Hongyun Commune lay at the foot of Stone Mountain—a modest-sized hill once notorious as a bandit stronghold. Yet during the war, it had suffered immense sacrifices, leaving few able-bodied men in the area. This year’s rush harvest was particularly demanding, and fearing a shortage of strong laborers in Hongyun Commune, the higher authorities dispatched the 32nd Regiment to assist.
Lin Yiqiao and Liu Hongying arrived at the mountain’s base by transport truck—a courtesy extended to them as female soldiers, while the male troops had marched on foot. Lin Yiqiao hopped lightly from the vehicle. The sun blazed without restraint, and waves of heat rolled across the endless wheat fields.
Scanning her surroundings, she saw Qi Jun step out of the lead jeep with a long stride. A cadre in a faded white shirt jogged over to shake his hand. Before Lin Yiqiao could observe further, someone from Hongyun Commune approached with a small booklet to assign them tasks.
Lin Yiqiao was assigned as a recorder in Big Locust Tree Village. She initially thought the job would be easy—just calculating and recording work points for everyone. But she had sorely overestimated her stamina. By noon, running back and forth had exhausted her, and she realized recording work points wasn’t so simple after all.
The work points allotted to women were set relatively low, but many women and children in Big Locust Tree Village toiled with remarkable diligence. Privately, Lin Yiqiao felt their efforts in the rush harvest matched those of the men. She wanted to credit them with more points, but knowing the village accountant would later review the records, she found herself in a difficult position.
As mealtime approached, Lin Yiqiao ignored her growling stomach and hurried to record the work points for Ma Chunhua, the last household on her list. Ma Chunhua carried a months-old baby on her back while her five-year-old daughter bent over nearby, cutting wheat with intense focus. Both were sunburned, their faces flushed and drenched in sweat.
Watching the baby jostle on Ma Chunhua’s back with each movement, its little face reddened by the scorching sun and streaked with faint tear stains, Lin Yiqiao felt a pang of distress.
“Sister Ma, let me hold the child for a while. She must be uncomfortable like this,” Lin Yiqiao offered, stepping forward.
“No need, comrade. She’ll cry herself to sleep; it’s fine,” Ma Chunhua replied, tying a large bundle of wheat and stacking it aside. Wiping her sweat, she immediately moved on to cut the next bundle.
Lin Yiqiao was still pondering how to allocate more points to Ma Chunhua when she heard a thud, followed by a child’s wail. Rushing over to check on Ma Chunhua, she was joined by several other women who had dashed to the scene. They pressed on Ma Chunhua’s philtrum and said, “She’s just fainted from exhaustion. Quick, fetch some cool water!”
Lin Yiqiao quickly scooped up the baby from beneath Ma Chunhua. The child, seemingly frightened, continued to cry. Ma Chunhua’s eldest daughter brought a dipper of water and splashed it on her mother, reviving her. Lin Yiqiao breathed a sigh of relief.
The women helped Ma Chunhua to a shaded spot to rest while Lin Yiqiao cradled the baby, soothing it gently. Her side braid draped over her shoulder, slightly disheveled. Her fair, smooth cheeks were tinged with pink, and beads of sweat dotted her temples.
“What happened?”
Lin Yiqiao looked up and met Qi Jun’s dark eyes. “Regiment Commander, Ma Chunhua fainted, and the baby won’t stop crying.”
The man observed her awkward hold and frowned. “Try holding the child upright.”
“Oh, alright. I’ll try.”
Carefully, she positioned the baby against her shoulder, murmuring soft comforts. Unbothered by the tears dampening her clothes, she appeared gentle and tender.
Qi Jun paused, casually picking up the work-point booklet she had set aside.
Lin Yiqiao felt a bit nervous—many of the work points inside had been carefully padded by her. She stared intently at the man’s large, well-defined hands.
After flipping through it a couple of times, Qi Jun put it away. Lifting his eyes to meet Lin Yiqiao’s anxious gaze, his brow relaxed. “I’ll return it to you this afternoon.”
Lin Yiqiao couldn’t refuse. Propping her chin, she smiled. “Alright.”
Just then, a commune cadre hurried over. “Regiment Commander Qi, the canteen meal is ready. Shall we eat?”
“Mm,” Qi Jun glanced quickly at Lin Yiqiao, tucked the booklet away, and strode off with his long legs.
Lin Yiqiao rubbed her stomach, which had long passed the point of hunger. Ma Chunhua hurried over and took the child from her arms.
“Thank you, comrade. You should go eat now.”
Lin Yiqiao said it was nothing to thank her for, then turned and rushed toward the canteen.