Ch 78: Bringing a Farming Game System to the 1970s

Zhao Qiaoniang and Ding Minxiu had no idea the owner of the restaurant was Yu Xiang’an. While they indulged in wistful imaginings of how they might have won the bicycle if they’d participated in the raffle, they could only sigh with regret. However, regret didn’t change the past. There were no such opportunities now; all they could do was work hard and earn money.

They had no other choice. If better options had been available, they wouldn’t have come here. After all, this was a foreign land to them.

Whenever she thought about home, Ding Minxiu felt a pang of regret.

A formal job showed its value in moments like these. Temporary workers could be dismissed at a whim, but a formal worker? Just try firing one.

She had almost secured a formal job herself, but an accident exposed her plans, and Yu Xiang’an ended up seizing the opportunity instead. Not only had Yu Xiang’an taken the job, but she later sold it for cash after getting into university.

There was no one they could turn to now, and Ding Minxiu wasn’t keen on trying.

Her life was passable, but in comparison to Yu Xiang’an’s, it was incomparable. Yu Xiang’an first went to Qin City, then got into university, and afterward, landed a proper job. Everyone praised her.

When the news of Yu Xiang’an’s university acceptance spread, even Zhou Boyang had shown her a cold face.

Her mother-in-law’s attitude was even worse.

In her mother-in-law’s eyes, if not for Ding Minxiu, her son could have married a university graduate. The old woman had never treated her kindly, but Zhou Boyang’s attitude had been different before.

Did he regret it now?

Ding Minxiu could only bow her head further, doing more chores with her mother to avoid criticism.

Later, when Yu Xiangju also got into university, she wondered if she could find a way to use his connections. But that was ruined by Yu Qingshan stepping in.

Now, Yu Xiangju was still a student with no salary, but the promise of his future loomed large.

Ding Minxiu knew she couldn’t rely on herself to pass the exams, but she hoped her son could. Unfortunately, his grades weren’t good, and improving them required tutoring, which cost money.

To earn that money, she and Zhao Qiaoniang headed south.

If they found out that the bustling restaurant was owned by Yu Xiang’an, Ding Minxiu would probably be infuriated enough to fall ill.

What was this? Was she doomed to live under Yu Xiang’an’s shadow forever?

…

When Yu Qingshan returned home, he dedicated himself even more earnestly to his work. His daughter had a mountain of debt, and any little bit he could contribute would help. If he could handle it himself, all the better. If not, he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

Whenever he felt overwhelmed, he visited his father-in-law’s house, his eldest son’s home, or even his old village for some peace of mind.

Now, everyone seemed to have a brighter outlook on life.

Even his second brother-in-law, who had retired, had started a small business renting a shop and selling breakfast. It might have been a modest venture, but it was profitable.

Similarly, a family member, who used to work at the recycling station, had honed his skills in repairing and refurbishing items. Now he had his own small repair stall, fixing broken appliances.

With more families acquiring the “four big items”—TVs, washing machines, refrigerators, and sewing machines—his business was booming.

It seemed that everyone was involved in business somehow. Yu Qingshan didn’t have any prejudice against entrepreneurship per se, but resigning from a highly sought-after job to start a business was undeniably risky. His brother-in-law had retired, and Shengsong had transitioned from a struggling job at the recycling station. However, if they had been in his daughter’s position, he doubted they would have made the same choice.

Moreover, his daughter wasn’t just running a business—she was carrying a significant debt. While being a factory director might seem prestigious, it was a facade. Beneath the surface was the weight of overwhelming loans.

Qin Qiang and Yang Cuizhen retired early. With no work responsibilities and filial children, they spent their days cooking, taking care of grandchildren, and living a peaceful life. This contentment seemed to slow down their aging, and the two elderly folks looked like they still had many good years ahead. Back in Red Star Brigade, Zhang Chahua’s health was just as robust. She had always been strong, which was one reason she was chosen for marriage back in the day.

