Ding Yufeng waved his hands repeatedly, "I can't do that! Besides, I'm just a soldier. If I want to find a comrade-in-arms as a target, why would I go to such lengths?"

Xu Wen thought about it and thought that it made sense. "Then I'll introduce you to someone suitable later."

"Okay!" Ding Yufeng agreed very readily.

"What do you think of Luo Zemin?"

Ding Yufeng sipped her drink and coughed uncomfortably. After stabilizing her breathing for a long time, she asked Xu Wen with a smile, "Sister-in-law, are we so anxious?"

I just said I would turn around and introduce her to someone suitable if I found one, and just one second passed and you introduced her?

Xu Wen blinked innocently, "It just occurred to me. You've also met Luo Zemin, the guy who makes printers. He's now a famous foreign businessman in our province!"

Ding Yufeng wiped her mouth and said, "Yes, I have seen her several times. Now that you mentioned it, I suddenly have an idea. How about this, sister-in-law, I will go back and apply, and then our publicity department will cooperate with the local authorities to select some reliable young women of appropriate age from the local authorities to come to Caihong Island to participate in the social gathering. This way, there will be girls from all over the place, and everyone will have more room to choose!"

Xu Wen knew that she didn't want to find a partner at the moment when she changed the subject. To put it bluntly, she was still trapped in her inner demons. So he didn't say anything more and followed Ding Yufeng's words, "Your idea is not bad! Thank you for your trouble, reporter Ding!"

"Sister-in-law, you are too polite! I should be the one thanking you! You don't know how popular your interview was after it was published in the military newspaper! If you hadn't repeatedly asked not to leave your contact information, you would have been drowned in envelopes by now."

Ding Yufeng was carrying a large backpack. As she spoke, she took the backpack, opened it, and took out a thick stack of letters from it.

Xu Wen took it, and Ding Yufeng took out another thick stack.

When Ding Yufeng finished taking out her things, her backpack sagged visibly.

Xu asked: "..."

She always thought that Ding Yufeng was carrying a camera.

"These are letters from your sisters-in-law or warriors. Since you have directly expressed that you do not want to receive them, all the letters to you have been forwarded to our publicity department.

Oh, this is just a part of it. There are many more, I can't recite them all. Whenever you want to see them, just let me know and I'll have someone bring them to you."

Ding Yufeng is in Haicheng. Although it is not close to Rainbow Island, it is relatively close.

"Sorry to trouble you." Xu Wen thanked him.

The two chatted for a while. Ding Yufeng saw that Xu Wen looked tired. She knew that Xu Wen was pregnant and needed more rest, so she spontaneously suggested leaving.

"Sister-in-law, don't send me off! See you on Valentine's Day."

In the blink of an eye, it was the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the day when the Cowherd met the Weaving Girl in legend.

It was also the day when the first military-civilian liaison meeting was held on Rainbow Island.

Xu Wen and Luo Zemin each brought their own female workers of appropriate age who did not need to work, while Ding Yufeng brought young women of appropriate age from other places, and they all arrived at the camp headquarters.

Before the party starts, there must be a speech.

As the initiator, Xu Wen will definitely need to say a few words about this part.

After the conversation, she no longer accompanied everyone when they set out for the tour.

The feeling of having two children is really different from the feeling of having a baby in the early summer. I get tired very easily and feel very exhausted mentally.

The social gathering won’t end until the afternoon, and Xu Wenke can’t attend the entire thing.

Everyone will have lunch at the camp headquarters at noon.

Xu Wen decided to go home and take a nap and come back in the afternoon.

The view from the upstairs family building is very good, and Xu Wen can still see the main force while sitting on a recliner.

The officers and soldiers were all dressed in green, and the girls who came to the social gathering were all dressed up beautifully.

Xu Wen: From this angle you can see the training ground.

Normally, the soldiers train seriously enough, but today they were extra serious and dedicated, and their slogans were especially loud.

The attracted girls kept exclaiming and their favorability towards me doubled.

Xu Wen watched and fell asleep in a daze.

I was woken up by the ringing of my cell phone again.

The person who called was Lu Yuanzheng.

Hearing Xu Wen's voice was a little hazy, Lu Yuanzheng asked: "Did I disturb your sleep?"

"No!" She looked outside and saw that the soldiers and girls were gone. "Today is not a good day to sleep in. We should hold more social gatherings!"

"You're almost becoming a professional matchmaker again."

"No! I didn't care much about it. This time it was Ding Yufeng who arranged it."

"How did you get together with her? She came to send me something. Last time I accepted an interview with her, and then many people wrote to me. She brought me a bag full of letters!"

"It proves that my wife is popular!"

Xu Wen was amused by him and laughed so hard that his eyelids twitched.

