Their eyes met.
Su Wanqing’s heart instantly began pounding like a drum.
He… had he been looking at her the whole time?!
Her cheeks burned as if set on fire, hot beyond belief.
She quickly looked away, her heart racing uncontrollably, even the tips of her ears turning faintly red.
She scolded herself inwardly: How useless—just one glance, and you’re already this flustered?
Chen Aidang, who had been squatting on the ground smoking, stood up and dusted off his pants. “Alright, rested enough? Get on, let’s move!”
The tricycle sputtered to life again, belching black smoke as it bumped along the rural dirt road.
This time, Lin Zhaodi fell completely silent. She shrank into a corner of the cart, clutching her bag and lowering her head.
Su Wanqing, just you wait.
I won’t let you off.
Su Wanqing couldn’t be bothered with her.
Her thoughts were filled with that unreadable look in Gu Yanshen’s eyes.
They shouldn’t even know each other.
Forget it—she’d find a chance to get acquainted with him once they reached the brigade.
After about another half hour, the tricycle finally stopped in front of a row of low mud houses.
“We’re here. This is Red Flag Brigade.”
As they arrived, the women working nearby cast disdainful glances at them.
“They’re all like this—what kind of work can they do?”
“Exactly, always complaining about this ache and that pain every other day.”
“I bet the brigade leader doesn’t even want them. It’s just policy—he has no choice.”
“That’s right…”
“Look at that female youth sitting in front—she’s quite pretty.”
“Slut,” an unpleasant voice suddenly cut in.
“Aunt Zhang, they just arrived—you don’t even know them…”
“What, is she your son’s mistress? Why are you defending her?!”
“Just look at her—clearly the type to seduce men. Better watch your husbands!” Aunt Zhang spat toward the direction of the tricycle.
“You—!”
“Forget it, Aunt Liu. You know what her mouth is like—no filter at all.”
“Hmph, sooner or later she’ll get herself beaten to death.”
…
All of these words reached Su Wanqing’s ears.
The insults were truly harsh.
【That woman is Lin Zhaodi’s aunt.】
【Full of malice. Her husband had an affair with a female educated youth who came years ago. When it was exposed, the woman couldn’t take it and killed herself. The man was convicted of hooliganism and executed. Ever since, she’s hated female educated youths.】
…
So the twisted thinking really ran in the family…
Unbelievable.
“This is the educated youth residence. You’ll be living here from now on.”
Chen Aidang jumped off the vehicle and pointed to a house.
He glanced at the newly arrived city youths and spoke in a businesslike tone:
“I’ll say the ugly truth upfront—since you’re here in Red Flag Brigade, you follow our rules. Don’t bring those pampered city habits here. If you want to slack off, then don’t expect to eat—you earn food with work points.”
“I don’t care about small squabbles among you, but if anyone causes trouble for the brigade, don’t blame me for being harsh!”
After speaking, he gave Su Wanqing a pointed look, his expression softening slightly.
This Comrade Su had milk candies and even brown sugar water—her family must be well-off.
And from how she handled things earlier, she wasn’t foolish.
As long as she behaved, he didn’t mind giving her a bit of extra care.
Just then, a bespectacled, refined-looking young man walked out of the residence.
“Captain Chen, the new comrades have arrived.”
Chen Aidang nodded. “Wang Jianjun, explain things here to them. I’ll head back first.”
He handed the newcomers over to Wang Jianjun and added, “You get one day off. Go to the town supply store and buy daily necessities like pots and bowls. The day after tomorrow, report to work when the bell rings—no one is to be late!”
With that, he drove off.
The young man named Wang Jianjun adjusted his glasses and looked over the six newcomers—three men and three women.
He cleared his throat and spoke with a hint of seniority:
“My name is Wang Jianjun. I’ve been here a year longer than you.”
“With you included, there are now six men and six women here. The men live in the two rooms on the east side, the women in the two rooms on the west.”
He pointed to the nearby houses.
“Meals are cooked in the shared kitchen in the courtyard. Everyone cooks together, and the grain earned with work points is pooled together. No one tries to take advantage. Since you’re new and don’t have work points yet, you can borrow grain from Captain Chen and repay it later.”
Su Wanqing listened quietly, already forming a plan.
Communal meals were convenient, but they often led to conflicts. Still, since she had just arrived, keeping a low profile was the most important thing.
For now, she would eat with everyone and observe.
“Comrade Wang, I’ll eat with everyone. My name is Su Wanqing, from Shanghai.”
“I’ll eat with everyone too. My name is Li Xiu.”
“I… I’ll join as well. I’m Sun Hongmei, from Guangxi.” The girl spoke shyly, her voice barely louder than a mosquito.
Wang Jianjun had to strain to hear her.
“Alright, the women will eat together. What about you men?”
Maintaining fairness, he asked politely.
“I have no objections,” Gu Yanshen said briefly before heading into the men’s dorm.
“I don’t mind either,” Lu Zhenting said quickly. There was no way he’d miss the chance to get closer to Su Wanqing.
If Su Wanqing was sent to the countryside, her family must have given her plenty of money.
Lu Zhenting glanced at her—whatever she had, he wanted it all.
After finishing the introductions, Wang Jianjun led them into the courtyard.
“Go settle in first. Come to me if you need anything.”
“Alright, thank you, Comrade Wang.”
“It’s my duty—serve the people.”
“Serve the people,” Su Wanqing echoed.
She didn’t have much luggage—just a quilt and a mattress, enough for the season.
She’d go to the market tomorrow and buy a few things just for appearance’s sake.
Eventually, she’d need to find a chance to live elsewhere.
The room wasn’t large. Along one wall was a long heated brick bed, already laid with three sets of bedding.
These must belong to the other female youths.
Su Wanqing chose the innermost spot—more convenient for taking things out from her space.
“Hello, Comrade Su, I’ll be sleeping next to you.” Li Xiu smiled warmly at her.
“Hello, Comrade Li.” She was the only one who had spoken up for her earlier.
“And… thank you for before.” Su Wanqing placed two milk candies into Li Xiu’s hand.
Li Xiu immediately pushed them back when she saw what they were.
“Comrade Su, I can’t accept this…! I know your family conditions are good, but now that we’re in the countryside, who knows when we’ll return? Better to save what you can!”
Her concern was genuine.
It showed Su Wanqing hadn’t misjudged her.
Since that was the case, she didn’t insist.
“I’m going to exchange for some grain with the brigade leader in a bit. Are you going?”
“You go ahead first—I’ll go later.”
“Alright.”
Meanwhile, Sun Hongmei, who had been quietly in the background, glanced at the two of them whispering.
Her eyes reddened with grievance.
Anyone who didn’t know better might think someone had bullied her.