readease Chapter 33: Hidden Clues in the Grain Coupons, A Lonely Heart Reflects the Cold Autumn.
Chapter 33: Hidden Clues in the Grain Coupons, A Lonely Heart Reflects the Cold Autumn.
The May wind, carrying the sweet fragrance of locust blossoms, inevitably wafted into the Hongxing courtyard, accompanied by the soft murmurs of everyday life. Lin Chen had just opened the doors and windows of his studio to let in some fresh air when Yan Bugui from the front yard approached with a brown paper notebook tucked in his hand. His blue Zhongshan suit was buttoned up tightly, making him look even more formal than the workshop foreman.
"Xiao Lin, busy?" Yan Bugui's voice carried the unique intonation of a private tutor, but his gaze lingered on the newly bought enamel mug on Lin Chen's desk—the mug was printed with the red characters "Labor is the most glorious," and the rim still gleamed with the new white porcelain luster. In these days when the courtyard was full of patches upon patches, it was a rare item.
Lin Chen was polishing a gear template for the skills competition when he heard this. He looked up and smiled, "Good morning, Teacher Yan. I just finished organizing yesterday's forging data. Are you going to school?" He noticed that the cover of the notebook in Yan Bugui's hand was labeled "Income and Expenditure Details," and the edges were worn and frayed, clearly indicating that it was an account book he always carried with him.
Yan Bugui sat down on the threshold, sighed, and opened the ledger. He pointed to a page and showed it to Lin Chen: "Look at this, this month's salary is still twenty-seven yuan and fifty cents. Two jin of cornmeal cost three yuan and twenty cents. I have to think long and hard to buy Jie Kuang an eraser. Unlike you, young and promising, you're doing very well in the workshop and you can even get a new enamel mug." As he spoke, he reached out to touch the enamel mug, his eyes filled with envy mixed with a hint of calculation.
Lin Chen subtly moved the enamel mug aside, recalling the receipt he'd inadvertently glimpsed yesterday when processing the transfer of grain coupons at the neighborhood office—Yan Bugui had just bought a Hero brand fountain pen and two hardcover notebooks at the department store last week, totaling five yuan and seventy cents, more than three days' wages for an average worker. That old scholar was always good at feigning poverty; his abacus had long since woven all the threads of human relationships into his accounts.
"Teacher Yan is joking. This jar was a prize from the last workshop's advanced worker evaluation; it's not worth much." Lin Chen put down the sandpaper in his hand, took out half a pack of cigarettes from the drawer—the same Peony brand that Director Zhou had awarded him last time. He didn't smoke it himself, but he kept it to appease people. "If you don't mind, try this."
Yan Bugui's eyes lit up, and he quickly took the book, pulling one out and clipping it to his ear, his fingers still tracing the edge of the ledger. "Speaking of advanced technology, yours is truly unparalleled. By the way, you know my son Jie Cheng, he's fifteen this year, and he's always talking about wanting to be an apprentice at the steel rolling mill. You know a lot of people in the workshop, could you help him out?" He moved closer to Lin Chen, lowering his voice, "As long as you get in, you'll definitely get a proper apprenticeship gift, how about half a jin of grain coupons?"
Lin Chen picked up the enamel mug on the table and took a sip of water, his fingertips discreetly touching the system panel. Since the last upgrade, the "Item Appraisal" function could not only examine the material but also trace the behavior of the person behind the item. He glanced at Yan Bugui's ledger, and a line of small print immediately popped up on the panel: "Leather ledger, recording family income and expenditure from 1958 to 1962, including 37 items of debts owed by children, among which Yan Jiecheng 'stole half a cornbread' recorded as 0.02 yuan pending repayment, and Yan Jiedi 'lost three sewing needles' recorded as 0.01 yuan pending repayment."
This precise calculation is indeed in line with Yan Bugui's "accountant-style father" style. Lin Chen put down the enamel mug and said sincerely, "Teacher Yan, you can't just get into the steel rolling mill as an apprentice. You have to pass the factory's cultural exam and practical assessment. I dare not use connections. If word gets out, not only will I lose my advanced title, but even if Jie Cheng gets in, people will talk behind his back."
Yan Bugui's smile faded slightly, but he was still unwilling to give up: "I know about the exam, but as for the academic subjects... you know I'm busy at school every day and don't have time to tutor him. Xiao Lin, you're a high school student and you're good at studying, could you spare some time to help him catch up? I'll add two more taels of grain coupons, making it seven taels in total, how about that?" As he spoke, he reached for the ledger, as if he wanted to record and confirm the accounts on the spot.
