binnovel Chapter 20: Educated Youth of the Era (Part 2)
Chapter 20: Educated Youth of the Era (Part 2)
Liu Yuxi couldn't come up with a reason to go to the countryside early until dawn. The next day, she left home after breakfast, figuring her family would just assume she was in a bad mood.
She strolled along the road to the subdistrict office, went inside, and decided to check when the next batch of educated youth would be going to the countryside, and whether any would be going to the Northeast. After all, it was almost Chinese New Year, and she needed to know the arrangements made by the educated youth office before she could make any plans.
After inquiring, I learned that because the Chinese New Year is approaching, there will be no arrangements for educated youth to go to the countryside for the time being. The first batch of people to go to the countryside at the beginning of the year will be on February 22, which is the seventeenth day of the first lunar month. Although there are no arrangements for educated youth to go to the countryside now, you can register in advance.
Some of the people going to Heilongjiang in Northeast China in February were considered by Liu Yuxi, who thought it was a good idea. However, she didn't bring her household registration booklet with her today, so she asked the clerk if she could register.
During that period, the subdistrict office was worried that the number of people going to the countryside would not meet the quota. Since someone wanted to sign up, they certainly wouldn't stop them. So Liu Yuxi gave his information and signed up for the batch that went to Heilongjiang on February 22.
The neighborhood committee gave her a rural allowance of 120 yuan, which she didn't receive when she was forced to go to the countryside in her previous life. They also gave her several industrial vouchers, which she could use to buy lunch boxes, enamel mugs, enamel basins, and kettles.
He told her to go to the train station before 9:00 AM on February 22nd to pick up her train ticket from the educated youth office, and that she should take a taxi at 10:00 AM to catch her train, emphasizing that she absolutely could not be late. She said she remembered everything and promised to arrive on time.
After leaving the neighborhood office, she went home. Her mother had taken her sister to a blind date again. Only her two sisters-in-law were at home with their two children. Her younger brother was nowhere to be found.
When she returned, her two sisters-in-law chatted with her, "Little sister, don't worry, let's postpone it for a while and see if we can avoid going to the countryside. If our second sister gets married and you go to high school, then we won't have a suitable person in our family, right?"
Both of her sisters-in-law were good people and were sincerely trying to comfort her. So, they decided to bring up the topic of her need to go to the countryside.
"Sister-in-law, second sister-in-law, you don't know, I went out to ask my classmate yesterday and today. My classmate has relatives in the Revolutionary Committee. She said that now every family must send one person to the countryside."
Anyone who graduated from junior high school, was unemployed in the city, and unmarried was required to go to the countryside. It was said that deliberately evading this duty would affect their family's employment, and in serious cases, they would be criticized and denounced as backward elements.
"Oh, that's serious! What should we do?" The two sisters-in-law were shocked by Liu Yuxi's words; they had never imagined it was this serious. "Let's wait until Mom and Dad come home tonight to talk about it!" "That's right, let's discuss it as a family later."
That evening, family members gradually returned home. After dinner, Liu Yuxi recounted what she had said during the day to the whole family. They were all at a loss, clearly having never considered what would happen if someone absolutely had to go to the countryside. Her mother, in particular, was so shocked that she kept muttering, "What are we going to do?"
Seeing that the whole family was at a loss, Liu Yuxi said, "Since we have to go to the countryside now, then I'll go!" Seeing that her second sister wanted to speak.
Liu Yuxi spoke first: "Second sister, it's unrealistic for you to go to the countryside. You also need to go on blind dates as soon as possible. I think it's unrealistic to find a job in such a short time, but marriage is still possible. Of course, you can't just marry anyone. You need to find out the details. If we end up not married or working, we might both be forced to go to the countryside."
Her mother then realized what was happening and said, "Yes, Xiao Si is right. Don't get involved in this. Just keep going on blind dates with me and find a suitable family as soon as possible. Xiao Si, what do you think?"
"Mom, I want to go to Northeast China. Don't rush me. Although it's cold there, we only grow one crop a year, and we can hibernate for four to five months each winter. The only difference might be a slightly smaller harvest, but the land is fertile. I've never heard of anyone going hungry in the Northeast due to disasters. In other places, the weather is warmer, so you might have to work in the fields all year round without any rest. Going to the Northeast won't cost much more than going anywhere else, except for thicker blankets and cotton-padded clothes. But you'll enjoy a much better life there. I heard they have heated brick beds (kang) there, so it's not cold indoors in winter. What do you think?"
The older brother said, "If that's the case, going to the Northeast is indeed better than going to other places, but how can you be sure you'll be assigned to the Northeast?"
“I asked my classmate, and she said that with the Chinese New Year just around the corner, there are no plans for educated youth to go to the countryside during this period. The earliest they can go is next February. If they volunteer, they can choose their destination first, but if they are forced, they can’t. Those who are forced are usually assigned to hardship areas, places that others don’t want to go.”
Her mother thought for a moment and said, "Since that's the case, then we'll sign up. Don't worry, Xiao Si, Mom will send you ten yuan every month. If you don't have enough to eat, just buy some yourself, or write back and Mom will send you food."
Hearing what Liu's mother said, Liu Yuxi was still a little touched. At least her family had never thought of giving up on her. They subconsciously thought about how to help her and make her life a little better.
"Mom, don't worry. My classmate said that those who volunteer will receive a resettlement allowance. You have many expenses at home, so you don't need to send me so much. If there's really not enough food, I'll use the resettlement allowance to buy some from the villagers."
"The resettlement allowance is the resettlement allowance. What your family gives you is your family's money. If you don't use it, save it. It's always good to have some money on you when you're away from home, in case something happens. You need to be flexible."
Her mother said that since her mother said so, she agreed. Later, everyone discussed where to find cotton coupons and fabric for her, and prepared thick cotton quilts, thick mattresses, and thick cotton clothes in advance. They also prepared lunch boxes, washbasins, and enamel mugs that needed to be bought.
Liu Yuxi told her family that this classmate had a relative who worked at the supply and marketing cooperative and could get defective goods without coupons. She would ask her classmate to do her a favor and help her get the goods.
When her mother heard this, she went back into the house and took out 100 yuan for her: "You have a lot of things. Do you think 100 yuan is enough? If not, just tell me and I'll give you more!"
"That's enough, she's a real relative, the price isn't high." Okay, then go see her tomorrow. "Okay, Mom, give me the household registration booklet later, I'll go to the neighborhood office tomorrow and ask if any of the educated youth who went to Northeast China after the New Year have registered their names." "Okay."
Her mother's voice was slightly choked up, and the others were also silent. After all, no family that felt sorry for their child wanted their child to go to the countryside. Her second sister couldn't help but have tears in her eyes, and she was trying hard to hold them back.
Seeing his family like this, Liu Yuxi smiled and comforted them, "Don't be so pessimistic, everyone. Maybe I'm adapting well in Northeast China. Once I'm settled in there, I'll trade with the locals for preserved meats and ginseng, and then I'll send them back to you!"
"Okay, then I'll wait for my youngest daughter to show me filial piety!" Her father smoothed things over, and then everyone went back to their rooms to sleep. That night, she listened to her second sister tossing and turning all night, and it wasn't until almost dawn that she finally quieted down.