Chapter 24: “i Can Do It”
Bang Bang exclaimed enviously without hiding it on his face, “Third Aunt even took you to watch a movie and eat popsicles. You two boys had a great time today.”
Lai Mei’s attention was on the telephone, grabbing Da Zai’s hand and excitedly asking, “Da Zai, Er Zai, did you touch the telephone? What does the telephone look like?”
Er Zai was eager to express himself, saying, “There was so much shredded pork noodles at the state-run restaurant. My mom, my brother, and I shared one bowl and ate until we were stuffed! The remaining two dishes could only be taken back.”
“The telephone is long, with a small earpiece on each end.” He tried hard to describe it.
Tie Chui asked eagerly, “Er Zai, what movie did you watch?”
“Tunnel War, it was so good! My mom said she’ll take us to watch often in the future.” Er Zai looked proud.
Tie Chui was extremely curious and asked again, “Er Zai, can you tell us about it?”
“Sure.” Er Zai began to tell.
The Gu Family children listened attentively.
Da Zai didn’t stay long, told Gu Mu and went home first. He still needed to help his mom with work.
Gu Mu overheard a bit, returned to the main house, sat on the kang, and said painfully, “Third Son’s Wife must have spent quite a bit on this trip.”
Gu Fu glanced at her, “They’ve separated households.”
“It was going to the state-run restaurant, watching a movie, eating popsicles— at least 5 yuan. How can young people not know how to live frugally? Earning money isn’t easy.” Gu Mu sighed.
Gu Fu repeated, “They’ve separated households.”
Gu Mu glared, “I know they’ve separated households. No need for you to keep reminding me.”
“…” Gu Fu fell silent.
–
The next morning, Lin Zhao went to the brigade headquarters to get a letter of introduction.
The brigade leader wasn’t surprised at all. Seeing her, he knew what it was about, “Getting a letter of introduction?”
“Yes.”
After Lin Zhao said what kind of letter of introduction she needed, the brigade leader’s fountain pen dropped onto the table with a clatter.
He quickly came back to his senses, hurriedly picked it up, checked it distressingly, and only relaxed when he saw it wasn’t broken.
Wait, what did he just hear?
Gu Family’s third daughter-in-law was transferring her grains and oils registration to become a city person?!!
“Supply and Marketing Cooperative?” the brigade leader asked.
Lin Zhao’s eyes held a smile, “Yes.”
“Salesperson?”
“Right.” Lin Zhao nodded affirmatively.
The brigade leader’s expression changed, looking at her eagerly, “The county’s Supply and Marketing Cooperative is recruiting?”
“I haven’t heard.”
The brigade leader was anxious and pressed, “Then how did you get this job?”
Lin Zhao’s smile deepened, her tone rising, “I’m a high school student. What’s so hard about finding a job?”
She wouldn’t get a job for Comrade Gu from his family.
Besides, if she weren’t a high school student, she couldn’t even dream of such a good job.
Of course, most importantly, she also needed connections and luck.
The brigade leader was choked.
“Brigade Leader, can you hurry up? I’m in a rush.” Lin Zhao urged.
Until her grain registration was successfully transferred, she wouldn’t have peace of mind.
She knew that before marriage, her uncle had found her a job, but just half an hour late, and the job was gone.
The brigade leader didn’t dare delay, sat down to write the letter of introduction.
He finished writing in a few strokes and handed it to Lin Zhao.
“You’re about to be the brigade’s only worker. If you hear about any recruitment later, don’t forget to put in a word for us. We won’t let you do it for nothing.”
Lin Zhao took the letter of introduction, glanced at it, confirmed no issues, folded it up, put it away, and smiled, “Of course. I’m from our brigade. Naturally, I’ll think of our brigade for good things.”
The brigade leader wanted to say more when noisy voices came from outside the courtyard.
“I’m leaving first.” Lin Zhao said and left the brigade headquarters office.
Outside, she saw some unfamiliar faces.
These were educated youth who had come to the countryside.
In the original book, educated youth meant trouble. Lin Zhao just glanced faintly and quickened her pace to leave.
“Who’s that?” a newly arrived female educated youth asked. “An educated youth?”
Her clothes, appearance, and skin tone didn’t look like a country person. She looked more like a city girl than city girls.
“Lin Zhao, Gu Family’s daughter-in-law, the one who gave birth to twins and dragon-phoenix twins.” Someone who knew Lin Zhao explained, “She’s a soldier’s wife, with a proud and dramatic temperament. Not to be messed with. Stay away from her.”
The new female educated youth was half-believing, doubting as she didn’t look like it.
After the brigade leader came out, looking at the educated youth who came to find him, a deep furrow appeared between his brows.
“What do you want now?”
The educated youth point’s small captain remembered the main issue and hurriedly said, “Brigade Leader, more educated youth have arrived. The educated youth point doesn’t have enough space. So many people squeezed in one room, can’t even turn over at night. We came to find you, hoping the brigade can help expand a few more rooms.”
The brigade leader already had this plan, “Expansion is possible, but not now.”