Looking at him like this, Lin Chen suddenly remembered another receipt he had seen at the neighborhood office yesterday—Yan Bugui secretly tutored three students every month, charging each student five jin of grain coupons, which amounted to fifteen jin a month, more than half a month's salary for him. This old tutor, while complaining about being poor and unable to even afford to buy erasers for his children, had amassed quite a fortune through paid tutoring, his calculations more shrewd than the forging press in the workshop.
"Tutoring is no problem, we're neighbors, helping each other out is only right." Lin Chen changed the subject, taking out a folded piece of paper from his drawer—the department store receipt he'd accidentally copied yesterday. "But I have a condition, Teacher Yan, you have to promise me you won't do paid tutoring anymore. Look, this is the receipt for the pen you bought at the department store last week, five yuan and seventy cents. If the school finds out you're privately tutoring for profit, it will not only damage your reputation, but you'll also fail Jie Cheng's political background check."
Yan Bugui's face flushed bright red, like a sheet of iron heated by a furnace. He reached out to grab the invoice: "You... how did you get this?" His voice trembled. Paid tutoring was illegal at the time. If the school found out, he would be criticized at best, and suspended at worst. He would lose his title of "District-level Outstanding Teacher".
Lin Chen gently avoided his hand, folded the invoice, and put it back in the drawer: "I went to the neighborhood office yesterday and happened to see the accountant organizing the documents. I just glanced at it by chance. Teacher Yan, don't be nervous, I didn't tell anyone. It's just that Jiecheng wants to get into the steel rolling mill, and the background check is very strict. If someone reports you for tutoring illegally, that would be troublesome."
Yan Bugui slumped on the threshold, the account book in his hand falling to the ground with a "thud," revealing densely packed small characters inside. Lin Chen bent down to pick it up for him and saw that one page read, "Tutoring income: 5 jin of grain coupons from student surnamed Li, 5 jin of grain coupons from student surnamed Wang, 5 jin of grain coupons from student surnamed Zhang, totaling 15 jin, equivalent to RMB 4.5 yuan," with a small "profit" mark next to it.
"I...I won't make it up anymore, okay?" Yan Bugui's voice was tinged with grievance, but even more so with helplessness. He valued only two things in his life: the reputation of being an "excellent teacher" and the numbers in the ledger. Now that Lin Chen had both in his hands, he had no choice but to bow his head.
Lin Chen handed him the ledger, his tone softening: "That's right. Jie Cheng is a good prospect, just a bit weak in the basics. Starting tonight, I'll spend an hour every night tutoring him in math and physics, and I can also teach him a few practical skills. As long as he passes the assessment, I guarantee I'll put in a good word for him with Director Zhou, and the steel mill will definitely want him."
Yan Bugui quickly stuffed the account book into his pocket, his face breaking into a smile, though it was much stiffer than before: "Thank you so much, Xiao Lin! If you ever need anything, just let me know. I, Yan Bugui, may not have much else, but I'm good at bookkeeping. If you want me to manage the household income and expenses, I'll do it for you for free!"
Lin Chen smiled and waved his hand: "No need to trouble you, I can keep my own accounts. By the way, when you have Jie Cheng come over tonight, please bring his textbooks and workbooks. I want to check his foundation first." Yan Bugui nodded repeatedly, hurriedly left with the account book, his steps much faster than when he came, probably afraid that Lin Chen would change his mind, or perhaps he was in a hurry to refund the tutoring fees to the students.
As soon as Yan Bugui left, Sha Zhu came around from the middle courtyard carrying a lunchbox. The aroma of braised pork wafted from the lid: "Lin Chen, I just saw Old Yan whispering to you for ages. Was he complaining about being poor again?" He put the lunchbox on the table, opened the lid, and inside were several pieces of braised pork with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, and half a lunchbox of brown rice. "My mom stewed some meat today and saved a few pieces for you. Eat up."
Lin Chen didn't stand on ceremony, picked up his chopsticks, took a piece, and put it in his mouth. The meat was tender and flavorful. Sha Zhu's cooking skills were indeed excellent; no wonder he was a head chef in the cafeteria. "He wants me to help his son get an apprenticeship at the steel rolling mill, and he also wants me to tutor him for a fee," Lin Chen told Sha Zhu as he ate.
