Chapter 296: Qi Family Village

"Alright, let's give this quota to Bang Geng."

Lao Jia made the final decision; just as Donglai had said, regardless of seniority or age, it should rightfully have been Donglai.

In this year and a half, the children, just like Jia Dongxu, had reached Body Refining Great Success, and their bodies had successively expelled impurities, with their whole bodies emitting a foul odor; Bang Geng finally believed that his father hadn't actually fallen into a latrine back then.

Since they had all learned some martial arts from Zhang Ping'an, and with the other children from the Siheyuan to keep him company, Lao Jia wasn't worried about Donglai being bullied in the countryside.

Because Li Aihua had been pregnant and given birth in the interim, she had only learned twenty-seven forms so far; she still had a long way to go.

On this day, Yi Zhonghai, Lao Jia, Yan Bugui, and Zhang Ping'an took the children to the Street Office; they wanted to find a place for the children that was relatively close and not too arduous in terms of conditions.

The reason they had come along was for fear that these children might make a rash decision and choose a harsh place on the frontier.

Zhang Ping'an had been dragged along by Lao Jia; having been to more places than anyone else over the years, he could surely offer some reference advice.

"It really has to be you people from the Siheyuan; no wonder you're named the Civilized Siheyuan year after year," Director Wang said, looking at the three old men with satisfaction.

"Director Wang, we've come to take a look at the places for going to the countryside."

"Good."

Lao Jia and his group were the first to arrive after she had issued the documents, so they had a great deal of choice, and she would try her best to provide some pertinent advice.

"Lao Yi, let me give you some advice: choose some plain regions, as they are relatively better, for instance, the Handong Province area—wouldn't you agree, Section Chief Zhang?"

Zhang Ping'an and Lao Jia both had slightly strange expressions; their first thought was of the origins of the Yi Jiabao siblings—could this be a case of destiny working in mysterious ways?

"Yes, what Director Wang says makes sense."

Although Zhang Ping'an had never been to Handong Province, plain regions were indeed much better than the frontier.

"You are the first to arrive, and there are still more than two months before you head to the countryside, so there is no rush; I can reserve these spots for you here first."

This Siheyuan was the most harmonious one she had ever seen, free of those messy, troublesome matters, and it had even improved the atmosphere of the surrounding hutongs, saving her a lot of worry, so she was willing to provide whatever help she could.

"Good, then many thanks, Director Wang."

The group did not decline; they also wanted to struggle for another month or so, pulling strings to see if they could keep the children behind.

A month and a half later, except for Yan Bugui who had found a temporary job for his daughter, everyone else's plans were set in stone; Yi Jiabao, Donglai, and Jiekuang had all confirmed they were going to Handong Province.

As for the He family, Qin Pandi used her own work quota to trade for a job at the Rolling Mill for He Yuliang.

"Brother Dongxu, you should also look to see if there are any jobs at the Rolling Mill; use my job to trade for one for Donglai."

"Alright, I will keep an eye out."

At the Jia Family, during dinner that evening, Jia Dongxu brought this matter up.

"No, who knows if they'll still need people to go to the countryside in two years? Huairu, save your job for Xiao Dang; she'll be old enough in two years."

"Besides, Donglai has already signed up, and he's leaving in a month."

"But Dad..."

"No more talk; it's already been decided. It's in Yantai City, Handong Province, which isn't very far from us."

"Big Brother, Sister-in-law, don't worry; I'm already eighteen and can take good care of myself."

Eighteen-year-old Jia Donglai was now one meter seventy-nine tall; because he had been practicing martial arts for years, his build was slender, and having often gone hunting and seen blood with Zhang Ping'an, he also carried a fierce aura.

Jia Dongxu looked at his younger brother; he was indeed much stronger than he himself had been at that age.

"Alright then, I'll prepare some money and grain for you to take along."

"Good, thank you, Big Brother." Jia Donglai did not refuse again.

