Chapter 106: Settling Down

At that moment, Cui Juan spoke up, "We work in three shifts. Today's shift is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. How about after work at 4, the six of us go boating together at Red Scarf Park?"

She looked at Liu Yicheng expectantly.

Liu Yicheng hesitated for a moment. Normally, he would have to rush off to the countryside in the afternoon to make purchases, leaving no time for boating. But today was different—this week, he didn’t want to work at all, so he had time.

With that in mind, he said naturally to Cui Juan and the others, "Alright, I won’t go to the countryside for purchases today. I’ll join you for boating. Let’s meet at the factory gate at 4 p.m."

Hou Xiaoshuang said, "It’s settled then."

What no one knew was that Hou Xiaoshuang’s family was already trying to find him a match, though the candidates were all young people from the village. However, Hou’s goal was to marry into the city, so he had to act quickly.

Liu Yicheng was the perfect prospect before them.

Cui Juan thought the same way.

Yi Xiaohe’s expression turned slightly gloomy upon hearing they planned to go boating at 4.

Xiao Weiguo asked, "Xiaohe, what’s wrong? You don’t look happy."

Yi Xiaohe said, "We administrative staff work from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a two-hour break at noon, so I can’t join you for boating."

"That’s a pity," someone said.

"Are you going, Weiguo?" Liu Yicheng asked Xiao Weiguo.

From a distance, Liu Yanran perked up, listening closely to Xiao Weiguo’s reply.

If Xiao Weiguo didn’t go, she wouldn’t either. She knew both older sisters had their sights set on Liu Yicheng, and if Xiao Weiguo didn’t join, she would truly be an unwelcome third wheel.

"I’ve got some things to handle, but I’ll try to make it," Xiao Weiguo replied thoughtfully. "Even if I can’t get there by 4, I’ll be there before 5."

"Alright then, let’s disperse for now and meet again at 4. You all have to rush back to work," Liu Yicheng said.

Xiao Weiguo rode his bike along Chaoyangmen Outer Street on his way home. He planned to stop by the Nanluoguxiang neighborhood office and ask about the procedure for transferring his household registration.

Once there, he intended to find Director Zhao, whom he remembered contacting during the housing allocation.

Unfortunately, Director Zhao was not in today.

Seeing the sign outside the office, Xiao Weiguo went straight to the director’s office.

The neighborhood office director, Xu Meihui, was reviewing documents when she heard a knock. "Come in," she called.

Xiao Weiguo entered and greeted Director Xu, "Hello, Director. I’m Xiao Weiguo, a purchasing agent at the textile factory, recently made permanent. I want to ask how to transfer my household registration."

After a moment’s thought, Director Xu recognized him. "Oh, Weiguo, I’ve heard of you. Good job. For the transfer, you first need to go to the local police station, then come back here to the neighborhood office to get the corresponding food and oil ration book."

Xiao Weiguo was curious how such a high-ranking official had heard of him. But after getting the information he needed, he planned to head to the police station promptly.

Unexpectedly, Director Xu started chatting with him like a relative, asking about his recent life and how he was settling in the neighborhood.

Xiao Weiguo sat politely, answering each question, though his confusion grew.

Perhaps sensing this, Director Xu added, "You’re capable. Help out Shi Guanglin more in the future—he’s been quite mischievous since childhood. By the way, I’m his aunt."

Suddenly, Xiao Weiguo understood—it was another elder from Lin’s family, another director to watch out for.

Quickly, he said, "No, it’s Brother Lin who takes care of me every day. I’ll work hard under his guidance."

"Alright, Weiguo, hurry to the police station before they close. When you come back, just find Officer Liu here," Director Xu smiled and urged him.

Xiao Weiguo quickly said goodbye and rushed out to the police station.

He had to move fast or he wouldn’t make it to the boating at 4.

At the police station, he asked the gatekeeper where to go for the household registration transfer. Before the man could answer, Lu Guangrong came out and ran into Xiao Weiguo.

Lu Guangrong squinted, recognizing him. "Are you Comrade Xiao Weiguo? What brings you here? Maybe I can help."

Xiao Weiguo looked at Lu Guangrong—the only familiar person he knew in the police system. Lu had helped him file a report during a theft and had shown up at a rural treasure-hunting event he attended.

"Hello, Comrade Guangrong. I recently became permanent staff and came to handle my household registration transfer. Could you tell me where to do this?" Xiao Weiguo explained in detail.

"Hmm, that’s not our department. You need to go to the Household Registration Division. I’ll take you there to speed things up," Lu Guangrong said after thinking it over.

He had nothing pressing right now, and this young man was clearly capable.

Not to mention his ability to singlehandedly take down small-time thugs.

Discovering that vast arms depot had already secured this young man’s promising future; better to build some connections now in case they came in handy later.

With that, Lu Guangrong personally escorted Xiao Weiguo to the Household Registration Division, called over a clerk, explained the situation, and the process was completed swiftly—almost remarkably fast.

If he had done it himself, it might have taken several trips.

Xiao Weiguo received a slip of paper to take back to the neighborhood office to collect the ration book and other documents.

Along with it was a household registration certificate, bound in brown kraft paper—essentially the equivalent of today’s household booklet—with handwritten registration details inside.

After warmly bidding farewell to Lu Guangrong, Xiao Weiguo hurried back to the neighborhood office. On the way, he thought about how enthusiastic Lu had been, but it was all to his benefit.

Life in the city would be long; it was wise to make friends and help each other.

Back at the neighborhood office, he skipped Director Xu and went straight to Officer Liu—the same official who had helped him view housing previously. Xiao Weiguo had a good impression of her.

He realized he hadn’t asked her name before, so this time he would.

"Officer Liu, Director Xu told me to find you to help with my household registration transfer," Xiao Weiguo said.

Liu Xiaoning looked at the young man and felt he seemed familiar. Given her work, she had seen many residents; this neighborhood’s faces were all well known.

Without worrying about who he was, she listened carefully to the details. Taking the slip and household certificate from Xiao Weiguo, she proceeded with the necessary steps.

In no time, Liu Xiaoning handed Xiao Weiguo a small red booklet, about the size of a palm, titled Urban Resident Food and Oil Supply Certificate.

"This is your ration book," she explained. "Keep it safe. It’s your proof for receiving grain, cooking oil, and other supplies. Losing it means a troublesome replacement process.

"For other matters, you can ask the elder residents here—they all know. My name is Liu Xiaoning. If you need anything, just come to me."

Xiao Weiguo looked at the red booklet in his hands—the legendary ration book—with growing curiosity.

This red cover would later become something akin to a “lifesaving document,” crucial to everyone’s survival. Eventually, it would earn a nickname—people would call it their “lifeline.”