Life Is Sweet in the Seventies

Not long after Tan Lixia returned to the city, her former middle school classmate Yu Jinfeng sent someone to propose on his behalf. They started dating, and after they married, the Yu family arranged a job for her. Everyone in the alley envied her.

But since she owed them this favor, it was only right that she keep her head down and make herself small in her in-laws' home.

Whenever she was wronged, Yu Jinfeng would only say, "For the sake of my parents finding you a job, just put up with it."

She put up with it for five or six years. After she had a daughter, she didn't get pregnant again for a long time. Her mother-in-law was unhappy and made her try all sorts of folk remedies, bowl after bowl of bitter medicine, insisting, "Our family absolutely has to have a son. Otherwise, who'll take over Jinfeng's job in the future?"

As rumors of stricter family-planning rules spread, her mother-in-law's expression grew darker and darker.

Then came the blow that hit her like a bolt from the blue. Seeing the two of them cuddled together in bed, Tan Lixia felt as if she had been struck by five bolts of lightning. Her mother-in-law sighed in her ear, "What can you do? Your belly just isn't up to the job. Once I have a boy, I'll bring him over for you to raise." Then she adopted a lofty air and added, "After New Year's, I'll pull some strings and get your position made permanent."

She had spent five or six years working like an ox for a temporary job, handing her wages over to her mother-in-law, being criticized for failing to produce a son, and enduring betrayal in her marriage.

The world spun around her. Tan Lixia collapsed, then opened her eyes again. She froze for a moment, then covered her eyes and burst out laughing. "That dream felt so real."

How could it not? Every little detail had felt so real. Just like now, Yu Jinfeng was sitting in the main room talking to her mother. "Auntie, once we're married, I'll definitely convince my mom to get Lixia's job made permanent..."

It was exactly the same as in her dream, word for word.

Tan Lixia's face immediately turned pale.

Once she had confirmed beyond a doubt that the dream was real, she decided: whoever wanted to live through those days steeped in bitter medicine could do it themselves.

**

Ping Zhen was an orphan from the crowded courtyard on the back street. After serving in the military for several years, he returned to civilian life and was introduced to a woman. She disliked his fierce looks and the scar on his jaw, but she was taken with the fact that he was an orphan, since that meant she wouldn't have to care for a mother-in-law after marriage. Ping Zhen explained that he had adoptive parents and would certainly have to support them in the future. The woman thought he was crazy, got up, and left.

As Ping Zhen turned around, he saw the woman he'd met during field training the year before.

Half a month later, the woman who'd been set up on a date with Ping Zhen learned that he was the new leader who'd just been parachuted into her younger brother's department. She also found out who his adoptive parents were, and came to see him of her own accord. "Comrade Ping, I've thought it over. I'd still like to talk with you."

Ping Zhen frowned, stepped back to put some distance between them, and said, "Which department are you in? The rules forbid reporting over your supervisor's head. If you have a problem, discuss it with your superior." He tried to step around her, but she blocked him again, blushing shyly. "What are you talking about? I mean, I'd like to date you."

"I'm seeing someone." Ping Zhen hurried away as if his life depended on it.

At his superior's wedding, Yu Jinfeng saw the bride standing beside his direct boss and felt as if he'd been struck by five bolts of lightning.

Theme: Break free of restraints and keep striving upward