Back to the 80s Machinery Factory

Chapter 373 Setting Off for School
As they talked, the atmosphere suddenly turned somber.

The reporter who took the photos has a sharp tongue but a kind heart.

He looked up at the Chen family dressed in new clothes, and then at Chen's mother's pleading eyes, and his heart softened shamefully.

"All right!"

The reporter picked up the camera hanging around his neck: "Stand still, I'm going to take a picture of you."

Immediately, Chen's mother beamed with joy and gathered the whole family in front of the main room in the courtyard.

Mr. Chen sat at the front, while his sister, brother-in-law, Chen Luyang, and Xiaoling stood behind him.

Junjun, wearing a red scarf, stood happily between Mr. and Mrs. Chen.

The reporter stood in front, raised his camera, and was about to take a picture when he heard Chen's father shout:
"Comrade, please let this big crabapple tree shine in too!"

Reporter: "Okay!"

As he spoke, the reporter took a few steps back, framing the crabapple tree next to him.

"Comrade, please let us see the chicken coop too!" Chen's mother called out again.

Reporter: ...Okay!

The reporter took a few steps back, chose a new scene, and framed the chicken coop within the frame.

Seeing that the older woman was about to speak again, the reporter quickly said:

"This is the only way! If we leave any further, I'll be out of the yard!"

Upon hearing this, everyone had no choice but to give up.

Having found the perfect angle, the reporter shouted, "One, two, three... Cheese!"

"Eggplant!"

The entire Chen family grinned and happily posed for a photo.

After the reporter left, Mrs. Wang from next door tugged at Chen's mother with envy.

"Jiuxiang, your second son is going to be in the newspaper again this time."

"Yes! You know, this kid is always in the newspaper."

Chen's mother's face beamed with joy.

These days, because her son was admitted to Peking University, more people in the factory are chatting with her.

Everyone who sees her says "Congratulations," saying that she has trained the factory's first college student to attend Peking University.

Mrs. Wang asked, "Shall we go dancing this weekend?"

Chen's mother said, "I'm not going. I plan to take my second son to the market to buy some clothes this weekend."

“This young man doesn’t know how to take care of himself. I’ll get him a few new outfits before he goes to college.”

He usually ate, slept, and relieved himself with the workers at the factory. Everyone wore work clothes, and they wore them every day, so it was just like that.

Now that you're at Peking University, you can't afford to be so reckless.

Mrs. Wang looked at Chen's mother with envy: "Okay! Then you buy clothes for your son, and we'll make an appointment again later!"

……

weekend,

Chen's mother happily went to the provincial newspaper office and got the negatives of the family portrait, then took them to a photo studio to have several photos developed.

I even had a large family photo printed, framed, and brought home to hang on the wall.

As for the photo of Chen Luyang published in the provincial newspaper, it had already been cut out by Chen's mother and Chen Lihong and pasted back on the front door.

At the same time,
Chen Luyang's line, "I didn't get into the provincial university, so I went to Peking University," has become a hit throughout the province.

"This child is so eloquent!"

In the provincial university's office building, Vice President Jiang, Director Wang of the English Department, and President Lu of the publishing house looked at the newspapers in their hands and couldn't help but slap their thighs with joy.

That was so much fun!

I missed getting into the provincial university by one point, so I went to Peking University instead.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with this explanation!

That's the truth.

Chen Luyang's words were a great show of respect for the provincial university.

The goodwill towards Chen Luyang among all the teachers and students at the provincial university soared.

Inside the tenement building, Chen Tuo's family was enjoying a rare moment of peace and quiet.

Chen Tuo looked at the newspaper in his hand and clicked his tongue, saying, "This kid doesn't offend anyone, and he's good at saying nice things."

Sitting on the sofa, Mrs. Chen laughed and said, "What's the big deal? What Xiao Chen said is just the truth."

She took the newspaper, looked at the smiling, confident young man in the picture, and said:
"You can imagine how difficult it must have been for this child to receive acceptance letters from two schools."

Chen Jinyue sat next to her parents, listening to them discuss Chen Luyang, and felt a sweet warmth in her heart.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

As if by telepathy, Chen Jinyue ran to open the door, only to find Chen Luyang standing there with a smile on her face.

Chen Luyang looked exceptionally smart today.

His shirt, pants, and leather shoes were all brand new, and he looked sunny and youthful.

Upon seeing Chen Luyang arrive, Chen's mother was overjoyed and came to greet him.

"Isn't it a coincidence? We were just talking about you at home, and here you are! Come on in!"

Last time, Chen Jinyue visited the Chen family and received more than 60 yuan.

Chen's mother kept this matter on her mind.

She had been eagerly awaiting Chen Luyang's arrival today. She went into the bedroom, stepped onto a stool, and took down two portions each of fine wine and tea from the cabinet, warmly presenting them to Chen Luyang.

It was the first time Chen Luyang had accepted something in front of Chen Tuo, and he was momentarily at a loss for what to do.

