Chapter 1: Graduation is approaching, and I am even more sad when I drink to drown my sorrow

Author: Biantang Wushi

Chapter 1: Graduation is approaching, and I am even more sad when I drink to drown my sorrow

On November 7, 1997, Pengcheng, the beginning of winter.

All our cultural courses in the 94th grade are coming to an end. In a few days, we will have to go through graduation exams one after another. We basically don’t need to come to school again next semester. In other words, as soon as this semester is over, our worry-free and somewhat bored student career is about to end.

I don’t know whether it was from listening to a report or reading a certain news. In short, employment that had not been on the agenda before was not on the agenda, and it suddenly came unexpectedly, which caught us off guard. Alas, it was considered a bad year. Before our class, anyone who was admitted to university was equivalent to having a job, job, state distribution, house, unit distribution, wife, and unit can’t give it, but you can find it yourself. As for children, you don’t have to worry about it. Will there be no house with a wife?

But who would have thought that suddenly, the country quietly adjusted its policies and announced two years ago that college students who graduated from 1998 will no longer be assigned.

This policy change may be an understatement for some people and irrelevant, but for those who have passed the rural examination, it is nothing more than the power of a nuclear bomb. It immediately caused a lot of panic, but it was only for a while. As the schoolwork progressed, not long after, we returned to normal. Many people think that this is still far away from graduation, and there is no need to be a big enemy every day. Besides, "there must be a road before the car reaches the mountain." We still don't believe it. This year, it has only graduated more than 300,000 college students. We are real prides of heaven. Do you still have to worry about a job? Maybe the policy will be changed soon, or many employers will come to grab people and face the trouble of choosing.

Time passed by, and this node suddenly came to us. Most of us suddenly realized, beloved, this is really a big problem. We looked forward and looked at it. Damn it, it was pitch black, and there was still a way in front of us. Only then did we realize that this road always takes time and money to lay it bit by bit, and it was not just about what we had. So we began to worry again.

Fortunately, there is still half a year before graduation. The most important thing is to find a good unit for the internship in the next semester. In this internship unit, the school generally has recommendations. Think about it, many units and companies are willing to accept some free labor, and they don’t have to pay wages. At most, they only manage meals, and even many people don’t even care about meals. They not only sell the school’s favor and take advantage of them, so why not do it?

But there are exceptions, some unpopular and remote majors. There is no way to go. There is only one or two units that match their majors. There is no need to choose, so I have to complain. Many other popular majors, especially those who think that as a major, 211 universities, are very energetic. Small units that are too poor can't even get the eye on them. They all want to choose a person who says that they are both face-saving, glamorous, promising, and good treatment.

In fact, thinking this way is not just for internships. It is mainly because we heard from the previous seniors that choosing a suitable internship unit is very important. If you perform well in the internship stage, or you can spend money to ask someone to operate it yourself, it is very likely that you will stay. As far as we know, there are indeed seniors who do this, and they have succeeded. As for how much money they spent and what official they were entrusted, we won’t discuss it for now.

With a benchmark standing in front, we must of course find a good destination for our future. For a moment, the threshold for a good unit was almost broken, and the door of a bad unit was deserted. Of course, the students' wishes are good, and their moods are understandable, but things in this world are easy to say but difficult to do.

Just like me, I was very energetic at the beginning, holding my hands in my hands, thinking that with the status of the vice chairman of the student union of my school, I won scholarships every year, won the top ten student union cadres many times, and was also a member of the organization, and it was not a slight idea to be favored by one unit. I have always thought that I was an excellent person. Then, wouldn’t it be a natural match for entering an excellent unit?

However, I soon realized that I was so naive and had some whimsical thoughts. After a period of time, I couldn't help but feel a little discouraged and depressed. I no longer had the ambition of not recommending a teacher half a month ago, and wanted to use my own skills to open up the world. I gradually saw the reality and helplessness of this society: No matter how good your grades are, you will have no use for anything. The real useful one is my father.

