No matter how the Han family reacted or what they thought, Cheng Ning had already made up her mind—this matter was settled.
Once the decision was made, Han Qishan immediately began pulling strings, arranging for Cheng Ning to be sent down to the countryside at Shanghan Brigade, Shiqiao Commune, Huixian County, where Han Dongyuan lived.
This wasn’t difficult because Shiqiao Commune was a remote, impoverished mountain area. To get there from Beicheng, one had to take a train for over ten hours, transfer to a bus for several more hours, and finally ride an ox cart for five or six hours. It was the kind of place most educated youths dreaded being sent to.
But since they had connections and wanted her there, it was arranged directly.
Five days later—on the Lantern Festival, the sixteenth day of the first lunar month—a group of educated youths was scheduled to go down to the countryside. Cheng Ning didn’t wait any longer; she signed up with that batch. Having been reborn, she longed to spend more time with her aunt and Grandma Han. Yet the memories of her past life hung over her like a blade. Even though the flood was still months away, she wanted to go down to the countryside as soon as possible, to prepare early, so she could feel at ease.
Cheng Suya, usually calm and composed, burst into tears when she learned that her niece would be leaving in just a few days. She didn’t even know what to say—she simply busied herself gathering supplies. In the dead of winter, quilts, sheets, padded jackets, and woolen clothes were indispensable. As she packed, tears kept falling. She had no children of her own and didn’t plan to have any. Her niece was the apple of her eye.
Seeing the several large bundles her aunt had prepared, Cheng Ning said:
“Auntie, how could I possibly carry all this? Let me pack myself. I’ll just take my old quilt and clothes, one set of each. The rest, you can send later.” She knew these were tokens of her aunt’s love, so she didn’t refuse.
Cheng Suya even thought of escorting her personally. That thought wasn’t hers alone—Grandma Han had it too.
Though her perspective was different, Grandma Han liked Cheng Suya, her sensible and kind daughter-in-law. Even though Cheng Suya had never borne children, the old lady already had two grandsons, a granddaughter, and even great-grandchildren, so she didn’t mind. Naturally, she also adored the little girl who had grown up under her knee—beautiful, well-behaved, like a carved piece of jade. How could she not love her?
Since Cheng Ning was leaving for the countryside, Grandma Han not only stuffed her with ration tickets and money, but also held her hand, chattering endlessly about the people and affairs of their old village. Though she had left Shanghan Village decades ago and only returned a few times, she spoke of it with vivid detail.
Growing animated, she suggested to her son: “Qishan, we haven’t been back to our hometown in over ten years. Why don’t we take this chance to go, escort Ning girl, entrust her to reliable folks, and also check on Yuanzi over there?”
Han Qishan: … Even if they were to visit, surely not in the freezing cold of winter?
Looking at Cheng Ning, he proposed: “Ning Ning, why don’t we postpone your countryside assignment? Wait until spring, when the weather warms. Then your elder brother can take you, and your grandmother can visit too.”
But Cheng Ning shook her head: “I’ve already registered. Going up to the mountains and down to the countryside to be re-educated by the poor and lower-middle peasants is a serious matter. How could I change the date at will? Besides, everyone goes with the group—how could I ask for special treatment? That would only hurt my unity with the other educated youths.”
Han Qishan was speechless. Of course, she couldn’t ask for special treatment.
Unable to persuade Cheng Ning, Han Qishan could only turn his efforts to convincing his mother.
Grandma Han understood the reasoning and didn’t press further; instead, she kept chattering to Cheng Ning.
Cheng Ning wasn’t the least bit impatient. On the contrary, she asked carefully about life in Shanghan Brigade—its climate, how people made a living, what crops they grew.
“What crops do they plant?” she asked.
Grandma Han squinted and replied: “Our land has little fertile soil, mostly mountains. We grow winter wheat and summer corn, sometimes sweet potatoes, but the harvests aren’t great. Still, we live off the mountains—villagers gather mushrooms and wild greens, men hunt in winter, women weave mats and baskets. Life is hard, but once you’re used to it, it has its own flavor.”
She stroked Cheng Ning’s small hand, sighed, and said: “You’ve never lived like that. Not only farm work—even household chores you’ve barely done. How will you get used to it? I’ll have your uncle ask around about the brigade secretary and captain. They mustn’t force you to work too hard. If you earn fewer work points, so be it. Bring more money and ration tickets, buy grain to eat, and let Yuanzi help you.”
Cheng Ning wanted to laugh, but her eyes stung. Holding the money and tickets Grandma Han pressed into her hand, she said softly: “Mm, if I can do less, I’ll certainly do less.”
Though she said that, she prepared thoroughly. She filled notebooks with notes, asked Han Qishan and Cheng Suya to find books on mountain farming, mushroom cultivation, weaving techniques—anything they could gather. She even visited old craftsmen. Still, the books available were limited, nothing like the well-stocked study Han Dongyuan would have in later years.
Grandma Han gave her secret savings and tickets; Han Qishan and Cheng Suya contributed generously too.
