Chapter 102: Traveling with My Elder Sister‑in‑Law

Really.

Xu Yuexin said earnestly, "It's just that the time is uncertain; it could be tomorrow, or it could be twenty years later."

Zhu Chen caught on.

"Only you would be sarcastic."

Zhu Chen smiled faintly and said, "By the way, when did you start writing?"

Great, you actually made the Daughter Kingdom King laugh.

"May of this year."

Xu Yuexin replied.

"Oh? The College Entrance Exam is in July…"

Thinking of that, Zhu Chen couldn't help but feel a solemn respect.

This means that in just two months, Xu Yuexin not only wrote two excellent works but also got admitted to Yanda.

The two walked and talked, gradually strolling out of the community.

After becoming more familiar, Zhu Chen began to discuss her worries with Xu Yuexin.

"Since the College Entrance Exam was reinstated, schools and workplaces have changed the way they view our batch of university students."

"I've heard that it's not just one place. Supposedly some units are still drafting regulations, planning to treat us as high school students when promoting or evaluating titles in the future."

Zhu Chen's tone was very calm, and no discomfort could be read on her face.

But Xu Yuexin could clearly sense the deep worry in her words.

After dealing with each other twice, he knew that Zhu Chen had entered university before the College Entrance Exam was reinstated.

At that time, entering university required no exams; it followed the route of mass recommendation and leadership approval.

Back then, everyone envied someone like Zhu Chen who could go to university, because that meant they wouldn't have to be sent down to the countryside.

People have no foresight. Who could have known that today everything would be turned upside down, the once envied now facing trouble, while some of the sent‑down Educated Youth are now entering university after the College Entrance Exam was reinstated.

Xu Yuexin understood a principle: someone like Zhu Chen, who originally enjoyed university‑student treatment at a unit, if one day demoted to be treated as a high school student, would ultimately receive treatment even worse than that of a high school student.

Because the world never lacks jealous people; seeing her downgraded, someone will surely step forward to trample her.

"Look on the bright side; at least in the first few years you avoided being sent down for labor."

Xu Yuexin said warmly, "At least there's something to gain."

When people voice their worries, they aren't always seeking a solution; sometimes just one or two words of comfort can lift the other's mood considerably.

Conversely, offering a solution without knowing the other's specifics can easily add new worries.

Because others also have minds and will strive to think of a way out.

Since Zhu Chen hasn't yet found a way out, it shows that the solutions she can think of are constrained by reality and all have infeasible aspects.

Accordingly, she doesn't need to bring them up herself.

As Xu Yuexin had thought, after hearing his comfort, Zhu Chen's lips lifted slightly.

"You're right; I should be more optimistic."

"Being as proactive as you are, your mindset must have been good all the way from childhood, right?"

"It's okay. When trouble arises occasionally, I think society changes so fast now, why get too worked up."

"Oh? You mean…"

"Well, what I'm trying to say is that as society continues to develop and state policies are gradually introduced, many of the common problems that have troubled everyone will naturally be resolved. Those whose life paths were blocked by obstacles will, thanks to new options, no longer have to worry about the original barriers."

"Naturally resolved, new path choices…"

Hearing Xu Yuexin's words, Zhu Chen felt something stir in her heart and muttered them to herself.

Xu Yuexin said nothing more, letting Zhu Chen contemplate alone.

In the hush, the two walked to the back of the woods beyond the community, where no other pedestrians remained.

"Can you give an example to illustrate the point you just made?"

Amid the lush greenery, Zhu Chen earnestly asked, "I just pondered your words carefully; I feel like I understood something, yet I'm still a bit confused."

At this moment, Zhu Chen's gaze toward Xu Yuexin was no longer just initial admiration, but also contained respect.

After the recent conversation, Xu Yuexin was, in her eyes, no longer just a writer but also a philosophical life mentor.

"Give a real‑life example: back when we were kids, buying meat required a Meat Ticket."

"I don't know how many families have been troubled by that tiny Meat Ticket. When the ticket wasn't enough to eat, an elder would subsidize one child's ticket, the other children would object; everyone used Meat Tickets, some with connections could buy fatty meat, while those without could only get lean meat…"

"You've heard of this, right?"

"Yes, yes. When I was in university, some classmates complained about it."

"Now think about it: in the past two years, hasn't the worry over Meat Tickets decreased?"

"On one hand, everyone's pork quota increased; on the other, small vendors began selling meat in the city, where you could buy without a Meat Ticket."

"The once universal difficulty of eating meat was solved just like that, wasn't it?"

