"Dabao, Erbao, be good."
"Mom, we miss you! I've grown taller again!" Dabao reported excitedly.
"Mom, I miss you too." Erbao's voice quickly followed.
"Alright, you listen to Grandma, and Mom misses you too."
"Nian Nian, make sure you eat well and take care of yourself over there. Don't worry about the kids," Yang Yufen called out.
"Mom, I know. I'm doing great here, and everyone treats me very well."
The call time was limited, so Qin Nian exchanged a few more words with Dean Hu and Professor Wen before the call ended.
"Come on, Grandma will take you to school. We'll catch Mom's call next time."
"Okay!" Dabao and Erbao responded obediently.
Professor Wen walked alongside Yang Yufen, watching the children enter the nursery school before speaking to her.
"Yufen, our region is about to officially cancel the mandatory pig procurement system and transition to a guided purchase-and-sale model. Meat prices will definitely go up, but buying meat will become much more convenient in the future—you won't need ration tickets anymore, and there will be more pork available."
"That's great news! It's normal for it to be a bit more expensive without tickets. Our lives are gradually getting better," Yang Yufen said cheerfully, deciding to share the news with Gui Xiang later.
"I plan to step down this year. I've reduced my teaching schedule, and if you find yourself too busy with Dabao and Erbao, you can let them stay at my place. I'll take care of them."
Professor Wen suddenly brought up the idea.
"What? Professors can retire? Aren’t teachers supposed to be more valuable the older they get? If it were in my hometown, people would fight over you!" Yang Yufen exclaimed in surprise.
Professor Wen chuckled at her reaction.
"No, I’ll still occasionally give lectures. I just won’t have such a packed schedule anymore. I'm only stepping down from my position as the deputy dean; I'll still be teaching."
Professor Wen explained.
"Oh, I see. I was wondering—good teachers are so hard to find, and you're still so young," Yang Yufen nodded in understanding.
"I’ll take on more lectures once my youngest child is old enough to enter the nursery school," Professor Wen said thoughtfully. She had carefully considered her decision. With fewer classes and less administrative work, she could finally focus on writing and organizing her years of knowledge and insights.
After parting ways with Professor Wen, Yang Yufen headed off to visit Gui Xiang. Just as she stepped out of the security office, she abruptly stepped back inside.
"Army Commander Liao?"
"I’ve retired. You don’t need to call me Commander anymore. Just call me Old Liao, like Old Hu does," he replied with a smile.
"You retired and came here?" Yang Yufen was stunned. She had seen the news—there had been major military downsizing. She never expected someone like Army Commander Liao to be affected. Her son must have had incredible luck.
"This is great. It gives me something to do. When people idle away, they’re like wood left to rot. Besides, the research institute deals with confidential matters—it needs proper protection," Army Commander Liao said, clearly unfazed by his retirement.
"Well, you should come to our house for a meal sometime. The kids are off at the nursery school now, and I have something to take care of. Let’s chat next time," Yang Yufen said, not prying further.
"Go ahead, go ahead," Army Commander Liao waved her off.
Ever since she transferred to the Third Hospital, Gui Xiang hasn't been as busy as before. She no longer has to ride her bike to the military hospital, making the commute much more convenient.
"Yufen, you're here. I've turned the soil again and am planning to plant more vegetables. I'm also thinking of raising some chickens like you."
"Grandma Yang!"
Qing saw Yang Yufen calling someone and quickly brought over a chair.
"Oh, good child, how's business lately?"
Yang Yufen sat down.
"With Qing around, I've saved a lot of trouble. We can earn forty to fifty a day, and after deducting the cost of flour and meat, we still make around twenty to thirty yuan daily."
"But we can't let Qing stay home without going to school. Once her grandfather and father are back from the hospital, we should send her to school."
Yang Yufen felt a pang of sympathy looking at Qing's well-behaved demeanor.
"That's what I plan to do."
Gui Xiang had thought it through as well. Now that there's a steady income, she decided not to rush to repay debts but to save up first and send Qing to school.
"Wait for me a moment."
Gui Xiang went inside and quickly returned with a notebook and a stack of money.
"I asked around, renting a yard like this costs quite a bit. I must give this to you, and you should also have a share from selling buns, along with the money for meat tickets and buying sugar."
Gui Xiang was more literate than Yang Yufen and could keep simple accounts. In no time, Gui Xiang pulled out eighty-six yuan and handed it to Yang Yufen.
"A loan is a loan; these shouldn't be mixed together."
"Alright, let me tell you some good news. We can buy meat without meat tickets now."
Yang Yufen tucked the money into her pocket.
"Really? That's fantastic!"
Gui Xiang couldn't contain her excitement.
"Yes, we'll split the bun stall earnings this time. Now you can have free time at noon. I initially planned to open a noodle shop. Opening all day is impossible, so we'll open for half a day. This way, the shop won't be wasted, and we'll only be busy at noon. It won't interfere with the morning, and I can still go back to pick up and look after the kids in the afternoon."
The children have gradually adapted to the days without their parents at home, and Yang Yufen truly can't stay idle.
The feeling of having no money in hand is unsettling.
"Alright."
Gui Xiang also wanted to earn a bit more. Now it's much more convenient than before; no need for introduction letters. As long as you have a place to stay outside, just register your information.
The two of them discussed and decided not to bother with complicated things. They'd make some braised dishes, and since meat could be bought without tickets, they could negotiate and order from the supply and marketing cooperative!
Vegetable, egg noodles, plain noodles, and a few more tables. No need to specifically set up in front of the hospital in the morning. Let people know in advance, and once the shop is set up, they'll naturally come to buy.
After chatting for a while, Yang Yufen left and instinctively glanced at the security office. Not seeing Army Commander Liao, she didn't pay much attention.
Cooking and picking up the kids, Yang Yufen shared her plan to open a noodle shop with Professor Wen.
"Your timing is indeed suitable. When the children finish school, I'll have Zhenghao bring them home. Since you're opening a noodle shop, make sure to complete all the necessary paperwork. It's different from just selling roasted sweet potatoes at a stall."
Professor Wen explained numerous details—where to go, what documents to bring, and which certificates were needed. Yang Yufen nodded repeatedly.
“Do we really have to take foreign language classes?”
Shen Xianjun froze for a moment.
“What did you think this was, a vacation? Hurry up.”
Hu Jun didn’t hold back and gave Shen Xianjun a swift kick. This guy had sneakily eaten his pickled vegetables, which he had been saving to enjoy slowly.
Shen Xianjun dodged, leaving a mark on his pant leg. He patted it off and obediently headed to class.
Foreign languages, computer skills, mechanics, international news—everything was covered. Even physical training wasn’t spared, and none of it was any less grueling than the tribal training he had gone through before.
Shen Xianjun, who could drive, wasn’t just required to demonstrate his driving skills. He was also expected to repair vehicles—though not just any ordinary military vehicles.
After a long and exhausting day of training, he finally returned to the dormitory, only to find that he couldn’t escape his brother-in-law's watchful eye. He was forced to continue studying.
His ideological awareness had to improve, and he needed to stay sharp and familiar with international affairs.
