“Child, if they continue to treat you like that, they’ll regret it one day. Don’t bottle up your unhappiness, alright?” Aunt Liu said as she picked up some food with her chopsticks and placed it into Jiang He’s bowl.

Jiang He nodded. Even though the dishes on the table weren’t anything fancy—there wasn’t even a trace of minced meat—for him, this meal was unforgettable.

“Why are you saying all that to the kid? Aren’t you just making him feel worse?” Uncle Liu said from the side.

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop talking,” Aunt Liu quickly held her tongue.

Seeing that Aunt Liu had dropped the subject, Jiang He immediately lowered his head and began eating as well. It made him feel even more deeply that this couple was truly kindhearted. Otherwise, during a time of famine, they wouldn’t have saved a portion of food just for him.

“Uncle, Aunt, you should eat too. Don’t just watch me eat, okay?”

Uncle Liu looked at Jiang He eating with his head down and sighed inwardly. The one thing he regretted most in his life was how he had let his wife down. If it hadn’t been for him back then, her health would have been fine. Now they were nearing old age and still had no children.

“Alright, alright, let’s not talk about unhappy things. Hurry up and eat. After you’re done, let Xiao He get some rest,” Aunt Liu said, holding the bowl Jiang He had just served food into. Her expression was joy filled, as if the simple meal were a delicacy fit for a god.

Just as the three of them were enjoying the warm moment, a man walked in through the door. Seeing Jiang He, he exclaimed,

“Xiao He, I thought something had happened to you! I was so worried I rushed over to check.”

“Team Leader? What brings you here? Isn’t today a day off?” Jiang He was a bit surprised. He recognized the man who had come looking for him. His name was Li Jianguo, and in the original owner’s memories, he was someone who had taken good care of him — the leader of his work group.

Jiang He quickly helped the man to a seat, and Aunt Liu hurried over with a cup of plain boiled water.

“What brings you all the way here?” she asked.

“This afternoon, your mother barged into the factory director’s office and said she wanted to give your job to your brother. She even claimed that since you’re going to the countryside anyway, you might as well give the position to him. What are you thinking, kid? You’ve got a perfectly good job, and you’re giving it up to go to the countryside?” Li Jianguo said, clearly frustrated; he was someone who hated to see potential wasted.

In the 1960s, not every parent wanted their children to become sent-down youths. Those who had the means would often pull strings to keep their kids in the city.

At the time, opinions about being a sent-down youth were mixed. Many of the youths sent to the countryside came from families with complicated backgrounds—such as children of capitalists or families with problematic class status—who were forcibly relocated.

There were also hot-blooded young people who, caught up in the revolutionary fervor, believed they could change the world and contribute meaningfully. Those youths volunteered eagerly, full of idealism.

As for Jiang He, Li Jianguo held him in high regard. The young man was good-looking, hardworking, and had a pleasant personality. If Li Jianguo had a daughter, he would’ve certainly considered bringing Jiang He into his own family.

So, as soon as he heard that Jiang He was giving up a promising future to go to the countryside, Li Jianguo hurried over, hoping to talk him out of it.

“What? Qu Xiulian went to the factory?” Aunt Liu immediately flared up. “When did our Xiao He ever say he was giving his job to his brother? What is the factory thinking”?

“What else could they think? The factory director is furious right now. He didn’t agree to it, and the department head had to calm him down. The director asked me to come and check with you,” Li Jianguo replied. He looked at Jiang He and noticed his pale face, which made him suspicions.

“Was it just my mother… or…?” Jiang He asked cautiously. But in his heart, he couldn’t help but sneer. His biological parents were truly going to the extreme. He suddenly remembered something—back in those days, factory jobs were scarce, and everyone had their designated position. Not only did they want the 500 yuan, but they also wanted to take away his job qualification. It was just too good to be true.

“Your dad’s involved too, and there’s someone who claims to be your brother. They all seem pretty decent. If you really did agree, things could get tricky. There’s even a deputy director vouching for it,” Li Jianguo said.

“Xu Guanghui?” Jiang He sneered. “He’s my cousin’s uncle; I don’t think that holds any weight, does it?” It seemed he had underestimated Jiang Bao. His methods were truly impressive; he even managed to brainwash the original owner’s parents so thoroughly.

“Old Jiang’s wife’s family? This couple from the Jiang family is getting more and more outrageous. Are they trying to drive Xiao He to his death? If Xiao He goes to the countryside, then when he comes back, he won’t have a job anymore!” Uncle Liu’s face also showed an expression of anger. “Even a tiger wouldn’t harm its own cub!”

