Chen Yang coaxed and cajoled until Zhang Shugen stopped pestering him about his wife.
The old man thought back to when he was seventeen, he was probably much the same as his nephew.
However, he had just arrived in the countryside and didn't dare to act rashly. After two years, he had successfully charmed Shen Xue, who was eighteen, into his arms. Otherwise, where would these two children have come from?
Who hadn't been young before?
As it neared noon, his aunt and uncle, along with his eldest cousin, finally returned home.
Chen Yang observed the situation, sensing that his aunt and uncle were pleased with the young lady. As for Zhang Zhugen, he remained silent, likely still harboring feelings for Liu Ting.
"Aunt, Zhugen Ge and Hong Mei Jie are coming back to my place today to see how my parents will arrange things."
Chen Yang saw no reason to delay; his mother would be retiring in a few months anyway, so retiring a few months earlier or later made no difference.
Getting this matter settled sooner would also prevent any unforeseen complications with the replacement policy, especially with the large influx of educated youths returning to the cities in a few months.
His cousins hadn't successfully secured replacements in his past life, and there was surely a reason for it. Settling things earlier this time might avoid any accidents.
"Yang Yang, you go back on your bicycle first. Your aunt and I will bring them over later. You don't need to worry about us."
His aunt wiped the dust off the bicycle seat for Chen Yang and urged him to go ahead.
A single bicycle couldn't accommodate everyone. Chen Yang didn't refuse; for such an important matter, his aunt and uncle would certainly need to pay their respects to his parents.
He rode his bicycle all the way home. Only Shen Xue and the two children were there; his parents and elder sister and brother-in-law had gone to work, and Chen Yu had gone to school.
The two little ones were already familiar with their surroundings. Shen Xue was washing clothes by the outdoor sink, and they were playing in the yard.
As soon as they saw Chen Yang return, the two little ones surrounded him.
"Daddy, Daddy, where did you go? Yanyan missed you so much."
Chen Yang had just stopped his bicycle when the little ones hopped to his feet, asking to be held.
Chen Hao, unlike his sister, wasn't as good at acting spoiled, but he also stared eagerly at Chen Yang.
After all, they were children over two years old, very clingy.
"Okay, Daddy will hold you."
Chen Yang lifted both children, one in each arm.
Shen Xue had just finished washing clothes. Seeing Chen Yang approach with the two children, she playfully tapped the noses of the little ones with her finger.
"Daddy must be tired from cycling all day. You two little rascals, making Daddy carry you again."
Shen Xue only teased the children. Seeing that Chen Yang didn't seem tired and was happily holding them, she didn't say anything more.
If the children's father didn't mind the effort and was happy to hold them, then so be it.
"Will Mom and Dad be back for lunch? After lunch, I'll take you out for a bit and also help my sister and brother-in-law look at houses."
After playing with the little ones, Chen Yang put them down to play by themselves and then helped Shen Xue wring out clothes to hang them up.
"You don't need to do this. Just rest. Washing clothes is women's work; you don't need to interfere."
It was dozens of miles cycling back from the countryside. Shen Xue was concerned about her husband. The clothes were already washed; there was no need for Chen Yang to do it.
"Isn't it okay for me to pamper my wife? It's only natural for a husband to dote on his wife."
A night apart felt like three autumns.
Chen Yang pinched his wife's cheek. Hearing his slightly cheesy love words, Shen Xue's face flushed. She quickly finished hanging the clothes, picked up the basin, and hurried back into the house.
From her experience, Chen Yang would try to get intimate with her again soon. The city wasn't like the countryside; there was no yard, and if the neighbors saw, it would be too embarrassing.
Watching Shen Xue flee, Chen Yang touched his head, thinking he hadn't done anything. He had only helped his wife hang a few clothes; why was she feeling shy?
"Daddy, I ate two bowls of rice yesterday, and Grandma praised me for being a good child."
Shen Xue went inside to cook, and Chen Yang leisurely played with the children. As they played, the little girl suddenly told him seriously that Grandma had praised her yesterday.
"Daddy's little padded jacket, you're so good. Eat well, grow tall, and Daddy will take you to eat delicious food all over the country."
Chen Yang kissed his daughter's chubby little face. The little one was becoming a true little eater in her parents' care.
"Hooray, hooray! Daddy, you can't lie."
As soon as the little girl heard she could go everywhere to eat delicious food, she happily spun in circles on the ground.
"Daddy, I ate two bowls too."
"Grandpa and Grandma also praised me."
Chen Hao stared at Chen Yang and spoke earnestly.
"Okay, okay, I won't forget you. You both will get some."
Looking at his two foodie children, Chen Yang was amused.
Other people's children were mischievous and difficult to handle, but these two little ones at his house were incredibly well-behaved. As long as there was good food, no problem was insurmountable.
If one good meal couldn't solve a problem, then two would certainly do.
His parents returned for lunch. His aunt and uncle arrived around one o'clock. As expected, they had eaten lunch at home before coming.
This was in keeping with his uncle's character. In his uncle's eyes, the matter of replacement was a huge favor owed to Chen Yang's family, and he didn't have the nerve to come and eat their food again.
Chen Liming and Qin Lifen, accompanied by Zhang Zhugen and Zhang Hongmei, went directly to the factory to complete the procedures. After a month or so of apprenticeship, when they were proficient, the replacement matter could be finalized.
The factory was willing to free up two formal worker positions and hire two more temporary workers. If there were too many people later, they could simply lay off the unnecessary temporary workers.
Chen Yang, along with Shen Xue and the two little ones, wandered around the alleys near Xuanwu Lake. This area was destined to become a hub of universities in the future.
Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Hohai University, Nanjing Forestry University, and so on. Nanjing University was also not far away. Jinling Middle School was located right by Xuanwu Lake and was a renowned high school in later years. This area would be prime real estate in the future.
Even if his sister and brother-in-law didn't need it, Chen Yang would buy it for himself, and it would appreciate tens or even hundreds of times in value later.
In those days, no one dared to openly put up a sign and advertise houses for sale. Many private properties were still under the control of the Real Estate Bureau, with land deeds and house registers. Selling them was impossible.
Chen Yang could only wander through these small alleys. After noon, under the old trees at the heads of many alleys, elderly people would gather to play chess.
He secretly asked a few people but got no information. In those years, houses were allocated by the state or factories. Coupled with the "great leap forward" and the encouragement for people to have more children in the 1950s and 1960s, the population grew, but not many new houses were built. This led to a shortage of housing. Even if there were privately owned properties that hadn't been repossessed, they were kept hidden. The situation at the time was not as clear as it would be after 1983, and people were afraid.
So, after asking around a lot, Chen Yang didn't get any useful information.
He was about to give up and prepare to take his wife and children back when an old man secretly called out to him.