Upon hearing Lin Sulan's outburst, Yan Xiang'an had already bolted out of the house.
The rabbit money hadn't been distributed yet.
He first went to Yan Xiaomi's house and gave him four yuan. Yan Xiaomi's mother was sitting in the best-lit spot mending clothes. Seeing him arrive, she warmly invited him inside to sit.
Yan Xiang'an waved his hand: "Auntie, please continue with your work. I have other matters to attend to." After saying this, he left directly.
Whenever Song Xiu Jun was at home and not resting, she would leave the courtyard gate open.
Sometimes Zhang Ruolan and Song Yun would come to visit her, and Old woman Wang would occasionally drop by to help her tend the vegetable patch.
When Yan Xiang'an arrived, she had just finished her meal and was washing dishes in the courtyard.
She couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation – in thirty or forty years, there would be dishwashers, and she wouldn't have to wash dishes by hand anymore.
"Sister Xiu Jun," Yan Xiang'an swaggered in, found a stool to sit in the courtyard, and handed her four yuan, "Your share."
Tonight, Song Xiu Jun had stewed the entire rabbit in one pot. To contain the aroma, she had even sealed the kitchen windows with cloth strips.
The smell was incredibly fragrant. Since her original body lacked oil and fat, it made her particularly crave meat.
She felt some regret – she should have just taken her portion of the rabbit instead of the money. After all, she wasn't short of this small amount of money, but she was definitely short on meat!
"Could you use these four yuan to help me buy some meat instead? I don't want the money," she guessed that Yan Xiang'an knew people in the black market and would have better connections to buy things than her, a newly arrived Educated Youth.
"Alright, I'll ask around," Yan Xiang'an withdrew his hand and put the money back in his pocket, "But you have to help me with something too."
Song Xiu Jun dried the bowls and put them back in the kitchen, casually asking: "What is it?"
"Help me keep an eye on Zhao Shuwen. See if that bastard has designs on my younger sister," Yan Xiang'an knew his younger sister was simple-minded and particularly admired city people.
"Do you really need me to watch him? Just go wait by the river. He often goes there after work in the afternoon," Song Xiu Jun casually suggested.
If it was just to watch some excitement, she wouldn't miss it, but she wasn't willing to spend time on surveillance!
She had noticed that Zhao Shuwen particularly liked going to the river. The riverbank near the Educated Youth Spot was usually deserted, with only their fellow Educated Youth going there to wash clothes.
People like Old woman Wang would walk a bit further to the busier section of the riverbank to wash clothes, where they could chat with their friends while working.
That section of the riverbank even had dug-out steps and laid stones to prevent slipping on wet soil.
The male Educated Youth also had to wash their own clothes. Those who were particular about cleanliness would scrub more thoroughly, while those who weren't would just rinse and leave.
Only Zhao Shuwen would occasionally bring a book there and sit on the bank writing things.
He appeared very cultured, with a naturally melancholic temperament that appealed to people with savior complexes, like Yan Pandi.
Yan Xiang'an scratched his head: "Should we go take a look now?"
Song Xiu Jun could never refuse the chance to watch some excitement. She first made a round to the neighboring Educated Youth Spot: "Zhao Shuwen isn't at the Educated Youth Spot. Let's go."
Yan Xiang'an went out first, heading toward the river.
Song Xiu Jun waited a while before following. The two arrived at the riverbank one after the other.
Sure enough, Zhao Shuwen was sitting on the slope, playing a harmonica, with melodious music drifting along the riverside.
"Is he alone?" Song Xiu Jun asked curiously.
"When I came over, I only saw him sitting here," Yan Xiang'an replied.
Both of them were peeking furtively, not daring to make any big movements as they crouched behind a mound of earth.
"See? I told you he comes here often. If you keep an eye on this spot from time to time and your little sister really has any connection with him, they're bound to meet here. This place is secluded with plenty of trees and cover," Song Xiu Jun whispered.
Before she could finish speaking, a figure slowly rose from the slope below. This person had been squatting earlier, just outside their line of sight.
The young woman was none other than Miss Wang, who had brought him eggs last time.
She placed a basin beside Zhao Shuwen containing wrung-out clothes: "Brother Zhao, thank you for playing the harmonica for me. You play so beautifully."
"That's Accountant Wang's eldest daughter, Wang Ai," Yan Xiang'an quietly explained. "Accountant Wang is a bit biased, but it's still better than Yan Pandi's family. Wang Zhong and Wang Hua – Wang Ai stopped going to school after elementary, while her two younger brothers, though poorer students, were supported through high school."
