Chapter 267 Demobilization
After watching the snow scene for a while, Song Yuanchao put on a cotton-padded jacket and took a shovel and broom to sweep the snow in the yard. The yard was not small, and it was a bit difficult for one person to do this job. However, Song Yuanchao didn't intend to sweep all the snow. Wouldn't it be a shame to spoil the scenery if such auspicious snow was swept away cleanly?
Song Yuanchao just cleaned the places where people walked, but after finishing he was sweating all over and his forehead was steaming.
After returning to the house, wiping the sweat off his face, resting for a while and changing his clothes, Song Yuanchao went to the west wing to get the prepared gifts, and then pushed his bicycle out.
The alley was filled with joy and a strong festive atmosphere. Several naughty children ran around with firecrackers in their pockets and lighted cotton threads or incense in their hands, throwing firecrackers from time to time and playing and laughing.
"Xiao Song, are you going out?" The neighborhood aunt greeted him enthusiastically when she saw Song Yuanchao pushing his bicycle out of the house.
"Good morning, Auntie. Yes, let's go out." Song Yuanchao replied with a smile.
"Did you spend the New Year in Beijing?" The aunt knew that Song Yuanchao was from Shanghai. Last year, Song Yuanchao returned to Shanghai to celebrate the New Year, but today is New Year's Eve and Song Yuanchao has not returned yet.
"Yes, I won't go back this year because I have something else to do."
"Are you going to Yanzi's house?" Lin Yan had been to this yard many times, and the neighbors knew her a long time ago, and they also knew that Song Yuanchao and Lin Yan were a couple. The old lady looked at Song Yuanchao's handlebars full of New Year's goods and asked with a smile.
"You are wise!" Song Yuanchao gave the aunt a thumbs up.
"What's so 'Shengming' about? Isn't it obvious at the first glance? You are trying to play tricks on me." The aunt laughed cheerfully, and then asked Song Yuanchao curiously when he could eat his and Lin Yan's wedding candy.
In response to this question, Song Yuanchao smiled and said it would be soon, and he didn't say much else. After the two chatted for a few words, Song Yuanchao got on his bike and left.
Speaking of Song Yuanchao and Lin Yan's marriage, it is indeed coming soon. He and Lin Yan are both not young anymore, and compared to today's young people, they are considered to be older unmarried people.
As Lin Yan is about to graduate, the two are getting married. Some time ago, Chen Yuqin took the initiative to bring up this matter. According to her, the two children have known each other for so many years, and this matter should be considered. It would be bad for them to delay it. Besides, Chen Yuqin has always wanted to have a grandson, but Lin Yuhang and Luo Lin have not settled the matter yet, and Luo Lin has not come back.
Not to mention Lin Jianhang, who can't even see his mother in the army, and God knows when he will be able to get married. Since Chen Yuqin is anxious and can't hold her grandson for the time being, it would be a good idea to hold a grandson-in-law as a second choice.
In addition, Chen Yuqin had seen what kind of person Song Yuanchao was over the past year. As time went by, Chen Yuqin had long forgotten about introducing Zhao Minglei to her and was only thinking about helping the two children get married as soon as possible.
Song Yuanchao agreed with Chen Yuqin's wish from the bottom of his heart, not to mention Lin Yan. However, the conversation between Lin Daoyuan and Song Yuanchao was still ringing in his ears. Although Song Yuanchao agreed in his heart, he was worried that Lin Daoyuan would not agree.
But who would have thought that when Chen Yuqin and Lin Daoyuan brought up this matter, Lin Daoyuan did not object, so their marriage was settled.
Considering that Lin Yan will graduate at the end of this year, they discussed and decided to schedule the event for New Year's Day in 1982. Although there is still nearly a year away from next New Year's Day, both Song Yuanchao and Lin Yan were very excited after hearing the two old people's decision on this matter.
Humming a little tune while riding his bike, he arrived at Lin's house half an hour later. He parked his bike downstairs and carried his things upstairs. He knocked on the door and it was Lin Yan who opened the door. Looking at her smiling face towards him, Song Yuanchao felt that the sun was bright.
"Why did you come just now? I've been waiting for you for a while."
"Haha, didn't it snow last night? It was too late when you got up and swept the yard. You must be in a hurry, right?" Song Yuanchao asked with a smile.
"You look so beautiful, why should I be anxious if you are not anxious?" Lin Yan rolled her eyes at Song Yuanchao, then smiled and put her arm around Song Yuanchao's arm. When no one in the room was paying attention, she suddenly leaned over and kissed Song Yuanchao.
"You've worked hard to help your second brother these days, so this is a reward for you." After the kiss, Lin Yan said to Song Yuanchao with a smile. Song Yuanchao touched the place she had kissed, even savoring the warm and slightly moist feeling, and couldn't help but smile.
"Yan Zi, is it Yuan Chao who is here? What are you mumbling about at the door? Why don't you let Yuan Chao come in?" Chen Yuqin's voice came from the room. Lin Yan quickly responded and said that it was Song Yuan Chao who was here. Song Yuan Chao also spoke back and then walked in carrying something.
"Come on, Yuanchao, you've come at the right time. Help me make the dumplings. We'll eat them later." Chen Yuqin, who was rolling out dumpling wrappers in the living room, was very happy to see Song Yuanchao coming and quickly greeted him.
Song Yuanchao responded, handed the things to Lin Yan, took off his coat, went to the kitchen to wash his hands, returned to the living room, rolled up his sleeves and started to help.
