Ch 36: Bringing a Farming Game System to the 1970s

Ding Minxiu was deeply troubled by the news she heard—Yu Xiang’an had become the assistant to the deputy director?!

How did she pull those strings?

From now on, the people Yu Xiang’an interacted with would be leaders and capable individuals. Why did she have such good luck?

It wasn’t fair. Yu Xiang’an had managed to join the food factory, a position that had only opened up because Zhou Boyang’s grandmother had vacated it. And that, ultimately, was because her relationship with Zhou Boyang had been exposed. She couldn’t even complain about it; all she could do was bottle it up inside.

“Child, you must be a son,” she thought, stroking her belly. “If you’re a son, life will be easier for you and for me. I want to give you the best life I can, so don’t let me down.”

While Yu Xiang’an’s promotion was bad news for Ding Minxiu, it was a cause for celebration for Yu Xiang’an and her family.

Her salary had increased, rising from 27 yuan to 32 yuan per month. Along with it came more diverse ration coupons.

As the Lunar New Year approached, Yu Qingshan’s mood brightened further.

This year had its share of hardships but also many blessings. They had overcome the challenges, and this year both his second son and fourth daughter had promised to come home for the New Year. The family could finally reunite.

By next year, his eldest daughter-in-law would likely add two more children to the family. His second daughter-in-law might also become pregnant. His fourth and youngest daughters could begin looking for promising young men to marry, and his youngest son, at seven, would start school.

Life would only keep getting better. Once his daughters were married and his youngest son had a family of his own, his responsibilities would mostly be fulfilled.

Yu Qingshan’s good mood rubbed off on Yu Xiang’an, especially when she received a package from Qin Shenghua.

The package contained mostly seafood—sea cucumbers, kelp, dried shrimp, ribbonfish, and more.

Yu Xiang’an opened it with great satisfaction, delighted by the thoughtful, albeit belated, housewarming gift.

Grateful, she quickly prepared a large package in return. In her letter, she thanked Qin Shenghua for the delicious items and promised to double the gesture. Since it was winter, the food would keep longer.

Seafood was a rarity in their area, far from the coast. Most people only had access to kelp and salted fish. These exotic varieties of seafood easily won over anyone’s palate.

Even Yu Qingshan, aware of the high postal costs for such distant deliveries, couldn’t bring himself to criticize the expense. The seafood was simply too delicious. Just a small amount added to a pot of soup elevated its flavor immensely.

However, the package she sent would take time to arrive. If delayed, Qin Shenghua might not receive it until after the New Year. The journey was too far, and timely delivery required everything to go perfectly.

Meanwhile, more families were moving into their new apartments, planning to celebrate the New Year in their new homes.

When the Chen family moved in, they gifted their two neighboring families a dish each—minced meat tofu. It was a generous and presentable gesture, given it included meat.

The gesture showed they were approachable, not overly aloof, and it gave Yu Xiang’an hope for harmonious interactions in the future.

Master Bao’s family, on the other hand, was a family of four. Master Bao didn’t drink or lose his temper, and his wife, though frail, was kind and gentle. Their two children, while at an age prone to mischief, were remarkably quiet and well-behaved, mostly playing on their own without causing much disturbance. They were an easy family to live beside.

On the other side, Manager Chen’s household, though occupying a three-bedroom unit, didn’t have many members. It consisted of him and his wife, their eldest son and daughter-in-law, and their youngest son, a late-born child. The five of them mostly stayed indoors and were quiet, with little interaction outside the home.

Interestingly, they, like Yu Xiang’an, had converted their rear balcony into a kitchen rather than a room, making their living space functional and pleasant.

The reason the Chen family moved in later than Yu Xiang’an was because they had cleaned and decorated their home with meticulous attention to detail.

At first glance, nothing seemed extraordinary, but a closer look revealed the effort and care the lady of the house had put into it. The décor was understated yet warm and inviting.

Even though the Chen family’s matriarch had a reputation for being particular with the workers, Yu Xiang’an didn’t harbor any resentment toward her.

Small details often revealed a lot about someone’s character, and Yu Xiang’an felt the woman might be kind-hearted deep down. Whether this was true would become clear over time.

After observing the neighbors for a while, Yu Qingshan felt reassured and shared his thoughts with Yu Xiang’an.

“If you need someone to keep you company, you can visit your Song family sister-in-law. She’s easygoing, talented, and skilled at sewing—far better than you are. It’s said she learned from a master embroiderer. Their whole family seems generous. While their two kids are shy now, they’ll get better with time. Look, they’re already playing with Xiaoju.”

