Reborn in 1977

An Quan was somewhat curious, "What is a 'white-collar'?"

Chen Fan smiled and said, "'White-collar' is a term used in Western countries, I heard it from my uncle and others. It refers to non-manual laborers with relatively high incomes. These people wear white shirts and earn more than ordinary workers, so they are called 'white-collar' workers, and they are one of the main forces constituting the Western middle class. The opposite of this is 'blue-collar', which is the working class."

Western countries had already divided white-collar and blue-collar workers in the 1920s, and it was introduced to China in the 1980s, but it was not widely accepted by society until the late 1990s.

Because our country does not divide classes by occupation, but by whether or not they control the means of production.

In fact, in the eyes of capitalists, both white-collar and blue-collar workers are wage earners, and there is no essential difference.

Hearing Chen Fan's words, An Quan was surprised again, "You have an uncle?"

Chen Fan pursed his lips and smiled, took a puff of cigarette, and just hummed softly, without explaining much.

Seeing that he didn't want to talk about it, An Quan didn't ask any more questions, and instead talked about the projects he was doing at school, "The first thing I did was the work-study program and the sideline business club. After I had income, I started to join the student union and proposed to expand the school newspaper. It just so happened that many students had a need to publish literary works, so naturally everyone supported it.

Although there was a school newspaper before, it was mostly for publicity. After that thing ended, the school newspaper also made a 180-degree turn, and it was in chaos for a while, and even suspended publication for a period of time.

In addition, even if the school newspaper was not suspended, it could not meet the needs of all students.

Hey, you are also in college now, does your school have a 'literature wall'?

You have one too, right? Our school also has one. In fact, many universities are similar. Generally, near the cafeteria entrance or the dormitory entrance, they spontaneously find a wall and post their own articles for students to read, and then they observe the reactions of the students from the side. It's very interesting.

When I re-organized the school newspaper, I used this approach as a reference and set up a special 'literary world' section to publish students' submissions. There is also a 'mass review' section, where a few randomly selected letters from readers are published..."

Chen Fan nodded lightly as he listened. He has now discovered that today's college students are very different from those after the 1990s. They are not only more active, but also more concerned about social affairs. Whether they are commenting on the country or expressing their emotions, they are not embarrassed at all.

If they are really embarrassed, they can just not sign their names. Anyway, after writing a few pieces of paper and sticking them on the wall, not many people will know who wrote them.

In another ten years, this kind of literature wall will become a bulletin board, mostly filled with announcements and advertisements posted by the school, student union, or merchants. No one will post their own articles on it anymore.

Later, when the Internet becomes popular, this kind of thing will disappear even more, but it will come back in another way on the Internet.

An Quan didn't notice that Chen Fan was distracted and continued to talk to himself, "After running the school newspaper, I also organized inter-school activities, including study exchanges, course sharing, and so on. Of course, there were also student gatherings and work-study programs.

If nothing unexpected happens, when the new semester starts, our sideline business club will expand to other schools. My goal is to unite all the universities in the Shanghai area to form a super large work-study platform. At that time, the sideline business club will also expand dozens of times, and my own income will also increase accordingly."

He smiled at Chen Fan and said, "If I can do that, am I still a white-collar worker?"

Chen Fan laughed and said, "More advanced than a white-collar worker, with gold trim on the collar. You can call it a gold-collar worker."

An Quan pretended to be awesome and nodded, "Yes, adding some gold is worthy of my status."

The two looked at each other and couldn't help laughing.

An Quan even crossed his legs triumphantly, "Hey, a white-collar worker can't compare to you, but being a gold-collar worker shouldn't be worse than you, right?"

Chen Fan calmly threw away the cigarette butt, lit another one, and said with his head down, "In April, a small publishing house saw my book and decided to publish it in a small edition, giving me a one-time royalty of 120,000 US dollars."

An Quan was immediately stunned. After a long while, he cursed, "Damn it."

Hundreds of thousands! How long would it take him to earn that much?!

Chen Fan tilted his head and looked at him, smiling, "That didn't include 'Yunhu Love' and 'Shanghai Spy Shadow'. If nothing unexpected happens, these two books will also be published together, and I can get another forty to fifty thousand US dollars by then."

