When Ye Cai’e was four, she could stand on a small wooden stool and reach the pot, and by then, she was already preparing breakfast for the whole family. No children in the village wanted to play with her because anyone who did would be scolded by her foster mother, Wang Xiu. Their parents would also be called to make sure their children behaved, as if Ye Cai’e’s mischief had to be everyone else’s problem. After Wang Xiu’s lecture, the parents could only vent their anger on their own children while warning them not to play with Ye Cai’e.
Little Ye Cai’e had no idea why all the village children avoided her, yet happily played with her brothers. Her mother only let her do chores and cook, while her brothers could go to school, free from early mornings and feeding the family pigs. “Damn, how can this family be worse than capitalists—just a child, and they want her to burn herself for money?” Ye Cai’e’s mind churned with frustration.
As she reached the brigade office, trying to take a deep breath to calm down, she ran straight into the returning sent-down youth who had just collected their rations.
“Cai’e!” Tong Xin waved excitedly from a distance. She was still the one she got along with best here, and a single night apart had made her miss her a little.
Before Ye Cai’e could respond, Tong Xin, who was about to approach, was grabbed by someone.
“I knew you were stupid. She’s enjoying herself at home, see if she even notices you and here you are, running after her!” Yao Yulan, seeing her clean and well-rested, immediately became furious. Why did they have to cram into one room? Fang Hong’s expression was also a bit off; compared to the others, these sent-down youths were a bit messy, but she didn’t want to side with Yao Yulan.
“Did you just get your rations? I’m planning to go to town to buy some things, are you coming?” Ye Cai’e ignored them, focusing only on Tong Xin as if the others didn’t exist. She had learned the most useful trick in the 21st-century workplace: cold violence. Not just for lovers—at work, a few days of cold treatment could make any targeted subordinate leave. It was especially effective against people like Yao Yulan, who had a temper and a sharp tongue.
Tong Xin wriggled free from Yao Yulan’s grip and walked over. “Sure, I’ll go, but first I need to put away the rations. Did you eat breakfast?”
The others could only watch as Ye Cai’e took out a shiny, oil-coated pastry from her pocket.
“You don’t have to make breakfast; this is what I didn’t finish this morning, just make do.”
Actually, she had just bought it from Duoduo Space, three vegetable pastries for 5 Xixi coins. Tong Xin had wanted to refuse, but Ye Cai’e’s persuasion made her take it without hesitation. “Okay, I’ll return the rations later.” Ye Cai’e smiled but didn’t comment. She didn’t care about such small debts. With such a big advantage, she helped those who showed goodwill—as long as it didn’t compromise her safety.
The sent-down youths were hungry after the long journey and swallowed hard, sensing Ye Cai’e had no intention to share. But unlike Qi Jiahui, who was foolish, Yao Yulan spoke out.
“Ye Cai’e, why only give her something? We all came together as sent-down youth—we should help each other. On your first night here, you’re already separating yourself and using Tong Xin to do it?”
“Exactly, showing off. Tong Xin, if you weren’t staying at the sent-down youth camp, you should’ve said in advance, see if your ‘best friend’ accepts it,” Yao Yulan added.
“How come you talk so much? Still not going to make breakfast—want me to give you some?” Ye Cai’e replied, ignoring them. Yao Yulan was furious; she had never seen anyone behave like this, rude and ill-mannered.
Xu Yi and Shi Zhaolin exchanged glances, already impatient—they still had to push the cart. The brigade had lent them carts because they had many rations, a task naturally falling to the men. But Li Xiangrong was pale and thin, and Qi Jiahui clearly not fit for the work, so Xu Yi and Shi Zhaolin had no choice but to shoulder the task.
Still, they were freshly graduated students, young and pampered at home, and pushing the carts was exhausting. They pushed the carts ahead, telling Yao Yulan and Qi Jiahui, “If you have other matters, carry the rations yourselves. We’re heading back.” Saying this, they left without looking back.
Fang Hong’s face darkened as they left. In her eyes, the girls were difficult to get along with, but the boys were quite decent. Her gaze lingered briefly on Li Xiangrong.
“Cai’e, go put away the rations quickly. Come to the sent-down youth camp later, I’m not familiar with this place, so I’ll head back first,” Tong Xin said after half a pastry, feeling more comfortable after eating.
By the time Ye Cai’e returned home and stored the rations before heading to the sent-down youth camp, news had already spread across Yulin Village that the Ye family’s little girl had come back.
“How is this possible? That girl has no sense. Ever since she went to the big city with her real mother, she never came back or sent any word!” Wang Xiu refused to believe her foster daughter would give up such a good life to return to hardship. She knew how wealthy the Ye family was and how well she had treated her—surely Ye Cai’e would never come back.
Seeing Ye Cai’e with her own eyes, Old Madam Ye clutched her thighs in excitement. “How can you not believe me? I’ve seen the girl since she was little. I personally saw her at the brigade collecting rations, and Xu the accountant even said she was a new sent-down youth this year! If you don’t believe me, ask the brigade leader.”
As she spoke, the brigade leader appeared from behind. “Liu Guifen! If you’re not sick, get back to work! You’ll know the meaning of leave when you’re busy! Stirring here while on leave is unacceptable!”
Startled, Liu Guifen looked embarrassed. “I just wanted to report to Sister Xiu that I saw Cai’e—pushed through the pain to come tell her, and then I’ll leave.”
Wang Xiu was now nearly certain that Liu Guifen was telling the truth, her foster daughter had really returned, as a sent-down youth.
What had happened? And what about her Ye Yaoyao? With the Ye family’s resources, getting a job would be easy, so why would her biological daughter come back to live a hard life? Questions raced through her mind. She abandoned her sickle and rushed toward Ye Jiadong’s team.