Chapter 1797: Lin Lin Guangyuan

By the time he received Lin Lin Guangyuan's call, half a month had already passed; it was the end of June, and the children were all on summer break.

The moment he picked up the phone and heard a sound, even Uncle-in-law was surprised.

"Ah Yuan?"

"Yes, it's me. At the beginning of the month I called you but no one answered, so later I called Lin Dongxue's place."

"I happened to be walking up to the door just then, and she was about to hang up too. She didn't notice me at the door, and only mentioned it after hanging up—when are you coming back? You went out for further studies, don't you get winter and summer breaks? Or do you not get any holidays at all?"

"The breaks are very short, not enough for a round trip. We went up north, it's full-time, all classes every day, and during breaks they mostly arrange for us to go out to sea, so sometimes even making a phone call is pretty inconvenient."

"Alright then, when are you coming back? The kids just started summer break these past two days. Your cousins came to the factory yesterday, your aunt is here too. Just yesterday she was nagging me about you, saying she called a while back and you've neither shown up nor called to let anyone know since you said you were coming back."

"The reason I'm calling back is to say exactly this—I've already bought the ticket, tomorrow's train, it'll probably take about three days to get there, and then I'll still have to take a boat from Modu."

"Good, good. Once you're back, come by the factory and sit for a while. I'll have your aunt stay a few more days and head back to Modu a bit later."

Lin Lin Guangyuan said, a little embarrassed, "There are several people traveling with me, I have to rejoin the group and report in first, then apply for leave."

"Then just follow the organization's procedures. I'll have your aunt go to Modu to pick you up—she's been nagging about it for days. Tell me which train, what number, what time it arrives, and I'll let her know."

As he was saying this, he happened to see someone passing by the door and immediately called out, asking them to go call Lin Lin Xiuqing over.

If he didn't call her to the phone, she'd have something to say about it later.

Besides, there was no need to put him through any trouble.

Lin Lin Guangyuan, hearing that someone would come to pick him up, hurriedly refused, "No need, why pick me up? I'm already this old, I don't need picking up, let alone there are three or four people traveling with me…"

"Then just wait until she gets here and tell her yourself. I've already sent someone to call her, she'll be here in at most five minutes."

"No need to go through so much trouble, don't mention this to her."

"You didn't know, did you? Your aunt can drive a car. If she goes to pick you up she can take everyone straight to the car, drive you to the dock, and chat with you along the way—talking without holding up your trip."

Lin Lin Guangyuan's eyes went wide, he couldn't believe it, "What? My aunt actually knows how to drive a car? Really?"

"Of course it's true, why would I lie to you? She got her driver's license in Modu last summer, she's had a year of driving experience now, she's already a qualified female driver."

"Damn, that's impressive. I only just got mine, and I haven't even really driven much yet."

"So you see, her having a car to pick you up is very convenient. It's convenient for you, and she gets to see you and talk to you—she hasn't seen you in years, she misses you quite a bit."

"Alright then, I'm just afraid of being a bother to you all. As for me, I don't care either way."

"I don't care either, it's not like I'm the one picking you up, heh. She'd definitely be very happy to. Anyway, she's staying two or three days and has to go back to Modu anyway. If you come over as soon as you're back, she'll definitely stay a few more days."

Lin Lin Xiuqing, panting for breath, had just run up to the door, "Is Ah Yuan still on the phone?"

"Still on, just waiting for you to come take over."

She walked over slowly, taking the chance to catch her breath.

"So you finally remembered to call back. Were you that busy? You didn't even know to make a phone call…"

She took the phone over, muttering as she did, "Ah Yuan, when are you coming back?"

Ye Yaodong stood up and gave her his seat so she could sit comfortably and talk on the phone. He himself went to the doorway to smoke a cigarette, leaving her the space to talk at her leisure.

Of all Lin Lin Xiuqing's nephews, the one she doted on most was none other than Lin Lin Guangyuan. The two were only eleven years apart in age, and when Lin Lin Guangyuan was little, she was the one who raised him—after all, the other able-bodied adults all had to go work in the fields.