"My left eyelid twitches for wealth, my right eyelid twitches for disaster." Xu Wen covered his right eyelid which suddenly twitched, and then he remembered something and asked Lu Yuanzheng, "Comrade Lu Yuanzheng, are you okay out there? Are you not injured or anything?"

Lu Yuanzheng answered straightforwardly, "Really not! But I called today because I did have something to tell you."

"Um?"

"I'll probably be gone for a few days, don't worry."

"What do you mean?"

"Literally. There's a small mission with a high level of confidentiality, so it's inappropriate to contact you again."

"Then you must pay attention to safety!" Xu Wen instructed.

In fact, Xu Wen knew that in the early 1980s, there was no rule prohibiting the use of mobile phones for phone calls because mobile phones were not yet popular.

Lu Yuanzheng's decision to cut off contact was purely a matter of professional ethics. In addition, it meant that the mission was extremely risky.

After hanging up the phone, Xu Wen's eyelids were still twitching, making her anxious and unable to sleep. She simply changed her clothes and went out, wanting to play with Xiao Xiachu.

When I went downstairs, I saw Lou Jiayi riding on the wall being taken away by the sentry.

When Lou Jiayi jumped down, she also saw Xu Wen and pointed at him and said to the sentry: "I didn't lie to you. I'm just looking for someone! I'm looking for her!"

Xu asked: "..."

Xu Wen had no choice but to go over and ask, "What's going on?"

"Hello, sister-in-law." The sentries all knew her and explained, "We saw her climbing the wall of the camp and came here to arrest someone."

Lou Jiayi said hurriedly, "I have no ill intentions. I just wanted to come and see you. I went to the gate first according to etiquette, but the sentry wouldn't let me in, so I had no choice but to do this."

"This is a military base. No entry allowed!" the sentry said sternly.

Xu Wen had a headache and asked the sentry: "She is really my friend. What should we do according to the rules?"

The sentry pursed his lips. As usual, he had to be interrogated to prevent spies.

However, there were few strangers on this island, and they discovered Lou Jiayi as soon as she climbed up the wall, and were unable to get in, so it was considered an attempted crime.

The sentry thought for a moment and asked Xu, "I need to report this to our leader."

So they reported it layer by layer until it reached Shi Lei.

Shi Lei found out the whole story, gave Lou Jiayi a lecture, and then asked Xu Wen to take her away.

Xu Wen asked Lou Jiayi to wait on the side and called Shi Lei aside: "You don't have to worry about me. Just do it the way it should be done!"

If Shi Lei let them off because of him, and if there really were spies among these fishermen, Xu Wen would be guilty of a serious crime.

After all, they were all rescued from the high seas.

Shi Lei smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, don't worry. They have passed all the political review. They are just ordinary fishermen. For someone like Lou Jiayi, she just climbed the wall and didn't mean any harm. We can't force her to confess. It's just a small matter, don't take it to heart."

After hearing what Shi Lei said, Xu Wen felt relieved and left with Lou Jiayi.

"Come to see me, what's the matter?"

"It's my birthday today! Can you come to my house for dinner tonight?"

"Ah?" Xu Wen was stunned for a moment, then said, "Happy birthday!"

"Thank you! Sister Wenwen, can you come?" Lou Jiayi looked at Xu Wen with bright eyes, full of anticipation.

Xu Wen nodded, "Okay."

In the evening, Xu Wen took Xia Chu to attend Lou Jiayi's birthday banquet.

She brought a cake she made herself, a piece of meat, and a red envelope.

The reason for bringing meat is that these fishermen don't like to go out very much. In addition to the vegetables they grow themselves, they usually eat fish.

Xu Wen wanted to change the taste of their family.

Lou Jiayi welcomed Xu Wen into the house.

The little girl is dressed very festively today, wearing their national costume, and she looks very happy.

In Lou's family, children's birthdays are not celebrated with a big banquet, but there is an extra dish of red eggs.

It's similar to the red egg Wei Zhuang used during her confinement period.

Lou Jiayi's mother is no longer with us, and there are only her father, two brothers and herself at home.

Seeing that Xu Wen was a female guest, Father Lou Xiangsheng was afraid that he would not be able to take good care of her, so he specially called the clan leader's wife over to accompany Xu Wen.

Lou Jiayi especially likes the cake Xu Wen sent.

Xu Wen's family now has more and more complete equipment. It is no longer the difficult days when a clay stove was used as an oven. The cakes they make now are becoming more and more exquisite.

I also bought some packaging boxes from a cake shop in Pengcheng, and this packaging looks very similar.

Lou Jiayi made a wish according to Xu Wen's instructions, blew out the candles, and cut the cake into small pieces and distributed them to everyone.

As expected, a table full of seafood and seasonal vegetables would be considered a feast in some inland cities a few decades later.

Many precious seafoods are now daily food on the island.

