After counting the money she had on hand, she had a little over five hundred yuan.
Two hundred and thirty was the relocation allowance from the countryside, and the remaining three hundred or so had been given by her family.
Her family had told her that once she got settled in the countryside, they would send her more supplies. That way she wouldn’t be carrying too much at once and attracting attention. They also said she wouldn’t need to rely on earning work points just to feed herself.
Five hundred yuan at this time was no small amount. A regular worker only earned about thirty yuan a month.
Thinking of that, she felt much more secure.
Looking at Xiang Wenhui, who was wiping down the bed, Wenshan called out, “Hey, sis.”
Wenhui whipped her head around. “What’s up, sis? What is it?”
“I’m thinking of moving out. What do you think?”
“I’m definitely going with you! You can’t leave me behind!” she said immediately, making a face as if she’d cut ties if abandoned.
“I won’t. I was just asking. Let’s go talk to the brigade leader in a bit.”
Cao Yu, who was tidying up nearby, walked over when she heard them. “You’re moving out? Isn’t it fine here? It’s good to have the older educated youths as company.”
Wenshan was about to answer when Wenhui jumped in first. “It’s not that this place is bad. It’s just… I have a sleep problem. Even my sister doesn’t dare sleep with me. I sleepwalk and talk in my sleep. It happens two or three times a month. My sister’s worried I might scare you.”
Cao Yu nodded slowly. “Oh.” She wouldn’t have guessed. That soft, sweet-looking girl had such a problem? She felt they got along well, but she didn’t want to move out. Her family had warned her to be careful in the countryside. Living alone definitely wasn’t as safe as staying with the other educated youths.
Still, she couldn’t help feeling a little lonely.
Near noon, Wenshan took half a jin of brown sugar and a jin of sponge cake from her luggage. Wenhui followed suit and took out a jin of brown sugar as well. Before leaving home, their mother had told her to listen to her older sister in everything—but she already knew that without being told.
Wenshan was startled. “You don’t need to take more. I already prepared some for you.”
“Oh, okay.” Wenhui stuffed it back into her bundle, linked arms with her sister, called out a goodbye to Cao Yu, and the two left the educated youth residence.
Cao Yu watched their backs with envy. She wished she had someone to rely on in this unfamiliar place too.
They had just reached the brigade leader’s house when they ran into his wife coming out. Seeing the two sisters carrying things, she immediately knew they must be looking for her husband.
“You two Comrade Xiangs, here to see my old man? He’s not back yet. He’ll be home soon. Come inside and sit for a bit.”
She warmly invited them in and hurried to fetch stools.
They had come by earlier that morning, and the brigade leader’s wife had greeted them enthusiastically, even telling them to treat this place like home and to come to her if they needed anything.
“Aunt Jinhua, no need to fuss,” Wenshan said, handing over the things they brought.
“Oh dear, you came all this way and still brought gifts?” she said modestly. “Look at this… such thoughtful girls. Don’t do this next time.” Her hands, however, accepted the items very steadily.
“Sit, sit, rest for a bit.” After putting the things away, she sat with them in the courtyard and probed gently, “So you came because…?”
“Auntie, my sister and I want to move out. We were wondering if the brigade has any empty houses for rent. Or perhaps we could build a house on some open land near the educated youth residence.”
She looked curious. “Why move out? Isn’t the youth residence fine?”
Wenhui repeated the sleepwalking explanation.
The brigade leader’s wife looked at the delicate, petite girl before her with pity. Poor child.
“As for renting a separate house… probably not. If there are any, they’d need repairs. Let me think… see whose family might have an empty place…”
Just then, the brigade leader returned. Seeing two educated youths in his courtyard gave him a slight headache.
Wenshan quickly stood and greeted him with Wenhui.
His wife smiled. “Old Song, come here. These two young comrades are looking for you. See if the brigade has any empty houses for rent. I couldn’t think of any that are immediately livable. Or maybe let them build near the youth residence.”
“Move out?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Before the sisters could answer, his wife explained everything, ending with, “They’ve come all this way to our village. It’s not easy. We can’t let them feel wronged.”
Brigade Leader Song looked helpless at his wife’s urging. Judging from the girls’ appearance, they didn’t seem short on money.
“If you’re looking to rent a separate empty house, there aren’t any. Most families here live together—some haven’t even split households yet. Big families squeeze several kids into one room. A few houses were left abandoned after elderly people passed away. If you want to build, how are you planning to build it?”
Wenhui glanced at her sister.
Wenshan spoke up, “Brigade Leader, my sister and I would each like one room. Plus a kitchen and a latrine. We’d like a courtyard with a gate, and the walls a bit higher—for safety, since we’re both women. That’s all. When we return to the city, we’ll leave the house to the brigade.”
A flicker of delight passed through Brigade Leader Song’s eyes. His smile grew noticeably warmer.
“Alright. We’ll do it according to your requirements. Mud-brick house or brick-and-tile house?”
On their way here, Wenshan hadn’t seen many brick-and-tile houses in the village— not even the brigade leader’s home was anything too luxurious…
Brick-tiled houses and mud-brick houses.
If the two of them lived separately, they would already stand out enough. If they moved into something too nice, they’d definitely become a thorn in everyone’s side.
“A mud-brick house will do,” she said. “We’ll have to trouble the brigade leader to help us find some workers. We’ll cover the labor costs.”
“Alright,” he replied. “This afternoon I’ll take you to measure the land. Once that’s done, we’ll start building right away. There’ll be plenty to keep busy with in the coming days.”
“Thank you, Brigade Leader.”
Xiang Wenhui was overjoyed inside.
Truthfully, she didn’t want to sleep in a crowded dorm with so many people either. Now it was perfect—just her and her sister together.
In a sweet voice, she said, “Thank you, Brigade Leader. You’re such a good person. Being sent down to the countryside and meeting a leader as wonderful as you is truly our greatest honor.
And thank you, Auntie. You’re so gentle and warm. You’ve made us feel especially welcomed.”
The brigade leader and his wife couldn’t stop the corners of their mouths from lifting.
Xiang Wenshan thought to herself: So everyone really does love hearing nice things!
The brigade leader’s wife stepped forward. The more she looked at Xiang Wenhui, the more she adored her. The girl looked like a porcelain doll, and her words were as sweet as honey. Truly lovable.
“You child, what a sweet little mouth you have. From now on, just treat this as your own home. If you need anything, come find Auntie.”
“Alright, then I’ll thank you in advance, Auntie. If there’s nothing else, my sister and I will head back now.”
The brigade leader’s wife walked them to the door. Only after watching their figures disappear into the distance did she turn back into the courtyard.
“Old Song! Those two girls are really sensible—polite and sweet-talking. They even brought quite a few gifts when they came.
When they build their house, make sure you keep an eye on things. Don’t let anyone cheat those two kids.
Those sisters—one has poor health, and the other is so petite. You’ve got to look out for them.
And another thing, they don’t seem short on money. Give them some lighter work. Don’t assign them the heavy labor and exhaust them.”
The brigade leader waited until his wife finished her stream of chatter before replying calmly, “Mm, I know. It’s all in my head. Now hurry and go cook.”