svetikya Chapter 10 Running Around to Get Things Done and Planning for Freedom
Chapter 10 Running Around to Get Things Done and Planning for Freedom
As Lin Yan walked out of the state-owned food factory, clutching the heavy urn containing his father's ashes and his father's belongings in a canvas bag, his heart was heavy. He turned into a quiet, deserted alley.
He quickly scanned the surroundings with his divine sense, and after confirming it was absolutely safe, he moved his mind, and the urn in his arms instantly disappeared, carefully placed in the center of the main hall of the courtyard in the Qiankun Realm. It was quiet and peaceful there, undisturbed by outsiders; it was his father's temporary resting place. He would hold a simple burial ceremony for his father when he returned from his "old home."
Having shed this burden, Lin Yan straightened his clothes and walked towards Wangfujing Street.
Wangfujing was already packed with people, with long queues at every counter, brimming with the vibrant energy unique to this era. Lin Yan wanted to buy some presentable gifts to prepare for his trip to the neighborhood office, and also to cash in the watch voucher his father had saved up, as not having a watch was indeed extremely inconvenient in this day and age.
He moved slowly with the flow of people, first going to the pastry counter and buying some peach shortbread and sponge cake. Then he went to the grocery counter and bought a can of expensive malted milk powder and a small packet of milk powder. These were excellent nutritional products in those days, perfect for gifting.
Next, he found the watch counter. He took out the Shanghai brand watch receipt and the corresponding amount of money. After the salesperson carefully checked it, a shiny new Shanghai brand watch was finally on his wrist, giving him a real sense of time management.
After completing his main objective, Lin Yan didn't leave but instead headed to the seed section. His gaze swept over the rough paper bags filled with seeds of rice, wheat, corn, soybeans, cotton, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and various common vegetables: cabbage, radishes, cucumbers, eggplants, peppers, and even some seeds of fruits like watermelons and tomatoes. The quantities weren't large, but for him, with his time-accelerating abilities and the spiritual spring, these seeds would quickly multiply into a fertile field.
Finally, he went to the fabric counter, took out all the fabric coupons he had, added some money, and bought half a bolt of navy blue Dacron fabric. This was for his soon-to-arrive "cousin and his wife"; they couldn't keep wearing those old-fashioned "work clothes" all the time, they needed to have some clothes that fit the modern era.
After finishing his shopping, Lin Yan, carrying large and small bags, squeezed onto the bus again and returned to Nanluoguxiang.
Upon arriving at the subdistrict office, an elderly man at the entrance, responsible for registration, stopped him. Lin Yan immediately wore a sad and timid expression and said in a low voice, "Hello, sir, I'm looking for the director of the subdistrict office. I'd like to get a letter of introduction... for going to another city."
The old man saw that he was not old, had a pale face, and was carrying things. After asking him a few questions, he let him in.
The head of the neighborhood office, surnamed Wang, was a rather capable-looking middle-aged woman. Lin Yan entered the office, first politely greeting her, then carefully placing the mesh bag containing malted milk powder and milk powder on the corner of the desk.
"Hello Director Wang, I am Lin Yan, the son of Lin Jianguo from courtyard No. 95... This was issued by my father's factory, and it's about to expire, so I thought I shouldn't waste it..." His voice was weak, with a hint of bewilderment and unease.
When Director Wang saw the item, he immediately waved his hand and said, "Young comrade, this won't do. We have regulations that prohibit us from taking even a needle or thread from the people."
Lin Yan had anticipated this, and immediately followed his prepared explanation, his face showing a hint of urgency: "Director, really, it's almost expired, if we don't eat it soon it will be unusable. I... it would be a waste for me to keep it. My dad used to say that things should be used where they are most needed..." He lowered his head at the opportune moment, his voice slightly choked.
Director Wang glanced at his pale face, and then, remembering that he had just lost his father, he figured he must have something to ask for. After hesitating for a moment, he finally accepted the request, his tone much gentler: "Oh, you child... tell me, what brings you here?"
Lin Yan made up his mind and quickly explained his purpose: his father had mentioned wanting to return to his roots before he passed away, and he wanted to send his father's ashes back to his hometown in Xinxiang, Henan, for burial. He also mentioned that his cousin and his wife lived there in difficult circumstances, and he wanted to bring them over. Firstly, his cousin could take over his father's job and have a livelihood; secondly, his cousin's wife could take care of him, who was ill.
He spoke sincerely and reasonably, especially regarding the points about "replacing job openings" and "caring for the orphans of martyrs," which are entirely in line with current policy guidelines.
After listening, Director Wang pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Your filial piety is commendable, and the arrangements are appropriate. The job acceptance is no problem; the household registration will be easy to handle. As long as the food factory issues an acceptance certificate, your cousin and his wife's household registration can be transferred to your household registration book. I'll issue the letter of introduction for you now."
As he spoke, Director Wang took out a book of letters of introduction, quickly wrote down the contents, and stamped it with the red seal of the subdistrict office.
Lin Yan thanked him repeatedly, and as he accepted the letter of introduction, his divine sense subtly swept over the thick stack of blank letterheads on the director's desk. The instant he received his letter, with a thought, the last two blank pages with red headings silently fell off and were instantly stored in his storage ring.
"Thank you, Director Wang! Thank you so much!" Lin Yan bowed again, expressing his deep gratitude.
"Go back quickly, be careful on the road, and take care of yourself," Director Wang gently instructed.
Stepping out of the neighborhood office, Lin Yan let out a long sigh of relief. Looking at the thin letter of introduction in his hand and the two blank sheets of paper in his storage ring, he felt a sense of relief and...freedom!
This means that, for at least the next week or so, he has a legitimate reason to leave the courtyard house and disappear from the sight of everyone in Beijing! He can do many things that were inconvenient to do before.
He transferred the seeds he had just purchased into his spatial dimension and instructed Xiao Qi: "Xiao Qi, give these seeds to the puppet and plant them in suitable land in the special supply area first."
"Received, brother!" Xiao Qi's cheerful voice immediately responded in his mind.
Next, Lin Yan didn't return to the courtyard house, but headed straight towards Deshengmen. His first goal was to enter the Yanshan Mountains north of Beijing.
He planned to capture live rabbits, pheasants, and even goats and wild boars to raise in the special ranch in the Qiankun Realm, thus enriching his meat supply. This was his first real task on his "return home" journey. On the path of cultivation, physical strength was fundamental, and nutrition was essential! The Yanshan Mountains were his best natural hunting ground.