After Zhang Yu returned, little Zhao Xi began her student life, while she stayed at home doing chores and taking care of the children. You could say she was like many grandmothers, except that every summer she would take the two children and spend a few days traveling by train to the Great Northwest to visit Zhao Lei and the others. Compared to many people who never left their birthplace, Xiao Xi and Ping’an already had broader horizons. Whether it was Zhao Lei and his wife, or Zhao Hong and Xiao Yi, during those tumultuous years, they all kept their heads down and worked hard. Even though Zhao Hong researched mechanical knowledge in the archives, frequently consulting the old technical department head at the factory, she never thought about working in the technical department. Even if going to work there meant a bright future with a certificate, she never considered it. Xiao Yi would often flip through tool manuals at the recycling station, self-learning and with the courage to try, he learned to fix small issues with radios and other small appliances. Gradually, his reputation grew within certain circles, and with that came an increasing amount of work. Whenever he helped someone fix something, he never accepted money, not even for parts; he just let the other party procure them and he did the repairs. As for the labor cost, that was up to them to decide and give. The less Xiao Yi talked about compensation, the more anxious people became. If they paid too little, would they ever have such a chance again? Thus, now Xiao Yi had a lot of receipts, which made Zhang Yu very happy. During the tumultuous decade, Zhang Yu’s family kept a low profile, but only those close to them knew that everyone was studying hard. Even if they couldn’t attend college, they never forgot to improve themselves and continued reading. Zhang Yu immediately felt relieved; she initially wanted to persuade Zhao Hong and the others not to give up reading but found out they were already proactively learning. It’s best not to expose oneself; Zhang Yu breathed a sigh of relief. Whether it was Zhao Hong or Xiao Yi, they were serious about reading at home, and of course, Xiao Xi and Ping’an noticed. They often read at home too and knew some books couldn’t be read outside, which again made Zhang Yu relaxed. Although the GWH people had been less rampant over the past two years, the camel, though thin, is still bigger than a horse. With Xue Li watching closely, Zhang Yu had to be even more cautious at all times. Ever since she confronted Xue Li that time, her reputation had truly become infamous. Even when someone introduced a match, it was either a loafer, a temporary worker with a child, or someone who is unwell and needs her care; worse, some openly wanted her to transfer her job to her husband after marriage. This infuriated Xue Li to no end; such men were certainly not acceptable for her, a formal worker at the mechanical factory. She sternly scolded the matchmaker, and immediately found herself on the matchmaker’s blacklist. Not only did the matchmaker stop finding suitable matches for her, even if there were, they were unwilling to introduce them to Xue Li, preferring not to earn the commission. Thus, Xue Li dragged on until she was 30 without anyone introducing a match. It can’t be said that no one introduced a match; actually, someone did, but Xue Li disliked the match being from a rural area. Zhang Yu hadn’t met the man, but Zhao Hong had. "He’s a pretty good guy, a worker in the workshop." "His skills have improved rapidly." "Everyone says, given the current lack of qualification exams, he could definitely become a third-level worker without any issue." Xue Li really didn’t understand; the guy had pretty good conditions, but Xue Li just felt disdainful. Listening to Zhao Hong’s introduction, Zhang Yu really felt the guy was pretty decent. Xiao Yi sneered a few times, "He’s from the countryside, has no house in the city, just got regularized, and all his parents and brothers are in the countryside, obviously heavy burdens." "Then look at Sister Hong, her husband works at the police station, is capable, and their parents are colleagues with our brother." "They have three main rooms at home; although there’s a brother, he’s a soldier stationed afar, and you don’t have in-laws to care for. Just getting married and living in such a big house, Xue Li certainly wants to find a match according to your standard." Huh? Zhang Yu knew Xue Li had high standards, but never expected she actually aspired to compare to Zhao Hong. "How do you know." Zhang Yu knew Xue Li’s previous demands were a wedding house and a formal job, and now her demands had risen so much more. Zhao Hong was also stunned, "She really is.." having no words. Zhao Hong’s man was dumbfounded too, "The thoughts are really.." Although their unit’s welfare benefits couldn’t compare to big factories like the mechanical plant, no one would want to marry someone like Xue Li. "Thoughts can be there; as for realizing them, she isn’t in a hurry." Zhang Yu figured Xue Li was just putting herself on pedestals now. "Even if she lowered her standards now, the match introduced to her is second-marriage, very few singles." After all, good men tend to marry early. "Anyway, if she doesn’t marry, I feel she.." Xiao Yi pointed to his head, "I feel her mind is somewhat abnormal." Upon hearing Xiao Yi say this, Zhao Hong’s first reaction was, "Would she?" She still remembered years ago, Xue Li tried to scheme against Xiao Yi in order to avoid being sent to work in the countryside as an intellectual youth. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✶𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✶𝕟𝕖𝕥 Not only did Zhang Yu look up at him, but also Xiao Xi and Ping’an turned to look at their uncle. "No way, rest assured, she wouldn’t take a liking to me." Xiao Yi was completely unconcerned, "After all, I’m someone who even hits women." "Hmph, she is aware of the consequences when I act." Xiao Yi said menacingly. Seeing how fierce someone appeared, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but laugh, "You just hit a girl like Xue Li." "Not everyone is shameless like her." Xiao Yi didn’t want to engage women, but couldn’t escape when someone kept provoking and causing trouble non-stop. "Yes, hit." Ping’an kept hopping in support of uncle, "She’s really not a good person." Ping’an had never had any good feelings towards the neighbor who would coldly snort whenever she saw him and his sister. "By the way, Xiao Yi, when are you getting married." Zhang Yu was not rushing Xiao Yi to marry but noticed the young man already had a partner and both were not young. "We’re thinking.." Xiao Yi planned that since his grandparents and parents were still in the Northwest, and even his sister was there, they couldn’t attend his wedding. "Get married when you should." Zhang Yu was actually considering that getting married and having children, then recovering health, coincides well with taking the college entrance exams. "Exactly, Xiao Xi, the big sister, has raised Ping’an and my Jianjian well." Zhao Hong truly felt Xiao Yi could proceed with marriage. "Right, while I’m young, let’s raise them together." Zhang Yu knew Xiao Yi and his partner had parents, but each was too busy to help raise the children.