Getting a job! Those four words instantly drew everyone in the Zhao family’s attention toward Zhao Huai’an.
“How did you get it?” Father Zhao asked excitedly. He was afraid that his third son had gone down the wrong path in desperation.
“Dad, don’t get worked up. I said before that if I kept mixing around, I’d eventually land a job. I’ve been observing Uncle Bao and the others driving trucks all year. Today I went to try it out, and your son turns out to have a real talent for driving. Just like that, the job came through!”
Zhao Huai’an spoke casually. He was also helped by the fact that the original owner of this body often ran around outside, so the family didn’t actually know his real situation.
The eldest brother and sister-in-law were about to say something, but Father Zhao firmly stopped them.
“Eat first. I’m in a good mood today—let’s eat first and talk later!”
During the meal, Father Zhao asked Zhao Huai’an many questions about the transport company, and Zhao Huai’an answered them all. He also took out his employment certificate for his father to look at.
“Mom, please also tell the neighborhood committee that I’ve found a job. They don’t need to keep coming to ask when I’m going to be sent down to the countryside anymore.”
The neighborhood office also had its own quotas and responsibilities. Apart from the autumn graduation period when sent-down youth were arranged, there was also a push after the New Year. Some people would delay again and again, but once the New Year passed and there was no excuse left, they had to be sent down. At that time, many places were already in the winter off-season, and it would be impossible to earn work points—some would even end up owing food to farmers.
After dinner, Zhao Huai’an called his fourth and fifth brothers over and asked what had happened at home while he was away.
The fifth brother, Zhao Huaiqiang, was the most articulate and quickly replied:
“Third brother, before you came back, the eldest brother and sister-in-law were talking about moving out.”
“Moving out? Where to?” Zhao Huai’an’s eyes lit up at once. Moving out? That would be great! He also needed to find a place of his own—otherwise, once he married a wife, was he supposed to live with the whole family forever?
It turned out there were dorm-style houses behind the slaughterhouse. The back row of single-story buildings had been cleared out and designated as housing for single young workers. They could also rent the rooms at a low price.
Zhao Huaiguo was tempted, and after discussing it with Zhou Cuicui, they both wanted to move out. Living in that tiny balcony cubicle was too suffocating.
It was called “low rent,” but even that price was hard to handle. Zhao Huaiguo earned 23 yuan a month, but only 2 yuan actually reached his hands. How could 2 yuan cover rent and living expenses?
So before Zhao Huai’an returned, the young couple had already raised the idea. They also hinted that once they moved out, Zhao Huaiguo’s salary should no longer be handed over to the family.
Of course, Zhao’s father and mother refused.
After hearing all this, Zhao Huai’an’s eyes turned thoughtfully. He asked his two younger brothers to rest first, then went to his parents’ room to discuss things.
He intended to sort out all the messy family matters before talking to He Qiutang. Right now, the most important thing for her was the recruitment exam at the daily chemical factory.
The young couple had a rule: they met at noon every day. Unless something earth-shattering happened, they would see each other daily. Back then, Zhao Huai’an would rush from the west side of the city to the east side every day just to see his girlfriend.
And now it was still the same.
Every day on his way, Zhao Huai’an would “check in” at different places and pick up different things from his system—usually food-related ones, of course. After all, he wasn’t going to let himself suffer.
On the day before the exam, He Qiutang ate some canned peaches that Zhao Huai’an had obtained from one of his daily check-ins and said:
“Tomorrow I’m going for the exam—one session in the morning, one in the afternoon. My sister will be watching me closely, so don’t show up.”
“Alright. But this feels like we’re doing something secretive… kind of exciting.”
With that, he leaned in and kissed her cheek.
It really did feel thrilling. They met up every day like clockwork, then secretly slipped away without letting neighbors notice.
Both of them laughed softly at the idea.
On the day of the exam, Shen Lanxiang encouraged her younger daughter not to be nervous and to write as much as she could. The older sister rode a bicycle with her younger sister to the daily chemical factory, while the mother took the bus earlier.
The exam started half an hour later than normal working hours, so they weren’t in a rush. He Suyin also gave her some tips for the exam. Because the matter was kept secret—only the He family and Zhao Huai’an knew about it—the neighbors were unaware. So when they saw He Suyin pushing a bicycle and leading He Qiutang out, some people became curious and asked where they were going.
Before He Suyin could answer, He Qiutang blurted out:
“My sister is taking me to an arranged meeting!”
He Suyin: ???
Everyone: !!!
She said it so confidently because she had just spotted Xu Zikai approaching, with Yu SuiSui behind him.
“The guy has a formal job and decent family conditions. My sister is taking me to meet him. If it works out, we’ll treat everyone to wedding candy later.”
She spoke openly and confidently, completely unlike a shy girl going on a blind date.
When the neighbors heard that the man had a formal job, they immediately understood what was going on. If this girl from the He family couldn’t get a job, she would have to get married—otherwise she’d be sent down to the countryside.
Everyone understood this logic, and so did Xu Zikai.
It felt like a bolt from the blue for him. Just a few days without contacting He Qiutang, and she had already decided to marry someone else to stay in the city?
Fortunately, he still had other “fish” he had cast his net for—one of them was actively coming to him.
He Suyin had strong psychological composure. She smiled and greeted everyone before quickly leading her sister away on the bicycle. After turning several corners, she finally whispered:
“You girl, next time just say you’re going out for something.”
“Sis, I just saw Xu Zikai. If he caused trouble in front of so many people, it would be a mess.”
Dragging things around would hurt her reputation, and worse, it might affect her exam.
“Alright then. Just remember—don’t always say things like ‘arranged meeting.’ It doesn’t sound good.”
The sisters rode to the side entrance of the daily chemical factory, where many other candidates were already waiting.
“Remember what I told you—don’t panic. Just do your best!”
“Sis, don’t worry!”