Yan Xiang'an's younger sister was named Yan Xiangli. Because schools had suspended classes, she had recently been staying at the Production Team.
With the college entrance exams canceled, there was no academic pressure anymore. She was just waiting to graduate, get her certificate, and see if she could find a job in the commune.
What Yan Xiangli truly hoped for was to go to the city.
Their grandfather, Yan Youren, knew some old comrades and had connections. Her eldest brother had been able to work in the commune thanks to Yan Youren's influence.
But her parents objected, wanting her to stay home quietly for a couple of years while they slowly looked for opportunities.
Because of all this, Yan Xiangli was in low spirits, feeling lost about life and uncertain of her future.
"Brother Zhao, you really are here," Yan Xiangli said as she left home and eventually found her way to the Educated Youth Spot. She wanted someone to talk to. The girls her age in the Production Team didn't understand her—they thought her desire to go to the city was just social climbing.
They said she didn't know how good she had it.
Only Brother Zhao had told her that people strive for higher grounds while water flows to lower places.
"Comrade Yan, what brings you here?" Zhao Shuwen turned around, puzzled.
"My mother scolded me again today," Yan Xiangli pouted, speaking dejectedly. "She's always nagging me for not working enough. I feel like I do plenty, but she treats me more like a servant than her own daughter."
"Comrade Yan, perhaps you're misunderstanding your mother," Zhao Shuwen comforted her gently. "With limited means at home, it's impossible to have everything handed to you. She surely wants you to have an easier life too, but circumstances don't allow it. Don't hold it against her—she might have spoken harshly in the heat of the moment, but her intentions are surely for your good…"
Yan Xiangli fell silent for a while before speaking again: "School's suspended now. I want to find a job, but my parents refuse to help me. If Grandpa would step in, I might even get to work in the city. But my parents just won't allow it. What family doesn't want the best for their children?"
"They're just favoring my eldest brother, afraid I'll use up the connections meant for him. All the family's influence goes to him. Shouldn't my sister-in-law do more housework? After all, I'll be married off someday—it's not like the household would fall apart without me…"
Yan Xiang'an, eavesdropping nearby, was fuming. He itched to roll up his sleeves and rush out to give Yan Xiangli a beating.
"Ungrateful wretch, social favors aren't so easily repaid," Yan Xiang'an thought, somewhat understanding his parents' perspective. Such connections were finite—once used, they were gone.
Moreover, jobs weren't easy to come by. Who would casually sell something that could be passed down through generations? Whenever a position opened up, the factory became a stage for everyone to showcase their skills.
Otherwise, there wouldn't be batch after batch of Educated Youth being sent down to the countryside.
His eldest brother had just been lucky back then—Grandpa's old comrade had been transferred to a position here, and there happened to be a job opening. That was all.
At that time, both he and Yan Xiangli were too young and didn't meet the educational requirements.
Their Paternal Uncle's family had made a fuss over that position back then. But since they'd already been adopted out, and because Uncle's family were selfish sorts, Grandpa had decided to give it to the eldest brother.
Now that comrade had been promoted.
It was the result of multiple factors combined, and really had nothing to do with favoring sons over daughters.
If anyone should complain about favoritism, he—the middle child—hadn't even spoken up yet!
Song Xiu Jun couldn't care less what the siblings were thinking. Holding Yan Xiang'an back, she said, "What are you going over there for? Clearly your sister is stuck in a stubborn mindset. If you go over now, you'll only escalate the conflict."
If the two of them made a scene by the river and attracted more Production Team members, would Yan Xiangli still have any reputation left?
It's perfectly normal for a young girl in her adolescence to have wild thoughts.
Although she hadn't interacted with Yan Xiangli before, having been at Xianghong Brigade for some time now, she observed that the girl was actually decent—cheerful and lively in character. Perhaps she was a bit spoiled at home, making her somewhat naive and simple-minded, without much cunning.
