Ch 65: Bringing a Farming Game System to the 1970s

Liu Hengbo mentioned he could introduce someone to help with the renovations, which was a relief. He arranged to take them after the property transfer was finalized the next day.

At home, Yu Xiang’an counted out 1,000 yuan in cash. During this period, the largest denomination was ten yuan. Unlike the future, where 1,000 yuan would just be ten 100-yuan notes, this required 100 ten-yuan bills. To make the payment look more realistic, she mixed in smaller denominations, reserving most in tens and supplementing with some smaller bills to avoid appearing too wealthy.

Lin Chuanbai commented, “We’ll have to delay buying the bicycle for now.”

Spending too much too quickly might raise unnecessary suspicion, so Yu Xiang’an agreed, “That’s fine. It’s not far; walking will be good exercise.”

The seller, known as Teacher Xia, taught in the Foreign Language Department and looked far older than Liu Hengbo despite being of a similar age. From Liu’s description, it was evident that Xia had been through many hardships over the years. After confirming the details of the house and ensuring the buyers were clear about its condition, Teacher Xia wasted no time completing the property transfer.

With the process done, Lin Chuanbai and Yu Xiang’an officially became homeowners in the capital. Teacher Xia left swiftly, taking the money without even looking back at the property. Watching him go, Liu Hengbo sighed and said, “Come on, I’ll take you to the construction foreman I mentioned.”

The foreman, Xu, had a good reputation for solid, durable, and visually appealing renovations, based on a house Liu’s senior had repaired through him. Since individual contractors weren’t allowed to work privately during this time, Xu and his team were affiliated with a collective, making the arrangement look more formal and reliable.

There were two options: all-inclusive (labor and materials) or just labor. Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai chose the all-inclusive package, as they lacked the local connections and time to source materials themselves.

They specified their requirements: the main structure would remain, but the windows and doors needed replacing. The chaotic, makeshift extensions were to be torn down, and damaged sections of the wall repaired. Unnecessary side entrances created by the previous tenants would also be sealed.

After surveying the site, the foreman asked if they wanted the site cleared. For an additional fee, the team would handle the cleanup. Both Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai agreed—it was worth the cost to avoid doing it themselves. They paid a 50-yuan deposit, and Xu’s team got to work immediately, eager to complete the job and move on to their next project.

The timing was perfect. With their current rental agreement expiring around the time the renovations would be completed, they could move in without any overlap.

Later, Yu Xiang’an expressed her gratitude to Liu Hengbo. “Store manager, we couldn’t have done this so smoothly without your help.”

Liu smiled warmly. “I didn’t do much, just made some inquiries. If you really want to thank me, come to my dorm one day and cook me a meal.”

“No problem at all. Just let me know when it’s convenient for you.”

Having secured the house, they felt a newfound sense of stability, as if they’d put down roots in the city.

The next step was informing Zhao Li, who had also been helping them search.

When they explained the situation, Zhao Li nodded in understanding. “Ah, so your teacher helped you out. Makes sense. If you’re ever in a tight spot financially, don’t hesitate to come to me. Don’t be too polite about it.”

Lin Chuanbai said, “Uncle Zhao, if you hear anything else, could you pass it on to us? We’ve settled for now, but my brother-in-law might be interested too.”

“Your brother-in-law is here as well?”

Lin Chuanbai nodded. “Yes, both my second brother-in-law and his wife got into universities here.”

Zhao Li gave a thumbs up. “Impressive!”

Another two university students! It seemed almost commonplace around them—was this what they meant by “birds of a feather flock together”?

Zhao Lin chimed in, “Sister Xiao An, when your house is ready, we’d love to see it.”

Yu Xiang’an smiled. “You’re all invited.”

Lin Chuanbai added, “When the renovations are done, Uncle Zhao, please come to the housewarming.”

Zhao Li chuckled. “Of course, we’ll come. Maybe some of that scholarly vibe will rub off on us.”

With the house situation moving along smoothly, Yu Xiang’an settled into her routine at school.

When she decided to integrate into the group and connect with others, it didn’t take long. She quickly became familiar with the girls in her class. While there was still a notable emphasis on maintaining boundaries between genders, she got to know the boys by name and noted those who stood out, either through active participation or necessity. Among them, class monitor Wang Haiwen left the deepest impression.

