sbdcsierra Chapter 1767 Lin Guangyuan
Chapter 1767 Lin Guangyuan
Chapter 1767 Lin Guangyuan
It was half a month later when he received Lin Guangyuan's call, at the end of June, when the children were all on summer vacation.
He had just answered the phone when he heard his uncle's name, and he was surprised.
"Ah Yuan?"
"Yes, it's me. I called you at the beginning of the month but no one answered, so I called Dongxue later."
"I had just reached the door when she was about to hang up the phone. She didn't see me at the door and only asked after she hung up, 'When are you coming back? Don't you have winter and summer vacations while you're away for further studies? Or do you not have any holidays?'"
"The holidays are too short to make a round trip. We went to the north, where we were in full-time classes. Most of our holidays were spent at sea, so sometimes even making a phone call was quite inconvenient."
"Alright, when are you coming back? It's just the start of summer vacation these past few days. Your cousins just came to the factory yesterday, and your aunt was here too. She was talking about you yesterday, saying that she called me a while ago saying she was coming back, but there's still no sign of her, and she hasn't even called to say anything."
"I called back to tell you this. I've already bought the train ticket. It's for tomorrow, and it'll probably take three days to get there. Then I'll have to take a ferry from Shanghai."
"Okay, now that you're back, come visit the factory. I'll let your aunt stay a few more days and then go back to Shanghai later."
Lin Guangyuan said somewhat embarrassedly, "There are several people traveling with me. I need to go back to my unit to report first, and then apply for leave."
"Then just follow the organization's procedures. I'll have your aunt pick you up in Shanghai. She's been talking about it for days. Tell her which train you're taking, what date and time you'll arrive, and I'll tell her."
As he was saying this, he happened to see someone passing by the door, and immediately shouted for someone to call Lin Xiuqing over.
If I don't call her, she'll have to talk to me again later.
Anyway, there's no need to bother him.
When Lin Guangyuan heard that he was to be picked up at the station, he quickly refused, "No need, why pick me up? I'm all grown up, I don't need to be picked up, besides, there are three or four people traveling with me..."
"Then you just wait for her to come and tell her. I've already sent someone to call her. She'll be here in five minutes at most."
"No need to go to all that trouble, you don't need to mention this to her."
"You don't know this yet, do you? Your aunt can drive a car. She can pick you up from the station and take you directly to the pier. She can even chat with you on the way without delaying your trip."
Lin Guangyuan's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? My aunt can drive a car? Really?"
"Of course it's true, why would I lie to you? She got her driver's license in Shanghai last summer and has been driving for a year now. She's already a qualified female driver."
"Wow, that's amazing. I just passed the test and haven't even driven much yet."
"So it's convenient for her to have a car to pick you up, and it's convenient for you too. She can see you and talk to you. She hasn't seen you for several years, and she misses you quite a bit."
"Alright then, I'm just afraid of causing you trouble. I don't care what happens to me."
"I don't care. It's not like I'm the one picking you up. Hehe, she'll definitely be happy to. She'll only stay for two or three days anyway, and she'll have to go back to Shanghai anyway. If you come over as soon as you get back, she'll definitely stay a few more days."
Lin Xiuqing, panting, ran to the door just then. "Is A-Yuan's phone still there?"
"It's still here, just waiting for you to come and pick it up."
She walked over slowly, taking the opportunity to catch her breath.
"Finally you remembered to call back? Are you that busy? You never even thought to call..."
She answered the phone, muttering to herself, "Ah Yuan, when are you coming back?"
Ye Yaodong stood up and offered her his seat so she could talk on the phone. He then went to the door to smoke, giving her the space to talk at her leisure.
Lin Xiuqing's most beloved nephew was Lin Guangyuan. The two were only 11 years apart in age. Lin Guangyuan was raised by her when he was a child, while other able-bodied people had to work in the fields.
Although Lin Dongxue is similar, the eldest is different after all, and the second eldest still has to be ranked lower.