Although Lin Lin Dongxue was about the same, the eldest was different after all, the second had to take a back seat.

He hadn't even finished one cigarette when three little ones in the distance came sprinting toward him, shouting as they ran.

"Dad…"

"Dad, is that Cousin's phone call?"

"Dad, is Cousin coming back?"

"Aren't you supposed to be at work?"

"It's lunch break now, Dad, are you trying to kill us?"

By the time they finished saying that, they had already run inside.

"Mom, is that Cousin's phone call? Let me talk, let me talk."

"Stop being noisy."

Ye Yaodong leaned against the doorway, listening to them chattering away inside.

"That's about enough, don't take turns one by one. What could you little ones possibly have to say—wait until your cousin comes back to say it. My phone call isn't free, and who knows if your cousin has enough money in his pocket to pay for such a long-distance call."

Only then did Lin Lin Xiuqing suddenly realize, "Right, right, the phone bill is too expensive. I've already talked for ten-odd minutes, plus what your uncle said earlier, it's been almost half an hour. Long-distance phone bills are too expensive, let's hang up first. Oh right, do you have any money on you? If not, borrow a little from someone else, and we'll pay them back as soon as you're home."

"No need, I get a subsidy for school, I have money."

"Alright then, that's that. In three days I'll go to the train station to pick you up."

After the phone was hung up, the three little ones were still regretful they hadn't gotten to talk, but it was only over the phone, so their mother helped pass along a few words on their behalf.

"This schooling thing is pretty good, you even get money. Lin Dongxue got a subsidy back then too. If your son gets in next year, that'll be like one foot already in the door of a government job."

"That's hard to say."

He had no idea exactly when, but Ye Yaodong felt it wasn't far off—maybe by the time they graduated, there might not even be job assignments anymore.

After all, enrollment was expanding every year, and every year hundreds of thousands of college students graduated. The number of public-sector positions arranged nationwide was limited, and there had to come a day when it saturated.

By then, graduation would also mean everyone going their own way, each fending for themselves—those who should work for others would work for others, those who should start businesses would start businesses.

Still, college students were scarce these days. In the past, the state took care of everything; unless the assigned post didn't match one's personal wishes and one refused to accept it, even then, if you ended up out on your own, private enterprises would be fighting to have you—work wasn't a worry.

It just wasn't as respectable-sounding as having a state job. At this time, working for oneself still wasn't quite presentable, though the status was a bit higher than in previous years—after all, the pay was better.

Besides, production enterprises were now allowed to take part in the Canton Fair.

"Hard to say what? Isn't it a sure thing that college graduates get assigned jobs? It's just that in recent years I seem to have heard they get assigned to more remote places, like the great northwest or something. A lot of people don't want to go, so they don't accept the assignment, and some just go straight into business."

"Policies change every year, who knows when they'll cancel it. After all, every year there are several hundred thousand college graduates needing job assignments, and more and more each year. Positions will saturate eventually—would they really assign jobs for every single graduating class? Does the country have that many positions? One radish, one hole; if there are no extra holes, naturally you don't need the radish."

Lin Lin Xiuqing listened, nodding along in a daze, but this was already beyond her understanding. She couldn't imagine how the existing policy would change, or what things would be like once colleges no longer guaranteed job assignments.

"You… you're just guessing blindly."

"No, this thing I said is very likely to happen. The state's positions are limited to begin with—how many years has it been assigning now? From the restoration of the college entrance exam in 1977 until this year, sixteen years—how many positions have already been assigned? Think about it."

"That... that's not something we can consider anyway. Not assigning jobs won't affect your son; your son will definitely come back to help you."

"That's right. It doesn't affect us, but it has a big impact on society. At that time, we can recruit a batch of college students to come and work."

"So that's what you had in mind. No wonder you said so much."

"It just came up in conversation. Besides, the factory needs some fresh blood. Young, energetic college students are just right. Let's see if there's an opportunity in a few years."

Ye Ye Xiaoxi sat on the lounge chair playing with the ornaments on the desk, then suddenly said in a small voice, "Then, Dad, can we recruit Sister Xiaoya to work at our factory when the time comes?"

