Chapter 45 Troubles
Lin Yan subconsciously resisted her mother's arrangement, especially when her mother secretly hid the letter from Song Yuanchao without telling her, which made Lin Yan extremely dissatisfied.
But after all, mother is her mother. Lin Yan has been living in the school dormitory for a long time and hasn't been home for so long. She misses her father a lot. In addition, she hasn't seen her father for many days, so Lin Yan also wants to go home to see him.
It's not a good idea to drag on the matter of Zhao Minglei like this, so I might as well go home today and have things clear with my parents, so as to avoid continuing to be in an unclear relationship with Zhao Minglei.
Thinking of this, Lin Yan nodded, packed up her things, stood up and followed Zhao Minglei out of the library. The two arrived at the school gate. Originally, Lin Yan planned to take the bus home, but unexpectedly, Zhao Minglei arranged a car to pick them up.
Looking at the 212, if she guessed correctly, this should be the car that Zhao Minglei's father rides. She got in the car without saying anything. After they were seated, the driver drove the car towards Lin Yan's house.
Lin Yan's home is in the family compound of the Planning Commission. Her father, Lin Daoyuan, joined the revolution when he was a student and participated in the War of Liberation and the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea. He later returned from the army to take up a local post and now works in the Planning Commission after resuming work.
My mother, Chen Yuqin, previously worked in the district committee and has now been transferred to the Model Workers Office of the Federation of Trade Unions.
When I got home and opened the door, I saw Chen Yuqin, who was busy in the kitchen, sticking her head out when she heard the sound.
"Yan Zi, why did you come back so late?" Chen Yuqin complained as soon as she saw Lin Yan, but then when she saw Zhao Minglei coming in from behind, Chen Yuqin immediately smiled.
"It's Minglei, come in quickly, are you guys coming back together?"
"Hello, Auntie . Here are the walnut cookies I brought you. They're from Daoxiangcun. My mother said you like them best." Zhao Minglei said with a smile, handing over the walnut cookies in his hand.
"Your mother has a really good memory. It's a relief that she still remembers it after all these years. You are really something. You even ran all the way to buy it for me. Thank you, auntie!" Chen Yuqin smiled from ear to ear. She wiped her hands on her apron, took it and put it aside. Zhao Minglei modestly said that it didn't matter, as long as Chen Yuqin liked it.
Chen Yuqin was even more satisfied with what she heard. She felt happy no matter how she looked at Zhao Minglei. The more the mother-in-law looked at her son-in-law, the more she liked him.
"Auntie, Uncle Lin hasn't come back yet?"
"I came back early and was making a phone call in the study. I'm not busy enough at work, and I'm even busier when I get home. It's like I moved my office to my home." Chen Yuqin said to the closed study.
"Right now the whole country is in a state of disrepair. Uncle Lin has a heavy responsibility in the Planning Commission, so there's nothing we can do about it so he has to be busy ." Zhao Minglei said with a smile.
"Your Uncle Lin is like this. Once he gets busy, work and life are inseparable. Forget him. Minglei, you and Yanzi sit down and chat for a while. I have two more dishes and we'll have dinner soon." Chen Yuqin said casually, and then said to Lin Yan: "Yanzi, don't stand there like an idiot. Pour Minglei a glass of water and take a rest. You young people can chat among yourselves!"
After saying that, she went back into the kitchen to busy herself. Lin Yan looked at her mother's back speechlessly. She sighed in her heart, put her schoolbag in her room first, and then came out to pour a glass of water for Zhao Minglei.
Along the way, Lin Yan didn't say anything to Zhao Minglei. Now that they were home, they were sitting on the sofa, one at each end, and the atmosphere seemed a little cold.
"Yan Zi, the four years of college have passed in a flash. After the third year, it will be time for internship. Have you decided where to do your internship?" Zhao Minglei thought for a while and found a topic to ask.
"It's only been a short time now. Isn't it too early to think about this?" Lin Yan looked at Zhao Minglei and asked back.
Lin Yan took the college entrance examination in 1977, but actually enrolled in the spring of 1978, so her class actually enrolled almost at the same time as Zhao Minglei's second class, with only a difference of less than half a year.
According to the four years of college, Lin Yan would graduate in 1982. In fact, the classes of 1977 and 1978 were a relatively special group of college students, collectively known as the class of 1982. The graduation time of the class of 1977 was around January 1982, and the graduation time of the class of 1978 was around June, which were basically synchronized.
In terms of time, Lin Yan and other students from the class of 1977 started their internship at the beginning of 1981, were officially assigned jobs at the end of the year, and graduated at the beginning of the following year, which was January 1982.
