Ch 39: Bringing a Farming Game System to the 1970s

Lin Duzhong didn’t notice anything unusual about them. “You’re back. Good timing—give the medicine to this young lady.”

Lin Chuanbai walked over quietly and handed the medicine to Gao Yimei, who accepted it with one hand while paying with the other. “Thank you, Dr. Lin.”

On the surface, everything seemed the same as before, but they both knew now—they had confirmed each other’s identities.

He had called Lin Duzhong “Grandpa,” meaning he was his grandson and lived locally. On the other hand, Lin Chuanbai had learned that Gao Yimei worked at the textile factory, and the woman accompanying her, Yu Xiang’an, would be easy to inquire about if needed.

As soon as they left, Yu Xiang’an couldn’t hold back her curiosity. “The person who just came in—do you know who he is?”

Gao Yimei replied, “Of course. He’s Dr. Lin’s second grandson, Lin Chuanbai. His father joined the military, and Lin Chuanbai works at the county hospital. It’s convenient for him to handle prescriptions. Why do you ask?”

“I’ve never seen him before.”

Gao Yimei suddenly remembered. “Ah, that’s right. You didn’t come the last few times I visited. So you missed him. Does he seem nice? He’s tall, and I think he doesn’t have a partner yet. He’s about your age. What you think?”

She had considered him briefly before but dismissed the idea—he was pale and not spirited-looking, not the robust type she liked. Besides, she was a few years older than him, so it wasn’t realistic.

Yu Xiang’an fell silent.

Not spirited-looking? In modern terms, that was the equivalent of saying he was average.

At this time, beauty standards for young men leaned towards bold, angular features and strong brows. Someone with Lin Chuanbai’s softer, more modern “idol-like” appearance wasn’t particularly valued. What was adored in the future was often misunderstood or dismissed now.

But being interested in him?

Yu Xiang’an quickly shook her head and explained, “No, you’re overthinking it. I’m just curious since I’ve never seen him before. Besides, I’m not thinking about personal matters any time soon.”

Hearing this, Gao Yimei seemed to remember some gossip she had overheard. Her expression softened with sympathy, as if they shared the same misfortune. When it came to marriage, both seemed to have challenges.

There weren’t as many inquiries about her now, but if she started serious talks of marriage, a simple background check would reveal plenty. Some difficulties seemed inevitable.

Once they left the clinic, Lin Chuanbai also began inquiring with Lin Duzhong. “Was that unfamiliar face here for treatment?”

“No, she came to accompany her friend.”

“Do you know her? Are they both from the textile factory?”

Lin Duzhong thought for a moment. “No, her friend mentioned she works at the food factory. She’s called Xiao An.”

Recalling a previous conversation, he nodded. “Yes, Gao Yimei mentioned her before. She asked for her help buying canned fruit and other things.”

“Why? Interested in her?” Lin Duzhong teased, though he didn’t expect much. “If you’re thinking about dating, your grandpa can introduce someone.”

He knew his grandson wasn’t there yet.

As expected, Lin Chuanbai declined. “No, it’s just that she looked familiar, like I’ve seen her somewhere before. But since you say she’s from the food factory, I must be mistaken—I haven’t been there.”

“Maybe you saw her at the hospital. She brought her sister-in-law to me for treatment before. Her sister-in-law is the one I mentioned who’s pregnant with twins.”

Lin Chuanbai nodded. If she had been to the hospital, it would be easy to look into it later. A woman pregnant with twins wasn’t common.

Yu Xiang’an was also planning to investigate discreetly. She didn’t need to uncover everything, just enough to understand what kind of person he was. On a large scale, his character seemed fine—someone without integrity wouldn’t have rushed into danger to save others back then.

But what about the smaller details?

It’s often the little things that matter most.

After all, not every transmigrator was a wise and humble protagonist. In TV dramas, they might possess charisma and succeed gloriously, but in reality, too many anomalies could draw suspicion and trouble.

Yu Xiang’an and Gao Yimei proceeded to the textile factory as planned. Investigating Lin Chuanbai could wait; there was plenty of time to uncover more details later. For now, she focused on whether she could snag some discounted fabric.