Her family had been dirt poor. When she married into the Yu family, she didn’t receive any dowry—not even a single cent. All she got was five jin of sweet potato flour.

They had endured those difficult times, and now life was visibly improving.

On his day off, Yu Qingshan bought a few jin of white flour and two jin of pork before boarding the bus back to Red Star Brigade.

In the past, rice and white flour were such rare luxuries that they were reserved for holidays. Now, the family ate them regularly. Pork was still expensive, but they could afford to have it once or twice a month.

With no restrictions on raising livestock anymore, families could keep as many pigs, chickens, ducks, and geese as they could manage. Zhang Chahua kept about ten chickens. The children collected wild greens, bugs, and small fish or shrimp from nearby streams to feed them. Now, they could eat eggs every day. The children were growing healthier and stronger, no longer looking like skin and bones.

This kind of life was unimaginable in the past. Wasn’t this the true essence of common prosperity?

Thinking about the country’s policies, Yu Qingshan couldn’t help but feel they were absolutely right. Without them, how could such a good life exist?

So, perhaps Yu Xiang’an’s choice wasn’t wrong either?

When his mother saw him coming home with gifts, Zhang Chahua beamed and poured him a bowl of sweet tea.

Her life had become much easier. Apart from daily eggs, she also received other treats sent by her grandchildren. Her days were enviably comfortable, making her the object of admiration among her peers. Everyone envied her for having accomplished and filial children and grandchildren.

Her family spoiled her. Her eldest son and daughter-in-law took care of her daily needs, and those living farther away sent gifts to ensure her health and comfort.

Her second son, Yu Qingshan, often visited with thoughtful items. Among the grandchildren, Xiangyan sent malted milk, Xiangqing sent local rice and specialty goods, Xiao An sent milk powder and dried meat, Manwu sent new clothes and biscuits, and Mansheng sent new shoes.

Because of this, Zhang Chahua’s walks around the village were always accompanied by warm greetings and attempts to connect with her. People sought to deepen their bonds with her.

But even now, a few things weighed on her mind.

First, her second son. He lived alone, which she couldn’t understand. She’d suggested he live with her eldest grandson, but he refused. He ate at the factory cafeteria, missing out on homemade meals. What kind of life was that?

Second, the two unmarried grandchildren, Manwu and Mansheng. Both were of age but still hadn’t settled down. It seemed Manwu was warming up to the idea but hadn’t found anyone yet. Mansheng, on the other hand, didn’t seem interested at all. Was he planning to wait until thirty to marry?

Lastly, the search for long-lost family members through newspaper ads still yielded no results. The lack of news left her uneasy. Did it mean they were no longer alive and couldn’t be reached?

If that were true, how could she face her late husband when she eventually passed on? He had worried about this for half his life. Zhang Chahua still hoped to find some trace of them.

After chatting with Zhang Chahua for a while, Yu Qingshan went out for a walk. The village had undergone significant changes.

Fields on both sides were meticulously cared for. Since the land had been divided, everyone’s enthusiasm had soared. Farmers would head out to the fields right after breakfast and work tirelessly until mealtime. If there were a storm or flood, they’d rush out even in the middle of the night to check on their crops.

When they used to work collectively, there wasn’t this level of enthusiasm. The team leader always had to assign tasks, and even then, people were reluctant to move. Now, it was completely different. Everyone automatically weeded and fertilized, finding none of it tedious, all in hopes of reaping a larger harvest.

As Yu Qingshan strolled, he came across the house that Yu Xiangyan had built in the past. He went inside to take a look. Now that Xiangyan had settled in the capital, this house was left vacant. Whenever Yu Qingshan returned, he’d check the doors and windows. Inside were some heavy furniture and miscellaneous items. While they weren’t worth much, they weren’t entirely without value. If any petty thieves had their eyes on it, it wouldn’t be surprising.

The house had stood empty for a while now, which was a pity—just like the house belonging to Xiao An and her husband. Empty houses quickly deteriorate without occupants.

