Chapter 2987
I Want to Perform, I Want to Improve
Chapter 2987 I Want to Perform, I Want to Improve
As the end of the month approaches and New Year's Day is just around the corner, the city of Beijing is becoming increasingly lively.
In the alleyways, along the streets, on roads cleared of snow, old people basked in the sun, young people waved flags, and children would occasionally bend down to roll a snowball from a snowdrift by the roadside and throw it at someone they liked.
Of course, it's also possible to accidentally hit the secondary vehicle.
puff
The snowball landed in front of Xiao Dang, and the broken snow splashed onto Xiao Dang's shoes.
Now, Xiao Dang is thirteen years old (by Chinese reckoning), over 1.6 meters tall, with a somewhat thin face, but upon closer inspection, he does resemble Jia Dongxu a bit.
Of course, Xiao Dang would never admit that he resembled his deceased father.
Even though she is even less like her own mother.
Xiao Dang is currently in sixth grade at elementary school, and will be able to take the high school entrance exam after the Chinese New Year.
Xiao Dang knew that with her current grades, she wouldn't be able to get into junior high school.
As for repeating a year to take the exam again, that's out of the question. My mother wouldn't agree, and I don't have the money.
As for getting into a vocational training school, that's even more impossible, because her background has already blocked that door.
Thinking this way, she knew that after the New Year she would leave school, leave behind her carefree days, and leave behind the benefits of enjoying her family's hard work.
As for what lies ahead, she truly cannot see it.
She stomped her feet to shake off the snowflakes from her shoes, then glared at the boy who had thrown the snowball, before letting out a cold snort and heading home.
My mother said that these children are all good-for-nothings and that I should ignore them.
When I grow up and marry a worker, I can live the life of a traditional courtyard house.
Whenever she thought of this, a goal would emerge in her young mind.
She can escape the barren land of the countryside, just like her mother.
She too could live a life of plenty, just like Ran Qiuye.
Thinking this, I stepped into the courtyard.
"Huaihua, where's Mom?"
Upon entering the room, Xiao Dang looked around but couldn't find Qin Huairu anywhere, so she asked curiously.
"Sis, Mom and Auntie went to see Dad who has mental disabilities."
The locust blossoms were placed in front of the stove, but the stove had already gone out, so they were of no use.
"Oh, then we can have meat at home tonight."
Xiao Dang happily said that every month when her mother went to see Sha Zhu, she would bring back Sha Zhu's money.
Then the family buys meat and vegetables and has a hearty dinner.
Of course, Auntie could also get money from Sha Mao, but Sha Mao earned little, so Auntie had to come along and eat with him.
Over the years, my aunt has been eating more and more.
"Oh, oh, oh, there's meat to eat!"
Huaihua jumped for joy, then ran to the side to wash the pot, while Huaihua went out to find coal to start a fire.
Visiting room.
Qin Huairu was telling Sha Zhu about recent events, her face full of smiles.
Sha Zhu looked at his somewhat aged but still plump 'ex-wife', who was holding gloves in her hands, and felt a warmth in his heart.
“Zhu Zi, Xiao Dang will be taking the junior high school entrance exam after the New Year. Once she gets into junior high, her future will be much easier.”
"I originally wanted to bring her to see you, but I've been busy with school lately."
"Huaihua is coming too, but she's not well, and I'm worried she'll get cold."
Qin Huairu spoke calmly, while Sha Zhu listened with his chin tucked in and his hands in his pockets.
One spoke, the other listened; it was very harmonious.
"Come on, come on!"
Sha Zhu muttered to himself, silently calculating the time it would take to leave.
Because of his excellent performance during this period, his sentence was reduced by two months.
In other words, there are only one year and ten months left before I leave this place.
If I just persevere a little longer, I'll be able to leave this place on October 1st next year.
By the time.
Sha Zhu squeezed his thighs together hard. Even though half of them were gone, they were still usable.
By the time.
Sha Zhu's gaze toward Qin Huairu became more intense.
Qin Huairu didn't pay much attention to the change in Sha Zhu.
I've seen this kind of thing so many times, I'm used to it.
"Zhu Zi, behave yourself inside. Xiao Dang, Huai Hua, and I will wait for you outside."
At this moment, only this one sentence can soothe Sha Zhu's restless heart and also keep him at bay.
"Hey, good."
"Hey, this is what I earned this month. Take it all and buy some food and other necessities for the kids."
Sha Zhu handed a roll of money to Qin Huairu through the intersection of the visiting room.
Qin Huairu sighed, feigning a troubled expression, and then, urged by Sha Zhu, took the money and put it in her pocket.
"Let Xiao Dang study hard. We suffered because we were uneducated back then."
"As long as you study hard, you can always find a good job."
Then it was Sha Zhu's turn to speak, and Qin Huairu listened.
"By the way, Huairu."
Suddenly, Sha Zhu paused for a moment, then looked at Qin Huairu, "I asked you to check on Yushui last time, how is she now?"
However, when Sha Zhu was making clothes last time, he suddenly remembered that his younger sister was an employee of a textile factory.
