"Aunt Li, please stop speculating about Educated Youth Song with malicious assumptions. She assisted the police in solving the case, contributed to social stability, and served the people. We should learn from her instead of mocking and questioning her," Zhao Shuwen suddenly stepped forward and spoke firmly.
Li Gaiying: "…"
Was it because she hadn't stirred up trouble for so long that the legends about her in Xianghong Brigade had faded?
Li Gaiying rolled up her sleeves and stood: "Comrade Zhao, stop your blabbering. I'll say whatever I want, and it's none of your business. Why are you stepping in? What's your relationship with her anyway?"
Zhao Shuwen glanced nervously at Song Xiu Jun, then shyly averted his gaze, stammering: "I'm just standing up for what's right."
"Oh, I see. You like Little Song, the Educated Youth, don't you?" Li Gaiying suddenly understood, then spat, "You worthless brat! Trying to step on me to please your crush? You've miscalculated! Look at yourself – your hair slicked down like it's been licked by a cow every day, wearing a white shirt to work in the fields. Who do you think you're fooling about your intentions!"
"Trying to live off a woman, are you? Little Song the Educated Youth has said herself that such a fine girl like her needs to consider more options. As for you, get in line!"
Even her own fourth son had been rejected. Why should this city-educated youth who can't carry a load on his shoulders or lift anything with his hands be considered?
"You!" Zhao Shuwen flushed with anger, "Shrew! Completely unreasonable! I'm speaking based on the facts. Even if it weren't Educated Youth Song being questioned and mocked today, I would still speak up. How can we let down those who have made contributions?"
"Good! Well said, Brother Zhao!" A young girl in the crowd shouted in agreement, clapping vigorously with shining eyes full of admiration.
Song Xiu Jun looked over and recognized the girl who had given eggs to Zhao Shuwen at noon.
She seemed to be deeply infatuated. Zhao Shuwen certainly had his ways.
"You silly girl, who asked for your opinion?" A hand suddenly reached out from beside her, pinching the girl's ear. "Get back to work immediately! If we get work points deducted today, you'll see how I deal with you."
The girl's eyes welled up with tears from the pinching as she looked to Zhao Shuwen for help.
"Auntie, how can you hit your own daughter in public? Domestic violence is illegal. Besides, she's grown up and deserves respect. Even though you gave birth to and raised her, you can't treat her like this," Zhao Shuwen began championing justice again.
"None of your business! This is my daughter. Get lost!" The old woman rolled her eyes.
"You… are impossible to reason with!" Zhao Shuwen waved his hand in frustration.
The team leader rushed over, scolding sharply: "What's going on here? Gossiping again? Get back to work immediately! Anyone slacking off will have their work points deducted!"
The crowd instantly dispersed.
After receiving the commendation letter, Song Xiu Jun was in particularly high spirits, and even her corn shelling speed increased.
Her partner Wang Danniang couldn't help but give a thumbs up: "Little Song, you're really energetic today."
When work ended, she went to register her work points with the recorder. Zhang Ruolan emerged from the crowd. She was in another team, quite far from Song Xiu Jun during work hours, so they couldn't chat while working.
But news of Song Xiu Jun assisting the police in solving the case had spread throughout the entire Production Team by afternoon.
This honor was unmatched in ten villages and eight townships.
"Xiu Jun, Xiu Jun, tell me quickly about how you assisted the police comrades in solving that case. I'm dying of curiosity."
Song Xiu Jun found her arm linked tightly as the two walked toward the Educated Youth Spot.
"The case is quite complicated, and honestly, I don't know the specifics myself. I just provided some evidence I found to the police, then I came to the countryside. I don't know much more than that," Song Xiu Jun tactfully declined.
After all, she had reported her stepfather. If details got out and someone made a big deal of it, she'd be inviting unnecessary trouble for herself.
So she absolutely wouldn't speak of it—the three police comrades had also promised not to disclose anything publicly.
Hearing this, Zhang Ruolan stopped pressing further. The two temporarily parted ways at the entrance of the Educated Youth Spot.
The weather had turned slightly chilly. Upon returning, Song Xiu Jun first fetched hot water to wash her body and hair indoors, changed into fresh clothes, and then started preparing dinner.
