Chapter 13: From Rural to Urban

Li's mother noticed that after her eldest and second sons each took a bowl of noodles, the big pot was nearly empty.

She picked up the pot and said, "Hold off on talking. Let me cook more noodles first."

She was itching with curiosity, needing to hear the details herself.

When Li's mother returned with another pot of noodles, Li's father had finished his bowl. He wiped his mouth and pulled the introduction letter from his pocket.

Li Xiangdong took the letter, and seeing his wife lean in, he opened it and slid it toward her.

Zhou Yuqin asked, "What's a waterman's job?"

Li Xiangdong was clueless too, feeling a twinge of disappointment. He'd hoped for a train crew position, dreaming of working on the trains.

Old Man Li spoke up, "What does a waterman do? What did Deputy Director Zhang tell you? Give us the details."

As he served himself more noodles, Li's father replied, "From what Deputy Director Zhang said, it sounds like filling water for the trains."

He paused, then added, "But it's a good job. Zhang pulled strings, spending over half an hour on the phone with his friend at the station to secure a good post for Dongzi. Before I left, he specifically told me to remind Dongzi to stay safe when he's traveling with the train. Some places out there can be rough."

Li Xiangdong only caught the last part. "Dad, you're saying Deputy Director Zhang specifically told you to remind me to stay safe when traveling with the train?"

His father looked at his excitable son and nodded. "Yeah, that's what he said. Why?"

Li Xiangdong's mood was like a rollercoaster, soaring and dipping so fast he nearly fainted.

Grinning, he said, "Nothing! Just that Mother's zhajiang noodles are so good today, I gotta have another bowl!"

"Tch, when do you ever eat less?" his mother scoffed, but her smile was unstoppable.

Her third son had landed a proper job—a great one, far better than working at the coal shop. How could she not be thrilled?

"No wonder he's a leader," she said. "He gets things done! Your dad just went to ask around, and he got Dongzi's job sorted!"

Old Man Li nodded. "Your daughter-in-law's right. The favor I called in was small, but it got Dongzi a great job. We owe them now."

Li's mother suggested, "Dad, should we buy some good cigarettes or liquor for Dongzi to take as a thank-you?"

Old Man Li shook his head. "No, it's too soon after the favor. They'd be wary of gifts. Wait till Dongzi gets his first paycheck. Get something simple like eggs or fruit—shows our gratitude without putting them in a tough spot. Treat them like family, visit during holidays."

"Sounds good," Li's father agreed.

Building ties with a leader wasn't easy, and they'd need to keep in touch.

The family finished lunch in a lively bustle, cleaned up, and went to their rooms to rest.

Li's father and brothers needed a nap before heading back to work.

The kids knew to keep quiet during this time, or they'd get a beating.

Li Xiangdong paced his room, too excited to settle down.

He wanted a good life for his wife and kids and to honor his parents and grandparents, but that required money.

If someone else were reborn, they might seize the day, carving out a fortune. But he didn't dare. The reforms were only a year in, policies swinging left and right.

One wrong move, and he'd be struck down.

Besides, in both lives combined, he'd barely overcome illiteracy. Business wasn't his thing.

In his last life, his stubbornness ruined the family. This time, he wasn't going to be anyone's stepping stone.

After the nap, before heading to work, Li's father washed his face and knocked on the west wing's door.

"Dongzi, third daughter-in-law, come out."

"What's up, Dad?" Li Xiangdong and Zhou Yuqin emerged immediately. They hadn't rested—their daughter, full of energy from her morning nap, and their son's antics kept them busy.

Li's father rubbed his sleepy face. "Got so excited about your job at lunch, I forgot to mention. Deputy Director Zhang knows your wife and kids' hukou is still rural. He said to take her back to the village for a hukou certificate, and he'll help with the rural-to-urban transfer."

Zhou Yuqin was speechless with excitement!

Switching to an urban hukou, accessing state grain rations—it was every rural person's dream in this era. Hukou policies were a chasm, and urban grain quotas, especially in Beijing, were nearly impossible to get.

She never imagined such a blessing. When she followed her husband to the city, her hukou couldn't transfer, so she and the kids relied on negotiated-price grain. If not for her village relatives, she'd have been sent back to farm.

Li Xiangdong recalled a mistake from his past life. "Dad, no rush for this, right?"

His father eyed him suspiciously. "What's that supposed to mean? This is a big deal—you need to act fast!"

Li Xiangdong hesitated. "I'm starting work tomorrow, and I'm not sure when I'll have time. Can we wait a bit?"

His father knew his youngest son was hiding something. "Don't play me for a fool! You think I'm senile?"

His shout drew everyone out of their rooms.

Old Man Li and Old Lady Li asked what was going on, and Li's father explained.

Li's mother marched over, pointing at Li Xiangdong's nose. "Third Brother Li, cat got your tongue? Speak!"

His second brother chimed in, "Dongzi, did you cause trouble in the village, so you're afraid to go back to your in-laws?"