"You like that Zheng Shuya that much?"

"Yes, she's so gentle. She often gives me White Rabbit milk candy, helps me tie cute hairstyles, and praises me as cute and well-behaved every time she sees me."

"We probably can't recruit a big shot like her."

"Huh?"

"Didn't you say her goal is Fudan University? Someone from Fudan would come to my little temple? Don't overthink it. How much did your brother give you this time?"

"Big Brother didn't give me anything; I thought of it myself."

"Don't overthink it. Take care of yourself. You don't need to worry about your big brother. If he wants a wife, he'll chase her himself. Why are you so worried? Worrying at such a young age about not being able to marry this one or chase that one—do you plan to become a matchmaker when you grow up?"

"Isn't it just curiosity? Isn't it because you adults keep saying Brother Ajiang still hasn't found a partner, telling Cousin Lin Lin Xiuqing not to be too picky, or she'll become an old maid?"

Ye Yaodong tapped her head. "Stop pricking up your ears to listen to gossip. Hurry back to the dorm to do your homework."

She pouted, got off the stool, and mumbled, "Working every day is one thing, but having to do homework after work is too much. I'm busier than you."

"Then don't work."

"That's fine, but you still have to pay me my salary."

"Dream on."

Lin Lin Xiuqing interrupted them, looking at Ye Yaodong. "Do you want to go back to the dorm for a nap? If there's nothing urgent today, you don't need to stay in the office all the time."

"Sure. Since you invited me, I definitely have to go back to the dorm."

She glanced at the three curious eyes, then turned to secretly glare at Ye Yaodong before patting all three on the head.

"What are you looking at? Hurry back to the dorm to do your homework."

"Oh."

Lin Lin Xiuqing hurried the three of them back to the dorm together; Ye Yaodong locked the office door before following up.

She lagged a few steps behind the children, glaring at him. "The children are grown up and sensible now. You can't keep saying things without a filter in front of them."

"What did I say? I didn't say anything. You're overinterpreting. Besides, what's wrong with letting the children know their parents have a good relationship? I didn't say anything bad."

While speaking, Ye Yaodong reached out and touched her waist, pulling her closer to him.

She lowered her voice. "Out here, don't be so handsy. It's not good if people see."

He withdrew his hand and scoffed. "Isn't it okay since we're legal?"

Lin Lin Xiuqing changed the subject. "I'll stay for two more days. I'm going to Shanghai the day after tomorrow. That way, I can pick up A Yuan. He said there are four of them over there, and one car is just enough. I'll drive them to the dock and also see how he's changed over these years."

"Up to you. You were going to leave the day after tomorrow anyway."

"Exactly. Picking him up is just a quick trip, and it's in Shanghai anyway. Otherwise, after he reports, we won't know when he can apply for leave to come out."

"Hmm. He should be promoted this time he comes back."

"I don't know about that. Anyway, it's good he's back. He can visit home in a while. He's been in the army for seven years; his parents haven't seen him much. This time, he can stay home a bit longer."

Ye Ye Chengyang, walking ahead, suddenly turned around. "Is Big Cousin coming to our place?"

"He definitely will. When he comes, I'll call you."

"Great."

After driving the three back to the dorm to do their homework, the couple returned to their room and shamelessly cuddled up for a nap.

Ever since learning that Lin Lin Guangyuan was returning and coming to the factory, Ye Ye Chengyang and Ye Ye Xiaoxi asked every day: When is Big Cousin coming?

They asked morning, noon, and night. Lin Lin Xiuqing had returned to Shanghai and couldn't hear them, so they only tormented Ye Yaodong.

He answered countless times, yet every time they met him, they asked again. Didn't they know their bond wasn't that deep?

When Ye Ye Xiaoxi was three, Lin Lin Guangyuan went to the army; he probably doesn't even recognize her.

He always thought Ye Ye Chenghai and Lin Lin Guangyuan had a closer relationship, since they used to play together often and were close in age.

He didn't know if his two kids were just caught up in the novelty, asking constantly. It gave him a headache. Fortunately, there was still school to keep them busy.

