Educated Youth in the Countryside: She is the Village's Embroidery Queen!-Chapter 347: Fate

Indeed, we should save a bit.

"Have they gotten married yet?"

"No, but the wedding date is set."

As if knowing what Yi Chichi was going to ask, Zhang Xiaoqin directly gave the date.

"They’re hosting the reception on October 1st, why don’t you stay and attend the wedding before heading back?"

Yi Chichi’s mouth twitched, "I can’t stay; I have to go back for the autumn harvest."

Zhang Xiaoqin recalled the endless crops in Kao Shan Village, which seemed impossible to finish harvesting, and suddenly felt her whole body aching, her skin burning.

She shivered, "Luckily I didn’t end up staying in the countryside, otherwise I’d probably have shed a few layers of skin by now."

Before she finished speaking, she remembered something, "I thought you didn’t work in the fields."

"That’s what you think; everyone in the village gets involved. Even if I’m not working in the fields, I have to cut pig feed and guard the drying yard from birds."

"Aren’t you doing medicine or treating patients anymore?"

"There’s someone more suitable than me to be a health worker."

Zhang Xiaoqin instantly understood what she meant, implying she gave up her position to someone else.

"I think there’s something wrong with your head."

Such a good position just given away like that, it’s not generosity, it’s pure foolishness.

Yi Chichi seemed quite open about it, "Different people have different strengths; the right person in the right position achieves twice the result with half the effort."

If you don’t have the capability, don’t block others from the opportunity.

She didn’t say this, but Zhang Xiaoqin understood the meaning behind her words and responded with a thumbs up.

"You may not say much, but you’re really clearheaded."

"Gotta be."

It’s not enough just to be self-aware; one must always stay clearheaded to be responsible for one’s life.

Chatting and laughing, the two reached the bus stop.

They were lucky; they waited only a few minutes before the tram to Erji came, and they boarded it, with Zhang Xiaoqin paying the fare.

Yi Chichi didn’t bother with pleasantries, saying something like she’d pay her back later.

There will be plenty of chances to return the favor, so there’s no rush.

As it was still some time before the end of the workday, there weren’t many people on the streets, and the grey-white buildings flashed by the window as they sped towards Erji.

They stopped at each station along the way, but not many people got on.

Even though fares aren’t high these days, not everyone is willing to spend money to take the tram.

To those at the lower economic levels, time isn’t valuable. Even in a more prosperous future, some would rather walk to save a few bucks than take a bus.

In current times, income sources are limited, so people are even less willing to spend on transport.

As such, the tram never got full; at most, there were a dozen people, and when they reached Erji, there were only five left.

As Yi Chichi and Zhang Xiaoqin got off, only three people remained on the tram, which promptly sped away.

Zhang Xiaoqin pointed at the gate and sign of Factory One and laughed, "This is where I work, in the publicity department. Next time you come to find me, just ask the gatekeeper uncle to call me."

As she said this, she pulled Yi Chichi over to meet the gatekeeper uncle.

The man in his forties had a posture and bearing that showed clear military discipline, and sure enough, when Zhang Xiaoqin smugly informed the gatekeeper that she was a military spouse, the man, who initially appeared stern and unsmiling, immediately softened his stern demeanor.

His voice also became gentle, "Hello, sister-in-law."

"Hello, Sergeant."

When encountering veterans and unsure of how to address them, calling them Sergeant is always safe.

The person being addressed won’t feel offended, and the one addressing won’t overstep or seem too distant.

And sure enough, with one "Sergeant," the distance between Yi Chichi and the gatekeeper shrunk instantly.

"Emma, that title is so familiar, it brings back memories."

The veteran revealed a big-toothed grin, and his words made Yi Chichi feel a sense of utmost familiarity; this thick Northeast accent—so it turns out he’s from the same hometown as her Old Wen.

"Uncle, are you from the Northeast?!"

Zhang Xiaoqin was even more surprised than Yi Chichi, looking at the man with eyes full of kindness.

"Yes indeed, how’d you know, young lady?"

He dropped the pretense, his accent completely changing from a standard Yangcheng accent to a thick Northeast dialect.

The contrast was simply incredible.

"I stayed in the Northeast for over a month before."

Before she could finish speaking, she pulled Yi Chichi over, "My friend’s husband is from the Northeast."

The veteran said "Oh," smiled, and said it’s fate.

Indeed, it’s fate, because unlike in the future, where retired or transferred soldiers can settle in different cities, these days they return to their original place of residence.

For a Northeast man not returning to his birthplace but instead staying in Yangcheng and bumping into Yi Chichi is indeed fate.

Because of their shared background and identity, the three of them started chatting warmly.

And it was at this time that Yi Chichi learned the man’s name was Chang Lusheng, born in 1944, to a military father and a Women’s Federation officer mother. When he was born, the troops were relocating.

Because he was in a hurry to come into the world, his mother had no choice but to give birth on the way, thus the name Lusheng (Born on the Road).

Little Chang Lusheng grew up with the troops, but his fate was both bad and good.

It was bad because his father died when he was three, and after the founding of the People’s Republic, his mother died rescuing a child from drowning.

As a result, little Chang Lusheng became an orphan.

But his fate was also good because his mother’s colleagues and their families, who were also his father’s comrades, looked after him.

That’s how little Chang Lusheng grew up under the care of many uncles and aunties, but he was not good at academics, and because he was strong and sturdy, he joined the military at 15.

At 22, he had a girlfriend, the daughter of a leader.

Then the two young people started a little family, and at 32, Chang Lusheng transitioned to a different career.

He was assigned a job.

Because his family roots were in the Northeast, according to policy, his job was also assigned there, but his wife was quite capable and got transferred to Yangcheng.

Chang Lusheng, being devotedly attached to his wife, didn’t want to live apart from her, so he followed her.

But unfamiliar with the place and lacking connections, he couldn’t get into the Public Security Bureau, as many veterans awaited job placements in Yangcheng, each position filled tightly.

That’s when his wife took action, explaining his situation to the leader, who slapped his thigh and said there was a vacancy in the Security Department.

Chang Lusheng, with his military and some public security experience, fitted perfectly to be a team leader in the Security Department.

Thus, the unemployed vet, thanks to his wife, had a job again.

Upon learning his story, Zhang Xiaoqin was very curious, "Uncle, since you’re a team leader, why are you here watching the gate?"

"I’m not here watching the gate every day."

Chang Lusheng puffed out his broad chest, his voice booming like a bell, "Besides, guarding the gate is our Security Department’s responsibility."

It made sense; guarding the gate was important.

They can’t just let anyone come and go; a bad person causing damage or injuries would be regrettable.

"Uncle, you’re amazing!"

She gave him a thumbs-up, making Chang Lusheng feel like he was floating.

Yi Chichi thought, these two chatterboxes of different ages together, what a joy.