Xu Wen likes seafood very much, mainly because the seafood cooked by Lou Shujie is delicious.

I heard from Lou Jiayi that the best cook in their family is Lou Shujie, especially the one who prepares seafood.

Xia Chu also liked it very much, and Xu Wen peeled some shrimps for her.

Although Luo Xiangqin came to accompany Xu Wen, the two of them rarely communicated.

The reason is simple: Luo Xiangqin doesn't speak Cantonese.

The relationship between the two people is that Xu Wen cannot understand what Luo Xiangqin says, but Luo Xiangqin can understand what Xu Wen says. The two people are communicating in a one-way manner, so of course they cannot communicate.

It was the three siblings, Lou Jiayi, who talked to Xu Wen more.

Lou Jiayi was especially happy and chattered, and rushed to Xu Wen's house to get some food.

Xu Wen teased her: "There is a saying that goes 'If someone is nice to someone without any reason, he is either a traitor or a thief'. It means that if someone is nice to someone without any reason, he must have some other intention. You are so nice to me all of a sudden, I am scared!"

She was just teasing the little girl, but who knew that Lou Jiayi shook her head and said, "I'm not a traitor or a thief, but I really need your help."

Xu asked: "..."

She put the peeled shrimp into a plate and let Xia Chu eat it by herself, then turned her head.

Seeing that Lou Jiayi was serious, Xu Wen asked curiously, "Tell me about it."

"I would like you to help me continue my studies."

Lou Jiayi was already twelve years old when she came to the island, so it was impossible for her to start from the first grade. In addition, Song Baoying had given her a pre-school test and found that Lou Jiayi's level was basically around the fourth grade, so she started studying with the fourth graders.

At first, the Lou family did not agree with any of their children going to school, regardless of age.

It was Lu Yuanzheng who semi-forced them to send their children to school.

In the past, the reason why children were not allowed to go to school was because the family was poor and had no money. Now that the island has waived the children's tuition fees, opened the fishing grounds to them, and allocated houses and land, it is not appropriate to not let children go to school.

As the saying goes, one should be grateful to those who have benefited from him, and the clan leader and his wife could not think of any reason to refute it, so they agreed.

However, many children drop out of school after just a few days because they cannot understand the language and cannot keep up.

They have been speaking minority languages ​​since childhood, so it was difficult for them to adapt to suddenly speaking only Mandarin.

It's okay if they just listen, but the knowledge in the main textbooks is all in Chinese characters, which is particularly difficult for them to accept.

Later, Lu Yuanzheng hired a teacher from the central island who could speak their ethnic language, and the child stopped making a fuss and dropping out of school.

But, this refers to younger people, such as first or second grade students.

There were not many people of Lou Jiayi's age who went to school. Even if they did, they were transfer students and had to attend classes with other classmates. There was no teacher who could speak the ethnic language to guide them.

There were originally four transfer students from the third, fourth and fifth grades, but now only Lou Jiayi is left.

This little girl is very tenacious. Whenever she doesn't understand something, she asks. She asks her teacher, her classmates, and her older brother when she gets home. Sometimes she will also ask Xu Wen when she meets him.

In just half a year, we moved from last to middle.

Now I am one of the top students in my class, but my elementary school career is over.

However, after the typhoon, the newly built school also built a junior high school department.

The elementary and junior high schools on the island follow the May Fourth system.

Elementary school is five years and junior high school is four years.

It’s just that it’s not yet nine years of compulsory education.

In the past, primary school on Rainbow Island was free as a benefit for officers and soldiers. Later, after the fishermen arrived on the island, most of them were so poor that they could not even make ends meet, so they also received free education.

But junior high school still charges tuition.

There are more and more people on the island now, and there are more and more teachers and students in the school. Especially with some current economic changes, the financial pressure on the institutions is very great, so junior high school can no longer be free.

Xu Wen subconsciously looked at Lou Xiangsheng.

Lou Xiangsheng glared at Lou Jiayi and said, "You are just a girl, it's enough for you to be able to write and read your own name!"

Then he turned to Xu Wen, "Comrade Xu, it's not that I, as a father, am cruel. We have just settled down on Rainbow Island and our family has not made much money. My eldest son..." He raised his head and gestured to Lou Shujie, "is already engaged. He needs to pay a dowry and marry a girl, all of which cost money. I don't have any spare money to support my daughter's education."

Lou Xiangsheng didn't speak Cantonese very well, so these were translated for Xu Wen by Lou Shuwei.

Because Lou Jiayi was in a bad mood, she didn't have time to serve as an interpreter for Xu Wen.

Lou Shujie raised his head and said a few words. Lou Xiangsheng looked unhappy. It was obvious that the father and son were arguing.

Xu Wen didn't understand so he looked at Lou Shuwei.

