Siheyuan: I just want to live

By the time three rounds of wine and five dishes were served, Chen Feng's face had turned red like a ripe apple, while Hou Debang, Li Guotao and others remained calm, as steady as Mount Tai.

At this moment, Chen Feng gently rubbed his head, which felt dizzy as if hit by a heavy hammer. Feeling that the time was ripe, he began to speak, but his words were like a candle flame blown by the wind, swaying and unclear.

"Hou...Brother Hou, and Uncle Li, I, I have something I want to ask for your help!"

After hearing what Chen Feng said, Hou Debang immediately responded: "Brother Chen, our relationship is extraordinary! It's as close as family members! If you have anything to say, just tell me, and don't mention anything like please or no request, that would be too polite!"

Hou Debang's voice is full of heroism, which makes people feel a sincere friendship.

Li Guotao, who was standing at the side, echoed, "Yes, Chen Feng, since you call me uncle, you are my nephew! If you encounter any problems in the future, just tell me directly, and don't be polite to me, your uncle!"

Li Guotao's words revealed a kind of kindness and care, and he really treated Chen Feng like his own child.

Chen Feng was moved when he heard what they said. He knew that these two people were kind people who were sincere and helpful.

He nodded gratefully, then bowed to the two of them and said, "Brother Hou, Uncle Li, thank you both in advance!"

However, before Chen Feng could say anything, Hou Debang couldn't wait to urge him: "Brother Chen, don't be so quick to thank us! Tell us what happened and why we need your help. We can also listen to the details and see how we can help you!"

Li Guotao immediately said, "Yes, Chen Feng, you should explain the matter clearly first!"

There was a hint of concern in his eyes, and he was just waiting for Chen Feng to tell him the problem. He would immediately think about how to help Chen Feng solve it.

When Chen Feng heard what the two said, he was deeply moved and his eyes became slightly moist, but he quickly adjusted his mood, smiled, and spoke in a soothing tone.

"Brother Hou, Uncle Li, you guys really take good care of us. Actually, Jin Ming has already graduated from junior high school. Logically speaking, it's time for him to step into society and earn money to support the family."

At this point, Chen Feng paused and continued, "But he is too young. If he goes to work in a factory now, I guess they won't accept him. After all, he is still a child laborer."

"So, I would like to ask you two to find him a suitable job so that he can start earning money earlier, so that he won't run around outside and make Jin Ling and I worry all day long."

Hearing what Chen Feng said, Hou Debang didn't think there was anything wrong with it. He smiled heartily, patted Chen Feng on the shoulder and comforted him.

"Haha, so that's how it is. That's fine, leave it to me! Don't worry, this little thing won't be a problem for me, Old Hou! But does your Jin Ming have any special skills or hobbies? We have to arrange work for him based on his interests and hobbies."

Li Guotao on the side frowned, and asked Chen Feng with a puzzled look: "Chen Feng, I remember Jin Ming is only fourteen years old now?"

"Now that he has graduated from junior high school, he should continue to go to school. Why don't you let him continue to go to school? Did he fail to get into a technical secondary school or high school?"

There was a hint of confusion and worry in Li Guotao's tone, as if he felt it was a pity that Jin Ming didn't go to school.

To be honest, Li Guotao is very concerned about Chen Feng's family, otherwise he would not know Jin Ming's age and academic situation.

After hearing what Li Guotao said, Hou Debang also reacted and asked Chen Feng: "Yes, brother Chen, Jin Ming is at the right age to go to school, why don't you let him go?"

Hou Debang also showed a confused expression and looked at Chen Feng, waiting for his explanation.

Hearing what Li Guotao and Hou Debang said, Chen Feng smiled bitterly, and then said helplessly: "Brother Hou, Uncle Li! It's not that I don't want Jin Ming to continue to go to school, but he really can't go!"

His voice was full of bitterness and helplessness, as if he had many unspeakable secrets.

After hearing Chen Feng's words, Li Guotao still frowned and said to Chen Feng: "What do you mean? Tell me carefully!"

There was a glimmer of eagerness in Li Guotao's eyes, wanting to know the truth of the matter.

Seeing Li Guotao asking this, Chen Feng explained helplessly: "Uncle Li, this is what happened. Ever since I came back from the Armed Forces Department last time, Jin Ming's school knew about Jin Ming's family background the next day."

He paused, and then continued, "After the school learned about Jin Ming's family background, the Revolutionary Committee of their school did not allow Jin Ming to continue studying in their school and wanted to expel Jin Ming."

"You also know how much of an impact being expelled from school would have on Jin Ming. So, I had no choice but to go and argue with them."

