“All right, you go ahead and sit first! Your sister Fangfang keeps mentioning you. This time, you two sisters might finally get to meet properly,” Niu Xiangqian said, a twinge of bitterness in his heart. How had this child ended up so unlucky? What had she gone through that brought her back here? He patted her shoulders firmly twice.
Tong Xin obediently stood beside Ye Cai’e. On the train, she had already heard about Ye Cai’e growing up in Yulin Village. It was incredible that, after all these twists and turns, she had returned.
As they talked, several more people arrived. Including the three from the train, there were now four men and four women, counting Yao Yulan and Qi Jiahui.
“All right, we’re all here. It will take several more hours to reach our North Wind Brigade, so you can put your luggage on the cattle cart,” Niu Xiangqian said with a sigh. His brigade had other educated youth, but he had never had so many at once.
Life in the city must be really difficult. He had heard more groups were coming soon.
“They’re all on the cart. Why should we walk?” Yao Yulan complained. Her body felt like it would fall apart. At home, she had never done much work—someone always helped when she acted spoiled. But these three days have been exhausting.
“We got here first. Why don’t you say you waited three hours, thirsty and hungry?” a girl with two braids on the cart shot back.
Yao Yulan: “We all arrived on time and didn’t break any rules. Either no one sits, or everyone does.”
“Whatever you say? We’re here to build the country. With that spoiled attitude, you’d better go home early. Don’t hold us back.”
Qi Jiahui: “Xiao Lan is weak. Don’t you understand cooperation and mutual help? Besides, everyone is enduring hardship while you sit comfortably?”
Niu Xiangqian’s murky eyes glanced at the two: “Quiet. Take turns sitting. If you keep arguing, everyone goes down. Niu knows you all have a lot of baggage.”
Reluctantly, everyone fell silent.
The first three to arrive were Fang Hong, Xu Yi, and Li Xiangrong.
The later arrivals were Tong Xin, Yao Yulan, Qi Jiahui, and the last male educated youth, Shi Zhaolin.
Ye Cai’e observed everyone closely, taking in their expressions and states.
She could find the Ye family in Yulin Village even with her eyes closed along this path.
Pushing forward, they finally reached the North Wind Brigade in Yulin Village before nightfall.
The village chief led them to the youth point. “It’s late today. Rest first. Tomorrow and the day after, if you need anything, you can go to town to buy it.”
He pointed at two rooms in the courtyard. “This is for male educated youth, this for females. We originally had two female and one male youth. Make do for now.”
Hearing the commotion at the door, the other youth came out to see.
The older male youth was Zhang Qiushi, and the two older female youth were Lu Shanshan and Zhu Youdi.
“Chief, so many new youths this year?” Zhang Qiushi asked. He had come here in 1961 and was practically part of the village now.
The chief nodded. “Let me introduce them. Zhang Qiushi is in charge here. You can ask him anything. Tonight, borrow some food from each other. Tomorrow, come to the brigade to collect more.”
Before leaving, the chief called Ye Cai’e over. “Come by later and visit Sister Fangfang.”
The other youth exchanged glances, some surprised. Only Zhang Qiushi seemed to understand immediately.
Ye Cai’e ignored the others and followed the chief. “Uncle Niu, I know the youth point rooms are small. With so many female youth, there isn’t enough space. I saved some money on my trip to the city. Could we ask the owner of that empty house at the foot of the hill if they’ll sell it to me?”
She had thought this through. She couldn’t stay with the other youth; her space-based abilities would be useless. She wouldn’t even have privacy to eat.
Niu Xiangqian hesitated but agreed. Ye Cai’e had grown up under his watch; he felt some affection for her. But…
“Cai’e, that empty house belongs to the Qin family. You know about Qin Chengyi. It’s remote and far. As a young girl, it’s not safe…”
Remote? Exactly what Ye Cai’e wanted. She preferred it secluded.
After agreeing, Niu Xiangqian led Ye Cai’e toward the Qin family.
Yao Yulan couldn’t help but complain. “Hey, why did they leave? That girl didn’t even give the chief money. That’s bribery—illegal!”
Qi Jiahui stood nearby, indignant. “I knew something was off. They’re too close. There might even be a special deal!”
The other youth, unaware, stayed silent but were a little suspicious.
Tong Xin frowned. “You two are from the big city, thinking you’re better than everyone and always talking trash. Cai’e grew up in this village. It’s normal for her to visit her family.”
As they got off, Ye Cai’e quietly told her she would return tonight to check and possibly find another place to stay. If she weren’t short on cash, Tong Xin would have gone with her.
Zhang Qiushi also spoke in time. “Indeed. I felt she looked familiar—it turns out she’s the Ye family girl.” But the villagers had said she had enjoyed city life. Why return now?
By now, the youth had to keep their thoughts in check. She was a local.
It was already dark. They hadn’t eaten dinner and had been traveling all day.
The older youth struggled to accommodate so many new arrivals, but under Zhang Qiushi’s management, they were kind enough to share the little food they usually rationed.
Though the meal was simple, everyone was too tired to cause trouble. One big pot of food got them through the evening.
Meanwhile, Ye Cai’e didn’t want the village chief involved because of her, so she offered to take the side path.
Few people were outside. If someone saw her, word might reach the Ye family. The chief would be embarrassed.
At the Qin family gate, Qin Chengyi was chopping firewood.
His home was at the foot of the hill. Apart from people going up the hill, almost no one passed by. Nearby households were sparse, making the area very quiet.
Ye Cai’e looked around and nodded. She hadn’t chosen the wrong place.
“Chengyi! I’m Uncle Niu!” The brigade chief had a close relationship with Qin Chengyi’s father. After his parents passed, he had even considered taking Qin Chengyi into his own home.