Just when some of my classmates and I were rushing around like headless flies every day, and as time went by, some of them were becoming more and more at a loss, they were as calm as they were, as always, whether to be romantic or romance, whether to be romantic or romance, or romance, or romance, no such pain in finding a job after graduation. Why is this?

It's very simple. Their family has already arranged it properly and doesn't have to worry about it themselves. They just need to survive the last few subjects of the semester, and then wait for the beginning of spring. When they have already booked their seats in advance, they can get through for a few months. Under the guidance of their own old man or mother, they can figure out the unspoken rules in the unit as soon as possible, figure out the direction they have to work hard, and enter the social state in advance. After obtaining their graduation certificate in June next year, they can formally start the job with a legitimate and stalking.

I know that such people cannot be compared with others, especially some students from the city, including our class and other classes. I heard that many of them have not achieved good results in the college entrance examination at all, and they are barely just going to the undergraduate line. But they can't stand the backend and background, so they can come to this key university with us.

To be honest, during the four years of college, many students, including me, still studied hard, earnestly, and were still proud of their grades and distinguished by their knowledge like in the past ten years. At that time, I also discovered that the people in the city were indeed different from us. They were not as good as us, which means they had a little less talent. So, they usually don’t want to have good grades, nor do they want to learn much. The only requirement is to pass the exam.

They don’t need to spend all day long on how much money this month or what to eat tomorrow. As long as they can make friends for themselves in the future, they will not hesitate to spend as much money. When they see beautiful female classmates, they call it "brave pursuit of love". In fact, they are shameless. As for girls’ rejection or not, it is secondary. What they want is this experience and this process.

They don’t need to be a member of the organization to be a member of the organization. They have to fight with this and that, which is like walking on a single-plank bridge again. The reason why they are so calm is that they know that if they want to become a member of the organization in college, they not only require excellent grades, but also cadres and contributors to the class and school. They can’t fight for us at all. They can’t fight for us at all. They don’t fight for us. This is only temporary. After graduation, when they arrive at the unit, whether they are the big leaders or the small leaders, they are either their relatives or their elders, or some may even be the people who watch them grow up. At that time, they are not going to hug the organization, but the organization opens their arms to hug them!

We used to joke that these poor students "who came to college after finding a good job." Now it seems that the real funny thing is actually us. Logically speaking, with such good conditions, such good resources, and such a good escort team, then they will be smooth sailing and progressing step by step in their careers. I often think that if it were me, I would roll up my sleeves and work hard, and I must make entering the capital in the north the highest ideal. But we were wrong again, they didn't think so.

After working in the New Year, I heard of an alumnus whose father was in the deputy department and his mother also enjoyed the treatment of the official position, but he was not enterprising at all. He thought about riding a motorcycle every day, making a walk here and there, making fun here and there. When his family saw that this was not good, they came to an opportunity to get a regular subject, so they were ready to operate it for him. Who knew he was unwilling to be a section chief, and he really became a section chief. He didn't want to live like this all day long. He didn't want to live like this. Hahaha, everyone, you see it.

This is the situation at this stage. Of course, we have no money and no people. We can be called "daily" and "daily" and "daily" are not effective. But after fifteen years of hard work, I am not willing to sit there and wait for death, and I cannot accept defeat by them. The main reason is that this idea does not conform to my usual style at all. So, no matter whether he has fish or not, I will spread two nets first. So, I have not been idle these days. I go to the Municipal Foreign Economic Commission almost every day to attack here. There are two reasons: one is the professional counterpart, and the other is that the deputy section chief of the Personnel Department there is the brother-in-law of Song Zhang, a high school classmate who lives in Huangzhuang Town.

Song Zhang and I were both in the same class as the first and second graders. When we were in the third grade, he fell into a slow class because he liked watching movies and finally got into Huaiyin Normal University, which was a three-year program. He graduated this summer and happened to catch the last bus of the distribution policy. He was assigned to Heishan Spring Middle School. He had already received a salary every month. Although it was not much, the situation between us had turned 180 degrees.

Now he makes us who have been in undergraduate studies and have been proud for a long time so envious. In fact, I just said it to him some time ago, but I didn't expect that Song Zhang was very loyal. Without saying a word, he ran over from the countryside on the weekend and took me to his brother-in-law's house directly.

