Ch 48: Bringing a Farming Game System to the 1970s

Yu Qingbao and Yu Manwu weren’t just here for the wild boar meat; they also brought good news.

The commune had taken note of the achievements in their workshop and approved its upgrade to a factory. This was a significant accomplishment for the brigade’s reputation.

However, since the factory’s income was still modest, the number of official positions was limited. Naturally, the factory director would be the brigade leader, Yu Shunwen. Yu Qingbao was appointed as a technician, and they would hire another technician. For now, the rest of the positions were temporary, but if income growth continued over the next two months, formalization would soon follow.

If everything went smoothly, Yu Xiangqing could return by early next year.

That wasn’t far off, which explained why Yu Qingshan called everyone together to share the joy.

Yu Xiang’an felt happy for Yu Xiangqing. Over the past six months, Yu Xiangqing had worked hard and even managed to get an article published—just one, but it was a big step forward. More importantly, it gave her the confidence to persevere.

As for Yu Xiangyan, her return would take longer. For now, there were only three official employees, and more positions would be added gradually in the future.

They decided to keep the news under wraps for now to avoid disappointment if anything changed. It would be better to wait until everything was finalized.

---

By the end of 1971, Yu Xiang’an conducted a personal year-end review.

In her work, she was highly likely to be awarded “Excellence,” which would be a significant acknowledgment of her efforts.

In culinary skills, the addition of beef and lamb had expanded her repertoire. She had created and recorded over 20 innovative recipes, all of which she considered good enough to save for the future. When she eventually reopened her restaurant, these recipes would be her foundation, ensuring a steady flow of new dishes to attract customers.

Her Xixi Farm hadn’t undergone a sudden upgrade—it still only had farmland and a pasture. Based on her calculations, the next upgrade would likely take quite some time.

All the available farmland was now fully utilized. Her warehouse was stocked with preserved fruits, which she could eat anytime or sell in batches to replenish her funds.

She no longer lacked meat. Her stock included ample duck, fish, lamb, and beef. While she didn’t have pork, it was relatively easy to buy, along with chicken. Often, beef and lamb could be used as substitutes.

In this era, having a steady supply of meat was a luxury.

In terms of friendships, she had maintained strong bonds with Yan Yuzhen and Gao Yimei, and her relationship with Lin Chuanbai had grown significantly over the year. The rest of her connections were more casual acquaintances.

But true friends don’t need to be numerous. With her harmonious family and two or three good friends, that was enough.

In terms of family, there hadn’t been any major changes. So far, everything was moving in a positive direction. It was possible that next year, those sent to the countryside could return. Though they wouldn’t be back in the county, they’d at least be home, under her watchful eye, and with worker status. In this era, how many families with multiple children could keep their sons and daughters close by?

Even those with power and influence couldn’t be too conspicuous. A single report letter could ruin them. At best, they could arrange for their children to be assigned nearby, allowing for easy visits.

In terms of personal assets, she had a house she was still paying off, a bicycle, several vouchers, various supplies, and nearly a thousand in cash savings.

When Yu Xiang’an counted her wealth, she was a bit surprised. Upon closer calculation, most of it came from selling fruit, though the earnings from other sources weren’t far behind. Once her duck and fish production increased, they brought in significant income, as meat was expensive. When the cows and sheep on her farm matured, each could fetch anywhere from tens to hundreds of yuan, which would further boost her finances.

This money was stored in her farm’s cabinet. There was no need to deposit it in a bank. The farm was secure, and if she deposited the money, how would she explain its origins to anyone who asked?

Beyond these assets, she had also been collecting items that might appreciate in value—books she couldn’t understand, attractive stamps, uncertain paintings and calligraphy, and vase sets that seemed to be antiques.

She designated a cabinet for these items. Someday, some of them might prove valuable, making the storage cost worthwhile. If luck wasn’t on her side, the only loss would be a small corner of space.

