Jiang Guangxing's eldest son, Jiang Hongjun, brought the table out.

There were only corn pancakes, stewed potatoes, and sorghum porridge.

This seventeen-year-old girl cooked quite efficiently, and the food looked delicious.

"Mr. Tian, please sit. We didn't know you'd be coming today, so it's a bit simple."

"It's okay. We're all from the village, and this meal is already great."

Jiang Guangxing was quite happy to hear Tian Mingyan's words.

Xiao Yan brought out a bowl of bean paste and a bunch of green onions.

The meal was simple, but it tasted really good.

Tian Mingyan ate a pancake, dipped some green onions in the paste, and found it exceptionally tasty.

"Xiao Yan, you're really skilled."

"Thank you, Aunt Tian." Jiang Xiaoyan didn't mind her father looking for a partner. She was already seventeen and could go to the textile factory as a temporary worker by the end of the year. She also needed to find a husband, as there should be a woman in the house to take care of things in the future.

After dinner, Jiang Guangxing stopped Tian Mingyan from doing chores.

"Take a rest. It's not easy working all day."

"Then take me back."

"Sure."

The three children all greeted Tian Mingyan.

"Jiang Guangxing, I agree."

The man cycling ahead smiled, "Don't worry, I still hold to my word. As long as you're wholeheartedly with me, I'll definitely treat you well."

"Hmm, don't worry. Since I've decided to marry you, I'll make sure to live well."

"When should we go get our marriage certificate? We should at least host a few tables."

"Let's go get the letter tomorrow and get the certificate on Monday. There's no need for a banquet; I've outgrown that vain phase."

"You're accepting too much grievance for that."

"No grievance, as long as you treat me well, that's more than enough."

"Then I'll give you two hundred yuan; buy whatever you like."

This Tian Mingyan did not refuse. Having more money in hand is better; it's more secure this way.

Jiang Guangxing escorted her directly to the textile factory entrance, happily returning home. The woman he liked agreed to marry him, of course, he was happy.

After reaching home, he called the three children. The eldest daughter could start working at the textile factory by the end of the year. Though it's just temporary, she could gradually work her way up. The eldest son had graduated from junior high school, and now he's looking for someone to arrange a job for him, but it's truly hard to find.

"Today, you've all met Mr. Tian. She's been divorced, and her reputation isn't very good, but I know she's a good woman. She used to be the deputy director of the textile factory.

I tell you all this in hopes that the three of you won't reject her. I genuinely want to live happily with her."

The two younger brothers looked at their sister.

Xiao Yan smiled, "Dad, we have no objections. I'll start working by the end of the year, and in a few years, I'll need to find a husband too. Having a woman to take care of you three men at home lets us rest easy.

Moreover, the three of us wish for Dad's happiness. After all these years, acting as both our father and mother, you've raised us. We hope you can be happy."

"What do you two think?"

Jiang Hongjun spoke, "Dad, as long as you want it, that's fine. Also, as long as she doesn't cause our family chaos.

I understand your concern for the future. Although I can't see her as my mom, I'll ensure she's well-fed and cared for in her old age."

"Alright, thank you three."

"Dad, can my job start early? I heard there's a policy coming down saying that families with many members must go to the countryside. Otherwise, we won't get job placements in the future.

Dad, think of something, we need to ensure both Hongjun and I have jobs, or we'll have to go to the countryside."

"Hmm, I'll go out for a bit." Jiang Guangxing, realizing the seriousness of the situation, hurried off to Director Li's home on his bicycle.

"Director Li, I'm here to ask if my Xiao Yan and Hongjun can start working at the textile factory now?"

"Old Jiang, it's difficult now. There are no vacancies available now. Even one spot is tough, let alone two."

"Director Li, please help think of a solution."

"It's really not possible. Even if I give your family a temporary position, it'll only be one."

"What are we supposed to do? Should we really let the kids go to the countryside?"

"This is an unavoidable situation; no family wants to send their kids to suffer, but there aren't enough job positions available, so there's no choice.

Old Jiang, go home and discuss it. There's only one spot, so decide if it's for your son or daughter.

Let me tell you, voluntarily signing up for the countryside might get them assigned to a better place, so think it through."

"Alright, thank you, Director Li. I'll go home and discuss it."

"Sigh. My family is also sending the son, can't trust sending the daughter out."

"Your family's son is also going to the countryside?"

"Yes, last time they already collected the staff family situations, and the factory has made a decision. Adding more people is impossible unless Director Wei approves. But we all know Director Wei's character; he definitely won't agree."

Jiang Guangxing returned home to find the three kids waiting in the courtyard for their father.

"How did it go?"

"Xiao Yan, Hongjun, you two discuss who will go to the countryside. Our Director Li's children also signed up to support rural development."

Jiang Xiaoyan was stunned, the worst-case scenario had arrived. As the eldest sister, she should give way to her brother, but she's never worked on a farm before, and just the thought of it makes her feel particularly distressed.

Jiang Hongjun hung his head, unwilling to go to the countryside, too, but his sister has always been very good to him. Sending her, a girl, to the countryside felt too hard-hearted.

The four of them sat in the courtyard, not saying a word, as it was a difficult topic to discuss.

Finally, Jiang Xiaoyan spoke, "Dad, I'll go to the countryside. As the eldest sister, I should take care of my brothers."

"Sister, I'll go instead; even if I stay a few years, I could return. If years later you go, you're already older and really can't just find a rural husband, right?"

"Hongjun, it's okay, I'll go. I'm older, I should give way to you."

Jiang Guangxing, seeing his children selflessly considering one another, felt a sense of unease. He had thought about transferring the job to his eldest son, but from Director Li's words, it seemed impossible to achieve.

"You decide among yourselves. Whoever goes to the countryside, report tomorrow, but remember, don't both sign up, because by then, even if you don't want to go, it won't be an option."

The elder sister and brother nodded in agreement, while Jiang Guangxing retired to his room to sleep, as he had work the next day.

"Hongjun, you stay. You're younger. And I heard that if a girl goes with middle school education, she might get easier work. My classmate said that educated girls can become teachers.

As for marriage, if I don't want to find someone from the countryside, I can marry a fellow educated youth, so don't worry about that."