He hadn't even finished his cigarette when three little ones were running towards him from not far away, shouting as they ran.
"father……"
"Dad, is that my older cousin on the phone?"
"Dad, is my eldest cousin coming back?"
"Aren't you at work?"
"It's lunch break now, Dad, are you trying to kill us with exhaustion?"
They ran inside as soon as they finished speaking.
"Mom, is that my older cousin on the phone? Tell me, tell me."
"Don't make any noise."
Ye Yaodong leaned against the doorway, listening to their chatter inside.
"That's enough. Don't take turns talking. If you younger ones have something to say, wait until your older cousin comes back. I don't charge for phone calls, but I don't know if your older cousin has the money to pay for such long-distance calls."
Lin Xiuqing then realized, "Right, right, the phone call is too expensive. I've been talking for about 10 minutes, plus what your uncle said earlier, it's been almost half an hour. Long-distance calls are too expensive, I'll hang up now. By the way, do you have any money in your pocket? If not, borrow some from someone else, and we'll pay them back as soon as we get back."
"No need, I receive subsidies when I go to school, I have money."
"Okay, that's settled then. I'll pick you up at the train station in three days."
After the call ended, the three younger children were still disappointed that they hadn't been able to speak. Their mother relayed a few words over the phone.
“Going to school is pretty good, and you even get paid. Dongxue received a subsidy back then. If your son can pass the exam next year, he'll be practically guaranteed a government job.”
"That's hard to say."
Who knows when the job assignment system will be abolished? Ye Yaodong didn't know which year, but he felt it wouldn't be long. He wondered if they would graduate without any job assignments.
After all, the number of college students is increasing every year, with hundreds of thousands graduating each year. The number of public institution positions across the country is also limited, and there will always be a time when the market is saturated.
By then, graduation will mean everyone going back to their own homes, each going their own way, some to work, some to start their own businesses.
However, college graduates are scarce these days. In the past, most of them were taken care of by the state. Unless the assigned place did not meet their personal wishes or they refused to comply, they would be sought after by private companies even if they ended up working elsewhere, so they would not have to worry about finding a job.
It's not as prestigious as being employed by the government. At this time, being an individual is still not something to be proud of, but it's a bit better than a few years ago, since they are paid more.
Moreover, manufacturers are now allowed to participate in the Canton Fair.
"It's hard to say. Isn't it a given that college graduates are assigned jobs? It's just that in recent years, I've heard that they're assigned to remote places, like the Northwest. Many people don't want to go there, so they don't accept the assignment. Some choose to go into business instead."
"Policies change every year, and who knows when they will be canceled? After all, hundreds of thousands of college graduates need to be assigned jobs every year, and the number is increasing year by year. There will always be a time when the positions are saturated. Are we going to assign jobs to every graduating class? Does the country have that many positions? One person, one job. If there are no extra jobs, then there is no need for extra people."
Lin Xiuqing was stunned as she listened, but this was beyond her comprehension. She couldn't imagine how the original policy would change, or what would happen after universities stopped guaranteeing job placement.
"You...you're just guessing."
"No, my situation is very likely to happen. The number of government jobs is limited. How many years has it been since the college entrance examination was reinstated in 1977? It's been 16 years since then. Think about how many jobs have been allocated."
"Well... that's not something we can consider. Anyway, not assigning jobs won't affect your son. He'll definitely come back to help you."
"That's true, but it won't affect us. However, it will have a significant impact on society. We can recruit a group of college students to work here then."
"So that's what you were planning. No wonder you said so much."
"It was just a casual remark, and the factory needs some fresh blood. Young and energetic college graduates are just right. We'll see if there's an opportunity in a few years."
Ye Xiaoxi sat in her armchair playing with the ornaments on the table. Suddenly, she whispered, "Dad, can we hire Sister Xiaoya to work in our factory?"
"You really like Zheng Shuya that much?"
