Educated Youth in the Countryside: She is the Village's Embroidery Queen!-Chapter 329: Saving Neither Face Nor Favor

Yi Chichi, "...It’s all fake."

Wen Shi sniffled, "I know, but it still makes me sad."

Looking at the script once more, he said, "Wife, your short story is really well written. Have you thought about submitting it?"

"No, I don’t have the time, and I’m not interested."

It’s not like the postmodern era where you can write anything.

Submissions not only have to fit the larger environment, but the themes are also restricted.

If I’m not careful, I’ll cross a line; I’d have to be crazy to submit something.

"I can’t earn money that way."

Worried he would persist, Yi Chichi firmly ended the discussion, "Don’t even think about it. You’re destined not to have a writer as a wife, only an embroiderer as a wife."

Wen Shi looked at the light bulb emitting a dim yellow light overhead, "What kind of embroiderer gets paid thousands for a piece of embroidery?"

If embroidery were this profitable, he was sure countless men would want to marry such a woman.

Thinking of this, he became happy again.

"You should stick to embroidery; it makes money."

Yi Chichi thought the same. For now, focus on money, and after the reform and opening-up, pursue great ideals or dreams.

"After reading the manuscript, do you think it needs any polishing?"

"No need."

He couldn’t handle polishing work either, and his writing wasn’t as good as his wife’s.

After looking at the script again, he treasured it like a baby, "I’ll hand it over to the publicity department’s staff in the morning."

"Isn’t it for the Women’s Federation?"

"Let the publicity department hand it to Aunt Jiang and the others."

This matter was out of Yi Chichi’s hands, so she listened to whatever Wen Shi said.

With business done, it was time to rest.

Early the next morning, Wen Shi took the manuscript to the publicity department. After reading it, the staff immediately went to the Women’s Federation, and after discussing the division of labor, a grand safety campaign began.

As a member of the family quarters, Yi Chichi also attended the educational sessions.

Ji Jian sat with her, and while the publicity staff were lecturing, she whispered, "Why do I feel like this lecture is aimed at us?"

It was too coincidental. Just yesterday, Yang Qing mentioned going out to sea to fetch unknown items for a bonus, and today the safety campaign began, complete with little stories. One can’t deny the efficiency of the troops.

Yi Chichi rubbed her nose, "Be confident and drop the guesswork; this safety education was triggered by Comrade Old Yang."

Ji Jian turned her head to look at her, "How do you know?"

"I wrote the script."

Ji Jian, "...You can write scripts?"

"Not really, just a bit better than what Mr. Wen writes."

Yi Chichi was very humble, yet Ji Jian rolled her eyes, "You know, extreme modesty is hypocrisy."

Before she could argue back, "Is there anything you can’t do?"

"Plenty."

Her gaze fell on the insoles in her hands, and Yi Chichi sighed. "I can’t make shoes."

"Nor can I make clothes."

The sister-in-law beside them couldn’t take it anymore, lightly saying, "Stop talking and listen to the lesson."

Alright, listening then, even though it’s hardly necessary.

So they patiently listened to the nearly hour-long safety course.

When the lecture ended, the sister-in-laws who came to listen cheered, picked up their stools, and left in groups.

Yi Chichi and Ji Jian also returned to their respective homes, busying themselves with their own tasks.

Time flew by, and it was time for Yi Chichi to leave.

Wen Shi had arranged to buy tickets in advance, and on the night before the departure, Wen Shi held her reluctantly.

"Wife, are you sure you can’t move with the army earlier?"

"No."

Yi Chichi firmly refused. Seeing his unhappy face, she not too sincerely reassured him, "Don’t worry; I’ll write you letters when I get back."

"Can’t see you in person."

"You talk as if being with the army means we can see each other every day."

With most of the year spent drifting at sea and having to work even during the Spring Festival, one truly can’t hope for too much.

Wen Shi was almost choked by her response, and after a while, he sighed and complained, "Wife, I feel like I’m not important to you at all."

"Who said that?"

Yi Chichi didn’t like hearing that. She stopped tidying her clothes, turned around, and held his face, planting a few kisses, "You’re important to me. I’ve already planned that when Grandpa returns to Beijing, I’ll bring Mom to visit you, and we’ll be together every day."

Wen Shi’s focus was different from most, and he instinctively lowered his voice, "Do you think Grandpa and the others can return?"

"Yes."

Not only will Grandpa return to Beijing, but even the college entrance exams will reopen.

However, she couldn’t say that, so Yi Chichi pinched his cheek, "Concentrate on your career for these few years, try to get promoted soon, and then you can be my backing."

Wen Shi, "...What are you planning that needs a backing?"

"I’m timid, afraid of being bullied."

She smiled cheekily, brushing him off with her words. Wen Shi caught on but didn’t say anything, instead expressing with a helpless face, "Whatever you’re planning, take it easy, and no committing any crimes."

"No worries, I’m not like that."

Wen Shi believed that, "As long as you’re aware."

After packing their things, the couple chatted late into the night before falling into a deep sleep.

The next morning, after breakfast, the couple left with their large and small bags.

The large bags were filled with seafood and dried fruits they bought, while the small bags contained her embroidery materials, change of clothes, and snacks that Ji Jian and the others prepared for her knowing she was going back.

The portions weren’t much, but the variety was wide.

Several friendly families sent gifts, enough for her to eat all the way to Baoshan with some left over.

It was all dried shrimp, squid slices, dried fruit, biscuits, things that could be stored and eaten directly.

If she got tired of those, there was always hot food in the dining car.

Everything was in Wen Shi’s hands, while Yi Chichi carried only a small bag.

As soon as they left, upon hearing the door open, Ji Jian and Sister-in-law Qi came out from their houses and called out, "Be careful on the road!"

"Got it, sisters. When I get home, I’ll send you some soybean paste."

Yi Chichi answered with a cheerful smile, and Ji Jian and the others acknowledged her.

They spoke along the way, and by the time they left the family quarters, half an hour had passed. Wen Shi, seeing her looking relieved, laughed and said, "I just realized you have quite the good rapport with people, wife."

"Not that good, plenty of people don’t like me."

Wen Shi looked confused, "Why wouldn’t they like you?"

"They complain I’m too lazy, that I don’t cook or do laundry, and that I spend money recklessly, calling me a lazy spendthrift woman behind my back."

Wen Shi’s face turned dark, "Who said that? It’s not like you’re making them cook or do laundry, nor spending their money. What’s with all the nonsense?"

"No need to concern yourself with who said it. It’s all said behind the scenes, not brought to light." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"I could have a chat with their men."

The sentiment was nice, but unnecessary.

"No need. The ones gossiping are having a hard time as it is."

Upon hearing this, Wen Shi pretty much figured out who had said those things.

If it were indeed those people’s spouses, it wasn’t worth the trouble.

"Are you feeling wronged?"

"Not at all, I just see it as them being jealous of me."

Yi Chichi was broad-minded. As long as nobody shared gossipy words to her face, she could pretend the issue didn’t exist.

If they did gossip in front of her, or if she caught them doing it behind her back, she wouldn’t just take their pride, but their dignity too.