1978: Female educated youth, don’t want an illiterate husband

Chapter 233 Wife, I really didn’t dare to take advantage of your private money!
The manuscript has been submitted to the General Political Department, and all that remains is to wait for its review.

The review requirements in the army are definitely much higher than those for other magazines and newspapers, and Cheng Xuemin can only wait in terms of time.

It is impossible to get the result on the same day as submitting the manuscript to People's Literature.

Moreover, Cheng Xuemin’s wife also said that the male protagonist of this manuscript might be very sensitive.

Fortunately, Feng Jiayou's initial worries were dispelled. Before that, she had only read the beginning and felt that describing those people as cowardly deserters might offend too many people.

However, after reading the whole article, I realized that it was about a soldier in a military unit, and his growth and transformation process from a new recruit to a veteran who had experienced life and death.

My mother-in-law, Feng's mother, also read the whole article and said that the male protagonist chosen by Cheng Xuemin this time was indeed very eye-catching and wonderful, and it was a very good military-themed article.

After leaving the General Political Department, Cheng Xuemin did not go to Renwenshe today, although according to the time, Yanhe Literature would definitely arrive today.

Because if they arrived today, they would definitely need to rest after the long journey so that they can attend the award ceremony to be held in the Great Hall of the People tomorrow.

I didn't go over to disturb him, thinking that I would definitely see him during the meeting tomorrow, and we could have a good reunion after the meeting.

"Xuemin, you are really good at hiding it. The internal feedback from the commendation meeting two days ago has already reached our Yanda University!"

Cheng Xuemin had originally taken a leave of absence to stay at home to take care of Feng Jiayou, as the final exam week at Yanda was approaching. Before leaving, his wife asked him to stop by Yanda to pick up some final exam review materials and bring them back to her.

She has to study at home for the final exam of this semester.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he arrived at the Chinese Department office, the department head, Old Yang, called Cheng Xuemin over and exclaimed.

"Eh? Lao Yang, has the school received the notice?"

Cheng Xuemin was also stunned when he heard this. Will the school be notified internally about this commendation?

Originally, he wanted to keep a low profile, although he knew that the awards of the first-class merit and first-class combat hero medals would definitely help with his rating and evaluation in school.

However, Cheng Xuemin did not have this idea for the time being, and he did not rely on the meager salary paid by the school, so he had never thought of alarming the school.

After all, because this has raised his professional title and salary level, the school will definitely arrange teaching courses for him. Isn't that asking for trouble?

However, Cheng Xuemin's strength does not allow him to keep a low profile. He himself does not want to be so high-profile, but the General Political Department has already sent internal feedback on the commendation to the school unit.

It directly helped Cheng Xuemin to be high-profile for a while.

"I will definitely receive a notification!"

"Xuemin, your current workplace is a specially-appointed lecturer at Yanda University, and you are an official on-the-job teacher. This has been reported to the department for filing, and there are files and establishments that can be checked!"

"You were commended the day before yesterday, and the school received the notification yesterday afternoon. You just arrived at our department this morning!"

"I just found out that Xueminni's visit to the south this time actually made such a big event!"

"A first-class military medal! A first-class combat hero!"

"Xuemin, what on earth did you do on the front line?"

Director Yang couldn't help but be surprised and shocked. When he first received the news from the school's general affairs department, he couldn't believe it. This was the commendation that Cheng Xuemin from their Chinese department received.

Because they are a university, not a military unit!
First-class merit and first-class combat hero, such the highest honors in the army, can never be connected with their school.

Especially the teachers and professors at Yanjing University, almost all of them are intellectuals who are weak and powerless. It might be okay to ask them to write articles, do research, and educate people!

It is simply a fantasy to let them go to the front line to fight the enemy and earn a first-class merit and a first-class combat hero.

But in fact!

There really was such a first-class combat hero standing right in front of him, which really shocked Director Yang.

"This... Director Yang, let's wait for the subsequent decryption. It's really inconvenient for me to say it out loud!"

It was the same question again. Cheng Xuemin didn't know how many times he had encountered it.

This really cannot be said.

Just now when he went to the General Political Department to submit the manuscript, he asked for instructions from his superior and was told that Cheng Xuemin's current military achievements were to be kept absolutely confidential to the outside world!

He also told Cheng Xuemin not to tell anyone too widely about it for the time being.

With Mr. Shi's instructions, Cheng Xuemin would no longer be able to boast about his achievements or say anything too much to others.

"We have to wait for the subsequent decryption?"

Director Yang was shocked again. His teacher's military exploits on the front line turned out to be a state secret. If he wanted to know more, he would have to wait for further decryption.

Oh my god, Director Yang was so scared on the spot.

Seeing Cheng Xuemin nod in disappointment, Director Yang also nodded, no longer daring to ask what military exploits he had made, but sighed and said:

"Xuemin! You... just wait for the school to give you a promotion and a raise!"