If successful, she wouldn’t need to worry about fabric supplies for the foreseeable future. She hoped to buy a new thick bedsheet for winter. While the one she was using wasn’t bad—her grandmother had gifted it when she moved into her new home—it was a summer sheet. In winter, it took a while for the bed to warm up after lying down.

Yu Xiang’an was aware that discounted fabric was typically reserved for internal employees, especially those in certain positions. As a guest, she would be using part of Gao Yimei’s share, so she made sure to stay respectful and grateful.

This was Yu Xiang’an’s first time at the textile factory. Most workers weren’t on-site at the moment, though the production workshop still had some activity. Workers were taking shifts to ensure ongoing production.

The New Year season was the busiest, with numerous orders to fulfill. Gao Yimei explained, clearly proud, that the more orders they completed, the higher their bonuses and benefits.

Though impressive, the textile factory’s perks couldn’t quite compete with those of the food factory.

Determined to do a favor for Yu Xiang’an, Gao Yimei led her to the designated area. When they found a small piece of vibrant orange-red fabric, Gao Yimei hesitated but ultimately decided against it, citing her budget.

Despite her fondness for the fabric, she insisted that she wouldn’t take it, so Yu Xiang’an did. The color was stunning and would undoubtedly make a beautiful skirt. Mentally, she made a note to share some of the brown sugar she had bought with Gao Yimei—it was something she needed at the moment.

After purchasing the fabric, Yu Xiang’an began discreetly gathering information about Lin Chuanbai. However, there wasn’t much to uncover. He had rarely returned to the area before, spending most of his time in the city with his grandfather. After graduating high school and his grandfather retiring, they had moved back to settle in the county. Lin Chuanbai later passed the entrance exam for the county hospital.

People described him as quiet but genuinely skilled. He was known for his punctuality and never leaving work early, giving off the impression of a cautious person. Moving from the city, with its many connections, to this quieter place seemed to have allowed him to avoid certain challenges.

On the other hand, Lin Chuanbai did some digging about Yu Xiang’an. From one casual question to another, he soon learned her name and more details than he expected.

His inquiries started with innocuous questions to chatty people, who then eagerly supplied additional information without prompting. The flood of details surprised him with its thoroughness.

However, when he casually asked, “Doesn’t it seem like her actions are more decisive than before? That’s quite a change.”

The respondent shrugged nonchalantly. “What’s strange about that? Going through certain experiences changes people—it’s only natural.”

The reasoning seemed plausible enough. Lin Chuanbai nodded thoughtfully, feeling a cautious sense of approval for how both sides were handling things.

---

Yu Xiang’an handed the fabric to Yao Cuifen and asked her to make a skirt. That evening, Yu Xiangqing returned home with a 15-day holiday.

By the time she arrived, Zhao Qiaoniang was still doing temporary work at the factory for a few more days, but most of the housework was already done. The house had been thoroughly cleaned, and the bedding for Yu Xiangqing and Yu Xiangyan had been aired out, leaving it smelling like sunlight.

When Yu Xiangqing returned home, she lay in bed from evening until noon the next day before finally feeling rejuvenated. Exhaustion had taken its toll, compounded by her excitement to be home, which had caused sleepless nights before her return. On the crowded and chaotic train, she couldn’t rest properly either. Now that she was home, she could finally relax, leading to an extended rest.

By noon, only Yu Xiangju was home. She took him along to visit their grandmother.

Yao Cuifen, upon seeing her, held her hand tightly and didn’t want to let go. Her granddaughter, living a tough life away from home, had visibly changed. Her hands were much rougher, and her skin was noticeably darker. Without asking in detail, Yao Cuifen could see what she had endured. Of course, she avoided mentioning Liang Yong, not wanting to reopen painful memories, and instead focused on asking if she was eating and living well.

Yu Xiangqing, not wanting to worry her grandmother, chose to highlight the positives. “The family I’m living with is wonderful. Grandma Chen is gentle and has helped me a lot. I tutor her grandchildren, and they respect me. Grandma Chen’s only son is a soldier stationed far away, so he rarely comes home, but he sends allowances back. They’re doing alright, and the people there are friendly.