“What exactly is going on here?” Li Jianguo finally asked.

“What else could it be, Team Leader Li? Let me tell you…” Aunt Liu quickly recounted everything that had happened to Jiang He, not leaving out a single detail.

“Outrageous!” Team Leader Li slammed the table as soon as he finished listening. The force of it caused the dishes and bowls to rattle sharply with a crisp clatter.

Then he stood up, visibly agitated, and said to Jiang He,

“Xiao Hey, don’t worry. I’ll report this directly to the factory director. Xu Guanghui doesn’t have that kind of power—he doesn’t have the ability to cover the sky with one hand inside the factory.”

“Team Leader, it’s no use. My father has already submitted my name to the Preparatory Office. In three months, I have to go to the countryside,” Jiang He stopped Li Jianguo.

Someone like Xu Guanghui, who could secure a position as deputy director, clearly had deep connections. If Li Jianguo went head-to-head with him now, there might not be any consequences on the surface, but trouble would surely follow behind the scenes.

This was still the year 1960—the famine had only ended half a year ago. In just a few more years, the special period would arrive, and at that time, guilty or not, everyone would be swept up together.

Xu Guanghui, after all, was at the section level, so he would naturally get wind of any developments early. If Li Jianguo challenged him, it was likely that he’d face serious consequences—his family might be ruined.

Team Leader Li also recognized the gravity of the situation. He sat down, remaining silent for a moment, before saying to Jiang He,

“Xiao He, no matter what, you have to fight for yourself. Whatever you decide to do, I’ll support you. You found this job yourself, and they have no right to take it from you. Don’t soften your heart and let yourself be taken advantage of.”

Jiang He smiled and replied, “Team Leader, do I look like the type to get taken advantage of?” Then, he added,

“I remember that not long ago, Aunt Niu’s son was looking for a job. I wonder if that’s still true.”

“Xiao He, you’re not thinking about selling your job, are you? That won’t do. If you sell your position, what will you do when you come back?” Aunt Liu immediately guessed Jiang He’s thoughts as soon as she heard him.

Jiang He sighed.

“Aunt Liu, I understand your concern, but I don’t even know what will happen when I go to the countryside. I might not even be able to come back…”

He was telling the truth. The period from 1965 to 1976 was turbulent, with many people being criticized and persecuted. Intellectuals, sent-down youths, and scholars were among the first to bear the brunt of it.

“Ugh, ugh, ugh! Stop talking nonsense, child. What do you mean you might not come back? You’re fine, don’t scare me!” Aunt Liu, not understanding his true thoughts, quickly covered Jiang He’s mouth, then shot him a stern look.

“Xiao He, have you thought this through?” Li Jianguo looked at Jiang He’s tired expression, wishing this person in front of him were his own child. Unfortunately, that was how the world worked—what you wanted was often out of reach, while what you didn’t want was always right in front of you.

“Team Leader, please privately contact him and tell him that I’ll sell my position for 350 yuan. If he agrees, then have him come over,” Jiang He said. Having once risen from an orphan with nothing to becoming a CEO with millions, he wasn’t a naive and innocent person. Since they were forcing him into a corner, there was no need for him to hold back anymore.

As for the price of the job, Jiang He was already selling it at a low price. He was originally responsible for product testing, with a salary of 38 yuan per month, and he was subsidized with two meat coupons and one foot of cloth coupon at the end of each month.

Niu Cuifang was a person who liked to get a bargain. In addition, her family conditions were pretty good. So the other party would definitely agree to his price, and would definitely keep it a secret before buying it.

After Li Jianguo left, Aunt Liu angrily scolded him, “Are you stupid? You finally found a job… but you have to sell it. If your mother knew about this, she would…”

“You still don’t understand, do you? What kind of person is Niu Cuifang? Do you think she’ll ever spit out what she’s swallowed? Xiao He, you know what your parents are like,” Uncle Liu, who had seen a lot in his time, immediately understood Jiang He’s intentions. “I don’t know what you’re planning, but whatever happens, don’t bottle it all up.”

“Alright,” Jiang He replied with a smile.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? The two of you just like to keep things secret… Hmph!” Aunt Liu immediately grew upset and, huffing, she went off to the kitchen to clean up the dishes.

“Don’t argue with your aunt, she’s just worried about you!”

“I know!” Jiang He replied. As he glanced towards the kitchen, where Aunt Liu was deliberately washing the dishes loudly, a warm feeling passed through his heart.