“Uncle Ergen, there’s no need to go back to the Xu family house to get your household registration booklet. I can arrange a brand-new household registration for your family right here!”
Xu Duoduo walked over cheerfully while holding the severed-family-ties agreement.
“Brother Liu, wait a bit before handling the household registration. There’s no rush. Do you know anyone at the neighborhood office? Can you help arrange a good countryside placement for my sister?”
Even after severing ties, educated youth relocation still had to happen.
And this Liu Chuanjia really wasn’t bad at all.
A good brother-in-law candidate.
But the two of them hadn’t officially entered a relationship yet, so staying far away from the heroine’s plot armor was still extremely important.
“The day before yesterday our family split up. Grandpa gave my family the old countryside house belonging to the Xu family.
“It’s in Daheyan Brigade under Zhangqizhai Commune.
“I heard there’s a batch of educated youths being sent to the countryside there next week. If my sister goes there, it’ll practically be like returning home.
“When the time comes, if she wants to come back to the county and find work, she’ll still be able to.”
“Then why not just transfer your household registration back there directly? Why bother becoming educated youths?”
“Because educated youths get relocation subsidies, obviously.”
Xu Duoduo rolled her eyes at Liu Chuanjia.
Ah.
The future little sister-in-law was already looking down on him.
Her methods for making money were truly unconventional.
Most people left home to receive subsidies and become educated youths in the countryside.
She wanted to become an educated youth, collect the subsidy, then return home anyway.
“I’ll make a phone call and ask.”
The moment future little sister-in-law made a request, any opportunity to gain favor had to be seized immediately.
“Old Zhao? Have the educated youth spots for Zhangqizhai filled already? Hahaha, don’t worry then. I’ve got two volunteers here. I’ll bring them over shortly.”
Turning back, Liu Chuanjia grinned.
“Duoduo, the neighborhood office still hasn’t filled its quota for educated youths going to Zhangqizhai. The office director’s been worried about it.
“I told him to reserve two spots. Both you and your sister can go.
“Two subsidies.”
Thank you so much.
Arranging Xu Bu was enough already.
Why drag her into becoming an educated youth too?
She just wanted to quietly lie low and develop in peace.
Inside her mind, Xu Duoduo’s tiny inner self was currently beating Liu Chuanjia violently in a corner.
“Duoduo, our family has money now. Your sister and you don’t need to become educated youths just for the subsidies.”
Xu Ergen looked at the girls heartfully.
They really were his precious little cotton-padded jackets.
“Dad, either way we’re returning to the village. My sister and I can at least earn some relocation subsidies too.
“And Grandpa Team Leader will also have two fewer educated youths assigned to the village. Isn’t that perfect for everyone?”
Even though this really did feel a little like taking advantage of the system, she absolutely refused to admit it.
“You two have grown up now. Fine then. If you want to register, then register.
“Once you’re in the countryside, Dad will work hard and support you. You girls won’t need to do farm labor.”
“Uncle Ergen, there’s one problem though. Your family no longer has a registered address in the county, so I can’t directly issue a new household registration.
“That means Xiaobu and Duoduo technically no longer meet the educated youth requirements.
“How about this—I’ll first issue a temporary lost-household-registration certificate, then I’ll personally take the girls over there.”
“That works. Then I’ll trouble you, Chuanjia, to accompany them.
“I still have urgent matters at work and need to wait for a reply, so I have to return first.”
Turning to his daughters, Xu Ergen added:
“Xiaobu, after you finish everything, get a travel introduction letter too. You two can rent two rooms at the guesthouse tonight. I’ll come meet you there this evening.”
Xu Ergen had no suspicions whatsoever and completely trusted Liu Chuanjia with his daughters.
Little did he know, this big bad wolf was already preparing to carry off his eldest daughter.
“Uncle Ergen, look at what you’re saying. What trouble? We’re neighbors. Go handle your work first. Besides, I’m free anyway.”
Liu Chuanjia was overjoyed.
The longer he could spend with Xu Bu, the happier he became.
…
“Officer Liu, these two girls are really going to the countryside? Look at this one—her head’s still wrapped in bandages! She hasn’t even recovered yet!
“And the relocation happens in only three days. Can she really go?”
Director Zhao felt his heart sink while looking at the two frail girls.
“Where are your parents? Let me tell you this clearly—going to the countryside isn’t some impulsive decision.
“Once you register, there’s no backing out later.”
Over the years, the neighborhood director had seen countless hot-blooded youths enthusiastically sign up, only to return home and get scolded by their families.
