Zheng Jiahe said, “If you ask me, we shouldn’t just let any random person come to the military post to accompany the troops. Some country folks don’t even know a single word—what can they possibly do by coming here to accompany the troops? I’m afraid they’ll only turn into a burden on the organization.”
Jiang Tang couldn’t understand why Zheng Jiahe harbored such strong hostility toward Lin Xue. Was it simply because Lin Xue was dressed plainly?
Or was it because Zheng Jiahe held a grudge against Lin Xue over what happened on the train?
Seeing Lin Xue hesitating and at a loss for words, Jiang Tang thought back to her day spent with Lin Xue and the warmth she had shown, making her more than willing to speak up on her behalf.
“It’s wrong for you to speak like that, Comrade. Does being an illiterate person from the countryside mean one cannot contribute to building the nation? Among the grain we eat every day, which single grain wasn’t grown by people from the countryside? When country folks cultivate that grain, they don’t accuse you of being a burden who doesn’t know how to farm.”
Zheng Jiahe’s face flushed bright red from the retort, leaving her choked up for quite a while without a word to say in response.
Her attempt to verbally attack Lin Xue was purely because Lin Xue was dressed like a peasant, making her look like an easy target to pick on.
However, although Jiang Tang was also dressed simply, one could tell at a glance that she had grown up in the city, likely an educated youth who came here to support the construction effort.
Zheng Jiahe didn’t want to offend an educated youth, worried that it might bring trouble upon herself in the future.
Therefore, after Jiang Tang spoke up, although Zheng Jiahe felt angry, she didn’t say anything further. Instead, she climbed up into the bed of the truck with a look of pure disgust.
Catching sight of the skin on Zheng Jiahe’s heels rubbed raw by her leather shoes, Jiang Tang finally understood why she carried so much resentment toward Lin Xue.
No doubt standing with a non-seated ticket for a day and a night on the train had been far from comfortable.
Even so, that was no excuse for Zheng Jiahe to bully others.
What’s more, nobody had required Zheng Jiahe to wear leather shoes while traveling; she could clearly have worn a pair of far more comfortable shoes.
Jiang Tang had no intention of badgering her relentlessly either. Since Zheng Jiahe chose to hold her tongue, Jiang Tang refrained from saying anything more.
Once all the military dependents and educated youth heading to the 21st Regiment had boarded the truck, Xiao Xun exchanged a glance with Jiang Tang before returning to sit in the front passenger seat.
One quick-witted educated youth, taking notice of Xiao Xun’s striking appearance, began to entertain ideas about him.
“That comrade looks so handsome. I wonder if he’s married?”
Following the direction of the speaker’s gaze, Jiang Tang realized she was talking about Xiao Xun.
Before Jiang Tang could open her mouth, one of the military dependents who had arrived earlier spoke up: “His fiancée is right here.”
Flushing bright red, the educated youth who had spoken hurriedly apologized to Jiang Tang.
“I’m so sorry, Comrade. I was just making a casual remark—I didn’t mean anything else by it.”
Naturally, Jiang Tang wouldn’t take such a comment to heart. Xiao Xun was handsome with a fine physique, so it was entirely normal for people to take notice of him.
“It’s fine, just a joke.”
Letting out a sigh of relief, that educated youth introduced herself to Jiang Tang: “My name is Chang Hong, an educated youth sent down in this batch. If there’s ever anything I can help you with in the future, don’t hesitate to let me know, Comrade.”
Sensing the genuine apology in her tone, Jiang Tang offered her name as well: “Jiang Tang. No need to be so polite; we’re all here to contribute to building the nation.”
With those words from Jiang Tang, the atmosphere on the truck quickly grew lively as everyone began introducing themselves one by one.
As Jiang Tang observed their introductions, she realized all these educated youths were heading to the school to serve as teachers.
It appeared the dependents’ school was truly short on staff, given that they had recruited so many people all at once.
The truck journeyed through winding mountain roads, growing increasingly remote with every passing mile.
After traveling continuously for two whole hours, they finally arrived at the military post.
The educated youth were to head to the educated youth post. As for Jiang Tang, she could only move into the family quarters as a military dependent once her marriage application and accompaniment application with Xiao Xun were officially approved.