After getting off the bus at Mingzhu Road, I asked him what he should bring?

Song Zhang waved his hand and said, "No, no, my family, go to the intersection ahead to buy some fruit and take care of it."

He said that, we dare not do this. I think it wouldn't be appropriate if we really put our hands on someone else's door empty-handed. If we have something to ask for, it would be too shabby and we wouldn't have any sincerity. Even if we were looking at Song Zhang's face, his brother-in-law might not be able to help.

So I gritted my teeth, stomped my feet, and took out the living expenses I had just returned home a few days ago. There were a total of 200 yuan. I bought two bottles of wine I thought were better, plus a box of pure milk, a box of yogurt, and a large bag of fruit. At this glance, it was full, and it was OK in terms of quantity.

When I entered the room, I put the things on the shoe cabinet at the door. Song Zhang's sister must have just returned from the shower outside and was wiping her hair with a towel. She glanced at the things in my hand without any expression, but I still saw the trace of disdain in her eyes, which made me feel a little ashamed, as if we had done something shameful.

However, Song Zhang's brother-in-law was quite enthusiastic. After a conversation, he said that he had been in the future for a long time and did not give a positive answer on the spot as I expected. He just said that there are too many graduates now, and many people want to come in, whether they are suitable for professional or inappropriate. Every day, I received a lot of notes from the director and deputy director. You, if you have time, it is best to go to the Foreign Economic Commission for help these days, and then, I will slowly think of a solution for you.

I came with a lot of expectations, but finally heard such a reply. Although I was better than nothing, I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. But after thinking again, no matter what, we have a chance, so I felt much more open-minded.

So, in the following days, I went to the Foreign Economic Commission on time and on time every day to make a move, familiar with the environment and busy with chores. Although I felt calm on the surface, I was actually very anxious in my heart. How I hope that Song Zhang's brother-in-law could make it as soon as possible. If I really had a good reputation, I would never forget his kindness. I would definitely go home as soon as possible and get some money to my parents and give them a generous gift.

I went there again this afternoon and helped to do a lot of things. It was very simple. It was just running errands, delivering documents, cleaning, and seeing which office thermos bottles had no hot water, and filling them with them in the boiler room. Then look at the people who were eating public meals, sitting there like masters, drinking tea and looking at the newspaper, hoping that a newspaper would be read all day long. I wondered if their unit was like the teachers in the school used to treat students, asking them to memorize the newspaper every day and recite it. In this office, two meters away, they passed on something to each other, and they couldn't bear to bear it. A body of gold must be called over and give it a pass.

As time goes by, I feel very upset and can't figure out what kind of work these people do every day? How can they make money? The news broadcast is not saying that the people of the whole country are united and contribute to socialist construction in full swing. Is that the way it is? Also, if you can really come in in the future and work is like this, what's the point? Yes, I have heard people say before that these units need to be qualified, but, alas.

Before getting off work, I went to Song Zhang's brother-in-law's office to chat for a few more words. While he was tidying up the table, he still spoke in an official voice, saying no, no rush.

Damn, you are not in a hurry, I am in a hurry, but there is no other way, so I had to say a few compliments and exit. When I walked out of the office building, it was already dark, and in order to save two yuan of fares, I chose to walk back to school.

In the dormitory, a group of people were playing escalating, and the poker was falling, making a "slap" sound. Another group of people, including the dormitory and the outside dormitory, surrounded by a 9-inch black and white TV, watching "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" with relish!

But this image is sometimes missing. A classmate ran over and then ran over. What are he doing? Haha, he went to the balcony to debug the antenna. While twisting the long pole of the antenna stick that stretched out of the window, he asked anxiously, "Are you okay?"

Until someone cheered, OK! He stopped turning the antenna, and then ran back happily to continue watching.

Originally, this small TV had two antennas on its head, but its ability to receive signals was too weak. Later, I found a classmate in the radio major. It took several days to knock and weld it in the laboratory and created such an outdoor antenna. It really had a significant effect. When the moon was shining and staring, I could collect several units!

