Chapter 4: Switch Jobs

Zhao Mian and Li Dasheng’s matchmaking process, under the control of Zhao Wu Nai and Yu Xiulan, proceeded quickly.

Before the Li family left, they emptied two baskets, leaving only two sweet potatoes and four ears of corn.

The family sat around the table. Zhao Feng curiously fiddled with the baskets. “It looked so packed, how did they manage that?”

“Pa!”

Yu Xiulan slapped his hand. “Don’t touch. I need to send them back to your Wu Nai later.”

All four Zhaos turned to look at her.

Yu Xiulan frowned and said disapprovingly, “Looks unreliable. His mother isn’t simple either. A mother-in-law like that is bound to be difficult.”

This was not empty talk but experience.

Yu Xiulan said to Zhao Mian, “No matter how good his conditions are, it’s not suitable. I’ll ask Wu Nai to turn him down.”

Zhao Mian nodded.

Seeing her calm expression, Yu Xiulan didn’t find anything unusual. She assigned some tasks, packed up those six items, and hurried off to talk with Zhao Wu Nai.

With spring plowing approaching, the production team would soon be busy. The work in their vegetable garden had to be done quickly, so Zhao Jianguo called Zhao Feng away.

Zhao Ke followed her elder sister into the kitchen, intending to help.

But Zhao Mian didn’t let her lift a finger, so she could only sit by the stove pit and tend the fire.

The flickering firelight reflected on Zhao Ke’s face as she stared blankly at the dancing flames.

In the original story, the Li family hadn’t hesitated. Zhao Mian valued Li Dasheng’s conditions for helping her younger brother, and Yu Xiulan didn’t stop it. This led to Zhao Mian’s outcome.

Now, Li Dasheng as a match had easily been dismissed.

Changing things didn’t seem that hard.

A novel was only a fragment of a world, while real life was reality.

Zhao Ke felt that she didn’t need to do much for their family to avoid the novel’s ending.

Logically, this was a good thing. She could continue with her plan for a peaceful “retirement” life, but…

Her toe was nudged, interrupting her thoughts. Noticing the fire was too low, she quickly added more wood.

The fire blazed again. Zhao Mian swiftly scooped up the stir-fried vegetables, washed the pan, and when it dried, poured in half a ladle of oil without hesitation.

Zhao Ke could already imagine Yu Xiulan’s reaction. “Jie, Mom’s going to scold you for being wasteful.”

“She’s used to it. That’s why she went out.”

Zhao Mian added their mother’s stored cured meat to the pan, calmly stir-frying.

Zhao Ke couldn’t help but chuckle.

Indeed, whether she was in school or working, every time she came home, her sister would always try to make something delicious. The difference was that back then, the family didn’t have much, but now they were better off.

Yu Xiulan returned just before lunch and, seeing not only meat dishes but also white rice on the table, blurted out, “Spendthrift!”

Zhao Mian and Zhao Ke remained unfazed—one poured water for Zhao Jianguo and Zhao Feng to wash their hands, while the other set out bowls and served the food.

Yu Xiulan closed her eyes briefly and sat down heavily.

The three Zhaos exchanged glances, all smiling, while Zhao Feng happily exclaimed, “Meat again! Er Jie, you should come back more often.”

Zhao Ke placed a bowl of rice at his spot. “If I were home often, it wouldn’t be like this.”

Eager to eat, Zhao Feng quickly washed his hands and pushed Zhao Mian, who was still busy, into a seat. Once everyone was ready, he grabbed his bowl and took a big mouthful of white rice.

Zhao Mian had cooked the meat evenly, with one piece for each person.

In the past, she wanted to give her piece to Zhao Ke, but Zhao Ke would say, “If you don’t eat, I won’t either,” so she ate it herself.

Zhao Feng waited for everyone to take their share, then poured a spoonful of the sauce over his rice and ate heartily.

“When I went to Wu Nai, she even tried to persuade me to reconsider, saying it’s rare to find conditions better than the Li family’s.”

Zhao Jianguo consoled, “If the person isn’t suitable, no matter how good the conditions are, it’s useless.”

Yu Xiulan looked at Zhao Mian’s beautiful face and sighed. “I think so too. Wu Auntie couldn’t persuade me, so she said she’d bring gifts tomorrow and personally visit Li Village. She’ll introduce someone better to Xiao Mian later.”

Zhao Mian was not disappointed.

Zhao Ke said casually, “Why worry, Mom? Aren’t you looking far when the best matchmaker is right here?”

“Who?”

Zhao Ke pointed at herself.

“You?”

Only Zhao Feng kept his head down. The other three all looked at Zhao Ke.

Yu Xiulan was initially doubtful, but then her eyebrows relaxed, and she eagerly asked, “What? You can introduce a young man from the bearing factory to your sister?”

“I can, but I have an even better idea.”

Yu Xiulan, anxious, nudged her. “Stop keeping us in suspense and say it.”

Zhao Ke put down her chopsticks and said word by word, “I’ll transfer my job to Da Jie.”

The room fell silent, as if a thunderclap had struck. Even Zhao Feng raised his head, staring at her in shock.

Zhao Ke continued, “If it’s just an introduction, no matter how good Da Jie is, people might not look up to her. They’d think we’re trying to climb the social ladder. But if Da Jie is also a worker, there’s no need for Mom to worry.”

Although that made sense, Zhao Mian was the first to object, her stance firm: “Absolutely not.”

Yu Xiulan came to her senses and opposed it too: “How could we trade your job? Our family isn’t one that plays favorites.”

Zhao Feng had a different view. “I think we are a bit biased, though.”

“Eat your food. This doesn’t concern you.”

“Oh.” Zhao Feng pouted and lowered his head to keep eating.