When Lin Lin Guangyuan arrived, it was already July 15th. He had thought the kid wouldn't come and would go straight back to his hometown.

It had been over half a month since his last phone call. Reporting for duty didn't take that long.

When he received a call from the gate guard asking, he told the guard to let him in immediately.

A moment later, Lin Lin Guangyuan, wearing a navy striped shirt, stood straight at the door of his office, blocking most of the sunlight.

He grinned, his bright white teeth forming a sharp contrast with his mature, bronze-colored face.

Ye Yaodong had just happily stood up when Lin Lin Guangyuan was already right in front of him, then stood straight and saluted him.

"Little Uncle-in-law!"

"You're already this tall, about my height now. You didn't seem this tall a few years ago. Are you 1.8 meters?"

"Haha, only 1.8 meters with shoes on. The food has been good these past few years; I seem to have grown a tiny bit more."

Ye Yaodong happily patted his shoulder, then suddenly noticed his shoulder insignia was different.

"Oh, the shoulder insignia changed? What does this one star and one bar mean?"

"I've been promoted. My current rank is Second Lieutenant, and I'm called a Squad Leader, corresponding to a Platoon Leader level officer in the army." He sounded somewhat proud.

Ye Yaodong's eyes lit up. "Promoted right after coming back."

"Of course. We can get promoted upon returning from graduation, but we still need to constantly accumulate practical combat experience, step by step."

"That's great. These seven years in the army weren't wasted; you've finally made it." He felt deeply gratified. Coming from a rural background with no connections, it wasn't easy to endure until promotion.

If nothing unexpected happens from now on, with steady progress, he will naturally rise step by step, with a bright future ahead.

"It's also luck, and also the contributions you've made to the unit, that's why a slot landed on my head. You have to know there's only two slots every year, and they don't necessarily fall on any one ship team."

"That's also the result of your own hard work. If you didn't perform well, had no potential, the higher-ups wouldn't have promoted you."

Lin Lin Guangyuan smiled and didn't take credit for himself.

"Why did you only come over now? You've been back for half a month already. I thought you'd gotten leave approved long ago and gone straight home."

"No, after reporting in I still had to wait for the promotion, right? Still had to wait for the results of the inspection, and write reports, there's a lot of procedures."

Ye Yaodong nodded, "Sit, sit, sit, sit down and we can chat slowly."

Lin Lin Guangyuan put some of the local specialties he'd brought back, along with cigarettes and alcohol, on the table. Everything he brought over was top-grade stuff.

"Why'd you bring so much stuff over?"

"Isn't this only right? Now that I've done well I should show my filial respect to you. I didn't expect my little aunt to have changed so much these past few years, become so stylish, and even know how to drive a car. I was stunned when I saw her that day, and she was driving a Benz too — that's amazing, isn't it?"

"Clearly I'm the amazing one, you should be praising me."

"Hahaha, little uncle hasn't changed at all, haha."

Ye Yaodong poured him a cup of tea, "It's also that Magic City nurtures people — it's made your little aunt younger and younger. Luckily I haven't gotten old either. I went to Ye Chenghu's school last month, and his classmates in the class were all stirred up."

Mentioning this he felt proud again — he'd managed to show off, and it had given his son face too.

"Right, you two are getting younger and younger, more and more stylish. I don't think it's Magic City that nurtures people, it's money that nurtures people."

"That's not wrong either."

"I heard Ye Chenghu's in his second year of high school now? Second semester of senior year next term — he's done well! Didn't expect him to actually have the makings of a scholar. I misjudged him. I thought he'd only manage to finish middle school before you'd have to chase him off to sea."

"You haven't seen him yet, right? Where's it that he's done well — clearly I'm the one who's done well, dragging him here to pull strings and get him into a high school. Now he's studying like the real thing, but we still have to wait for next year's college entrance exam to test the results before we know how it turns out."

"What about the other two little ones? Little aunt said they're working at your place. Haven't seen them in years, they should have grown tall — probably wouldn't recognize me."

