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25: He joined the army.

Regiment Commander Wang and Lu Jing came to the house.

Regiment Commander Wang gave several military enlistment application forms for Xiao Niannian to fill out.

After carefully reviewing them, Xiao Niannian began filling them out.

Upon seeing Xiao Niannian's handwriting, Regiment Commander Wang couldn't help but praise it again.

"Niannian's handwriting is truly excellent; it looks just like her father's."

At that time, Xiao Zhan had the best handwriting in their battalion.

That was why he still remembered it.

Hearing Regiment Commander Wang's praise, Grandma Xiao smiled happily.

Lu Jing stood to the side, remaining silent the whole time.

After Xiao Niannian finished filling out the forms, Regiment Commander Wang smiled, picked up the application forms, and said,

"Niannian, you can take a ride to the County Government today with your grandmother to look around and buy some things.

Rest well for these next few days, and after the New Year, you will head to the recruit company."

The weather was extremely cold now, and the New Year was only ten or so days away.

The New Year?

Xiao Niannian had seen footage of the 1970s on television before.

Back then, the New Year was very lively and had a great festive atmosphere.

In the Military Unit, they would also organize performances for everyone to watch together.

"Okay, thank you, Uncle Wang."

"You're welcome."

After Regiment Commander Wang and Lu Jing left, Grandma Xiao looked at Xiao Niannian.

"Niannian, tomorrow morning, let's take a ride with Uncle Xiao Shu to the County Government to buy some things."

Although Grandma Xiao didn't have much money left, now that the New Year was approaching, she still wanted her Granddaughter to have a happy and joyful holiday.

Hearing Grandma's words, Xiao Niannian nodded.

"Okay, I'll listen to you, Grandma."

Xiao Niannian was currently holding a fortune of several thousand yuan, along with hundreds of ration coupons.

She could now be considered a wealthy woman.

She had carefully checked the money and coupons, and they had no markings.

Therefore, they could be spent.

Of course, she wouldn't spend them recklessly.

Grandma and Uncle Xiao Shu's clothes were so old.

She had to buy each of them a new set of clothes, and then buy some fabric; Grandma loved making clothes the most.

"Niannian, tomorrow Grandma wants to buy some fabric to make clothes for you and Xiao Jing."

Hearing Grandma's words, Xiao Niannian nodded.

"Okay, we'll buy fabric, and you can make a set of clothes for Comrade Lu."

Lu Jing had helped them so much; it was only natural for Grandma to make a set of clothes for him.

She would provide the money and coupons for the clothes when the time came.

Xiao Niannian planned to repay Lu Jing for the grain, oil, rice, and flour once she enlisted and received her stipend.

Grandma didn't understand these things, but how could she not?

The unit would indeed provide some supplies, but it was impossible for them to be so comprehensive.

Either Regiment Commander Wang and Lu Jing had purchased them, or Lu Jing had purchased them himself.

He had even bought so much meat and vegetables; it was enough for them to eat throughout the New Year.

If she took out the money she had now, it would arouse suspicion.

However, Xiao Niannian thought of something.

At this time, business could not be conducted, and self-employment hadn't started yet.

She had read in the news before that in the 70s and 80s, translation work was very lucrative.

She heard that some could earn seven yuan per thousand characters, or even ten yuan or more per thousand characters, earning several hundred yuan a month, with some even reaching over a thousand.

There was also writing articles for submission; if they were accepted, she could earn quite a bit of money.

Her writing was decent, but at this time, one had to be very careful with their words, and writing articles still wasn't as fast as translation for making money.

It was an hour away from the City Center, and she didn't know where there was a translation agency in the City Center.

It seemed she would have to find a way to inquire about it.

She had to find a way to earn more money.

Seeing that Sixth Aunt and Niannian were now settled, Xiao Xiaoshu began to have thoughts of returning.

Here, money had to be spent from morning to night, and when he offered money to Sixth Aunt and Niannian, they wouldn't take it.

There were still over ten days until the New Year; if he went back, he could help with things.

When the Production Brigade distributed dividends during the New Year, they could help Sixth Aunt and Niannian collect the grain and goods, then exchange them for money and coupons to send over.

Niannian would be enlisting in the military after the New Year, and with Sixth Aunt staying here, her safety would be guaranteed.

After the recruit company training, Niannian would also be able to come back to stay from time to time.

"Sixth Aunt."

Hearing her Nephew's voice, Grandma Xiao smiled and nodded.

"I want to buy a train ticket to go back tomorrow.

Now that you and Niannian are settled here, I can go back and report..."

Hearing her Nephew's words, Grandma Xiao tried to persuade him.

"Xiao Shu, you just arrived.

Why don't you wait until after the New Year to go back?"

"Sixth Aunt, there are many things to do at home.

It's perfect if I go back.

Our family also needs to help you and Niannian pick up the village dividends.

After the New Year, there will be a lot of farm work..."

"Uncle Xiao Shu, why don't you wait until after the New Year to go back?

I heard you also served in the military here.

Take advantage of these days to go back to your old Military Unit and visit, and talk with your Comrade-in-arms."

Hearing Xiao Niannian's words, Uncle Xiao Shu said with a smile,

"Those Comrades-in-arms of mine have all retired and gone home.

There are very few people in the unit I know now.

Next time you go back, I will come to pick up Sixth Aunt.

There will be opportunities in the future..."

Grandma Xiao and Xiao Niannian could not dissuade Uncle Xiao Shu from his intention to go home, and Xiao Niannian did not try to persuade him further.

"Grandma, let's go to the County Government today to look around."

Xiao Niannian intended to buy some local specialties for Uncle Xiao Shu to take back for his family to taste.

In a few years, when the situation improved and self-employment was allowed, she would provide the money to help Uncle Xiao Shu and the others, as well as the villagers of Xiao Family Village, to get rich together.

In her past life, although she was in the military, she actually helped manage her mother's company.

She was also well-versed in many business matters.

Grandma Xiao nodded.

Lu Jing had told Xiao Niannian that the Military Unit had many vehicles going to the County Government and the City Center every day.

If they wanted to go to the County Government or the City Center, they just needed to ask at the guard post and they could get a ride.

"Then let's set off now."

Grandma Xiao nodded.

After closing the door, Xiao Niannian helped Grandma Xiao out of the courtyard.

Just as they were walking out, they saw Aunt Sun walking over, along with several other Aunts and grandmothers.

"Aunt, where are you all going?"

Aunt Sun looked at Grandma Xiao with a smile, very enthusiastically.

"We plan to go to the County Government to buy some things."

"Aunt, you are Battalion Commander Lu's grandmother.

You are truly blessed to have such an outstanding Grandson."

Although Grandma Xiao dressed very plainly, she had been on the battlefield, and for so many years, she had been very prestigious in the village.

Apart from having an unfilial son, Xiao Dong, everything else about her was excellent.

Moreover, Grandma Xiao kept herself clean and neat, and her temperament was naturally different from that of an ordinary rural old woman.

"I heard you will be staying here for a while.

When you have time, come talk with us more."

"Yes, yes, yes, we don't have much to do here normally..."

Grandma Xiao responded to everyone with a smile.

Xiao Niannian noticed everyone's gaze.

Her ears were sharp, and she had long since heard these people gossiping from afar.

Some were saying whether she was Lu Jing's partner, and others were saying she was Lu Jing's sister.

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