Ch 68: Bringing a Farming Game System to the 1970s

Although Lin Chuanbai didn’t understand why Yu Xiang’an suddenly seemed down, he knew the best approach was to comfort her. He wasn’t even thinking about buying his own lab equipment yet—he knew how rare and difficult it was to obtain. Most of the equipment was acquired through government procurement, and even then, some items couldn’t be bought with money alone. Having the opportunity to use the lab equipment occasionally was already incredibly lucky, the kind of thing that would make others envious.

Did he want his own set of lab equipment? Of course—who wouldn’t? But he also knew it was a long shot.

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Yu Xiang’an’s mood quickly shifted, and she started focusing on her next steps. She couldn’t spare too much time for other ventures now, as her studies were a priority. Everyone around her was working tirelessly to achieve good grades, and as the class vice president, she didn’t want to fall behind. Her pride motivated her to maintain her ranking among a group of hardworking peers, which required considerable effort.

Her classmates’ dedication was remarkable. They would wake up before dawn to study, and at night, when it was too late to disturb others in the dorm, they’d read under streetlights. Library seats were fiercely contested, with latecomers left without a spot. Finding reference materials often depended on luck since many books were already checked out.

In such a competitive environment, Yu Xiang’an couldn’t afford to slack off. Half-hearted effort wouldn’t sustain her grades.

Moreover, she wanted to start her own business in the future. Learning as much as she could now would only benefit her.

Whenever frustration crept in—whether from studying or life—she found relief in cooking elaborate meals. For her, cooking was both relaxing and enjoyable. Whenever she created a new recipe, she meticulously recorded it for future use. Since the 1970s, she had compiled a thick notebook full of recipes.

One evening, she and Lin Chuanbai discussed their plans for the future and how to accumulate their initial capital after graduation. They agreed it was better to plan early rather than wait until the last moment.

Her idea was to break into the market with hotpot. She would perfect the soup base and dipping sauces so that even if she couldn’t be physically present, a reliable supply of these essentials could keep the business running.

She also considered selling braised dishes, which relied on a good pot of braising sauce—the key being the recipe.

As for location, they decided on the area near their university. The house they currently lived in could be renovated to suit their needs. It was spacious enough that they could even tear it down and rebuild a two-story building, partitioning it into small shop spaces to create a food hub.

However, they needed to establish a reputation first before pursuing such ambitious plans.

As she spoke, Lin Chuanbai nodded along. “If you want to do it, go for it. If there’s anything you need, just let me know.”

He thought for a moment. “To bring in some legitimate income, I could try extending the shelf life of some products and develop simple makeup items. Those could sell really well.”

In the 1980s, perhaps due to the repressive earlier years, people quickly embraced vibrant colors and individual expression. Bell-bottom pants, sunglasses, and similar trends were iconic of the era. Affordable cosmetics would undoubtedly find a market.

Yu Xiang’an smiled. “Alright, let’s work hard together. Once we’ve saved enough money, we’ll build our own lab.”

Lin Chuanbai’s eyes lit up. “!!”

He was instantly inspired, suddenly itching to develop a full line of cosmetics.

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To perfect her hotpot and braised dishes, Yu Xiang’an began experimenting with different recipes and formulas. Lin Chuanbai and the twins had the privilege of enjoying these creations, and no matter what she made, it was delicious. They ate so well that all three of them gained weight.

When Lin Chuanbai noticed his pants becoming tight, he started taking the twins out for morning jogs. He didn’t want to develop a beer belly at a young age—once the body started to change, it would be even harder to maintain later.

The twins, while cute with their chubby cheeks, needed to stay healthy. If they kept gaining weight, they’d become little butterballs, which wasn’t good for their health.

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Spring passed, and the scorching summer arrived. With it came the second round of college entrance exams, eagerly anticipated by countless individuals.

During the exam period, Yu Xiang’an passed by the test centers and witnessed the bustling scene outside. It was a vivid display of humanity: the overjoyed smiles of those who did well, the anxious frowns of those who struggled, and the heart-wrenching sobs of those who failed.

The diversity of emotions was on full display.

In the future, when university degrees became more common, they would lose much of their value. But at this time, being a university student symbolized status and opportunity—a gateway to stable government jobs and an iron rice bowl, the only path for many to escape the life of a farmer.

