Chapter 25

Under Yang Jun’s guidance, Lin Zhao effortlessly passed the exam and successfully transferred her grain and oil rationing status.

Thus, she became a city resident.

“Thank you, you’ve gone to so much trouble,” Lin Zhao said, her face lit with a genuine smile.

Yang Jun thought his sister-in-law was being too formal and chuckled, “I and Chenghuai are comrades who trust each other with our backs—this little favor doesn’t need your thanks.”

Lin Zhao wasn’t ignorant of social niceties; she shoved the large cloth sack into his hands and stepped back a few paces.

“These are my thanks—take them. I’ve got things at home, so I’ll be off.”

Before Yang Jun could react, she turned and ran.

Soldiers never accept even a needle or thread from the masses—even retired ones hold to that stubborn principle. Lin Zhao hated haggling, so she’d just dump the gift and bolt.

After all, he’d done her a huge favor; not offering thanks would make her seem rude.

Yang Jun looked utterly exasperated.

He wasn’t unable to catch her—he just feared that if he chased, she’d panic and hurt herself, so desperate was she to vanish from sight.

Helpless, Yang Jun took the bundle home.

His wife was on night shift and slept during the day; she’d just woken up and spotted the unfamiliar sack in his hands. “What’s that?”

“It’s from Comrade Lin,” Yang Jun replied.

He never hid anything from his wife—he’d told her about helping his comrade’s wife find work.

“So thoughtful,” Jiang Huiqiao said, startled. She hadn’t expected Lin Zhao to give a gift.

She’d once been a military family member herself and knew how hard it was; when Yang Jun said the job was for a soldier’s wife, she’d agreed instantly, never thinking of personal gain—but since Lin Zhao had gone out of her way, Jiang Huiqiao was pleased.

Jiang Huiqiao sat on the sofa and opened the sack.

“Wow! So many good things!” She looked up at her husband, moved. “Did she empty her whole house? This woman is too sincere.”

In an instant, the plain, earnest face of a rural woman flashed before her eyes.

Truly touching.

Yang Jun looked over.

A chicken, a fish, a jar of wheat milk powder, a box of cigarettes, a bag of sugar.

Anywhere you put them, these were heavy gifts.

“Not everything—Chenghuai’s allowance is high enough to support the whole family easily.”

Jiang Huiqiao hesitated. “Then… should we keep them?”

“Keep them,” Yang Jun said.

From what he knew of Lin Zhao, she’d only feel at ease if he accepted.

“Fine. She’s working in town now—we’ll see her plenty of times,” Jiang Huiqiao accepted the gesture.

Yang Jun noticed the chicken and fish were large. “Let’s take the chicken and fish to my parents—we’ll eat them together.”

They had no children yet; it was just the two of them, so sometimes when they were too busy to cook, they’d go to his in-laws’ for meals—bringing meat to share wasn’t unusual.

“Alright.”

Jiang Huiqiao took the chicken and fish back to her parents’ home; the whole Jiang family was stunned.

Because of this, Jiang’s older brother, the supply and marketing director, developed an excellent impression of Lin Zhao—she went from being a hardworking military family member to a hardworking, socially astute military family member.

Lin Zhao returned to the village, and everyone rushed over.

“Big Cai’s mom, I heard you got a job in town—working for the supply and marketing office?” Wang Chunhua asked.

“Yes, I transferred my grain and oil status this morning,” Lin Zhao smiled.

“Oh, that’s wonderful! Congratulations!” Wang Chunhua was genuinely happy—for herself, too: now she had a way to get imperfect goods.

“Big Cai’s mom, if the supply office has any defective items, save some for us,” she said, not bothering with formality since she got along well with Lin Zhao.

Lin Zhao nodded. “Of course.”

No sooner had she spoken than Gu Mu dashed over, eyes gleaming, voice trembling with excitement. “Third son’s wife, did you get the job?”

“Yes, I start in two days.” The new counter at the supply office wasn’t ready yet.

Gu Mu was overjoyed, repeating “Good! Good! Good!” three times. “This is wonderful! Let’s go to the old house for dinner tonight to celebrate?”

“Alright.” The old lady was so happy—Lin Zhao would grant her that much face.

Soon, the news that Lin Zhao had become a salesclerk at the county supply office spread through the entire brigade.

Big Cai and Second Cai heard the news too; they stopped playing, brushed the dust off their clothes, and rushed home like two little firecrackers.

Their hands had barely touched the wooden door when a loud voice rang out.

“Mama! Mama!”

Hearing the urgency in her second son’s voice, Lin Zhao hurried out, fearing something was wrong.

Before she could ask, Second Cai rushed forward, leaning in—then abruptly halted.

His small face flushed, his voice bright: “Mama, did you pass?”

Big Cai watched her expectantly too.

Children raised in the countryside all dreamed of becoming workers.

As soon as they learned to speak, family and villagers would tease them.

“Big Cai, when you grow up, do you want to work the land like your grandpa—or become a city person?”