After inspecting the house, he returned to find Zhang Chahua crouched on the ground, chopping wild greens. She diced them into small pieces, mixed them with sweet potato strips, sweet potato leaves, and rice bran, then cooked the mixture to feed the pigs. This diet helped the pigs grow faster.

The family was raising three large pigs, requiring substantial feed each day. Yu Qingshan took over the task while Zhang Chahua grabbed a broom to sweep the floor.

“Our pigs are growing well. By the end of the year, they’ll be big and fat.”

Now that they didn’t need to submit pigs as quotas, all the pigs they raised were their own. At the year’s end, they’d keep half of one pig for New Year festivities and sell the rest. This could bring in a significant income, which, for some families, could be their largest annual revenue.

For many, pigs were crucial, their value tied to major life events like weddings, funerals, and illnesses. But for their family, pigs were not their only source of income.

Yu Qingbao worked at the paper factory, which had grown significantly. As a founding member, he earned nearly forty yuan a month.

Yu Manchang, who worked at the local brick factory owned by their brigade, earned less monthly. However, when factoring in year-end bonuses, his annual income exceeded his father’s.

Now that labor was no longer compensated by work points but by headcount, the brick factory’s profits were distributed after deducting fixed costs and reserves for necessary expenses. The remainder was allocated among the registered villagers. Larger families received more shares, which amounted to a considerable sum.

This arrangement made marrying within the village particularly easy and encouraged diligence. As soon as young men and women reached marriageable age, they hurried to get married and register, ensuring they’d have a share in the income. Early marriages led to early childbearing, and the village population thrived.

Watching the pigs eat, Yu Qingshan sighed inwardly. Life in the village was leisurely and carefree. He had planned to retire back to his hometown and live in his second son’s house.

He’d leave his house in the county empty, reserving it for his youngest son’s future needs once his career was settled. Back in the village, he’d have his mother, siblings, and nephews. He could cultivate a small plot of land and raise some chickens.

The thought of such a life was idyllic. Whenever he missed his children, he could visit his eldest son and grandson in the county. The eldest would always be nearby, but the others had grown up and built their own lives far away.

Now, though, it seemed his plans couldn’t keep up with the changes.

Even if he couldn’t help much with Xiao An’s endeavors after retiring, simply being present would keep gossiping tongues at bay. Some people always assumed the worst about others.

Though early retirement was an option for him, it might be better to wait a little longer until his eldest son gained more footing.

Meanwhile, Lin Chuanbai was on the phone with Yu Xiang’an.

While Yu Xiang’an was busy, Lin Chuanbai hadn’t been idle either. He had gradually achieved some results. Though they were small, these practical everyday items had potential. Once developed fully, they could generate a decent income.

He shared updates about his recent projects and casually mentioned the progress of the search notice.

“Someone wrote a letter inquiring, but after verifying with my second brother, we found out that they weren’t the person we were looking for. It was just a false alarm,” Lin Chuanbai said.

Yu Xiang’an sighed, “I’ve had my fair share of false alarms too. We’ll take it slow.”

Lin Chuanbai replied with a soft hum. “Your classmate, Liu Mingyue, came by for a meal and even brought gifts for the kids. She asked me when you’d be back, mentioning how long you’ve been away.”

Yu Xiang’an chuckled. “Didn’t I leave her my phone number? All right, I’ll find some time in the next couple of days to call her.”

She was simply waiting to achieve something worthwhile before reconnecting with old friends. It wouldn’t feel right to meet them empty-handed.

Lowering her voice, she added, “I’ll definitely be back before the year ends. Wait for me, okay?”

Lin Chuanbai laughed from the other end. “Okay, I’ll wait for you.”

---

By the end of 1983, an unexpected response arrived in the Special Economic Zone. It was news about Yu Changyou’s third brother, Yu Changkai. It turned out that, for some unknown reason, Yu Changkai had fled to Hong Kong years ago, where he married and had children. The person who contacted them through the newspaper was his second son.