If her luck was good, the investment could yield enormous returns. Things bought for a few cents or yuan might turn out to be worth tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions—enough to buy a house.

Some of these items came from the recycling center where Qin Shengsong worked, others from city recycling stations and bookstores, and a few were found abandoned in roadside bushes, likely discarded by people trying to avoid trouble. Most of these were damaged, but she carefully selected a few promising pieces.

Looking back at her early days here, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction, like a hamster stockpiling food in its nest.

With resources on hand, she felt secure. Even in an emergency, these reserves could sustain her for some time.

Lin Chuanbai also conducted his own year-end inventory. His medicinal garden remained the same, filled with herbs, with a significant portion dedicated to ginseng. Among all the herbs, ginseng was the most valuable single item and incredibly versatile.

Ginseng appeared in almost every tonic, and its value increased with age. The earlier he planted it, the longer it matured, and the more it was worth.

If he ever truly needed money, selling just one ginseng root would cover his living expenses for three years.

Besides his herbs, he didn’t have much else. His current savings were just over 300 yuan, most of which he had spent on food and drink. However, he had accumulated a variety of medicinal plants, both homegrown and purchased.

He also had a small pharmacy in this place.

Thanks to his ginseng, he had acquired some valuable items in exchanges where others couldn’t pay with cash. He carefully stored these items in a box, keeping them well-preserved.

There were small yellow fish, jade pendants, gemstones, and pearls among the collection.

These items would remain hidden for a long time, serving only as personal treasures to admire.

Moreover, their quality wasn’t particularly high, so they weren’t extremely valuable. After all, the ginseng he exchanged for them wasn’t very mature. If someone truly had something valuable, they wouldn’t part with it easily unless they were utterly desperate.

In terms of medical skills, Lin Chuanbai was diligent and seemed to have a natural talent for it. His grandfather was very pleased with his progress and often boasted about him.

He took pride in finally having a successor. Even though Lin Chuanbai told him not to brag, his grandfather refused, believing that such achievements deserved to be shared with everyone.

Among his three children, only his daughter had studied medicine, but none of his grandchildren had shown interest until now. Finally, there was one who was willing, gifted, and hardworking, someone who could not only inherit his craft but potentially expand upon it. How could he not be thrilled? How could he not boast, especially to those old friends who once mocked him for having no successors?

Now, he could proudly hold his head high.

---

At the factory’s year-end meeting, Yu Xiang’an was rightfully recognized as an “Excellence” awardee. Some questioned how such a young girl managed to receive the honor, but most people had no doubts.

Literacy was widespread, and many people enjoyed reading newspapers to stay informed about national affairs. Even if they couldn’t afford the latest editions, they would read old ones for insights.

Seeing their factory’s name in the newspaper brought immense pride.

The recognition wasn’t limited to their factory but extended to the entire city. It was a source of collective pride and glory.

Yu Xiang’an was diligent and hardworking, so her recognition as an excellent employee wasn’t surprising.

Sun Qingchun, who had joined the factory earlier, was envious of her achievement. For him, receiving such recognition seemed like an unattainable goal.

Her award brought another wave of praise from her family.

In their family, only Yu Qingshan had ever received an “Excellence” award.

But when he earned it, he was much older. How old was Yu Xiang’an now?

Each generation surpasses the previous one.

---

During this year’s New Year celebration, Yu Xiangqing returned home. Yu Xiangyan and the others didn’t return, as Wen Ruzhen was heavily pregnant. His absence was understandable.

Although he couldn’t come in person, he sent a gift—a bolt of homespun cloth from his region. Despite being “homespun,” the fabric was vibrantly colored, with a strong ethnic flair, and was durable and practical. Yu Xiang’an loved it.

She made it into a skirt that caught everyone’s eye. When Gao Yimei saw her wearing it, she insisted on buying a piece from her, determined to make her own skirt.

Gao Yimei was currently seeing someone, and the two seemed to have mutual affection. It was a critical time for their relationship.

