Ch 38: Bringing a Farming Game System to the 1970s

Xu Haili stepped in to smooth things over, determined not to let Feng Jiaye leave in embarrassment—especially if it meant he’d take his gifts with him. That wouldn’t do at all.

“He didn’t mean it like that; he just misspoke. Go on, tell us the good news,” she coaxed.

Taking the opportunity, Feng Jiaye sat back down, slightly lowering his previously raised chin, but still visibly annoyed by Lin Chuanbai’s aloofness. He thought to himself: After all those letters I wrote, he didn’t even bother to reply to one. We’re supposed to be friends, and now I come all this way, and he treats me so indifferently?

Feeling somewhat wronged but eager to share his “news,” Feng Jiaye adjusted his tone. “Since you’re so curious, I’ll tell you.”

Lin Chuanbai stayed silent, his face an unyielding mask of indifference.

Afraid that Lin Chuanbai might cut him off again, Feng Jiaye hurriedly continued, “You remember how you were supposed to be recommended for that Worker-Peasant-Soldier University spot? Your name was almost finalized, but then someone else took your place. That guy went off to university with big dreams, right? Well, guess what? He’s been kicked out and came crawling back home. Isn’t that great news?”

Lin Chuanbai’s expression remained unchanged, but Xu Haili interjected excitedly. “Why did he get kicked out? Did he offend someone?”

Her tone betrayed a mix of curiosity and schadenfreude.

Feng Jiaye shook his head. “I’m not sure. I only heard it through the grapevine. Apparently, his stellar academic record that got him into university turned out to be fake. Maybe he did offend someone, but who knows?”

His explanation was riddled with vague phrases like “probably” and “maybe,” making Lin Chuanbai’s lips twitch in mild amusement. What a reliable source, he thought sarcastically.

Sensing their skepticism, Feng Jiaye cleared his throat and added, “Well, the details are being kept under wraps—probably to avoid public embarrassment. But the result is clear: he’s back home now. Isn’t that good news for you?”

Lin Chuanbai replied flatly, “It has nothing to do with me.”

Feng Jiaye’s voice rose. “How can you say that? If you had gone, you wouldn’t have ended up like him. With a university degree, you could’ve chosen any job you wanted. You wouldn’t be stuck in some small hospital dispensing medicine!”

Lin Chuanbai said calmly, “I’m perfectly satisfied with my job.”

“That’s just self-consolation,” Feng Jiaye scoffed. “You don’t have to settle. Why don’t you come back to the city? I can’t promise much, but I can get you a temporary position at the grain store. Work there for a year or so, and I’ll help you secure a permanent role. With your education, it won’t be hard.”

Xu Haili’s eyes lit up. She stepped forward and grabbed Feng Jiaye’s arm. “You can arrange jobs? His cousin still doesn’t have a stable job. How about this? Lin Chuanbai can take the grain store position and let his cousin have his current one at the hospital. That way, both of them will have jobs!”

She turned to Lin Chuanbai, grabbing his arm. “Wouldn’t it be nice to work with your old classmate? It’s a win-win.”

Lin Chuanbai gave her a long look before dashing her hopes. “I’m not interested. I like my current job and won’t change it.”

As if I’d be foolish enough to agree to this, he thought.

Feng Jiaye looked back and forth between them, disbelief written all over his face. “Are you sure? Working at the grain store would be much better than staying at some small hospital. You grew up in the city—don’t you want to come back and see your old friends? Everyone’s rooting for you.”

His words sounded sincere, but Lin Chuanbai only felt a sense of irony.

Glancing at his watch, Lin Chuanbai stood up. “I have things to do. Are you done talking? I need to head back.”

Fortunately, there weren’t many patients today. If he hurried, he could still make it back without issue.

Xu Haili knew his stubborn nature and decided to take a softer approach. “Alright, go back to work for now. During your lunch break, come home—Second Aunt has cooked something special for you. Make sure you come back, or I’ll have someone call you. Your friend is waiting, after all.”

She understood that reasoning with Lin Chuanbai directly wouldn’t work. Instead, she planned to let his classmate talk to him and, if necessary, involve the family elder. After all, the old man was also his grandfather and likely shared her hopes for his future.