Then, scenes from my childhood surfaced deep within my mind.
Back then, no matter where I went, there was always a little one following me.
Earlier, he had hated her and pretended that he didn't have a sister.
But as time went by, I gradually came to understand some things.
For example, the words his father said when he was taken away often echoed in his ears.
Now, I don't even know where my father is.
For example, when Yushui got married, he
Ugh!
Looking back now, it's all because he, as the older brother, was such a jerk.
"The rain has passed very well."
Qin Huairu's face twitched, and she shifted her body back slightly.
Last time, Sha Zhu said that if He Yushui was having a hard time, he should ask her to send some money to He Yushui.
How can that work?
She considers this money her own, how could she give it to someone else?
And if the money is given to He Yushui, what will my family eat?
So she kept He Yushui's divorce a secret, and didn't mention that he was now raising a girl on his own and living a rather frugal life.
"That's fine, that's fine."
Sha Zhu said with relief, and then asked about Yi Zhonghai's situation.
As the two chatted, not far away, Xu Damao, also with a long face, was teasing Qin Jingru with a playful grin.
"Wife, I'll be going back in two years."
"Let me tell you a secret."
Xu Damao stepped forward and approached the glass. Qin Jingru snorted coldly, "Here we go again with this."
But he pressed his face against the glass.
Xu Damao stepped forward and pressed his face against it, then looked like he was enjoying it.
Qin Jingru rolled her eyes, then took the money Xu Damao handed her. Just then, she heard Xu Damao say, "Jingru, I feel like I've really improved a lot in there these past few years. I used to be completely quiet in the mornings, but these past two years..."
"Don't worry, once we get out, we'll definitely hold our son in our arms."
Qin Jingru nodded perfunctorily. Whether this would work or not, they would only know after trying it.
The two talked for a while longer before leaving.
Once outside, Qin Huairu and Qin Jingru exchanged a glance and then laughed at the same time.
On the other side, Sha Zhu and Xu Damao met in the corridor and then walked towards their residence one after the other.
The two no longer had the estrangement they once shared, and were able to get along harmoniously.
As they walked down the corridor, just as the two were about to enter the room, the guard suddenly spoke up, "He Yuzhu, don't rush in."
"Yes, discipline."
Sha Zhu subconsciously obeyed the order, and then when Xu Damao entered the room with a curious look in his eyes, Sha Zhu was called aside by the guard.
"He Yuzhu, we've all seen your recent performance."
"Moreover, based on our observation, we believe you are an active individual who has repented and wants to contribute to the country and the revolution."
Sha Zhu immediately puffed out his chest and said, "Reporting to Warden Pi, I am willing to dedicate my strength to the country and the revolution. Please believe me, Warden Pi, I, He Yuzhu, will definitely complete the mission." Sha Zhu was not stupid at all; on the contrary, he was quite clever.
After years of training here, my bad temper has lessened, and I've become more discreet with my words; I've clearly made considerable progress passively.
These days, even his arch-rivals Xu Damao can sit together; it would be strange if they hadn't made progress.
So he developed the skill of reading people's expressions, and without Pi Guanjiao finishing speaking, Sha Zhu immediately promised to open his mouth.
Discipline Officer Pi nodded, glanced at the cunning look in Sha Zhu's eyes, and showed a look of satisfaction on his face, but he knew Sha Zhu's past very well.
In particular, the place where the other party used to live, a courtyard house.
Thinking about this mission, Discipline Prisoner Pi thought that this idiot Zhu really was an idiot.
How did you end up like that guy from the same compound?
Look at the other families in the compound, whose child doesn't benefit from it?
Even if you don't become a worker, you'll still have plenty of work to do.
These days, what could be better for an ordinary person than having a job and being able to get government-subsidized food rations?
Look at the countryside, there are plenty of people who work hard all day for a little bit of work points.
But this guy is actually quite capable, he's a great cook, so how did he end up like this?
However, when he thought about this mission, Discipline Prisoner Pi remembered what the team leader had told him.
They won't care about these things.
But he has plenty of people under him who want to solve problems for their superiors.
Tell him not to make a mistake.
One word can wake a dreamer up!
Pi Guanjiao knew that Sha Zhu had no choice but to go.
And you have to go.
"Comrade He Yuzhu!"
Thinking this, Pi Guanjiao's expression changed, and Sha Zhu also stood at attention, his attitude becoming upright.
"As required by higher authorities, personnel were transferred to the Northwest to support the West-East Gas Pipeline project."
"Our department received a notice to send several people to the west to be in charge of the food supply for frontline personnel."
"Comrade He Yuzhu, congratulations on getting this valuable opportunity for advancement."
"I hope you can complete this task seriously!"
Sha Zhu stood there, stunned.
What do you mean?
Is it possible for me to leave this home where there is heating in winter and I can take showers every few days in summer?
Are you going to the Northwest where winters are freezing and summers are scorching, and where you eat sand all day long?
In an instant, Sha Zhu opened his mouth, his face contorted, and he felt a desolation in his heart. He wanted to say no, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.
He knew that if he refused at this point, he might end up ruining the reputation he had built up.