Wanting to look her best, she often sought Yu Xiang’an’s advice on how to appear more lively.

This led Yu Xiang’an to DIY a lipstick for her. Though the color was faint and the staying power minimal, it added a healthy flush to the face. For something homemade, it was good enough.

Gao Yimei did own expensive lipsticks, but they were too bold for her taste. Being relatively conservative, she didn’t dare wear such bright colors in public. The subtle lipstick made by Yu Xiang’an was just right.

At first glance, it seemed completely natural, as though she wasn’t wearing anything. She also became a loyal user of Yu Xiang’an’s homemade hand cream and tinted moisturizer.

As the year-end approached, these DIY beginner-level cosmetics became wildly popular within her small circle. What young woman didn’t want to look beautiful?

Even though the prices were a bit steep, they were willing to pay.

Unintentionally, Yu Xiang’an had opened up another source of income for herself—a promising and lucrative one.

When Yu Xiangqing heard about the paper factory, she finally understood what her family had done for her. She was both shocked and deeply moved.

She hadn’t expected this.

Tears welled up in her eyes. Didn’t she want to return? Of course, she did—desperately. But it had seemed impossible. She had always told herself not to dwell on it too much because returning to the city was incredibly difficult. So many educated youths were sent to the countryside; how many of them could actually go back?

Her family wasn’t particularly influential, either.

That’s why she never gave up on submitting her writing. It was her only hope.

Now, she realized it wasn’t just her efforts—her family had been working hard for her too.

She thought that if she did return, giving half her salary for a year wouldn’t be enough; she should give two-thirds.

Yu Xiang’an refused. “If you give two-thirds, what will you live on? Besides, it’s too early to talk about this. Let’s wait until it’s officially confirmed.” She didn’t need her money.

With hope for the future, Yu Xiangqing returned to Niujiao Brigade after the New Year to continue her life as an educated youth. She worked in the fields and laughed with the others, appearing no different from her peers. But only she knew about this plan.

If word got out, others might not help her, and jealousy could even lead to sabotage, such as someone causing issues with the brigade leader over her household registration.

It was best to leave quietly.

If she did leave, Liang Yong, still working as a temporary worker in the commune, would surely be stunned when he found out.

Would he regret his choices? Regardless, she wanted him to realize he had made the wrong decision. Without him, her life would only get better.

She held this determination in her heart.

When the brigade leader of Niujiao Brigade saw her bringing her household registration documents to apply for a transfer, he was momentarily stunned. But he had no grievances with her and didn’t make things difficult, signing off on her request to leave.

Besides the brigade leader, only Grandma Chen, who shared meals with her, knew she had gone home for good and wouldn’t be coming back.

The others assumed she had returned home for a family matter. But ten days passed, then half a month, then a full month.

She still hadn’t returned.

The educated youths began to speculate, and soon word spread: her household registration had been transferred back to her family.

She had returned to the city?!

How had she managed it? The educated youths were in an uproar.

Zheng Ke, who had a good relationship with her, was bombarded with questions. He smiled wryly. “I really didn’t know beforehand.”

He had only received a letter from her afterward. She hadn’t returned to the city but had gone back to her hometown—which was still a village.

However, she now had a job. “I don’t know the specifics, so stop asking me. She didn’t explain.”

Mo Wenwen confirmed the story with Zheng Ke. Even though she didn’t want to believe it, she had no choice. It plunged her into depression, and she fell ill, taking a long time to recover.

As for Liang Yong in the commune, it hit him like a blow to the chest. He nearly coughed up blood.

How could she have returned?

He knew her family’s circumstances—they were ordinary people. If he had known this was possible, how could he have made the choices he did back then?

Now, despite his outward appearance of success, he was nothing more than a temporary worker. He had to swallow his pride, smile at everyone, and accept his situation.

No matter how much he regretted it, it was too late.

