Ruan Liuzheng sat quietly beside the campfire.
Ever since someone had washed out his nose, he had been keeping as far away from her as possible.
She didn’t say a word.
At a time like this, he needed time to calm down.
If she acted rashly, she would only push him farther away.
She silently buried her head between her knees.
I’m tired. I’ll sleep for a while.
From a distance, Xie Jinghuai watched the figure who seemed to have fallen asleep.
The scene from earlier replayed over and over in his mind.
Without a word, he moved even farther away. Standing by the lakeside in the middle of the night, he began practicing military boxing.
The next morning, Jia Weihua and Deng Yuanchao came looking for them.
Seeing Ruan Liuzheng standing there safe and sound, Deng Yuanchao visibly let out a sigh of relief.
If anything had happened to one of the educated youths, it would have caused endless trouble.
She had nearly scared him to death.
Seeing his expression, Ruan Liuzheng smiled apologetically.
“I’m sorry for making you worry.”
Deng Yuanchao was a rough, straightforward man. Faced with the young woman’s soft-spoken apology, all the lectures he had prepared instantly disappeared.
He simply said,
“It’s good enough that you’re safe. Just be more careful next time.”
After everyone came down the mountain, Ruan Liuzheng gave Xie Jinghuai a deep bow.
“Thank you.”
Xie Jinghuai: “…”
Jia Weihua stood nearby, trying hard not to laugh.
Hahaha… Even Old Xie has moments when he’s left speechless.
“Stop staring. She’s already gone.”
“You’re welcome.”
Xie Jinghuai shot him a cold glance.
“Have you sent out the registration notice for the shooting competition?”
Jia Weihua immediately raised both hands in surrender.
“Alright, alright, I’ll go take care of it. You should hurry back and get some rest.”
“And while you’re at it, shave that beard. You’re starting to look like you’re the same age as Captain Deng.”
Xie Jinghuai: “…”
Somehow, it felt as though an invisible arrow had struck him right in the chest.
Meanwhile, after returning to the educated youths’ residence, Ruan Liuzheng rested for half the day before heading to work that afternoon.
“Educated Youth Ruan, the brigade leader said that for the next couple of days, you can cut grass and deliver it to the cattle shed.”
“Alright. Thank you, Xiaoquan.”
Zhang Xiaoquan felt a little guilty after seeing her smile.
“Don’t thank me. If I’d gone with you yesterday, you wouldn’t have gotten lost in the mountains.”
The two chatted quietly while they worked.
Chen Wenjuan disdainfully threw a bundle of firewood onto the ground.
“Why does she get to have such an easy job while we’re stuck doing this backbreaking work?”
As Zhai Xueying chopped firewood, she tried to comfort her.
“Educated Youth Chen, Educated Youth Ruan hasn’t been feeling well. In a couple of days, she’ll be chopping firewood too.”
Chen Wenjuan let out a contemptuous snort.
Inside, she cursed Zhai Xueying for being so sly—someone who never offended anyone.
Still, she wasn’t foolish.
She knew her own position hadn’t been favorable lately, so she only muttered a few complaints under her breath.
The following day, the production brigade received a notice from the commune.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of a gong echoed throughout the village.
The newly arrived educated youths looked around in confusion.
“What’s going on?”
One of the older educated youths chuckled.
“The brigade is calling everyone together for a meeting. Come on.”
It was Ruan Liuzheng’s first time participating in an event like this.
Practically the entire village had gathered. Young and old alike filled the area, chatting noisily, making the place lively and bustling.
Deng Yuanchao and Secretary Li stood at the front.
“Alright, everyone, quiet down. We called you here today because there’s something important to announce.”
Secretary Li, the brigade secretary, adjusted his thick black-framed glasses and cleared his throat.
“Our county is going to hold a live-fire shooting competition for the militia.”
“A shooting competition? Secretary, what’s that got to do with us?”
Secretary Li answered sternly,
“Niu Datou, keep quiet for a moment! If it had nothing to do with the villagers, why would I call everyone here?”