“I’m done.” Zhao Mian stood up and left one sentence behind. “No need to say more. I won’t switch.”

Zhao Ke watched her leave, then kicked Zhao Feng’s leg.

Zhao Feng was puzzled, but upon seeing Er Jie’s look, he quickly picked up his bowl and went to find Da Jie.

Yu Xiulan kept a stern face. “Why do you come up with these sudden ideas?”

Zhao Jianguo asked calmly, “Lao Er, what are you thinking? Tell us.”

Zhao Ke decided to persuade her parents first. “Mom already said it—Li Dasheng is considered a good match. Da Jie is so good; would you let her marry just anyone?”

Zhao Jianguo shook his head. “Whether we’re willing or not, our family won’t agree to sacrifice your future for hers.”

“It’s not a sacrifice.”

In their household, big decisions needed Comrade Yu Xiulan’s approval. Zhao Ke dragged her stool closer and reasoned with her seriously. “Jie is twenty-one now. She can’t wait a few more years, but I’m only eighteen. Even if I wait three to five years, it’s not too late. As long as there are recruitment opportunities, I believe that if I got in once, I can get in again.”

Yu Xiulan’s expression softened slightly, but she pointedly asked, “What if there’s no opportunity? Once it’s swapped, it’s gone for good.”

To Zhao Ke, working in the factory had been about supporting the family and improving their standard of living, so she had fought for it.

If the job went to her sister, it didn’t matter if she missed out on another opportunity. After all, she could wait for the resumption of the college entrance exams.

During that time, whether she worked in the factory or switched with Da Jie to teach at the production team’s primary school, the difference was just in pay. The primary school’s workload was lighter and suited her “retirement” life better.

However, she couldn’t explain the college entrance exams returning. She could only say with certainty, “There will be opportunities. If Shuangshan Commune doesn’t have them, other places will. In recent years, many farmers have been recruited into factories. We just didn’t know.”

Yu Xiulan and Zhao Jianguo exchanged glances. They really hadn’t heard much about it.

Zhao Ke pressed on, “If Da Jie gets settled in the factory and finds a good match, our family will gain a valuable connection. Plus, with the people I know, the more information we have, the more opportunities there’ll be. It’s not just for me; we need to consider my younger brother’s future too, right?”

The couple exchanged another look. This was a big decision and couldn’t be made lightly, so they said they needed to think it over.

Zhao Ke didn’t mind, only reiterating, “I can afford to wait, but Da Jie can’t.”

However, Yu Xiulan looked at her, speaking so confidently, and suddenly said, “Do you know your Da Jie goes to school, takes care of the house, and even works in the fields during busy farming seasons?”

The abrupt shift caught Zhao Ke off guard. She quietly waited for what would come next.

“Your eldest sister spoils you. Every time you come home, you don’t touch any work. If you return to the village, you won’t escape doing chores.”

So that’s what she meant. Zhao Ke smiled without saying a word.

Her attitude clearly wasn’t well-intentioned.

Yu Xiulan couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “I know ever since you were little, there’s been a group of kids happily doing everything for you, but now they’ve grown up and have to work in the fields to earn work points. Do you still have the nerve to boss them around?”

Why wouldn’t she?

Zhao Ke didn’t boss them around for free. She provided emotional value, and the kids gained pure happiness.

Comrade Yu Xiulan simply didn’t understand their friendship.

Not wanting to hear her nonsense, Yu Xiulan made up her mind. “This isn’t a trivial matter. You should try doing housework yourself first, so you don’t regret it later.”

Zhao Ke, who would slack off whenever she could, readily agreed. She wasn’t inexperienced with chores.

“You can’t ask your sister or brother to help you.”

“Got it.”

There was work to do right now. Zhao Ke cleared the table and carried the bowls to the kitchen to wash them.

Zhao Mian was tidying the kitchen, while Zhao Feng was fetching water for her.

Both of them were surprised when they saw Zhao Ke roll up her sleeves to wash the dishes without saying a word.

She never liked washing dishes as a child. Did the sun rise in the west today?

Zhao Mian walked over. “I’ll do it.”

Zhao Ke pushed her away. “Jie, don’t you have to go to school this afternoon? Go get ready. I’ve got this.”

Zhao Mian had no choice but to leave, turning back every few steps.

Zhao Feng stood behind Zhao Ke, scratching his head. “Er Jie, how about I do it?”

Zhao Ke righteously replied, “No need.”

After washing the dishes, she started wiping the stove. Zhao Feng grabbed a broom to sweep the floor but was surprised when she snatched it from him too.

Was his second sister… not needing him anymore? Would he no longer get any benefits?

Zhao Feng stood there, wide-eyed, shocked and a little disappointed.

At the kitchen door, Yu Xiulan stood for a while before turning to head to the village committee.

Zhao Ke, seeing her figure disappear, instantly relaxed and slowed her sweeping. “I have to fake it for two days to fool Mom. Are we still going to the back garden this afternoon?”

Zhao Feng didn’t know what she was up to, but knowing she was pretending made him feel relieved. “Yeah, we need to ridge the vegetable field.”

Zhao Ke finished sweeping, put down the broom, and carried a hoe from the storage room toward the back garden.

Zhao Feng trailed behind her, half-reaching out his hand. “Er Jie, want me to carry it? Mom and Dad aren’t here…”

Zhao Ke waved him off. “It’s fine. Just two days.”

Zhao Feng, with his empty hands, finally shoved them into his pockets and followed behind her.

At the village entrance—

“Zhuang Lan, what are you looking at?”

Zhuang Lan withdrew her gaze from Zhao Feng’s carefree back and sneered with disgust. “Just seeing someone who proudly and self righteously sucks his sisters’ blood. Wretched.”