Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 128: Assistance

Chapter 128: Helping Out

Steamed caramel had a beige color, cut into little pieces with a knife; it looked quite presentable.

Yang Peiying and Da Xiaoniu ate it with such relish that they could hardly bear to swallow.

Zhang Minghua laughed and said, "Of course it’s delicious, I put so many good things in it." Saying this, she also gained some confidence in herself.

The outcome was quite successful, and Yang Peimin was rushed by Zhang Minghua to quickly pack some in a cowhide bag to take home and send a message to Gong Chenglan.

It just so happened that Gong Chenglan had returned to her parents’ home, so she rode her bicycle there.

Gong Chenglan was very pleased to see her, "Min, you really have timely information, did you know I was bringing you money?"

Yang Peimin also chuckled.

She told Gong Chenglan about what had happened.

Gong Chenglan immediately showed interest, "How does your brain hold so many good ideas? Just so happens that my elder sister-in-law has moved to the purchasing department, making things easier for us. We don’t need to ask others for help now, and I was just thinking about what we could possibly get for our place, but you’ve already brought something over to me."

Yang Peimin was also pleasantly surprised, "Congratulations then."

Gong Chenglan gave her a playful look, "You sly girl, always trying to act smart."

They laughed for a bit and then got down to business.

Gong Chenglan took a couple of bites, nodded, and said, "It’s delicious and fragrant, very fresh. I’ve never seen candy like this before. It would sell well at my place, so how much are you planning to sell it for?"

Yang Peimin had already discussed this with Zhang Minghua before coming. The cost of making the caramel was not low, as she had mentioned, with both sugar and eggs involved. Last time, they made about a pound, and it cost them 30 cents. This time, they planned to sell it for 50 cents a pound, as for how much Gong Chenglan would price it at, that was beyond their concern.

Gong Chenglan nodded after hearing this, "Alright, you guys are being fair. I’ll speak to my elder sister-in-law first and let you know when to start making more."

Yang Peimin nodded, no objections there; they were all looking for help from others now.

Then Gong Chenglan gave her this month’s dividend, which was two yuan more than the first month, totaling 16.50 yuan.

Gong Chenglan had an air of confidence; after less than three months out on her own, she already exhibited the posture of a strong businesswoman. Her complexion was rosy, her voice sonorous, and she walked briskly.

Besides not having children yet, everything else was going well for her. Because she was self-reliant, she could speak up at her husband’s home. She had to give half of her salary from her job in the market to her in-laws, and her own family needed support too, so the usual interactions with colleagues took up much of her money.

But thanks to her side job, which paid more than her official salary, she could buy whatever she wanted—clothes and food were hers for the taking. Her sisters-in-law, who mocked her origins, could only be envious. Moreover, she used skincare products too, improving her complexion to a smoother and lighter tone, so much so that her husband couldn’t help giving her extra glances.

So one could say her current state was not just good; she was sincerely invested in Yang Peimin’s matters by a whole twelve-fold.

Once Gong Chenglan had no more issues, Yang Peimin also considered one of her worries resolved. After discussing some skincare tips with her, she went back home.

By mid-April, when Zhang Minghua’s caramel production was on track, the weather had slowly started to warm up. A thin sweater was enough to go outside.

Inspired by Yang Peiying, Yang Peimin weighed two jins of yellow and green yarn at the Cooperative Society and knitted three loose sweaters for herself – a heart-shaped neckline, a round neckline, and a mock neck sweater, pairing them with a white shirt underneath.

It made her walk in the village fields, setting a new fashion trend.

However, Chen Guizhi pulled her aside to ask if there was something wrong with the sweater, questioning why the yarn was so loose that it could let the wind through and questioning how it could keep her warm.

Yang Peimin just smiled without answering.

Chen Guizhi then suggested she change and have Shen Yidong reknit it for her.

Yang Peimin quickly explained that it was supposed to look that way, which also saved yarn, leaving Chen Guizhi shaking her head in helpless resignation.

On the other hand, the Shen sisters, Yiyue, Yidong, and Yiyi, were dazzled by her outfit and incessantly asked how she had made it. Yang Peimin, not being secretive, explained the technique to them. Within a few days, many girls in Da’an Town had adopted this style.

Yang Peimin’s substitute teaching was soon coming to an end.

The regular teacher had finished her maternity leave.

The principal called Yang Peimin aside to ask if she wanted to continue teaching, "During your time here, the children have really liked you, and you’ve gotten along well with your colleagues. However, Mr. Li is returning, and we don’t have any vacant positions. If you still want to teach, I can recommend you for a position in the town’s primary school."

Principal Li had previously been a military officer with an education background, initially serving as a principal in a middle school in the town. For various reasons, he had moved to Yu Ying Primary School. He was also from Da’an Town, from the same village as Liu Aihong, right next to Daji Village.

His recommendation made Yang Peimin feel incredibly flattered. Jobs were hard to come by, and although many envied them, she felt humble, questioning her worthiness of such generous consideration from the principal, as she wasn’t formally trained in pedagogy and worried about potential deficiencies in her teaching.

Seeing her surprised expression, Principal Li smiled and said, "What’s the matter? Don’t you have confidence in yourself? To be honest, I initially had you substitute teach because of Shen, thinking that after these two months, I’d have you leave, and Shen could not complain."

"But unexpectedly, you’ve done very well, leading to me being pleasantly surprised. Not only have the students become more enthusiastic about learning, but their attitude towards labor has visibly improved, and you’ve even helped Mr. Hao with some troubling issues. If it weren’t for the fact that we’re fully staffed, I’d really hate to let you go. Maybe in the future, if we’re short on staff again, you could come back? Why don’t you start by working in the town’s school?"

Yang Peimin blinked, "Thank you for your kindness, Principal, but I’m not planning to..."

Sitting behind his desk, Principal Li picked up a half-filled porcelain pot of tea, noted her expression, and then set it down midway, raising an eyebrow to ask, "What’s the matter? Is there a problem?"

Yang Peimin nodded, "Since you’re an elder, I won’t hide it from you. I’m planning to prepare for the college entrance exams. The regulations for the July exams have been released, and I want to try again. You know I failed last year, and it has always been a regret of mine. Now that the opportunity has come, I don’t want to miss it. So, I won’t be able to continue teaching." freēnovelkiss.com

Principal Li looked at her approvingly, nodded, and his face lit up with a smile, "Ambitious, that’s good." He rhythmically tapped his fingers on the desk, his brow furrowed in thought. Then he said, "You’ve already prepared for the exams once, and if you are to reattempt, you’ll need a letter of recommendation. I’ll handle that for you."

Yang Peimin was overjoyed, bowing deeply to him, "Thank you so much."

Principal Li waved his hand and asked further, "How is your revision going?"