All the heavens begin with the love in the courtyard.

Several children were so angry that they cried, and saliva dripped from the corners of their mouths.

Seeing that the effect was almost there, Zhong Yuemin quickly stood up and shouted to the surroundings.

"Selling sesame seed cakes! Selling sesame seed cakes! Chicken-flavored sesame seed cakes, cheap and delicious!"

At his shout, several children who were watching cried and ran into the house, while more children and adults gathered around his stall.

The faint aroma of chicken in the surrounding area was indeed the best way to attract customers. Before long, customers came to his stall, and Zhong Yuemin hurriedly started calling out to attract business.

A fat, middle-aged woman, leading two children, walked up to Zhong Yuemin's stall, looking left and right.

As soon as Zhong Yuemin saw the clean and tidy clothes on the old lady, he knew that a big customer had arrived, and he quickly called out.

"Auntie, would you like some? These are chicken-flavored sesame flatbreads, a family secret recipe. Smell this aroma, doesn't it smell like roasted chicken? Let me tell you, it smells like it, and it tastes even more like it. It's like eating roasted chicken, like eating a crispy chicken leg."

The woman swallowed hard and asked.

"How much does it cost? Is it cash or grain coupons?"

Zhong Yuemin immediately replied with a beaming smile.

"A sesame seed cake can be exchanged for eight ounces of coarse grains or five ounces of fine grains. We don't sell them for money; we rely on our skills to exchange for some food to make a living."

"So expensive? Young man, how about two ounces of fine grain in exchange?"

"Auntie, this sesame seed cake of mine weighs almost two ounces, and it's not your average sesame seed cake. Auntie, you've definitely never tasted the meat filling inside before. Smell it! Oh my, don't open your mouth and take a bite, you'll regret it... you'll regret it..."

Seeing this, Zhong Yuemin felt quite helpless. He didn't expect that people in this era would be even more shameless than he had imagined. Not to mention the haggling, the old lady took a big bite out of the pancake, and the others didn't mind. The pancake was quickly shared by everyone.

However, after just a few bites, the taste instantly won over the auntie. She took out four pounds of buckwheat flour from home and exchanged it for eight sesame seed cakes. This guy was clearly not from an ordinary family.

Sure enough, from the compliments the workers made to the woman, Zhong Yuemin realized that she was the mother of a deputy director at a factory, and that she didn't need to worry about food.

With the older woman leading the way, Zhong Yuemin's business officially got on track. He started to be a little overwhelmed by the workload, mainly because the food was really delicious. In those days, although the working class was poor, they would never go hungry.

Another major reason is that this thing is so novel and exotic. These days, even workers rarely eat meat. When people heard that chicken-flavored sesame cakes were being sold, many elderly people brought their children to come and see what was so special. And with the children making a fuss, the elderly would bring some from home with jars and spoons to try one or two of these novelties.

However, few families exchanged refined grains for coarse grains; most exchanged various kinds of whole grains. These days, there are many kinds of whole grains. Zhong Yuemin's basket was soon half full of whole grains, including all kinds of varieties: corn, millet, sorghum, buckwheat, and beans. These are all considered whole grains. Refined grains are wheat flour, which ordinary families don't usually eat.

Zhong Yuemin had also prepared several cloth bags to store the grain, as well as a two-ounce jar to use as a scale.

Business was better than Zhong Yuemin had expected. More than two hundred sesame cakes were almost sold out in just over two hours. Other educated youths also came back one after another to help. Zhong Yuemin originally thought that today's matter had been successfully completed.

But his subsequent experiences quickly made him realize that he had underestimated human nature.

Looking at the last ten or so sesame cakes in the basket, Zhong Yuemin decided to close up shop and use the rest to fill everyone's stomachs. The basket was filled with seven or eight small burlap sacks, which he estimated contained about 130 or 140 catties of grain.

We'll come to the county town every other day, and slowly accumulate a little bit of wealth. We can grind these coarse grains, make them into other foods, and sell them. At least we can support ourselves and our group of educated youth.

Zhong Yuemin was indulging in a blissful daydream when he emptied the coal ash from the oven. Everyone was tidying up and preparing to go back.

Suddenly, not far away, a dozen or so young people wearing red armbands rushed angrily toward them. The one leading them was Zhong Yuemin's first customer, the fat, big-eared old woman, who shouted loudly from afar.