On a day off, Zhang Ping'an and his wife were enjoying a rare moment of leisure, eating happily at a roast duck restaurant at noon, when they ran into Jia Donglai and Yi Jiabei.

"Hehe, Uncle, Aunt, you're here to eat roast duck too?" Jia Donglai scratched his head in embarrassment, and Yi Jiabei beside him also had a slightly flushed face.

"Uncle Zhang, Auntie."

"Mm, hehe, what a coincidence; do you want to sit down and eat with us?" As someone who had been through it all, Zhang Ping'an naturally saw through their relationship at a glance.

It wasn't strange, though; the two could be said to be childhood sweethearts, having played together and gone to school together since they were small, so it was normal for them to have feelings.

However, Zhang Ping'an suddenly remembered his niece Dongzi and Yi Jiabao—surely not? Lao Yi and Lao Jia were going to turn from good buddies into in-laws.

"No, no, Uncle, Jiabei and I won't disturb you." After saying this, Jia Donglai pulled the blushing Yi Jiabei and ran off.

"This brat, his covert operations are quite good..."

Ever since Zhang Ping'an caught the two of them, Jia Donglai stopped acting; he even dared to hold Yi Jiabei's hand in front of Yi Zhonghai, which made Yi Zhonghai blow his beard and stare, while Lao Jia just smiled like a doting aunt.

The other neighbors were almost the same; after all, they were children they had watched grow up.

Yi Jiabao, just as Zhang Ping'an had guessed, was also seeing Dongzi; Yi Zhonghai started smiling happily every day, while it became Lao Jia's turn to blow his beard and stare.

In the blink of an eye, a month passed; it was now mid-October at the Sijiucheng train station, and many people had come to see them off.

After Donglai and the others made their relationship known, Jia Dongxu didn't play favorites and prepared a large parcel for both of them, mostly filled with various kinds of dried meat, while Zhang Ping'an prepared some medicine for common illnesses, Water-Soaking Medicinal Pills, and some Grain Coupons and meat coupons for them.

"Set off now, be careful on the road."

"Dad, Mom, Uncle, Big Brother, Little Sister, Sister Jiabei, I'm leaving."

Watching the train pull away, everyone felt a bit sorrowful; they feared this departure would last for years.

"San Jie Fu, Brother Yi, Yantai City isn't far from here; the train takes a little over a day to get there, so they can come back to visit during the holidays."

"Yes, that's right."

With Zhang Ping'an's reminder, everyone came back to their senses; it was only a little over three months until the New Year, which wasn't long.

At eleven o'clock the next night, Jia Donglai and the other two, joined by four more along the way, arrived in Yantai City as a group of seven, then transferred to an Ox Cart, swaying until three in the morning before reaching their destination: Qi Family Village.

The captain of Qi Family Village appeared to be a man in his fifties named Qi Qingbei.

"You all make do at the Brigade Headquarters for now; I'll assign you to the Youth Point at daybreak. Girls here, boys there. I'll be here tonight too, just call if you need anything."

"Thank you, Uncle Qingbei. My name is Jia Donglai; have a cigarette and rest." Jia Donglai followed along the way.

"Young man, is there something on your mind?"

The others were all listless, and Qi Qingbei looked at this young man who was still full of vigor, marveling in his heart.

"Hehe, I can't hide anything from you, Uncle Qingbei. I'm not used to sleeping in a large communal bunk; do you have any spare rooms here that I could rent?"

"Fine, there really is one, but it's been in disrepair for years and needs a good renovation. Go to sleep for now; we'll talk about everything when it's light out."

"Alrighty."

At seven in the morning, Jia Donglai got up, did some simple exercises and stretches in the courtyard, washed up, and ate.

At eight o'clock, the educated youth were woken up one by one, and after Qi Qingbei washed up, he prepared to assign rooms and tasks.

"Qingshan?"

Qi Qingbei cried out in surprise when he saw Yi Jiabao, and hurriedly rubbed his eyes.

"No, no, what is your name?"