The classmate who adjusted the antenna just came back was so happy that he didn't take a look at him, and there was no image again. There was no way, so he ran over and held the antenna up, debugged the position, and did not move. The other students were satisfied, but he also wanted to see it. It was the wonderful scene of Zhuge Liang fighting against scholars.

Another student thought of a good idea, change the direction of the TV, and face the balcony directly. Although it is still far from the balcony and the sound is very small, there is not a socket cable long enough to go forward. So, everyone consciously made a clear pass to the balcony so that the student can see the TV. In this way, everyone was finally happy. Even so, they couldn't hold on for long. They had to change someone every time, and after a while, they would change someone again.

Seeing me coming back, Zhou Kang, who was squatting on the bench, holding a card in his hand, frowned and wondering which card he wanted, shouted, "Third Brother," (Pengcheng dialect: your honorific title is usually used for older people, or elders). I will urinate.

He called me third brother, not because I was ranked third at home, but actually I was ranked second at home, and there was another brother above. He called me third brother mainly because my height was 173.2 cm, which happened to be the root number 3. In addition, when I was sworn brother, I raised my age by more than one year in order to gain a favorable position, so that I would be third, otherwise I would be the youngest. Because I had known for a long time that among sworn brothers, if you are young, then everyone would be better than you

Older people can help you. If you can't run your legs every day, even if I don't feel tired, I will be annoyed. More importantly, first of all, I think age is only one aspect, but more about ability and knowledge. In these aspects, I am not inferior to them, but also have advantages. This time, among my brothers, if you are the youngest, according to the inherent concept of seniority and seniority, you probably don't have much say even if you discuss something.

After kowtowing, starting from the fourth brother, the fifth brother, sixth brother, seventh brother, eighth, nineth, tenth, and eleventh guys, no matter where they meet me, they will be far away from the third brother. Later, as my position in the student union gradually rose, many people, no matter who are older than me or younger than me, no longer call me my name, but call me the third brother in a unified way. From then on, the title of "third brother" became one of my official titles, and I had to accept it helplessly.

I reached out to block the card handed over by Zhou Kang, and replied with a wry smile, "I won't play anymore, I haven't eaten yet."

Zhou Kang's card skills are very bad, he loses nine out of ten, but he likes to play very much. Every time he either misjudged the situation and made a wrong card, or was left behind by his opponent for several streets. Of course, he was scolded by his partner, but he just enjoyed it, hahaha.

I opened my unlocked drawer to prepare to get a bag of instant noodles. When I saw that I didn’t know who had eaten half of it, and only half of it was left. Forget it, I just took care of it. So I poured the only half bag of instant noodles into the tea jar, lifted the thermos and shook it. Damn, I didn’t know who used up the hot water I used up in the morning. I weighed several other thermos, and they were all empty. Oh, these guys are so annoying. Remember to add others’ things after you have used up.

At this point, the tea room had already closed, so I had to carry the jar and carry the thermos to the bathroom to fill half a bottle of cold water, and then go to the dormitory next door to find that it will be hot and burn.

As soon as I took a bite, I heard a riot coming from our dormitory, shouting and shouting. I walked over with a jar, holding a chopstick and a noodles. When I saw Zhou Kang holding a stool in his hand, his arms were tightly pulled by the person behind me.

Zhou Kang and I are not a major. He studied finance, but by chance, he lived in the same dormitory since his freshman year. When we first met, I found out that although we were not from the same county, our homes were adjacent. How can we say it? There is only a mountain between our village and their village. Maybe one day we might have met on the mountain when we were young. So we usually get closer and have a good relationship. He passed the exam after a year of re-education, and he was two years older than me, but he has always been rough and impulsive.

If someone who is not familiar with this scene today, he would definitely think he was going to fight. However, I knew him and knew that he would not be a big deal. So I said nothing and turned around and continued to eat instant noodles. Sure enough, there was no movement there soon.

I was going to the bathroom, and Zhou Kang came in. He whistled and said to me, "Brother, go out for a drink?"

