Diary of the Army in the 1970s
Diary of the Army in the 1970s Chapter 70.1

Chapter 70: First Time at University

At that time, trains almost never arrived on time. Wen Jiajia hoped to have lunch in Hai City, but the train was stuck in traffic and hadn’t moved after half an hour.

Decades later, the high-speed rail would only take half an hour to travel from Linhe to Haishi.

But now, even though they boarded the train at eight o’clock, it was almost eleven, and they hadn’t even left the province.

The passengers in the car seemed accustomed to the delays and were not in a hurry.

Wen Jiajia, who was usually impatient, became more restless after waiting for half an hour. She kept looking out the window.

Seeing her stretch her neck like a goose, Liang Mu said, “Come, come, come, sit by the window. I’ll switch seats with you.”

Wen Jiajia didn’t hesitate. “Thank you. I can’t stand the smell of cigarettes.”

It was annoying that some people were still smoking on the train. She didn’t know who was smoking, but the smell had drifted to her.

Sitting by the window and breathing in the fresh air gradually eased Wen Jiajia’s impatience.

Director Gao was catching up on sleep. Wen Jiajia admired his ability to sleep soundly in such a noisy environment.

She even heard Director Gao snoring.

About ten minutes later, the train finally started moving slowly, and Director Gao was awakened by the whistle.

Director Gao rubbed his head and said, “Take this opportunity to rest. I have several appointments tonight, and you’ll need to follow me. We probably won’t get back to the guesthouse until late.”

Wen Jiajia replied, “I’m a night owl.”

Compared to other family members who went to bed early, she was a true night owl who stayed up past ten.

Liang Mu said, “I’m young and can stay up late.”

Wen Jiajia’s smile froze. Sometimes, she really wanted to sew Liang Mu’s mouth shut.

Fortunately, Director Gao, who was broad-minded, smiled and said, “You’re saying I’m old, right? You can stay up late when you’re young, but you’ll need to take care of yourself. When you’re my age, you might not have half the energy I do.”

It was almost lunchtime, and people began to get up and head to the dining car. Some carried lunch boxes, going to get food.

As the food service returned, an indescribable smell filled the carriage.

There was a mix of pleasant and unpleasant odors, along with smoke. Thankfully, the train windows were open, making it tolerable for most people.

Director Gao asked, “Do you want to eat?”

Wen Jiajia and Liang Mu shook their heads in unison. Wen Jiajia patted her backpack and said, “I brought some dry food.”

Liang Mu was keen on saving money. He was willing to buy a sesame seed bun for five cents but would rather skip buying a box of rice for one or two yuan—or even two or three yuan—because he needed to save for his marriage.

Director Gao said, “If you don’t go, then I will.”

He stood up and left, but someone else immediately took his seat. Wen Jiajia didn’t mind, as she expected Director Gao to move aside when he returned.

Wen Jiajia took out the steamed buns from her bag and began eating. The person who had just taken Director Gao’s seat also took out his lunch box and started eating vegetable rolls.

The two of them ate with such enjoyment that others in their row pulled out their dry food as well.

It didn’t matter whether Liang Mu pinched his nose or not. Visual stimulation often has a greater impact than taste. When you’re hungry, watching others eat delicious steamed buns, rolls, dumplings, or even multi-grain steamed buns makes you drool uncontrollably.

Liang Mu closed his eyes and tried to endure, but his stomach growled loudly. Eventually, he couldn’t resist anymore and got up to head to the dining car.

Wen Jiajia silently laughed and enjoyed her food more happily.

Oh, the steamed buns with cooked fillings were truly delicious. She resolved to make them again when she returned home from her business trip.

At 2:30 in the afternoon, the train finally arrived in Haishi.

The Haishi Railway Station was obviously more “high-end” compared to the Linhe Railway Station. Wen Jiajia reminisced about the huge Hongqiao Bridge decades later. She had been late for Hongqiao three times and had lost her shoes.

Director Gao was evidently familiar with the area. He guided them around the train station and then checked them into a guesthouse nearby.

Since the factory covered the business trip expenses and Director Gao wasn’t one to sacrifice himself to save money for the factory, the three of them booked three rooms.

Wen Jiajia entered her room, looked around, and even opened the cupboard door to inspect it.

The guesthouses in Haishi were notably better than those in other cities, which justified its nickname, the Magic City.

Standing by the window and gazing at the bustling city, Wen Jiajia felt she could glimpse some shadows of the future through the scenery before her.

She had been thinking of her previous life ever since she walked out of the train station.

Before she could ponder for long, there was a knock on the door.

It was Director Gao. He opened the door and said, “Take a half-hour break. We will leave for Dongda in half an hour.”

Wen Jiajia replied, “Okay.”

She closed the door, raised her hand to smell her clothes, and noticed a lingering odor.

A bath would make her feel more refreshed.

In the bathroom, Wen Jiajia marveled again at the Haishi Guesthouse. The water in the bathroom was still hot in the middle of the day—how wonderful!

Feeling rejuvenated after her bath, Wen Jiajia stretched, took out a white T-shirt and black pants from her suitcase, and put them on. She tied her hair into a ponytail, looking neat and tidy.

Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, she examined herself and then took out an eyebrow pencil to make her eyebrows thicker and darker.

