Chapter 63 - 22: "Grind a Bit More

Chapter 63: Chapter 22: "Grind a Bit More

The mother and her two sons walked with a spring in their step, quickly arriving at the entrance of the county government building.

Though it was called a "building," it was only a three-story red brick house.

In the future, it wouldn’t be eye-catching, but right now... it was utterly conspicuous.

Lin Zhao told the guard who she was looking for, and the guard went to get him.

Hearing that someone was looking for him, Yang Junzhi immediately guessed who it was and came downstairs without a moment’s delay.

When he saw Lin Zhao, Da Zai, and Er Zai, his gaze paused for a moment.

’Chenghuai’s sons are already this big?’

"Are you Director Yang? I’m Gu Chenghuai’s wife, Lin Zhao," Lin Zhao said, taking the initiative.

Da Zai and Er Zai obediently greeted him, "Uncle Yang."

Both boys knew this was their father’s comrade-in-arms. In a child’s mind, "comrade-in-arms" meant a good brother, just like the two of them and Tie Chui.

"I know you two. Da Zai and Er Zai."

Er Zai’s eyes widened, and he grinned. "Did my dad tell you about me?"

"He did. Your dad said he has a clever son, Er Zai, and an eldest son, Da Zai, who is very mature and sensible for his age."

A single sentence was all it took to make the two little boys beam with joy.

Yang Junzhi led them to his office.

He got cups to pour tea, took out some candy for Da Zai and Er Zai, and said, "Here, have some candy."

The two little brothers didn’t take it. They looked at Lin Zhao and only accepted the candy after she nodded, smiling as they said their thanks. "Thank you, Uncle Yang."

Yang Junzhi was also married but didn’t have children yet, a time in his life when he was envious of other people’s kids. Seeing how well-behaved and bright the two little ones were, he liked them even more.

"So well-behaved," he said.

’I hope my own children will be like these two.’

"Sister-in-law, Chenghuai told you about the matter with the supply and marketing cooperative, right?" Yang Junzhi said, looking at Lin Zhao.

"He did. Thank you for all your trouble with this," Lin Zhao said gratefully.

"Sister-in-law, you’re too kind. Chenghuai and I go way back, and a spot just happened to open up. Otherwise, I couldn’t have made any promises. Besides, it’s no loss for me—in fact, I made a hundred yuan out of it." He said this in a joking tone, worried his comrade hadn’t discussed it with his wife and had given him extra money.

He had already given the extra money to his wife’s older brother, simply telling him to look after his comrade’s wife.

"It’s only right. Jobs are hard to come by. We couldn’t let you do all this for nothing," Lin Zhao said sincerely.

Yang Junzhi could see her sincerity and thought his comrade had excellent taste.

’No wonder he wasn’t interested in the female soldiers from the arts troupe that the unit leaders introduced him to. So this is the type he likes. She’s a good match for him, and they complement each other. They’ll definitely have a happy life together.’

"Sister-in-law, the job is basically settled. How about this: I’ll wait for you at the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative tomorrow morning. Bring the letter of introduction from your production brigade, and after you take the test..." Fearing she might be nervous, he added, "The test is just a formality. You’re a high school graduate, so don’t worry. Once we go through the motions, I’ll help you transfer your grain ration registration, and then the matter will be completely settled."

Hearing this definitive confirmation, the smile in Lin Zhao’s eyes deepened.

"Thank you."

Yang Junzhi remembered the other matter his comrade had tasked him with. "Oh, right, I’ve also gotten the slip for the bricks and tiles. That’s too many bricks for you to handle, so I found a friend in a transport team who can help deliver them for you."

With such a connection available, Lin Zhao certainly wasn’t going to be coy and refuse.

"I was just worrying about how to transport them. This is such a great help! When Father gets back, we’ll treat you and that comrade from the transport team to a meal."

Yang Junzhi didn’t stand on ceremony. "Alright."

After discussing their business, he walked Lin Zhao and her sons downstairs.

Once they had left the county government building, Lin Zhao could no longer contain her excitement. She said to her two boys, "Da Zai, Er Zai, Mama’s about to have a job! I’m going to be a sales clerk at the supply and marketing cooperative!"

"When I was in school, I was so envious of the sales clerks standing behind the counter. I thought it was the best job in the world. This is wonderful! Now I have one too."

Da Zai and Er Zai were also happy for their mother.

"If I start working, you two will have to go to the old family house for lunch. Will that be okay?" Lin Zhao asked again.

The two little brothers had only recently grown close to their mother and were at a clingy age. Neither was very willing, but seeing the smile on their mother’s face, they couldn’t bring themselves to say no.

Da Zai was the first to speak. "It’s okay."

Hearing his big brother say that, Er Zai also nodded. "If my brother can, I can too."

He didn’t forget to add a condition. "Mama, you have to prepare things for me and my brother, just like you do for Third Child and Fourth Child."

"Of course, I will," Lin Zhao said softly. "It’s only for lunch. You’ll still have dinner at our home."

"I’ll have days off, too. On my days off, I can bring you to the county town," she added, giving her two boys something to look forward to.

Coaxed by their mother like this, Da Zai and Er Zai felt that it was okay for her to go to work. After all, they would still see her in the evening.

"Okay! Mama, are we going to see the movie now?" Er Zai asked.

"Yes."

And so, the mother and her two sons went to the movie theater.