explained urgently, "Grandmother killed the hen that hadn't laid eggs for over half a month to let Mother eat. Grandmother said it would help with milk production, but after Mother ate it, Younger Sister still had no milk. Eldest Aunt scolds Mother every day because of this chicken, and Mother cries every day."
Xiao Qingqing said she knew about this and raised her hand to indicate she had something to say.
Lin Yuexi didn't ask her immediately. Instead, she smiled at the young girl and said, "This candy isn't wrapped. If you want to give it to your mother, you need to take it back right away, or it will melt soon."
When the young girl heard it would melt soon, she turned and ran anxiously. After a few steps, she stopped, turned her head, and shyly called out, "Sister Lin, I'm going home now. Thank you, Sister Lin."
Lin Yuexi still smiled and waved her hand.
Turning her head, she saw that Xiao Qingqing's hand was still raised.
Amused, she gently pushed her hand down. "Aren't you tired of holding it up for so long? Come on, what does the little know-it-all want to tell big sister?"
Xiao Qingqing's eyes lit up. Know-it-all! What a cool nickname. She really liked it.
However, the young girl didn't forget her main task and continued to push Lin Yuexi forward slowly.
She said, "Er Ya's Eldest Aunt is so mean. She always bullies Er Ya's mother..."
As Xiao Qingqing rambled on, Lin Yuexi pieced together the story.
Er Ya's father was a Soldier, and Er Ya's mother was among the first batch of Educated Youths.
Er Ya's mother was beautiful but had a soft temperament. One of the female educated youths at the same time, out of jealousy, wanted to harm her. She pushed her into the river and had arranged for a Scoundrel from the neighboring team to "save" her, intending for her to be forced to marry that Scoundrel due to damaged Reputation.
However, Er Ya's father, who was returning from visiting relatives and happened to pass by, saw this and rescued her. Also concerned about Reputation, the two got married.
Er Ya's Grandparents were kind people. Er Ya's father used to send money and ration coupons home every month. When he was about to get married, Er Ya's Grandparents felt that Er Ya's father now had his Own Small Family and should focus on his own family. They told him he didn't need to send money home anymore and that any money sent should be for Er Ya's mother.
Because of this, Er Ya's Eldest Aunt was very unhappy. After Er Ya's mother married into the family, Er Ya's Eldest Aunt would always find excuses to bully her. What's worse, Er Ya's mother had a soft temperament and always endured it.
Er Ya's Eldest Aunt was a severe believer in preference for boys over girls. She had three sons herself, while Er Ya's mother had two daughters. Therefore, she felt she was a meritorious official of the family, looked down on Er Ya's mother, and bossed her around as a matter of course.
Looking at the newly paved, flat cement road in front of her, still emitting the smell of cement, Lin Yuexi's eyes flickered, a hint of obscurity flashing through them.
Many big cities haven't even paved their roads with cement yet, yet this remote mountain village had.
This was absolutely not the Leng Family's doing. It wasn't that the Leng Family lacked the ability, but they couldn't be high-profile right now.
She gazed leisurely in the direction of Beijing City.
It seemed she was indeed highly valued!
&
On the field, the laborers were enthusiastically rushing to harvest. The sickles in the hands of those cutting wheat were almost spinning like fiery wheels.
At this time, it was tiring for the Educated Youths, so tiring that their red eyes could be temporarily cured, so tiring that they had no time to bicker, so tiring that they had forgotten who their parents were.
But for the commune members, many were already tireless. They saw the joy of a Bountiful Harvest and the hope of not starving next year.
Auntie Lu wiped her sweat and unintentionally saw the wheelchair slowly moving on the road. "Oh, Educated Youth Lin can come out now?"
The people nearby also looked over curiously when they heard. They were too far away to see the person's face clearly, only seeing a small person sitting in the wheelchair. The Captain's children, Da Li and Da Niu, were pushing the wheelchair from behind, holding a blue umbrella. Da Niu seemed to be saying something to Educated Youth Lin, her head slightly lowered.
Aunt Li tutted twice. "She's too thin. She looks like a child from this distance. I heard she's already seventeen."
How would she ever get married in the future? Which Husband's family wouldn't mind?
However, Aunt Li, as simple as she was, didn't dare to say this aloud. Before the person arrived, the Captain and other village cadres had warned every household in the entire brigade, as well as those who had benefited from them...
It's true that I'm just a village woman with limited knowledge, but I'm not a Fool. I know what to say, what not to say, and who truly cannot be offended.
Qian Duoduo quickly tied up a bundle of wheat in her hands, then got up and ran over. "Laidi, you cover for me for a bit. I'm going to say hello to Educated Youth Lin."
Li Laidi: "..."
I'm also at work, okay? How am I supposed to cover for you?
Suddenly, a little chubby girl darted out from the side. Lin Yuexi wasn't startled. She was accustomed to using her Spiritual Power to monitor within ten meters of herself when she went out. She had already detected Qian Duoduo, who was grinning so wide her mouth was about to split open.
It was just that the girl's appearance made her speechless.
She didn't know which aunt she had borrowed the tattered floral cloth from. It had holes on both sides and was draped over her head, making her suddenly think of a "flower tea" decoration.
"Educated Youth Lin, are you feeling better today?"
Lin Yuexi suppressed a smile and nodded. "Thank you for your concern. I feel much better. This is truly a wonderful place."
An aunt carrying a bamboo basket happened to pass by, as if unintentionally. Hearing this, she felt incredibly pleased. With a slight grin showing her slightly yellowed teeth, she also came closer.
"Educated Youth Lin, your words are very pleasant to hear. But our place is indeed good. In your city folks' terms, it's called beautiful scenery, right? Back then, during the famine in the entire Northeast, no one starved to death here."
"Educated Youth Lin, just rest assured here. I guarantee you'll be plump when you go back in a few years."
Being plump isn't necessary.
Lin Yuexi's smile remained unchanged as she nodded. She glanced at the aunt's already Full bamboo basket. "Auntie, you're amazing. You've picked so many Chestnuts in such a short time."
Praised by such a beautiful girl, the aunt's heart was bubbling with joy. If she hadn't remembered the Captain's warning, she might have even patted Lin Yuexi a few times.
She just liked good-looking children.
"There's a whole wild Chestnut Grove on our Back Mountain. Back during the famine, that Chestnut Grove saved the lives of our entire village."
The aunt leaned in slightly and lowered her voice, saying, "This is nothing. Wait until after the autumn harvest, and you'll see. They'll be dragged home by the sackful."
From the sound of it, that wild Chestnut Grove must be quite large.
Lin Yuexi's eyes flickered, and she asked casually, "Can you eat all that you pick?"
If it weren't for her good looks, the aunt would have definitely said, "This girl really doesn't know how to manage her life."
"How can we eat it all ourselves? We send it to the Commune Purchasing Station every year."
Although the Purchasing Station bought it cheaply, it was still an income. The aunt grinned honestly, revealing her teeth.
What she was carrying wasn't light, so Lin Yuexi didn't bother her further. After a brief chat, she bid farewell to the aunt.
Qian Duoduo had already scampered off when the aunt arrived. She just wanted to show her face in front of the beauty. It was working hours now, and being caught by the scorekeeper for running around would result in a deduction of Work points.
Lin Yuexi didn't mind her. She patted Xiao Qingqing's hand. "Can you help me find the Captain? I need to talk to him."
She didn't need to look for the Captain. Hearing she was out, the Captain had already come looking for her.
From a distance, he shouted, "Niece, why have you come to the field? The sun is so strong, don't get sunstroke."
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