I was not in the mood. Besides, my pocket was almost cleaner than my face. I was short of money, so I shook my head. Who knew that Zhou Kang would not give up and continued, saying, "Dumplings must be eaten, today is the beginning of winter."

Then I remembered that today is the beginning of winter. If I were at home, even though I was not rich, my mother would definitely let us eat a bowl of steaming dumplings. Of course, it is vegetarian. In the north, it has been more than a thousand years since eating dumplings in the beginning of winter, which means people's expectations for a better winter. This dumpling is very similar to ears. People think that after eating it, the ears in winter will not be frozen. There is a saying that "the dumpling bowls are not served in the beginning of winter, and no one cares about the frozen ears."

Yes, the more I am frustrated, the more I miss my parents at home. OK, I nodded to Zhou Kang and said, let’s go.

So, we went out of the school gate together and found a barbecue stall at the snack street. Zhou Kang went to a small shop next to him and bought a bottle of 52-degree Dongdu white wine for 6 yuan.

Zhou Kang drank very vigorously, and soon a bottle of white wine was found. I ran over and picked up 4 bottles of beer. Zhou Kang said more soon, and he asked me what I planned to do.

I said, I don’t know yet. If the Foreign Economic Commission cannot handle this, I have to go to the school to run a factory, or wait for the school to recommend it to you. Otherwise, I won’t even know how to write the paper by then.

Speaking of this, I briefly talked about the situation of the trustee to Zhou Kang, and then said with some dissatisfaction that people nowadays are so good, and they have received all the gifts but don’t do anything. Besides, I don’t look at the monk’s face and the Buddha’s face. Isn’t there any relationship between his brother-in-law?

Zhou Kang first curled his lips and shook his head repeatedly, and then he said confidently, "Third Brother, you still haven't figured it out!"

What did you understand? I was a little confused and stared at Zhou Kang and asked.

Is this a thing more? People must think that the gifts before were too light, and now they are just waiting for you to throw heavy gifts. This is a common trick in the officialdom! Isn’t it called a sale?

I shook my head quickly and said, Yes, I know this, but I will not give it to you before the accurate letter. You know, I killed my monthly living expenses after a trip, and he was always ambiguous. If it really doesn't work, you can say a number. I can give it if I can, and forget it if I can't. Anyway, I'd better wait and see. My principle is not to show off the rabbit or the eagle.

Hahaha, it's right to think about it this way, after all, we're nervous. By the way, third brother, are there any other reliable and hard relationships in your family? I think you can't put all the eggs in the same basket, it's not safe. Zhou Kang asked meaningfully.

I pursed my lips, shook my head hard again, and replied with some self-deprecating self-deprecating, "Well, where do I have it?" All the relatives in our family, including distant relatives who have never been to each other for several lifetimes, have been pulled by me recently. They have been pulled back and forth many times, but there is really nothing.

Zhou Kang nodded in understanding and said, "Oh, it's actually very normal. We have been farmers for several lifetimes, so what's the point? However, I'm still so much better than you. I have a distant relative who is in the Multi-Agency Bureau under our Municipal Bureau of Industry and Commerce. A few days ago, my father specially caught four little roosters from his hometown, got some local specialties, and took me to his house.

I couldn't tell, I was really happy for Zhou Kang and asked, "Oh, is that right? Where are you living? Is it far away? How about it? Have you done it?

Hahaha, it’s not far away. I was in Hubin Community north of Yunlong Lake. I talked about my situation, but the other party did not refuse. I was kind enough to say a lot, but I didn’t give any clear answers. I just said that after I graduated, I could get a temporary worker first, and then slowly find an opportunity to become a regular.

Hearing this, I cast an envious look at Zhou Kang, but Zhou Kang spitted a mouthful of phlegm, picked up the wine glass, and said, "Hehe, to be honest, Third Brother, I don't take it seriously. Really, I care about his master, come, Third Brother, let's go."

We drank it all in one go, and Zhou Kang said again, "Third Brother, that's it, do you know?" He said that at least 15,000 to 20,000 yuan was prepared, which was used to handle some connections. He also mentioned intentionally or unintentionally that many people have come to him recently, and they don't care about the amount of money they have, as long as they can do it. Damn, Third Brother, let me tell you, what's the difference between this and not doing it?

