Daily Life in the 70s
Chapter 100

Chapter 100: Chapter 100

Shen Yiguang discussed the potential uses of the wood they were carrying as they made their way back.

"I plan to take these to Fourth Uncle," Yiguang said. "There are two pieces of agarwood about ten centimeters each. I can make a vanity case for you and a bead bracelet for mother..."

Yang PeiMin nodded, her eyes sparkling. "Can you really make those?"

Shen Yiguang turned to look at her and nodded with a smile, his gaze lingering on her glossy, long hair. "I’m still learning the craft. Maybe I could make you a hairpin as well?"

She had once aspired to be a cultured and artistic individual, enthralled for a period by the image of flowing hair and graceful skirts. However, that desire had vanished entirely because of a former best friend who seemed nice on the surface but secretly used her trust as a stepping stone, sharing her secrets with others without consent.

This former friend possessed an artistic aura as well, speaking softly and elegantly, dressed in a refreshing, traditional style that gave her an ethereal quality, as if untouched by worldly concerns. When PeiMin had accidentally discovered her friend’s true nature, she realized that this elegance was merely a social strategy and a means to climb the social ladder at the expense of others.

At that moment, PeiMin realized how phony that person was, and she stopped subconsciously imitating her.

To her surprise, Shen Yiguang also had a taste for such romantic pursuits, which she was more than happy to encourage.

"Alright, I’ll draw a design for you to follow, how about that?" Yang PeiMin suggested.

Shen Yiguang’s enthusiasm was unmistakable, and he couldn’t stop talking about it. "Speaking of designs, Fourth Uncle has some. He used to craft a lot and kept the templates himself—both intricate and simple designs, suitable for before and after marriage. He keeps them treasured and hasn’t brought them out yet. When the time comes, I’ll take you to see Fourth Aunt, get you acquainted. If you sweet-talk her well enough, you might just charm her into showing them to you."

Yang PeiMin eagerly nodded, almost wishing she could sprout wings and fly straight home.

Returning home in the glow of the evening sunset, the village too was shrouded in cooking smoke, with everyone ready for dinner.

After dinner, Yang PeiMin wasted no time in writing down the procedure for her interview the next day. Having no prior experience in applying for jobs, although having seen the process during a summer internship at her mother’s company, she felt like she understood the basics. The process began with a resume, then sitting down with the interviewer who would ask about past experiences, why the candidate chose this company or profession, and discuss their strengths and weaknesses. Yang filled several hundred words of her notebook, and came up with two or three dozen possible responses to anticipated questions. Nervous about her first real interview, she asked Shen Yiguang to review her work for any errors.

After reviewing her notes, Shen Yiguang nodded repeatedly, affirming and praising her efforts, but eventually, he could not help but laugh quietly to himself.

Annoyed and embarrassed, Yang PeiMin pulled him aside to meticulously review each question with him, demanding to know what he found so amusing.

Sitting on a long wooden bench in the room, Shen Yiguang pulled Yang PeiMin onto his lap. "Wife, it’s not as complicated as all that. Where did you see such things? It’s not as intricate as selecting leaders. A teacher needs to check if the candidate articulates clearly, has good expressive skills, possesses adequate cultural knowledge, and a bit of patience. That’s all, isn’t it?"

Although he put it simply, she remembered a time when the textile factory in town needed to hire a temporary female worker. Nearly two hundred applicants competed for just one position, reinforcing the harsh reality of survival of the fittest. She believed that thorough preparation was already half the battle won.

Wan Yiguang pulled her body close and looked at the notebook almost as if he were sticking his head onto it. This time he didn’t laugh, but instead nodded very seriously, "Wife, really, don’t even say it, you write incredibly well. How did you even think of this? Others could barely come up with three points, but my wife could infer various other points thoughtfully, almost thirty of them. That’s impressive. Really, people have many facets, and depending on the people you face, you encounter different scenarios. Maybe that principal thinks just like you."

Yang PeiMin wanted to nod subconsciously, but something felt off.

Shen Yiguang had already placed the notebook she was holding on a small table beside them and lifted her in his embrace, "Wife, let’s rest early. We can’t delay tomorrow’s activities."

Yang PeiMin felt like she was trapped, "I haven’t finished speaking yet!"

"Let’s continue in bed."

Yang PeiMin’s previous experiences told her that this was the least reliable thing a man could say at such a time.

By the time of the interview the next day, she finally understood why Shen Yiguang had laughed; the principal was obviously biased, watching the man with the surname Shen beside her and laughing, appearing as a kindly elder.

He casually asked her to read an article, and that was considered a pass.

Her work schedule was also arranged quickly—it was a two-month stint substituting for first and second grade Chinese classes, four classes a day, and she could start teaching immediately after handing over from the vacationing teacher.

After her work arrangements were settled, it was also time for Shen Yiguang to return to his military unit.

He was departing on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month to a military base thousands of miles away.

Yang PeiMin realized how quickly time had flown; she had just gotten used to days with him and now she had to get used to his absence again.

Chen Guizhi was busy packing clothes for him, as if they could never pack enough—tea, dry food, dried fruit, cotton shoes and hats, thick clothing and thin clothing, she even contemplated taking the wool not yet knit into sweaters.

Yang PeiMin helped by preparing some food that could last, tasty delicacies like cured meat, jerky, and fried meatballs which would be good for some time even after he returned to the unit.

Every major and minor task around the Shen family home had been settled. Although having a dug well was much more convenient than fetching water from the village entrance, Shen Yiguang was still worried about leaving only the elderly behind, so he made two small carts.

A plentiful supply of firewood was prepared, and all the large pieces were split. The village’s barefoot doctor specifically came over to thoroughly check on Shen’s elderly parents and took the opportunity to stock up on necessary medicinal herbs. He also tilled the family’s private plots and brought back some livestock.

He gave additional instructions to his two younger sisters to keep a good watch on their parents and to get along well with their sister-in-law; otherwise, he would be worried while away.

He checked everything one last time, knowing there were no major oversights, but he also knew the biggest gap left was Yang Peimin.

When he was about to step out the door, Shen Yiguang couldn’t help but embrace her again, sighing with a heavy sense of reluctance, "I really wish I could shrink you down and tuck you in my pocket and take you with me."

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