Li Guotao frowned and asked, "What happened next?"

Chen Feng sighed and continued, "I went to the principal of their school and persuaded him to give Jin Ming a diploma. This means that Jin Ming graduated from the school instead of being expelled."

After hearing this, Li Guotao showed a trace of relief on his face. Fortunately, Jin Ming had a junior high school diploma. Otherwise, how would he live in the future with only a primary school diploma?

But then Li Guotao frowned again, as if thinking that graduating from junior high school seemed to be of no use in this old city now?

If Jin Ming enters a factory in the future, he has no advantage over those who have attended high school or technical secondary school since he is only a junior high school graduate!

At this time, after listening to Chen Feng's words, Hou Debang frowned and said to Chen Feng with a serious face: "Brother Chen! I'm not saying anything bad about you, but Jin Ming's current school doesn't allow Jin Ming to go to school, you should have told me earlier!"

Seeing Hou Debang say this, Li Guotao turned to look at him and said, "Why, can you find a new school for Jin Ming?"

As soon as Li Guotao finished speaking, Hou Debang patted his chest and said confidently, "Hey, Brother Guotao, you know what! I can really find a school for him!"

After saying this, Hou Debang looked at Li Guotao complacently, with a hint of pride in his eyes.

However, Li Guotao did not give him any special response and just looked at him silently.

This made Hou Debang feel a little disappointed, but he did not give up and continued to speak enthusiastically.

"Didn't Brother Chen just say that Jin Ming has a junior high school diploma? It just so happens that there is a technical secondary school in our factory!"

"And I happen to have some personal relationship with the school principal. I'll go talk to the principal and maybe you can let Jin Ming go to the technical secondary school of the steel plant!"

After hearing what Hou Debang said, Li Guotao thought for a moment, and then said to Chen Feng, "Chen Feng, what Old Hou said is also fine! Why not let Jin Ming continue to go to school!"

"To be honest, it's a little early for him to start working now. Why don't you let him go to school for another two years? It won't be too late for him to start working after he graduates from high school!"

Chen Feng smiled bitterly when he heard what Hou Debang and Li Guotao said. So he said, "Brother Hou, Uncle Li, when Jin Ming was first expelled from school, I also wanted to ask Brother Hou to help find another school for Jin Ming. But later..."

Having said that, Chen Feng smiled bitterly and stopped talking.

He knew in his heart that if it weren't for the street office document that Secretary Zhao Jun read out earlier, he might really ask Hou Debang to help Jin Ming find a school today.

However, since learning about the document, Chen Feng has basically given up this idea.

Because, although Chen Feng had a certain degree of confidence in himself, he was not sure whether he could find a stable job for Jin Ming after he finished high school.

If this cannot be achieved in the end and Jin Ming is forced by the street office to go to the countryside to become an educated youth, the consequences will be disastrous.

After all, Jin Ming is the only one left in the Jin family. If he is forced to go to those remote and poor mountainous areas, Jin Ming's future life will become extremely difficult.

And if Jin Ling had to watch Jin Ming go to the countryside without being able to help, Jin Ling would feel guilty for the rest of her life!

Therefore, after careful consideration, Chen Feng believed that it would be the most appropriate choice to let Jin Ming work in the factory as soon as possible. After all, after getting a job, he couldn't be sent to the countryside again, right?

After hearing Chen Feng's words, Hou Debang and Li Guotao became even more confused, since they had planned to find Hou Debang from the beginning to let Jin Ming continue to go to school.

But why did they change their mind now, choosing not to let Jin Ming continue to go to school but instead preparing to let Jin Ming work in a factory as a worker?

So the anxious Hou Debang couldn't wait to ask: "Brother Chen, why did you change your mind again?" There was a hint of anxiety and confusion in his voice.

Hearing Hou Debang's question, Chen Feng could not help but frown slightly. After thinking for a moment, he slowly said, "Later, I heard that our street office vigorously promoted and mobilized educated youth to go to the countryside, which made me start thinking about this issue."

"Under the social background at that time, the "going to the countryside" campaign by the subdistrict office became a trend, and many young people will certainly respond to the call and go to the countryside to settle down."

"After seeing the good results of the "Going to the Countryside and Mountains" program, the subdistrict office will definitely continue to increase its publicity efforts! And it does not rule out the possibility of forcibly arranging for educated youth to go to the countryside and mountains in the future."

"As for Jin Ming, if the subdistrict office arranged for educated youth to go to the countryside, he would definitely be included because of his poor family background."

"If Jin Ming is sent to the countryside, it will be a disaster for our family. That's why I asked you to find a job for Jin Ming to avoid the possibility of him being sent to the countryside."