Back to 1979: Sending the Educated Youth’s Wife Back to the City

Chapter 131 Money is the most intimate
Teacher Gao picked up the teapot and poured himself some tea. "Why are you so eager to open this foreign travel agency at this time?"

He thought it was a good idea. But why is it so urgent? There is nothing to buy now!

"Who has the time to wait for the heat and seasonings to be ready before putting the food in the pot? Entering this industry now gives you a first-mover advantage. When you watch movies, TV series, and novels, don't you think the first one to appear is the official couple?"

"Official match?"

"The official designated spouse is the original wife. Anyone who comes later is considered a mistress no matter how good she is?"

Teacher Gao thought about it and said, "That seems to be the case."

"Anyway, if we enter the industry first and become famous first, then domestic and foreign tourists will tend to choose us first in the future. Besides, the country is short of foreign exchange now. Industries that can earn foreign exchange will receive more preferential treatment. Some things that other industries worry about are nothing for companies that can earn foreign exchange."

If a travel agency grows bigger, it should be fine even if it has more than seven people. Earning foreign exchange for the country is politically correct!

Friendship stores and Friendship hotels are aimed at foreigners and overseas Chinese, and ordinary people also recognize that they can be different from ordinary stores and hotels. They can be special!
Teacher Gao thought for a moment and said, "What you said does make sense. Okay, I'll follow you anyway. I also want to make some money to cure my mother's disease."

He saw that Gu Zhiguang, who was confined to a wheelchair, was now completely cured through surgery. How could he not have some thoughts in his mind? Why did Grandpa Gu send Gu Zhiguang to Union Hospital?
Because he was rich, he immediately sold the house in the east wing of the small side courtyard, so he could provide his son with the best medical conditions.

Although the hospital claims to be "practicing revolutionary humanitarianism: saving the dying and healing the wounded", doctors also need to eat! Without money, there is nothing that can be done.

He relied on himself and even though he got the status of a college student, it was far from enough. In the future, he could only receive medical treatment for himself, and his family members would not be able to enjoy it.

After looking around, he could only follow Fang Mingche and still have a hope of making a lot of money. Even the egg business that Xiao Xie is doing now is actually given by Xiao Fang's wife who takes care of their family.

I am not a leader, but I can be a specialist. For such people, it is best to find a leader to follow.

Fang Mingche is smart and righteous, making him a good candidate to follow.

Fang Mingche nodded. "You probably need junior, mid-level, and senior accountants to get promoted. I don't know the details, but that's what I mean."

So what level should a CPA be considered? If he wants to become big, he needs to be not just a financial manager, but a financial director. Those who can work hard all the way are naturally the best.

Teacher Gao nodded, "I understand."

This travel agency is definitely more professional than the scrap yard.

While they were talking, Xiao Xie came back with an empty basket. She had sold all the eggs she had taken out last time.

Seeing Gao Xiang and Fang Mingche talking in the small side yard, both of them looked quite serious. She thought they were talking about serious matters, so she smiled at them and went in to get the eggs.

Fang Mingche said, "Well, I'll just tell you today. I have to go to dinner."

The wedding banquet was held at noon, but in the afternoon, the guests were entertained in the private room to play cards and mahjong. Those who had nothing to do in the evening would stay and continue to have dinner. He wanted to go too!
Teacher Gao nodded, "Okay, then you go. Or should we ask the uninvited to go?"

"Yes, it's the easiest to go in the dark. The three of us will be back together soon. And I just saw Lao He's car coming back."

There are also people in the alleys near them who work as gangsters for their bosses. The treatment is actually quite good, over a hundred yuan a month. The drivers who ride tricycles to pick up people and goods at the train station also have quite good income. However, the mainstream concept nowadays is to prefer a stable job.

Because hospitalization expenses are reimbursed on a proportional basis, there is also a chance to get a house, and there are various benefits during festivals. Basically, people will set up stalls, ride tricycles, and drive black cars only when they have no other choice.
Fang Mingche got into Lao He's car and returned to the state-owned restaurant. It was almost time for dinner.

Lin Yan also went back to her parents' room to rest for a while, and then came back with Yan Yan.

