At Production Team Leader Liu Yong’s house,
Ma Mei had not slept well the entire night. As soon as dawn broke, she got up to start the day. Production Team Leader Liu Yong was woken up by the noise and frowned in mild displeasure.
“Wife, it’s still not even 5 a.m. What are you fussing about so early in the morning?”
While putting on her shoes, Ma Mei replied: “I’m waiting for that Educated Youth Su. She didn’t come last night, so she should come early this morning, right?”
She was still thinking about the Capital City roast duck, planning to add a big dish for the family at noon.
Upon hearing this, Liu Yong shook his head and turned over to sleep again.
After getting up, Ma Mei first went out and opened a crack in the courtyard gate.
Then she wrapped a blue headscarf around her head and, as usual, began sweeping the yard, though her gaze kept drifting toward the entrance from time to time.
She had waited the entire night yesterday and still did not see Su Qiu, which had left her slightly unhappy.
But after thinking about it, the Educated Youths had just arrived and were still not settled, and then they were sent to work, so they were likely too busy to come.
Still, they should come this morning.
Ma Mei was preoccupied with the benefits she expected, and even sweeping the ground was somewhat careless.
Just then, the gate creaked open.
“Auntie, are you up?”
When Ma Mei heard Su Qiu’s voice, her expression immediately brightened. She dropped the broom and walked quickly toward the entrance.
“Oh, I’m here, Comrade Su, come in quickly.”
Su Qiu saw that Ma Mei was already neatly dressed, clearly having been up for quite a while.
It seemed she had been waiting for her.
She did not exchange much pleasantries and directly smiled as she took out a Beijing roast duck wrapped in oil paper from her basket.
“Auntie, I originally planned to bring this to you last night, but after work I had a meeting at the Educated Youth Station, and then I had to pack my luggage, so it got delayed.”
Ma Mei eagerly took the roast duck with both hands. The rich aroma made her swallow her saliva repeatedly.
She was extremely pleased in her heart and found Su Qiu increasingly agreeable. Smiling, she said: “Oh, no rush, no rush. You’re such a thoughtful girl. In the future, Auntie will treat you like my own niece.”
In the countryside, even eating meat was a rare luxury. Although the Production Team Leader’s family lived better than others, they only ate meat about twice a week.
This roast duck from the Capital City was exceptionally fragrant. Indeed, a starving camel was still bigger than a horse—this Educated Youth Su was much more capable than the other Educated Youths when it came to handling things.
Su Qiu understood that these were polite words, so she followed along and replied: “That would be great. I also feel close to Auntie. Then I won’t disturb you, Auntie.”
Holding the roast duck, Ma Mei pulled her closer and said: “The only downside of raising pigs is the smell, but it’s still easier than farming in the fields. Just stick with it for now. When there’s a better job later, Auntie will still think of you.”
Su Qiu smiled. “Then thank you, Auntie. I know you care about me. Next time my family sends something, I’ll bring some for you as well.”
Ma Mei loved hearing this and immediately smiled broadly, patting Su Qiu’s shoulder warmly. “Oh, what are you being so polite for? You’re very pleasing to me. Auntie really likes you.”
“Yes, Auntie is good to me. I will remember it. I still have to go to work later, so Auntie, you should be busy too. I should go back and get ready.”
“Alright, go on, go on. With Auntie looking after you in the village, no one will dare bully you…”
……
When Su Qiu returned to the Educated Youth Station, everyone in the dormitory had already gotten up.
Ever since Wang Li had been rebuked by Su Qiu and apologized, she no longer spoke to her. The other two Senior Educated Youths, Yang Yan and Zhang Xiaoyue, were also indifferent.
Seeing Su Qiu return, none of them asked or said anything.
Geng Jiao was even more unwilling to speak to her, only snorting lightly before taking a basin and going out to fetch washing water.
Wang Xuefei followed closely behind, but when she left, she politely smiled and nodded at Su Qiu, appearing quite easygoing.
Su Qiu felt nothing about this situation. It was fine to mind their own business; she also preferred being alone.
Later, she would go up the mountain with Aunt Hua to cut pig fodder. She opened her luggage and took out an old set of clothes her sister had given her.
Faded dark blue work pants, a matching top, and a pair of black lace-up cloth shoes.
The shoes were brand new and slightly large, with an extra pair of insoles placed inside.