I thought to myself, what else can you make? Didn’t you agree to help you get it in? As for the subsequent formalization, you can take your time, but I don’t know how to relieve him, so I had to persuade him, and I can’t say that, there is still a chance. After all, he is a relative of your family and a student of your father. There is this dual relationship there.

Those things are nothing, I want to say, third brother, when will I be able to earn the 20,000 yuan back? My father said it doesn’t matter if it doesn’t work. If it doesn’t work, I will go back to the countryside to do an errand. Now the township head and secretary of our township are all his students, so there shouldn’t be a big problem. But I told him that anyway, I am not going to go back to my hometown, and I will never get out again as soon as I go back. Besides, what’s the point of our hometown? To be honest, I don’t want to stay there in my dreams, really, enough.

What can I say? I can only nod my head frequently. No matter what, Zhou Kang still has a way to go and we have nothing. I picked up the cup and took a sip, and asked, "What do you think about in the future?"

Zhou Kang said, that's what I think. If I can't find a formal staff member in the city, I'll be ready to find a company to work first. We should be able to find a major in finance, right?

I didn't respond. At this time, Zhou Kang had already brought a plate of leek and egg dumplings from the stall next to him, put them on the table, and suddenly asked, "Third brother, you still have two younger brothers and one younger sister in your family, do I remember?"

I was shocked and thought to myself how he knew. I quickly stuffed a dumpling into my mouth, trying to hide my panic, nodded, and said, yes.

Zhou Kang sighed with deep emotion, then the pressure at home should be quite high?

Well. I nodded and didn't say anything.

Then what are you and Chen Yan going to do? Should she go back or stay? I took another sip of beer and asked him leisurely.

Zhou Kang lit a cigarette, vomited a cigarette ring, and said indifferently, "Let's take a step at a time, what else can I do?" But you also know that she is from Xinxiang and there is no way out when she goes back. Besides, her professionalism, is it really going to the mine field to conduct surveys? Oh, by the way, third brother, why don't we do some business together?

Ah? Do business? What kind of business? I have never thought about it.

Everything is OK, you can sell clothes or something. Zhou Kang said.

I smiled and said, "You need capital."

Zhou Kang said disapprovingly, just ask for some from home.

I smiled bitterly and said, this is definitely not possible. First of all, we have no experience. Secondly, even if we can borrow money, what if we lose money? I am afraid it will take a long time to turn over. Third, I am not like you. You are the youngest sisters above, and they can all help you a little. Who can I ask for help? Although I have a big brother above, I am actually the boss. Fourth, although you are also from the countryside, your father is a teacher. There is a stable income every month, and I can't do it.

I took advantage of the alcohol to tell the situation at home roughly:

My parents are farming. My elder brother was 6 years old and was beaten with an excessive amount of chloropycin by a quack doctor. Now he works as a small worker in a construction team. After building a house, he doesn’t know when he will wait for the next job. My sister and third brother are in the third year of high school this year and are facing the college entrance examination. The fourth brother is in the first grade of junior high school. A family of seven people and four students. This family has been scared by the living expenses that the four people need every month. They are struggling with poverty and are even a little broken (our family of seven people, four people are in school. The elder brother goes out to do short work, the father helps people and the mother farms at home. Isn’t this broken? In addition, there are no other ways to make money in the countryside, only a few acres of thin fields, and they have to work day and night, and are locked there and rely on the weather for their meals.

It's okay if I don't say it, before I buried these things in the deepest part of my heart. I didn't think about it. I was busy studying and studying every day, but now I suddenly had so many troubles, and I couldn't help drinking a few more bottles. I got drunk after mixing the white wine and beer. I claimed that I was good at drinking and I had drunk a lot since I entered university, but this was the first time I got drunk.

After returning to the dormitory at midnight, my stomach couldn't hold on anymore. I ran to the toilet and vomited three times. All the dumplings I ate were in the sewer. I really had nothing to vomit, so I climbed onto the bed crookedly
Chapter completed!