---

The small paper factory currently had only three formal employees: Yu Shunwen as the factory director and head of sales, Yu Qingbao, and Yu Xiangqing as technicians. The rest were temporary workers.

The villagers had no complaints.

Temporary positions were fine—they held the promise of being made permanent after some time. And with the factory’s potential for expansion, wasn’t it likely they’d hire more in the future?

By following the principle of proximity, they naturally gained significant benefits. Although some weren’t directly involved now, if not for the Yu family introducing this papermaking technology, they wouldn’t have received any benefits at all. It was only fair that the Yu family reaped the initial rewards.

Yu Xiangqing’s position was also that of a technician. Since Yu Qingshan had already passed on all the key techniques to Yu Qingbao, there was no reason for him to withhold anything from his daughter.

During the New Year, he had already gone through some of the processes with her, and she picked them up quickly.

After arriving at Hongxing Brigade, she lived with Yu Changyou’s family. Their home already had a room designated for them, so she moved in without issue and shared meals with the family.

The factory was small, comprised entirely of locals, and didn’t have a cafeteria.

Though it was in the countryside, this area was far more developed than Niujiao Brigade.

Here, she had her grandparents, uncles, and other extended family members, all speaking a familiar dialect. If she missed her father, she could visit him by leaving in the morning and returning in the evening without disrupting anything.

Papermaking involved both labor-intensive and detail-oriented tasks. As a girl, she was assigned to the latter, which required patience and care but wasn’t particularly difficult.

She quickly adapted to the new environment and felt nothing but joy watching the increasing production output.

Their business was thriving. Why?

With the introduction of cheaper, higher-quality paper, customers could buy more for the same amount of money. Some people even stockpiled large quantities, which led to faster consumption. Previously, with limited sheets, people were frugal, using every half-sheet carefully. Now, with affordable and practical paper, they no longer felt the need to save so meticulously, leading to increased usage.

This was a classic case of “low margins, high volume,” and business was booming.

Since their commune didn’t have a paper factory before, all paper had to be imported from other communes. Now that they had their own, there was no reason to go elsewhere.

It seemed that Yu Xiangyan could return home soon. However, Yu Xiangqing had a concern.

She secretly discussed it with Yu Xiang’an. “What if Second Brother doesn’t want to leave his wife? Or if Sister-in-law doesn’t want to leave her brother? What if they refuse to come back?”

Yu Xiang’an was silent for a moment before replying softly, “That’s their choice.”

It was a valid concern and a likely scenario.

“But there is a way for them all to come here,” she added.

Yu Xiangqing’s eyes lit up. “What’s the solution?”

“If Second Brother gets a formal worker position here, Sister-in-law and her son can follow his household registration. Even if they can’t become workers, they can become members of Hongxing Brigade. Transferring from one production team to another, with Second Brother’s connections, could also facilitate moving Sister-in-law’s brother here along with her.”

This was feasible, and as long as it could be done, there was a solution.

Hearing this, Yu Xiangqing breathed a sigh of relief. “As long as there’s a way.”

Returning to Hongxing Brigade would undoubtedly be far more comfortable than being an educated youth in a distant place. At the very least, there wouldn’t be unnecessary worries or troubles.

The brigade leader here was a relative, and while he didn’t need to show favoritism, fair treatment was already a blessing.

Relieved, Yu Xiangqing smiled.

Yu Xiang’an asked, “How are you adjusting?”

Yu Xiangqing laughed. “What’s there to adjust? This is our hometown. Leaving Niujiao Brigade was easy enough. My only regret is not seeing Liang Yong’s face when he found out. If I had a camera to capture it, I could cherish that image forever.”

Yu Xiang’an chuckled. “His parents are still here. He’ll come back eventually.”

This thought filled Yu Xiang’an with satisfaction. She wasn’t overly selfless, but this family was remarkably harmonious. Everyone considered each other, gave without overextending, and knew how to be grateful. Such families were rare and precious, often reminding her of her own family in her previous life, including her elder brother and sister.