She steamed a bowl of rice, sliced two pieces of cured meat, and stir-fried a plate of vegetables.
Eating alone was so freeing—no fear of being watched.
Satisfied, she rubbed her full stomach. After resting awhile and noticing the sky hadn't yet darkened, she picked up a basin and headed to the river to wash clothes.
Just as she reached the riverbank, she spotted a man and a woman sitting on the slope.
They sat about a meter apart. It was Zhao Shuwen, but the woman wasn't the same one from noon.
Song Xiu Jun quietly hid behind a tree, just in time to see the girl hand a steamed bun to Zhao Shuwen.
"Brother Zhao, you didn't eat enough for dinner, right? I brought this bun specially for you. Please don't disdain it."
"Pandi, thank you. This is precious grain—how could I disdain it?" Zhao Shuwen accepted the bun and spoke gently. "It's my incompetence that I still need your help."
"Brother Zhao, don't say that. All new Educated Youth struggle like this at first. The Brigade Headquarters can only lend you limited rations."
"I don't know how to thank you enough," Zhao Shuwen said, his voice downcast.
"No need. I don't need your thanks. We… we're friends, aren't we? Unless you also look down on me for being a girl and don't want to be friends with me?"
"Pandi, how can you think that? The great leader said women hold up half the sky. Men and women are equal—why wouldn't I want to be friends with you? You're so kind, pure, and hardworking. If anyone scorns you, they're blind."
From her angle, Song Xiu Jun could see the girl's profile. She watched as Yan Pandi's eyes welled up with tears, moved by Zhao Shuwen's words.
"Brother Zhao, in all my life, you're the only one who's ever praised me like this," she wiped her tears and choked out.
"Though we're friends, I don't want to take advantage of you. Grain is so valuable—how can I eat your bun with a clear conscience? If there's anything you need help with, as long as I can do it, I'll help without hesitation."
"Brother Zhao, you're so educated. I don't even understand some words you use. Could you teach me to read?"
"Of course I can. Let me start by teaching you to write your name.Zhao Shuwen opened his notebook, took the pen from his shirt pocket, wrote three characters, tore out the page, and handed it to her: "This is your name—Yan Pandi.""
"Brother Zhao, your handwriting is so beautiful," Yan Pandi cherished the paper, then shyly added, "Could you recite a poem for me? I'd really love to hear one."
"Pandi, it's such a pity someone as studious as you can't attend school," Zhao Shuwen sighed, opening the book in his hand and beginning to recite poetry that aligned with the current trends.
Yan Pandi listened with rapt attention, her eyes growing increasingly admiring.
Song Xiu Jun hid behind a tree, also watching with great interest. In less than a day, Zhao Shuwen had already changed his leading lady.
"This Zhao Shuwen is quite something – eating eggs gifted by one girl at noon, then buns from another girl in the evening, filling his stomach entirely through patchwork methods."
Even more resourceful than those food delivery apps from later generations.
"Psst, psst…"
Song Xiu Jun was drawn by the faint sounds and turned to see Yan Xiang'an peeking from behind the corner wall, making eye signals at her.
"What do you want?" She followed Yan Xiang'an to a secluded corner before stopping.
Yan Xiang'an winked at her teasingly, "Why are you peeping at others dating?"
Song Xiu Jun replied flatly, "If there's nothing important, I'm leaving." The wooden basin was quite heavy – she hadn't noticed while watching the spectacle, but now her wrists felt somewhat sore.
"Going up the mountain to catch rabbits, want to come?" Yan Xiang'an said in his casual manner, leaning against a tree with hands in his pockets. "I'll treat you to rabbit meat."
This rabbit burrow was something he and his buddies had discovered together. Bringing Song Xiu Jun along was purely to repay a favor.
"I'm busy these two evenings. I need to prepare for the relocation banquet tomorrow and collect a package the day after."
Yan Xiang'an waved his hand, "No problem, I'll wait for you. When I say I'll look out for you, I mean it – I never go back on my word."
After settling on the time, Song Xiu Jun headed back carrying her basin.