“As for the other side, even though he’s not your direct superior, he’s still a leader. You should treat him respectfully but not overly deferentially. Otherwise, people might think you’re being obsequious. His wife also works and seems to keep to herself. Just maintain a polite, distant relationship.”

“All in all, your two neighbors aren’t the type to stir up trouble or thrive on drama. That’s a blessing.”

He added, “If you had a nosy neighbor like Aunt Chen nearby, always stirring the pot and blowing things out of proportion, it’d be unbearable. And those who love freeloading, constantly borrowing things without returning them, are equally unpleasant. Thankfully, none of your neighbors seem to have such tendencies.”

Hearing this, Yu Xiang’an felt equally fortunate. It seemed she’d lucked out with her housing location and neighbors.

While Yu Xiang’an and her father discussed their neighbors, her neighbors were also talking about her.

Everyone cared about the type of people living nearby.

Yu Xiang’an was considerate, and Yu Qingshan was dependable. Their family wasn’t known for causing trouble. The neighbors viewed them positively. As for the children, their impression of Yu Xiang’an was particularly glowing: “She’s a pretty big sister who makes lots of delicious food!”

Both sides decided to get along well.

The seafood Qin Shenghua had sent was rare locally, so Yu Xiang’an set aside some to build connections. She gifted four people:

Deputy Director Wang, her direct supervisor.
Yan Yuzhen, her former supervisor, with whom she still had a good relationship.
The Chen family, her neighbors on one side.
The Bao family, her neighbors on the other side.

The gifts, though valuable, weren’t overly extravagant for the area, so no one could criticize her choices. They were well-received, and none of the recipients let her leave empty-handed in return.

Seeing this, Yu Qingshan felt completely reassured and decided it was time to move back home.

Now that everything seemed stable here, it was best to return and prepare for the New Year. Back at their old home, only Yu Manchang was staying there full-time. Though he occasionally returned to check in, Yu Xianghai and others didn’t live there, which left things unsettled.

With the Lunar New Year approaching, the family needed to thoroughly clean the house to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new. Special care would be taken to prepare the rooms for Yu Xiangyan and Yu Xiangqing, who would be visiting for the holiday.

When Yu Qingshan announced their plan to return, Yu Xiangju didn’t seem reluctant. His father had mentioned this before, so he was prepared.

While he had enjoyed his time here, made new friends, and spent days catching grasshoppers, caterpillars, and digging up ant nests in the nearby fields, most of his close friends were still back at their old home. He was ready to return.

He wanted to go back.

If he missed his fifth sister, couldn’t he just come over and stay for a few days? There was a bed here, always ready.

While Yu Xiangju felt ready to leave, Zhao Qiaoniang was far more reluctant. Moving out of this spacious, bright new apartment and returning to their old house felt like such a step back.

But she had no right to say no. Yu Qingshan had decided they would return, so she quietly began packing their belongings, convincing herself that going back was the right thing to do.

This year had been relatively good for her. She had worked as a temporary laborer for half the year and managed to save a bit of money. With the Lunar New Year approaching, the factory told the temporary workers they wouldn’t need to come in after this month, which freed her to focus on holiday preparations.

There were plenty of tasks to get ready for the New Year, leaving her little time to dwell on her feelings.

Returning wasn’t so bad after all.

As the New Year approached, many educated youths were eager to return home for family visits.

Those from faraway provinces often received month-long leave since their journeys could take up to half a month.

The place where Yu Xiangyan had been sent, though in a neighboring province, was not far. It was near the border, and a day’s travel was enough to get home. As a result, their production team granted them only ten days of leave—shorter than those whose families lived farther away.

To extend their leave, they would need a valid reason.

With two days spent traveling back and forth, they still had eight days at home—plenty of time for New Year celebrations.

Not all educated youths were allowed to return, as eligibility depended on their performance over the year. Additionally, at least one or two individuals had to stay behind. Typically, the newer arrivals were expected to stay.

Wen Ruzhen felt anxious about this trip home.

Being in the same county, the Yu family was well aware of her background. When they were far apart, it didn’t matter much, but now that she was going back, would they hold it against her?

Would they fear being implicated?

Though she and her siblings had followed their mother into a remarriage and transferred their household registration, severing formal ties with their father to avoid being burdened by his background, not everyone understood this.

Moreover, they hadn’t made an official public announcement severing relations, so it was natural for others to feel uneasy about any possible association.

She hesitated. “Maybe I shouldn’t go back. You go home instead. If things get awkward, it won’t be good for anyone, especially during the New Year.”

Yu Xiangyan understood her concerns and reassured her. “My father specifically asked us to come home. He wants to drink daughter-in-law tea. If he minded, he wouldn’t have invited us. Don’t overthink it. Officially, you’ve already separated from your father. If it makes you uneasy, we can avoid going back too often in the future.”