Lin Chuanbai, however, saw through her intentions. He left a parting remark before turning to leave. “I enjoy my job. Grandpa wants me to study medicine with him, so I won’t be changing careers.”

Xu Haili’s face fell as though she’d been struck. It felt like a knife had been driven into her heart, bleeding profusely.

Of course, the old man wanted a grandson to carry on his medical legacy. Apart from the little boy on the eldest uncle’s side, who was only a few years old, Lin Chuanbai was the only one with both the talent and the inclination to fulfill that role. How could the old man allow him to abandon medicine for a grain store job?

She sighed inwardly. Her own son didn’t have the same aptitude. He’d fall asleep whenever he tried to read a medical book and could hardly recognize most herbs. If he were given the hospital job, it wouldn’t take long before he was reassigned to hard labor. In that case, it was better to secure a stable position for him at the grain store instead.

The key now lay with Lin Chuanbai’s old classmate. If he agreed to help, everything would fall into place.

With this thought, Xu Haili put on an even warmer smile. “Come, have some sweet soup. He’ll be on his lunch break soon. You two must have been close friends back in the day, right?”

Feng Jiaye nodded absentmindedly.

Seeing this, Xu Haili’s eyes gleamed with calculation. “Do you want to know more about how he’s been doing since he came back? I can tell you everything.”

This piqued Feng Jiaye’s interest.

In the past, he had envied and resented Lin Chuanbai. His classmate came from a prestigious family of military parents, with a well-respected doctor as a grandfather and accomplished siblings. With such a strong foundation, Lin Chuanbai’s future seemed assured. But who could’ve predicted that his military parents would divorce, each remarrying quickly and adding a half-brother to the mix?

A divorce—especially between military personnel—was like a bombshell in their community. The news left everyone stunned. Overnight, Lin Chuanbai went from being a figure of admiration to one of ridicule.

As many had speculated, he became a neglected child, unwanted by both parents. Even when he was almost selected for the Worker-Peasant-Soldier University program, neither parent advocated for him. Left adrift, he returned to the small county with his grandfather, tail between his legs.

Feng Jiaye found twisted satisfaction in the contrast. Once someone he looked up to, Lin Chuanbai was now beneath him. This reversal of roles was addictive. The idea of having Lin Chuanbai work under him, taking orders and performing menial tasks, was intoxicating—but alas, he had refused the offer.

Disappointed but intrigued, Feng Jiaye’s interest was piqued by Xu Haili’s offer of gossip.

“Alright, tell me. How has my old classmate been doing since he came back?”

Xu Haili hesitated briefly, unsure of his true intentions. Was this genuine concern or something else? On one hand, Lin Chuanbai’s distant attitude toward him suggested they weren’t close friends. On the other hand, his gifts—lavish and thoughtful—indicated some level of goodwill.

Still, Xu Haili decided to play along. “Well, since he came back, he’s been working diligently at the hospital. His grandpa has been teaching him medicine personally, and from what I’ve seen, he’s doing quite well. But you know, life here isn’t as glamorous as the city.”

She carefully observed Feng Jiaye’s reaction, trying to gauge his motives.

So should she talk about Lin Chuanbai’s good side or his bad side?

Unable to decide, Xu Haili opted to speak honestly.

“He’s always been quiet. Since coming back, he’s been learning medicine from his grandfather, including how to process medicinal herbs. Then he took the county hospital’s exam, ranked first, and was hired without any issues. Now, he’s a permanent employee there. The work is respectable and not too taxing. He genuinely seems to enjoy medicine—every evening, he studies late into the night by lamplight, completely focused.”

Hearing about his dedication to medicine, Feng Jiaye’s eyes glinted with amusement. Doctors used to be considered prestigious, but now? One wrong move, and they could be the subject of scrutiny. Take Lin’s grandfather, for instance. He had been an exceptional physician, but even he had to retire early to avoid trouble.

Becoming a doctor? What future was there in that?

Feng Jiaye’s mood lifted. “Anything else? Has he made any friends?”

Xu Haili shook her head. “None. He keeps to himself and never mentions being close to anyone. Most of his time is spent studying.”

Feng Jiaye pressed further. “Not even one friend?”