"Yes, she's so gentle. She often gives me White Rabbit candies, and she'll help me tie my hair in cute styles. Every day when she sees me, she praises me for being cute and well-behaved."
"We probably can't persuade someone as powerful as her."
"what?"
"Didn't you say their goal was Fudan University? Do you think someone from Fudan would come to a small place like mine? Stop overthinking it. How much has your brother given you in return?"
"My elder brother didn't give me any benefits; it was my own idea."
"Stop overthinking things and focus on yourself. Your older brother doesn't need your concern. He wants a wife, and he'll pursue her himself. Why are you worrying so much? You're so young and you're already worrying about this one not being able to find a wife or that one not being able to get a wife. Are you going to be a matchmaker when you grow up?"
"I'm just curious, aren't I? It's because you adults keep saying that Brother Jiang is still single, and that my older cousin shouldn't be too picky, or she'll end up an old maid."
Ye Yaodong slapped her on the head, "Stop listening to gossip and get back to your dorm to do your homework."
She pouted as she got off the stool, muttering, "Going to work every day is bad enough, but after get off work I still have to do homework. I'm busier than you."
"Then you shouldn't go to work."
"Sure, but you still have to pay me my salary as usual."
"You are beautiful."
Lin Xiuqing interrupted them and looked at Ye Yaodong, "Why don't you go back to your dorm for a nap? If there's nothing urgent today, you don't need to stay in the office all the time."
"Okay, since you've invited me, I definitely have to go back to my dorm."
She glanced at the three pairs of curious eyes, then secretly glared at Ye Yaodong before patting their heads.
"What are you looking at? Hurry up and go back to your dorm to do your homework."
"Oh."
Lin Xiuqing hurried the three of them back to the dormitory together, and Ye Yaodong locked the office door before following them.
She lagged a few steps behind the children and glared at him, saying, "The children are all grown up and sensible now. You can't keep saying such outrageous things in front of them."
“What did I say? I didn’t say anything. You’re just overinterpreting it. Besides, what’s wrong with letting the child know that their parents have a good relationship? I didn’t say anything bad.”
As Ye Yaodong spoke, he reached out and touched her waist, inviting her to come closer to him.
She lowered her voice, "Don't touch me in public, it's not good if people see us."
He withdrew his hand and scoffed, "Isn't being legal enough?"
Lin Xiuqing changed the subject, "I'll stay for two more days, and then I'll go to Shanghai the day after tomorrow. I can pick up A Yuan there. He said there are four of them, and one car is just right. I'll take them to the pier and also see how he's changed over the years."
"Whatever you want, you were going to leave the day after tomorrow anyway."
"That's right. Picking him up is just a one-trip thing, and it happens to be in Shanghai anyway. Otherwise, after he finishes reporting for duty, I don't know when he'll be able to apply for leave to come out."
"Yeah, he'll probably get promoted when he gets back this time."
"I don't know about that. Anyway, it's good that he's back. He can go home and visit his family after a while. He's been in the army for seven years, and his parents haven't seen him much. This trip back home will allow him to spend more time with his family."
Ye Chengyang, who was walking ahead, suddenly turned around and asked, "Is my cousin coming to visit us?"
"They'll definitely come. I'll call you when they arrive."
"Okay."
After sending the three of them back to their dorms to do their homework, the couple went back to their own room and shamelessly took a nap together.
Ever since they learned that Lin Guangyuan was coming back and would be visiting the factory, Ye Chengyang and Ye Xiaoxi have been asking him every day: When is my cousin coming?
He asked about her meals three times a day, but Lin Xiuqing had returned to Shanghai and couldn't hear him, so he only tormented Ye Yaodong.
He's answered countless times, but every time they meet, they ask him the same question: "Did they never know their relationship was this deep?"
When Ye Xiaoxi was three years old, Lin Guangyuan went to join the army, so they probably didn't even know each other.
