That moment made Zhuai Xueying realize something. She swallowed back what she was about to say, lowered her head, and hurried back to her bunk to organize her things.
Ruan Liuzheng glanced over but said nothing. She turned and walked out toward the courtyard.
At that moment, only one male educated youth with a round, chubby face was watering the yard.
The moment he saw Ruan Liuzheng, his eyes nearly popped out.
He had gone into the county town yesterday and only returned this morning, so he hadn’t seen her yet.
He hadn’t expected the new educated youth to be this beautiful.
Stammering, he greeted her, “H-hello, I’m Kong Youping, the team leader of the educated youth station.”
Ruan Liuzheng nodded politely. “Hello, Comrade Kong. My name is Ruan Liuzheng.”
Just then, the other new educated youths came out from behind.
“Comrade Ruan, what are you talking about? You look so happy.”
Ruan Liuzheng lazily glanced at Chen Wenjuan, not missing the light in her eyes, and replied coolly, “We were just about to talk, and look—you showed up right on time.”
Chen Wenjuan froze for a moment, then chuckled while covering her mouth.
“Team leader, what are you busy with? Do you need help? I should’ve come out earlier to help you.”
Kong Youping saw the subtle tension between the two and awkwardly waved his hand.
“It’s fine, it’s already done.”
Then he smoothly addressed everyone, “Comrades, hello. I’m the team leader here, Kong Youping. Spring planting season is coming, so everyone is very busy. The new educated youth welcome event will be postponed by two days.”
“Later I’ll take you to the brigade office first. You can collect your grain and cooking oil there. Then I’ll take you around the village so you can get familiar with the area. Tomorrow you can also go to the town to buy daily necessities.”
After speaking, he led them out of the educated youth compound while explaining things along the way.
Ruan Liuzheng observed her surroundings. Among the earthen houses were two brick houses. On the outer wall were bold red slogans:
“Give what must be given to the state, keep what must be kept for the collective, and everything left is yours.”
Kong Youping greeted villagers along the way and seemed to have a good relationship with them.
When they saw Ruan Liuzheng walking behind him, they all looked stunned.
After they passed, several people immediately gathered together, launching into a familiar rural gossip storm.
“My heavens! Is that the new educated youth? She looks like she stepped out of a painting.”
“She looks so delicate and fair. She’s like a young lady from a wealthy family—could she have some bad background?”
“Another one coming to take our grain. Annoying.”
“But she’s really too pretty. If she were in my family, my ancestors would be thrilled!”
“Aunt Niu Hua, what are you even thinking? With your family’s looks, even the ancestors’ graves would explode—stop dreaming!”
“Can your mouth say anything decent?”
……
At the brigade office.
Comrade Deng Yuanchao looked at the new educated youths in front of him—especially Ruan Liuzheng.
He felt like crying.
How was someone like this supposed to work in the fields?
Even the tobacco pouch in his hand didn’t feel enjoyable anymore.
He forced out a smile that looked worse than crying.
“Each educated youth is allotted 30 jin of coarse grain per month and 3 liang of cooking oil. You’ll take it back later. You’ll also be arranged to eat in local households. After choosing, deliver your grain there.”
“Other work assignments will be decided the day after tomorrow when labor begins.”
After leaving the brigade office, Chen Wenjuan leaned toward Kong Youping and asked, “Comrade Kong, what does it mean to eat at someone’s house?”
Kong Youping quickly explained, “Our educated youths are paired with poor and lower-middle peasants’ households for meals.”
Chen Wenjuan frowned. “Are there no better conditions?”
Kong Youping glanced at her. “The village chief’s family, and Zhang Zhijun’s family.”
Ruan Liuzheng thought deeply.
On the other side, after receiving her grain, Chen Wenjuan rushed off eagerly.
But not long after, she came storming back, furious.
She threw the grain in her hands to the side.
“What kind of people are these! Always crawling in the mud like dirty peasants. I don’t mind them being dirty, but they look down on me instead!”
Ruan Liuzheng frowned slightly, rolling her eyes inwardly. Just a clown who gained nothing.
It was obvious she had gone to the Zhang family and been rejected. As for the brigade leader’s family, she probably didn’t even have the courage to go there.
She wasn’t in a hurry. If she wanted to gather information, she needed to go to the center of gossip.
Ruan Liuzheng took her basin to the river to wash clothes. This was where most of the village women gathered, and the easiest place to get information.
As soon as she arrived, she immediately attracted attention.
As expected, after a moment, an auntie approached her.
“Comrade, are you the new educated youth?”
Ruan Liuzheng turned and gave a generous smile. “Yes, auntie. I just arrived yesterday.”
“Oh my god! Girl, you’re really pretty! Look at your hands—no way they look like hands that do laundry.”
Ruan Liuzheng’s voice was clear and light. “Auntie, my hands are white because of a skincare method. If you use it, yours will also become fair.”
She glanced at the woman’s hands.
“But auntie, your hands are cracked. You should apply some medicine, otherwise it’ll get very itchy in winter.”
Liu Guifen was startled. “Really? Girl, you know medicine?”
Ruan Liuzheng smiled. “Yes, auntie. I can dig up some herbs for you later.”
“Oh my, thank you so much!”
After chatting back and forth, Ruan Liuzheng learned most of the village’s situation.
The most important thing was that a new young man had moved into the village last night, living at the far east end.
No need to guess—she already knew who it was.
Since that was the case, it was time for her to act.
That very night, she “fell ill.”
The next day, the new educated youths went to the county supply and marketing cooperative. She could only ask Zhai Xueying to help bring things back for her.
After they left, she, looking sickly, dragged her grain sack and went from house to house trying to find someone to share meals with—but she was rejected everywhere.
“Comrade Ruan, our family has too many mouths to feed. We really can’t share meals.”
Every excuse was different, but the truth was obvious—who would want someone who looked so weak and sick?
Ruan Liuzheng let out a soft sigh.
She walked to the big tree at the east side of the village, looking dejected with her head lowered.
From a distance, Xie Jinghuai noticed a small fluffy head drooping down.
She looked very sad.
Was she crying?
For some reason, just thinking about her red-rimmed eyes made his chest feel tight.
Unconsciously, he walked over.
“What are you doing sitting here alone?”
Ruan Liuzheng slowly raised her head at the sound.
Under the scattered sunlight, Xie Jinghuai would never forget the sight of her—those pitiful, slightly swollen eyes. She looked like a lost and helpless little deer, carrying a brokenness that made one ache for her.
Seeing the abnormal flush on her face, he frowned. “Do you have a fever?”
But Ruan Liuzheng, like a child who had finally found someone to rely on, sniffled.
“I’m willing to suffer for the revolutionary cause.”
“And I don’t even eat much…”