Chapter 859: Chapter 860: 1960s Quadrangle 108

After learning of Zhou Jiangtao’s plans, Zhang Yu sent a package of food and drinks, but did not mail any books.

She fully committed to providing logistical support for Zhang Li, striving for a good performance in her exams.

As the news of the restoration of the national college entrance examination spread, many high school students, along with those who had graduated years ago, picked up their books again, aiming to get into university.

Still, there were more who did not participate in the exam; having graduated too long ago, they had long returned the knowledge taught by their teachers.

Others had already started families, bearing heavier responsibilities on their shoulders, and could not afford to act rashly.

Zhou Zhitao had asked Zhang Yu, “If you want to take the college entrance exam, you can go.”

“We have enough savings at home.” Despite increased expenses in recent years, they still had savings; not an immense amount, but at least enough to support Zhang Yu if she decided to take the college entrance examination.

Upon Zhou Zhitao’s suggestion, Zhang Yu smiled and shook her head, “I won’t go.”

“The department has been wanting me to work there. Previously, considering the chaos outside, I didn’t go.”

“Now, as the situation is getting better, I’d like to work in the department.” Zhang Yu originally thought of venturing out to start her own business, but that was overshadowed by the demanding job of her partner.

Zhou Zhitao, after cracking the major case at the steel mill, had become a key figure for development in his unit and was a squadron leader even before getting married.

When the winds of change blew and the previous director was moved, the incoming incompetent director promoted Zhou Zhitao to restrict the powerful deputy director.

The promotion of anyone else was opposed by the doers, but it was Zhou Zhitao, who had no background at all, whom the doers agreed to endorse.

After the storm passed, the director, unsprisingly, was transferred elsewhere, and it was known that his prospects were not bright.

The deputy director took over as director, and Zhou Zhitao became the deputy director, likely to rise further when the current director retired.

Since her man was bound to be busy, Zhang Yu couldn’t talk about starting her own business.

If she couldn’t start her own business, Zhang Yu no longer wanted to stay at the steel mill.

Given that the currently thriving steel mill would no longer be prosperous in a decade, Zhang Yu was even less inclined to stay.

As for his wife wanting a job change, Zhou Zhitao naturally had no objections, “Okay, why don’t you do financial work at the bureau?”

Zhou Zhitao remembered attending a meeting at the sub-bureau and hearing about the need for a finance officer. He hadn’t considered it seriously since his wife was doing well at the steel mill.

What’s more, the finance department at the steel mill paid higher wages than the bureau.

Now, with Zhang Yu willing to change jobs, Zhou Zhitao felt it could be worth considering a position at the bureau.

Ah, a job at the bureau? Zhang Yu was somewhat tempted, given that it was also a powerful department.

But she just flirted with the idea briefly, quickly reaffirming her own plans, “No, I’d rather go to the ministry.”

“I’ve previously worked in finance at the steel mill and am familiar with it; starting at the bureau would mean beginning from scratch.”

Her initial attraction was considering the civil servant benefits – stable work and not a small retirement income.

But after further thought, working at the ministry would offer the same civil service perks, and even though the ministry might be dissolved in the Millennium, by that time, she would be an old lady ready to retire.

Seeing that Zhang Yu didn’t want to change jobs, Zhou Zhitao didn’t persist, “Will you need to travel for work if you go to the ministry?”

“In finance, we hardly ever have to travel.”

“If I’m sent on a business trip, there’s an eighty percent chance something’s gone wrong.” In the ministry, those engaged in technical fields are expected to travel frequently.

If the finance department gets involved, it means there’s a problem with some factory’s accounts, and if the staff of the Ministry of Finance are also involved, then it’s definitely a problem.

“And with so many in finance, it’s hardly likely my turn will come.”

“I was chosen because the higher-ups felt there were too few accountants with frontline work experience, and I’m also young.” In fact, they intended to cultivate her specifically.

Zhang Yu, of course, wouldn’t miss such a good opportunity, and she also aimed to improve her academic credentials.

She could attend Night University or Dian University, and then take some professional certification exams.

“Indeed, now many positions are understaffed; it’s a good opportunity.” Although it seems a bit like taking pleasure in others’ misfortune, one cannot deny the profound impact of this movement.

Many people in those positions are utterly unqualified and, as for the former staff, some can’t stand the pressure anymore—either they commit suicide or they’re too old and unwilling to return.

It is precisely because of this shortage of capable individuals that he was able to smoothly secure the position of department head.

While everyone’s attention was on the college entrance exam, Zhang Yu quietly started working in the ministry.

It was not until payday that everyone became aware of this news.

Most people were just slightly surprised and discussed it briefly before dropping the subject.

In their eyes, ever since the deaths of Zhang Hao and his wife, Zhang Yu had swiftly held up the family front, maintaining the household’s employment and housing, and had found a man with a promising future.

Not everyone responded to Zhang Yu’s ministry job with equanimity; for instance, the Ren family was particularly upset.

Even though they were highly self-regarding, believing Ren Jiahao to be a very promising technician at the factory, they couldn’t contend with Mother Ren’s notorious arrogance and domineering behavior.

Moreover, having worked for several years, Ren Jiahao had not been allocated a house, so which quality girl would set her sights on him?

The girls who were interested in Ren Jiahao, let’s say Ren Jiahao wasn’t satisfied with them, even the Ren family had various grievances.

They benchmarked the requirements for Ren Jiahao’s bride directly against Zhang Yu: the bride’s family should provide the marital home and have a good job.

After all, they had spread rumors about how terrible Zhang Yu was; if they settled for less now, they would become a laughingstock.

Refusing to lower their expectations, disregarding their own means, and overly scrutinizing potential brides has left Ren Jiahao still single to this day.

Some have advised Mother Ren to stop insisting, to slightly lower her standards. Ren Jiahao is tempted, considering that all his peers of the same age—colleagues, classmates, neighbors—are already fathers.

Regrettably, just when Ren Jiahao’s younger siblings were growing up, they had their own small calculations and various reasons for not wanting Ren Jiahao to marry.

Once he was married, would he still hand over his entire salary? Impossible. How would the household expenses be managed then, and what about their own weddings?

Mother Ren kept telling Ren Jiahao that after holding on for so long, giving up now would make them the butt of jokes.

Is he willing to settle for an average girl? Not to mention Zhang Yu’s comparison, she might even be inferior to the brides of those around him.

Ren Jiahao knows full well that Mother Ren’s admonitions are calculated, as his siblings are growing up and will soon be of marriageable age themselves, still relying on his salary.

Yet he’s not content himself; after all this perseverance, marrying an ordinary woman would prompt others to ridicule him.

Ren Jiahao thought it over and decided he still wanted to wait for a partner with better prospects.

With this decision, the previously wavering Ren Jiahao solidified his conviction, thus embarking on a life of supporting his younger siblings.