“I’ve also been submitting articles to newspapers, but I haven’t heard back yet. I’ll keep trying. And I’ve made some good friends among the other educated youths. They come from all over the country, some as far away as my eldest cousin. It’s a long journey for them to visit home, so they rarely do. We share experiences, and I’ve learned a lot from them.”

Traveling such distances wasn’t just time-consuming but also financially draining. A single train ticket could empty one’s savings from years of hard work, only for a rushed two-day visit before heading back. She felt lucky to live relatively close—she could make it home within a day, sparing herself much trouble.

“Oh, Grandma, I remember Xiaomei saying you liked the glutinous rice from my area. I brought some back for you—it’s freshly harvested this year and smells wonderful when cooked.”

Yu Xiangqing was deeply attached to Yao Cuifen. She couldn’t see Zhao Qiaoniang as her real mother. When Qin Fenglan passed away, she had already been old enough to remember everything vividly. Except for the youngest, Yu Xiangju, the children couldn’t see their stepmother as a true parent. In many ways, their grandmother had taken on the maternal role.

Her reliance on Yao Cuifen was the strongest among them. Being away from her wasn’t too difficult, but once reunited, she couldn’t help but want to act spoiled.

“Glutinous rice? Yes, Xiaomei did bring some back, and it’s indeed more delicious than the local kind. Do you have enough for yourself? Keep some for yourself, dear. Grandma has eaten so many things in her life.”

“I still have plenty; the team distributed some to me, and I have a little more back at home.” She felt slightly guilty as she spoke. The rice wasn’t just from her team’s distribution—she had also purchased some.

Yao Cuifen wasn’t fooled and patted her hand. “Alright, Grandma knows you’re thoughtful. Xiaomei recently bought some fabric, and I’ve already made her clothes. Take them back for her to try on. If they don’t fit, I’ll adjust them.”

Yu Xiangqing examined the clothes. “Xiaomei’s sewing skills really won’t improve, will they? It’s strange—her hands aren’t clumsy at all. She cooks so well, but when it comes to sewing, she’s hopeless.” She unfolded the garment, giving it a shake. “It should be fine. Though, this blue fabric could be more vibrant. Something with patterns would suit her age better.”

After storing the clothes, Yao Cuifen pulled out another garment. “This one’s for you. I made it, so try it on. Xiaomei has her job and can buy her own fabric, but things are tougher for you. Grandma will provide for you. You’re only slightly older than Xiaomei, and you should look just as presentable.”

Yu Xiangqing’s throat tightened, and she quickly blinked away tears to keep them from falling. “Grandma…”

“Don’t give up, my dear. We’ll find a way for you. For now, put on this dress and tidy yourself up. Grandma will introduce you to someone.”

Yu Xiangqing’s eyes widened in shock. “Introduce me? To someone?”

“Yes, dear. Don’t you think it’s time? If you find someone with a stable job, you could come back to live here. Wouldn’t it be nice for the whole family to be together again? After your eldest sister went to the countryside, she didn’t even make it back alive. It’s different for girls than boys. You don’t know how much Grandma worries about you. Your mother isn’t here anymore, so Grandma has to look out for you all.”

Yu Xiangqing couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

Yao Cuifen, leaving no room for negotiation, held her hand tightly. “You’ll listen to Grandma on this! Stay by my side and let my old friends see what a fine granddaughter I have.”

Yu Xiangqing: “…”

Before she had a chance to catch up properly with her family, her grandmother dragged her around to meet potential matches.

When Yu Qingshan heard about it, he didn’t object. Instead, he quietly pulled out a piece of bright yellow fabric and suggested she wear something more cheerful.

In an era where most fabrics were in somber colors like black, blue, and gray, bright-colored fabrics were considered a luxury. It was unclear where Yu Qingshan had managed to get the cloth, but Yao Cuifen was very pleased with it.

She wasn’t in a hurry, though. During the day, she continued taking Yu Xiangqing around and used any spare time to guide her in sewing.

Both sisters were similarly hopeless at sewing. While Yu Xiangqing was slightly better than Yu Xiang’an, it wasn’t by much. With effort, perhaps there was still some hope for improvement.

