Back To The 80s-Chapter 46: Submission_1

Gu Xiaobei saw that Liu Cuicui was okay in the hospital, so he said a few words to Li Hao and prepared to go home. It was already late in the afternoon, and it would probably be close to the end of the workday by the time he got back to the office.

He went to the market and bought some cheap cabbage and zucchini. He had only a dollar left, so he couldn’t afford any meat. Suddenly, he was saddened by how hard it was to earn money and how easy it was to spend it.

He got home, changed his clothes, and lounged on the sofa, pondering over ways to make money. Considering his skills, the only thing he was good at was cooking. Maybe open a restaurant? But he knew he couldn’t handle the long hours.

It was disheartening to think that he, a thinker with untapped talent, was stagnating.

He was lost in thought until Zhanguo came home. The moment he heard the door open, Xiaobei quickly ran to the door, putting on a grin and saying: "Honey, you’re home."

Zhanguo almost stumbled at Xiaobei’s words as soon as he stepped inside. This silly girl always speaks the most unexpected things.

In that era, people were very conservative about their relationships. It was uncommon to call each other ’husband’ and ’wife’ outright.

But Gu Xiaobei didn’t mind. Seeing Zhanguo holding a package wrapped in newspaper, giving off a meaty aroma, she curiously asked, "What are you carrying?"

"It’s a piece of grilled lamb leg," Zhanguo said, handing it over to her while taking off his shoes.

"Ah, they sell grilled lamb? Do they have lamb skewers too?" Xiaobei really missed those days when she could sit outside on a summer night in the 21st century, eating skewers and drinking beer.

"No, this was an extra dish from the kitchen during the get-together today. I thought it was tasty, so I brought a piece back for you," Zhanguo told her half the truth. In fact, each person was only given a piece of grilled mutton around one pound. He thought of Xiaobei’s contented face when she ate lamb meat, which made him wrap it up in white paper and newspaper in the kitchen.

Gu Xiaobei was delighted. She stretched herself up to give Zhanguo a quick peck on the lips, with her eyes sparkling.

Zhanguo realized that a piece of grilled lamb could make Xiaobei so happy, which made him smile and say, "If you like it, you can come to the camp with me next time. We can grill it ourselves."

"Sure. Yes!" Xiaobei responded eagerly while unwrapping the newspaper on the table. She glanced at an ad in the crease of the newspaper and was surprised to find a recruitment notice.

The ad was from a publishing house in the provincial capital, seeking part-time translators. Applicants needed to first write a self-introduction in English and a short essay on any subject.

This was like a godsend for Xiaobei. The newspaper was from the day before yesterday. She thought about immediately writing and sending it. Maybe she had a chance.

Zhanguo, after hanging up his military coat, saw Xiaobei grinning at the newspaper, the meat untouched. He walked over and asked, "What are you reading?"

Guxiaobei waved the newspaper and said, "There’s a part-time English translator wanted in the paper. I want to give it a go."

"That’s a good idea." Zhanguo took the newspaper and read it, thinking it was an opportunity as well.

"I’m going to write it now. Can you help me mail it tomorrow?" Xiaobei was decisive, ready to act right away.

"Sure, make yourself some dinner and start writing." Seeing the gleam in Xiaobei’s eyes, Zhanguo also felt happy.

"You’re the best, Honey." After saying this, she pecked Zhanguo again, giggling as she headed to the bedroom.

For someone who knows how to do it, it is easy; but for someone who doesn’t know how it is done, it is difficult. Writing a self-introduction and a short essay in English came easy for Xiaobei. Within half an hour she completed both, read through them twice to check the grammar, and then took them to Zhanguo.

Zhanguo had just finished steaming the rice and was about to start stir-frying the vegetables when Xiaobei came in with some papers, completely filled with her handwriting. Even though he knew Xiaobei was proficient in English, he was still taken aback by her speed.

Xiaobei put the paper in front of Zhanguo, showing off and said, "See? I’m pretty good, right?"

Zhanguo could not understand most of it but thought that Xiaobei’s English handwriting looked good. He nodded and praised, "Very good."

"Great. Now help me package this and mail it tomorrow. Leave our home address on the envelope. I’ll cook dinner while you go outside." Xiaobei didn’t want her company to know she was looking for a part-time job in case someone gets jealous.

By the time they were having dinner, Xiaobei was still in a good mood until Zhanguo suddenly asked, "Did you go to the hospital today?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"What? How did you know? Did you see me?" Xiaobei had forgotten to mention the incident.

"No, I could smell the disinfectant from the hospital on you. What’s wrong?"

"How is your nose so good, just like a dog’s?" Xiaobei sniffed at her own clothes and found no unusual smell.

Zhanguo sighed mentally. As an outstanding scout, he had to have sharper eyesight, hearing, and sense of smell than the average person.

Xiaobei continued, "You know Li Hao from our company? His wife had a miscarriage from an accidental fall. I went to the hospital to help."

Zhanguo’s eyes darkened, he recalled then and said to Xiaobei, "Li Hao is Li Juan’s brother."

"Wow, what a coincidence." Xiaobei suddenly remembered that Li Juan and Chi Xiaoyue were good friends. It must have been Li Juan who had asked Xiaoyue to get Li Hao and his wife the job.

"I thought there was something fishy about him. Now I feel more disgusted knowing how he left the military." She had disliked Li Hao already, but now that she knew how he had left the army, she disliked him even more.

"Yeah, Li Hao’s spoiled and crafty at home, and unreliable," Zhanguo agreed but he was also worried about something else.

"By the way, do you still have any money? I used my money today to pay Liu Cuicui’s hospitalization fees." Xiaobei was a bit uneasy. She hated asking for money. She had to make her own money to get by.

"I still have a little over fifty dollars. Here’s fifty for you. I just need a little change." Zhanguo said very directly.

"Sure, a man should not carry too much money. It will make him bad." Xiaobei inwardly was pleased with Zhanguo for being understanding but she said it in a cheeky way.

Zhanguo was silent. After Xiaobei made a full recovery from her fall, she became unusual —more eccentric. Finally, he managed to croak out, "I won’t turn bad."

Xiaobei had said it as a joke and when she heard Zhanguo solemnly assure her he would not turn bad, she couldn’t help but laugh and say, "I believe you."

In the hospital, it was already past ten o’clock in the evening. Thinking about Gu Xiaodong who had not shown up for the whole day, Liao Qing felt a prickling pain in her heart.

She knew how fickle Xiaodong could be, but she never thought he could ignore even his own sick son. She chased him warnfully, at the same time deciding she would not let this go. Looking at Liu Cuicui, who was sleeping soundly in the bed next to her, and Li Hao, who was dozing off at the foot of the bed, she started planning her next move.