Song Xiu Jun still didn't know many people in the Production Team.
"Comrade Wang, thank you for your help. I'm so useless, I can't even wash clothes properly."
Wang Ai walked back down the slope and picked up a bucket filled with freshly washed clothes: "It's nothing. You're a man, it's normal not to know how to wash clothes. Look at my brothers – they can't do it either, I always wash for them. You only have a few items, it's no trouble at all."
"I still want to thank you. You've helped me so much. I'm really fortunate to have met such a kind girl like you," Zhao Shuwen said with a light laugh.
Wang Ai's cheeks flushed pink. Biting her lower lip, she hesitated for a long moment before saying: "Brother Zhao… my family… is arranging a marriage for me…"
Her eyes were filled with unspoken words.
Zhao Shuwen was taken aback. After several seconds of silence, he said solemnly: "Comrade Wang, I wish you find a good husband."
Tears welled up in Wang Ai's eyes: "Brother Zhao, you should know how I feel about you."
Zhao Shuwen turned his head away: "I'm sorry, Comrade Wang. I have to return to the city eventually, I can't hold you back. My parents, siblings – they're all waiting for me back home. We're just not meant to be."
Tears began streaming down Wang Ai's face. She pulled an egg from her pocket, her hand trembling as she offered it to him: "Brother Zhao, take this egg as our farewell gift. It's the last thing I can do for you!"
"Comrade Wang…" Zhao Shuwen's voice was heavy with sorrow and pain.
She shoved the egg into his hand, covered her mouth, and ran away from the riverbank.
"Tsk tsk tsk… See that? How impressive – getting free laundry service plus a bonus egg," Song Xiu Jun remarked with admiration. "No one's washing clothes or cooking for me."
"What wishful thinking are you having? If you get caught, that would count as improper relations between men and women," Yan Xiang'an quickly warned.
Song Xiu Jun shot him a disdainful look: "Did I say anything about sweet-talking a man into working for me? Can't I just pay someone to do it?"
"Hiring help isn't allowed either! I know you're not short of money, but don't do anything reckless. Although my father manages the team members and prevents people from reporting such things, we can't guarantee someone won't secretly do it out of jealousy," Yan Xiang'an grew more anxious, well aware of her free-spending habits.
Song Xiu Jun sighed: "If only I could find someone who wouldn't turn on me to secretly help out."
Ever since moving, she had been trading snacks with the Production Team's children for firewood.
The children in the Production Team were all diligent and quick with their hands. Some of the more capable kids had already formed long-term partnerships on the side.
Yan Xiang'an fell silent, hesitating as he said, "Are you really serious about finding someone?"
Afraid their voices might be overheard by Zhao Shuwen, the two quietly moved further away.
Song Xiu Jun nodded solemnly. "Absolutely. I'm not short on money, but the person must be reliable. If they take my wages and then stab me in the back, I won't let them off. I'm not some kind-hearted pushover."
"Alright, I'll think about it for you," he said. As a local of the Production Team, he knew every household's situation inside out. If he could find someone from a struggling family, it might help ease their burdens a bit.
There were far too many impoverished families in the team who couldn't even eat their fill.
Throughout the entire Production Team, among the boys who were unconditionally spoiled by their families, not a single one was slightly chubby—they were all slender. Aside from the Educated Youth, no household ate three meals a day.
His own family's conditions were among the best in the team. His grandfather, Yan Youren, was a retired soldier who received a monthly subsidy. His father was the Brigade leader, and his eldest brother, Yan Quan, worked at the commune. Even so, his family only ate three meals a day during the autumn harvest.
This was only possible because his Paternal Uncle's family had been adopted out, reducing the number of mouths to feed. Otherwise, they might not have had this privilege.
"They must be hardworking, and not the type who's curious about everything. They need to be tight-lipped, honest, and without ulterior motives. They should follow my instructions exactly and not take matters into their own hands…" Song Xiu Jun listed her requirements one by one.
Yan Xiang'an: "…" He felt like slapping himself. Why did he have to get involved in this?
"Xiu Jun, little sister, I don't think I'm cut out for this task. How about you think of something else for me to do to repay you?"
Song Xiu Jun shoved his head down. "Shh, someone's coming."
The two stealthily moved back behind the small mound of dirt.
"Damn, it really is my little sister," Yan Xiang'an peeked out and cursed under his breath.
"A true master of time management," Song Xiu Jun clicked her tongue in amazement once more.