Yu Xiang’an sympathized deeply with her older sister’s predicament. With such a short holiday, how could she realistically find someone reliable and mutually agreeable? It seemed an impossible task.

While Yu Xiangqing was navigating this whirlwind, Yu Xiangyan and his group finally returned.

Since they hadn’t sent a letter specifying which train they would be on, the family only realized they were back when they arrived at the doorstep.

Dusty from travel, Yu Xiangyan strode inside, his brilliant smile showing off his white teeth. “Dad, I’m back!”

The family was in the middle of a meal. They all stood up in surprise and joy at the sight of him. Yu Qingshan set his bowl and chopsticks down and approached. “You’re back!”

Yu Xiangyan nodded. “Yes, Dad, Aunt Qiao, Manchang, Xiaoqing, Xiaomei, Xiaojue—I’m back.”

Yu Qingshan looked him over, satisfied, and nodded. “Good, good.”

Yu Xiangyan then pulled Wen Ruzhen forward to formally offer tea to Yu Qingshan. “Dad, I brought your daughter-in-law back. This is my brother-in-law, Yizhen.”

Wen Ruzhen felt a bit nervous but maintained her composure. She smiled as she presented the tea. “Dad.”

Wen Yizhen also called out politely, “Uncle.”

Yu Qingshan received the tea with both hands and promptly fetched a red envelope wrapped in red paper. “Good, good children. Come, sit down and eat. You must be hungry. Go make a couple more dishes. Manchang, run over and tell your brother that his younger brother is back and to come for a chat.”

His steady and welcoming demeanor put Wen Ruzhen at ease.

Yu Qingshan then turned to Yu Xiangyan. “Why didn’t you let me know in advance? I’ve been waiting for your letter and was wondering if you got delayed on the road.”

Yu Xiangyan sat down. “I didn’t send a letter. There was no need. It’s just the three of us, so there’s nothing to worry about. We didn’t bring much, and honestly, coming straight back is faster than writing a letter. By the time the letter arrived, we might’ve already been here for two days.”

Yu Xiang’an came out with two bowls of soup and placed them in front of her second sister-in-law and younger brother. “I made bone broth today, with some pepper. Is it to your liking?”

Wen Ruzhen thanked her, “It’s just right for me.” Drinking a bowl of hot soup on a cold day warmed her whole body.

Yu Xiang’an took a closer look at her second sister-in-law.

She was an outstanding beauty. Even in old clothes, she carried herself with natural grace.

Her younger brother was no exception. He looked like a character straight out of a comic book—delicate and magnetic without saying a word, his mere presence naturally drew attention.

Their family’s genes were undeniably striking, but they both appeared frail and thin. Sitting next to Yu Xiangyan, the contrast in their builds was especially noticeable.

Yu Xiang’an quickly returned to the kitchen to ladle a bowl of soup for Yu Xiangyan.

Zhao Qiaoniang and Yu Xiangqing were in the kitchen preparing additional dishes and boiling sweet potato starch noodles.

Cooking was slow in those days.

The three new arrivals were famished, finishing their bowls of soup—laden with radishes—in one go before stopping.

“How long was your train ride?”

Yu Xiangyan let out a sigh. “This time we weren’t so lucky. Something happened on the way, and we were stuck at one station for over two hours. Got delayed.”

Yu Qingshan nodded. “You must be exhausted. After eating, take a good bath and get some rest.”

After a few exchanges, Yu Xiangqing and Zhao Qiaoniang brought out the noodles, each bowl topped with an egg.

The fragrant aroma filled the room.

As soon as the dishes were placed, the travelers dug in, eating with a speed that revealed their hunger. It was clear they had likely skipped lunch.

Not long after, Yu Xianghai arrived with Ye Qijia and Yu Mingjie in tow.

Yu Xianghai greeted Yu Xiangyan with a hearty bear hug. “You rascal, you’re finally back!”

“Big Brother, Sister-in-law, is this Mingjie? Kids grow so fast.” Yu Xiangyan felt nostalgic. “Big Brother, this is my wife, and this is my brother-in-law. Yes, I’m back.”