As the temporary class monitor and vice monitor, Wang Haiwen and Yu Xiang’an handled most of the administrative tasks, such as coordinating with teachers, managing class assignments, and organizing material lists. Yu Xiang’an observed that holding a position from the start provided a significant advantage for retaining it later, as classmates became accustomed to seeing them in leadership roles—unless someone else had a more striking personality or broader connections.

Wang Haiwen wasn’t particularly talkative, but when he spoke, people listened. He was meticulous and decisive, qualities that hinted at his prior experience in a higher-level position as a worker.

Similarly, Wang Haiwen suspected that Yu Xiang’an wasn’t just an ordinary bookstore clerk. He thought her organizational skills and decisiveness pointed to a more significant role in her previous work.

Among the classmates, Yu Xiang’an grew closest to Liu Mingyue. Her straightforward and candid nature made her easy to get along with. One day, Liu Mingyue shared some pine nuts from her hometown, saying, “We have loads of these back home. If you go up the mountain and collect them, nobody bothers you. I can’t get enough of them.”

Yu Xiang’an graciously accepted and later gifted her a jar of homemade mushroom sauce. “This might suit your taste. Try it with your meals.”

After trying it, Liu Mingyue was astonished. “This is better than anything I’ve bought! How did you make it? I’ve tried making something similar before, but it turned out so bad I didn’t dare waste ingredients on a second attempt.”

Yu Xiang’an laughed. “I did mention that I love experimenting with food. Give me some time, and I’ll cook you a proper meal.”

Liu Mingyue beamed. “I’m looking forward to it!”

Liu Mingyue was excited. “Great! I’ll hold you to that.”

Yu Xiang’an smiled. “I won’t forget.”

“What are you talking about? Forget what?” Ke Manyun approached, her voice soft and timid.

Liu Mingyue chuckled. “We’re talking about trying out Vice Monitor’s cooking. She promised to cook something delicious.”

Ke Manyun looked between them, her expression full of envy. “You’ve already planned it? I only stepped away for a moment…” She seemed embarrassed but didn’t want to miss out, her eyes clearly showing her desire.

“Do you want to join us too?” Liu Mingyue teased with a laugh.

Yu Xiang’an, while happy to invite Liu Mingyue to her rented place, wasn’t as keen on including Ke Manyun. She thought for a moment and then suggested, “How about organizing a class outing? Maybe an autumn trip? What do you think?”

Liu Mingyue’s interest was piqued. “Autumn trip? Tell me more.”

Yu Xiang’an explained, “If everyone’s interested, we could make it a class-wide activity. Since many of us aren’t locals, visiting scenic spots could help us learn more about the city. Plus, it’s a great way to foster camaraderie and strengthen bonds.”

Liu Mingyue nodded enthusiastically. “That’s a great idea.”

Yu Xiang’an added, “We could picnic at a park, gather dry leaves and branches for cooking, and bring pots, ingredients, and seasonings. If everyone contributes just enough for one meal, the cost would be minimal.”

The more Liu Mingyue listened, the more she liked the idea. “We’ve been working so hard with our studies—it’d be nice to relax for a day. I’m all in! You should discuss it with the class monitor.”

Yu Xiang’an nodded. “Sure, I’ll talk to him.”

Ke Manyun looked at Yu Xiang’an with admiration. “You’re amazing.”

Yu Xiang’an chuckled. “Not really. Let me go find him.”

Ke Manyun loved tagging along with Liu Mingyue, often chiming in during their conversations. While Yu Xiang’an didn’t mind her as a person, her timid and hesitant demeanor could be exhausting. Even after weeks as classmates, Ke Manyun still spoke in whispers and avoided eye contact, making interactions a bit tiresome. Whenever possible, Yu Xiang’an preferred to avoid unnecessary exchanges with her.

When Yu Xiang’an shared her idea with Wang Haiwen, she explained, “If we all work together to prepare a meal, it could foster understanding and friendship among classmates. Everyone could pitch in with some food tickets to cover a meal. Public parks are free and spacious, so it wouldn’t cost much.”

Wang Haiwen thought it over and agreed. “It’s highly feasible. Right now, most classmates barely know each other beyond introductions. An outdoor activity would give everyone more opportunities to connect.”

“We could prepare some main dishes beforehand,” Yu Xiang’an suggested. “I can steam buns or cook something simple. The rest can be made on-site to save time and effort.”

Wang Haiwen added, “Maybe we could also plan a small program, like sharing jokes, telling short stories, or talking about our hometown specialties.”