“Why?” A newly arrived male educated youth hadn’t suffered in the city, didn’t know about the double harvest rush, felt the brigade leader was brushing them off, and was somewhat dissatisfied.
The brigade leader had seen all kinds of people. How could he not see through his thoughts? He raised his voice, “Let the old educated youth tell you why.”
He dropped the words and ignored these big troubles, going off to handle the double harvest rush.
The brigade leader was heading to the field when he ran into Gu Fu.
“Old Gu, didn’t expect your family to produce another iron rice bowl holder. My dad said you have great fortune, no issues at all.”
Gu Fu was stunned, “Are you talking to me?”
“Who else?” The brigade leader saw his bewildered face and was surprised too, “You don’t know?”
“What should I know?”
The brigade leader said, “Cheng Huai’s wife is becoming a Supply and Marketing Cooperative salesperson. You haven’t heard?!”
Gu Fu’s mind felt smashed by something, extremely bewildered. He opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Gu Mu, “Brigade Leader, what did you say? Da Zai’s mom is becoming a Supply and Marketing Cooperative salesperson?”
“She came to me for a letter of introduction. She’s already gone to the county.” the brigade leader said.
“Oh my!” Gu Mu excitedly slapped her thigh, “She didn’t give any hint at all.”
This was big news. Gu Mu was anxious and trotted off to find Da Zai and Er Zai.
Gu Fu was also curious. That was a job. He said something to the brigade leader and chased after his wife.
The brigade leader understood. For country folk, opportunities to change fate were rare.
Such good news was worth celebrating!
Zhao Liuniang felt unusually fired up inside, looked at Huang Xiulan, and asked, “Eldest Sister-in-Law, do you think this is… real or fake?”
“It should be real.” Huang Xiulan said.
Third Son’s Wife cared about face. She wouldn’t let everyone know unless she was almost certain. Being able to get a letter of introduction meant it was nine out of ten.
“So our family is producing a worker! A Supply and Marketing Cooperative salesperson at that! So glorious!!” Zhao Liuniang said joyfully.
Huang Xiulan clasped her hands together, her heart full of mixed feelings.
Third Son’s Wife was so lucky!
“Too bad they’ve separated households.”
They couldn’t benefit at all, not at all.
The joy on Zhao Liuniang’s face faded slightly, but she was happy again in an instant, “Although we’ve separated households, we’re still family. With Third Son’s Wife working at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, it’ll be convenient for us to buy things.
I heard the Supply and Marketing Cooperative has defective products that don’t need tickets. When the time comes, ask Third Sister-in-Law for help. Maybe she can get some good things for the family.”
Like a water kettle or something.
Huang Xiulan adjusted her mindset and smiled, “You’re right. Third Branch’s good days are Third Branch’s. We won’t envy.”
Zhao Liuniang said, “I do envy. It’s a good job. Who wouldn’t? I envy but I’m not sour. Bang Bang’s dad and I have arms and legs, and we’re diligent. Our days will only get better.”
Huang Xiulan nodded, “You’re right.”
Gu Mu ran to the place where the kids often played, shouting loudly, “Da Zai! Er Zai!”
The two boys heard Grandma’s voice, looked up, their faces that had become half a shade whiter now dotted with mud spots.
Seeing Grandpa and Grandma, they wiped with the backs of their hands and ran toward Gu Mu clomp clomp clomp.
“Grandpa, Grandma, why are you calling me and brother?” Er Zai was afraid Grandma would scold them, grinning cutely at Grandma.
“Your mom is becoming a Supply and Marketing Cooperative salesperson, right?” Gu Mu hurriedly asked.
Er Zai blinked his big eyes and asked back, “How does Grandma know?”
“How else? Your mom went for a letter of introduction. The brigade leader told me and your grandpa.” Gu Mu explained in a few sentences and eagerly asked, “Is your mom becoming a Supply and Marketing Cooperative salesperson? Did you go to the county yesterday to get it done? What exactly happened? Tell me quick, you’re killing me!”
Da Zai had a steady temperament and strong expressive ability, explaining logically, “That job was found with my dad’s help, but it was also because Mom is a high school student that she had the opportunity. Mom went for the exam early today and was afraid of not passing, so she didn’t tell Grandma.”
He even knew to explain for his mom.
Gu Mu said nervously, “There’s still an exam?”
Da Zai nodded, “Yes, there’s an exam. Only if she passes can Mom become a salesperson.”
Gu Mu clasped her hands together, silently muttering something.
Jade Emperor, Queen Mother, please bless Third Son’s Wife to pass the exam!
She didn’t make a sound, but Gu Fu could guess what she was thinking. Seeing no one around, he didn’t spoil it.
After she finished muttering, Gu Fu reminded, “Time to go to work.”
Gu Mu snapped back, rubbed her face, fully awake, “Right right, time to go to work.”
In the field, even working was absent-minded.
Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang wanted to ask but didn’t dare.