Xu Haili nodded. “Not one.”

Feng Jiaye was surprised but, upon reflection, not entirely shocked. Even back in the city, Lin Chuanbai hadn’t gotten along well with others. If they hadn’t known him for years, there wouldn’t have been any interaction at all.

“By the way, isn’t Dr. Lin at home?”

“He’s out visiting an old friend today. It’s rare for him to leave the house, so you just missed him.”

Xu Haili rubbed her hands together, switching topics. “I heard you’re a supervisor at the grain store? You must be very capable to have reached such a position at such a young age. You’re not even twenty yet, right? Truly impressive…” She launched into a series of compliments, leaving Feng Jiaye feeling as if he were walking on air.

He thrived on such flattery.

---

After arriving in the city, Yu Xiang’an didn’t waste time. She found a random spot to change her appearance, pulling up her collar to cover half her face. Basket in hand, she headed toward the usual spot where she sold apples.

To make things easier for buyers, she had woven a few net bags out of straw. For those purchasing in bulk, the bags were a practical and attractive option.

Previously, she sold apples for forty or fifty cents each. Now, they were going for one yuan apiece.

For those willing to pay, it wasn’t a problem. Those who tried to haggle were out of luck—she refused to bargain. Particularly high-quality apples even sold for as much as one yuan and fifty cents, and there were still buyers.

Some people had more money than she had expected. Few haggled, and most were willing to pay the asking price, especially since they intended to use the apples as gifts. Apples symbolized peace and good fortune, making them highly desirable.

Pears, however, didn’t fetch such high prices since their symbolism was less auspicious for the New Year. Grapes, on the other hand, sold for similarly attractive prices.

Yu Xiang’an realized that if she had more time, she could commission some beautifully crafted baskets and create fruit hampers, which would command an even higher price.

Seeing the demand, she decided not to sell her ducks this time. The fruit sales were more than enough. She’d keep the ducks for herself, whether for meat, eggs, or other uses.

In less than two hours, all her fruit was sold—a speed that even surprised her.

With the fruit sales done, she moved on to selling her homemade jujube and egg cakes. These didn’t require ration coupons.

The cakes were priced at 1.3 yuan and 2.5 yuan each. Fermented to be soft and fluffy, they looked large and smelled irresistibly sweet. She even let people sample a small piece, and anyone who tasted it ended up buying.

Yu Xiang’an sold a basketful of cakes before moving to a different spot, carefully avoiding staying in one place for too long. Perhaps it was the festive season, but no one patrolling for illegal vendors seemed to be around.

Because everything went smoothly, Yu Xiang’an finished her transactions earlier than expected. By noon, she had sold all her goods. Finding a spot to rest, she ate two pieces of her egg cake, changed into another set of clothes, and donned a straw hat that covered half her face before heading to the black market. Earlier, she was a seller—now, she was a buyer.

Near the station, she managed to buy a cast iron wok—finally, her Xixi Farm had one!

With the New Year approaching, the market was fully stocked, but prices had skyrocketed. Since her farm still had supplies of rice and white flour, she decided to wait until prices dropped before replenishing.

Besides the wok, her biggest score was half a lamb and three pounds of beef—luxury items that, despite their steep prices, Yu Xiang’an bought without hesitation.

She also swung by the area where she had previously stumbled upon a household receiving deliveries, hoping for another lucky find. However, the house was locked up tight, so she left.

With most of her purchases done, Yu Xiang’an changed clothes again.

For this trip, she had prepared five outfits from her farm.

Next stop: the department store. Her primary objective was sanitary pads. Everything else could wait—this was non-negotiable. After using modern products, she couldn’t bear the stress of leaks from paper alternatives, which made even walking a challenge. She stocked up on a six-month supply.

She also searched for the red scarves and red yarn that Yan Yuzhen and Song Shujing had requested. Yu Xiang’an was tempted to try knitting a scarf herself, but her lack of skill discouraged her, so she decided against it.

This year, her grandmother had declined her gifts of cloth, saying she would sew her some new clothes instead. Since her grandmother’s craftsmanship was excellent, Yu Xiang’an didn’t plan to buy clothes at the department store—they were expensive and not worth it. Unique clothing could also draw unwanted attention. She’d rather spend her money on food.