Yu Xiang’an cheered on Yu Manwu, who was now the only college entrance examinee left in Baishi County.

Fortunately, Yu Manwu passed the exam.

With the current shortage of doctors and teachers, he chose to become a teacher and was accepted. When the telegram announcing his admission arrived, Yu Xiang’an felt a mix of emotions. It seemed like there might still be a chance for him and Ruan Chenxi, but whether they could ultimately be together was uncertain.

Regardless, it was a joyous occasion. His uncle and aunt must have been thrilled.

Getting into college meant becoming a city-dweller with prospects. As a teacher, he would have a respectable career. His family had witnessed his dedication—he barely worked the fields that year but lost over ten pounds, prompting them several times to urge him to give up.

His hard work paid off. Now, no matter what, he had a secure job to rely on.

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For every success, there was also failure.

About 500 meters away from Yu Xiang’an’s home, another family of four had recently returned. Their second son, a former educated youth, came back with his wife and children.

Originally, the elderly couple lived with their eldest son’s family of four in a 20-square-meter house. Now, with four more people, the house had to accommodate ten.

They managed to squeeze in somehow, solving the housing issue, but food became a pressing concern. The couple hadn’t passed their college entrance exams, and their household registration was still tied to the countryside. Without local food rations, the situation grew dire.

Even so, they refused to return to farming in the countryside. They had tried their luck with job recruitment, but with dozens or even hundreds of people competing for a single position, they couldn’t secure a spot. This forced them to explore other avenues.

The second son, who was resourceful, borrowed his father’s old bicycle and started trading goods between the countryside and the city.

His costs were low—he bought eggs and homegrown vegetables directly from farmers. These were fresher than what the stores sold and didn’t require ration tickets. Buyers could even hand-pick their items, making his goods popular.

People appreciated the convenience and quality, and he knew how to build goodwill. For regular customers, he often threw in a bunch of green onions or some leafy greens, earning plenty of loyal patrons, including Yu Xiang’an.

Her farm couldn’t grow staples or vegetables, so she had to buy rice and flour. Buying from Zhong Jianqiang was convenient.

Yu Xiang’an purchased a variety of items from him. His goods were not only fresh but also customizable. For instance, if she wanted an old hen for soup, she’d pay a 20-cent deposit, and he’d deliver the hen to her door in a few days.

He sustained his livelihood by earning a small profit margin on these trades.

Zhong Jianqiang was an experienced educated youth who had spent over a decade in the countryside. Despite being the younger brother, his weathered appearance often made people assume he was the elder when standing next to his sibling.

The local street office turned a blind eye to the situation.

The number of educated youths lingering in the area was increasing, but there weren’t nearly enough jobs to accommodate them. Higher-ups were still debating how to address the issue, so small-scale efforts to make a living were quietly overlooked.

After all, these youths had grown up under their watch. Past policies had tied their hands, but with discussions ongoing, they chose not to intervene.

Zhong Jianqiang and his wife were hardworking. His wife helped him with their business, while their two young children stayed close to home, playing nearby and avoiding causing trouble. They seemed very well-behaved. Since they were close in age, the twins often played with them after coming back from daycare. This gave Yu Xiang’an more insight into Zhong Jianqiang’s situation.

She learned that he had been sent to a rural northern area for labor, enduring harsh conditions. When he found an opportunity to return, he brought his wife and children along.

His wife, also an educated youth, came from another province. Her family couldn’t support her, so their life was tough.

The fact that he brought his family back instead of abandoning them left a good impression on Yu Xiang’an. He wasn’t one of those scoundrels who discarded their wives.

Over time, their relationship evolved beyond a simple buyer-seller dynamic.

Even Lin Chuanbai, after interacting with him for a while, thought Zhong Jianqiang was a decent person and found him surprisingly relatable.

Lin Chuanbai didn’t connect easily with people. Back home, he had no close friends. At university, he’d developed camaraderie with his professor’s nephew through joint experiments. Now, Zhong Jianqiang had become another exception.

Seeing how hard the couple worked, Lin Chuanbai discussed a partnership with Yu Xiang’an.

