Chapter 5: Selling the Job, Ma Liu

Before long, Director Niu and her family arrived. Director Niu’s husband, whose surname was Gao, wore a pair of black-rimmed glasses and greeted Ming Dai warmly. Behind him was a girl with two braids, about seventeen or eighteen years old, who looked at her with curiosity.

Avoiding the crowd, they moved to a quiet spot. After asking Ming Dai what items she needed, Director Gao pushed the cart inside. Director Niu, meanwhile, took Ming Dai and her daughter to the administrative office building.

Director Niu was well-connected; in no time, she completed all the necessary procedures, obtained the written documents, and finally felt at ease. The braided girl was laughing gleefully as well.

She sent her daughter home first, then Director Niu led Ming Dai to Director Gao’s office.

Director Gao had already gathered everything Ming Dai requested and even found a small medicine box with chipped paint—it looked quite authentic.

“Ming Dai, here’s seven hundred and fifty yuan. You’ve really helped Aunt Niu out. Take the money!”

To her surprise, Director Niu was generous, giving her fifty yuan more than agreed.

Ming Dai tried to decline, but Director Gao also urged her to accept.

Seeing this, Ming Dai understood their intentions and swiftly took the money and the medicine box, leaving without further ado.

Director Niu watched the young girl’s agile figure with a hint of envy. If only her own daughter possessed such sharpness and resourcefulness, she wouldn’t have to worry about her going to the countryside. These past days had truly worn her out.

Director Gao sipped his tea. “Our girl has her parents to rely on; why should she have to think about all this?”

Director Niu stood up with a smile. “You’re right, I overthink things. Well, everything’s settled. I should get some rest. You carry on with your work.”

Ming Dai, carrying the medicine box, found a public restroom and, taking advantage of the absence of people, tucked the box away into her space.

She took her savings book and withdrew all her money, slipping it into her space under cover of her backpack.

Her father had left her a small cloth pouch with a number of ration coupons, all with regional and time restrictions. Since she wouldn’t be returning soon, she planned to use them all.

Her next destination was the supply and marketing cooperative.

At this hour, it was work time and the cooperative wasn’t crowded.

She went from counter to counter with her coupons.

Enamel basins—two, please.

Enamel mugs—two, please.

White Rabbit milk candy—three jin!

Cotton cloth—nine feet!

When she left, her hands were full with bags large and small. Especially with cotton, she had nearly emptied the cooperative’s stock.

The place where her aunt registered her was in her hometown, where there was a foolish son waiting to marry. Naturally, she had no desire to go there.

She planned to head to the Black Province. Although the climate was harsh and frigid, it was remote, the policies were lenient, and resources abundant.

But before leaving, she needed to settle the matter of her house. She had long decided to whom she would give it.

Loaded with parcels, she returned. As soon as she entered the compound, she was stopped.

The neighbors who weren’t at work were chatting beneath the trees. Seeing her return, they quickly gathered around, eager to see what she had bought.

“Ming Dai, why did you buy so much cotton?”

Ming Dai lowered her head, feigning sadness. “I’m going to the Black Province for rural work. I’m afraid of freezing to death, so I bought extra cotton.”

“The Black Province! That’s so far away—your aunt is really ruthless!”

“That’s right, the Ming Changjiang family is shameless, obviously trying to cut you off!”

“Ming Dai, how much did your father leave you? After all these purchases, do you still have anything left?”

Ming Dai shook her head. “Not much, really. After buying all this, it’s nearly gone.”

The neighbors chattered away. An old woman even tried to rummage through her things.

Ming Dai picked up her parcels and, pretending to be hurt, rushed back to her room.

These people, since her father died and she was left alone without anyone to protect her, would help themselves to her broom or dump used coal briquettes at her door. They all sized her up, seeing she had no one to rely on, and bullied her as much as they could.

Their approach wasn’t out of concern, but rather to enjoy the spectacle and seek some advantage.

Ignoring the commotion outside, Ming Dai surveyed the room.

This was the largest room in the compound. Once divided by a curtain into two, now the curtain was gone.

The original owner had fled overseas due to some trouble, and the house was reclaimed by the government as compensation.

The government then split it up and resold it.

Her father had just returned from the army and found he no longer had a place at home. He had also picked up a baby girl, which caused the family to resent him. There were frequent quarrels, minor ones every three days, major ones every five.

He was deeply hurt; after all, he had enlisted in place of his elder brother.

Finally, he left with young Ming Dai, used his discharge allowance, and bought the largest room here. He never returned home again.

Because their room was the largest in the compound and only the two of them lived there, families with more members often wanted to swap with them. Her father, considering he had a daughter who needed her own space, always refused. As a result, the neighbors were lukewarm towards them.

Now that she was leaving, she knew the neighbors would be very interested.

But she would never sell to them—they would never pay her a good price.

Now, she planned to tidy up the house, take whatever she could, and store it all in her space, so she could leave with peace of mind.

First were her textbooks and books. These were essential. From her knowledge of this world’s historical development, the college entrance exam would be restored in later years. She needed these books as cover.

Next were her and her father’s clothes.

She packed her father’s clothes carefully into a wicker trunk, intending not to touch them again.

Her own clothes were all gathered up as well. Her father never skimped on her, so the quality was good, though the colors were rather drab.

That was normal for this era—everyone wore blue, gray, or black. Even army green fabric had to be fought for.

Despite the shortage, her father had prepared two bundles of army green cloth for her, to be used as dowry.

She packed away all her father’s tokens of affection, then gathered up the scattered household items. With the principle that taking anything couldn’t hurt, she left nothing behind that caught her eye.

In the end, the whole room was left empty—cleaner than after a bandit raid.

By then, afternoon had arrived. Ming Dai slipped into her space, took out a steak, cooked herself some pasta, enjoyed a fine meal, and took a nap.

When she woke again, it was already seven in the evening.

She stretched luxuriously—it felt wonderful!

Not hungry now, she decided to settle the house matter. She would be leaving for rural work the day after tomorrow; the sooner it was resolved, the better.

She tidied herself, left her space, locked the door, still carrying her small bag, and hurried out of the compound.

Leaving the compound, she walked along the alley for several minutes, then turned into another lane.

This area was even messier, the ground slick with sewage. At doorways, bare-chested men held bowls of watery porridge, eyeing the unfamiliar visitor.

Ming Dai surveyed the surroundings and found the house at the far end.

She hadn’t knocked yet when an argument erupted inside.

Hearing hurried footsteps, she turned aside. The next moment, the door was kicked open and a blond-haired youth stormed out, cursing furiously.

This was the person she was looking for—Ma Liu.