The department store didn’t disappoint. She found several styles of red scarves and picked a mid-range option. For red yarn, she grabbed the last skein available, just before someone else could claim it.

Spotting snowflake cream on the shelf, she bought a jar, as her current one was nearly empty.

Next, she headed to the food section.

The first thing that greeted her wasn’t the aroma of delicious food but the overwhelming crowd. Compared to the supply and marketing cooperatives, the department store offered a much wider selection of candies, attracting far more people.

While Yu Xiang’an navigated the city with ease, Lin Chuanbai had shifted his mood and made up his mind. Since he was already there, he decided that as long as he remained unshaken, his unwelcome visitor wouldn’t get his way.

With this resolved, Lin Chuanbai returned to the hospital and resumed his duties. However, during lunch break, he decided to head home briefly.

The original host hadn’t completely severed ties with his family, and leaving the visitor unattended might invite criticism from his grandfather.

Meanwhile, Xu Haili had pulled out all the stops to secure this potential job opportunity. Besides cutting up the roast chicken that Feng Jiaye had brought, she took out her treasured stock of preserved meats and sausages to prepare a fragrant dish of cured meat rice. To complement it, she made an egg drop soup, creating an aroma that truly wafted through the air.

On his way home, a breeze carried the enticing smell of cured meat, and Lin Chuanbai immediately recognized it as coming from his house. Pausing briefly, he pushed open the door, pretending not to notice anything unusual.

Xu Haili hadn’t just prepared a lavish meal. She had also sent word to her working daughter and school-going son, insisting they come home to attend.

Her daughter had taken her job and still hadn’t found a partner. If this man took a liking to her, her future would be secure, and he might even help her younger brother get a job—what a wonderful opportunity.

Lin Nanxing, seeing Feng Jiaye dressed smartly and exuding charm, and hearing Xu Haili praise his abilities, behaved very gently. If possible, she wouldn’t mind moving to the city for a better life. She considered herself attractive enough to make an effort.

Lin Chuanyan, however, remained silent. His mother had told him to be observant, but he had no idea how to act “smart” in this situation. Moreover, the atmosphere between his cousin and this so-called friend…

He seriously doubted they were real friends. His cousin was colder to him than to any stranger, and if someone claimed they were enemies, he would almost believe it. How was he supposed to “be clever” in this kind of tension?

Xu Haili was skilled at flattering people, making them feel valued and appreciated. Yet, while Feng Jiaye enjoyed the praise, he stood firm on one thing: this job was specially reserved for his old classmate. If Lin Chuanbai refused, the arrangement would lose its purpose.

During lunch, Feng Jiaye spoke at length about the opportunities and prospects Lin Chuanbai could have if he moved to the city. Yet no matter how much he painted a rosy picture of the future, Lin Chuanbai remained unmoved. He repeatedly emphasized that he was satisfied with his current job and had no intention of changing.

Feng Jiaye, after nearly exhausting his arguments, reluctantly gave up and shifted the topic to their former classmates.

“…Honestly, out of everyone, you’re doing the worst. You left the city and ended up in a small hospital as a pharmacist. Everyone else has respectable jobs, even if they haven’t been promoted like me. Their positions are still impressive enough to make others envious.”

Lin Chuanyan cringed internally.

Looking at his cousin’s impassive expression, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy. There was no way these two were good friends. What kind of friend talks like this? If this was a good friend, what on earth would a best friend be—a mortal enemy?

Yet his mother and sister seemed oblivious, chiming in with agreement.

“It’s true. If only he had stayed in the city, things would’ve been so much better. Coming back here, you can see the end of the road before you even start.”

Lin Chuanyan was utterly mortified. If despair had a definition, this was it. The lunch was lavish, but it gave him a stomachache.

As soon as it ended, he rushed back to school, unwilling to stay even a second longer.

When Lin Duzhong returned and learned about what had happened, he asked Lin Chuanbai, “Do you want to go back to work in the city?”

If his grandson wanted it, there were still connections he could leverage.

Lin Chuanbai shook his head. “No, Grandpa. I’m really satisfied with my current life. The city is too noisy for me. I want a quiet environment where I can focus on learning more.”