"Keep it. Your aunt gave it to you, so just keep it."

Chen Tuo said gently, "Take it back for your parents to drink."

"Thank you, Uncle Chen and Aunt Chen!"

Seeing that Chen Tuo had agreed, Chen Luyang happily accepted the wine and tea.

Chen's mother looked at Chen Luyang with great interest and asked:

"Little Chen, have you decided when you're leaving? I'll have Old Chen buy you a sleeper ticket!"

Chen Luyang quickly replied, "Thank you, Auntie. Our factory director, Mr. Wang, rewarded me with a sleeper ticket. I'll take a sleeper berth directly."

Mrs. Chen nodded: "That's good. You're all alone away from home, studying and working at the same time. You must take good care of yourself."

……

Chen Tuo listened to his wife chatting with Chen Luyang from the side.

Just as he was about to tell Chen Luyang to go to Shishan Steel Plant for help if she encountered any difficulties in the future,
Mrs. Chen asked, "How is the factory in Pian'er City doing now? What are the next steps?"

Chen Luyang said with great ambition, "The factory building is now in our hands, and the related equipment and machines are gradually being put into operation."

"Next, I plan to find an opportunity to visit Shishan Steel Plant."

Chen Tuo paused: "What are you going to Shishan Steel Plant for?"

Chen Luyang's eyes were deep: "I plan to buy two eagles from them."

Chen Tuo thought he had misheard: "Buy eagles?"

Chen Luyang quickly explained, "It's not a live eagle, it's made of steel."

"Uncle Chen, you don't know that steel eagles are all the rage in Pian'er City now. Every factory and enterprise has to put two eagles in front of them to make a good impression."

When Chen Luyang mentioned "Steel Eagle", his eyes lit up.

"Last time I went to Pian'ercheng to scout locations, I passed by Shishan Steel Plant. The giant eagle in front of their plant was 12 meters tall! It was huge! It was spectacular!"

"At that moment, I thought, we should put two big eagles in front of our car maintenance and repair center in the future..."

Seeing Chen Luyang excitedly spitting out words, Chen Tuo decisively shut his mouth, determined not to tell him about Lu Yongqiang.

This kid in front of me is absolutely obsessed.

If I told him that I had already spoken to the director of Shishan Steel Plant about taking care of him, who knows if Chen Luyang would use this favor to exchange for Big Eagle.

Chen Luyang chatted with her mother and Chen Tuo for a while before getting up to say goodbye.

Chen Jinyue informed his parents and then followed them out to see the guests off.

As soon as they left the tenement building area, Chen Luyang mysteriously got Chen Jinyue into the car and quickly started pedaling the bicycle.

"Where are you taking me?" Chen Jinyue asked curiously, her arm around Chen Luyang's waist.

"You'll find out when you get there!" Chen Luyang said, keeping everyone in suspense.

When the bicycle stopped in front of the photo studio, Chen Jinyue wondered:
Why did you bring me to the photo studio?

Chen Luyang pulled her hand and led her into the photo studio: "I brought you to the photo studio, of course, to take pictures!"

When the family took their last group photo, Chen Luyang had already had the idea of ​​taking a photo with Chen Jinyue.

Having not seen each other for six months, having a photo on me to look at helps ease my longing.

Chen Jinyue subconsciously ran her hand through her hair, her voice tinged with complaint:
"Why didn't you tell me you wanted to take pictures? I could have dressed up."

Chen Luyang laughed: "No need, you're beautiful no matter what!"

I entered the photo studio.

When the photographer heard that the two wanted to take a picture, and saw the shy yet flirtatious looks of the two young men and women, he immediately understood!

I quickly tidied their hair and clothes.

The photographer had the two people sit on wooden benches and said:
"Don't be nervous, think of something happy, smile, and show off your little white teeth..."

"Sir, you need to tone down your smile. You don't have to be so happy!"

"Pfft!" Chen Jinyue couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Click"!
The photographer captured the moment perfectly and took a picture of the two of them.

"Master, how many days will it take to pick up the photos?" Chen Luyang asked.

"Three days, or you can save a day for an extra 5 cents," the photographer replied.

"I'll add two yuan for you, I want it today," Chen Luyang said.

He won't be staying in the provincial capital for more than a few days, and he doesn't have time to make a special trip to pick up the photos.

"Okay!" The photographer took the money, turned around, and went through the back door to develop the photos.

When we receive the photos,
Chen Jinyue's face flushed red instantly.

This photo... looks just like the one on the marriage certificate.

Although it's a black and white photo, the young man in the photo is handsome and sunny, and the girl is playful and graceful. Their heads are gently touching, showing a hint of shyness amidst their intimacy. The more you look at it, the more beautiful it becomes!
"The photo is great, hahaha, really great!" Chen Luyang held up the photo and said "really great" several times with a silly grin.

finished,

Chen Luyang took out her wallet and stuffed the two photos inside.