"Being early definitely has its advantages. Although jobs after graduation are assigned by the state, the information I've received is that if a corresponding unit makes targeted demands in advance, the school will give priority to it, so choosing an internship unit at that time is a very important thing." Zhao Minglei said with a smile.
Lin Yan thought for a moment and asked, "So you have already decided on an internship? Where do you plan to go when the time comes?"
"It's just some preliminary personal thoughts." Zhao Minglei smiled modestly, but there was a hint of pride in his expression: "I plan to go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or the State Planning Commission where Uncle Lin works."
Hearing Zhao Minglei's answer, Lin Yan's mouth twitched slightly. Zhao Minglei's calculation was not bad. These two departments were both popular ministries. The former was an important institution for foreign exchanges. Now with the central government's reform and opening-up policy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as a ministry for foreign exchanges, was a top priority.
This generation of college students experienced earth-shaking changes in their thoughts and ideals from the moment they entered college, which changed their lives and destinies. After the country's doors had been closed for so many years and were reopening again, many college students were eager to learn about the outside world and to come into contact with advanced Western things.
From this point of view, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a goal that many people aspire to. Being a graceful diplomat and directly facing exchanges and contacts with advanced Western countries is probably also Zhao Minglei's wish.
As for the latter, the State Planning Commission is the main department in charge of national economic planning and market macro-management. It is responsible for everything from national construction to people's livelihood. Its importance among the state ministries and commissions is self-evident. Due to the wide range of its management and great power, the State Planning Commission is also called the "mini State Council."
"That's a good idea." Lin Yan said lightly.
Zhao Minglei thought that Lin Yan's words were an expression of agreement with him, and he was very happy. He said complacently, "You think it's good too, right? How about we go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the State Planning Commission ?"
Lin Yan was slightly stunned and suddenly felt amused. Zhao Minglei had such a good self-image, didn't he? Who did he think he was? He could join any ministry he wanted ? And he wanted to go with him?
"This matter is too far away. Let's talk about it later. We are still students now, and it is more appropriate for students to focus their main energy on studying. As for future matters, it will not be too late to consider them slowly later." Lin Yan refused tactfully.
Who would have thought that Zhao Minglei didn't understand the hidden meaning of Lin Yan's words. On the contrary, he advised Lin Yan: "Yanzi, you can't say that. If you don't think about the future, you will have immediate worries. It's always better to consider some things earlier..."
Lin Yan felt a little annoyed. In her opinion, Zhao Minglei was too realistic and she disliked him very much.
"Mom! Is dinner ready? I'm hungry!" Without waiting for Zhao Minglei to finish his words, Lin Yan stood up and walked towards the kitchen. Zhao Minglei opened his mouth and seemed a little embarrassed, but he soon calmed down, and also stood up and followed with a smile.
Today Chen Yuqin specially prepared a table full of delicious dishes. At the dinner table, Zhao Minglei tasted the food and gave Chen Yuqin a thumbs up, sincerely praising Aunt Chen for her excellent cooking skills. This made Chen Yuqin very happy. She kept picking up food for Zhao Minglei and said, "Minglei, eat more if you like it . Come often in the future and Aunt Chen will cook for you."
Lin Yan, who was standing by, saw all of Chen Yuqin's enthusiasm. She didn't say anything and ate her meal silently. As for her father Lin Daoyuan, he basically didn't care about these little things at home. He just maintained the courtesy that an elder should have towards Zhao Minglei.
In fact, Lin Daoyuan had already seen through his daughter's attitude towards Zhao Minglei. Seeing his wife's enthusiasm towards Zhao Minglei, he couldn't help but frowned slightly.
When Chen Yuqin introduced Zhao Minglei to her daughter, Lin Daoyuan neither supported nor opposed it. After all, Zhao Minglei's parents and Lin Daoyuan and his wife knew each other, and they had seen Zhao Minglei since childhood, so they were not unfamiliar with him.
But as a father, Lin Daoyuan is not as enthusiastic about Lin Yan's marriage as Chen Yuqin. In his opinion, his daughter has grown up and she has to walk her own path in the future. Parents' suggestions are just for reference but they cannot make choices for their children. The key lies in her own ideas.
From now on, Lin Yan has no idea about Zhao Minglei at all. Even a blind man can see her cold attitude. But his wife is so enthusiastic that she only has eyes for Zhao Minglei, the "future son-in-law" she likes. Thinking of this, Lin Daoyuan couldn't help but sigh in his heart. It seems that he needs to have a good talk with his wife about this matter.
