11
Goodbye Zhou Xiye
The team leader’s courtyard was spacious, with three main rooms and two side rooms, all built with adobe walls. The window frames were worn-out, and broken glass panes were patched with newspaper.
Though large, the yard stood empty except for a massive stone mill at its center, its grooves deeply worn, clearly aged with time.
Old Liang called for his wife: “Dazhuang’s mom, come out quickly! We have guests today. Make some wheat noodles for dinner tonight.”
His wife, Yang Fengmei, emerged from the house wearing patched coarse clothing, her face clouded with displeasure: “We only have so much wheat flour. If we eat it now, what will we have for New Year’s?”
Old Liang felt his pride wounded and glared at her: “Just do as I say! Why must you argue? Wasn’t grain grown to be eaten? Did I let you starve last winter? Make more—some leaders will be coming later.”
Only then did Yang Fengmei notice the young woman beside her husband. After a few glances, her eyes held hostility and disdain as she curled her lips: “Can we apply to the team for reimbursement of meal expenses for hosting?”
Jiang Zhizhi didn’t understand where Yang Fengmei’s hostility came from. Was it because they were eating their grain? She could pay with Food Stamps.
Old Liang fumed, his eyes widening: “Just go do it! So much talk—I think you’re asking for a beating!”
As he spoke, he banged his dry tobacco pipe loudly against the stone mill, startling Yang Fengmei into a tremble. She hurried off to the kitchen to cook.
Liang Dazhuang, accustomed to such scenes, warmly greeted Jiang Zhizhi: “Comrade Jiang, let me get you a stool.”
Jiang Zhizhi smiled and sat down, sensing something peculiar about this household.
After she was seated, Old Liang told Liang Dazhuang to make tea and chatted with Jiang Zhizhi: “We only have this one son. Our three daughters are already married, so we have few laborers at home. That’s why my wife is so stingy—please don’t take it to heart.”
Jiang Zhizhi nodded understandingly: “It’s fine. I can pay with Food Stamps for the meal.”
Old Liang immediately shook his head: “How could we take your Food Stamps? You’re an expert from the provincial capital—there are hospitality funds for reimbursement. Haha, don’t mind my wife’s words. Women have long hair but short sight.”
Realizing he might have misspoken and about to explain, he heard a car sound at the gate and quickly stood: “It might be the army leaders. Comrade Jiang, please wait here—I’ll go check.”
Old Liang went out and soon returned with two people.
Jiang Zhizhi had just taken the freshly brewed tea in an enamel mug from Liang Dazhuang when she saw Zhou Xiye and Zhang Zhao enter with Old Liang. Startled, her hand trembled, spilling tea on herself without even feeling the burn.
Was her impostor scam about to be exposed so soon?
Zhou Xiye was also surprised to see Jiang Zhizhi. Noticing her flustered expression and trembling hand upon seeing him, he calmly averted his gaze and stopped the astonished Zhang Zhao: “Go to the car and bring the notebook.”
Zhang Zhao stifled his exclamation and turned to fetch the item, realizing his boss didn’t want him greeting Jiang Zhizhi.
Old Liang enthusiastically introduced to Zhou Xiye: “Leader, this is Comrade Jiang, the expert sent from the provincial capital to repair our tractor. Don’t be fooled by her being a young female comrade—she fixed our tractor in no time.”
Jiang Zhizhi steeled herself and stood up, flashing her small canine teeth at Zhou Xiye with a faint smile. She thought to herself that if he exposed her, so be it—she could always find another place to go.
To her surprise, Zhou Xiye nodded calmly at her as a greeting. He neither acknowledged knowing her nor asked why she was there.
Jiang Zhizhi couldn’t figure out what Zhou Xiye was up to. Since he hadn’t exposed her, she decided to keep observing the situation.
Old Liang called out to Liang Dazhuang to make tea: “Brew the good tea leaves from the cabinet for our leaders. And hurry your mother up to cook—tell her to use more oil.”
Zhou Xiye quickly stopped him: “There’s no need for a meal. We’re just here to discuss the joint military-civilian project to build the mountain road.”
Old Liang grew excited: “If that road is completed, it’ll make trips to the city much easier for us. With your help, the construction will go much faster. We’re truly grateful. If you need anything at all, just say the word—our village can provide manpower.”
Zhou Xiye shook his head: “That won’t be necessary. This road is being built as a strategic military route anyway. We’re here to notify the villagers not to enter the mountains three days from now. If blasting operations take place, innocent people could get hurt. Make sure to keep a close eye on the children and prevent them from playing in the mountains.”
Old Liang nodded eagerly: “Don’t worry, don’t worry. I’ll go door to door to inform everyone. I guarantee no one will wander off or cause trouble.”
Zhang Zhao entered with a notebook, but his eyes kept drifting toward Jiang Zhizhi, who was holding a teacup and keeping her head lowered.
Zhou Xiye took the notebook, opened it, and pulled a fountain pen from his pocket. Unscrewing the cap, he wrote down the specific construction dates and some precautions, then tore out the page and handed it to Old Liang.
“I’ve noted all the important points. You must ensure everyone is informed. We’ll also set up checkpoints at the mountain base, but we can’t guarantee absolute safety. So it’s crucial that notifications and precautions are thorough.”
Old Liang accepted the paper respectfully: “Of course, of course. You have my word—I’ll make sure everyone is notified.”
As Zhou Xiye spoke, he glanced sideways and noticed Jiang Zhizhi still looking down, staring at the swirling tea leaves in her cup. Her slender fingers kept tracing the raised patterns on the teacup, every gesture betraying her unease.
Old Liang carefully tucked away the paper and once again urged Zhou Xiye to stay: “Leader, please stay for a simple meal. We don’t have much to offer, but…”
Jiang Zhizhi secretly hoped Zhou Xiye would refuse again. After all, soldiers weren’t supposed to take even a needle or thread from civilians, let alone eat their food.
Thinking this, she cautiously lifted her head and stole a glance at Zhou Xiye.
Only to be caught by him!
Zhou Xiye noticed Jiang Zhizhi’s furtive look, tinged with wariness and probing. Suddenly, he changed his mind and agreed: “Since Captain Liang is so hospitable, we’ll stay. But we mustn’t violate discipline.”
He then quietly instructed Zhang Zhao to fetch the Food Stamps from their vehicle.
Noticing how Jiang Zhizhi’s hopeful expression instantly dimmed when he agreed to stay, Zhou Xiye suppressed a slight curl of his lips, feeling somewhat pleased.
Zhang Zhao found it all very strange. Whenever he’d gone out with Zhou Xiye before, they had never eaten at a civilian’s home.
Why agree this time? Could it be because of Jiang Zhizhi?
And why was the boss pretending not to know her when they were clearly acquainted? What game was he playing now?
Moreover, the way the chief looked at Jiang Zhizhi when she agreed—he couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but it was definitely different from the stern, emotionless way the chief usually looked at them…