Yu Changkai had passed away in his fifties, more than a decade ago. Although his early days in Hong Kong were tough, he eventually settled down with a home and a job.

He and his wife had opened a small massage clinic there, using her family’s traditional skills. Through this trade, they managed to establish themselves, raising two sons and two daughters. Although Yu Changkai had passed, his wife was still alive, and their children had also built their lives in Hong Kong, marrying and having children of their own.

Yu Yegui, the third-born among his siblings, had an elder brother and sister above him and a younger sister below. While accompanying a client on a business trip to the Special Economic Zone, he saw the newspaper ad and reached out to Yu Mansheng. Before this, he had been working in the UK.

Yu Yegui was technically the cousin of Yu Mansheng and Yu Xiang’an. Their blood ties weren’t distant. His name, which translates to “falling leaves return to their roots,” clearly reflected his father’s longing for home.

“My father gave me this name because he wanted to return to his hometown,” Yu Yegui said with a wistful smile.

Yu Xiang’an carefully observed him. He wore a suit, a tie, and glasses, exuding an air of refinement. He seemed well-educated, befitting his profession as a lawyer—a field that required significant qualifications. His features bore a slight resemblance to their grandfather’s.

“My father often talked about wanting to be buried in his hometown after he passed away,” Yu Yegui continued. “When he fell ill, he had plans to return, but circumstances didn’t allow it. Later, the matter was shelved indefinitely. This time, I came back partly by coincidence. I wanted to see if there were still any family members back in his hometown. If there were, I thought it would be proper to inform them of his wishes. If he can somehow hear about it, it would bring him peace.”

He paused and added, “After all, everyone has a natural urge to trace their roots, to know who their parents are, where their hometown is, and what relatives they might have.”

He went on, “When my father first arrived in Hong Kong, he was young and undocumented, struggling just to earn a meal. Then he met my mother. She had also come to Hong Kong earlier but was leading a tough life. They supported each other and made a living. My mother’s family had a traditional massage technique, which she mastered. It was this family skill that helped them gain a foothold in Hong Kong.”

Just hearing the story, one could tell how difficult life must have been back then.

“They used to say how tough life was in those days, but eventually things started to improve. Unfortunately, because of all the hardships my father endured when he was younger, he had a lot of health problems as he aged. He was often in and out of the hospital, and I would accompany him. During those times, he would frequently talk about home. He’d mention having two older brothers, an older sister, a younger brother, and a younger sister…”

He recited the address of the Red Star Brigade, as well as the names of his grandparents, who were Yu Xiang’an and Yu Mansheng’s great-grandparents. He also recounted where the four brothers had gone to make a living and who they worked for. Everything matched perfectly.

This couldn’t possibly be fake, could it? How could an outsider know such detailed information?

Yu Xiang’an and Yu Mansheng were thrilled to hear this. Finally, there was some news.

They shared with him updates about their family and the Red Star Brigade, explaining that they were the grandchildren of Yu Changyou. They told him that their grandfather had passed away, but before his death, he always worried about his two missing siblings. That was why they had placed an ad in the newspaper to search for them.

When Yu Mansheng described the Red Star Brigade in more detail, Yu Yegui connected the descriptions to the memories his father had shared about their hometown.

It seemed undeniable now. He found it incredible—they had been searching for their relatives, and coincidentally, someone from the family was already looking for them.

From his father’s accounts, he had always believed life in the hometown to be extremely harsh. Their parents had passed away early, leaving their eldest brother, still just a teenager, to fend for the family. The brothers had no choice but to leave home to find work. Fortunately, they had some luck and managed to make ends meet. However, his father had been implicated in an incident, narrowly escaping harm thanks to his wits.

He had thought that even if there were relatives left in the hometown, their lives must still be difficult. But now, hearing about the thriving family, the flourishing descendants, and the fact that they were living well—even able to afford the costs of placing newspaper ads over time—he realized he had underestimated them.

