Free Web NovelChapter 165: Chapter 165: I Want to Learn Computers
Wen Ci was speechless.
She hoped Wen Yaozu would develop a hobby he genuinely enjoyed, whether it was reading, writing, drawing, or even dancing.
"You’ve been watching so much TV lately. Hasn’t anything caught your interest?"
"Uh..."
Wen Yaozu tilted his head, lost in thought, and suddenly recalled something a teacher at school had said.
"I want to learn about computers. My teacher said they’ll become a common household appliance in the future."
"Hm."
A flicker of surprise lit up Wen Ci’s eyes. She hadn’t expected an elementary school teacher in the county to know about computers.
’It was just that... computers in the eighties were practically a top-tier luxury item, costing tens of thousands.’
’And getting an internet connection would be a huge hassle.’
"My teacher said that if you learn how to use a computer, you’ll never have to worry about finding a job."
’That was true.’
’For Millennials, anyone who knew even a little about computers was considered a technical talent, earning monthly salaries of several thousand.’
’By the time the true high-end talent—people who genuinely mastered computers—appeared, Wen Yaozu’s generation, who were just getting by, would already be retired.’
’They would have it made.’
Wen Ci gritted her teeth. "After I finish selling all the clothes, we’ll go ask how much one costs."
"We don’t have to buy one. I have one."
"Huh?" Wen Ci glanced sideways at Huo Jingyuan and asked in disbelief, "Where did you get a computer?"
"It’s in Hangzhou."
Huo Jingyuan’s family was from Hangzhou. Before enlisting, he would fly to his aunt’s place for his winter and summer breaks.
After the first personal computers came on the market...
Huo Jingyuan’s aunt had hoped he could use it to keep up with developments in the outside world, but the conditions at the Northwest Military Region weren’t suitable for installing one.
So the computer could only be set up at their family home in Hangzhou. A few years had passed; it should still be lying around the house.
"Your aunt bought it?" Wen Ci asked.
"Mhm. It was imported a few years ago. I used it twice while on a business trip to Hangzhou. It really does broaden your horizons."
Huo Jingyuan paused before continuing, "We could have the computer moved here. The Beijing Military District Family Courtyard has the necessary infrastructure for an internet connection."
The country was developing technologically now. Since it was in the Capital, the Beijing Military Region even had a few computers in its barracks dedicated to research.
"Is it that simple?" Wen Yaozu blinked.
In class, his teacher had talked about how rare computers were—even the teacher himself had never owned one, only touched one.
"Simple, my ass. You should be thankful you’re in the Capital. Otherwise, even if you could afford a computer, it would be a useless hunk of junk without the means to get it online."
Hearing her say that, Huo Jingyuan looked at Wen Ci with a hint of surprise. "You know a lot about this?"
"I’ve seen them in the Southern region."
’Wen Ci casually made up an excuse. The Southern coastal cities were among the most developed in the country, so computers were common household appliances there. Some rich folks even opened internet cafes.’
_
It was five-thirty in the evening.
The sky was already growing dark, partly due to the rain from earlier that afternoon. Wen Ci had brought an umbrella when they left the house.
Wen Yaozu was practically drooling. "I want sweet and sour pork ribs, and that famous Sichuan and Chongqing dish, twice-cooked pork."
"Can the chefs in Beijing make it authentically?"
Wen Yaozu stopped in his tracks and said, enunciating every word, "Sis, you’re underestimating the chefs at the state-run restaurant. They can cook dishes from all over the country. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be working as chefs in the Capital."
The chefs at the Capital’s state-run restaurants were the best of the best.
A moment later, Wen Yaozu hopped up and down in excitement. "I can see the sign for the state-run restaurant!"
Suddenly, Wen Ci spotted two familiar figures also heading toward the state-run restaurant.
As they drew closer, she could clearly hear Jiang Ye’s voice. "Wen Ci is so shameless, running to Mom and Dad to complain. And Dad... I can’t believe he actually kicked you out."