"They're working in the workshop inside. I'll take you over in a bit. If I called them out now it'd be a madhouse — they ask me every day when you're coming over. Don't know when they got so close."

"Haha, probably the novelty — curious about the legendary soldier cousin."

"Probably. Has your leave been approved? How many days? Do you need to buy a train ticket back home? Want me to call someone to help you buy it?"

"I've accumulated a month and a half of leave. I applied for half a month first, and I've already asked a friend to help me buy a sleeper ticket. You don't need to trouble yourself on this end. I'm setting out from Magic City tomorrow morning — I came over to your place today to have a look first."

"Have you called home to let them know?" Ye Yaodong pointed at the phone on the table. "Since you've already bought the ticket, give them a call home and let them know."

"If it weren't for the closed fishing season right now, my three smaller fresh-catch boats and the near-shore fishing boats would all have gone back to the home side. You could have taken a boat straight from my place back, and wouldn't have needed to bother buying a train ticket."

This month the cargo ships have also been running less. During the closed fishing season the cargo volume at the dock here has dropped seventy to eighty percent, and freight shipments have also decreased a lot. The freight line running to their provincial capital isn't that convenient either — there isn't necessarily one the very next day, and the cargo boats are slow besides. It's better to just buy the nearest train ticket back.

"No problem, the train is convenient too. I bought a sleeper — the travel time is about the same."

"Then wait until the afternoon and go to Magic City, stay the night at home, and tomorrow morning have your little aunt drive you to the train station — that'll be convenient."

"Little aunt's really amazing now too — she can set up a Magic City office for you?"

"She doesn't need to do anything, just sit there keeping an eye on things and coordinating. The actual work is done by other people."

"That's still impressive — managing so many people."

"Mm, you're going home to stay tonight. I'll give you the address in a bit. There are plenty of rooms at home. Ye Chenghu keeps asking about you too."

Lin Lin Guangyuan nodded, "Alright. I'll finish lunch and go out for a stroll, buy some gifts for the family. My luggage has already been left at your gatehouse."

"Leaving it at the gatehouse is fine, they'll keep an eye on it. What are your plans going forward? If you go back, your family's probably going to crowd around you and pressure you to get married. At your age now, they really are anxious."

"That's why I only applied for half a month's leave. Subtracting the travel time back and forth, staying at home for about a week is about right."

"That's leaving yourself a backup."

"Mainly staying at home too long doesn't really mean much."

He hadn't been living at home for so many years now. Going back suddenly and staying too long wouldn't feel right either — staying a few days appropriately to keep his parents company was enough.

"From what I know, they're all counting on you going back to get married before letting you go again."

"No need for all that trouble. The leader introduced me to someone a few days ago. We're trying to get to know each other. If after spending more time together it works out, I'll file a dating report."

Ye Yaodong had a sudden realization, "No wonder you still held back half a month's leave — that's for using as wedding leave later, right?"

Lin Lin Guangyuan laughed a little sheepishly, then nodded. That was indeed what he himself was thinking and planning.

"Then your parents can rest easy now, no need to worry. Of course a match introduced by the leader is even better — more suitable."

"Mm, they didn't need to worry about me in the first place. They should be worrying about the younger brothers and sisters below me — one by one they're all about that age now."

"Give it a rest. With you as that bad example, the whole string below is watching you. They all say you're not getting married, so they're not in a rush either. Your parents, uncles, aunts — they're all so anxious they're getting fired up."

Lin Lin Guangyuan couldn't tell whether to laugh or cry, "I'm just busy and never had the chance, no suitable person. Why take me as a model? But if I do get married this year, they won't have any reason to talk about me."

"If you're getting married, the fire's going to concentrate on Lin Lin Dongxue. Her office is right next door to the next one. You might as well find her a quality match in the unit — introduce her and see."

"I'll take a look later. What about Ah Ming and Ah Wen?"

"They should be sleeping like logs at this hour. The fishing boats came back yesterday and they delivered cargo all night. You can go next door to the next office and chat with Lin Lin Dongxue first, then find the two of them at the dormitory later."

"Mm."