Siheyuan: Starting from 1958

No matter how Xiaodang and Kuihua complained, the fact that Yi Zhonghai was fired by the steel mill was a fact that no one could change, and the two could only accept the result of losing their jobs.

Seeing the frustrated expressions on the faces of her two daughters, Qin Huairu didn't expect that tonight's welcoming party would end with such a result.

But she had no choice but to force a smile and say, "It's okay, Xiaodang..."

"If you can't find a job for the time being, just rest at home for a while."

"You have suffered in the countryside for so long. Now that you have finally returned to the city, you should have a good rest..."

"I'll ask around for you when I go to the street to get matchboxes these days."

"Although the city is full of educated youth, you two have received education. Although you didn't finish high school, you have graduated from junior high school. It will definitely be easier for you to find a job than many people."

…………

Wang Dongjia’s family in the front yard.

Upon hearing the news that many educated youth had returned to the city from the courtyard, Wang Dong immediately turned his attention to his sister-in-law Chen Li.

He smiled and asked his wife: "Wife..."

"I remember Chen Li had good grades when she was in high school..."

"You seemed to have said that if he had been able to take the college entrance exam, with his grades, he would have no problem getting into a good university in Beijing."

Before his daughter-in-law Chen Jun opened her mouth, his sister-in-law Chen Li replied proudly: "Brother-in-law, I'm not bragging..."

"There were more than 400 students in our school back then, and my test scores were always among the top three in the school."

"My homeroom teacher said I would definitely be admitted to university..."

"But I don't know what happened later, I was not allowed to take the college entrance examination..."

"But luckily you found me a job at the steel mill, otherwise I would have gone to the countryside to become an educated youth like many of my classmates..."

"You don't know, I just heard from my classmates today..."

"Five of my high school classmates got married in the countryside after going to work. Some of them became sons-in-law of other families, and some became daughters-in-law of other families."

"This time, the educated youth who returned to the city were not included in the list because they had already married locally."

Wang Dong calmly replied, "This is not surprising. To be honest, I can understand them."

“The countryside is different from the city.”

"In many places, even the locals can't get enough food, let alone the educated youth who have never done farm work."

"After going to the countryside, they certainly cannot earn as many work points as the locals, and they also cannot get as much grain as the locals."

"The educated youth who were in better conditions could still rely on their families for support, and they would send some money from time to time so that they could find ways to buy some food."

"The educated youth who lived in worse conditions could only starve in their local area."

"If there is really no other choice, either starve to death or marry a local."

"But in this case, they have no hope of returning to Sijiu City, after all, their Sijiu City household registration has been transferred to the local household registration."

After finishing speaking, he turned his gaze to his sister-in-law again: "Little sister..."

"Since you did so well in high school..."

"Then do you still want to take the college entrance examination and go to college..."

"Of course I do..." Chen Li answered without thinking.

"My biggest regret is that I never went to college...but now you can only go to college by recommendation. I have graduated for many years, so even if I want to go to college, I don't think there is much hope."

Wang Dong continued: "If you want to go to college, there is actually an opportunity now."

"I received news that the country will restart the college entrance examination this year. The specific information has not been revealed yet, but rumors have spread." "I asked some leaders and it shouldn't be a problem."

"As long as you are a high school or middle school graduate, you can participate. Even if you got married or had children during your time in the countryside, as long as you have no problems with the political review, you can still take the college entrance examination."

"Since your grades are so good, you can definitely join us. Then we'll have two college students in our family."

Chen Li was moved after hearing this, but she did not respond immediately. Instead, she hesitated for two seconds before speaking: "Brother-in-law..."

“If I get into college, what will happen to my job at the steel mill?”

"I have finally become the deputy director of the Finance Department. It would be a shame if I lose my job just like that."

"Even if I graduate from university and return to the steel mill in the future, I will have to start as an intern..."

"Forget it. I am now a deputy section-level cadre in the steel mill..."

Wang Dong interrupted directly: "I can arrange for you to take a leave of absence from work..."

"If you really have the ability to go to university, then you should definitely go."

“There’s still a big difference between graduating from college and graduating from high school.”

"If you graduate from high school, no matter how hard you work, it will take you five or six years to move up a level."

“It’s different after you graduate from college.”

"There are only a few college graduates in the entire steel mill. If everything goes well, you can be promoted to the next level in two or three years."

"If you apply for unpaid leave, and you return to the steel mill after graduating from university, you can directly join the company as a deputy section chief."

Father-in-law Chen Dehui also showed an expectant expression on his face. He looked at Wang Dong and asked seriously: "Dongzi..."

"My little sister, can you really take a leave of absence from the steel mill to take the college entrance examination..."

"The news you heard about the college entrance exam is definitely correct."

Wang Dong answered confidently: "Absolutely no problem..."

"If you are worried about accidents, you can secretly review at home and continue to work at the steel mill during the day."

"When he's almost done with his review and the news of the resumption of the college entrance examination spreads, I'll arrange for him to take unpaid leave."

"Now the city is full of educated youth returning to the city, and there is a great shortage of jobs."

"If my younger sister applies for unpaid leave, the Finance Department can recruit one more person from outside, and no factory leader will refuse."

"As for how my little sister will return to the steel mill four years later, that is a matter for the future."

"Perhaps my younger sister will become an official directly after graduating from university and will not look down upon the steel mill."

"But no matter which path I choose, my deputy section chief rank will not be affected."

After hearing this, the father-in-law replied firmly: "If there is a chance to get into college, then we must go. Your brother-in-law will decide this matter."

"After graduating from university, I can not only return to the steel mill, but also work in the government sector. Then I will have more choices."

"If I hadn't gone to this university, I would have had to stay in the steel mill for the rest of my life. No matter how hard I worked, I would probably have been promoted to deputy director level at best."

"If I go to college, my future will be limitless."

Daughter-in-law Chen Jun followed up: "Little sister..."

"There is nothing wrong with what your brother-in-law said..."

“It’s true that you can get promoted faster in a steel mill after graduating from college.”

"Although I have just taken over the Technical Department and have been promoted to the Chief of the Technical Department, based on my understanding of my superiors, I will be promoted to the Deputy Director of the Production Department in two years at the latest, so I also support you to take the college entrance examination." (End of this chapter)