Transmigration: On the Gossip Front-Chapter 1912 - 1913: Passerby Female Intellectual Youth 55
Zhang Yu naturally wanted new bed sheets, "But mom and dad, don’t you need them?"
Such opportunities don’t come often; it’s not that Aunt Liu won’t include them in the future, but it’s impossible for every flawed product sale to include them.
Even if they’re included, it doesn’t mean there will conveniently be defective sheets for sale.
"It’s fine; we can make do." Yao Ying knew the sheets on their bed were so worn they were practically see-through. "It’s okay; we can mend them."
"Nowadays, except for newlyweds, which household doesn’t have patched sheets layered on top?" No mocking each other, everyone’s in a similar situation.
Yeah, nowadays clothes are patch upon patch, so adding patches to sheets is perfectly normal.
"I’ll pass, one sheet is enough for me; everyone has only one sheet."
"If I bring an extra sheet over, how will everyone see me? Would they think I’m showing off?"
"When someone washes a sheet and it doesn’t dry, and wants to borrow mine, should I lend it or not?"
"It’s better to just have one." During these days at the farm, Zhang Yu learned a truth: don’t have too much stuff, or someone will definitely want to borrow. If you don’t lend, you’re considered heartless and unsympathetic.
Although no one pointed fingers like Lu Yun, there would still be whispers behind your back — better not to make trouble.
Zhang Jie was surprised they’d borrow such a personal item, "Isn’t this a really personal item?"
"No choice." Zhang Yu shrugged, "Who said the conditions at the farm aren’t great, and now you need coupons to buy things." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢
"Coupons at the farm are really scarce."
"At the factory you get industrial coupons, but at the farm, the intellectual youths don’t get them, only the leaders do."
They are intellectual youths, though somewhat harsh, it’s the reality.
"Actually, we’re pretty well off; at least we have an income, and the atmosphere is decent."
"Compared to intellectual youth elsewhere, at least we earn a salary, and get paid monthly."
"And we can come home every year, sure, other intellectual youths can come home too." Generally, during the winter farming off-season, you can negotiate with the village to return home.
But the travel cost is borne personally, and it’s not a small amount; relying solely on village subsidies won’t cover travel expenses after a year’s work.
"But we have city-arranged boats, importantly, for free." Just thinking about this made Zhang Yu especially happy.
Returning home isn’t just costly, the journey itself is tiring; if you need train transfers, it’s much more troublesome.
"So it’s pretty good." Zhang Yu was truly satisfied, "Oh, the fish stew is ready, let’s eat."
Earlier, hearing they could buy flawed goods made the Zhang Family ecstatic, leaving little room for other thoughts.
Now, of course, eating is the most important.
"Yes, yes, eat, eat." Yao Ying previously felt her stomach protesting, but was too busy talking to notice. Now hearing they could eat, she quickly went to the kitchen to fetch dishes.
The four of them began eating, "These corn bread pancakes are really good." Yao Ying wasn’t fond of corn bread; she’d eaten so much she couldn’t enjoy it.
Unexpectedly, despite being sick of corn bread, it was delicious, truly surprising her.
Not only Yao Ying, even Zhang Wei and Zhang Jie, who were a bit picky, didn’t say it was tasty, but their actions betrayed their thoughts.
Watching the father and son eat heartily, Yao Ying felt happy; eating more is good for health.
Zhang Yu saw them eating heartily, feeling good too. "Tomorrow I’ll make tofu and put it on the balcony."
Even though nighttime temperatures could reach freezing, making frozen tofu wasn’t easy.
Still, she refused to believe that pouring more water wouldn’t turn tofu into frozen tofu.
"Then add some ferments, potatoes, and corn; the flavor is really nice."
Zhang Yu recalled the Northeast intellectual youths’ iron pot fish stew; it was excellent. Sadly, she returned to the city after the Northeast intellectuals made it for the first time.
Zhang Jie ate boldly, surprised that side dishes could taste so good, a real revelation for him.
"There are Northeast intellectuals at the farm?" Yao Ying was surprised, "Didn’t many people go there as intellectuals; how come there are still people from Northeast?"
Shouldn’t they go directly to rural areas? How did they leave Northeast as intellectuals?
Yeah, Zhang Jie thought the reasoning was right, "If Northeast is short of intellectual youths, shouldn’t they stay there directly?"
Regarding this, Zhang Yu helplessly said, "I really don’t know."
"I thought it was peculiar at first, but every family has its situation."
"And that person only went to the farm last spring." Zhang Yu dropped a bombshell.
"Left in November after the autumn harvest."
"It wasn’t taking over a position." Everyone thought she left to take over a position, and some said she was just causing trouble.
If you’d eventually return to take over, why be an intellectual youth? Even being intellectual youths at the farm was a decent choice, but nowhere compared to staying in the city.
Later inquiries from team members revealed she didn’t leave the field through a position transfer, "Also left through regular channels."
Anyone with sense knew her family wasn’t simple; but she’d already left, rebuilding relations was impossible.
"After she left, some spoke sour words." Zhang Yu remembered some people’s words, feeling amused.
"Didn’t she help them?" Zhang Jie smiled, "Why would she tell you anything."
"What if someone causes trouble, blocking your return?"
"Besides, for a job, families turn against each other; it’s not unheard of." Yao Ying worked in local affairs, frequently handling such matters, often feeling overwhelmed.
She used to feel embarrassed when her daughter caused a stir, considering it a family disgrace. Since working in local affairs, Yao Ying never saw her family’s issues as disgraceful, comparing to what she dealt with, barely small disputes.
Other families argued much worse, often physical, requiring street intervention, police involvement, even hospital visits — she’d seen all sorts of turmoil.
