Daily Life in the 70s
Chapter 98: Work

Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Work

Their commune had a primary school that served children from several large brigades.

Two teachers needed substitutes due to pregnancy and leaves of absence.

Shen Yiguang had just been contemplating that, considering teaching was a light job, especially teaching the second-grade curriculum, which his wife could easily manage. Moreover, the school in the commune wasn’t far from their village, only about five or six li away, quickly reachable by bicycle. Being closer to home was much safer, and it would ease his mind.

Although the salary wasn’t much, he hoped she would have something to do rather than fidgeting with trivial things. The salary was a secondary matter.

He had joined the army at the age of fourteen, underage at the time, only able to enlist thanks to a back door opened by one of his father’s comrades. After thirteen years in the military, surviving several life-threatening battles that almost didn’t see him return, his repeated acts of bravery had earned him the position of battalion commander.

Others didn’t know these details. Many only knew he was a soldier who rarely came home to visit, without knowing what his actual rank was.

But team leaders and commune leaders knew. In their eyes, Shen Yiguang was like a golden phoenix that had flown out of a grass nest, bringing them glory, and considering his young age, his future was still very promising.

They readily offered him the suitable job when asked.

Following that, Shen Yiguang met with the school principal and was informed that he needed to bring someone for an interview.

He then returned home.

At the dinner table, he brought up the matter.

Everyone seemed a bit stunned.

After their initial surprise, Shen’s parents nodded happily. Shen Erniu said, "Having a job is good, promising. Yiguang, do you have a confirmed spot?"

Shen Yiguang nodded, glancing at Yang PeiMin, "Still need to go for the interview, it ultimately depends on the person herself."

Shen Yidong’s eyes widened as he seriously stared at Yang PeiMin, as if trying to find qualifying traits on her face.

Shen Yixiang also held a skeptical attitude, "Can sister-in-law do it? She didn’t get into university, right? I worry the students might not accept her."

Yang PeiMin smiled, "That’s fine, I love children the most, and I am good at handling them. Which subject needs a substitute teacher?"

"Chinese."

Yang PeiMin asked eagerly about the time and place.

"Alright, I’ll prepare tonight. It’s been a while since I last wrote anything—I should practice as well."

Shen Yiguang watched her with a smile, as if she had already succeeded. He picked up a piece of egg with his chopsticks for her, "Yes, you should practice reading too. They might test that. Eat more eggs to nourish yourself. Consider this as an early celebration of your successful interview."

In the presence of others, Yang PeiMin gave him a sidelong glance that was teasing yet charming.

A wave of emotion surged in Shen Yiguang’s heart, yet he maintained a slight smile.

Shen Yixiang watched them annoyed, biting her chopsticks in silence.

Shen Yidong glanced at Yang PeiMin and said with a smile to Shen Yiguang, "Yiguang, how come this job fits so well? Who knew there was still a vacancy?"

"What’s the matter, Yiyue?" Shen Yiyue asked.

Shen Yiguang also looked at her.

Shen Yidong looked at everyone, and her voice was softer than usual as she said, "It’s not me, I can’t work in my current situation either. My aunt, who just graduated from junior high, has stayed at home for more than half a year, doesn’t work in the fields nor does household chores. My mother-in-law is also vexed. If she could get a job, she wouldn’t have to be underfoot at home anymore, and my mother-in-law would appreciate our family’s goodness."

Actually, her aunt was a troublemaker at home, the one best at wheedling money from her mother-in-law. Some of the money her husband and his brothers earned also went into funding the aunt’s whims.

If she could find a job for her aunt, the He family would be grateful to her, and she might get more benefits when the assets were divided.

Shen Yixiang, ever blunt, could not hold back, "Yidong, your aunt is not a good person, yet you’re still finding her a job? What are you thinking? Our own family hasn’t even sorted it out, and my brother had to spend a significant favor asking for a spot. And now you want to give it to your unmanageable aunt and owe more favors? You can’t be so irresponsible."

Flushed with embarrassment after her sister’s reprimand, Shen Yidong’s face turned red and then white, "Yixiang, I didn’t mean that. I just asked Yiguang if they were hiring again. There’s still an interview, right? It’s not the same as owing a favor. Yiguang, see what you can do. If there’s nothing, then forget it."

Shen Yiguang looked at her, shaking his head, "Yidong, there’s nothing."

Shen Yidong’s face was filled with disappointment, and given Shen Yixiang’s earlier rebuke, she tactfully chose not to say any more.

Shen Yiguang thought Yang PeiMin’s talk of studying was just light talk and didn’t expect that after dinner, she would drag him to the county to hunt for books to prepare.

"At least buy some books, notebooks, and pens. Just thinking about it makes my hands itch; I’ve almost never touched a pen since leaving school." Yang PeiMin quickly readied herself to go out.

Shen Yiguang watched helplessly as his decisive wife spoke, "Some items from Yiyue and the others would have sufficed."

Yang PeiMin shook her head, "It’s not the same as using one’s own things." Saying this, she took out a new cotton coat she’d made for him, "Shall we wear this?" The coat, which Zhang Minghua had helped her sew, was made of green fabric similar to a military uniform. She had added some trench coat elements to it, a mid-length style with straight metal buttons down the front.

She glanced at his long legs, her anticipation growing.

"Quick, put it on. It’s the one I made, brand warm." She said as she held it up against him.

Shen Yiguang obligingly spread his arms, letting her help him.

As Yang PeiMin thought about going to the county, she almost hung herself on him as she helped him into the coat.

Shen Yiguang’s eyes twinkled, and he embraced her, "Don’t fall now."

The dressing was done quickly. He also changed into a pair of black thin cotton pants, his sturdy long legs filling them out. Yang PeiMin stepped back to admire him, nodding repeatedly; he had transformed from a stern military man into a dashing boy next door.

Shen Yiguang smiled, asking her, "Are you satisfied?"

"Not bad."

Shen Yiguang tapped her nose, his eyes gleaming with pleasure, "Vain!"

Yang PeiMin gave him a sidelong glance, "Would you still like me if I looked sloppy?"

This reminded her of something Yiyue had left unsaid, and her curiosity piqued, "Hey, Yiguang, did you start liking me because you thought I was pretty?"

Shen Yiguang laughed, seeing that she was actually serious, and couldn’t stop, "Being pretty is one of your traits, how can I ignore that? Or do you think I should look beyond your appearance?" But seeing his wife’s face grow increasingly dark, he quickly corrected himself, "There’s also something wonderful about first impressions, yes! That’s it."

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