Too young to understand, the children didn’t know what “city person” meant, so they’d answer: “Like Grandpa—work the land.”

Then the villagers would laugh. Though not cruel, the laughter left deep marks in the children’s hearts—years later, recalling it made them ache.

“Yes, I passed. I start in two days,” Lin Zhao replied gently but firmly to her eldest son.

Big Cai’s face lit up.

“Mama’s a supply office salesclerk!!” he exclaimed happily.

Second Cai’s eyes widened. “Mama, are you a city person now?”

Lin Zhao nodded. “You could say that.”

She’d be eating commodity grain from now on.

“Mama, what about me and Big Cai?” Second Cai looked up, eyes pleading.

Big Cai added, “And Third Cai and Fourth Cai too…”

“Yes, yes, Third Cai and Fourth Cai too—Mama, what about us? Are we city people too?” Second Cai pressed.

“Of course,” Lin Zhao answered. “When I become a city person, you all become city people too.”

At this time, household registration rules were strict; here, children’s registration followed their mother’s.

Second Cai leapt up, shouting loudly, “We’re city people too!”

Big Cai remembered his mother’s warning not to show off; he wrapped his arm around Second Cai’s neck and clapped a hand over his mouth. “Second Cai, quiet down.”

Lin Zhao stroked Big Cai’s bald head—the boy’s hair grew fast; in just a few days, a layer of black had sprouted.

“It’s fine,” she said. Everyone knew the household registration rules.

In fact, villagers were already discussing exactly what Big Cai and Second Cai had just said.

“Hey, you think since Chenghuai’s wife became a city person, her kids are city people too?”

“I think so—I heard children’s registration follows the mother’s.”

“Oh my, so Big Cai and the others will get commodity grain too? Gu family’s third branch is just…”—they dared not finish, fearing accusations of feudal superstition, so they sighed with envy instead.

At that moment, Gu Xing’er walked past, face dark, silent.

The speakers fell quiet, staring at her—but she ignored them, storming home in anger.

Once she was gone, the villagers exchanged glances.

“Does Xing’er look angry?” Yuanbao’s mother asked.

“Watch—there’s more trouble coming from the Gu family,” the village chief’s wife said, pulling out a few sunflower seeds from her pocket and slowly cracking them, clearly enjoying the drama.

“Everyone knows Xing’er is obsessed with becoming a city person. She’s always picking fights with the third branch—and now they’ve become city people, looking so respectable. Of course she’s furious—she’s probably about to explode.”

An older aunt felt Xing’er was behaving badly. “Big Cai’s mom may be lazy, but she hasn’t hurt Xing’er. Why does Xing’er keep targeting her? This girl’s temperament is just unpleasant—what will become of her?”

The village chief’s wife snorted. “Before Chenghuai married, Xing’er was one of only two daughters in the Gu household and was doted on—anything she wanted, she could get by whining.”

“After Chenghuai married, the bride price was a huge sum. Lin Zhao didn’t ask for the ‘three turns and one sound,’ but Chenghuai converted it into cash anyway—another huge sum…”

“Then, less than half a year after marrying, Lin Zhao demanded to split the household. After the split, Chenghuai’s allowance went entirely to her. Xing’er, used to getting her way, now has to beg for favors from Lin Zhao—how could a spoiled girl take that?”

The older aunt sighed. “Girls shouldn’t be spoiled too much—otherwise, they’ll cause trouble after marriage.”

The old lady sighed, “A girl shouldn’t be spoiled too much, or she’ll bring trouble when she marries out.”

You can dote on them—but not to the point of turning them into household destroyers.

Thinking the old Gu household would soon be full of drama, they all headed there in silent unison.

Lin Zhao knew none of this.

She’d just stepped inside when she saw two bundles of firewood piled at the door.

“Did your little aunt bring these?”

Big Cai answered, “No, it’s from my second uncle.”

“The firewood was gathered by little aunt this morning,” Second Cai said.

As they spoke, the two children dragged the firewood into the shed against the wall.

“Mama, Big Cai and I caught cicada nymphs—can you cook them for us?” Second Cai called out loudly.

Lin Zhao was washing her face; she turned to look.

Second Cai held a bamboo jar as big as his head—filled entirely with cicada nymphs.

He saw Ercai holding a bamboo jar as big as his head, filled with cicada nymphs.

“You caught so many?” Lin Zhao exclaimed.

“Hehe, other kids helped us catch them,” Er Zai replied.

“When I finish making them, share some with the kids who helped you,” Lin Zhao said.

“Okay,” Er Zai agreed.

“We’re going to the old house for dinner later. I need to prepare some things—you two go play by yourselves,” Lin Zhao dismissed the two boys and got to work.

Aside from the troublemaking Gu Xing’er, everyone at the old house treated Da Zai and Er Zai well; the two brothers had no objections to going there for dinner.

Seeing their mother didn’t need their help, the two children held hands and headed to the old house to show off.

At the old house, before they even entered, they saw a crowd gathered at the gate, peering and craning their necks to watch the spectacle.