A first-class merit and a first-class combat hero, and it was also internal feedback from the General Political Department. The school must have made some statement. After all, this was a first-class combat hero who had been awarded first-class combat merit and came to work at Yanjing University.

Therefore, promotion and salary increase are definitely the most basic.

Unfortunately, it is confidential and cannot be publicized throughout the school. Otherwise, if Yan University has produced a first-class combat hero with first-class military merit, other universities will be envious. The school will definitely publicize it widely and hold seminars and commendation meetings.

"Can I really get a promotion and a raise?"

Although Cheng Xuemin knew this would be the result, he didn't expect it to come so soon.

"Definitely!"

"Promotion and salary increase may only be the most basic. Later, Lao Zhou will have to treat you to a meal. Whether I can have a seat to accompany you is another matter!"

Department Head Lao Yang patted Cheng Xuemin on the shoulder and sighed sincerely that this kid is really amazing. He is really a shining gold that can shine wherever he goes.

"By the way, Xuemin, I think there will be an awards ceremony for our cultural outlet tomorrow. I'm sure you have won a lot of awards this time, right?"

Department Head Lao Yang mentioned tomorrow's commendation meeting again. This is a rare event in their cultural circle in decades, so teachers and students from major universities basically know about it.

Especially in Yanda, there were several influential figures emerging before the New Year.

These students are all very low-key. I'm sure if any of them win awards this time, they won't be able to keep a low profile anymore, right?
There will be many senior professors from the Chinese Department of Yan University attending the award ceremony tomorrow, and the department head, Lao Yang, has also received the invitation long ago.

So when we go there, we will know who has won the award from Yanda University just by looking at them standing on the podium.

"Fortunately, fortunately, several manuscripts did win awards!"

Cheng Xuemin nodded again and said, "Don't be too modest."

"Awesome!"

Department Head Lao Yang gave a thumbs up and praised, "Other writers would be very proud if one of their manuscripts won an award. It would be enough for them to brag about it for years!"

"But what about you, Xuemin?"

"It would be fine if he didn't write any, but once he did, several of his articles won awards. It really makes the rest of us writers feel envious and jealous!"

"Really, Xuemin, even I'm starting to get a little jealous of you!"

Lao Yang was joking with Cheng Xuemin. He was truly envious, jealous and hateful. There was really nothing he could say about this guy!
In terms of martial arts, every time he goes south to perform for the consolation, he can bring back the honorary title of a first-class combat hero for their Yan University. His literary skills are also amazing. At tomorrow's award ceremony, I don't know how many awards this kid can win.

"Old Yang, Director Yang, it's not that bad. The learning atmosphere at Yanda is good enough. I got a lot of inspiration on campus!"

"Of course you are. Xuemin, everyone says you are the senior fellow of the Chinese Department of Yanda University. It's not for nothing!"

"Our Yanda Chinese Department should produce famous writers like you, Xuemin!"

Cheng Xuemin was just being modest, but Old Yang took over the conversation without hesitation, nodded repeatedly and said, "Xuemin, that's it! At the commendation meeting tomorrow, I'll ask you to give a speech to express your gratitude for the award, but you have to say a few words like you are doing now!"

After saying so much, the department head, Old Yang, is actually waiting here. The Yan University authorities must hope that Cheng Xuemin, the combat hero and award winner, will praise their alma mater.

"This is definitely what I should do, I remember it!"

This is just a favor. Even if Lao Yang didn't say so, if there are really award-winning writers giving acceptance speeches at tomorrow's commendation ceremony, he will definitely mention Yanda, especially the Yanda Library.

"Xuemin, how many of your manuscripts won awards this time?"

When Cheng Xuemin left the office and went downstairs, Lao Yang suddenly realized that he didn't know how many awards this kid would receive tomorrow.
"Old Yang, we'll know at the meeting tomorrow!"

They were already downstairs at the office, and Cheng Xuemin was too lazy to shout at Old Yang upstairs. He simply kept it a secret with him and told him to go to the venue tomorrow and see for himself. Then he would know!

"You guys, the boss always likes to keep people in suspense!"

"Okay, then we'll see you at the Great Hall of the People tomorrow!"

Department Head Lao Yang gave Cheng Xuemin a wry smile, then waved his hand and said nothing more.

Over at the Overseas Chinese Apartment...

On the way home, Cheng Xuemin glanced at the apartment and thought to himself that there was no need to rush. After receiving the prize tomorrow, he would go and find out if the house had been sold.

If it hasn't been sold yet, Cheng Xuemin would lower the price and buy it.

With only a few thousand dollars' worth of foreign exchange vouchers in his small treasury, he had no place to spend the money. Apart from buying a property, Cheng Xuemin could not think of any other expenses.