The idea was for Zhong Jianqiang to collect eggs, vegetables, and beans from the countryside, which Yu Xiang’an would process into salted eggs, preserved eggs, pickled vegetables, and soybean paste. Zhong Jianqiang would then sell these products door-to-door.

It wasn’t a lucrative business, but it was steady.

This provided Zhong Jianqiang’s family with a stable income, easing their struggles and allowing them to resolve their food issues independently.

For Yu Xiang’an, the arrangement was equally beneficial—she could earn a share of the profits without the hassle of selling the products herself. It was a win-win situation.

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By winter, the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee was held, setting the stage for reform and opening up.

For rural areas, the news of “land contracts to households, self-responsibility for profits and losses” stirred excitement and anxiety among farmers.

The Red Star Brigade had always been known for its work ethic. Their work points were valuable and meaningful, and laziness was seen as self-sabotage.

However, in many other places, no matter how hard or little one worked, the outcome was the same—enough to survive, but never enough to thrive. In such circumstances, why bother putting in extra effort?

The Red Star Brigade was relatively well-off compared to other areas, but even so, the policy sparked heated discussions.

Brigade leader Yu Shunwen spent several days contemplating the matter. After consulting with Yu Changyou and Yu Qingshan, he decided to seek advice from Yu Xiang’an, thinking her experience in the capital and her education might offer a fresh perspective.

He called the school’s phone line to reach her, leaving a message to call back later.

Once connected, he shared his concerns with Yu Xiang’an.

“Xiao An, what do you think? Should we go for it?”

“Uncle, are you tempted?”

“Of course, but what if the policy changes again?”

“If it changes, you can always revert back. Have you consulted the commune leaders? If they don’t oppose it, that’s a sign it might be viable. Personally, I think this is a great way to boost motivation.”

After all, working for the collective wasn’t the same as working for oneself.

Before, people only avoided laziness. But if the land belonged to them, they’d be out in the fields from dawn till dusk—fertilizing, weeding, and pest control would all be done meticulously.

Encouraged by her advice, Yu Shunwen approached the commune.

However, the policy hadn’t been fully defined yet, and local officials were hesitant, unsure of how to proceed.

Did they not understand the potential benefits?

They knew the risks, but it was still a gamble.

If the higher-ups later declared the policy invalid, what would happen to those who divided up the land? Wouldn’t they face severe consequences?

Apart from Yu Shunwen, leaders from other production brigades also began asking questions.

Eventually, the local leadership made a decision: the brigades that first expressed interest would serve as pilot programs. If the results were positive, the policy would be expanded to other areas.

The Red Star Brigade was chosen as one of the pilot brigades.

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With land division on the horizon, household registration became crucial. Previously, many women who married into families or gave birth hadn’t been added to household registries. Now, there was a rush to register everyone, fearing they’d miss out on land distribution.

This sparked a wave of hurried marriages.

Yang Huili was particularly anxious.

Her eldest son, Yu Manchang, was married with children, but her other two sons were not. One was pursuing a love interest all the way to Shanghai, so she didn’t worry about his future. The youngest, however, was of marriageable age, yet had no interest in anyone and refused to get married.

Now, if they could quickly find him a match and arrange a wedding, the bride would come into the family with land—a rare and joyous occasion!

But he refused.

Whenever the topic came up, he’d run out the door.

Yang Huili was so furious she cursed him. “You’re an idiot! A big fool! I must’ve owed you in my past life!”

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How did reform and opening-up affect ordinary lives?

At first, the changes were subtle.

Buying goods became slightly easier. Farmers could now openly sell their surplus produce and livestock without fear of repercussions.

Previously, no one dared to boldly buy goods directly from rural areas. Now, such transactions were becoming common in the suburbs.

As a result, the bustling activity in the supply and food stores began to quiet down. Industrial goods like soap and fabric were still in demand, but sales of meat and agricultural products took a hit. For the first time, counter clerks experienced the luxury of having free time.

Meanwhile, the return of educated youths added both instability and vibrancy to the city.

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When Zhao Lin and Zhao Mi visited Yu Xiang’an, they brought up the topic of returning educated youths. Both had failed the college entrance exam that year but had missed the cutoff by only a small margin. Zhao Li insisted they retake the exam, urging them to make up for their previous lack of dedication. After all, they were still young.

