Song Wei and Lin Zhen accepted the educated youths’ invitation and went, bringing their whole family along.
They didn’t go empty-handed, though—they brought a bottle of liquor.
Sitting in the courtyard of the educated youths’ residence, a group crowded around a table while the twins played with the dogs.
“No need for long speeches—this toast is to both of you. You’ve been our benefactors.”
Everyone raised their glasses.
Thanks to the good news about the imminent restoration of the college entrance exams, the atmosphere at the table was lively and cheerful.
Aside from Song Wei and Lin Zhen, no one else held their liquor well. After all, many had never drunk alcohol at home, especially the female educated youths.
“Have you decided which schools or majors you’ll apply for?”
Someone brought up the topic everyone was most interested in.
Though their faces were flushed from drinking, their eyes shone brightly.
Bai Yunjiao said, “I want to study something related to agriculture.”
Once a delicate, dependent person, Bai Yunjiao now carried a sharpness and confidence in her expression.
Seeing everyone’s eyes on her, the petite woman spoke openly: “I’ve spent so much time learning about agriculture and reading so many books—I can’t let that go to waste.”
“More importantly, I’ve realized that farming isn’t just about physical labor. Yuan Longping’s hybrid rice is a perfect example—farming requires study and intellect. I don’t want to waste the knowledge and experience I’ve gained. Maybe someday, I can use my skills to increase crop yields.”
As she spoke, her eyes sparkled.
It had to be said—Bai Yunjiao had changed dramatically.
But this change only made her more compelling.
After she finished, everyone applauded enthusiastically.
“Well said!”
“I never expected Comrade Bai to be the most visionary among us.”
Bai Yunjiao smiled. “This is just my idea. Whether I can get into a program is another matter.”
“No matter what, we’re luckier than most, and we’ve worked hard. Even if the results aren’t perfect, we’ll have no regrets.”
After Bai Yunjiao spoke, Liu Linlin stood up. “I want to study economics. I’m a practical person—I just like making money.”
Li Juan said, “I want to study education and become a teacher.”
“I want to learn about machinery.”
“My grades are the lowest, and my ambitions aren’t grand. I also want to become a teacher and live a stable life.”
Everyone shared their career aspirations and goals for the future.
Liu Linlin suddenly turned to Song Wei. “What about you? Do you really plan to stay here forever? Even if you’re reluctant to leave Comrade Lin and the children, you could bring them with you to a big city. I believe you have the ability, and Comrade Lin does too.”
Song Wei laughed. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“But I’m not forcing myself, and I won’t have regrets. I like it here.”
Her dream was simple: to live a peaceful life and have enough to eat every day.
“Still, even if I’m not taking the exams or moving to a big city, I won’t idle my time away in the countryside.”
In the end, everyone raised their glasses once more.
“Cheers! May we all have bright futures and smooth sailing!”
“Cheers!”
After three rounds of drinks, it was time for Song Wei, Lin Zhen, and their family to leave.
The twins were already walking on their own, skipping and bouncing ahead.
“Dad, Mom, hurry up!”
The October wind carried a chill, and as it blew, Song Wei and Lin Zhen sobered up a bit.
Lin Zhen suddenly took her hand, and the two walked side by side at a leisurely pace on the country path.
“Do you want to live in a big house?”
Song Wei looked up at him. “Our house is already big enough.”
Lin Zhen pressed, “Do you like big houses? Let’s build a nice, spacious house in the future.”
Song Wei replied, “We can talk about that later. The current house is perfectly comfortable.”
Lin Zhen’s voice softened. “I want to buy you a big house in the city.”
Song Wei stopped and stood in front of him, suddenly raising her hands to cup his face.
Their eyes met, each seeing their reflection in the other’s gaze.
“You’ve been influenced by them, haven’t you?”
Song Wei’s face was slightly flushed, a delicate pink like a blooming crabapple flower.
Lin Zhen reached up and gently touched her cheek, his voice low. “I want to give you a better life.”
“But I think our life now is already wonderful. ‘You are not a fish; how do you know what brings joy to a fish?’”
She rested her head on Lin Zhen’s shoulder.
“But we could actually buy a house,” Song Wei added, shifting the topic.
“Houses will be very valuable in the future. I may not need one, but the two children will.”
She turned to look at their two children ahead, her eyes filled with tenderness.
“Have you heard of the courtyard houses in Beijing? Let’s buy those—one for each of the two children. Those courtyards will be worth a fortune someday. I’m content with our life here; I love living in this rural countryside. But the two children will have their own lives to lead. Buying property now is a way to prepare for the future.”
Lin Zhen wrapped his arm around her. “Alright, then we’ll buy them.”
He had other plans too—he’d buy houses for the children outright, but for themselves, he’d build an even better home right here in the village.
As for himself, home was wherever Song Wei was.
With this decided, and since the two children were well-behaved and manageable, Lin Zhen decided to stop working in the fields to earn work points.
He went to the transport station.
Jiang Wenwu offered to return the job to him, but Lin Zhen declined.
He knew there was a recruitment exam coming up.
He considered Jiang Wenwu’s job as a way to repay the brigade leader for supporting his enlistment despite opposition.
Lin Zhen took the transport station’s internal recruitment exam.
With his solid knowledge and exceptional truck-driving skills, he passed the exam successfully.
Whenever he wanted, he could easily build good relationships with many people at the transport station.
Lin Zhen became a truck driver again.
Jiang Wenwu kept his job as well.
This news spread like wildfire to every corner of Ping’an Brigade.
Now, Ping’an Brigade had two formal workers—both officially employed as truck drivers!
Many people approached the brigade leader’s family or Song Wei to inquire about the news.
When they learned that Lin Zhen had gotten the job on his own merit and that the transport station had only recruited one truck driver, they were filled with admiration, envy, and a touch of jealousy.
But more than anything, people started trying to build connections with Song Wei.
This situation made them realize that information about job openings was usually only known to internal staff.
They hoped that, even if Lin Zhen wouldn’t give up a job for them like he did for the brigade leader’s family, he could at least notify them the next time a job opportunity arose. That way, their young people could also have a chance to take the recruitment exam.
With everyone thinking this way, the foot traffic at Lin Zhen’s home became overwhelming.
Song Wei found it a bit bothersome. She enjoyed gossip, but she didn’t like hosting so many visitors!
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