When cousin Qin Na saw Mingche, her brother-in-law, she came forward enthusiastically and said, "Brother-in-law is here—" She even omitted the word "cousin".

Before, Qin Na, who had a good job, didn't think much of Fang Mingche, her cousin-in-law. The peasant who followed her cousin to the capital!
However, she was like her mother, more tactful. She would not show her disdain for him, but would be polite instead. Later, when Fang Mingche was admitted to Beijing Normal University, her attitude changed. But she was not as attentive as she is today.

Fang Mingche looked at her, "Xiao Na, do you need help from your cousin's husband? If you have any, just tell me. We are not outsiders."

Since you are not an outsider, you can be more direct in your refusal.

Qin Na said, "Brother-in-law, I'm getting older day by day. Do you have any good partners to introduce to me?"

My aunt said, "Girl, why are you so blunt? At least be more tactful."

However, if I ask Fang Mingche to introduce me to a date, I think he can introduce me to a good one, better than the son of a junior leader that I'm looking for in the workplace.

After all, Fang Mingche was studying at Beijing Normal University, and he also knew the children of high-ranking officials who drove a military jeep.

Qin Na said, "Mom, women don't need to be shy these days."

Fang Mingche sat down, thought for a moment and said, "Do you want to find a college student or a child of a high-ranking official?"

Qin Na didn't say anything, it seemed like everything was fine.

Fang Mingche said, "Don't even think about the guy who drove today. He might get married soon. After we left today, he drove to pick up his girlfriend. As for the other high-ranking official's son, I don't know him. He used to live in our alley, and his mother remarried. Later, his father came back from the farm, and he went back to his father's house."

He had never thought of helping this extremely realistic cousin find a date, and certainly would not have mentioned Zheng Xing to her.

I won't even mention the overseas students. They come to study with a purpose, but they certainly won't get married easily.

The relatives of the Han family also came today. But they were like oil and water and couldn't mix with the relatives of the Lin family. At this moment, they were also talking quietly at their own table.

"The only thing the Lin family can show off is their son-in-law."

Han Mei's father nodded and said, "Yes, but this person is not easy to mess with."

That day, a man took both of his sons hostage. It was all Mei Zi's fault! On the surface, she agreed to marry him, but she stole the household registration booklet and got the marriage certificate with Lin Yi.

Let them go back on their word to that family, and make her devalued. Otherwise, how could they marry their daughter off without asking for a betrothal gift?
As for asking Han Mei to agree to give 600 yuan for five consecutive years, there is no such thing as a betrothal gift, but it still has to be given.

And what about Old Man Lin’s job? Will he give it to an outsider instead of his daughter-in-law?
His daughter is already spilled water. Besides, he has been admitted to a junior college, so he won't have to worry about finding a job in the future.

Han Mei came out with a teapot and poured tea for Fang Mingche.

"Brother-in-law, sit down and have a cup of tea to moisten your throat."

Humph, she felt unhappy when she heard Qin Na calling him "brother-in-law". Why should a cousin take advantage of her? She was not usually enthusiastic about the Lin family's affairs.

Fang Mingche said to Qin Na, "You are indeed getting older day by day. If you were ten years younger, maybe your cousin's husband would really be able to introduce you to a good partner ten years later. But you know that men like young people. Cousin, you should take advantage of your youth and find a good one as soon as possible."

After dinner, Fang Mingche sent off relatives and friends who lived far away, and then he took his wife and daughter on the black taxi they had called for.

After they left, Father Lin said, "Three trips like this is three yuan, which is more than five pounds of pork. Young people just want to be convenient, and they don't know how to save money at all!"

He vaguely knew that his daughter's vegetable business was doing well and that she had no worries about spending money on daily expenses, but the tradition of thrift was still deeply rooted in him.

The cousin said, "Anyway, I'm not asking you for money. Ah Yan is pregnant, so it would be most convenient for her to take a car and drop her off at her doorstep."

Lin Yan was optimistic about Fang Mingche's travel agency business, but she was too lazy to think too much about it now. As for the vegetable business and the waste business, they were all handed over to Liu Qingfeng under normal operation.

Fang Mingche also went to his cousin's scrap yard when he had time. His cousin said he would come in mid-November. Their fathers had originally wanted to come with him, but the land division had not been settled. So they decided to wait until the matter was settled.

