The 70s Novel: The Supporting Character Just Wants to Lie Down-Chapter 144: Troubles Fade with the Seasons

The days in the Wang Family returned to peace.

The next day, Wang Jia Bao indeed went to find Yang Zhigang to inquire about Jiang Yan’s situation. The response he got was still to wait. Although he felt a bit disappointed, since his family didn’t oppose, he was once again filled with hope, sensing that once the path was clear, everything would be smooth sailing.

Yang Zhigang took the opportunity to call Jiang Yan again, but unfortunately, he couldn’t get through this time. Jiang Yan was truly out on a mission and didn’t know when he would return.

By the time Yang Zhigang received another call from Jiang Yan, the spring of 1974 was nearing its end, and the weather was gradually getting hotter.

Yang Zhigang eagerly talked about recent events and then asked Jiang Yan what his plans were. "Boss, I think Jia Bao still has some potential. If we polish him well, he might turn out to be a sharp sword. If he just goes in, muddles through for a few years, and comes out, wouldn’t that be a waste of the country’s resources? How about you refuse this? Anyway, my mother-in-law is soft-hearted towards her son and doesn’t really want him to go..."

But Jiang Yan, holding back his frustration, asked unhappily, "You say Aunt blamed Miao Miao because of Jia Bao?"

"Yes, my mother-in-law usually seems sensible, but she panicked when it came to her brother-in-law’s issues. But she didn’t blame much, just said a few words. My sister-in-law is generous and didn’t take it to heart. Once the matter passed, it passed," said Yang Zhigang, who initially thought his sister-in-law was the sensitive type who couldn’t bear grievances. Even if she didn’t dare to explode on the spot, she would seek recompense later. But this time, there was no reaction at all.

In Yang Zhigang’s mind, Wang Miaomiao was a mischievous, quirky girl who often set him up—a crafty girl...

Yet, such a person, seemingly fixed in his impression, suddenly grew up and matured, endured grievances without making a fuss, always feeling a bit out of place.

If Wang Miaomiao were truly only sixteen, she might not be able to bear the grievance, but after all, she wasn’t—her soul was almost that of a forty-year-old woman, strong inside, and thinking more about the future.

The previous art album later won two bonuses totaling 880 yuan, which Wang Miaomiao still gave to Liu Yulan for safekeeping.

Afterwards, Wang Miaomiao felt that having money on hand provided a sense of security. Even if she had to leave home one day, she would have the means. Over the past year, she wasn’t short of money, but her spending was high, and saving wasn’t on her mind, so when she dug to the bottom, she found she didn’t have much savings.

Moreover, Liu Yulan had mentioned marriage prospects several times before the New Year. With her mother’s attitude, Wang Miaomiao felt it was best to make plans early, save some money for herself, and if something did happen, she could move out.

With this in mind, Wang Miaomiao worked even harder on her second art album "Silly Boy’s Military Service," planning that if the sales went well, she wouldn’t give this bonus to her mom and would keep it for unforeseen needs.

At this moment, Jiang Yan was feeling aggrieved for her. On the other end of the phone, he sneered, "Help him, why not help? Since he is so capable, I’ll ensure someone trains him well; otherwise, isn’t it a waste of talent?"

"Huh?" Yang Zhigang was a bit confused, "No, my mother-in-law’s intention..."

"Your mother-in-law’s intention is not important; the crucial thing is Wang Jia Bao’s intention. Once he joins the army, he naturally has to follow military rules. How can he follow his own whims?" Jiang Yan had a plan in mind and said impatiently, "Alright, I’ve got this. Tell Jia Bao to wait until he graduates, and I’ll contact him again."

Wang Jia Bao, still unaware of what awaited him when he joined the army, was too excited to sleep well after getting a definite message from Yang Zhigang.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yan had arranged his work and was just waiting for his brother Jiang Peng to come over and take over this place, while he had another destination.

The entire class of Provincial High School’s second year, first class, was making the final preparations for the upcoming graduation exams.

Zhou Hu silently looked towards the girl at the front left, secretly sighing. Graduation was near, and after graduation, they might part ways. He had silently liked her for two years and was determined to confess before graduation.

Wang Miaomiao’s eyes were on the book, but her mind was elsewhere. With graduation approaching, she was contemplating a lot—what to do after graduation?

She had received a letter from Cheng Xue yesterday, in which she wrote that she would join the army after graduation and asked if she wanted to join her, as she had a spot.

A female soldier? Although she hadn’t thought about it before, it seemed like a good path.

There were many types of female soldiers, including medical staff, cultural and sports soldiers, archival, secretarial, translation roles, intelligence work, telecommunication, communication soldiers, technical soldiers, and combat soldiers.

Leaving out the last three, the first few—archival, secretarial, translation—all seemed quite suitable for her, tempting her a little.

Previously, she hadn’t planned to leave home, but over the past six months, maybe with a knot in her heart, she saw everything with tinted glasses, always feeling like an outsider watching a family play, constantly feeling out of place.

She knew it was a psychological effect, but in reality, Liu Yulan was really good to her.

Liu Yulan had long spoken to Yang Zhigang on her behalf, hoping he could help arrange a good position for her at the steel factory.

Yang Zhigang was a bit at a loss; currently, every position had its place, and it wasn’t the time to expand and hire more people. Adding someone arbitrarily, especially his sister-in-law, would be too abrupt. Even if he could do it, he shouldn’t. He only thought of using his connections to find a job for his sister-in-law in another factory.

At home, Yang Zhigang mentioned a few words to Wang Pandi, not with any specific intent, just about his concerns without rejecting his mother-in-law’s task.

But Wang Pandi, feeling sorry for her man, thought it over and went to talk to Wang Miaomiao, explaining his difficulties and advising her to patiently wait. After all, she had an income from the publishing house, no need to rush to find a job. Otherwise, after graduation, President Yu could help her become permanent directly, which would be better than going to work as a factory worker, right?

Wang Pandi spoke tactfully, but Wang Miaomiao understood her meaning—essentially telling her to solidify her job at the publishing house and not to bother Yang Zhigang.

Wang Miaomiao responded immediately, saying she wouldn’t go to the steel factory and had her own plans for work.

She felt Liu Yulan was taking things for granted. No matter how capable a son-in-law was, such demands were unreasonable. It was a troublesome request for his benefit, after all. But it was out of a mother’s kind heart, only for her sake.

It was also because Jiang Yan had been so capable before, granting so many entry spots at once, that it seemed entering a factory was easy. Now that Yang Zhigang was the director, she thought arranging a person wasn’t a big deal and should be easy.

Yes, it was easy; if Yang Zhigang wanted, he could arrange it, but what about after arranging? The series of negative impacts wouldn’t be good.

Times had changed. Back then, Jiang Yan was recruiting en masse and could naturally allocate a few slots to family members without issues. But now, it would be different to open the back door for one person.