Rebirth in Famine: She Thrives by Lucky Space

The people here are all discerning; since Wei Kaiyun said so, they stopped asking further questions.

”Xiao Wei, aren’t you close to Old Yuan’s place?”

”Yes, Old Yuan came to see me before the New Year.”

”How is he doing now?”

”Not too well, he’s very frustrated, and he’s not happy with Secretary Tong.

He wants to transfer back, but that’s quite unrealistic.”

”Sigh! Old Yuan’s life has been hard; his wife remarried.”

Wei Kaiyun paused for a moment, ”Old He, do you know where Old Yuan’s eldest is? I promised to find the kid a job.”

”He’s just idling around, I saw him the other day, the kid is pretty much ruined.”

”Can any of you arrange a job for the kid? Consider it a favor from me, Wei Kaiyun.”

”How about our cigarette factory?” Wu Junfei took the initiative.

”Thanks, Old Wu. I initially thought about the textile factory, but because of Old Yuan, I think the kid might not want to go there. I’ll find him and ask.

If he goes to the textile factory, it would be easier for us; if not, I’ll send him to you, Old Wu.”

”Alright, we’re always open over there.”

Wei Kaiyun had just one drink, then rode his bike home; tomorrow is Saturday, and he can call his wife.

Lying in bed, remembering the time they were together, that girl was quite resistant at first.

Not sure if they’ve missed him after being apart for so long. He truly misses them.

The next morning, he cleaned up the house, found there was nothing to eat, and went out for breakfast—a bowl of porridge and a mantou, breakfast was settled.

It was still early, but instead of returning home, he went straight to the post office to wait.

Jiang Xinyu got up in the morning and tidied herself; now her daughter is straight on formula, and her milk is almost in.

After having breakfast, she went to the post office to wait.

They agreed to call each other today.

The post office opened, Jiang Xinyu went straight to the phone booth and looked at the operator. ”Comrade, I’m Jiang Xinyu, I’m here waiting for a call.”

The operator recognized her as she came to make calls every month.

”Okay, wait here.”

The phone rang, the operator listened for a while before handing it over to Jiang Xinyu.

”Wife, I got home yesterday morning.”

”Hmm, was the journey safe?”

”Safe, nothing happened. How are you three doing?”

”Fairly well, Shi Jing was very unsettled initially, but it’s much better now, Feifei is completely on formula, so no worries.”

”I know, take care of yourself.”

After a few exchanges, they hung up, agreeing to call next Saturday.

Jiang Xinyu paid the fee and wandered home.

Wei Kaiyun hung up the phone, went to the grain station to buy noodles and millet, then visited the supply and marketing office for oil and salt.

He made noodle soup for lunch, but it tasted bland; he had become spoiled by his wife’s cooking.

In the afternoon, Wei Kaiyun went to the address given by Old He.

He found Yuan Xinyun’s wife, Zhao Xiuhua.

”Mr. Zhao, is Shicong home?”

”Xiao Wei?”

”Yes, I’ve met Old Yuan, he asked me to help find Shicong a job, so I’m here to ask about his preference.”

”He’s not here. Why don’t you stay at home for a bit, and I’ll fetch him?”

”I’ll come along to find him.”

Zhao Xiuhua nodded, ”Xiao Wei, is Old Yuan doing alright?”

”Not too bad, but the conditions there are poor.”

Zhao Xiuhua remained silent; she truly loved Yuan Xinyun but also hated him. After her second marriage, she was indifferent to both love and hate.

They found Yuan Shicong near the cinema.

Seeing the young man like this, Wei Kaiyun felt helpless; how did this kid end up like this?

”Mr. Zhao, you may head back; let me talk with Shicong.”

Zhao Xiuhua glanced at her son, nodded at Wei Kaiyun, and left. She was no longer the strong woman she once was; life is now a burden to her.

”Uncle Wei, are you looking for me?”

”Let’s find a place to talk?”

They sat on a park bench nearby.

”Shicong, you’re seventeen now, is this how you want to live your life?”

”Uncle Wei.”

”I met your father recently, he truly worries about you.”

Yuan Shicong sneered, ”Worries about me? Then why didn’t he take us with him?”

”The conditions there are extremely harsh; you wouldn’t benefit from being there.”

”Uncle Wei, we know what’s good or bad ourselves.”

”Shicong, regardless of the circumstances, he’s still your father.”

Yuan Shicong lowered his head and stayed silent.

”Shicong, you’re not a child anymore; do you want to work?”

”Uncle Wei, what do you mean?”

”How about working at the textile factory, or if you don’t want to, you can go to the cigarette factory. Think about it and decide.”

”Uncle Wei, I’ll go to the cigarette factory; I don’t want to hear about our family issues.”

”Alright, I’ll take you there now. Shicong, you’ve always been a good kid. As you grow up, you should be responsible for yourself and your younger siblings.”

Yuan Shicong followed behind Wei Kaiyun, ”Uncle Wei, I understand; I’ll be diligent from now on.”

”It’s for the best; as a man, you should have a sense of responsibility for yourself and your family.

Let’s go, I’ll take you by bike; cherish this opportunity.”

”Uncle Wei, I know, you’re the only one who can help me.”

They arrived at the cigarette factory, Wu Junfei welcomed them in.

”Shicong, this is Uncle Wu.”

Finally, it was settled that Yuan Shicong would start two days later as a temporary worker.

Wei Kaiyun rode his bike to take Yuan Shicong home, ”Shicong, you must work hard and become a full-time employee soon.”

”Uncle Wei, don’t worry, I will, even if it’s for my siblings, I’ll work hard.”

Wei Kaiyun stopped at the door, ”Shicong, understand your parents; even if they’re wrong, that’s their issue.”

”Hmm.”

Having arranged things for Yuan Shicong, Wei Kaiyun felt more at ease. At night, he planned to write to Yuan Xinyun, so he might also find peace.

On Sunday, he stayed home, reflecting on the many things that happened unexpectedly over the past two years.

This time, five people came, even in Wei Kaiyun’s absence, their work continued.

Each received five hundred yuan, affirming their two-year effort. Wei Kaiyun spent the entire day reviewing events during that period and read Tian Mingyan’s report; this woman is too emotional, destroying herself.

Not sure what she was thinking; a man treats her like this, yet she insists on sticking with him—it’s her own fault.

On Monday, riding his bike, Wei Kaiyun went to the Management Bureau.

The bureau was still under Director Zhu Peishan, who was very enthusiastic upon seeing Wei Kaiyun.