Such people depend entirely on who they associate with—proximity to vermilion makes one red.
Zhao Shuwen's earlier words were actually quite reasonable. This was where his cleverness lay—taking just enough advantage without crossing the line.
Life in the countryside is hard. Wanting to take the easy way out is quite normal.
Song Xiu Jun never looked down on those who tried to coast through life. After all, if she didn't have a space full of supplies and gold bars, she might have considered it too. Several of the earlier Educated Youth had already married locally.
Thankfully, she had money! Thinking this, she mentally patted the gold bars in her space.
Yan Xiang'an calmed down: "You're right. I'll have a good talk with my mother when I get back."
"Most importantly, your parents need to patiently explain things to her in detail. Otherwise, this knot in her heart won't be untangled," Song Xiu Jun rarely offered advice. Usually, she wouldn't interfere in others' affairs, preferring to just watch the drama unfold.
It wasn't like they were her hosts—why bother with such trivial matters?
But Yan Xiang'an seemed like a decent, loyal person.
"Every family has conflicts," Zhao Shuwen was still over there comforting Yan Xiangli. "Your mother definitely has your best interests at heart…"
"Brother Zhao, do you get along well with your family? Do you argue like this too?"
"Of course. My parents have quick tempers too and often scold us, but they get over it quickly. It's all because of poverty—with so many mouths to feed and no money, how could they not be anxious?" Zhao Shuwen smiled bitterly.
"But I heard factory workers get high wages?" Yan Xiangli was intensely curious about city life.
"My family has many members," Zhao Shuwen explained.
"Do you miss home since coming to the countryside?"
Zhao Shuwen paused: "Heh, of course I do. How could I not?"
"Then you should write home more often," Yan Xiangli suggested.
Zhao Shuwen said awkwardly: "I've run out of money. The subsidy for coming to the countryside isn't much, and farm work is exhausting. I haven't adjusted well and had to buy extra food."
"Right! You city people eat three meals a day!" Yan Xiangli nodded in agreement. "It's okay, Brother Zhao, I'll lend you some. You've been comforting me, and I haven't even thanked you yet."
Originally she wanted to ask her mother for an egg as thanks, but her mother refused. Fortunately, she still had some private savings.
She took out fifty cents and pressed it into Zhao Shuwen's hand: "Use this to buy envelopes and stamps. You've been in the countryside so long—your parents must be worried about you. You should write home to let them know you're safe."
"Comrade Yan, you're truly a kind-hearted girl," Zhao Shuwen said emotionally. "When I get my work points settlement at year-end, I'll repay you immediately."
Song Xiu Jun picked at her ear—that line sounded so familiar.
Yan Xiang'an couldn't believe it—fifty cents! Just given away like that? It doesn't cost fifty cents to mail a letter!
The two of them listened to these two dramas with completely different expressions.
"Comrade Yan, it's getting dark. You should head back soon. It's not safe to walk at night, and I need to return to the Educated Youth Spot as well. Everyone rests early, and if I'm late, I'll disturb their sleep," Zhao Shuwen took the initiative to suggest leaving.
"Brother Zhao, you go ahead first." Yan Xiangli wasn't ready to go back yet. She felt certain she'd get scolded upon returning and didn't want to listen to her mother's nagging.
"Comrade Yan, I won't feel at ease if you don't return. Although we're in the Production Team, it's not necessarily completely safe. Please go back. I'll stand here and watch you leave," Zhao Shuwen persuaded.
Yan Xiangli rose somewhat sheepishly, fiddling with her braided hair as she took three steps while looking back twice: "Goodbye, Brother Zhao."
After watching her leave, Zhao Shuwen picked up his basin and departed.
"My younger sister has really lost her mind, actually spending money on unrelated people," Yan Xiang'an muttered in a daze.
"Indeed, spending money on others is truly unacceptable," she thought to herself – she would never do such a thing. One could deceive emotions, but never money!