Zhao Lin and Zhao Mi didn’t want to continue their studies, but under their father’s strict control, they had no choice.

They enjoyed visiting Yu Xiang’an’s place, often bringing gifts like meat or other ingredients. In return, Yu Xiang’an would turn these into delicious meals, giving them a chance to relax and indulge.

Zhao Li didn’t mind them coming here, as he trusted that they wouldn’t get into trouble under her watchful eye.

This time, they brought a two-pound grass carp and two heads of pickled mustard greens. Yu Xiang’an cleaned and prepared everything, making a pot of sour fish soup for everyone to enjoy.

As they ate, Zhao Lin vented her frustrations. “With all these educated youths returning, my dad’s been overwhelmed. He’s been sleeping at the office for days.”

Zhao Mi sighed. “Those educated youths can’t find jobs and have no other way to earn food. They’re desperate. As long as they don’t stray into bad behavior, it’s understandable. There’s a guy near my school who fixes bikes, but he creates his own business. He lets air out of bike tires or sabotages valves so students will come to him for repairs.”

Zhao Lin was indignant. “That’s horrible! He did it to me once—I’m sure of it!”

Zhao Mi continued, “Some have resorted to petty theft. Luckily, our neighborhood hasn’t been targeted. Being in the public security compound probably helps.”

He added, “One of my classmates had ten pounds of cured meat drying on his balcony. Half of it was stolen. He was so heartbroken his face turned green!”

Zhao Lin said, “One of my classmates’ families also suffered. Their chickens were stolen—her mother had specifically gone to the countryside to buy them for her sister-in-law’s postpartum meals. If this keeps happening, it’s not sustainable. My dad and his team are already overworked.”

Yu Xiang’an responded, “It’s unrealistic to arrange jobs for so many people all at once.”

Work units in the capital were already doing their best to hire people. At school, Yu Xiang’an had noticed several new faces who had been recruited for odd jobs.

Zhao Lin swallowed a bite of the tender fish. “So, it looks like they’ll soon allow people to make their own living—probably permit small businesses or something. I bought this fish today from a returned educated youth. I don’t know where he got it, but it was lively and fresh, so I bought it right away.”

Zhao Lin licked her lips, recalling how she’d immediately thought of sour fish soup when she saw the fish. Her instincts were correct—it was just as delicious as she remembered.

Yu Xiang’an nodded. She had noticed that the red armbands patrolling the streets seemed to have disappeared recently.

“Has your dad considered hiring more people?” she asked. She remembered the severe crackdowns of the 1980s. Those measures had been introduced to curb the disorder and restore social order.

Zhao Lin shook her head. “I wouldn’t know. I don’t ask about his work. I’m already overwhelmed with my studies. Being able to squeeze in time to come here for a meal is only because it’s the holiday.”

As a repeat student, the pressure was intense. Zhao Li had hired tutors for them, who assigned plenty of homework. Zhao Lin and Zhao Mi obediently completed it because they didn’t want to repeat another year. With their scores already close to the cutoff, they focused on improving rather than paying attention to other matters.

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As the term ended, Lin Duzhong sent a letter asking when they would return for the New Year.

The previous year, Yu Xiang’an had gone back to Baishi County to visit her family. This year, it was the in-laws’ turn, which was perfectly fair.

However, they couldn’t leave immediately after the holiday started.

Lin Chuanbai still had a few days of work assisting his professor, so Yu Xiang’an took the opportunity to organize her belongings and sell some goods on the black market.

She still made sure to disguise herself. If it was discovered that she, a university student and cadre, was engaging in business, criticism would be inevitable.

In this era, even legitimate business activities were seen as improper. Many viewed such endeavors as unbecoming, even if they weren’t illegal.

The return of educated youths brought more people to the city, which led to an increase in the variety of goods available on the market. With the New Year approaching, items that were usually kept hidden were now being exchanged for food and clothing to improve living conditions.

Thanks to this, Yu Xiang’an’s warehouse grew even more stocked.

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When they returned to the family compound of the Qin city Machinery Factory, they happened to see Lin Tiandong preparing to leave. He looked quite different.

Over the summer, Lin Houpin had sent him to the military family area to undergo basic training with other young men of a similar age.