Curious, he asked about their professions. Upon learning that the family had produced multiple university graduates, he was genuinely impressed. Even in Hong Kong, university graduates were not so common.

Yu Yegui shared details about his own family. Among his siblings, he had the highest level of education, having become a lawyer. His elder brother had inherited their mother’s massage skills, taken her surname, and was now running a thriving massage clinic. His eldest sister was married to a police officer and was a homemaker, while his younger sister was married to a teacher. His youngest brother worked as an accountant at a factory.

As they exchanged information, he felt a sense of joy. Although they hadn’t grown up together, the blood ties were undeniable. He knew his father would have been overjoyed to learn that his elder brother had always kept him in their thoughts.

Yu Yegui decided that it was only proper for them to visit the elderly relatives still living—his grandaunt and second granduncle. His father had always wished to return to his roots, so he resolved to visit the Red Star Brigade and see if it was feasible to fulfill his father’s final wish.

Once the information had been cross-verified, the likelihood of a mistake was slim. Yu Yegui said he would return to Hong Kong to retrieve photos and other documents before heading to the Red Star Brigade. This way, everything could be confirmed beyond a doubt.

“My father had some photos taken in his youth, and we’ve kept them all these years,” he explained.

After Yu Yegui left, Yu Xiang’an and Yu Mansheng exchanged glances, marveling at the unexpected turn of events.

“Who would’ve thought we’d actually find the right family?” Yu Xiang’an mused.

“It’s just a pity that Third Granduncle passed away so early,” Yu Mansheng sighed. “But at least Grandma will be overjoyed. If Grandpa were still here, he’d feel much more at peace knowing his younger brother’s fate.”

Yu Xiang’an shook her head. “Who would’ve thought he’d end up in Hong Kong?”

She hadn’t anticipated this outcome. Their family wasn’t located near the sea, so how did Third Granduncle end up in Hong Kong? Could Great-Aunt have also left the country? If so, that would explain why the domestic newspaper ads hadn’t worked.

But as far as she knew, the family that took her in as a child bride had only average means, just slightly better off. They had taken her in because she was pretty, and their son wanted someone to play with. Going abroad in those days without connections or a solid background was incredibly difficult, so it didn’t seem likely.

Then Yu Mansheng raised a concern. “When they come to meet us, how are you going to explain everything? You glossed over your occupation earlier, but since he’s going to be stationed here long-term, he’ll eventually find out what you do. If he goes back and lets it slip, it’s going to be a mess.”

Yu Xiang’an fell silent for a moment, rubbing her temples to relieve the tension. “…It’s fine. My dad knows now. He’s probably already paving the way for me. With what I’ve accomplished, even if they find out, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

She had been in the special zone for almost a year now. Her business had expanded to six branches, and her factory, despite equipment limitations, was running non-stop with workers on three shifts. Didn’t that speak to the success of her ventures?

This era was truly the best time for business. Markets were ripe for the taking, unlike in later years when much more effort would be required to achieve comparable results.

Her house was also under construction. By the time it was complete, she would not only own property but also have a thriving business empire. Wouldn’t that be enough to put everyone’s minds at ease?

Yu Mansheng nodded. “Sister An, just make sure to explain my situation clearly. I didn’t intentionally keep anything from anyone.”

Yu Xiang’an smiled. “I’ve already told Dad about it. Don’t worry, it’s all covered.”

Hong Kong… Yu Xiang’an’s eyes flickered with interest. Coincidentally, she had been planning to invest in a few properties there. Right now, the Hong Kong real estate market was in a slump, but by next year, prices were expected to rebound. Buying now and selling later could easily double her returns.

Especially in prime central locations, holding onto good properties for just a short while would see their value skyrocket year by year.

For this reason, she had made acquaintances with a few Hong Kong locals. Perhaps through them, she could gather more information about Third Granduncle’s family.

🌱🌿 🫧🍃