Yu Xiangqing bore a slight resemblance to her, which in turn reminded her of her eldest sister. This resemblance had stirred a sense of emotional transference, though now that feeling had shifted toward Yu Mingyao, who bore an even closer likeness to her sister.

“However, this small factory won’t expand too quickly in the short term. By my estimate, Second Sister-in-law should have already given birth. Perhaps the letter announcing the good news is already on its way. When the child grows a bit older, the journey back will also be less troublesome.”

The letter of good news was indeed on its way.

They had a daughter, born at full term and very healthy. Experienced elders remarked that the baby resembled her mother, predicting that she would grow up to be an exceptionally beautiful girl. Her cries were delicate and heart-wrenching, tugging at the hearts of everyone around her. She was clingy and difficult to care for, and the letter was full of what appeared to be complaints but were actually proud boasts.

Currently, Yu Xiangyan was in a state of “having a daughter makes everything perfect.” Wen Ruzhen, who had initially worried that he might prefer a son, couldn’t help but laugh at his overindulgence. In her reply, she teased that his pampering would make their daughter too used to being held, and she’d cry whenever she wasn’t in someone’s arms.

Their harmonious relationship was evident.

Yu Qingshan sent fabric and a letter to congratulate them, sharing updates about the paper factory.

He had thought everything through carefully. Knowing his son well, he realized that if only Yu Xiangyan were asked to return, he would likely refuse.

Thus, he prepared him in advance, encouraging him to connect with others in relevant fields so that all four of them could return together.

Upon receiving the letter, Yu Xiangyan sat in stunned silence for a long time.

His father’s previous letter had hinted at this possibility, but he hadn’t expected progress to come so quickly. Fourth Sister had already returned home!

With this pace, his return might not be far off either.

He immediately shared the good news with Wen Ruzhen.

Wen Ruzhen, naturally, hoped to return as well. If they could move back together with her brother, it would be the best outcome. However, she couldn’t bear to leave her brother behind. His health wasn’t good, and she worried about what might happen if she left him alone.

Returning to Hongxing Brigade would mean working in the fields, but at least they wouldn’t face the wary, distrusting stares of being outsiders. Their child could meet his grandparents, uncles, and aunt, gaining a sense of security and protection. Others wouldn’t dare bully them easily.

Here, while Yu Xiangyan had some respect from the locals, many people had never truly trusted them. As their child grew older, the differences between him and local children would become more apparent, potentially affecting his future development.

Meanwhile, Yu Xiang’an was feeling a bit annoyed.

She knew she was seen as a desirable match by many of the older women in the area, who hoped to marry her into their families. Given her unique circumstances, they approached Zhao Qiaoniang, who politely turned them all down. They didn’t dare pressure her directly, and Yao Cuifen, who might have mediated, had long retired and now had a limited social circle.

Instead, most sent their sons, nephews, or grandsons to make their own attempts at wooing her. After all, young people were free to fall in love.

But their efforts were futile. Yu Xiang’an wasn’t in the least bit interested.

Most of them weren’t persistent. After one or two attempts—or at most three or four—they retreated when they saw her clear disinterest.

However, one particularly self-assured and oblivious individual had recently emerged.

He was Manager Chen’s nephew.

Back when Yu Xiang’an joined the factory, Manager Chen had been the one to help her.

His name was Chen Jingkun, 22 years old. He didn’t work at the food factory but at a pharmaceutical plant. A high school graduate, he enjoyed slicking his hair back with pomade into a neat, shiny style, which he thought made him look dashing and confident.

During a visit to his uncle’s house, he had met Yu Xiang’an by chance and instantly fallen for her.

He had never married because he hadn’t found a woman who truly captivated him—until now.

He asked his aunt to act as a matchmaker, but she refused. She didn’t want to get involved.

