The most significant change was the abolition of the urban resident grain ration system. From now on, city dwellers would no longer need ration books to purchase food; they could buy it directly at the market, though at prices higher than the old rationed grain.
The second change was that the state canceled subsidies for college and technical school students. Starting this year, students would have to pay tuition, and their living expenses would be entirely their own responsibility.
Zhong Damin’s salary, half of which went toward basic family expenses, was barely enough to cover food and drink. With the policy change, his wages were nowhere near enough to support Zhong Yuanfen’s education. Ma Xiaolan had no choice but to find work as a dishwasher at a restaurant, handing over her monthly wages to her youngest daughter to cover her living costs.
Chapter 224