“That’s not right,” Wen Ruzhen said, her expression complicated. “I have no choice.” Someone was watching her father, and visiting him might worsen his situation. But it was different for Yu Xiangyan.

His family background was clean. If he stayed away too long, wouldn’t his family feel resentful? Wouldn’t he miss them? That wasn’t the right way to handle things.

“Don’t worry about me. You’ll have me and my brother with you—what’s there to be afraid of? Besides, this is something for the future. For now, we’re going back together.”

If they were going back, the three of them would go together.

She would never leave her younger brother behind. His health wasn’t good, and if anything happened to him while he was alone, how could she bear it?

Yu Xiangyan shook his head with a faint smile. “You’re right. We’ll deal with future matters in the future.”

Wen Ruzhen nodded. “Here’s a set of clothes I made for Father. They’re finished now. Take a look and see if anything needs adjusting. If so, I’ll fix it.”

This set of clothes had taken her a long time to make, crafted with patience and care.

Yu Xiangyan examined it closely. Although he didn’t know much about tailoring, he could tell this outfit was special compared to others.

“It looks like the size is just right. My dad’s weight hasn’t changed much.”

Wen Ruzhen breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good to hear.”

Cooking wasn’t her strength, but making clothes was something she excelled at. And for a gift to her father-in-law, she had put in extra effort.

Yu Xiangyan grinned foolishly.

The clothes he was wearing now were also made by her, and they were more comfortable than any others he owned.

Whenever he wore them, he was extra careful not to damage them.

“My younger sister enjoys cooking now. I’ve prepared some local specialties. As for my younger brother, he’s still small; having meat is enough to make him happy.”

Meanwhile, Yu Xiang’an started frequenting the black market. New Year’s was the most important holiday of the year, and no matter how frugal families were during the rest of the year, they would splurge for the occasion.

Even the poorest households would strive to put fish and meat on the table to symbolize prosperity and abundance for the coming year.

As the holiday approached, prices at the black market soared. Rare items like meat and fruits became particularly expensive, often doubling in price.

This period also attracted sellers eager to make a profit.

Yu Xiang’an had already planned what to prepare for the New Year.

She wanted to buy fabric to make a new outfit for herself and one for Yu Qingshan. Of course, the idea of sewing her own clothes was questionable. Her sewing skills were so poor that even if she dared to make something, it likely wouldn’t fit her properly.

She decided to have only two outfits made—one for herself and one for her father. The rest of the family didn’t need new clothes as urgently. While Zhao Qiaoniang lacked clothes, Yu Xiang’an harbored some distance from her and didn’t plan to sew anything for her.

As for Yu Xiangju, he could wear his older brothers’ hand-me-downs. Good-quality clothes that no longer fit them had been saved for him, so he wasn’t short on clothing.

Yu Qingshan, however, was too frugal. Most of his money went toward the children, and he made do with patched-up work uniforms year-round.

Apart from clothes, Yu Xiang’an also planned to stock up on food.

She decided to sell off some of her stored supplies in exchange for items she wanted. Her inventory included ducks, large fish, tofu, bean sprouts, and various fruits—four types, all of which she had intentionally stockpiled to sell at premium prices during the holiday season.

With her plan set, Yu Xiang’an frequently disguised herself and began slowly selling her goods while trading for other necessities.

Her frequent visits caught the attention of those well-connected in the black market. News spread that someone had access to rare fruits for the season and a supply of exceptionally fat and tender ducks.

Lin Chuanbai, a sharp and resourceful buyer, quickly acted on the tip.

In this era, fruits were highly seasonal. For someone in the south to acquire northern fruits was no small feat.

When Lin Chuanbai heard there were apples and pears available, he decided to buy some no matter the cost. If the seller also had fat ducks or fish, he planned to stock up on those too.

At over 1.8 meters tall, Lin Chuanbai was in the middle of a growth spurt. Like most people of his time, he felt his height wasn’t ideal. Poor nutrition had stunted the growth of many, leaving them thinner and shorter than they might have been.

Still, at 18 years old, he had time to grow. While he didn’t expect to reach his former height of 1.86 meters, he would settle for 1.8 meters as his goal.

Lin Chuanbai was a regular at the black market, always wearing a hat and old clothes to avoid drawing attention. After a deal was completed, neither party would recognize the other.

Occasionally, he stumbled upon real treasures. This time, he was determined to secure some of those prized goods.

He could discreetly store his purchases in the herb garden and, with his sharp observation skills, had never been caught or made a mistake on the black market.