The next afternoon, not long after Lin Yan came back from school and Yan Yan hadn't returned home from school yet, Han Mei came over.

Lin Yan was a little surprised and asked, "Didn't you just have the wedding banquet yesterday?"

Han Mei said: "We may have had a wedding banquet, but we have been married for half a month."

Now the room that Lin Yi and Lin Yan shared when they were young was given to them as their new home. The Han family only gave Han Mei four quilts as a dowry, and the rest of the furniture was prepared by the Lin family.

Lin's mother was quite dissatisfied with this. Lin Yi and Lin's father went to work, so she couldn't help but say something unpleasant to Han Mei. Han Mei was a little annoyed. But her mother's family's behavior made her unable to be tough and couldn't say anything back. So she simply came over early. I heard that my sister-in-law didn't have classes this afternoon.

Facing Lin Yan, Han Mei was somewhat envious and jealous. She envied that she had married a good man even though she went to the countryside. He could make money and also helped her get into college!

She envied Lin Yan for taking a taxi to attend the wedding banquet yesterday. Her mother-in-law said that Fang Mingche also asked her if she wanted to take a taxi to and from school. Then she would negotiate a monthly price with the driver.

It's a pity that her sister-in-law doesn't know how to enjoy her blessings. She insists that it's okay for her to ride a bike to and from school. She also says that if she exercises like this, she will be in a better condition later.

Lin Yan said, "But the dishes haven't come back yet. We have to wait until Liu Qingfeng and his friends get off work in the afternoon and bring them back after dinner. I thought you would wait for Lin Yi to get off work and then come together."

I didn't expect that I would be able to come here by bus.

Han Mei said: "Actually, it's because our mother couldn't help but nag, saying that the furniture in the new house was bought by the Lin family."

Lin Yan said, "Oh, I see. She also felt uncomfortable when she thought of the 600 yuan. Besides, your family did treat you poorly. When I went to the countryside, my parents still sent me food coupons every month. You were lucky because you were too young to catch up. Otherwise, your family's situation would definitely be the same as your eldest sister."

Han Mei said: "Isn't this what should be done?"

Lin Yan looked at her and realized that she was speaking from the heart, so she didn't say anything more. If you don't agree with me, don't say anything more! If she said too much, it seemed like she was trying to sow discord between Han Mei and the Han family.

"Then sit down and listen to the radio for a while. When Yanyan and Mingche come back, we'll go have dinner together. Well, Lin Yi will probably come to pick you up, so wait for him then."

Lin Yan turned on the radio and it went straight to the children's channel. Yan Yan was using the larger radio and it was always tuned to the children's channel. She told Han Mei how to tune the channel and then let her tune it herself.

Radios are quite precious nowadays. If no one in my family has a stable job and gets paid when the salary is due, they may not be willing to spend these few dozen yuan.

Han Mei was indeed a little curious, so she changed the music channel.

Lin Yan heard the sweet voice "Sweet, your smile is sweet, like flowers blooming in the spring breeze"

“Is there any channel that plays this?”

Han Mei quite likes to listen to it. However, some people in society say that it is decadent music, a sugar-coated bullet from the other side of the strait.

Seeing that Lin Yan didn't seem to mind, she didn't change the channel.

Lin Yan said, "Oh, the ideas in college are the most fashionable. Every weekend, our school holds dances. Many students bought Teresa Teng's tapes. Listen to them if you like."

After listening for a while, Han Mei couldn't help but say, "College, it's interesting, right?"

"Of course. In fact, you can ask Lin Yi to support you to repeat a year and give it a try."

Han Mei smiled bitterly, "What he earns is not enough to spend. Mom asked us to pay 25 yuan a month for living expenses, starting from next month. He only has 35 yuan a month! Lin Yi can't make as much money as my brother-in-law, but fortunately he is sincere!"

Living expenses were 25 yuan, and her parents had to give her 10 yuan. All gone!

Lin Yan didn't say anything, thinking: It's good that you know he is sincere.

"So, you want to start a food business, is it mainly to relieve him of some of the burden, or to support your mother's family? You don't have to answer me, just know it in your heart."