An Quan took a deep breath and slumped on the sofa, not wanting to speak.

Chen Fan raised his head and laughed heartily, feeling very happy.

See if you still brag!

The two chatted, and as they chatted, they talked about the educated youth who used to be sent to the Nanhu Commune.

Throwing away the cigarette butt, An Quan lit another one, turned to look at Chen Fan, and said in a low voice, "Hey, do you still remember Ding Qian?"

Chen Fan thought for a while, "The one in the Red Star Production Team?"

He looked at An Quan, "I remember she has a family, right? If it weren't for her husband's support at the time, I'm afraid it wouldn't have been so easy for her to come out to study."

An Quan nodded lightly, with a smile on his face, and said with emotion, "She is also a grateful person. Her husband did not support her in vain."

Chen Fan raised his eyebrows slightly, "She brought her husband out?"

An Quan glanced at him, "You just said that you like the way I talk, what do you mean by 'brought out'? That's called the wife sings and the husband follows."

Chen Fan nodded mindlessly, "Yes, yes, yes, the wife sings and the husband follows. Tell me quickly."

A trace of emotion flashed in An Quan's eyes, and he said softly, "Ding Qian is studying at Tongji University. She doesn't have a work unit, so naturally she doesn't have a salary. At first, she was alone, and she could still support herself with her savings. But when her husband came over and the two rented a small house outside, it became a bit difficult.

It just so happened that the work-study program I was running started to launch at that time, so I helped them set up a small stall outside Tongji University.

Her husband is thick-skinned and not afraid of being pointed at, so he is responsible for setting up the stall and selling goods. Ding Qian doesn't care what other students say about her behind her back. Every day after school at noon and in the evening, she will run to help her husband at the stall."

Speaking of this, An Quan flicked the ash from his cigarette, a smile appearing on his face, "After getting through the initial period, their small stall business has stabilized, and they can earn 20 or 30 yuan a day, which is much better than being a worker.

If this continues, they may be able to save enough money to buy a house before Ding Qian graduates from college. Once they have a house, they can transfer their household registration and settle down in Shanghai. Then they can bring their children from their hometown, and they will be considered new Shanghainese."

Chen Fan couldn't help but nod repeatedly as he listened, "That's great. Setting up a stall is also self-reliance. It's not stealing or robbing, and it's not embarrassing. As long as you can earn money to support your family, that's a good thing."

An Quan nodded, then shook his head lightly, and suddenly sighed, "Isn't that right? But after all, only a few people can figure this out and are not afraid of losing face."

He turned to look at Chen Fan, "At that time, Secretary Yang held an entrance banquet for everyone who was admitted to college in the brigade. We educated youth ate in a separate room, and many people were worried about their families."

As he spoke, he suddenly cursed, "Damn it, at that time I really thought they were really worried about their families. Later, I even ran to you to find a way to help them and give them ideas.

You're right, as long as you have the heart, even setting up a tea stall outside the school can allow you to live together.

But some people just can't bring themselves to do it and look down on this kind of work. They would rather eat steamed buns and drink porridge every day than let their husbands or wives set up a stall to earn money. As a result, they can't hold on for a few days and send people back. Some even don't even mention bringing people over. It's really infuriating."

Chen Fan remained calm, glanced at him, and smiled, "Hmph, whether they look down on the stall work or look down on their original husbands and wives, that's not necessarily the case."

An Quan was stunned for a moment, then suddenly raised his head and looked at Chen Fan.

After a long while, he said, "Then aren't those Chen Shimei?"

Chen Fan chuckled, but there was not much laughter in his eyes, "From ancient times to the present, when has there been a shortage of Chen Shimei and Pan Jinlian?" (Note: Don't mention official history, both of these two were wronged by rumors, here refers to drama)

An Quan stared at him blankly. After a long while, he let out a long breath and shook his head lightly, "Unworthy of friendship."

Chen Fan curled his lips and said softly, "That's not necessarily true. Some people can be used and can also be befriended, some people can be befriended but cannot be used, and of course, there are also those who can be used but cannot be befriended."

You are also an old hand, having been in the Nanhu Commune for 10 years. You also worked in the finance office for several years, and you've handled some major events at the school this year. You should understand this principle.”