"Those are the saboteurs! They're the ones reselling grain! Quick... don't let them get away, catch them!"

Zhong Yuemin was taken aback. What was going on?

The other educated youth were also terrified. The onlookers scattered in all directions. An old man saw the group of educated youth still standing there dumbfounded and quickly shouted from the side.

"Children, why aren't you running away!"

Seeing this, Zhong Yuemin finally realized what was happening. He picked up his baskets and, along with the others, ran frantically towards the other side. Zhong Yuemin's two baskets still contained over 100 kilograms of grain. After running only a few steps, he realized that if things continued like this, none of them would be able to escape.

He then put down the basket and shouted to the crowd, "Everyone grab a bag of grain and run! Split up and run! Hurry, hurry!"

Without a word, everyone grabbed a bag of grain and ran forward. Just as the group was getting close, Zhong Yuemin shouted to everyone, "Run! Take the grain back first, don't worry about me!"

After saying that, Zhong Yuemin strode towards the dozen or so people, blocking their path with one person. He was about to tell them about his relationship with Director Ma of the Gobi Desert Committee, but at this moment, these young people were no longer willing to listen to his rambling.

He was met with punches and kicks. Zheng Tong, Ning Bin and the others ignored Zhong Yuemin's words, put down the food they were holding and rushed forward to fight with the crowd. The girls were terrified and at a loss for what to do.

Jiang Biyun quickly regained her senses and shouted at the girls.

"We can't help, quickly grab the food, let's hide!"

The girls, each carrying two bags of food, ran toward the street corner, leaving behind a group of young people who were being besieged.

The group being besieged was naturally Zhong Yuemin and his companions. The enemy clearly outnumbered Zhong Yuemin's group, and Zhong Yuemin had already taken several punches to the face. The situation was becoming increasingly chaotic, and even Ning Wei had his face covered in blood from his nose. If this continued, someone would definitely die.

Zhong Yuemin could no longer care about anything else. He picked up a long bench from the doorway of a house on the side street, swung it at everyone, and forced them back a few steps before panting and shouting at the people opposite him.

"Stop fighting, let me catch my breath before we talk!"

Huff... Huff, Zhong Yuemin gasped for breath several times. Seeing that the crowd still intended to rush over, he quickly shouted.

"My uncle is Director Ma of your county's Geological Survey Committee. You fucking attacked me without even asking who I am! I'll curse your grandpa!"

Zhong Yuemin took several more breaths before finally speaking. Sure enough, as soon as he said that, no one dared to make a move. However, the fierce look in their eyes did not disappear, indicating that they did not really believe Zhong Yuemin's words.

Upon seeing this, Zhong Yuemin angrily rebuked him.

"Let's go to the county's Geological Survey Committee. What are you standing there for? Once we get there, we'll make it clear."

The group looked at each other, and finally one of them stepped forward and spoke.

"Let's go, kid. You'd better take responsibility for your words. If you keep making up connections, no one can save you. Now get out of here!"

Without a word, Zhong Yuemin helped up everyone, whose faces were all bruised and swollen. Ning Wei's nose was covered in blood, and Zhong Yuemin quickly told him to tilt his head back. The boy hadn't shed tears when he saw blood; instead, he was smiling at Zhong Yuemin. Zhong Yuemin helplessly patted his head and then gestured for the others to follow.

The three girls carried away most of the more than 100 kilograms of grain, leaving a few bags of loose cornmeal in the basket. Zhong Yuemin tied the bags up.

He picked up two baskets and led the group toward the county revolutionary committee.

But no one noticed that the middle-aged woman who had just led the group had already disappeared.

Zhong Yuemin was also cursing his bad luck in his heart. He almost forgot that this was the most glorious era for whistleblowers. For him to keep his delicious sesame cakes open forever was simply a pipe dream.

This happened on the very first day of business. How are we supposed to survive in the future?

The ideal is beautiful, but the reality is harsh!

Chapter 155: Casual Chats on Youth

"Attention! Eyes forward!"

"Yuan Jun, Zhang Haiyang, step forward!"

"Leg training begins, one, two, one!"

After a day of repetitive training, Yuan Jun and Zhang Haiyang were exhausted. They lay on the grass by the training field, their hands behind their backs, biting the grass roots, watching the sunset turn red in the sky.

"Haiyang, what do you think of Yuemin and the others doing in northern Shaanxi?"