“That’s a great idea,” Yu Xiang’an agreed. “We can also share personal reflections on moving here.”

They then presented the plan to their class teacher, Wu Zhusheng, who nodded in approval. “It sounds like a good idea. Leaving in the morning and returning in the afternoon won’t disrupt your studies. Activities that build camaraderie are beneficial. Just be mindful about food preparation, especially since some classmates may come from challenging financial backgrounds.”

“Yes, Teacher, we’ll take care of it,” they assured him.

With the teacher’s approval, they used the break after class to ask everyone’s opinion. “If you’re interested, sign up and contribute a meal’s worth of food stamps and money. If you’re not interested, no problem—this is voluntary. If you want to bring someone along, that’s fine too, but they’ll need to pitch in their share. Those with family members, please take note.”

This was their first time organizing such an event, and since it was just a park outing with minimal cost, everyone unanimously agreed to join.

Liu Mingyue was excited. “Xiao An, what are you bringing? I think I’ll bring some pine nuts for everyone to try.”

Yu Xiang’an thought for a moment. “I’ll bring my homemade chili sauce and mushroom sauce, so everyone can choose their favorite. I’ve also been working on an olive paste recipe, but I’m still refining the flavor. I’ll bring some for you to try later—let me know how it tastes.”

Yu Xiang’an and Wang Haiwen quickly got busy, dividing responsibilities. Wang Haiwen went to the park to check the site and confirm with the staff that their group could hold a picnic there. Yu Xiang’an, meanwhile, collected the money and food stamps from classmates and went shopping for supplies.

Liu Mingyue tagged along to help carry things, as Yu Xiang’an couldn’t handle it all alone. When Yu Xiang’an mentioned the trip to Lin Chuanbai, he immediately responded, “I’m going too!” He clearly wanted to assert his presence.

On the morning of the outing, Yu Xiang’an was up at dawn, pulling Lin Chuanbai out of bed to help with preparations. They needed to prepare the main dishes, feed the twins, and drop them off at daycare.

Midway through their work, Liu Mingyue arrived with two other girls to lend a hand.

“With so many people in the class, it’s too much for just you to handle. A few of the guys will come later to help carry everything,” Liu Mingyue said.

“Since you’re here, I won’t hold back,” Yu Xiang’an replied. “Help me rinse the rice and tend the fire.”

She also borrowed some extra utensils from their neighbor, Granny Jiang. With everyone pitching in, the work went much faster. By the time the sun rose, they had finished cooking the mixed-grain rice and steamed buns. The food was packed into clean containers, sealed tightly, and handed to the male classmates to carry to the park.

Yu Xiang’an and her group arrived just on time.

The other classmates were already there. Wang Haiwen counted heads to ensure everyone was present and then led them into the park. Together, they carried their supplies to a suitable picnic spot—a place he had scouted earlier.

The group settled on an open area by the stream. The ground, covered with smooth river stones, was ideal for a campfire since it minimized the risk of spreading flames. The stones could also be used to build makeshift stoves.

After unloading their supplies, some stayed nearby to gather dry leaves and branches, while others split into small groups to explore, with plans to reconvene at a set time.

Yu Xiang’an stayed close, as did Wang Haiwen, directing efforts to build the stoves.

Wang Haiwen greeted Lin Chuanbai, “You must be Vice Monitor’s husband. I’m Wang Haiwen.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Lin Chuanbai.”

“I heard you’re at the medical university?”

“Yes.”

“You seem pretty skilled at setting up a stove. For a moment, I almost thought you were in construction.”

Lin Chuanbai smiled. His skill came from experience—he had built the stoves in his medicinal herb garden himself. Setting up a temporary one like this was child’s play.

Meanwhile, Liu Mingyue and Ke Manyun were washing vegetables by the stream. Liu Mingyue even caught two small fish, which she offered to add to the soup later.

“Every little bit counts,” she said cheerfully.

Among the helpers, Yu Xiang’an noticed that Ke Keke—usually aloof and quiet—had stayed behind to assist. To everyone’s surprise, she pulled a piece of cured meat from her bag.

“This can go into the pot too,” she said.

Yu Xiang’an was momentarily stunned but quickly accepted it. “On behalf of the class, thank you. With this, today’s meal will be even more sumptuous.”

Many classmates brought local specialties to share. Liu Mingyue contributed a bag of pine nuts and dried mushrooms, Wang Haiwen offered two sausages, and Ke Manyun added half a pound of dried vegetables.