Sha Zhu chuckled after hearing this, "That old Yan, he's got some nerve, like he's going to shoot the abacus beads in someone's face. Last time I lent him half a bar of soap, he nagged me for three days straight about how much a bar of soap cost and how much he used would have to be converted into food coupons. Only you have the patience to argue with him like that; I would have kicked him out long ago." As he spoke, he put another piece of meat on Lin Chen's plate, "By the way, how's your preparation for the skills competition going? Do you need my help?"
"Almost done. The gear template is all polished. We're just waiting for the competition next week." Lin Chen finished his rice and wiped his mouth. "But you, stop sending food to the Jia family all the time. Haven't you had enough of Qin Huairu's sob story?" He remembered seeing Qin Huairu secretly exchange the food coupons that Sha Zhu gave her for cloth to make new clothes for Jia Geng, and then turning around and crying poor in front of Sha Zhu, saying that the child had no food to eat.
Sha Zhu's face stiffened for a moment, and he scratched his head. "I know she's a bit calculating, but it's not easy for her to raise three children alone. Besides, Dongxu and I used to have a good relationship, I can't just watch them starve to death, can I?" He sighed as he spoke, "Once her apprenticeship is over and she can start receiving a regular salary, I won't be helping her as much anymore."
Lin Chen knew that Sha Zhu was kind-hearted and that he couldn't be persuaded in a short time, so he could only give up: "Alright, as long as you know what's going on. By the way, Yan Jiecheng is coming over for tutoring tonight. If you're free, come and listen in. It's never a bad thing to learn some cultural knowledge. It might help you get ahead in the cafeteria later."
Sha Zhu's eyes lit up: "Really? Then I'll come over tonight! I've been wanting to learn a few words for a long time, so I don't have to ask someone to sign for me every time I get my salary." He happily packed up his lunchbox, "I'm going back now, I'll be there on time tonight!" Watching Sha Zhu's hurried departure, Lin Chen smiled helplessly. This Sha Zhu is indeed a very honest person.
When Lin Chen arrived at the workshop in the afternoon, Zhou Jianguo called him into his office. Director Zhou pointed to a document on the table and said, "Lin, the Municipal Bureau of Industry just issued a notice that the skills competition will not only include practical skills but also a theoretical exam, mainly testing mechanical principles and mechanics of materials. You'd better prepare well; whether our factory can get first place depends on you."
Lin Chen picked up the document and glanced at it. The theory exam accounted for 40%, and the practical exam for 60%. For him, the theory exam wasn't difficult; he had a master's degree in mechanical engineering in his previous life, and the basic theoretical knowledge was already second nature to him. "Don't worry, Director Zhou, I'm sure I'll be fine," Lin Chen said confidently.
Zhou Jianguo nodded, took a stack of books from his drawer, and handed them to Lin Chen: "These are some of my treasured professional books. Take a look; you might find them useful. If you have any questions, feel free to come to me." Lin Chen took the books; they were all professional textbooks published in the 1950s and 60s. Although somewhat worn, the content was very solid. "Thank you, Director Zhou. I will definitely study them carefully."
Back in the studio, Lin Chen had just put the books down when Liu Haizhong walked over with his head down. Ever since his failed promotion and demotion to a regular worker, Liu Haizhong seemed like a different person. He was no longer loud and boisterous, working silently every day, always with his head down. "Team Leader Lin, could... could I borrow your gear template?" His voice was soft, with a hint of pleading.
Lin Chen paused for a moment, then understood. Although Liu Haizhong had been demoted, he was still thinking about technology; he probably wanted to see his gear prototype and learn some techniques. "Sure, but be careful not to break it; it's for the competition." Lin Chen handed the gear prototype to Liu Haizhong, activated the system, and glanced at him. The panel displayed: "Liu Haizhong, Emotions: Guilt + Desire, Skills: Intermediate Forging, Current Need: Learn Advanced Forging Techniques."
Liu Haizhong carefully took the gear template, examining it closely, his fingers gently stroking the teeth. "These teeth are so neatly forged, and the hardness is just right. It's much better than what I used to forge. Team Leader Lin, how did you control the temperature during forging? I could never get the heat right before." His eyes were full of longing, devoid of the jealousy and hostility he once felt.