Zhang Haiyang felt sore all over, groaned, rolled over, and felt a little more comfortable. He said casually.

"Don't worry, with Yuemin around, they won't go hungry. But they'll definitely have a harder time than us. I've heard that many people from northern Shaanxi go to other places to beg for food every year. I bet they're going to have a tough time!"

Yuan Jun looked at the sky with some worry and sighed.

"Haiyang, do you really think Yuemin and the others might spend their whole lives in the countryside?"

Zhang Haiyang was stumped by the question and remained silent for a while before slowly speaking.

"I don't know either. I don't think they'll stay in the countryside forever. With Zhong Yuemin's abilities, the countryside definitely can't hold him back. He'll definitely find an opportunity to join the army!"

Yuan Jun nodded in empathy and sighed.

"We used to joke around and bicker every day, and we always thought that's how life would be. But now that we're suddenly separated, it's really hard to get used to. I don't know if we'll ever have a chance to get together again!"

Zhang Haiyang nodded with deep emotion and said.

"There will definitely be opportunities, but by then they'll definitely have families to support, and they won't be able to have fun anymore!"

This heavy topic was still unsolvable for people their age, and the two fell silent. After a long time, Yuan Jun finally asked.

"I heard that Zhou Xiaobai and Luo Yun's recruit training camp is nearby."

Upon hearing the name Zhou Xiaobai, Zhang Haiyang perked up and forced himself to speak.

"I'm inquiring around; it should be nearby. I'll let you know when I have more information!"

Yuan Jun laughed heartily, then said jokingly.

"Haiyang, I haven't given up on Zhou Xiaobai yet?"

The embarrassment on Zhang Haiyang's face flashed by, and he immediately became serious.

"What do you mean you haven't given up yet? Xiaobai likes Zhong Yuemin, and I like Xiaobai. We're competing openly and fairly. Besides, Zhong Yuemin hasn't accepted Zhou Xiaobai's advances yet, has he?"

Yuan Jun was amused by the sycophantic tone and burst into laughter, then said with a smile.

"Haiyang, let me give you some advice: stop thinking about Zhou Xiaobai. Knowing Yuemin as I do, he can't keep pursuing a beauty like Zhou Xiaobai for long. To be honest, I was a little surprised when Yuemin didn't accept Zhou Xiaobai's advances. That's not like Yuemin at all. I grew up with him, and during that time, he seemed like a completely different person. He even suddenly developed a great cooking skill. I felt something was off."

Zhang Haiyang snorted and said.

"Although I haven't known Zhong Yuemin for long, I really like his personality. As he once said, some people are meant to be brothers for life. Brothers are brothers, and feelings are feelings. I'm very open-minded about it. Yuemin isn't with Xiaobai yet, which means I still have a chance. If they do get together in the future, I will wish them well!"

Yuan Jun glanced at Zhang Haiyang but ultimately said nothing more, then changed the subject.

"Ocean, what are your plans for the future?"

Zhang Haiyang looked at the sky, squinted, and said somewhat uncertainly.

"But... I might be a soldier for life, following the path my dad arranged for me. He wants me to become a real soldier!"

Zhang Haiyang then turned to look at Yuan Jun and asked.

"how about you?"

When Zhang Haiyang brought the question back to him, Yuan Jun's still somewhat chubby face, covered with acne, seemed to be dancing in the afterglow of the setting sun, each pimple shining brightly. He remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

"Haiyang, to be honest with you, I don't know what I want to do in the future. I don't really have any military complex. You can tell from my training situation these days. I've been put in solitary confinement twice in one month. How many times have I been called out by the squad leader during training? I joined the army purely because I didn't want to be like Yuemin and the others, settling down in the countryside. I felt that I definitely couldn't endure that kind of hardship!"

Zhang Haiyang didn't make fun of Yuan Jun. In fact, at their age, their hearts are far less firm than they imagine. Hesitation and confusion are the real emotions that should exist at their age. Their status means that they have many more choices in the future than rural children, so it is understandable that they do not have a firm belief in the future now.

Zhang Haiyang used his hands to support his body, jumped up, and said.

"Let's go back. Let the future take care of itself. Oh, by the way, I was planning to write a letter to Yuemin. Do you want to go mail it together?"

As Yuan Jun got up, he said this.

"I haven't finished writing it yet. Wait for me, and mail it to me this Saturday!"

"Row!"

The two walked arm in arm, laughing, toward the barracks.