He had always thought that Ye Chenghai and Lin Guangyuan were closer, since they used to hang out together often and were close in age.
He doesn't know if his two kids are just too excited about the novelty of the experience, because they keep asking him questions, which is giving him a headache. Luckily, there's a class for them to attend.
Lin Guangyuan arrived on July 15th. He thought the kid wasn't coming and had gone straight back to his hometown.
It's been more than half a month since he last called; a report shouldn't take that long.
He received a call from the security guard asking him to let him through immediately.
A moment later, Lin Guangyuan, dressed in a sailor shirt, stood straight at the door of his office, blocking most of the sunlight.
He grinned, revealing bright white teeth that contrasted sharply with his mature, bronzed face.
Ye Yaodong had just stood up happily when he was already in front of him and saluted him straight.
"Sister-in-law!"
"Wow, you've grown so tall! You're about my height now, aren't you? I don't think you were this tall a few years ago. Are you 1.8 meters now?"
"Haha, I'm only 1.8 meters tall with shoes on. I think I've grown a little bit more these past few years because of the good food."
Ye Yaodong patted him on the shoulder happily, only to suddenly notice that the epaulets on his shoulder were different.
"Hey, the epaulettes have changed? What does this star and bar mean?"
"I've been promoted to officer. My current rank is second lieutenant, and I'm called a squad leader, which corresponds to a platoon leader in the army." He said with some pride.
Ye Yaodong's eyes lit up, "He was promoted as soon as he got back."
"Absolutely. We can be promoted after graduation, but we still need to continuously accumulate practical experience and take it one step at a time."
"It's great. These seven years in the army weren't wasted. I've finally made it through." He was very gratified. Coming from a rural background and without any connections, it wasn't easy for him to make it to the officer rank.
If nothing unexpected happens, and things proceed steadily, they will naturally rise step by step, and their future will be bright.
"It's also good luck, and it's also thanks to your contributions to the military that I was able to get a spot. You know, there are only two spots each year, and it's not certain which naval squadron it will go to."
"That's the result of your own hard work. If you don't perform well and don't have potential, your superiors won't promote you."
Lin Guangyuan smiled, not taking credit for himself.
"Why did you only come now? It's been half a month since you came back. I thought you had already been granted leave and went straight back."
"No, after the report, we still have to wait for the promotion, right? We also have to verify the results and write reports. There are a lot of procedures involved."
Ye Yaodong nodded, "Sit down, sit down and let's talk slowly."
Lin Guangyuan placed some local specialties he had brought back, along with cigarettes and alcohol, on the table for him; everything he brought was high-end and top-quality.
"Why did you bring so much stuff?"
"Isn't this what I should do? Now that you've become successful, it's your duty to take care of me. I never imagined my aunt would change so much in the past few years, she's become so stylish, she can even drive a car. I was stunned when I saw her the other day, and she was driving a Mercedes-Benz! That's amazing!"
"It's clearly me who's better; you should be praising me."
"Haha, my uncle hasn't changed at all, haha."
Ye Yaodong poured him a cup of tea. "Shanghai really does nurture people. Your aunt looks younger and younger. Luckily, I haven't aged either. Last month, when I went to Chenghu School, her classmates were all excited."
He was quite pleased with himself when he talked about it; he had successfully shown off and made his son proud.
"Yes, you two are getting younger and more stylish. I think it's not that Shanghai is good for people, it's that money is good for people."
"That's absolutely right."
"I heard Chenghu is in his second year of high school now? He'll be in his third year in the fall. He's really promising! I never thought he was so academically gifted. I misjudged him. I thought he would only be able to graduate from junior high school and then be sent to sea by you."
"You haven't met him yet, have you? It's not him who's successful, it's me who's successful. I brought him here to pull strings and got him into high school. Now he's studying quite well, but we'll have to wait until next year's college entrance exam to see the results."
"What about the other two little ones? My aunt said they work here. I haven't seen them for years, they must have grown taller, and probably don't recognize me anymore."