"Where are my uncle and second brother? Are they not here?"
"The old man went to the office. He's still not at work today on New Year's Eve. He might not be back until after dinner. The second son was just like his father. I don't know where he went early in the morning. I guess he's in the factory now." Chen Yuqin was busy with her hands while talking, complaining about the father and son in her words.
After all the hard work, it was New Year's Eve today, and both men were not at home, leaving only her and Yan Zi busy at home. If Song Yuanchao had not also been in Beijing for the New Year, they might not have been there when they had the New Year's Eve dinner.
"There's nothing we can do about uncle's busy work. The whole country has a lot of work to do, and the country is in the midst of reform and opening up." Song Yuanchao spoke for Lin Daoyuan. The nature of Lin Daoyuan's work determines the importance of his work. Since he met Lin Daoyuan, Song Yuanchao has hardly seen him not busy. Even when he is at home, he rarely has free time. He may be resting one moment and receive a phone call the next.
"Let's not talk about the old man. I've gotten used to it over the years." Chen Yuqin sighed and shook her head, "But is it necessary for your second brother to go to the factory on New Year's ? What important matter is there in such a shabby factory that requires him to go there on this day? I opposed him going there at the beginning, but this kid is as stubborn as his father. Alas, I can't persuade him."
Chen Yuqin also knew about the situation of the Eighth Factory. Especially after Lin Yuhang went to the Eighth Factory, he was busy every day, leaving home early in the morning and returning home late. Even when he was at home, he often stayed up late to write or read. His brows were furrowed every day. After more than a month, this thin man had lost a lot more weight. As a mother, she felt sad and didn't understand why Lin Yuhang didn't go to so many good units and good positions, but chose to go to this crappy Eighth Factory.
"My second brother is also here for work. The situation at the Eighth Factory is not optimistic. He has just been there and has a lot of responsibilities. But don't worry, it will be fine after a while. Once he has sorted out the Eighth Factory and everything is on track, he won't be so busy anymore."
"I hope so." Chen Yuqin nodded helplessly. It's not that she didn't understand the truth, but many times when it came to her, she would always think differently. Under Song Yuanchao's persuasion, Chen Yuqin gradually smiled more and put the matter of the father and son aside for the time being.
At noon, we ate dumplings.
After eating the dumplings, Song Yuanchao helped clean the house. On New Year's Eve, it is a tradition to clean the house to get rid of the old and welcome the new. Today is the last day of the year, and the house is cleaned thoroughly because tomorrow we will welcome the new year.
While he was busy, there was a knock on the door. Song Yuanchao was too busy to free his hands to quickly call Lin Yan, who was packing things in the house, to open the door. Lin Yan hurried to the door, and was stunned when she opened the door. Then a scream of joy was heard.
"Linlin! Why are you back? When did you come back?"
Lin Yan excitedly pulled up the person's hands. The person who came was none other than Rowling.
Hearing that it was Luo Lin who came, Chen Yuqin rushed over. When she saw Luo Lin standing at the door, she smiled so hard that her mouth couldn't close. She quickly invited Luo Lin into the house.
After entering the house, Luo Lin saw Song Yuanchao mopping the floor. A smile immediately appeared on the corner of her mouth, and at the same time, she looked meaningfully at Lin Yan beside her.
"Yanzi, are you and Yuan Chao getting married soon?" While Chen Yuqin wasn't paying attention, Luo Lin asked Lin Yan in her ear.
Lin Yan's face suddenly turned red. After hesitating for a moment, she said something in a voice that only the two of them could hear. After hearing this, Luo Lin smiled even more brightly, and then greeted Song Yuanchao.
"Yan Zi, please greet Luo Lin first. This job can be done soon." Song Yuanchao and Luo Lin are not strangers. They have known each other for a long time when they were in Chuncheng, not to mention the relationship with Lin Yuhang.
Inviting Rowling to sit down, Lin Yan couldn't wait to ask when Rowling came back.
Luo Lin smiled and told Lin Yan and Chen Yuqin that she had returned last night. She did not come to visit yesterday because she came back late. She came over to visit them this morning after taking care of some housework.
"Linlin, does this count as demobilization?" Chen Yuqin asked, looking at Luo Lin's outfit.
"Yes, Auntie, I have been in the art troupe for many years. I am not young anymore and there is no need for me to stay any longer. Fortunately, there is a unit here that wants to accept me. I am afraid of missing the opportunity, so I submitted a report to be demobilized." Luo Lin thanked her first, took the tea handed to her by Chen Yuqin, and then explained.
"Has the job been arranged? In which unit?" Chen Yuqin asked enthusiastically.
"The dance troupe." Rowling replied with a smile.
"Song and Dance Troupe? Why go there?" Chen Yuqin frowned slightly. Although the song and dance troupe sounded good and was well-known, this unit was actually not that great. The key point was that the song and dance troupe mainly performed folk song and dance performances, and the competition was very fierce.
Luo Lin mainly sang in the military art troupe. Although she could also sing folk songs, she was still slightly inferior to those who graduated from professional schools. Moreover, there was a fundamental difference between the art troupe and the song and dance troupe. It would be difficult for Luo Lin to stand out there, so it would be better for her to go to other more suitable units.
"I think the song and dance troupe is not bad. There are so many teachers in it. I can ask for advice often and improve my professional level." Luo Lin didn't think much of it. In her heart, it didn't matter where she went. As long as she could return to Yanjing and be with Lin Yuhang often in the future, it would be enough.