He continued,
“The thing is, this time, besides the militia, everyone else is also eligible to register for the competition.”
“If you’re selected, you’ll become a core militia member. That’s a real honor!”
After Brigade Leader Deng and Secretary Li enthusiastically promoted the opportunity, quite a few villagers found themselves tempted to give it a try.
He Linzhe had no interest in it, so she waved her arms and turned to head back.
On the way, she happened to see Jia Weihua pushing a bicycle.
“Comrade Jia.”
Jia Weihua looked up and saw Ruan Liuzheng waving at him, so he walked over.
“Dr. Ruan, how are you feeling? Are you better now?”
Ruan Liuzheng smiled and nodded.
“Thank you for your concern. How is Comrade Xie doing? That day he seemed injured and had quite a nosebleed.”
Jia Weihua froze for a moment. Old Xie had a nosebleed?
A grin immediately tugged at the corners of his mouth.
“He’s fine. He’s strong. He’s been busy preparing for the shooting competition lately, so it’s normal you haven’t seen him.”
“Shooting competition?”
Jia Weihua nodded.
“Yeah. Old Xie is currently responsible for conscription work in the county. His work location is Jinshan Commune, and the shooting competition was organized by him.”
Ruan Liuzheng paused for a few seconds.
“Comrade Xie is a soldier?”
“Yeah. Both Old Xie and I are currently in the Northern Military District.”
Although she had already guessed it, hearing that Xie Jinghuai was from the northern district made her slightly relieved.
Shen Que was from the Eastern Military District, so the two of them should not know each other. Otherwise, it would be awkward.
Jia Weihua looked at her.
“What? Dr. Ruan also wants to participate?”
Her eyes lit up.
“Yes!”
Jia Weihua chuckled.
“Then you’ll need to practice more.”
After chatting a few more sentences, they parted ways.
Ruan Liuzheng walked quickly back to the educated youth residence, her mind on the shooting competition.
She was quite skilled at darts, but as for shooting, she had only been to a shooting range before and wasn’t particularly good at it.
Still, it didn’t matter—she could learn.
From whom? Naturally, from Xie Jinghuai.
She returned to the residence, gathered all her medicinal herbs, and went to Old Man Niu’s house.
Old Man Niu was in the courtyard organizing newspapers.
“Comrade Ruan, you’re here?”
Ruan Liuzheng smiled and handed over the basket of herbs.
“Grandpa, these are the medicines for your legs. Seven doses will be enough. After you finish them, I’ll come back for a follow-up.”
Old Man Niu was not very good at conversation and hesitated for a long time before speaking.
“Comrade Ruan, is there anything you need help with?”
Ruan Liuzheng smiled slightly.
“Yes, Grandpa Niu. There is something I’d like your help with.”
She took out the dartboard she had drawn.
“This.”
Old Man Niu took one look.
“This is simple. Come pick it up after work in the evening.”
Ruan Liuzheng repeatedly thanked him.
That evening, she picked up the finished dartboard and went to cook at Xie Jinghuai’s house.
Beside the rice jar in the kitchen, she saw a prepared rabbit with a note on it.
Ruan Liuzheng didn’t stand on ceremony and cut the rabbit into cubes.
She heated oil in the pan, stir-fried the rabbit meat, added chili, then tossed the meat back in. The aroma instantly filled the entire kitchen.
As soon as Xie Jinghuai entered the house, he smelled the spicy fragrance and felt his mouth water.
When he stepped inside, Ruan Liuzheng looked up with smiling eyes.
“What a coincidence—you’re back?”
“Want to eat together?”
Xie Jinghuai originally intended to refuse, but after seeing the spicy rabbit meat, he nodded.
The two of them ate with great enthusiasm.
After finishing the meal, while cleaning up the dishes, Xie Jinghuai said,
“I often come back to eat your cooking like this. It’s a bit embarrassing. How about this—I’ll provide my own grain, meat, and oil every month, and also give you five yuan a month. What do you think?”
Ruan Liuzheng waved her hand.
“No need for money. If you have time, could you help me with something instead?”