Li Yujiao had been heartbroken but had no choice but to agree.

When her son returned two months later, she wept upon seeing him.

The once fair-skinned, delicate boy was now tanned and almost unrecognizable.

However, the results were undeniable. Lin Tiandong had become more mature, and, as Lin Houpin put it, “A person needs discipline to grow. Once they’ve been trained, they’ll understand the value of responsibility.”

If the twins weren’t so young, Lin Houpin would have sent them to join as well.

When Lin Tiandong saw his second brother and sister-in-law, he greeted them proactively. “Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, you’re back.”

Lin Chuanbai asked, “Yes, we just arrived. Are you heading out?”

“Nothing important, just going to play hide-and-seek with some friends.”

“Oh. Is Grandpa home?”

Lin Tiandong replied, “No, he’s out visiting neighbors. Dad and Mom are at work. Zhang Ying is staying behind to redo his homework. He got it wrong and the teacher kept him after class.”

Noticing the twins curiously staring at him, Lin Tiandong smiled warmly at them.

Lin Yining lit up at his smile and immediately grinned back. “Little Uncle!” she called out loudly, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. Lin Tiandong’s smile grew wider.

Sensing his kindness, Lin Yining ran over, her footsteps echoing as she reached out to touch his hand. “Little Uncle, you’ve gotten darker, uglier… but you’re still good-looking.”

She tried hard to recall his previous appearance. Little Uncle hadn’t looked like this before.

Lin Tiandong resembled Li Yujiao, with strikingly attractive features. When he had fair skin, he was particularly eye-catching. Now, though tanned, his sharp features were still evident.

Yu Xiang’an thought that with a face like his, he could’ve easily started as a child star. If he continued to grow into his looks at this rate, he might even make it big solely based on his appearance.

Though Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai were both good-looking, Lin Tiandong’s features were noticeably more refined.

Lin Tiandong touched his face nonchalantly. “I’m already a lot lighter than before.”

Lin Yining, astonished, asked, “How dark were you then? Little Uncle, don’t get any darker. It doesn’t look good.”

Yu Xiang’an had already noticed her daughter’s tendency to admire attractive people. If she spotted a good-looking boy or girl on the street, she would eagerly approach them and be particularly polite.

While it was natural to appreciate beauty, Yu Xiang’an didn’t strictly forbid this behavior. Instead, she made a point of telling her daughter parables about how appearances can be deceiving and gave her stern reminders: never talk to strangers without an adult present.

After all, what if she encountered a human trafficker?

Yu Xiang’an set down her belongings and pulled out a small bag of cookies. “These are from the trip. There’s still half left. Want to try? I added chocolate—they’re chocolate cookies.”

Lin Tiandong accepted the offer with a polite “Thank you, Second Sister-in-law.”

Hearing his thanks, Yu Xiang’an glanced at Lin Chuanbai. This was a noticeable change—she’d never heard Lin Tiandong express his gratitude so straightforwardly before.

It seemed that if Lin Houpin wanted to send the twins for some training in the future, they wouldn’t object. It was clearly beneficial.

Yu Xiang’an then opened the kitchen cupboard to check the stock of ingredients. Was everything prepared for the New Year?

Inside, she found rice, flour, eggs, cured meat, sausages, and about five or six pounds of salted pork belly hanging from the cupboard. There was also a plate of ribs. In one corner, there were piles of potatoes, radishes, and cabbage.

This wasn’t nearly enough for New Year’s celebrations! The amount of meat was too little—probably meant to supplement their meals once they returned.

Fortunately, she had brought back about ten pounds of beef from the capital. She decided to freeze it outside. Seeing that it was still early, she figured she could head out to run some errands.

Noticing that the pantry only had basic seasonings—oil, salt, and soy sauce—she decided to restock.

She asked Lin Chuanbai to accompany her and left Lin Tiandong in charge of watching the twins, ensuring they wouldn’t run off.

The family compound was secure, with no outsiders allowed in, so there was little risk.

Lin Tiandong glanced at the twins and agreed. “I’ll take you to play hide-and-seek. Want to go?”

The twins exchanged a look, their voices harmonizing into a duet: “Yes!”

🌱🌿 🫧🍃