Cicadas droned in the midsummer heat under a brilliant golden sun.
On her way back to the military family compound, Wen Ci saw slogans painted on a wall, encouraging students for the upcoming college entrance exam. It was already June tenth; the exam was set for July seventh.
While many wouldn't get into a university, just being a high school graduate was a big deal. Jobs were guaranteed upon graduation. As long as you didn't make any major mistakes and weren't fired or laid off, you were set for a comfortable life.
After you'd been at your job long enough, your work unit would even provide you with housing.
You didn't have to pay into a pension, but you'd still receive retirement pay decades later—at a rate often much higher than the wages of younger workers. The benefits were fantastic.
Walking through the compound, Wen Ci noticed many of the residents were dressed in new outfits—fashionable, short summer clothes layered with stylish jackets.
