Chapter 16: Defying the Natural Order!

Old Chen Han warned, “Don’t celebrate too soon. The Ministry of Railways’ exam isn’t easy, and the fireman’s job is tough, shoveling coal every day! Little Chen Shi, can you handle that hardship? If not, try for the train attendant instead!”

Chen Shi shook his head. “I’ll take the fireman exam!”

Having awakened memories of his past life, Chen Shi understood better than anyone that while the fireman’s job seemed unglamorous, hardly different from a boiler worker’s, it had one advantage: he could test for promotion to assistant train driver, then full-fledged driver!

With his newly awakened comparison system, his starter gift was a ten-cubic-meter storage space. If he became a train driver, he could discreetly transport goods without anyone noticing. At the very least, he could ensure his family wouldn’t starve during the famine.

After all, the Chen family wasn’t just the one in Beijing, Old Chen Han had five brothers in the countryside, and his parents were still alive! Even Tian Xiulan’s family was large, though they were from the northeast and didn’t visit often.

If he became a driver, Chen Shi believed he could not only surpass Jia Dongxu in work but also use his space to trade supplies.

“I’ll take the fireman exam, Dad!” Chen Shi declared.

Old Chen Han took a satisfied puff of his pipe. “Good! That’s my son! Remember, don’t breathe a word of this to anyone. After you get the job, keep it hidden as long as possible. Success depends on secrecy; failure comes from loose lips. There are plenty in our courtyard who’d trip you up behind your back!”

Chen Shi nodded indifferently. “So, Dad, what’s on the exam? Should I buy some books?”

Old Chen Han replied, “The notice lists the required books. Later, have your sister take you to Xinhua Bookstore to buy them and practice your reading.”

“Got it!”

The original Chen Shi had indeed been illiterate. Before liberation, he should’ve attended elementary school with Silly Zhu, but back then, Beijing was under Japanese occupation.

The schools then enforced Japanese indoctrination, forcing students to bow to the eastern flag every day. Old Chen Han couldn’t stand it, and neither could Chen Shi, so he never learned to read.

But now, with his past-life memories, things were different. In his previous life, Chen Shi had undergone nine years of compulsory education and even passed the college entrance exam. His learning ability was solid.

Some might worry about traditional characters, but simplified Chinese had already been introduced during the Republic of China era. Most characters were already simplified by then. The new government later formalized them as standard and promoted pinyin.

So, Chen Shi’s current knowledge level probably surpassed Chen Maihua’s.

But that didn’t matter. To outsiders, he was still illiterate. He’d have to pretend to study for a while, then take the exam, seemed reasonable, right?

Chen Shi reached for the job referral letter, but Tian Xiulan smacked his hand away. “What are you looking at? You’re always careless with things. If I let you hold it, you’d lose it in no time! I’ll keep it safe and give it to you on exam day.”

Old Chen Han added, “Listen, kid, study hard these next few days. Don’t mess up this chance!”

Chen Shi grinned. “Relax, Dad. Your son will definitely pass the fireman exam, then become a driver. And you’ll be my personal fireman! I’ll drive the train, you shovel the coal, Ow! Why’d you hit me?!”

Before Chen Shi could finish his cheeky remark, Old Chen Han whacked him with his cane.

Rubbing his sore backside, Chen Shi darted behind Shen Youchu. “Wife, Dad hit me so hard! Let’s go inside, you can rub some ointment on it for me.”

Shen Youchu’s cheeks flushed pink. “Don’t be silly,” she whispered, flustered. “We still have to help outside.”

This wasn’t like the modern era where neighbors barely knew each other. These were times built on mutual aid, when money and supplies were scarce, people relied on borrowing from one another. Without maintaining relationships, who would lend to you?

So, Old Chen Han knew full well about the schemes in their courtyard. In a crowded tenement, conflicts were inevitable, original residents and workers from all over lived side by side.

But despite quarrels, when major events happened, everyone still pitched in. If you didn’t help others now, they wouldn’t help you later.

“Xiulan, are you home?”

“Granny Jia?”

Chen Shi raised an eyebrow. “What’s this old hag doing here instead of summoning Old Jia’s ghost to celebrate her son’s wedding?”

Tian Xiulan pinched him hard. “You little brat! Stop spouting nonsense. If she hears you, your reputation will be ruined! Alright, Youchu, take Chen Shi inside. And don’t go blabbing about the job, it’s not settled yet!”

“Understood!”

Chen Shi waved impatiently and pulled Shen Youchu along. “Let’s go take a nap!”

Shen Youchu carried the asthma medicine for her mother and obediently followed him inside. Once there, she busied herself making the bed while Chen Shi stood idly, arms outstretched.

Seeing this, Shen Youchu quickly set aside her task and helped him out of his padded coat and shoes. By the time she finished tucking him in, tiny beads of sweat dotted her forehead.

Chen Shi yanked her into the bed. “Sleep with me!”

Shen Youchu protested softly, “I can’t! You sleep alone, okay? I need to help outside. Mom said if I don’t pitch in, people will talk behind our backs.”

Ignoring her, Chen Shi pulled her close…

Granny Jia stepped inside, her greedy eyes scanning Tian Xiulan’s neatly arranged furniture. The pieces had belonged to the previous homeowner, all high-quality. Such fine things wasted on a family like the Chens! They’d be better off in her hands.

“Granny Jia, what brings you here?”

Granny Jia smiled thinly. “Well, I heard from Yan Bugui that your Chen Shi’s also hosting a banquet. So, how about we call it even? No need for gifts either way, saves us the trouble!”