Xu Yuexin gently guided.

After Contracting Production to Households, more farmers turned to animal husbandry.

Although their breeding scale remained limited, some were willing to eat less at home and take the surplus pork, chicken, duck, fish, etc., to sell in the city.

These meats are off‑plan products, requiring no Meat Ticket, giving cash‑handed city dwellers extra opportunities to eat meat.

After hearing Xu Yuexin's words, Zhu Chen thought carefully and realized it was indeed so.

In the past two years, especially the last half‑year, meat has appeared on our table more often.

"Isn't this a typical policy rollout that solves a common problem for everyone? 'Believe me, just like the meat‑eating issue, the common problems troubling you university students will also, with our country's development, have a chance to be resolved.'"

Xu Yuexin encouraged.

In fact, as he uttered that sentence, Xu Yuexin had already thought of how to solve Zhu Chen's current predicament.

It's just that this plan carries some risk; before Zhu Chen shows any urgency, he cannot reveal it.

"You're right; there will definitely be a chance to resolve it."

Zhu Chen's expression brightened, and in a tone that was entirely the confidence Xu Yuexin gave, he said, "I should pull myself together."

Xu Yuexin, seeing that his encouragement had worked, smiled and said, "When you get home, tell Aunt to open up buying pork, don't be stingy with the Meat Ticket."

"After a while, this thing will become useless."

"Huh? Abolish the Pork Ticket?"

Zhu Chen exclaimed in surprise.

Xu Yuexin could understand her reaction.

If something has been rationed since a person's childhood, the sense of scarcity becomes a steel imprint of thought etched deep in everyone's soul.

Even the mere thought of breaking the ration is inconceivable to ordinary people.

"Strictly speaking, it's not an abolition, but indeed from now on it will be of little use."

Xu Yuexin said carefully, "It won't be long before that day arrives."

In 1980, NB City was the first to open pork supply and cancel purchase by ticket.

Soon, Jingcheng, Guangzhou and other major cities followed suit.

As for the complete abolition of the Pork Ticket, that happened in 1984; by then Guangzhou and Shenzhen would be leading, while other cities' timelines differed.

"I still don't dare to imagine."

Zhu Chen honestly said, "Every household still treats it like a treasure."

According to Zhu Chen's speculation, in the future pork in state-run stores may still be supplied by ticket, but the free market's scale will keep expanding.

For now, she still cannot accept the prophecy that tickets will gradually disappear from daily life.

"Want to make a bet?"

Xu Yuexin asked casually.

He had previously used a bet to trap Chen Yixue twice, and now it was Zhu Chen's turn; he just didn't know whether she would fall for it.

Thinking of that, Xu Yuexin glanced at Zhu Chen's expression and saw she was pondering.

"Maybe not."

Zhu Chen shook her head cautiously and said, "You know too much; I'm afraid I can't beat you in a bet."

She actually didn't take the bait! Xu Yuexin wondered if his hook was too salty, exposing himself too obviously.

"Alright, actually I wasn't planning to bet anything with you."

Xu Yuexin took a step back, pulled an ordinary pen from his pocket, and said, "This pen was given to me when I won an award before."

"If you're willing to bet, then leave it here first."

"If I win, you give it back to me. If you win, from then on it will be yours."

Zhu Chen was drawn in by the wager.

It was a commemorative item from a famous writer's award, and for her, a literary girl, it was a deadly temptation.

Moreover, even if she lost, she wouldn't lose much.

She just couldn't understand why Xu Yuexin wanted to make such a bet with her.

But it's fine not to understand; as long as she doesn't lose either way, it's fine.

"Alright, you may not back out."

Zhu Chen smiled, took the pen from Xu Yuexin's hand, and felt she had definitely won.

After nearly thirty years of the Pork Ticket Supply System, how could it be cancelled simply by saying so?

Xu Yuexin laughed inwardly even more than she did.

In fact, it's just an ordinary pen with no background at all.

The point is, between taking and returning this pen, it can spontaneously create another chance for a private moment with Zhu Chen.

Today's private meeting was accidental. In the future, even if they meet again, there will certainly be others present; no woman would have the leisure to seek out a married man alone.

Therefore Xu Yuexin must create the opportunity himself, so that there can be a continuation between them.

"Once words are spoken, even four horses cannot chase them back."

Xu Yuexin gave a slight smile and said, and the two part ways.

How nice, getting a pen from a great writer's hand, and it's an award souvenir.

On the way back to Keyuan Community, Zhu Chen thought happily.