Yu Xiang’an herself brought some homemade sauces and a prepared pot of braised marinade, ready to cook with the fresh ingredients.

The makeshift stoves were completed, fires lit, and ingredients cleaned. A large clay pot, washed and set on the stove, began simmering a fish head tofu soup.

As the morning progressed, more classmates returned—some empty-handed, some with dry branches, and others with wild vegetables or even three small bird eggs they’d managed to scavenge. The atmosphere grew lively and cheerful.

“Hey, the soup’s ready! Come get some!”
“Do you want rice or buns?”
“Grilled bun slices taste amazing!”
“I buried some roasted sweet potatoes and potatoes in the fire—who wants them?”
“This steamed pumpkin is so sweet. Anyone interested?”
“This braised dish smells divine.”
“Vice Monitor, your cooking is top-notch. The flavors are incredible!”

Laughter and chatter filled the air as everyone enjoyed lunch, which stretched on for over two hours. Afterward, they returned the borrowed items, dismantled the stoves, and left the site spotless. They gathered under the shade of a tree to share stories or jokes.

Wang Haiwen started, “Once upon a time, there was a scholar on his way to take the imperial exam. On the journey, he encountered a rare, torrential rain and took refuge in an abandoned temple…”

Yu Xiang’an followed, “I’ll share a joke. One day, a teacher asked a student to use the Great Wall in a sentence. The student replied, ‘The Great Wall is very long.’ The teacher felt it was too perfunctory and asked for another example. The student turned his head and refused, saying, ‘No! I’m not Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Why should I?’”

(T/N: Emperor Qin Shi Huang is famous for unifying China and commissioning the construction of the Great Wall during his reign.)

This joke was one her grandfather had once told to cheer her up, and she still remembered it fondly.

The outing was a success. Shortly afterward, the class held elections for permanent class positions. Wang Haiwen remained class monitor, Yu Xiang’an retained her role as vice monitor, Liu Mingyue became the life commissioner, and Ke Keke was appointed as the study commissioner.

Ke Keke’s image improved significantly during the outing. Not only had she generously contributed cured meat, but she had also worked diligently throughout and even took cleaning duties seriously. Her reserved demeanor was reinterpreted as studiousness and good character.

After borrowing cooking utensils from Granny Jiang for the outing, Yu Xiang’an returned them, washed and clean, and began contemplating her next “treasure hunt.”

In Granny Jiang’s house, she had noticed a chipped dish with a faint official kiln mark. Given the city’s history, treasures like this were possible to find.

Lin Chuanbai suggested, “Should we bring the kids along? They might enjoy searching for little trinkets themselves.”

At the nearby recycling station, the twins immediately immersed themselves in flipping through illustrated books and albums, while Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai sifted through piles of old books.

There were no high school or even middle school textbooks left, likely snapped up by those preparing for the reinstated college entrance exams.

While sorting through a pile, Yu Xiang’an spotted an old table with a broken leg. The table itself wasn’t remarkable, but the object propping up the broken leg was—a small bronze ding (an ancient cauldron). Her breath caught.

She had seen a similar artifact during a high school field trip to a museum. Could it really be…?

Lin Chuanbai noticed her expression. Though he didn’t recognize the artifact, he sensed its significance. “Grandpa, this table’s leg is broken. Why not replace it?”

The elderly man laughed. “This table has been with me for years. It’s old but familiar. I was worrying about the broken leg when I came across this piece from a dismantled temple. Perfect size to prop it up.”

Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai exchanged looks. They still had the kids with them, so they decided to return later in disguise to retrieve the ding. Such a treasure couldn’t be privately owned. If it truly was what she suspected, it deserved to be preserved properly.

After paying for a few small items the twins had picked out, including storybooks, a painting of Sun Wukong fighting a tiger, and a tiny box, they headed home.

That night, after the children were asleep, Lin Chuanbai brought it up. “That bronze cauldron—you seemed shocked. Do you recognize it?”

Yu Xiang’an sighed. “If my memory serves, it’s a Han Dynasty relic. I saw a similar piece during a school trip to a museum and even wrote an essay about it. That’s why it left an impression.”

Lin Chuanbai was stunned. Thinking about how the priceless artifact was lying on a filthy floor, dusty and neglected, serving as a table prop, he felt just as suffocated.

🌱🌿 🫧🍃