"Wife, can you give me a thousand dollars?!"

When they got home, Cheng Xuemin suddenly asked Feng Jiayou for a thousand yuan, which shocked Feng Jiayou so much that he asked stupidly:
"Xuemin, what do you want a thousand dollars for?"

One thousand yuan is not a small number. Normally, her husband would ask for a few hundred yuan in pocket money. Feng Jiayou gave it to him because he was rich now.

You should know that before the New Year, Cheng Xuemin’s pocket money was limited to no more than ten yuan.

Now that he earns more from his writings, he carries dozens of cash as pocket money.

Feng Jiayou didn't say anything to her husband about these things.

After all, my aunt, cousin, and nephew are living at home now, and the expenses are very high.

Now, most of the daily expenses are basically supported by the couple. After all, they use the family's food and meat coupons, and the rest of the money must be paid by the couple themselves.

Because of the shortage of food coupons and meat coupons, the family's expenses were indeed not small. But no matter how big it was, it wouldn't be necessary to ask for a thousand yuan directly, right?
"Wife, it's like this!"

"Just now when I passed by the Overseas Chinese Store, I saw several electric fans coming out over there!"

"You also said that the weather is getting hotter and hotter. Your son can't fall asleep at night. He wakes up several times every night due to the heat, which seriously disturbs your sleep!"

Cheng Xuemin then began his nonsense speech, "So I thought, why not just buy an electric fan, so you don't have to keep fanning this kid to swat mosquitoes at night!"

"If there is an electric fan in the room, you and him will feel comfortable and refreshed when you sleep at night, right?"

After all, Cheng Xuemin couldn't stand the days without air conditioning in the hot summer nights.

Air conditioning is no longer a luxury now, but an electric fan is necessary.

Moreover, they now live in courtyards, not the stuffy high-rise buildings of later generations. In fact, the houses in the courtyard are still quite cool.

Having an electric fan is actually enough for them to get through the summer.

"Does the Overseas Chinese Store sell electric fans?"

Feng Jiayou was also very tempted when he heard this. He had been tormented by this little guy the whole night and had lost his temper.

And this isn't even the official start of the dog days.

When the dog days of summer come, the weather in Yanjing will only get hotter. Feng Jiayou feels a headache when he thinks about comforting this little one in his arms.

So as her husband said, it would be great if she could buy an electric fan.

"Yes! When I passed by there just now, I went in and asked!"

"How much is that electric fan?"

As expected, Feng Jiayou took the bait and asked Cheng Xuemin about the price.

"It should be fine. I asked for two hundred and thirty yuan per unit!" Cheng Xuemin nodded and quickly gave Feng Jiayou a price!
"Two hundred and thirty dollars each, what do you want one thousand dollars for?"

Feng Jiayou thought that electric fans were more expensive than TVs, but it turned out to be only two hundred and thirty yuan, which was completely within the acceptable range for her family!
Yes!
An electric fan that costs 230 yuan is so expensive that it would take a long time for an ordinary family to buy one.

But for Feng Jiayou, who is now a wealthy woman with a net worth of 10,000 yuan, it is just a drizzle.

and so!
An electric fan costs 230 yuan, why do you want 1,000 yuan?

"Wife, it's like this! They are a Chinese shop and they use foreign exchange coupons. Of course these 230 yuan are foreign exchange coupons!"

"We don't have any foreign exchange coupons at home, so we have to find a way to exchange some?"

"According to the current official exchange rate of 1:3, if we go to Pigeon City, it might be 1:4 or 1:5. How can it be more than a thousand yuan?"

Cheng Xuemin didn't know this until he calculated it, and Feng Jiayou was so scared again!

"Two hundred and thirty yuan of foreign exchange coupons can buy an electric fan for thousands of yuan?"

"No, no, no, it's such an expensive thing, you dare to think of buying it! Anyway, I can't afford it, I can't afford it!"

When he heard that it cost thousands of yuan, Feng Jiayou, who had been very tempted just now, shook his head and said he would not buy it because he could not afford it.

Although she is now a wealthy woman with more than 10,000 yuan in her pocket, she cannot afford the luxury of a 1,000 yuan electric fan.

Because this electric fan is actually not a necessity in their home.

We’ve all gone through summers before, and there were no electric fans, but we still got through it just the same, didn’t we?

The woman's attitude once again made Cheng Xuemin's wish come to nothing.

He had originally thought of using his own foreign exchange treasury to buy a few electric fans for his home, and at the same time go to Feng Jiayou to claim reimbursement.

But Feng Jiayou was directly frightened by the electric fan that cost thousands of yuan.

If I had known earlier, I shouldn't have quoted such a high price, just 230 RMB. I shouldn't have thought about making money from women at the exchange rate, and now my plan has fallen through.

……

Asking for a monthly ticket!
(End of this chapter)