In front of her sister-in-law, only a fool would say that it was to help support her family. But Lin Yan felt that if Han Mei was controlled by filial piety all her life, there would probably be no end to it.

Like her mother, at this point, if it doesn't affect the vital interests of her children, her uncle can take advantage of her. And her uncle has actually been spoiled by her mother and aunt all his life.

But she would definitely not talk about these things with Han Mei. She could twist Lin Yi's ear and give him advice, but she would not say these things to her brother's wife who had just married into the family.

Xiao Xie came back again with an empty basket.

Lin Yan waved to her, "Xiao Xie, come in and sit for a while. This is my sister-in-law Han Mei, she also wants to sell eggs. Can you teach her?"

Xiao Xie said, "I have another trip today. How about Xiao Han, come with me?"

Han Mei nodded, "Okay, thank you big sister, thank you little sister Xie." She still knew what was good for her.

Lin Yan said: "Then Han Mei, please sit for a while."

She went back with Xiao Xie to get the eggs and whispered to him, "Don't tell her that I let you buy on credit." Otherwise, she might get even more demanding.

Xiao Xie nodded, "Okay, I understand."

When taking Han Mei there, Xiao Xie said on the way: "Don't worry, your elder sister-in-law and I have a good relationship. Since she asked me to take good care of you, I will definitely not hide anything. However, selling things is also a matter of personal practice and guidance. What I can tell you is that as long as you get the hang of it, the return in this business is still good. It is especially suitable for young wives like us. Anyway, since I started making money, my mother-in-law doesn't nag me so much."

Han Mei nodded. "Is that so? That's great."

Yanyan came back from school and asked as she took out her backpack, "Mom, are you using my radio?"

"What do you mean by your radio? This is just for you. It's not yours or mine! Mom owns half of this house."

Yan Yan asked: "What about me?"

"Have you ever earned a penny? Only those who earn money can have a share."

Oh, that's how it is.

A little later, Lin Yi rode his bicycle into the small courtyard.

"Sister, didn't you say Han Mei is here?"

Lin Yan nodded. "She followed Xiao Xie to sell eggs in front of the hospital. She should be back soon. When she comes back, we will go to have dinner together."

She had already seen Mingche coming back on his bicycle.

Lin Yi looked towards the kitchen and said, "Sister, you don't cook on a daily basis?"

"Unless we want to do it, our family of three will eat in the school cafeteria or go out to restaurants. Don't be nosy when you get home. I don't want to be nagged by my parents."

Lin Yi sat down next to Lin Yan and brought Yan Yan over to put on his lap.

"Sister, Mom actually asked me to pay 25 yuan a month for living expenses!"

Lin Yan said, "What else? You marry a wife and let your parents help you raise her? Then when you have a child in the future, will your parents also raise it for you? I think Han Mei is more proactive and positive than you. She just came here to buy eggs on credit after the wedding banquet. You guys can come over after dinner, I don't cover dinner."

Lin Yi said: "Mom wasn't like this before."

"If you start working, you should be able to support yourself. Besides, your job was given to you by our mother. If you get married, you should support yourself. Our family is not a family with a large fortune passed down from our ancestors. Families like that would have been ruined in the past ten years."

Lin Yi looked at the yard and said, "Uncle Gu, this is great. You can charge a few dozen yuan in rent every month."

"Grandpa Gu's ancestors had a fortune, but most of it was confiscated. This yard was only returned after the reform and opening up. Our family only has 28 square meters that my parents gave us. Be content, you have a ready-made wedding room in the capital. In the past, when educated youths got married in our place, they had nothing. They had to wait until there was an empty room before they could put their pillows together. At that time, they would just cut out a big red wedding character and stick it on the door. You even set up several tables yesterday!"

Lin Yi sighed. Yesterday's gift money was all taken away by his parents, leaving not a penny for him and Han Mei. They said they would keep the money to return the gift later!

His mother also said that the gifts given by Han's relatives were generally less than those given by Lin's relatives. Alas, when it comes to money, it's really not cordial at all.

Lin Yan poked Lin Yi's forehead and said, "I told you that Han Mei is more proactive and positive than you. Didn't you hear me? As a man, you should provide for your family."

(End of this chapter)