Lou Shuwei curled his lips, "My brother said that he would figure out the betrothal gift and marriage himself, and wanted Dad to continue to support my sister's schooling. Dad disagreed, saying that we have done our best and that this little income is only enough for him to get married, and if there is any extra money..."

Lou Shuwei sighed softly, "Give me money to marry a wife."

After Lou Shuwei finished translating, he also shouted a few words to Lou Xiangsheng.

This time no one helped Xu Wen translate, but Xu Wen could probably guess that Lou Shuwei should also say that Lou Xiangsheng didn't need to take care of him and just let Lou Jiayi continue to go to school.

Luo Xiangsheng was very angry when he saw his two sons like this.

Luo Xiangqin also looked unhappy. He stood up and muttered something.

The father and his two sons all lowered their heads.

Luo Xiangqin said a few more words to Lou Jiayi, who then burst into tears, suddenly stood up, overturned the table, and ran out.

Xu asked: "..."

Why did she come to eat this meal?

Awkward.

She didn't understand even though I tried to stop the fight.

But Xu Wen didn't want to stay here, so he picked up Xia Chu and chased after him.

Lou Jiayi had nowhere to go, so she ran to the beach and stopped.

Xu Wen put Xia Chu on the beach and let her play with the sand. He stood up and handed a tissue to Lou Jiayi.

The paper towels are produced in Xu Wen’s factory. They are newly launched and are high-end.

After Lou Jiayi had cried enough, Xu Wen finally spoke: "If you want to go to school, crying and losing your temper won't solve the problem."

Lou Jiayi turned around and looked at Xu Wen, her eyes red and swollen, "Sister Wen, what should I do?"

"I have two ideas. First, the seafood your eldest brother cooks is really delicious. If he is willing, I can help him open a seafood restaurant. The income from doing business may be higher than that from you fishermen. He should be able to earn enough for the bride price. This will ease the financial pressure on your family and maybe even allow you to continue your schooling."

Lou Jiayi curled her lips, "But I can't make money in just one or two months by running a restaurant, right? Even if I can make money, my father won't support me. Doesn't my second brother have to get married?! What's the second solution?"

"The second way is a deal between us. I will support you to go to school until you fail the entrance exam, and then you can come to work for me. If you can get into high school, I will support you until you get into high school. If you can get into college, I will support you until you get into college. If you can get a doctorate, I will support you until you get a doctorate. But, after you graduate, you must first come to work for me to pay off your debts."

"I choose the second one!" Lou Jiayi nodded without thinking.

Xu Wen shook his head: "You have to think about it carefully! It's fine if you only go to high school, but if you go to college, you will be assigned a job after graduation. That means you have to give up the job assigned by the state!"

"I've decided I do!"

"We have to sign a contract for this, and we can't go back on our word in the future."

Lou Jiayi nodded, "I know. I'm willing to follow you."

"Okay! But since you are not yet an adult, your father's signature is still required."

"He will agree too. He doesn't have to pay for it, and I can earn money by working after graduation. Why would he not agree?" Lou Jiayi's eyes were red.

Xu Wen was actually a little curious. Logically speaking, in their Lou family, which was a semi-matriarchal society, girls should have a high status. Why didn't they allow Lou Jiayi to go to school?

However, Lou Jiayi was too young to discuss this issue, so Xu Wen had to swallow his curiosity.

After a while, Lou Shuwei and Lou Shujie came over.

Lou Shujie was older and more stable. When he arrived, he apologized to Xu Wen first, "I'm sorry, you came to celebrate Jiayi's birthday, but it turned out to be so unpleasant. Sorry!"

Xu Wen shook his head, "It doesn't matter."

Lou Shujie lowered his head and said nothing.

Xu asked: ???

What is going on?

Just as she was about to speak, Lou Shujie raised his head again, "Can I ask you for a favor?"

Xu asked: "..."

Does she look like Guanyin Bodhisattva? Can I make a wish or something?

In the spirit of courtesy, Xu Wen said, "Tell me first. I'll do my best to help."

"Can I work in your factory?"

Xu asked, "What?" He didn't expect him to make such a request.

"I can do the job and I have the strength." Lou Shujie thought Xu Wen was going to refuse, so he assured him urgently.

"Don't get excited yet. I believe you can do the job. But the problem is that no one has ever come to work in Xinyue Village. Are you sure your father and your clan leader will agree?"

Lou Shujie thought for a moment before speaking, "I will definitely try my best to convince them."

"I just gave Jiayi two ideas. Why don't you go home and discuss them first. When you can reach a consensus, come back and talk to me!"

Lou Shujie was stunned for a moment, then said, "Thank you!"

"You're welcome!" Xu Wen waved his hand at Lou Jiayi, "Wait until your family has discussed it, then come back to me."