"As a result, I caught the master’s eye, and he expressed his hope that I would work at the mechanical factory."
"I had thought the commune wouldn’t agree, but surprisingly, they gave their consent quickly."
Although some alterations had been made in the records, for those who were shrewd, they could still detect a few issues.
"There, you took several apprentices, including children from the commune leaders’ families." Gu Wei had seen such situations countless times.
Some people distinguished themselves through hard work, while others took credit for others’ work; in that era when it was hard to distinguish right from wrong, many things happened.
"You’re lucky, making a trip to the mechanical factory and having a master willing to teach you."
Otherwise, even if you continued working at the commune, you’d merely be holding a position, and who knows how many people that would offend."
"Now it’s better, you can work in the city, and it’s something you like."
Gu Wei took a deep breath, "If your dad knew that you could lead such a life using the things he always considered underhanded."
"I don’t know how happy he would be, especially your uncle."
"Of course, your parents would be happy too." Gu Wei knew that even though the family had made some preparations.
But never had they expected that day to come so suddenly, catching them off guard despite being prepared.
Many people didn’t get proper arrangements, like Gu Kai for instance.
Originally, Gu Kai was supposed to have a better opportunity, but in the end, he gave that chance to the girls in the family, because they would have had it tougher.
After the Gu Family’s trouble, Gu Wei, although not in contact with her family, was sure that her parents must have been worrying about their children and grandchildren.
In the beginning, even knowing some of her family members’ whereabouts, she dared not contact them, not because she was heartless, but because the family had just run into trouble, and she didn’t know if there were sinister forces watching them from the shadows.
Not contacting family was actually for the best; it was only after the situation had cooled down, when the people who had targeted her family ran into trouble themselves, that Gu Wei secretly made contact with her family.
But she didn’t contact them very often, just enough to know how they were doing.
Now that Gu Kai could work at the factory without trouble, Gu Wei knew it either meant that the people who targeted them were too preoccupied with their own issues, or they had given up causing further problems.
"By the way, where’s your stuff?" Gu Wei noticed something in Gu Kai’s hand that didn’t seem like luggage.
"My luggage, I left it at the mechanical factory, to see if they could help me arrange a dormitory," Gu Kai said with a goofy smile.
Waiting for a dormitory arrangement? Gu Wei immediately felt upset, "What’s going on with you?"
"Why trouble yourself over a dormitory when I’m here? You can just set up a bed in the living room." Although it would be a bit cramped, they could still make room.
"I... don’t need to," Gu Kai felt it wouldn’t be right to bother Gu Wei, "I might have to work night shifts."
The Gu family knew that ever since their Uncle’s incident, Gu Wei’s sleep hadn’t been good, especially since once woken up, it was very difficult for her to fall back asleep.
Gu Wei knew Gu Kai was worried about disturbing her rest. "My sleep is much better now than before."
Although it still wasn’t great, at least she could manage some light sleep.
"Although the mechanical factory has many locals, housing is still scarce, so many people are applying for dorms, and it’s quite competitive."
"If you apply now, who knows if there will be any beds available."
Gu Wei also anticipated that for someone like Gu Kai, they wouldn’t fail to provide a bed, but that would definitely mean someone would have to go home.
"If you stay at home, at least you’ll rest well. If you stay in the dorm, I can say this, you’ll be trying to rest while others are working, with all sorts of disruptions."
"Really, it’s not as restful as home."
"My place isn’t big, but it’s enough for the two of us."
"And if people know you’re my nephew and I still made you stay in a dormitory, what would they think of me?"
"Don’t you think I, your Auntie, need to save face?"
No matter what, Gu Wei just refused to let Gu Kai stay in the dormitory, and, having no other choice, he had to agree.
"Be good, you go to the machinery factory first and tell them you don’t want a dormitory," Gu Wei handed him the keys Li Na had placed on the table earlier.
"Remember to open the door by yourself later."
"Also, don’t bother cooking; we’re going to your Aunt Zhang’s house for dinner tonight."
Aunt Zhang’s house? Gu Kai looked totally confused, and it was then that Gu Wei realized her nephew didn’t know who Zhang Shifen was.
"Just stay at home, I’ll be home after work," she said.
"We’ll go together later. Oh, and when you get home, take a good rest. I’ve got bath tickets here; go take a shower at three o’clock."
In the countryside, taking a bath really became a troublesome affair, especially during winter.
Gu Kai didn’t hesitate; he took the bath ticket and left. After days without a proper bath, he felt uncomfortable all over.
Now, he could finally have a good bath, and he instantly felt that the coming days would surely be much better.
Zhang Shifen got off work right on time and found that Zhou Lina was busy in the kitchen. She habitually went in to check what was being prepared for dinner that night.
Seeing the meals that were ready and those still in progress, Zhang Shifen fell into a daze, "What’s the occasion today?"
Could it be someone’s birthday? But it wasn’t, nor was it a holiday she could think of.
"Aunt Gu’s nephew came looking for her today," Zhou Lina whispered.
What? Gu Wei’s nephew came looking for her? Zhang Shifen was as surprised as she could be.
"Seems like he’s going to the machinery factory across the street for work."
"It feels like he was a ’knowledge youth,’ otherwise how could the commune agree to it?"
Though they had revealed little, who was Zhou Lina? With a bit of thought, she could guess a thing or two.
A ’knowledge youth’ going to work in the machinery factory across the street? Zhang Shifen was aware that the factory had no large-scale hiring plans.
Even if they needed people, they wouldn’t find them among returning rural workers but would definitely look among the intellectuals still in the city.
"Must be very capable," Zhang Shifen mused, "but this could cause a stir once it gets out."
Things weren’t as tense as before, but those who were supposed to go to the countryside still needed to. Now Gu Kai, transitioning from a ’knowledge youth’ to a factory worker, would definitely shock quite a few people.
"I think this will make the machinery factory give special attention to Aunt Gu."
If those people really make trouble, are they truly targeting Gu Kai? Not at all; they’re targeting the factory leaders. If possible, hopefully, the machinery factory can hire more workers.
"Yes, and don’t worry about this. Your Aunt Gu is not easy to bully," Zhang Shifen assured her friend confidently.
"By the way, what does the young man look like?" Zhang Shifen asked curiously.
What does he look like? "I really didn’t take notice," Zhou Lina said. After all, in this era, one had to be a bit mindful of their conduct; you couldn’t just keep staring at someone.
In another era, Zhou Lina definitely wouldn’t have been so polite, but of course, for now, she still had to be somewhat low-key.
"He’s a bit dark-skinned but tall enough, reaching up to my chest."
In this era, for a boy to grow that tall wasn’t easy, but remembering Gu Wei’s height, it wasn’t surprising, as her own stature was apparent.
Zhang Shifen looked thoughtful, and while Zhou Lina noticed, she didn’t dwell on it.
She didn’t think she was old, and marriage wasn’t something she even considered yet.