Her eldest brother, Han Dongzhi, disliked her, but even his wife sent ration tickets and thirty yuan. To Cheng Ning’s surprise, even Han Yimei gave her thirty yuan.
Bear in mind that Han Yimei worked at a furniture factory, earning only 35 yuan a month. After handing money to the family and covering her own stylish expenses, saving five or six yuan a month was already good. Besides money, she also gave Cheng Ning several books from the factory’s small internal library.
Handing over the books and cash, Han Yimei still looked impatient. “In the countryside, keep sharp. Don’t cause trouble for Dongyuan.” Her gaze lingered on Cheng Ning’s face. Irritated, she thought: *Looking like that, how could she not cause trouble in the countryside?*
Han Yimei herself was pretty, but in a sharp, intimidating way. The Han family’s looks all carried a certain edge. So she couldn’t stand Cheng Ning’s delicate, snow-like beauty. She still felt Cheng Ning’s insistence on going down to the countryside was a terrible idea. Pressing her lips together, she added: “Forget it. If trouble does come—especially with men—if anyone pesters you, go to Dongyuan. Even if he dislikes you, he won’t ignore you. But you must stay alert, keep away from men, and build good relations with the elders in the brigade. After all, that’s our hometown.”
Cheng Ning answered with a smile: “Mm. I understand.”
Her smile dazzled Han Yimei for a moment, making her curse inwardly.
Seeing Han Yimei’s displeasure, Cheng Ning added: “Second Sister, don’t worry. I won’t be a burden to Third Brother. Don’t forget—I’ve trained in martial arts too, just like you and him.”
Han Yimei froze for a moment.
In the machinery factory compound, there was a sanda (free fighting) instructor, and nearly all the children there had studied with him for a time. Han Yimei and Han Dongyuan had trained for several years. She also knew Cheng Ning had attended some lessons.
But Han Yimei glanced at the girl’s thin arms and legs and thought she looked like trouble waiting to happen.
News of Cheng Ning’s departure to the countryside quickly spread through the compound, and several people came to visit.
The first was Aunt Liu, Ji Chengyun’s mother. She asked Cheng Suya if it was true that Cheng Ning was going down to the countryside.
Cheng Suya sighed helplessly: “It’s true. This girl is determined. She says she can’t live with a guilty conscience.”
Aunt Liu sighed, comforted Cheng Suya for a while, then said: “Actually, Ning Ning is right. If Han Dongyuan had gone in her place, people would always look down on you and her in the Han family. Now that she’s going herself, it shuts their mouths.”
“As for the future, don’t worry. I’ve mentioned before—let Chengyun and Ning Ning get their marriage certificate. You said she was too young, too early for marriage. Fine, let her spend two years in the countryside first. When the time is right, she can return to the city and marry Chengyun. Ah, it’s just bad timing. Chengyun went to the countryside on official business. Otherwise, he could have escorted her.”
Cheng Suya forced a smile: “Work is important. And Ning Ning is going with the group. Even if Chengyun were here, it wouldn’t be proper for him to send her off.”
After some small talk, Aunt Liu hesitated.
Cheng Suya asked: “Minfen, is there something you want to say?”
Aunt Liu looked embarrassed, hesitated, then admitted: “There is one matter. Our old lady brought it up when she heard Ning Ning was going down to the countryside. It’s about her job. Since Ning Ning is leaving, her position will be vacant. The old lady wondered if Ning Ning could temporarily give her job to Xiao Ru. That way Xiao Ru wouldn’t have to go down herself. Then, in two years, when Ning Ning returns, Xiao Eu would already be settled in the city, and she could return the job to Ning Ning…”
Cheng Suya’s face changed.
The “Xiao Ru” Aunt Liu mentioned was Ji Chengyun’s cousin, the same age as Cheng Ning but a year behind in school. She would graduate high school in June, and without a job, she too would have to go down to the countryside.
Aunt Liu hurriedly added: “Suya, I know the old lady can’t be fully trusted. Once a job is in hand, it’s hard to give it back. But…”
She said sincerely: “You know how deeply Chengyun cares for Ning Ning. No matter what, our side will never change. As for the job, I’m only passing along the request. If you or Ning Ning have conditions, you can raise them—I can help mediate.”
Cheng Suya pressed her lips together and stayed silent.
The room fell quiet.
Aunt Liu herself felt a little embarrassed on behalf of her mother-in-law. She knew the old lady well—promising to return the job later was really just a way of taking it without giving it back. She hesitated, about to speak again, when Cheng Ning—who had been quietly listening—suddenly spoke.
She brushed the hand Aunt Liu had just held, smiled, and said: “Aunt Liu, thank you for your kindness. But that job belongs to my third brother. He only lent it to me temporarily, and he already has plans for it. As for marriage, I’ve never intended to marry Brother Chengyun. We’re not close, and…”
She looked at Aunt Liu with utter seriousness: “Last time you mentioned marriage to my aunt, I later dreamed of Grandma. She told me Brother Chengyun would marry a girl who would be very helpful to Uncle Ji and to his own future. So please don’t bring up marrying Brother Chengyun again—it harms my reputation.”
Aunt Liu stared at Cheng Ning, as if struck by lightning.