After parting from Zhu Chen, Xu Yuexin didn't go home but headed straight to the Dianbao Fang, sent a Telegram to Lin Qingxia, asking her to invite him and Chen Yixue to go to Xiangjiang.

The 1980 Spring Festival was a bit later than usual; after the holiday came spring.

According to Xu Yuexin's memory, at the end of March 1980, Silver prices, after more than two months of soaring, hit a historic high and then plunged.

The rise was caused by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the crash by the United States emerging from stagflation, with capital flowing back into the stock market.

Xu Yuexin arrived in Xiangjiang early, just in time to act before the price trend reversed.

The Telegram Xu Yuexin sent in the morning was replied to by Lin Qingxia in the afternoon.

After receiving the Telegram, Xu Yuexin added it to his application materials and submitted them to the public security department for approval.

Unlike later times, at that time the Hong Kong Entry Permit was single-use; each entry required a separate application.

After submitting the application, Xu Yuexin found Chen Yixue and told her to prepare for the trip to Xiangjiang.

"What can I do once I'm there?"

Chen Yixue hesitated.

"To learn the music trends there and prepare for the transition."

"In a few more years, the folk music market will become the realm of popular singing styles."

Xu Yuexin gave a reason she couldn't refuse.

Chen Yixue was indeed moved.

"Alright, I'll pack in a bit."

"Remember, this time book two rooms."

Chen Yixue said firmly yet without losing vigilance, fearing a repeat of the situation in Guangzhou.

"Oh, got it."

"Snap!"

After speaking, Xu Yuexin slapped Da Yizi's protruding butt.

"You big hooligan!"

Chen Yixue covered her peach‑like butt, feeling both shy and angry, and said.

………

A few days later, the entry permits for Xiangjiang were mailed to both of them; Xu Yuexin and Chen Yixue kept the documents safe and boarded a southbound train.

Xu Yuexin no longer had any gold on hand; he planned to take Renminbi over there and exchange it for Hong Kong Dollar, ensuring he had cash before selling Silver.

Regarding this, Xu Yuexin felt a bit regretful, wishing he had kept more gold on hand.

Still, as the saying goes, people have no foresight; Xu Yuexin never imagined he would travel in and out of Xiangjiang so frequently.

He intended, after selling the Silver this time, to deposit some money into an account in Xiangjiang for future travel expenses.

After arriving in Guangzhou, the two transferred to a train bound for Kowloon.

When the train reached Kowloon, Chen Yixue sighed, "Are we traveling in and out a bit too often?"

Xu Yuexin whispered into Chen Yixue's ear, "Two or three times is nothing; I can go in and out over a thousand times within three hours."

"You should already know that."

Chen Yixue was stunned, then burst into anger, "Go as far as you want!"

"I don't want to see you again!"

"The money is in my hands."

Xu Yuexin quietly reminded.

Chen Yixue was wearing a skirt; to avoid pickpockets and without a Shoulder Bag, all the money was entrusted to Xu Yuexin.

Chen Yixue glared at him irritably, "So you just embezzled my money like that?"

"We're family; what's the point of saying embezzlement or not."

Xu Yuexin spread his hands and said, then without further discussion grabbed Da Yizi's hand, and amid her protesting "let go" cries, hurried toward a taxi, heading straight for Central.

Currently Kowloon remained a law‑less zone; adhering to the principle that a gentleman does not stand beneath a dangerous wall, Xu Yuexin planned to go to Central first.

After arriving in Central, Xu Yuexin stayed in the car, briefly briefed Chen Yixue on a few points, and sent her to the bank to exchange Hong Kong Dollar.

In the early 1980s, the Renminbi Exchange Rate was relatively firm, and Xiangjiang still had some banks willing to conduct Renminbi exchange business.

The driver was rather displeased with Xu Yuexin's actions, but since everyone had been dropped off, he could only wait helplessly.

Soon after, Chen Yixue exchanged and returned with 3000 Hong Kong Dollar, handing the money to Xu Yuexin.

"No change needed."

Xu Yuexin handed two ten‑Hong Kong‑Dollar notes to the driver without turning his head.

The extra five dollars were for his waiting fee.

Xu Yuexin specifically instructed in a Telegram that Lin Qingxia need not pick him up; after all, she's a big star and quite busy.

Most importantly, if Lin Qingxia were to pick him up, he'd surely have to stay at her house again, making it impossible to handle Da Yizi. After getting off, Xu Yuexin and Chen Yixue walked toward a hotel.

"Remember, two rooms, okay."

Da Yizi specifically reminded, fearing Xu Yuexin might pull another trick.

(End of chapter)