Yang Lan had been in low spirits these past few days.
Even little Leilei seemed to sense it, becoming unusually quiet and well-behaved.
After the baby’s one-month celebration, she stayed home another month to care for him.
Now she’d hired Sister-in-law Qian—a distant relative of Meng Quan—to help look after the baby.
She couldn’t stay away from work forever.
After seeing off a wave of customers, Yang Lan sat behind the counter to rest.
Her thoughts drifted to her younger sister, Yang Yue, who had been sent to the countryside.
She mentally sorted through everything she had, wondering what would be most useful to send.
After thinking it over…
The things Yang Yue needed most were still money…
And grain ration coupons.
As an educated youth, she’d have to do hard physical labor every day.
No matter how nice the clothes…
They wouldn’t stay nice for long.
Eating well was far more important.
Good health was the foundation of everything.
The work in the countryside was exhausting.
Without proper nutrition…
Her body would give out.
This time…
I’ll try to exchange for more nationwide grain coupons.
Fifty yuan.
And two tins of malted milk.
She’d been so busy with the baby lately that she hadn’t mailed Yang Yue anything for quite some time.
Just then, Director Duan came downstairs.
Yang Lan immediately stood and smiled politely.
“Director Duan, making another inspection?”
Director Duan was middle-aged.
His thick black hair, white dress shirt, and glasses gave him the appearance of a cultured scholar.
“Xiao Yang is back.”
“It’s been a while.”
“Our great beauty has become even prettier.”
He laughed.
Nearby, Sister Deng chimed in.
“Isn’t that the truth?”
“Most women become worn-out old housewives after giving birth.”
“But our Lan’er…”
“It’s like she’s been reborn.”
“She’s even prettier than newly married brides.”
Another saleswoman sighed with envy.
“Exactly.”
“When I had my second daughter…”
“Dark spots appeared all over my face.”
“My complexion turned yellow.”
“But look at Lan’er.”
“She’s even fairer than before.”
“You really can’t compare.”
Most employees at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative were women.
The topic immediately became lively.
Everyone gathered around Yang Lan.
Some praised her.
Some admired her.
Some envied her.
Some were plainly jealous.
Yang Lan wasn’t shy in the slightest.
Who didn’t enjoy compliments?
Whenever someone praised her…
She complimented them right back.
Whenever someone spoke with a hint of jealousy…
She immediately replied,
“Well, what can I say?”
“I guess I should thank my mother.”
“She knew how to give birth.”
That response was enough to leave the jealous ones speechless.
Then she deliberately sighed dramatically.
“I’ve got troubles too.”
“The baby’s always crying.”
“I barely sleep through the night.”
“No matter what I’m doing…”
“I’m thinking about him.”
“If I can’t see him…”
“I start getting anxious.”
Instantly…
Every mother present began sympathizing.
Soon everyone was sharing stories about life after childbirth.
Once customers arrived…
The women scattered back to work.
Only Director Duan remained.
“Xiao Yang.”
“You checked the account book already, didn’t you?”
“Everything correct?”
“No one’s as careful as you.”
He didn’t move his feet.
Instead…
He leaned farther and farther over the counter…
Reaching for the small ledger on the other side.
In the process…
His hand “accidentally” brushed against Yang Lan’s.
Again.
Yang Lan’s smile disappeared instantly.
Disgust flashed across her eyes.
“The accounts are fine.”
“There aren’t any mistakes.”
Before he could respond…
She stepped around the counter.
“Sister Deng.”
“Please watch things for a moment.”
Then she turned toward the newest employee.
“Xiao Yu.”
“Come to the restroom with me.”
She extended her hand.
Before Xiao Yu could answer…
Another coworker immediately teased,
“Oh?”
“What secret are you whispering about?”
“Can’t let us hear?”
Yang Lan rolled her eyes.
“Want me to find you a boyfriend?”
“You’ve got way too much free time.”
Taking Xiao Yu by the arm…
She walked away.
The mere thought of Director Duan’s leering expression made her stomach churn.
It wasn’t even the first time.
Back when she was pregnant…
She’d gone to the restroom behind the building.
On the way…
Director Duan stopped her.
He claimed there was a leaf on her shoulder.
Without asking…
He reached over and brushed her shoulder.
His hand even touched the back of her neck.
The instant Yang Lan realized what was happening…
She hurried backward.