When she declined, his grandmother stepped in, leaving his aunt no choice but to call Yu Xiang’an over to discuss the matter.

Without much preamble, she got straight to the point. “Xiao An, my mother-in-law has made her wishes clear, so I wanted to ask your opinion. I have a nephew on my husband’s side, Chen Jingkun, 22 years old, working at the pharmaceutical factory. He has his own room at home. What do you think?”

Yu Xiang’an declined immediately. “Auntie, you know me—I’m not looking for a relationship right now.”

Yang Yi nodded without pushing further. “Alright, I understand. No problem, don’t overthink it. I’ll pass on the message.”

She informed Chen Jingkun of the response and considered the matter closed. She had fulfilled her obligation, and since the woman wasn’t interested, there was nothing more to do. She certainly wasn’t going to force Yu Xiang’an into anything.

Privately, she didn’t think her nephew was suitable for Yu Xiang’an. She liked Yu Xiang’an—a gracious, capable young woman who could cook wonderfully. A few times, she had even sought Yu Xiang’an’s cooking tips, which were always shared kindly.

Her nephew, on the other hand, was arrogant without much reason to be. In her opinion, they were not a good match, so she didn’t want to push the matter further.

However, her refusal didn’t deter Chen Jingkun. He thought it was because Yu Xiang’an hadn’t met him, so he decided to present himself directly.

When Yu Xiang’an heard someone was looking for her, she assumed it was a family member. Instead, it was a man she didn’t recognize, dressed neatly in black pants and a white shirt, but with an overbearing amount of pomade slicking back his hair.

Yu Xiang’an: “… Did he use an entire bottle of hair oil?”

“You’re looking for me? Are you sure you have the right person? I don’t know you.”

“I’m not mistaken—it’s you, Comrade Yu Xiang’an. I’m Chen Jingkun from the pharmaceutical factory. From the moment I saw you, I wanted to be friends with you.”

Yu Xiang’an: “???”

Friends? Are you okay? Or did I mishear?

In this era, “friends” between men and women meant one thing: romantic interest.

Was this harassment?!

Yu Xiang’an’s face immediately darkened. “Comrade Chen, I don’t know you. Are you trying to be indecent?”

Chen Jingkun was startled. “No, no! That’s not it! I’m your neighbor’s nephew—Manager Chen is my uncle. I’m not a bad person!”

He hurried to explain. “My aunt probably mentioned me to you before? I thought I should express my interest in person.”

“Your aunt did mention you, and I’ve already declined.”

Chen Jingkun regained his composure. “Comrade Yu, we’re young people in the new era. We don’t have to rely on our elders to make arrangements. We can decide freely.”

He confidently smoothed his hair, which shone under the sunlight to the point of being reflective. Yu Xiang’an averted her eyes and instinctively stepped back.

“Yes, we are free, which means I have the freedom to say no. Do you understand? Excuse me, I have work to do.”

Yu Xiang’an’s response was crystal clear, but Chen Jingkun thought she was playing hard to get. How could anyone not like him?

He was a formal employee at a pharmaceutical factory, with great benefits and his own house. He wasn’t bad-looking either. In the past, he had always been the one rejecting others—how could a woman turn him down?

So, he took every opportunity to appear in front of her.

Even though Yu Xiang’an remained distant, Chen Jingkun persisted. To outsiders, who couldn’t hear their conversations, it seemed like the two were frequently seen together. Both were unmarried, so rumors began circulating that they were an item.

When asked about it, Chen Jingkun never denied it. Instead, he would smile shyly, as if confirming the rumors.

Yu Xiang’an: “…”

She wondered if this man was engaging in passive-aggressive tactics. If so, she wouldn’t hesitate to escalate matters.

Hearing the rumors, Lin Chuanbai felt a wave of melancholy.

Was she really… in a relationship?

Even the thought of this possibility made his heart sink, leaving a heavy weight in his chest.

🌱🌿 🫧🍃