After going to the countryside for a month, Hu Jiaojiao finally received a letter from home.
Reading it, she saw her mother’s usual long-winded scolding, but she didn’t really blame her. It mostly said that Hu Jiaojiao was too fierce—even treating family like that—and reminded her not to act meek like a quail in the countryside.
The family didn’t have many industrial coupons to begin with. Recently, they didn’t even have a proper basin to wash their faces, had to cut vegetables with a chipped knife, and had to boil water every time they wanted to drink something hot. Her father even drank tea straight from a bowl.
Hu Jiaojiao burst out laughing at that part.
Her mother wrote that during Mid-Autumn Festival, if they received any flawed fabric as welfare, they would send some to her. If she lacked anything, she should let the family know. She also mentioned that the third child had been transferred from an office job to workshop labor, while the fourth had started an apprenticeship.
Figures, Hu Jiaojiao thought. With her third sibling’s mediocre ability, being sent to the workshop was only a matter of time.
The letter also explained, somewhat helplessly, why they had no choice but to send her to the countryside. Two sugar coupons were enclosed, along with a reminder not to marry in the village—they would find a way to bring her back to the city in a few years.
After reading the letter, much of Hu Jiaojiao’s resentment faded.
Still, she wrote back complaining about how exhausting farm work was—how she had grown thinner and darker, and might not even earn enough food by the end of the year. She asked if the family could send malted milk to supplement her nutrition, saying she hadn’t eaten a single egg in a month and had almost forgotten what eggs tasted like.
She also emphasized that with her current conditions, no one in the village would want her. She filled three full pages before sealing the envelope, ready to send it off the next day.
She wasn’t the only one—almost all the new educated youths received letters and parcels from home.
Su Yi also brought back a package, claiming it was from her family. Cheng Chen received another one as well. After the excitement from his previous large parcel hadn’t even died down, another arrived, drawing attention from villagers.
Some began thinking: He might not be strong, but his family background is good.
Wu Qing grew anxious, worried someone else might snatch him away. She even considered using more drastic means—like forcing a situation.
Cheng Chen read his letter. His family told him to hold on a bit longer. Since he went to the countryside, fewer people had been watching them, and his father’s position might even improve.
For now, he couldn’t return to the city. They asked about his health and told him to rest if tired—even if he didn’t work, it was fine. They would continue sending money and coupons.
Reading this, Cheng Chen felt relieved about his family, but grew troubled about his own situation.
Maybe I should just find someone to marry… no—someone to marry me… wait, that’s not right.
He frowned at himself. Already in his twenties—what was he thinking?
Lying on his bed, he began seriously considering it. Before he knew it, an image appeared in his mind: hardworking, capable, a bit playful…
Hu Jiaojiao.
He quickly shook his head and turned over.
Meanwhile, in the old youths’ room, Tang Ling approached Zhang Yan with a smile.
“What did your family send you? I saw others getting parcels.”
Zhang Yan didn’t catch the implication. “Nothing. They just told me to work hard and send food home if I have extra.”
Tang Ling curled her lips.
“Zhang Yan, fetch me some water,” Li Aihua added.
“Me too. You’re quite capable when helping Hu Jiaojiao, aren’t you?”
Zhang Yan put down her letter and turned around. “What, do I look easy to bully? It’s been over a month—either you have me collect clothes or run errands.”
“Don’t you know what a newcomer is?” Tang Ling said mockingly.
Qian Shuangshuang chimed in sarcastically, “Don’t push it too far.”
Zhang Yan shot her a grateful look.
She had chosen to live with the old youths to save money, but ended up constantly helping them. Lu Yu never asked her directly, but also never stopped Tang Ling and Li Aihua from ordering her around.
Only Qian Shuangshuang had treated her kindly.
“We let you stay here out of goodwill…” Tang Ling began.
“Exactly. The lock, the bedding mat—those all cost money. We never charged you,” Li Aihua said bluntly.
The commotion drew Su Yi and Hu Jiaojiao over.
“Oh? Didn’t know we had two young ladies here,” Su Yi said coolly.
“Yeah, acting like rich ladies, ordering people around,” Hu Jiaojiao added, pulling Zhang Yan forward and glaring at her. “Why didn’t you tell us earlier?”
Lin Xue even rolled up her sleeves, ready for a fight.
“Those things were bought by us. If she wants to stay, she should pay,” Li Aihua said, stepping back.
“Don’t say that—it’ll sound like we’re bullying her,” Tang Ling added hypocritically.
“Zhang Yan, pack up. Come stay with us,” Su Yi said firmly, already rolling up her bedding.
Zhang Yan hurried to help.
“I… I want to move too. Is that okay?” Qian Shuangshuang asked timidly.
Su Yi nodded.
“Great! Jiaojiao, help me—my stuff’s a bit much!” she said excitedly.
She had wanted to move out for a long time but didn’t dare—until now.
Qian Shuangshuang quickly gathered her belongings—boxes, cabinet, table, basins—everything.
Then she even rolled up Tang Ling’s bedding.
“Hey, that’s mine!” Tang Ling protested.
“Did you forget? You came with only a thin blanket. I lent you mine,” Qian Shuangshuang said bluntly. “This mat is mine too.”
Everyone stared at her in shock.
“Fine, we’ll pay you,” Lu Yu said.
“Two yuan for the mat, five for the blanket,” Qian Shuangshuang replied, holding out her hand.
After some arguing, they reluctantly paid.
Back in Su Yi’s room, it was now packed with belongings.
“Sorry, we’ll tidy up tomorrow,” Qian Shuangshuang said, already lying down.
Su Yi didn’t really like sharing a room, but having friends around wasn’t bad.
Zhang Yan lay in bed, feeling grateful. Especially to Hu Jiaojiao—who had once told her she needed to become strong so others wouldn’t bully her.
Lin Xue felt strangely excited—she had even hoped for a fight earlier.
From then on, the educated youths split into two groups.
They stayed in the same compound only to avoid being seen as divided by outsiders.
Early the next morning, Zhang Yan got up and cleaned Su Yi’s room thoroughly, organizing everything.
When Su Yi, Qian Shuangshuang, and Lin Xue woke up, they almost thought they were in the wrong room.
Looking again, they saw Zhang Yan already tending Hu Jiaojiao’s vegetable patch.
The three of them quickly got up, feeling a bit embarrassed.