Then the entire family would come back to the office begging to cancel the registration like wilted eggplants.
But once registered was registered.
There was no regret medicine.
“Director, didn’t the great leaders teach us that educated youths should go to the vast countryside?”
Xu Duoduo immediately produced their diplomas.
“My sister and I both graduated from high school. We’re responding to the nation’s call and heading to the countryside for reeducation.
“Our family fully supports us coming here today to register together.
“Although I have a head injury, the countryside will soon be past harvest season, so there won’t be too much heavy work. It won’t interfere with my recovery.
“And with my sister accompanying me, she can take care of me too.”
“Old Zhao, don’t worry. It’s not what you think. There definitely won’t be later complications.
“Just help process their paperwork.
“And like we discussed earlier—they’ll go to Daheyan Brigade under Zhangqizhai Commune. They’ve got relatives there who can look after them.”
As Liu Chuanjia spoke, he casually handed Director Zhao a cigarette and lit it for him.
At the same time, he quietly slipped the remaining half-pack into Zhao’s pocket.
“Alright. With you personally guaranteeing them, the girls definitely won’t cause problems.
“They’re so actively responding to the nation’s call too. Two sisters volunteering together—that deserves support from the neighborhood office.
“I’ll absolutely arrange for them to be assigned to Daheyan Brigade.”
Director Zhao happily puffed on the cigarette while also appreciating the weight in his pocket.
Even opened Zhonghua filter cigarettes counted as a valuable gift.
He flipped through his notebook and found the list of communes accepting educated youths three days later.
Then beneath “Daheyan Brigade,” he carefully wrote down:
Xu Bu
Xu Duoduo
“I’ll tell you girls this now.
“According to regulations, educated youths relocated within the province receive a thirty-yuan subsidy each.
“But since Xu Duoduo is injured, I can apply for special subsidies.
“I can personally approve fifty yuan per person for you two sisters.
“And additionally, each of you gets half a jin worth of brown sugar coupons.”
Director Zhao was a crafty old fox.
Since he’d accepted gifts, he naturally wanted to give the girls the maximum possible benefits within his authority.
At the same time, he also wanted to do Liu Chuanjia a favor.
“Aiya, Old Zhao.”
Liu Chuanjia grinned again.
“Doesn’t the neighborhood office also reward youths who actively respond to the countryside movement?
“These sisters came to register the very first day after receiving their high school diplomas. That’s enthusiasm!
“With enthusiasm like that, shouldn’t there be rewards too?
“Thermos coupons? Flashlight coupons? We’re not picky.
“Though bicycle coupons would be even better.”
“You’re not sending educated youths to the countryside anymore—you’re preparing a bride price!”
Director Zhao burst out laughing.
Bicycle coupons?
This guy really dared to ask.
Their office didn’t have authority to hand out rewards that valuable.
Every batch of relocated educated youths came with several special reward coupons the office could apply for, giving priority purchasing rights without needing industrial ration tickets.
But every time, Director Zhao secretly kept the coupons and divided them internally among the staff.
Even the junior office clerks didn’t know.
Yet Liu Chuanjia somehow knew.
Looks like today he’d have to bleed a little to shut this man up.
“Two thermos coupons and two enamel mug coupons are official neighborhood rewards.
“One flashlight coupon plus two battery coupons are my personal rewards to you sisters.
“But remember—don’t tell outsiders.
“And when buying things, keep it discreet. Causing trouble wouldn’t be good.”
“Director, what are you talking about? Aren’t these coupons obviously gifts my older brother brought back from another province for me?”
“Aiya! This girl really understands things. She’ll definitely become remarkable when she grows up.”
Director Zhao unlocked his desk drawer and removed two yellow envelopes along with several coupons.
“There’s fifty yuan inside each envelope, plus the coupons. Keep them safe.
“Just sign your names beside your registration entries.”
Then he reminded them:
“Remember carefully—three days from now at six in the morning, gather outside the neighborhood office.
“The office trucks will transport all of you to Zhangqizhai Commune.
“Don’t be late.”
“Got it, Director! We’re leaving now. See you later!”
Xu Duoduo happily grabbed Xu Bu’s hand and walked out of the office.
Earlier she’d clearly seen Liu Chuanjia secretly giving cigarettes to Director Zhao behind their backs.
Without Liu Chuanjia helping today, getting assigned specifically to Daheyan Brigade would’ve taken enormous effort.
And there was no way they would’ve received this many subsidies and coupons either.
Liu Chuanjia truly had put real thought into helping them.
Now they owed him a favor.