The sudden movement caused pain in her pregnant belly.
That…
Only gave the old man another excuse.
He immediately stepped forward.
Wrapped an arm around her waist.
Supported her.
Then loudly explained to everyone nearby,
“I’m only helping a pregnant woman.”
The worst part came afterward.
When Meng Quan heard about the incident…
He specifically came to pick her up after work.
He even thanked Director Duan for helping his wife.
Every time Yang Lan remembered that scene…
Her entire body trembled with anger.
The job had been arranged through her husband’s family.
Because of that…
She always felt inferior.
Even after something like this happened…
She didn’t dare tell Meng Quan the truth.
She feared her mother-in-law would think even less of her.
She knew exactly what would happen if she spoke up.
That shameless old man would certainly insist she was imagining things.
That everything had been a misunderstanding.
He might even reverse the accusation…
Claiming she’d tried to seduce him.
Yang Lan felt utterly miserable.
With nowhere to vent.
Meanwhile…
Following her parents’ instructions…
Yang Yuan went to the post office to mail packages to her eldest brother and third sister.
After the staff briefly inspected the contents…
They packed everything.
She filled out the forms.
Then took out the postage stamps Mother Yang had purchased earlier.
One stamp cost ten fen.
It featured the words:
“The Victorious Completion of the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge.”
The illustration showed the famous bridge itself.
Yang Yuan’s eyes immediately lit up.
I know this bridge!
I’ve actually walked across it!
During her university graduation trip…
She and her classmates had visited Nanjing.
It had been early spring.
The gentle breeze…
The bustling Qinhuai River…
The brightly lit streets filled with local snacks…
They’d visited Jiming Temple as well.
The cherry blossoms there had been unbelievably beautiful.
Pictures simply couldn’t compare with seeing them in person.
On the journey home…
They crossed this very bridge.
Everyone leaned out into the wind, watching the sparkling river below.
They’d been so excited they screamed the entire way.
They’d even changed their flights just to stay one extra day…
So they could ride the ferry beneath the bridge.
Holding the tiny stamp…
Countless memories flooded back.
She sighed softly.
I’m afraid…
I’ll never see those friends again.
Carefully…
She slipped the stamp into her pocket instead of using it.
Then she bought new stamps.
One cost thirty-five fen.
It depicted two soldiers—one in blue, one in green—standing vigilantly beside seaside rocks.
She also bought two eight-fen stamps.
They featured a young revolutionary hero.
Yang Yuan remembered reading about him in the newspaper.
He’d been a twenty-year-old educated youth who died heroically while rescuing state property during a flood.
Now his portrait appeared on postage stamps…
Encouraging everyone to learn from his spirit.
She nodded respectfully.
“He really was amazing.”
“I admire him.”
“…”
“But I can’t swim.”
Halfway home…
A thought suddenly struck her.
Wait…
Didn’t stamps from this special historical period become incredibly valuable in the future?
She vaguely remembered her father mentioning it once.
A single little stamp…
Could eventually be worth more than an entire month’s salary.
She thought about it.
Then immediately turned around.
Only fools pass up free opportunities.
Besides…
She possessed knowledge from the future.
Taking a tiny advantage of history…
Was perfectly reasonable.
Nothing wrong with that!
Recently…
Aunt Dang had taken leave.
Her daughter-in-law had given birth while stationed with the military.
She’d gone to visit her.
Without Aunt Dang around…
Yang Yuan felt strangely empty.
She began imitating Director Luo.
Drinking tea.
Reading newspapers.
Sitting in one place the entire day.
The hard stool left her backside aching.
Fortunately…
Her butt soon stopped hurting.
Instead…
Her legs started hurting.
The factory was preparing to distribute May Day employee benefits.
But…
What exactly should they distribute?
Where would the goods come from?
How should everything be allocated?
Those became difficult questions.
In reality…
Holiday benefits were simply negotiated between factories.
One factory provided something…
Another factory contributed something else…
Then everyone exchanged supplies so employees could receive small bonuses.
So far…
The participating factories included:
The printing factories and chemical factory had long-standing partnerships with the textile district.
Negotiations with the others…
Would require personal visits.
Day after day…
Walking from factory to factory…
Talking for hours on end…
How could Yang Yuan’s legs not ache?
How could her mouth not grow sore from talking?