Da Zai pulled his younger brother over and pushed through the crowd.

Gu Xing’er was jumping up and down in the courtyard, screaming at the top of her lungs—so loud even the neighbors’ neighbors could hear clearly.

“...That’s my third brother’s connection—why should Lin Zhao get all the benefits? I’m a middle school student; I can handle the supply and marketing post too. Why not give it to me? Is a wife more important than a younger sister?”

She didn’t care about her reputation—she believed the job mattered more than fame. If she could take Lin Zhao’s position, she’d become a city dweller, and maybe even marry the factory director’s son. Once she became the director’s daughter-in-law, who would dare laugh at her?

Gu Mu’s facial veins bulged, her lips trembling—clearly furious.

At that moment, Gu Fu stepped out of the main house and glanced coldly at Gu Xing’er. “Take Gu Xing’er to your grandmother’s.”

The two Gu brothers froze.

Serious?

Serious?!

“Do it!” Gu Fu ordered coldly.

Gu Yuanshan and Gu Yucheng exchanged a glance, then moved forward in unison, grabbed Gu Xing’er’s arms, and dragged her out.

In the past, no matter how much Gu Xing’er misbehaved, Gu Fu had never taken it this seriously. Seeing her father was serious, Gu Xing’er panicked and shouted in disbelief: “Father, you want to kick me out?”

Gu Fu ignored her and turned to Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang. “You two pack her things.”

“Leave nothing behind,” he emphasized.

Gu Xing’er struggled violently, her face contorted in rage, screaming: “Father, I’m your daughter—you can’t throw me out!”

Gu Fu’s eyes were filled with disappointment. “You still know I’m your father? Have you ever listened to me or your mother?”

He sighed helplessly. “I can’t control you. Go live with your grandmother.”

Seeing their father wave them off, Gu Yuanshan and Gu Yucheng dragged Gu Xing’er out of the Gu household. Huang Xiulan and Zhao Liuniang hurried after them, carrying two large bags, moving fast—afraid that if they slowed down even a bit, their little sister might be left behind.

Once the actors left, the audience dispersed. The villagers, sensing the moment had passed, quietly slipped away.

Gu Fu poured his wife a cup of water and urged: “If you’re upset, just send her away. Don’t ruin your health over her.”

Gu Mu truly didn’t want to deal with Gu Xing’er anymore. Over the past few years, she’d taught her everything, tried every approach—soft and hard—but the girl never listened. Instead, she grew more willful and reckless. She simply had no strength left—exhausted in heart.

“Will your brother and sister-in-law be happy to have her back?” she asked.

“As long as we give her rations, what’s the problem?” Gu Fu knew exactly what he was doing.

“You’re right. I’d rather give her rations than have her causing trouble at home. I’m truly afraid when she’s here,” Gu Mu sighed heavily.

“Afraid of what?” Gu Fu frowned. “You’re her mother—what can she do to you?”

Gu Mu gave him a withering look. “She can’t hurt me directly, but she’s so much older than Da Zai and the others—I’m afraid she’ll plot something evil and harm my grandchildren.”

For the past few days, she’d personally supervised the Long Fengtai at all times, terrified something might go wrong.

Gu Fu agreed. “Before Xing’er marries, let her stay in the second house. It’ll spare you the stress.”

Hearing this, Gu Mu’s chest tightened, then loosened. Still, she couldn’t let him off the hook. “You had a solution all along—why didn’t you say it earlier? You made me suffer all this anger for nothing.”

Gu Fu smiled bitterly, sounding wounded. “Didn’t you say you were determined to correct Xing’er? I saw how confident you were—I didn’t dare speak up.”

Gu Mu fell silent, then changed the subject. “Third son’s wife became a supply and marketing clerk—that’s a huge blessing. I told her to bring the kids over for dinner. Let’s celebrate together.”

“Do we have enough eggs? If not, I’ll go trade for some,” Gu Fu thought sending away the family troublemaker was brilliant—otherwise, this meal would be unbearable.

Thank heaven, thank heaven.

Da Zai and Er Zai saw everything—the scene of Gu Xing’er being sent away.

The two children’s eyes sparkled. They forgot about their younger siblings, grabbed hands, and dashed back home.

At that moment, Lin Zhao was organizing the household supplies.

You always bring something when visiting the old house for dinner.

The gift she prepared for Yang Jun was the reward she drew from the lottery wheel last night.

Her points had been completely spent.

Fortunately, she passed today’s exam, transferred her grain and oil ration, and earned another 50 points.

Lin Zhao wasn’t in a hurry to draw again. She planned to save up and aim for a bigger prize.

The house was full of good things—the cabinets were nearly bursting. What she needed was a cultivator’s space pouch—even a low-grade substitute would do.

If you spot any errors or typos, please help correct them—I’ll fix them when I see them.

Thank you to everyone who voted—each vote supports the author deeply. Thank you so much, heart to heart～mua!(*╯3╰)

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(End of Chapter)