Lin Chen's heart skipped a beat. Although Liu Haizhong had personality flaws, he was, after all, a level six blacksmith with many years of practical experience. If he could recruit him, he would be a good helper when mass-producing gears in the future. "The forging temperature needs to be controlled at around 1200℃, and it also needs to undergo three tempering processes to ensure the hardness and toughness of the gears," Lin Chen patiently explained, even showing Liu Haizhong his forging notes.
Liu Haizhong studied the sample intently, nodding occasionally and even taking notes in a small notebook. "Thank you so much, Team Leader Lin. I used to be so narrow-minded, always thinking about getting promoted through bribery, neglecting the technical aspects." He returned the gear sample to Lin Chen, a long-lost smile appearing on his face. "If you ever need anything in the future, just let me know. I, Liu Haizhong, may not be very capable, but I certainly have the strength."
"We're all colleagues, it's only right to help each other out," Lin Chen said with a smile. "When we start mass-producing gears in the future, we'll need your help." Liu Haizhong nodded quickly, "No problem! As long as I can be of help, I'll definitely do my best!" He said this and left happily, his steps becoming much lighter. Lin Chen watched his back, a smile appearing on his lips. It seemed that not all the members of this "retirement group" were so stubborn.
When Lin Chen returned to the courtyard house that evening, Yan Jiecheng was already waiting at the door, holding textbooks and workbooks. He was wearing a faded blue cotton jacket, his head down, looking somewhat reserved. "Brother Lin, my father asked me to come and get some tutoring from you." His voice was very soft, and he didn't dare to look up at Lin Chen.
"Come in, don't stand at the door." Lin Chen let Yan Jiecheng into the house and gave him a glass of water. "Let me see your homework first, so I can get a feel for your basics." Yan Jiecheng quickly handed over his homework. Lin Chen opened it and saw that the handwriting was fairly neat, but there were many mistakes, especially in the geometry problems in math and the mechanics problems in physics, which were almost all wrong.
"Your foundation is indeed a bit weak, but it's okay, we'll start from the basics to make up for it." Lin Chen took out paper and pen and patiently explained the wrong questions to Yan Jiecheng. "For this geometry problem, you need to draw auxiliary lines first to transform the triangle into a parallelogram, then it will be easier to calculate..." Yan Jiecheng listened very carefully, nodding from time to time, and took the initiative to ask questions when he encountered something he didn't understand. He was much smarter than Lin Chen had imagined.
Not long after, Sha Zhu arrived, pulled up a small stool, sat down next to Yan Jiecheng, and diligently took notes in a small notebook. Although he didn't understand many of the points, he listened attentively, occasionally asking Yan Jiecheng, "Jiecheng, did you understand that theorem Brother Lin mentioned earlier? Can you explain it to me?" Yan Jiecheng patiently explained it to Sha Zhu, and the two got along quite well.
As they were talking, Yan Bugui walked in carrying a bowl of noodles with a poached egg on top and some chopped green onions. "Xiao Lin, Jie Cheng, come and eat some noodles. Sha Zhu's here too, have some with him." He placed the noodles on the table with a fawning smile. Lin Chen glanced at the noodles, activated the system, and scanned them. The panel displayed: "Egg Noodles, Ingredients: 2 liang of flour, 1 egg, a little chopped green onion, Preparation time: 10 minutes ago, Creator: Yan Bugui."
It seems Yan Bugui has gone to great lengths for his son's job. You have to understand, in those times of food shortage, an egg was a rare treat. "Thank you, Teacher Yan. We're at a crucial point in the discussion; we'll eat after we finish," Lin Chen continued explaining the problem to Yan Jiecheng. Yan Bugui didn't interrupt, sitting beside him and watching with a rare, kind smile on his face.
It was almost ten o'clock when the tutoring session ended. Yan Jiecheng handed his organized notes to Lin Chen. All the wrong answers had been corrected, and the knowledge points were well understood. "That's enough for today. We'll continue tomorrow night." Lin Chen returned the notes to Yan Jiecheng. "Go home and get some rest. Don't stay up late." Yan Jiecheng nodded and bowed respectfully to Lin Chen: "Thank you, Brother Lin. I will definitely study hard tomorrow."
Yan Bugui pulled Yan Jiecheng aside and insisted on giving the bowl of noodles to Lin Chen: "Little Lin, you have to eat this bowl of noodles, otherwise I'll feel bad." Lin Chen couldn't refuse, so he had to accept it. Watching the father and son leave, Sha Zhu sighed, "I didn't expect Old Yan to be so good to his son, but he needs to change that calculating habit."