When he heard from a contact that someone was selling apples, he figured there was more than just apples and pears—both northern fruits. Whoever this resourceful seller was likely had access to other rare items as well.

He guessed the seller might be connected to the railway system or a long-haul driver traveling between regions. The seller was also highly cautious, appearing sporadically and with limited goods.

Meeting them required a bit of luck.

In this regard, Lin Chuanbai hadn’t had much luck. But in other areas, his luck was excellent.

He stumbled upon a seller offering northern rice and dried fruits, managing to purchase over a hundred catties at once.

With so much high-quality rice, he could enjoy good meals for a while.

Since his arrival, he had been eating well to improve his health. His previously gaunt face now had a healthy complexion. Strangely, as he gained weight, he occasionally noticed in the mirror that his features bore a striking resemblance to his appearance in his past life.

Perhaps this was destiny—some fateful connection that allowed him to awaken in this body.

Little did he know, the other person caught under that same billboard with him was experiencing something similar. Their face, too, was gradually resembling their former self.

Lin Chuanbai was busy preparing for the New Year. This year, neither his biological nor stepmother would be home. His elder brother, far away in Shanghai, wouldn’t make it back either. For the holiday, it would just be him, his grandfather, his second uncle’s family, and his eldest sister, who planned to visit on the second day of the New Year.

Both his elder siblings cared deeply for him, knowing he had been most affected by their parents’ failed marriage. Being the youngest, he had endured the brunt of the emotional fallout, so they treated him with extra kindness.

His eldest sister loved duck above all other poultry. If he encountered that seller again, he planned to buy two extra ducks.

That evening, both Lin Chuanbai and Yu Xiang’an happened to head to the black market after work, each dressed in nondescript old clothes to avoid recognition.

On the way there, before they had a chance to fully disguise themselves, they crossed paths and exchanged a glance.

At first, neither thought much of it. But a few seconds after passing each other, both, attuned to subtle details due to their black market dealings, felt a strange familiarity.

“Where have I seen that face before?”

The memory clicked almost immediately.

After all, they had an unforgettable connection—they were the two who had collided under that cursed billboard.

They hadn’t been born on the same day, but they had died on the same day, at the same time. That was impossible to forget.

Now, seeing how their features resembled their past selves, they both turned around simultaneously, their expressions stunned.

The mutual recognition left their hearts racing. Could it really be him/her?!

They froze in the middle of the road, staring at each other in a way that looked odd to passersby—like two people in a silent standoff.

Yu Xiang’an was the first to recover. “It’s you.”

Lin Chuanbai nodded. “It’s me.”

Yu Xiang’an’s voice was dry. “So… you’re also from back then?”

Lin Chuanbai nodded again.

Yu Xiang’an sighed. “What a coincidence.”

Lin Chuanbai agreed. “What a coincidence indeed.”

Not only had they died on the same day, but they had also ended up in the same county, meeting under such strange circumstances. The odds of this happening were mind-boggling.

Their shared misfortune created an odd sense of balance. Neither was alone in their predicament. Yet, this strange comfort soon gave way to a complicated mix of emotions.

They were strangers in their past life but had now become unlikely “hometown acquaintances.”

“Old friends meeting again, tears brimming with emotion?”

No, neither fully trusted the other. If the other had ill intentions, they’d be lucky to avoid a knife in the back.

Both quickly sized each other up. Yu Xiang’an noticed Lin Chuanbai’s worn cloth shoes, with a toe peeking out. Lin Chuanbai spotted the wild vegetable dumplings in Yu Xiang’an’s basket.

Both thought: “Doesn’t look like they’re doing too well.”

Yu Xiang’an smiled faintly. “These days, life’s tough.”

Lin Chuanbai nodded. “Indeed, life’s tough.”

They exchanged a few polite words before mutually deciding to keep their distance.

Both took a detour, disguising themselves further. By the time they arrived at the black market, even acquaintances wouldn’t recognize them.

Yu Xiang’an was meeting a client who wanted to trade rare goods—ginseng.

Though she rarely got excited, the thought of ginseng piqued her interest. Even a young ginseng root was valuable, excellent for medicinal use or brewing liquor.

Meanwhile, Lin Chuanbai had also arranged a deal. Disguised with an old hat, he approached the meeting spot, spotting someone holding a bamboo basket—likely the person selling apples.

Yu Xiang’an, noticing someone with an old hat and a piece of dry grass stuck to its brim, guessed this must be the person with the ginseng.

As they neared each other, they spoke simultaneously:

“Comrade, are you—”

Their eyes met, and both froze.

It was him/her?!

🌱🌿 🫧🍃

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