"Get ready, we're leaving the day after tomorrow."
"By the way, we will tell your family about this. Don't worry, they will know about it too."
Pi didn't waste any more words with Sha Zhu, and after having him sent back, he turned and left.
Sha Zhu arrived at the door in a daze, and then, seeing the door open, his mind suddenly brightened. Especially after glancing at Xu Damao, a smile immediately appeared on his face.
"Silly Zhu, what does Discipline Priest want with you?"
As soon as Sha Zhu entered, Xu Damao approached the front hall to listen to the news.
The other people in the room also pricked up their ears to listen, all out of curiosity.
Sha Zhu walked to his bed, lay down, crossed his legs, and hummed a little tune.
Xu Damao, who was familiar with Shazhu, immediately came over and his tone softened considerably, "Shazhu, what does Pi Guanjiao want with you?"
"What's up? It's good news, of course!"
Sha Zhu put his leg down, sat up on the bed, and said to the others, "Listen up, everyone, have some fun!"
"Today, Prisoner Pi told me that during the education class, he talked about the West-to-East Gas Pipeline project."
"Right, it's that natural gas. Our revolution is getting better and better, and we're so happy."
"Even though we're here, we still have to contribute to the revolution."
The crowd listened to Sha Zhu's nonsense as if it were just for fun.
But Xu Damao felt uneasy. Why was Sha Zhu acting the same as before?
He's bragging without thinking; he's definitely not hiding anything.
Then Sha Zhu continued, "Pi Guanjiao said that a major battle is going to be launched in the Northwest this time, and they need us craftsmen. Listen, craftsmen."
Sha Zhu gestured as if he were chopping wood, "Cook, the cook needs to go and cook for the revolutionary comrades."
“Of course I, Sha Zhu, have to sign up for this. I’ll volunteer.”
"The discipline officer said that if we behave well, we can get a year off."
Sha Zhu chuckled, then lay back on the bed, smugly singing a little tune.
Xu Damao, standing to the side, turned deathly pale.
a year?
Sha Zhu has less than two years left, while he himself has two years and one month left.
If Sha Zhu had left earlier, then...
Wouldn't I be outdone?
No, I have to figure out a way myself.
I have to go to the Northwest to support the construction.
Thinking this, Xu Damao hurriedly ran to the door and banged on the iron gate.
"Comrade, I am Xu Damao, I want to make a name for myself, I want to get ahead."
Lying on the bed, Shazhu grinned smugly. That's more like it.
Northwest, farm.
The old farm owner sat in the broadcasting room and shouted into the microphone.
"Cough cough."
"Comrades, pay attention! Pay attention! We have an announcement to make."
The old farm owner drew everyone's attention and then continued shouting into the microphone.
"As instructed by higher authorities, our facility must actively respond to the call and participate in the construction of the natural gas project."
"After discussion and decision by the farm committee, our farm will send 30 young and middle-aged people to support the construction as required."
"We hope everyone will actively sign up."
"In addition, according to instructions from higher authorities, people with special skills should also be included in the revolutionary construction."
"We have ten people in our farm who can drive tractors. This time we will select five people to drive three tractors to provide support."
"Of course, anyone with special skills can also sign up with me."
The old farm owner's voice was repeated three times over the loudspeaker before he turned it off and walked out of the room.
The next second, the old farm owner saw a guy dressed in a somewhat sloppy manner, with a round face and two dark circles under his eyes, approach him and show a fawning smile.
"Owner, as you know, I can cook."
"I'm an old man, and I don't have much time left. I just want to do my part for the revolution while I can still move around."
Seeing that the other party was being so proactive, the old farm owner didn't want to disappoint them.
Given his age, he can't do heavy work on the farm anymore, so it's better to send him away.
"Okay, then I'll add you."
"Okay, okay."
The old man bowed and scraped as he left, secretly thinking that he was finally going to see some profit.
A week later, at the construction site in the Tarim Basin in Northwest China.
Sha Zhu got off the truck carrying his luggage, followed by Xu Damao, who looked utterly hopeless.
He was really tricked by Sha Zhu this time.
He had to beg and plead to get here to "serve the revolution," and finally they agreed to show movies to the revolutionary soldiers at night. This time he was "qualified," but halfway there, he regretted it.
Then, upon arriving in this boundless desert, I regretted it even more.
"Hurry up and gather together."
"The cook will go to the first section to prepare the ingredients and cook the meal."
"Workers, go to the second area and prepare to dig. Follow orders."
"Get moving, don't procrastinate. We'll arrange accommodation for the night after we finish the work."
The production team leader's voice came from beside them. The two exchanged a glance and then walked towards their respective areas.
Sha Zhu followed about ten people toward Zone 1. As they approached, they smelled a 'fishy stench' in the air and muttered something under their breath.
"This smell... it smells like sewage."
"Hmm, large intestine, small intestine, and liver."
Sha Zhu muttered to himself, thinking about how to prepare these ingredients to make them taste good and also to fill his stomach.
Then, upon entering the room, I saw the scene inside.
The next moment, he stood to the side, motionless.