Su Qiu changed into them. The clothes were too big—her body was too thin, making them look loose and baggy.
Still, they were cool to wear. She rolled up her pant legs, inserted the insoles, and the shoes fit reasonably well.
It seemed she would need to find time to go to town or the county to buy a couple of sets of clothes.
There were plenty of seasonal clothes in her dimension space. The inner cotton layers could be worn discreetly, but the outer clothes, regardless of style, had fabric that was too conspicuous for the countryside. They could only be saved for wearing when she returned to the city.
After breakfast, Su Qiu went to the pig farm behind the mountain. On the way, she happened to meet Wei Ye carrying a hoe.
The man was very tall, nearly 1.9 meters, with a strong and well-built physique, broad shoulders and long legs.
Su Qiu was slightly surprised by his excellent physique and waved at him.
“Comrade, we meet again.”
When Wei Ye saw Su Qiu, a hint of surprise also flashed in his eyes.
Compared to her gray and pitiful appearance that day, the girl now looked much more lively. Her eyes were bright and expressive, and her face seemed a little cleaner as well.
However, she was still too thin; even her clothes could not properly shape her figure.
Wei Ye adjusted his straw hat and nodded slightly. “Educated Youth Su.”
Su Qiu unexpectedly met his peach-blossom eyes and paused for a moment.
This helpful young man, though somewhat unkempt with stubble, had very attractive eyes and a straight nose bridge. If he shaved properly, he would likely be quite handsome.
Since he already knew her surname was Su, Su Qiu still did not know his.
She casually asked: “Comrade, what is your surname?”
After all, he had helped her before. She planned to find time to bring him something as a token of thanks.
Wei Ye did not expect the girl to stop him just to ask his name.
He could not help but feel slightly amused. From her thin and weak appearance, he had assumed she was timid and introverted, but she was the opposite.
“Wei,” he said. “Wei Ye.”
Su Qiu felt the name sounded quite pleasant and somewhat refined.
“Comrade Wei, thank you for helping me in the county that day. If it’s convenient for you sometime, I’ll bring you some local specialties.”
Wei Ye looked at her and replied: “No need. Even if I hadn’t said anything, Production Team Leader would have taken you back anyway. Don’t take it to heart. You’re going to be late for work—go quickly.”
After speaking, he left.
Su Qiu had no choice but to give up and headed straight to the pig farm behind the mountain.
When she arrived, Aunt Hua was already there, carrying one large and one small basket along with two sickles.
“Educated Youth Su, these baskets and sickles belong to the Production Brigade. Today you’ll learn from me how to identify pig fodder and how to cut it. Once you are familiar with it, you’ll be able to go up the mountain yourself.”
Su Qiu stepped forward to take the tools and nodded. “Alright, Aunt Hua. I will learn properly.”
“Good, then let’s go up the mountain.”
The mountain path was not easy to walk. Aunt Hua was older, but she was used to it and walked steadily.
Although Su Qiu was small and thin, she was fairly agile and managed to keep up.
Educated Youths were all city people and likely had never been to the mountains before. Along the way, Aunt Hua explained many things.
Which plants were poisonous, which wild vegetables were edible, and which paths were safer to take up and down the mountain—she explained everything without reservation.
Su Qiu listened carefully and silently remembered everything.
When Aunt Hua demonstrated how to cut pig fodder, Su Qiu secretly took out two pairs of cotton gloves from her dimension space.
“Aunt Hua, my family prepared two pairs of gloves for me when I came down to the countryside. Please take a pair as well.”
Hearing this, Aunt Hua turned around and saw the clean cotton gloves, immediately exclaiming in surprise.
Smiling, she said: “City people really are different. Even gloves are made with such fine cotton.”
Su Qiu naturally handed them over. “We each take a pair.”
“This precious thing would be wasted on me. Educated Youth Su, you should keep it.” Aunt Hua felt embarrassed to accept it.
Su Qiu directly placed it into her pocket. “One pair is enough for me. Auntie, you should keep it.”
After saying that, Su Qiu put on her gloves and began working.
Aunt Hua felt the soft gloves in her pocket and was reluctant to return them, smiling somewhat shyly.
“Then… thank you, Educated Youth Su.”
Su Qiu waved her hand with a smile. “Auntie, no need to be polite.”