Anquan took a puff of his cigarette, sighing as he said, “Back then, I really treated them as friends, but I never expected them to have such poor character. I wouldn't have helped them if I'd known.”

Chen Fan smiled. “That's why you can't let them off the hook. You can't let your help go to waste. You have to make these people repay that favor.”

Anquan pursed his lips and thought for a moment, then smiled softly. “I understand the principle: cultivating connections. You might not need them now, but you might in the future. Falling out with them wouldn't do me any good.”

As he spoke, he turned to look at Chen Fan. “What about you? How many connections have you made at the school?”

Chen Fan curled his lip, leaning back in a boss-like posture. “Me, cultivate connections? Are you kidding me?”

Before Anquan could speak, he said with a haughty air, “Do I need to cultivate connections? Now, it's other people trying to find ways to connect with me, okay? Even decades from now, which of the 23 college students from Lujiawan would dare not give me some respect? With them around, do I need to bother cultivating other connections?”

Anquan looked at him, speechless. After a long while, he shook his head and chuckled. “That's right. As long as you're still in Lujiawan, who in Lujiawan, young or old, would dare to forget you?”

As he said this, a flash of insight suddenly struck him. He turned to look at Chen Fan. “The reason you've been staying in Lujiawan all this time… could it be because of this?”

After all, people tend to forget favors once someone leaves. If Chen Fan moved to another place, it's hard to say how many people would still remember Teacher Chen's contributions after a long time.

Chen Fan then declared righteously, “Slander! You're slandering me! The reason I stay in Lujiawan is entirely because of its beautiful scenery and outstanding people. The commune members are good-looking and speak pleasantly. I especially like it there.”

Anquan narrowed his eyes and nodded knowingly. “I understand, I understand, I understand!”

Then, he cursed inwardly, 'As expected of Teacher Chen, so many schemes in his heart.'

Even though 23 have left, there's still the new Lujiawan Elementary School behind them. As long as Chen Fan stays in Lujiawan, with his cultivation and paving the way, Lujiawan will definitely have generations of people getting into college in the future.

As long as these people can get through the initial learning phase, the harvest season will come after they achieve something.

As the saying goes, 'It takes ten years to grow a tree, but a hundred years to cultivate a person.' Teacher Chen is planting trees here.

Hmm, I must learn from him. Although I can't plant trees, I can be a fertilizer worker. When the tree grows up, won't I get a share of the fruits on the tree?!

Anquan felt enlightened.

Chen Fan had no idea that his mental activity was so rich. The reason he stayed in Lujiawan was entirely because it was quiet enough.

But one thing was right: the villagers of Lujiawan didn't have so much nonsense going on. Living there was indeed comfortable.

He had seen the prosperity of big cities in later generations and now liked the tranquility of this small place.

As for developing Lujiawan, it was just something he did along the way. But that was also because the cadres and members of Lujiawan were ambitious. Otherwise, he would have paid back the life-saving favor long ago, then hid in a small Western-style building in Shanghai or a large courtyard in Beijing, too lazy to care about them.

As for the connections Anquan mentioned, this is like the must-have antique collecting in many period novels. Which protagonist actually waits decades to get rich from that stuff?

Chen Fan's current attitude is, “If I bloom, the butterflies will come.”

One must be strong oneself. No amount of connections is as reliable as one's own strength. Connections are just a matter of favors. If you have value, even if you've never met someone, if you pull some strings and say hello, they'll probably give you some face. If you have no value, even if you know Jack Ma, it's useless. Those who should work will work, those who should farm will farm. Nothing will change.

Anyway, as long as you don't open your mouth, you'll offend people. After you become strong, everyone around you is a good friend. Why would you need to cultivate any connections?

Of course, Chen Fan didn't correct Anquan, because people are different.

He himself believes in “great power comes from oneself,” and can strengthen himself behind closed doors. Anquan doesn't have his ability and can only rely on building relationships and making more friends to strengthen himself.

In fact, this is a more suitable path for ordinary people, but the premise is that you have the ability yourself. Otherwise, no matter how much you try to build relationships, it's a waste of money and manpower. There's no need for that.

