The 70s Novel: The Supporting Character Just Wants to Lie Down-Chapter 88: Accosted by Rotten Peach Blossoms on the Road

Wang Miaomiao took the opportunity to threaten her younger brother once more and fell asleep soundly. Naturally, she had no idea how complicated Wang Jia Bao’s inner thoughts were in the back seat.

He had been lazy and slippery since childhood, and when it came to self-directed study or improvement, he would lose interest after three minutes and couldn’t stick with it.

Although he had heard his third sister say a few times that if he didn’t study well, he would have to return home to farm, it still seemed far off to him, and he wasn’t worried. Especially after getting into high school, he felt that everything was fine. As for work, well, he still had two years; there was plenty of time to plan.

But today, hearing his third sister’s opinion, is finding a job not that easy?

"Jian Min, what do you plan to do after graduating?" Wang Jia Bao asked Liu Jianmin beside him.

Liu Jianmin said rather seriously, "Cousin is right, getting into a factory isn’t easy. Take my dad’s boiler factory, for example; they hire few people each year, mostly temporary workers. It’s hard to become a permanent worker; you need qualifications, ability, contributions, and even some luck. Sigh... although my dad is the workshop supervisor, getting me in as a temp isn’t difficult. What’s hard is becoming permanent..."

Hmm... he didn’t mention his contacts, just his dad. The role of workshop supervisor in the boiler factory doesn’t mean much, as many people are more capable than him.

Unlike Wang Jia Bao, he was much calmer and had some small calculations in mind. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken this car again under the guise of extra tutoring.

To say he loved studying wasn’t entirely true, nor was he overly scheming. He did indeed like his cousin Wang Jia Bao and enjoyed the Wang family’s atmosphere. However, he also understood that relationships are cultivated. To become closer, more time and understanding were needed.

He was still young and maybe not entirely clear on everything, but he knew that befriending the Wang family children wouldn’t hurt.

"Really... even you can only go in as a temporary worker..." Wang Jia Bao mumbled to himself.

After a long pause, the car fell silent again, with no one speaking. The drive continued until they reached a bumpy path, which jostled everyone awake.

Wang Miaomiao groggily opened her eyes, lazily stretched, and moved her muscles.

Looking at the scene outside, the rice in the fields on either side of the small road had all been harvested, and green rapeseed had been planted in neat rows. Although they were just little seedlings now, by spring, they would bloom into bright yellow rapeseed flowers, eventually bearing fruit for harvest.

"We’re almost home. Why is there no one in the fields today?" Wang Miaomiao wondered.

"I know, I heard last time from Mom and Dad that a few fish ponds in the village should be cleared these days, so everyone has probably gone to the east end of the village," Wang Jia Bao said excitedly. "Let’s go have a look too."

"Sure, sure..." Cheng Xue was the first to raise both hands in agreement.

Everyone was in high spirits, so naturally, Wang Miaomiao wouldn’t spoil the fun.

After getting out of the car, they quickly dropped their things at home, greeted Wang Pandi, who had stayed behind, and then dashed eagerly toward the east end of the village.

Jiang Yan followed leisurely behind, watching the lively group ahead, a slight smile on his lips.

Shanghuang Village had its own fish ponds, a total of five, covering about twenty acres, all connected together.

As they got closer, they indeed saw the villagers gathered around the fish ponds. The water in the river had been drained halfway, reaching just waist-high. Around thirty sturdy men stood in the river, pulling nets, working together to move towards one end of the river.

Groups of people on the shore were cheering them on, while others sorted the already caught fish, weighing and loading them into barrels for transport, all bustling with activity.

Upon arriving, Wang Jia Bao pulled Liu Jianmin and disappeared into the crowd.

"Let’s go, we need to hurry over there too," Cheng Xue said anxiously, trying to drag Wang Miaomiao along. Wang Miaomiao looked at the crowd, feeling her scalp tingle, and quickly shook her head. "Wait, Xiao Xue, it’s too crowded over there, let’s not go."

Seeing her furrowed brows, Cheng Xue knew she really didn’t want to go. But she did, and glancing at Jiang Yan who was following them, she smiled mischievously, gently pushed Wang Miaomiao, and said, "Then stay here with Little Uncle. I’ll go by myself."

Pushed slightly, Wang Miaomiao took a half step back and bumped into a solid body. Frightened, she quickly moved away, but a pair of large hands encircled her waist, holding her steady, "Careful."

After helping her regain her balance, the hands quickly released her, but the warm sensation lingered.

"Thank you." Wang Miaomiao said awkwardly, a bit embarrassed. After hearing Zhou Hu’s rumor today, she felt uneasy interacting with him. She knew she was being overly sensitive; it wasn’t good. She adjusted her mindset, took a few deep breaths, and felt much better.

"Let’s head over too; Xiao Xue is out of sight already." It was indeed too awkward for the two of them to stay there without knowing what to say. It was better to join the crowd, and besides, she wasn’t comfortable with Cheng Xue wandering off to who knows where.

"Okay..."

Hearing his usual concise response, Wang Miaomiao led the way, with Jiang Yan following, as they moved towards the crowd.

In the crowd, Zhang Hongfang closely watched their every move. The thought of her crush helping that annoying girl made her gnash her teeth with jealousy. Was that girl trying to steal her man? She’d better not dream.

Thinking of the man’s identity, she secretly gritted her teeth and resolutely walked towards them.

"Miao Miao, you’re back..." Zhang Hongfang greeted her with a bright smile, trying to link arms with her.

Wang Miaomiao quickly stepped back, avoiding her and looking at her suspiciously. Their relationship wasn’t that close.

"Haha, did you forget your old country friends after seeing the city?" Zhang Hongfang laughed, covering her mouth, but her words were quite unpleasant.

"Friends?" Wang Miaomiao curled her lips into a smile, "Who with whom?" Her words directly contradicted Zhang Hongfang’s, as she dismissively glanced at her before turning to search for Cheng Xue, not bothering to engage with her.

Zhang Hongfang’s smile froze briefly, then quickly switched to a hurt expression, looking at Jiang Yan, "Brother Jiang, look at Miao Miao; she’s really hurting my feelings. After all, we grew up together..."

Jiang Yan hadn’t been paying attention to the woman beside him, also scanning the crowd for Cheng Xue. Hearing her words, he couldn’t help but purse his lips and frown, casting a sharp glance at her with her pretentious face.

Seeing him turn to look at her, Zhang Hongfang was instantly overjoyed, smiling like a love-struck puppy.

Ugly people make the most fuss, Jiang Yan thought disdainfully, turning his attention to the back of Wang Miaomiao’s head. The little girl had long, black, shiny hair tied up in a bun, with a little tuft of hair sticking out like a mischievous fish escaping the net. It was adorable and playful...

Jiang Yan’s mood inexplicably improved.

However, a pesky fly buzzed around persistently beside him, making him want to swat it away.