Chapter 123: Quick Transmigration: Film & Television Multiverse Chapter 3: Countryside Assignment Plan

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Lin Hao

At this moment, Lin Hao and Cai Xiaoguang, in that street corner, lowered their voices and meticulously finalized the plan.

Lin Hao looked at Cai Xiaoguang with resolute eyes and said, "Brother Xiaoguang, it's settled then. On the day you see Zhou Rong off, put me on the train as well."

Cai Xiaoguang frowned slightly, responding with some worry, "Little Lin, even though we've planned this out, my heart is still pounding. What if we're discovered? Besides, if Zhou Rong finds out you're tagging along, she might fly into a rage at me. And another thing, can you really break them up once you get to Guizhou?"

Lin Hao patted Cai Xiaoguang's shoulder and reassured him, "Brother Xiaoguang, set your mind at ease. I've thought it all through. He's going to the countryside, I'm going to the countryside, and with an acquaintance to look after things, why would she fly into a rage? Once we're in Guizhou, just watch me. Matchmaking a couple might be hard, but breaking a pair up — how could I fail? Oh, and there's another matter I need to make clear to you."

Cai Xiaoguang looked at him doubtfully and asked, "What matter? Go ahead."

Lin Hao said with a dead-serious face, "Brother Xiaoguang, when the time comes, you absolutely must not bring Zhou Rong anything or slip her money or tickets. Think about it — her heart is set entirely on that Feng Huacheng. If you give her those things, isn't that just benefiting that guy? If we really can't make a go of it in Guizhou, I'll pick the right moment to write you a letter asking for help; it won't be too late for you to figure out a way to help us then."

Cai Xiaoguang sighed helplessly and agreed, "Alright, I'll listen to you. Hope this trip goes smooth without any mishaps."

Meanwhile, after Zhou Rong returned home, the moment she stepped through the door she saw the neighborhood's Auntie Bridge already sitting inside, discussing the countryside assignment with her mother.

Seeing Zhou Rong return, Auntie Bridge hurriedly greeted her with a smile, "Aiyo, Rongrong's back. Perfect, Auntie was just talking to your mom about going to the countryside."

Zhou Rong's heart gave a "thump," but she still forced herself to ask calmly, "Auntie Bridge, here to talk about the countryside assignment again?"

Auntie Bridge nodded and said, "That's right, Rongrong. You know the current policy — families with eligible children all have to send them up to the mountains and down to the villages. Your dad works at the Third Front Construction, and you have three children. The eldest, Bingyi, has already joined the Construction Corps. Now only you and Bingkun are left. According to regulations, both boys and girls have to go."

Zhou Rong's mother stood to the side, looking at Zhou Rong with a face full of worry, wanting to speak but stopping short.

Auntie Bridge continued, "Rongrong, Auntie knows you're a sensible girl, but Auntie has to lay it out straight. Look at your looks — you're famous for being good-looking in our Guangzi Pian. Plenty of boys have their eyes on you. If you go off to a strange place where you know no one, Auntie's heart is uneasy, afraid you won't be safe. Now Bingkun has also graduated from junior high, so Auntie thought, why not let Bingkun go to the countryside and you stay home to keep your mom company? What do you say?"

Hearing this, Zhou Rong immediately grew anxious and said loudly, "Auntie Bridge, I don't want that. I insist on going to the countryside."

Auntie Bridge hadn't expected such a strong reaction from Zhou Rong; she froze for a moment and said, "Rongrong, child, why are you so stubborn? The countryside is that bitter; a girl like you going there, how much hardship you'll have to endure. Besides, if you go, the family will be that much more worried."

Zhou Rong stiffened her neck and said resolutely, "I'm not afraid of hardship. My own affairs I can take responsibility for. You just don't meddle."

Just as they were speaking, Zhou Zhigang returned after picking up the photos. The moment he entered, he felt the atmosphere in the room wasn't right, and asked doubtfully, "What's going on? Why the long faces?"

Zhou Rong's mother hurriedly said, "Old Zhou, Bridge Rongrong insists on going to the countryside, and I can't make up my mind."

Zhou Zhigang took out the developed family portraits — five prints in total — and handed them around, saying, "Come on, one photo each. This separation, who knows how long before we meet again. Let's keep a memento."

Everyone took a photo, their hearts heavy, thinking of the impending parting, and their eye rims reddened.

In the end, after much deliberation, Zhou Zhigang also let Zhou Bingkun go to the countryside. Zhou Bingkun himself was quite willing, and so the family settled on that.

On Lin Hao's side, he mulled it over and felt he should still tell his brother Lin Kun the whole story plainly, so his brother wouldn't worry blindly when the time came.

That very evening, Lin Hao seized the moment when Lin Kun returned home from work and told him the whole thing in full detail.

The moment Lin Kun stepped through the door, he saw Lin Hao sitting in the room with an unusual expression. While changing his shoes, he asked, "Little Hao, what's wrong? That look on your face — did something happen?"

Lin Hao stood up, walked over to Lin Kun, pulled him down to sit, and said, "Brother, I have something to tell you. Don't panic, just listen slowly."

Lin Kun's heart tightened, and he hurriedly said, "Go on, what exactly is it?"

Lin Hao took a deep breath and said, "Brother, I plan to follow Zhou Rong to Guizhou for the countryside assignment."

Hearing this, Lin Kun immediately widened his eyes and said loudly, "What? You're going to Guizhou for the countryside assignment? Little Hao, have you lost your mind? Wasn't it agreed you'd work at the Timber Factory and I'd go to the countryside? Besides, do you know how far Guizhou is? The hardship you'd suffer — no, I don't agree!"

Lin Hao hurriedly explained, "Brother, hear me out. Look, if I were to replace you at the Timber Factory hauling wood right now, with these skinny arms and legs of mine, I simply couldn't take that hardship. Besides, I've grown this big and never been anywhere else; this is a perfect chance to go out and see the world. And there's Zhou Rong going too — we can look out for each other, so don't worry."

Lin Kun still wore a look of disapproval and said, "No, Little Hao, I can't bear for you to suffer. You're my little brother; I have to take care of you. Besides, Guizhou is so far — if something happens, how would I answer to Mom and Dad?"

Lin Hao looked at Lin Kun helplessly and said, "Brother, I know you feel for me, but this is my own decision. I'm this old now; I should go out and make my way. And I promise you, I'll definitely be back within three years. Just trust me."