"Everyone has two sides; he's just too focused on money." Lin Chen handed the noodles to Sha Zhu. "I've already eaten, you can have this." Sha Zhu didn't stand on ceremony, picked up his chopsticks and started eating, enjoying it immensely. "It's so delicious! Much better than the noodles in the cafeteria. Lin Chen, do you think if I study hard, I could become a workshop foreman?"
"Of course you can! As long as you're willing to learn, you could become a factory manager, let alone a workshop foreman," Lin Chen said with a smile. Sha Zhu's eyes lit up: "Really? Then I'll definitely study hard!" After finishing his noodles, he helped Lin Chen clear the table and happily went back. Lin Chen watched his retreating figure and smiled helplessly. This Sha Zhu, he really dared to dream.
Just as Lin Chen finished tidying up, he heard Yan Bugui's voice coming from the front yard: "Jiecheng, did you remember all the knowledge points that Brother Lin taught today? You must listen carefully in class from now on and not be lazy. Also, you are not allowed to fight with your younger brother for food anymore. Write it all down in the account book, and you will have to pay it back later." Lin Chen shook his head helplessly. This old teacher really couldn't get rid of his habit of keeping accounts.
Just as he was about to rest, a pale blue glow suddenly popped up on the system panel: "The host has successfully persuaded Yan Bugui to stop his paid tutoring, tutored Yan Jiecheng, and won over Liu Haizhong, completing the 'Divide and Conquer the Retirement Group + Cultivate Assistance' mission, earning +1500 points. Current points: 10900. New feature unlocked: Skill Inheritance (allows you to pass on your skills to others, improving their skill levels)."
Lin Chen was overjoyed. The skill inheritance function was a wonderful thing. In the future, he could not only attract talent but also cultivate his own team. He activated the system panel and checked the description of skill inheritance: "Skill Inheritance: The host can choose a skill he has mastered and pass it on to others through theoretical explanation and practical guidance. Each inheritance costs 1000 points and can increase the recipient's skill level by 1-2 levels. There is no limit to the number of inheritances."
Lin Chen looked at the points on the panel: 10900 points, enough for ten inheritances. He planned to first upgrade Liu Haizhong's forging skills to advanced level, and then train Yan Jiecheng into a qualified apprentice. These people would be his capable assistants when he started his business in the future. Just then, Qin Huairu's voice came from outside the courtyard gate: "Brother Lin, are you home? I'll bring you some mended clothes."
Lin Chen opened the door and saw Qin Huairu holding a mended work uniform. The holes in the uniform had been neatly stitched up, and a small patch pattern had been embroidered on it. "Thank you, Sister-in-law Qin, for your trouble." Lin Chen took the work uniform, activated the system, and glanced at her. The panel displayed: "Qin Huairu, Emotion: Gratitude + Vigilance, Current Need: Maintain a good relationship with Lin Chen, Obtain Food Stamps."
"You're welcome. We're neighbors, helping each other is only right," Qin Huai said with a smile, but her eyes unconsciously drifted to the desk in the room, probably noticing the books and notes on it. "I heard you're tutoring Jie Cheng? You're really knowledgeable. My Jia Geng is also taking exams soon. If he has any questions, could you please explain them to him?" Her tone was somewhat pleading, and she was clutching an empty grain bag in her hand, clearly intending to ask for grain coupons under the guise of asking for help.
Lin Chen sneered inwardly. Qin Huairu certainly knew how to take advantage of the situation. "Sure, but I have to tutor Jiecheng every night, so I can only spare some time to teach Jia Geng." Lin Chen deliberately paused. "But let me make this clear: I won't be giving you food stamps like Sha Zhu did. Children have to work hard to learn; they can't learn well just by complaining about being poor."
Qin Huairu's face stiffened for a moment, then she smiled again: "That's right, that's right, I just wanted you to help me with the questions. We have our own food coupons." She said this and hurriedly took her leave, her steps a little flustered. Lin Chen watched her back, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth. This remnant of the retirement group still needs to be properly taught a lesson.
Back inside, Lin Chen activated the system panel, looking at the points and functions displayed, his heart filled with confidence. With the skills competition imminent, he not only wanted to win the championship, but also to completely solidify his position in the steel mill, utterly dismantle the retirement group, and lay a solid foundation for his future entrepreneurial endeavors.