Lin Duzhong nodded with relief. Xu Haili, however, was unwilling to give up.

“Dad, Chuanbai’s friend said he could provide a job. Chuanqiong doesn’t have work yet. If Chuanbai doesn’t want it, he could at least ask his friend to give that position to his brother. They’re family, after all. There’s no need to make such distinctions.”

Lin Duzhong frowned. “This isn’t about making distinctions. Asking someone for help always comes at a cost. What are you prepared to offer in return?”

“Why should we have to offer anything? Aren’t they classmates? He just needs to say a few good words, and it’ll be done.”

The thought seemed too idealistic. Lin Duzhong gave Xu Haili a deep look and waved his hand. “There’s no need to say more. This matter ends here. Chuanqiong hasn’t even graduated yet; he still has over a year. You don’t need to rush.”

He had already started making plans for him.

Xu Haili wanted to protest but stopped herself when she saw her father-in-law’s stern expression. Frustrated, she redirected her dissatisfaction, pinching her son Lin Jiqing’s waist hard. Why was her son just sitting there like a lifeless statue?

Caught off guard, Lin Jiqing hissed in pain but managed to hold back any further reaction, silently enduring her outburst.

Lin Chuanqiong, unable to watch any longer, said, “Mom.”

Only then did Xu Haili let go.

Lin Duzhong sighed inwardly and turned to Lin Chuanbai. “Tomorrow, fetch these herbs again. Someone will be coming to collect them.” He handed Lin Chuanbai a prescription. Taking a glance at it, Lin Chuanbai recognized it—it was for the young woman with menstrual issues from before. He silently made a mental note.

When Yu Xiang’an returned, she wasn’t carrying any large bags to avoid drawing attention. By the time she arrived, Yan Yuzhen and Song Shujing were already waiting for her. Seeing the items she had bought, both were overjoyed.

Yan Yuzhen admired her purchase closely, satisfied with the unique design, unlike anything available at the supply co-op. “The city really is different,” she said with delight.

Song Shujing was equally pleased. Though the yarn quantity was limited, it would still work for accenting a sweater she planned to knit for her daughter. She envisioned adding touches to the collar and cuffs with this yarn, confident her daughter would love it.

Yu Xiang’an returned the extra money they had given her, as both had intentionally provided more to ensure it would cover the purchases.

Song Shujing and Yan Yuzhen accepted the refunds without protest. Song Shujing, while acting as usual, had slightly red-rimmed eyes, as if she had been crying earlier.

Yu Xiang’an didn’t pry.

After putting her things away, Gao Yimei came over and lamented, “If I’d known you were going to the city, I’d have asked you to bring something back for me.”

She thought for a moment and then shook her head. “Ah, forget it. You were right not to tell me. I need to save money.” With ongoing medical expenses, her budget was tight, especially with the additional expenses for the upcoming New Year. Thinking it over, she decided against any unnecessary purchases.

“Tomorrow, I need to pick up my medicine. Will you come with me? After that, I can take you to our factory. Maybe we’ll find some surplus stock at a bargain.”

Yu Xiang’an nodded. “Sure. What kind of surplus?”

“There’s some defective fabric—just minor flaws. If there’s still any left, we might get some at a good price.” She winked knowingly.

Yu Xiang’an understood and smiled in agreement.

The next day, she prepared herself with enough money. First, they visited Lin’s clinic for Gao Yimei’s follow-up consultation. After examining her again, Dr. Lin asked, “You’ve been feeling much better this time, haven’t you?”

Gao Yimei nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, this time it’s much better. The first day was still bad, but by the second day, it was manageable.” Her joy was evident as she grasped Yu Xiang’an’s hand tightly, sharing her happiness.

Yu Xiang’an smiled, feeling her excitement.

“This time, I’ve adjusted the prescription slightly. Continue taking the medication for another seven days,” Dr. Lin advised.

At that moment, someone walked in. “Grandpa, I’ve brought the herbs back.”

Yu Xiang’an looked up, and when she saw the person’s face, her smile froze.

Lin Chuanbai also stiffened, startled: It’s her?!

Both thought the same thing: …

🌱🌿 🫧🍃