Therefore, prior to that, she would also be staying at the educated youth post.
After helping her unload her suitcase, Xiao Xun told Jiang Tang where his quarters were located.
“If you run into any trouble, come find me at any time.”
Jiang Tang nodded. In truth, she didn’t expect to encounter any real trouble.
The environment here was quite similar to where she had been sent down to the countryside in her past life. Coupled with the supplies inside her spatial dimension this time around, plus having Xiao Xun and her eldest brother nearby, she was certain to live well.
The educated youth post consisted of a few connected unfinished mud-brick rooms, with male and female educated youth split into two separate dormitories.
The educated youth team leader introduced himself to everyone: “My name is Wu Nianzhen. If anyone encounters any problems or difficulties in the future, you can come find me. You all likely knew what you were coming here to do before arriving. Today, everyone can rest up and unpack; tomorrow when we head to the school, we’ll arrange your work assignments.”
Once Wu Nianzhen finished speaking, he instructed the educated youth to head into their respective dormitories to pick out their sleeping spots.
Carrying her suitcase, Jiang Tang entered the female educated youth dormitory. Several people were already living here, all of them teachers at the dependents’ school.
Since these were all communal brick bed-platforms, the conditions were largely the same, so Jiang Tang casually picked a spot.
Following right behind Jiang Tang, Chang Hong saw where Jiang Tang had chosen and picked the spot right beside her.
“Comrade Jiang Tang, may I choose this spot?”
“Of course you can.”
Casting a glare at the two of them, Zheng Jiahe picked a spot with visible disgust and set her things down.
Focusing solely on organizing her own belongings, Jiang Tang couldn’t be bothered to care about what Zheng Jiahe thought.
While tidying up her things, Chang Hong pulled out cooked eggs and flatbreads she hadn’t been able to bring herself to eat on the journey, sharing them with the others.
The educated youth all ate their meals at the school canteen, though they still needed to provide their own grain and oil ration coupons.
While it wasn’t enough to leave them hungry, eating the exact same flavors over and over again would inevitably grow tiresome.
Thus, the moment Chang Hong brought out her food, the veteran educated youth enthusiastically offered to swap items with her as well.
Jiang Tang also shared the cookies she had brought with everyone, and several other newly arrived educated youth quickly hit it off with them.
Hailing from all across the country, chatting so merrily together seemed to wash away the exhaustion of their long travel.
Zheng Jiahe alone didn’t say a single word, heading straight outside as soon as she finished unpacking.
Chang Hong inquired with the educated youth team leader: “Captain Wu, what’s the background of that educated youth just now? She didn’t seem interested in interacting with anyone.”
Taking in Zheng Jiahe’s reaction, Wu Nianzhen felt a headache coming on. Yet faced with Chang Hong’s question, he couldn’t reveal too much, merely stating: “Comrade Zheng is just like everyone else—a teacher here to support the dependents’ school. Her father is a military officer carrying out assignments here.”
Regarding the exact identity of Zheng Jiahe’s father, Wu Nianzhen didn’t disclose further details.
However, judging by his expression, one could easily guess that Zheng Jiahe’s father held an extraordinary status.
The veteran educated youth at the post seemed to realize this in an instant, exchanging silent glances with one another without uttering a word.
Although Jiang Tang didn’t know who stood behind Zheng Jiahe, she didn’t care either.
At the end of the day, everyone was here to be a teacher. So what if Zheng Jiahe had backing? Surely she couldn’t twist black into white, could she?
After asking her question, Chang Hong shifted the conversation to other topics.
While Jiang Tang was casually chatting with the educated youth, she heard someone calling her name from outside.
The corners of her lips curved into a smile, and stepping out of the dormitory, she indeed saw her eldest brother standing outside.
Her brother was still covered in dust, looking as though he had just returned from completing a mission.
“Xiaotang, it was your brother’s fault for not being able to pick you up.”
Looking at Jiang Sijie’s self-reproachful expression, Jiang Tang couldn’t help laughing out loud: “Brother, it’s fine. I know you were busy. I’ll be living at the educated youth post from now on, so there will be plenty of opportunities to see each other—there’s no rush for this one moment.”