Chen Zhaodi pursed her lips.
The memory of that scene on the train still made her blood boil. If it weren’t for her, how could Liu Ying have had the chance to get along so well with Yu Zhaozhao and reap the benefits by trailing behind her?
Chen Zhaodi felt a bit regretful.
“What exactly happened? Tell me everything,” Lü Dan asked, curiosity piqued.
But Chen Zhaodi didn’t want to speak. After all, she wasn’t in the right here, and yet others had witnessed the incident.
“Ah, what’s there to say? Just some minor friction. Yu Zhiqing and Chen Zhiqing were sitting opposite each other on the train. Yu Zhiqing’s luggage was at her feet. At one point, she got up to walk around. Chen Zhiqing thought Yu Zhiqing’s luggage was in the way and tried to push it slightly, but Liu Zhiqing, standing nearby, misunderstood and insisted that Chen Zhiqing was trying to take something from Yu Zhiqing’s bag.
Isn’t that nonsense?
Chen Zhiqing didn’t even know what was in the bag or whether it could be useful to her. Why would she take it for no reason?”
Li Jun thought he had defended Chen Zhaodi with these words, but in reality, everyone present had been “sent down to the countryside” for several years and was quite sharp.
People who liked to take advantage of others—they had seen plenty.
Upon hearing this, they knew the story couldn’t be that simple.
No one spoke outright, though.
“Alright, it’s getting late. We have work tomorrow, so let’s all get some rest,” Sun Xuekun said, noticing Chen Zhaodi’s awkwardness and trying to smooth things over.
Those who understood the situation quietly took the hint. Those who didn’t, seeing everyone leave, followed back to their rooms.
The next morning, Yu Zhaozhao was woken up by the voice of the team leader’s wife.
Her name was Ma Xiumei, a typical rural woman—capable, decisive, and loud-voiced, the one in charge both inside and outside the home.
“Good morning, Aunt Xiumei,” Yu Zhaozhao greeted as she dressed and went out into the yard. It wouldn’t do to sleep in too late while staying at someone’s home.
“Oh, Yu Zhiqing is up! Why not sleep a bit longer? The train must have been tiring,” Ma Xiumei said.
“I’m fine. Aunt Xiumei, are you cooking? I can help,” Yu Zhaozhao offered.
The previous night, they had agreed that it would take about half a month to finish building the house. During this time, Yu Zhaozhao and Liu Ying would eat with the team leader’s family. They would provide their own grain, and Yu Zhaozhao intended to pay for vegetables, but Ma Xiumei refused.
In her view, the vegetables came from her own fields and didn’t cost much, so there was no need to fuss.
In the end, Yu Zhaozhao had no choice but to give her a five-foot piece of cloth, while Liu Ying offered a pound of brown sugar.
Ma Xiumei initially didn’t want it, but her daughter-in-law, Liu Xiaolan, was pregnant with a due date in November, and brown sugar was a necessary supplement. The child also needed clothes.
For rural people, such items were hard to come by, making them precious.
One had to admit, city children were clever—giving gifts that really touched her heart.
Ma Xiumei pushed the gifts a little, then accepted them gracefully.
“No need, no need. I’m used to this work; it’s no trouble. Are you going to the commune to buy supplies today?”
“Yes. We’ll be living here from now on, so there’s a lot we need to buy,” Yu Zhaozhao replied.
“Indeed, there’s always so much needed for daily life. But since your place isn’t ready yet, buy only the essentials for now. Once the house is built, I’ll ask your team leader to approve some leave so you can settle in properly and get the rest.”
“Thank you, Aunt Xiumei.”
“Oh, don’t be so polite,” Ma Xiumei said warmly.
She had always been a warm person, but most of the “sent-down youth” who had come before looked down on rural people. Over time, she had learned not to waste her warmth on cold shoulders.
But Yu Zhaozhao and Liu Ying were different—both pretty, polite young girls. It was hard not to like them.
By the time she finished speaking, Liu Ying had also gotten up.
She had thought she might struggle to sleep in a new place, but she had slept straight through until morning.
All thanks to Yu Zhaozhao.
She couldn’t explain why, but despite being the same age, Yu Zhaozhao gave off a reliably capable aura, as if there was nothing she couldn’t handle.
After breakfast, they went together to the village entrance to wait for the transport. Aunt Xiumei told them the old man driving the cart was named Shen. He had fought in the anti-Japanese war when young, but later was injured, leaving him with a limp. He never married.
The state wanted to take care of him in his old age, but he refused, insisting he could support himself without troubling the country.
Thus, he took on the job of driving the cart.
Shen’s status in the village was high and widely respected. Even the commune leaders listened to him, which brought convenience to the village.
People of this generation truly loved their country, always giving without expecting anything in return.
Yu Zhaozhao deeply admired him and greeted him with special politeness.
“Hello, Grandpa Shen. I’m Yu Zhaozhao, a new sent-down youth,” she said.
“Hello, Grandpa Shen. I’m Liu Ying,” Liu Ying added.
“Welcome to our Qiangouzi Team! Since there are few people today, get on and find a good spot,” Shen said.
“Thank you, Grandpa,” they said.
As they got on the cart, Chen Zhaodi, Wang Fangfang, Li Jun, and Zhao Ruicheng arrived.
“Yu Zhiqing, Liu Zhiqing,” Zhao Ruicheng greeted them.
Chen Zhaodi turned her face away, feeling a bit resentful.
In her eyes, since they were all from the same sent-down youth point, they should stick together—but this person had greeted Yu Zhaozhao!
Zhao Ruicheng didn’t think much of it—maybe boys just saw ignoring someone as childish.
“Zhao Zhiqing, are you going to the commune too?” Yu Zhaozhao asked.
“Yes, to buy some supplies.”
“Everyone’s here, looks like it’s just the two of us missing,” she said.
At this moment, Jiang Yan and Zhao Nianze arrived. They had agreed the night before that Zhao Nianze would pick up Jiang Yan from the accountant’s house this morning, and they would go to the commune together.
“Jiang Zhiqing’s here! Get on,” Chen Zhaodi greeted warmly.
Seeing this, Chen Zhaodi thought that someone who could build a brick-and-tile house outside must be in decent conditions. If she could get close to Jiang Yan, she might gain some advantage.
“Thanks,” Jiang Yan replied politely but distantly.
Since deciding to build the house outside, Jiang Yan hadn’t wanted to maintain a superficial harmony with the other sent-down youth.
Chen Zhaodi seemed like a troublemaker.
Even though she was polite now, such people could turn hostile in an instant, so it was best to keep a distance.
Once everyone was aboard, Grandpa Shen drove the ox cart toward the commune.
Since there was still work in the fields, most villagers wouldn’t go into town at this time. This ride was prepared specifically for the sent-down youth.