On the other side, Gu Xing’er went to gather firewood early in the morning. Carrying a bundle back to the village, she heard people saying Lin Zhao was about to become a Supply and Marketing Cooperative salesperson. The firewood dropped to the ground, and she rushed fiercely to the speaker, eyes blazing.
“What did you say?”
“You’re saying Lin Zhao is becoming a Supply and Marketing Cooperative salesperson?”
The passerby heard her directly calling Sister-in-Law by name and shook his head inwardly. Since it was someone else’s business, he didn’t meddle and pretended not to hear.
“The whole brigade is talking about it. Da Zai’s mom got a letter of introduction and went to the county. Heard she’s taking an exam. After the exam, she’s a proper salesperson.”
As for Lin Zhao failing the exam? No one in Fengshou Brigade even thought of it. She was a high school student, the highest educated in ten miles and eight villages.
If she couldn’t pass, no one could.
Gu Xing’er’s hands clenched into fists, face full of jealousy. She didn’t care about the firewood, rushed home, rummaged through Gu Fu and Gu Mu’s room, found the paper with the military region telephone number, took a yuan, and headed straight to the county.
Sweating all over, she arrived at the post office and, with the staff’s help, dialed the military region telephone.
Gu Chenghuai heard there was a family call and thought it was his wife. His brows relaxed, good mood uncontainable even without expression.
He trotted all the way to answer the phone.
“Third Brother.”
Hearing this, his brows furrowed slightly.
“Yes.” Gu Chenghuai responded faintly, no nonsense, directly asking, “Calling for something?”
“Third Brother, did you get Lin Zhao a job at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative?” Gu Xing’er’s tone was aggressive, somewhat accusatory.
Gu Chenghuai’s gaze cooled, ignoring her question, his cool voice rising.
“I’m not home, and this is how you treat my wife? Calling her name directly, bumping her head with a big lump… Gu Xing’er, you’re really my good sister.”
The disappointment in his words came clearly through the phone line to Gu Xing’er’s ears, “I paid your tuition, living expenses, never shorted you from childhood to now, yet you can’t even tolerate my wife and kids…”
Gu Xing’er instantly lost the will to question. Pale-faced, she panicked, “Third Brother, I didn’t. I didn’t intolerance them.”
“Whether you did, you know.” Gu Chenghuai interrupted her evasion, saying faintly, “Third Branch has separated. As a son, I have the duty to support parents, no obligation to boost my sister. From now on, how you are is up to Dad and Mom. I won’t interfere anymore, lest you be ungrateful.”
Gu Xing’er’s face changed, urgently, “Third Brother, I’m your own sister. You can’t treat me like this!”
“I can.” Gu Chenghuai said coldly.
With that, he hung up.
Gu Xing’er had been raised by Gu Laotai since young. Gu Chenghuai left home at over ten. The siblings’ bond was thin to begin with. Willing to help was just because he earned a lot and wanted to ease the family burden. Since she couldn’t see clearly, better to withdraw.
At marriage, he promised Zhaozhao he would protect her like defending the home and country.
Being a soldier’s wife was hard enough. Gu Xing’er still dared bully people, really thinking he had no temper.
Gu Chenghuai walked back to the dormitory, thinking of his wife being bullied, hiding in the room crying. His insides churned, increasingly dissatisfied with that sister.
Lin Zhao: “…” Cry? She only made others cry!
Gu Chenghuai returned to the dormitory. Sun Yeli was also there.
“Sister-in-Law’s call?” he gossiped.
“No, my sister.” Gu Chenghuai answered.
Three years in the troops, even a sow could outshine Diaochan, let alone Sun Yeli who had been in far longer than three years.
His eyes lit up, “How old is your sister?”
Gu Chenghuai looked at him, eyes puzzled.
“Ahem…” Sun Yeli cleared his throat, smoothed his clothes, smiling eagerly and fawningly, “How do I look? Qualified to be your brother-in-law?”
Gu Chenghuai’s paralyzed face showed disgust, “You’ve had enough good days.”
Sun Yeli wasn’t stupid and naturally heard the implication. He calmly lay down and closed his eyes.
Why is it so hard to get a wife!
Gu Chenghuai kicked his foot, “Can you get a bicycle ticket?”
“You want one?” Sun Yeli asked.
“Nonsense.”
Sun Yeli: “…” Can’t even ask.
“The mouth is for talking and eating.”
“I’ll ask around. Should be able to get one.” Sun Yeli knew many people. For any ticket, find him and it’s guaranteed.
Seeing his confidence, Gu Chenghuai thought and added, “Also need a watch ticket.”
Sun Yeli gritted his teeth: “…Fine.”
Post office.
Gu Xing’er heard the beeping from the other end, panicked, and shouted hoarsely, “Third Brother!!”
Seeing her off, the staff feared she’d smash the phone, took it over, and reminded, “They hung up.”
Finally hung it back.
Gu Xing’er paid, dazedly walked to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative entrance.
Thinking Lin Zhao was about to become a respectable salesperson, her eyes burned with hate, anger surging in her heart.
Her third brother’s connections should have been for her!
