Chapter 17: Enrolling at School

“No trouble at all, no trouble.”

Having been completely won over by the food, Zhang Min quickly said, “That cart has been sitting unused in the backyard for years. Occasionally taking it out and using it is actually better, though it really hasn’t been used for many years. I’ll have Mu Lin take it out to test it later. If it’s still good, we can oil it up and it’ll be fine to use.”

Su Mu Lin also said, “Yeah, it’s just sitting there anyway. You’ll only be using it for a little over a month, so there’s no need to buy a new one and waste money. You just came here and don’t know, but Aunt Zhang and your aunt have known each other since they started working at the factory. Back then, they shared a dormitory, and after marriage, they became neighbors. Counting it all up, it must have been…”

Zhang Min continued, “Eighteen years, a full eighteen years. Your aunt and I started at the factory the same year. We worked in the same workshop then, but she later moved to the office. Still, that didn’t affect our friendship. It’s just an unused cart; don’t worry about it. Just take it and use it, child.”

At this point, Lin Wei could only nod in gratitude.

“Thank you, Aunt Zhang, thank you, Uncle Su.”

Lin Yuan also wanted to imitate Lin Wei, but when trying to say “Uncle Su,” he just couldn’t get the words out properly.

“Su, Unc… Su…”

Su Mu Lin laughed at himself. “You can just call me Uncle Mu Lin. Actually, this tongue-twister has been going on for quite some time. The kids in the first grade all call me Uncle Mu Lin, so you can call me that too.”

—

When the Su family came to return the plates, they brought two medium-sized bottles of canned peaches as a token of thanks. Lin Xiaomeng didn’t refuse and kept them.

Right after the Su family left, the Gao family next door sent over a large bottle of canned oranges, but when they left, Lin Xiaomeng asked them to take it back.

Seeing Lin Wei’s puzzled look, Lin Xiaomeng explained, “The Su family is a bit closer to me. Although they have two children, both parents work full time. Uncle Mu Lin is a key employee at the furniture factory next door, and his parents have pensions. They don’t need to support the elderly, and sometimes the parents even help them out. Their life is quite comfortable.”

“Next door, the Gao family…” Lin Xiaomeng paused before explaining, “Her husband died on a business trip with your uncle. We live next door to each other and have a mutual understanding. Her mother, Grandma Gao, is bedridden with paralysis. Her in-laws abandoned them and don’t care. They have two kids—one in middle school and one in primary school—and everything depends on her salary. Life is quite tight.”

“I see. No wonder Aunt Gao has so many gray hairs. That family has a heavy burden.”

“Exactly. Over the past few years, the factory has occasionally laid off some workers. Given Aunt Gao’s family situation, it’s a real worry. Recently, the factory’s performance hasn’t been great, and the higher-ups have said that more layoffs are coming…”

Lin Xiaomeng hadn’t chatted like this with anyone in a long time and found herself talking at length with Lin Wei.

Realizing it, she quickly stopped herself. “Look at me, why am I telling you all this? You’re still little; you probably won’t understand.”

—

“I understand. But since Aunt works in the office, the news about layoffs probably hasn’t spread there yet. Don’t worry, I won’t blab,” Lin Yuan quickly assured.

“Aunt, don’t worry, I won’t say anything either. But what exactly is a layoff?”

The aunt and nephew exchanged a glance and laughed.

“That’s right. Since no one in our family works at a factory, it’s normal that Yuan Yuan doesn’t know. Layoff means the job is over and you can no longer work there.”

Lin Yuan thought for a moment. “Like Dad? When his work here is done, he rests at home, then after a while goes to work somewhere else?”

“Yes, pretty much. But Dad’s job isn’t at a factory, we call it finishing a job. Going elsewhere for work means finding a new job. Your aunt’s job is with a factory, so it’s called being laid off. After a certain time, she can receive a pension, which Dad doesn’t have.”

“Is there a difference?” Lin Yuan still didn’t quite understand.

“Of course there is, though the difference isn’t huge.”

Lin Xiaomeng was a bit surprised by this. She asked curiously, “Why do you think the difference isn’t big? Do you think working for a company and working outside are basically the same?”

“There is a difference, but it’s really not that big.”

Currently, national policies are not yet perfect. The pros and cons are obvious. Even if one earns a lot now, without a pension in the future, what use is it? Inflation is severe; money is valuable now, but who can say if it will be enough later?

Once flexible employment policies are introduced, one can pay social insurance independently. Although the benefits are less than those employed by companies, having something is better than nothing, and the minimum standard will still be met.

This is a golden era full of business opportunities. If one misses this wave of prosperity, it will be truly challenging to make money later.

But it’s too early to talk about all this with Lin Xiaomeng now.

After some thought, Lin Wei said, “There used to be so many ‘iron rice bowls,’ but when the state says layoffs, layoffs happen. That shows the ‘iron rice bowls’ aren’t as ironclad as before. Instead, holding onto your money is the real priority. Though it depends on one’s position—the more specialized you are, the harder you are to replace.”

Lin Xiaomeng didn’t fully agree with Lin Wei’s words but still carefully asked, “Is that why you chose architecture as your major?”

“Sort of. But part of the reason was my dad; he works in that field too. I thought that if I graduate and manage a project at the company, maybe I could use my position to get my dad involved in the project, so our family wouldn’t have to worry about work.”

But now, talking about these things is already too late.

—

“Go to bed earlier. Don’t you have a lot to do tomorrow?”

“Okay, Aunt.”

“Good night, Aunt.”

—

The summer sun was strong, baking away the smell in the bedding after a whole day and night, so the siblings slept separately.

Lin Yuan stayed in the outer room, Lin Wei in the inner room. Both rooms had locks, connected by a narrow passageway for easy access to the bathroom and kitchen, so it didn’t bother either of them.

Before parting, Lin Wei asked worriedly, “Are you okay living alone? How about this: I won’t lock my door, and if you’re scared in the middle of the night, just come to my room.”

“I’m not scared. I can sleep alone.”

Though Lin Yuan said this, Lin Wei still didn’t lock her door. Sure enough, in the middle of the night, Lin Yuan sneaked over.

Lin Wei laughed, “What’s wrong? Missing your sister?”

Lin Yuan put on a tough front, “Yeah, I was worried you’d be scared sleeping alone, so I came to keep you company. But you’ve got to get used to it soon. You’re going to school soon, and then I won’t be here to keep you company.”

“Alright, you can sleep with me a few days. Once I’m used to it, I’ll sleep alone.”

The siblings fell asleep peacefully. When they woke, the sun was high again. After breakfast, Lin Wei took her brother to Jiangcheng University to complete enrollment.

It was now mid-July. This year’s school term would start in early September, so there were still two full months before classes began.

She thought she had arrived early enough, but unexpectedly, a long queue had already formed.

“No way, everyone here is for enrollment too?”