Chapter 41: Goal Achieved

Director Liu felt his worldview had been blown apart.

A capitalist's son and a scion of five generations of martyrs chatted and laughed happily.

Moreover, they were very opportunistic.

That capitalist's son even used the market's rotten sweet potatoes, potatoes, and vegetable leaves to make famine relief grain in advance.

Moreover, he married a member of a martyr's family this year.

If he did it unintentionally, his luck is simply astronomical.

If he did it intentionally, his wisdom must be profound.

The three of them grew more in sync as they talked, leaving Director Liu out in the cold.

Seeing they had no intention to stop, Director Liu couldn't help but interrupt.

"Old lady, are you keeping this person or keeping him?"

The old lady nodded in satisfaction this time.

"Go back and handle the paperwork for Hong Yatou."

Yang Qing then said.

"Aunt Liu, as for the famine relief grain, besides Aunt Wang, I hope you can help us keep this secret."

"We now need to provide some for those repairing the houses; we have nothing left. If this is exposed, we might starve over the next year."

"You know, my wife has a rural hukou, so she receives no quota."

"My quota has now been cut to twenty jin."

"Without that famine relief grain, our life will be very hard."

"Unless you can help my wife transfer her hukou or make her job permanent."

Director Liu shook his head.

"Yang Qing, please don't make things difficult for me."

"Today I gave your wife a job as an outsider and a temporary worker, which is already an exception made for Director Wang's sake."

"Who knows how many people will accuse me of backdoor dealings, corruption and bribery."

"If I made you permanent, I couldn't justify it even if I were in the right."

"I've kept this secret for you, so please don't make things difficult for me."

After probing and confirming it was impossible, Yang Qing didn't dwell on it further.

"Thank you, Aunt Liu."

After seeing Aunt Liu off, the old lady grabbed Yang Qing and started asking about the hukou issue.

"What's your situation?"

Yang Qing briefly explained to the old lady the hukou and grain ration issues.

And if Chen Hong becomes pregnant, in Jingcheng she can't even obtain a milk powder quota.

A hukou problem has brought great difficulty to this small family.

The old lady looked at Yang Qing and smiled.

"Yang Qing, you're trying to fool grandma again—spit it out, do you want me to help you solve this problem?"

Yang Qing also gave a cheeky grin.

"Don't think I'm using you."

"I originally told the Jiedao director that I wanted to exchange my urban hukou for my wife's."

"I have a rural hukou."

"That way, it doesn't count as taking up an urban hukou."

"She won't handle it for me."

"So I brought my wife here to mooch meals off you."

"Because I know serving you means we won't lack food or drink."

"Anyway, it can also cheer you up."

"Look at my wife—she has no family left, yet she strongly made her way from Henan to Jingcheng."

"Grandma, I think you're not as good as my wife."

"My wife came to Jingcheng, working hard at making paper boxes in the Jiedao, and when she married me she brought a dowry of five yuan."

"Over there, people come to serve you, yet you drive them all away."

The old lady tapped him once.

"You little rascal."

"Don't comfort me; I just don't want to cause trouble for others."

"In this Jingcheng I have no relatives left; staying here, I feel empty."

"I want to go back to my hometown, but they won't let me."

"Just let Hong Yatou stay to keep me company."

"As for the hukou matter, I don't understand it either; I'll just ask for you, but I can't do anything whether it works or not."

Chen Hong quickly thanked her.

"Thank you, grandma."

Yang Qing didn't thank either, instead speaking a bit shamelessly.

"Grandma, to be honest, my wife doesn't want to tire you out, so she has refused to come."

"I kept waiting until I promised her not to mention the hukou matter, and then she agreed to come."

"She truly wants to keep you company, because she feels you are both wanderers in the same plight."

You know me—I'm thick-skinned, I went back on my word.

You'll definitely have to kneel on the washing board when you go back.

So, have pity on me; for this month, just let her stay here.

The old lady also happily pointed at him with her finger.

You said you were renovating your house, yet you call borrowing a place to stay so shameless.

Yang Qing took her hand.

This month, my wife will stay here; next month, you go to our place to stay for a month; if you get sick of it, come back for a while, then when you're bored again, go back and stay.

The old lady caught Yang Qing's meaning and felt a bit moved.

Then wouldn't that mean you're supporting me in my old age?

Yang Qing chuckled.

Supporting you in your old age isn't a loss; what's my status, what's yours? Wherever you live, even a humble home shines.

Besides, you provide your own food and drink; we just open our mouths to keep you company, getting a great bargain.

Chen Hong couldn't tell whether Yang Qing was sincere or just pretending; if the old lady could stay at their place for a few days, it would really solve many problems.

But is this just using the old lady again?

Chen Hong really felt guilty.

Grandma, our place isn't a good place; let's not go.

Here is quite fine, nothing wrong; I'll accompany you out for a walk, this place is much better than the big communal courtyard.

Upon hearing that, Yang Qing didn't get angry; instead, he was quite pleased.

Look, just as we left the door, you said my place isn't a good place.

The old lady took everything in.

To say how close she and Yang Qing are—that's not the case.

To say there's no connection, over those years Yang Qing gave her a lot of help, especially regarding dietary therapy for her own children; he did his utmost.

So she agreed to help him inquire about the household registration matter.

As for other things, we'll see later.

Who knows what trouble this kid has gotten into? Good or bad? At least he mustn't ruin his family's reputation.

As long as you mean well, that's enough.

Yang Qing, what do you plan to do from now on? You have a wife now, you can't just do odd jobs like before.

Yang Qing repeated his substitute-work theory again.

I think, as long as I apply myself, in the substitute-work field I can still make a name for myself.

The old lady gave a thumbs-up.

You have ambition.

Do you know how many trades there are in Beijing?

Learning them one by one would keep you busy for several lifetimes.

Yang Qing, however, didn't care.

It's fine; I can start with something simple and first obtain the substitute-work qualification.

Then I'll slowly explore which trade I have a talent for, and then focus on that.

In the end, become a naturally gifted substitute worker.

The old lady said irritably.

I think you're best at bragging; go on and continue your studies.

Study to earn the title of Master of Bragging.

Your thoughts are so flighty; without focus, how can you manage? Better to settle down and find a proper job.

Yang Qing retorted.

Grandma, I'm suited for this; we can't find any proper work anyway.

That's fate.

The old lady also had no recourse; due to her background, she was willing but unable; she's just an old lady.

She is a martyr's orphan, not the martyr himself.

She can't influence such a big matter.

Then let's learn cooking.

This line of work makes it easier to support oneself.