Yu Xianghai gave Wen Ruzhen a warm smile. “Hello, sister-in-law. From now on, I’ll be counting on you to keep my younger brother in check.”

Yu Xiangyan protested, “Big Brother, what do you mean by that? I’m the one who’s great here. It’s clearly mutual support!”

Yu Xianghai laughed. “Still as thick-skinned as ever, I see.”

Ye Qijia sat down beside Wen Ruzhen. “Sister-in-law.”

Wen Ruzhen greeted her, “Sister-in-law.”

Yu Xiangqing joined them. “Second Sister-in-law, you’re so pretty. Both of my sisters-in-law are beautiful. My nieces and nephews will have no trouble finding matches in the future.”

Both women laughed. Wen Ruzhen glanced at Ye Qijia’s belly and lowered her voice, “Are you expecting twins?”

Ye Qijia smiled. “Yes, that’s right. Does my belly look bigger than normal? It’s normal for twins…”

Meanwhile, Yu Xiangyan and Yu Xianghai chatted for a while before starting to unpack. They had brought back a large haul.

Seeing this, Yu Qingshan walked over to help. “What did you bring? It’s so much.”

“Just some specialties from over there—mushrooms and wood ear fungus. There are plenty of them. As soon as it rains, they sprout up everywhere.”

“Most of these were foraged by us in the mountains. We brought them back, cleaned them, and dried them. There are also some medicinal herbs from there that are great for making soup.”

In that region, mushrooms were essential for surviving the lean months when grain supplies ran low.

Everyone would gather plenty of these.

Additionally, he brought back half a ham. “This ham was made by an elderly woman from that area. Her ham-making skills are unparalleled. Every year, people specifically ask for her help. I managed to get this by doing her a small favor. I’ve tasted it—it’s incredibly fragrant. Whether used in soups or steamed, it’s so delicious you’ll want to swallow your tongue along with it.”

The ham was made from the hind leg of a pig—a real attention-grabber.

Yu Xiang’an, recognizing its value, walked over to inspect it. She sniffed it and gave a thumbs-up. “This must be made from black pork, right?”

Yu Xiangyan was surprised. “How did you know?”

Yu Xiang’an smiled casually. “I’ve seen something similar at our factory’s cafeteria. The chef there treasures it like gold.” Hams like this weren’t cheap.

For her second brother to procure such a large piece, it was impressive.

Yu Xiangyan nodded. “Exactly! It took quite a bit of effort. The first time I tasted it, I was amazed and decided I had to bring some back for everyone to try.”

Yu Xianghai patted his shoulder. “You rascal, I knew wherever you went, you’d manage just fine.”

Yu Manchang nodded in agreement. He thought the same.

Meanwhile, Yu Xiangqing peeked into the kitchen. “The water’s hot. Who’s going to shower first?”

Wen Ruzhen glanced at Yu Xiangyan, who turned to her as well. “You go first. I’ll go last.”

Yu Xiang’an added, “Your room’s all ready for you. You can move right in. Second Sister-in-law, come with me. This is your room, and Yizhen, you’ll sleep in this one.”

The three of them were visibly exhausted, with dark circles under their eyes. Seeing this, everyone refrained from saying much more. After showering, they went straight to bed. Yu Xiang’an and Yu Xiangqing stayed up to organize the items they had brought back.

Some of the items were already set aside—some were meant for their grandmother, while others were for their grandfather.

Zhao Qiaoniang didn’t join the sorting. She was busy preparing for tomorrow’s tofu-making.

Her temporary job had ended, and she was now on an extended holiday. For the next few months, she likely wouldn’t have work.

Still, this year had been good. She worked for half the year and earned a decent sum.

Making tofu required soaking soybeans first, then grinding them with a stone mill to produce soy milk. The milk was filtered through cloth, boiled, and then poured into a vat where brine was added to curdle it. The curds were then pressed with stones to remove excess water, forming tofu.

The process involved many steps and would take up the entire morning.

Before Yu Xiangyan fell asleep, Yu Xianghai shared a piece of news with him.

“Liang Yong came back yesterday. I’ve got the burlap sack ready. Just waiting for you.”

🌱🌿 🫧🍃