Anquan brought up a few more examples of unconscionable people, finally shaking his head. “Forget it. There's no point in scolding people behind their backs. It's just an excuse to vent. When I see those people again, I still have to greet them with a smile.”

He turned to look at Chen Fan. “Why don't I have your ability? Otherwise, I wouldn't have to look at anyone's face and could do whatever I want. How great would it be to be a carefree scholar.”

Chen Fan corrected expressionlessly, “First of all, I'm not carefree. Secondly, I don't do whatever I want. Finally, my ability is innate. You can't learn it.”

Anquan clutched his chest, feeling like he'd been stabbed a few times. “You're making dinner tonight, or I'm not leaving!”

Chen Fan pondered for two seconds, then got up and walked out.

Anquan quickly called out, “Where are you going?”

Chen Fan turned to look at him. “Going to buy groceries! I'll hurry up and make dinner to send you off!”

Anquan was speechless. Should I laugh or be angry right now?

After Chen Fan drove to the vegetable market, bought the groceries, and returned home, Jiang Tian also arrived.

She wasn't familiar with Anquan and his wife, so she just smiled and greeted them, then went to the kitchen to help.

Jiang Lili also wanted to go, but someone had to entertain the guests, so she sat and chatted with Yu Keying. Anquan, with no one to bother him, simply lit a cigarette and went to the kitchen, standing at the door watching Chen Fan and Jiang Tian get busy.

After a while, he frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

Looking at the two people in the kitchen working together so well, then looking at Jiang Lili chatting with his wife in the living room, his expression became even stranger.

Jiang Tian washed the potatoes, peeled them, and turned to hand them to Chen Fan. Chen Fan picked up the kitchen knife and sliced them into shreds, even taking the time to glance at Anquan. “If you're idle, there's a record player and a radio in the living room. You can listen to some music to cultivate your emotions, so Yíng-jie won't always say you have no taste.”

Anquan held his cigarette, flicking the ashes into the trash can, and said nonchalantly, “It doesn't matter if I have no taste, as long as I know how to flirt.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he lightly slapped his own mouth, apologizing to Jiang Tian, “Sorry, I have verbal diarrhea. Don't mind me.”

It wouldn't matter if he said this to Chen Fan, but it wasn't appropriate to say it in front of a girl. He had just spaced out for a moment and didn't pay attention.

Jiang Tian smiled and shook her head. “It's okay.”

Then, she buried her head and continued working.

Chen Fan glared at Anquan, who smiled very obediently and silently, then cleared his throat and started making small talk, “Uh, that, Xiao Jiang…? Is it okay to call you that?”

Jiang Tian raised her head, just about to speak, when Chen Fan, who was putting the shredded potatoes into a bowl, said, “People from their cotton mill call the older sister Da Jiang, and Xiao Jiang is the younger sister. You can call her that too.”

Turning to look at Chen Fan, Jiang Tian turned back and smiled, nodding.

“Okay, then I'll call you Da Jiang.”

Anquan asked, “How's the *Guanghua Literature* magazine at your school doing?”

*Guanghua Literature* was a campus magazine that Jiang Tian had applied for and been approved to run at the school, published twice a month, except during winter and summer vacations. The two characters *Guanghua* are taken from “日月光华、旦复旦兮” (*rì yuè guāng huá, dàn fù dàn xī*), “The sun and moon shine, day after day,” indicating the relationship with Fudan University.

Jiang Tian raised her head and smiled. “It's doing okay. The last issue in June, we printed a total of 50,000 copies, and they're almost all sold out.”

Anquan clicked his tongue. “I knew your magazine sold well, but I didn't expect it to be so high. 50,000 copies, I'm afraid it's covered all the universities in Shanghai.”

Of course, people wouldn't buy a magazine for every person. Most people would pool together to buy one copy, such as in the same dormitory or even the same class. With a circulation of 50,000 copies, it might really be possible to cover all the universities in the region.

Jiang Tian pursed her lips and smiled. “Almost, I guess. In addition to universities, some high schools have also subscribed, otherwise we wouldn't be able to sell so many.”

Anquan was immediately speechless. The school magazine he led had just barely passed 10,000 copies, but she had already sold to high schools. The difference was a bit too big.