“He’s working in the workshop inside. I’ll take you there later. Calling him now would be too noisy. He asks me every day when you’re coming. I don’t know when we became so close.”
"Haha, it's probably because it's new and they're curious about their cousin who's supposedly in the army."
"I think so. Has your vacation been approved? How many days has it been approved? Do you need to buy a train ticket to go back to your hometown? Should I call someone to buy it for you?"
"I've accumulated a month and a half of leave. I applied for half a month first and have already asked a friend to help me buy sleeper tickets, so you don't need to bother. I'm leaving Shanghai tomorrow morning, but I came to visit you today."
"Have you called home to tell them?" Ye Yaodong pointed to the telephone on the table. "Now that you've bought the train tickets, you should call home and let them know."
“If it weren’t for the fishing moratorium, all three of my smaller fishing boats and near-shore fishing boats would have gone back home. You could have taken a boat directly from here and gone through all the trouble of buying a train ticket.”
There are fewer cargo ships this month, and the cargo volume at the docks is reduced by 70-80% during the fishing moratorium. Freight shipments have also decreased significantly. It's not always convenient to go via the freight lines to their provincial capital; there might not be any available the next day. Moreover, cargo ships travel slowly, so it's better to just buy the nearest train ticket back.
"It's okay, the train is convenient too. I bought a sleeper berth, so the journey time is about the same."
"Then you can go to Shanghai this afternoon, stay at home tonight, and have your aunt take you to the train station tomorrow morning, which will be convenient."
"My aunt is really something now, she can even set up an office for you in Shanghai?"
“She doesn’t need to do anything. She just needs to sit there and keep an eye on things and coordinate. Other people will do the work.”
"That's still impressive, managing so many people."
"Okay, you can stay at my place tonight. I'll give you the address later. There are plenty of rooms at my place. Ye Chenghu has been asking you about it too."
Lin Guangyuan nodded, "Okay, I'll go out for a stroll after lunch and buy some gifts for my family. I've already left my luggage with your security guard."
"It's fine to leave the gatekeeper there; he'll keep an eye on things for you. What are your plans for the future? If you go back, your family will probably start pressuring you to get married. They're definitely worried about you at your age."
"That's why I only applied for half a month's leave. After deducting the travel time, I can stay at home for about a week."
"They've been holding back."
"The main problem is that staying at home for too long doesn't really make much sense."
He hasn't lived at home for so many years, and he wouldn't be used to going back and staying for too long. He can just stay for a few days to spend with his parents.
"As far as I know, they all want you to go back, get married, and then let you go."
"No need to worry about that. My boss introduced me to someone a few days ago. We're trying to get to know each other. If it goes well, I'll submit a dating report."
Ye Yaodong suddenly realized, "No wonder he reserved half a month's leave, is he saving it for his wedding leave?"
Lin Guangyuan smiled somewhat embarrassedly, then nodded; that was exactly what he had thought and planned.
"Then your parents can rest assured now, they don't have to worry anymore. Of course, the one recommended by the leader is better and more suitable."
"Well, they don't really need to worry about this. They should be worrying about their younger siblings, who are all getting on in years."
"Come on, with you setting such a bad example, a whole bunch of people are watching you. They all say that they're not worried about you not getting married, but your parents, uncles, and aunts are getting anxious."
Lin Guangyuan was both amused and exasperated. "I don't have the time or the opportunity, and there's no suitable person for me. Why should they look up to me? But if I get married this year, they won't have any reason to criticize me anymore."
"If you're going to get married, you should focus your efforts on Dongxue. She's in the office two offices away. Why don't you find her a good match in the military and introduce her to someone?"
"I'll check later. Where are Amin and Awen?"
"They should be fast asleep by now. The fishing boats came back yesterday, and they delivered goods all night. You can go talk to Dongxue in the next room first, and then go to the dormitory to find them later."
"Ah."