She had bought the eyebrow pencil in the city. It was of good quality and easy to use, matching her hair color perfectly.

The original owner’s eyebrows were a bit light, but the shape was good, giving it a gentle look. By outlining them with the eyebrow pencil, the gentleness around her eyes disappeared, replaced with a hint of heroism.

Wen Jiajia then took out her lipstick.

This lipstick was homemade, not synthetic. She made it herself using cochineal from cacti, beeswax, and almond oil.

Why not use synthetic lipstick? The color outcomes of synthetic lipsticks are uncertain. If it produced a color she disliked, it would be a waste of cochineal.

Although her DIY skills weren’t perfect, and she had only basic equipment and materials in this life, she managed to create a functional lipstick, which she considered a blessing.

Wen Jiajia gently rubbed the small iron box, one-quarter the size of her palm, to melt the solidified lipstick, and then applied it to her lips with a thin layer.

It looked like no makeup, but it improved her complexion.

Half an hour passed quickly, and the three were ready to set off.

Director Gao noticed Wen Jiajia’s new outfit and nodded in approval. “Not bad, you look very capable.”

Wen Jiajia smiled.

As they went downstairs, Director Gao asked casually, “Where did you buy this shirt? It looks like cotton but feels tighter.”

Wen Jiajia replied, “My husband brought it for me when he was away. Director Gao, if you like it, I can exchange some for you. I have plenty of this fabric at home.”

Director Gao examined the shirt and said, “It absorbs sweat quite well and isn’t see-through. Can you give me some more when we get back? About two or three short-sleeved shirts would be enough.”

“Four or five pieces are no problem!” Wen Jiajia assured. Short sleeves require less fabric.

Director Gao eagerly agreed, “That’s a deal!” At that time, cloth was scarce, and high-quality fabric was hard to come by. It was worth getting more if the opportunity arose.

Liang Mu hesitated and then asked, “Comrade Wen, can I get two as well?”

“It’s not buying, but exchanging!” Wen Jiajia said it seriously.

“Can I exchange for two pieces?” Liang Mu readily agreed.

“…Fine.”

Director Gao teased, “You bought it for your girlfriend? I remember seeing your girlfriend before, the girl with a single braid from the Industrial Bureau.”

“Don’t mention it. I broke up with her a long time ago. I bought it for my parents to wear.” Liang Mu then smiled shyly at Wen Jiajia, “If possible, could you give me another one? I’d like to wear it too.”

Wen Jiajia replied, “No problem.”

The three of them boarded the bus and took more than half an hour to reach the University of Tokyo.

The scenery near the university was pleasant. At that time, the trees were green and walking under their shade was very refreshing.

Director Gao led them into the university and then to an office in the administrative building.

“Teacher Yue, long time no see,” Director Gao greeted with a beaming smile.

Yue Qingsheng chuckled and said, “I’m always wary when you say ‘long time no see.’ It usually means you’re about to bother me with something again.” He was a typical example of someone who was proactive when there was work and relaxed when there wasn’t.

Director Gao brushed off the sarcasm and said with a smile, “No, no, I respect you too much to trouble you with anything.”

“So what brings you here today?”

“I wouldn’t dare trouble you with personal matters, but I do need help with official ones. This is all for our medical staff.”

Director Gao then introduced Wen Jiajia and Liang Mu. “These are two team leaders from our office. They’re both young—one is newly married, and the other is going on a blind date. I brought them here. So, Master, I have to bring a group of people back this time. Otherwise, I’ll be too embarrassed to return to the factory! I made a pledge at the factory meeting!”

Wen Jiajia and Liang Mu were stunned; they had never expected Director Gao to be like this.

The two of them wore bitter expressions, as if they were facing a dire situation.

Yue Qingsheng pulled his sleeve away from Director Gao’s hand with disdain. “Don’t act like that. Your teacher said you know etiquette very well.”

Taking advantage of the situation, Director Gao said, “I was forced into this. I am usually so polite, but I was pushed into this situation. Master, you know that my office is unique. There’s only one Shu Yong. You know what Shu Yong’s capabilities are. If he stays alone for a few more months, our medical glass factory will be finished.”

Yue Qingsheng was speechless. “Speak properly. If you want to take people, I can’t decide how many can be taken. How can I get involved in distributing people?”

Director Gao replied, “Please introduce me to the dean and teachers of the School of Chemistry. Besides, you teach mechanics, and we need talent in mechanics. If any mathematics teachers are still active, I’d like to speak with them as well.”

“You’re asking for everything,” Yue Qingsheng said, though he still led the three of them to the School of Chemistry.

On the way, he didn’t talk to Director Gao but focused on Wen Jiajia and Liang Mu.

“Which of you is newly married?” he asked.

“I am,” they both replied in unison.

Yue Qingsheng frowned and said, “Who are you lying to? Are you not married?”

Liang Mu blushed and muttered, “I’m single.”

Wen Jiajia smiled awkwardly and said, “I’m married. It’s been over a year and a half.”

“Oh, you look quite young, younger than my daughter, who is still single.” He sighed, “It’s good to be single now.”

Vyl[Translator]

~Thank you soo much for the support! Love yaa~ ⋆.❤︎

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