Chen Jinyue teased him, "You put the photo in such a conspicuous place, aren't you afraid people will know you have a girlfriend?"

Chen Luyang said righteously, "Of course I know! I wish everyone could see how good-looking my boyfriend is."

The two walked out of the photo studio.

Chen Luyang rode his bicycle to take Chen Jinyue home. In the stairwell of the tenement building, seeing that no one was around, Chen Luyang stuffed more than 80 yuan from his wallet into Chen Jinyue's hand.

"Why are you giving me money?" Chen Jinyue asked in surprise, refusing to accept the money.

"This is my salary for this month. I haven't spent a single penny except for taking photos. It's all for you."

Chen Luyang pried Chen Jinyue's hand open and shoved a small roll of money into her hand.

"Keep this as pocket money. Buy whatever you want to eat or drink. Take good care of yourself."

Chen Jinyue frowned: "I have money, I don't need your money to buy food."

Chen Luyang said seriously, "Then you keep it too! I'm worried about not being able to leave you for several months."

"Keep the money, for your own safety!"

Seeing the resistance written all over Chen Jinyue's eyes, Chen Luyang added:
"If you miss me in the future, just look at this money!"

……

As the day of departure drew ever closer, the joyful atmosphere that had filled the Chen family courtyard when they first received their acceptance letters vanished, replaced by a deep sense of sorrow at parting.

Chen's mother secretly wiped away tears with Chen's father, while Chen Xiaoling and Junjun followed Chen Luyang whenever they had a spare moment, as if they could never get enough of her.

My luggage is packed.

Early in the morning, Chen Luyang packed her things and prepared to leave home.

He left on a weekend.

Mr. Chen, his mother, his sister, his brother-in-law, Xiaoling, and Junjun's family all set off to see him off.

Although Wang Qingzhou and Yu Anshan did not attend the send-off ceremony, they sent a car to take the family to the train station.

On the platform of the station,

Chen Jinyue, Cao Qinghang, Xiao Wu, Song Liaosha, Lao Xue, Lao Jiang, Lao Cui, Huang Pingtao, Dong Mangui, his colleagues in the workshop, and even Jiang Bian Duyilang all came to see him off.

The sheer scale and excitement of the event attracted the attention of the train police.

"Hey! Please keep order when seeing people off at the station, don't block the way!"

Chen Luyang squeezed onto the sleeper car with her bag.

The factory used its connections to buy him a lower-level sleeper berth. He threw his things onto the bed, then rushed to the window to wave goodbye to his parents who were seeing him off.

Chen's mother is easily moved to tears.

Seeing her son waving at her from behind the car window, her eyes reddened, and she immediately covered her mouth with a handkerchief and burst into tears.

"Second son! Take good care of yourself out there. Eat and drink as you please. If you need money, just tell us!"

Mr. Chen was also saddened by his wife's crying.

“Son, if anyone bullies you while you’re out here all alone, tell Dad. Dad will take care of them.”

Chen Luyang's throat tightened, and just as she was about to speak, her eldest sister rushed forward:
"Second brother, I've prepared pork and sauerkraut dumplings for you. Come back early for the New Year!"

Xiaoling and Junjun pressed their faces against the car window and cried, "Uncle, please write to us more often and stop buying me feather dusters."

Chen Luyang responded loudly, but in the end, she couldn't hold back any longer, and the tears she had been holding back for so long finally flowed down her cheeks...

With a whistle, the train headed towards Pian'er City.

Chen Luyang wiped away her tears, blew her nose, put away her luggage, and lay down on the lower bunk to rest.

Although Peking University reported the date as the 28th or 29th.

But he was thinking about the factory, so he bought a ticket for the 25th train.

He usually gets a seat when he goes to Pian'er City, but today he got to lie down in a sleeper berth for a while thanks to the factory director, so he has to cherish this opportunity.

The people in the adjacent sleeper carriage seemed to be a group of acquaintances who had bought tickets together.

Not long after the car started moving, the sound of people playing cards came from inside; they sounded like they were having a really good time.

A few older men, finding the ride boring, also wore shoes and carried enamel mugs with the road logo printed on them to look at the signs and join in the fun.

Anyway, in the sleeper carriages, there will be attendants carrying large aluminum teapots to pour hot water.

Chen Luyang also wanted to watch the poker game, but he had just finished crying and his eyes were still red. He felt embarrassed to run out and let others see him.

He was lying in bed, trying to calm himself down, when he heard a commotion outside the carriage.

"Attendant, my father needs to go to Pian'ercheng for medical treatment. Could you please help us see if we can get him a sleeper ticket?"

"There are no sleeper tickets left. Can't you just sleep on the floor?"

"The sleeping areas under the floor are all occupied. Comrade, can you help us think of a way? I queued for days and nights but still couldn't get a sleeper ticket. Please help me."

"If you don't have seats, I can find you some. But there's nothing I can do about sleeper berths..."

(End of this chapter)