Chapter 169: “gaining Face”
Su Yi rushed straight to the Educated Youth Point, ignoring the educated youths pulling at each other’s hair in the yard, and pulled Educated Youth Guan into the room.
She panted lightly, lowering her voice excitedly: “Educated Youth Guan, what if we two find the Brigade Leader to allocate a piece of land and build two adobe houses? Are you willing to live with me?”
Educated Youth Guan’s family conditions were not bad; less than a month after going to the countryside, her family had sent things twice.
She had brought quite a bit of money.
Even without going to work, she wouldn’t starve.
The most distressing thing for her about going to the countryside was sleeping on the large kang—no privacy, some people ground their teeth, some didn’t like to bathe and had a strong body odor, and some liked to take advantage, even wanting to try on other people’s socks…
Educated Youth Guan felt utterly miserable, on the verge of collapse.
Hearing the news brought by Educated Youth Su, she thought it was a good method and happily said, “Sure, I agree.”
She had a hasty temperament and immediately said, “No time like the present; let’s go find the Brigade Leader now.”
Su Yi also wanted to move out early, “Good.”
The two didn’t disturb the other educated youths and quietly went to find the Brigade Leader.
The Brigade Leader wanted to dodge when he saw the educated youths, but this time he couldn’t escape.
The wrinkles between his brows could pinch a fly to death.
Without even asking what they wanted, he looked troubled at the two female educated youths.
Educated Youth Guan said, “Brigade Leader, Educated Youth Su and I want to move out of the Educated Youth yard…”
The Brigade Leader’s brows furrowed even tighter.
Before he could speak, Su Yi continued, “We’ll pay money; just tell us how much you need.”
The Brigade Leader wasn’t moved.
He didn’t want to deal too much with educated youths!
He wanted well water not to offend river water!
Educated Youth Guan saw through it, “Brigade Leader, the land still belongs to the brigade; we’re only building houses to live in. When we return to the city, the houses will be given to the brigade for free. Also, for the comrades helping to build the houses, Educated Youth Su and I will each give half a jin of white flour to their families. What do you think?”
This was what she and Su Yi had decided on the way.
A glint flashed in the Brigade Leader’s eyes.
Half a jin of white flour.
Enough for a member to eat a meal of noodles!
“Really?” He looked seriously at the two female educated youths.
He wasn’t greedy; the things weren’t for him anyway. The villagers would bustle about and expect some return; educated youths and villagers weren’t close, so who would willingly help them without benefits?
Previously they were willing, but the educated youths demanded too much, and some spoke harshly, angering the brigade people.
There was a big conflict between the two sides.
“Of course it’s true!” Su Yi said immediately.
Educated Youth Guan also nodded.
The two girls nervously watched the Brigade Leader, their breathing slightly suspended, afraid he would refuse.
This was a good thing; the Brigade Leader had no reason to refuse.
He asked, “Which piece of land do you two want?”
“We can choose?” Su Yi asked happily.
“Of course not.”
Su Yi: “…”
The pretty female educated youth choked, were they being toyed with?
“As long as we can move out of the Educated Youth Point, either of us is fine.”
Educated Youth Guan glanced at Su Yi, thinking she wasn’t afraid of the Brigade Leader having malice, like scheming against them.
She knew the Brigade Leader was a good person, but just felt Educated Youth Su was a bit… too unguarded!
This was very dangerous; if she met someone with bad intentions, she’d suffer big losses.
Seeing Educated Youth Su smile at her, with a pure and innocent smile, Educated Youth Guan paused her gaze slightly; fine, she’d watch over her more in the future.
“Brigade Leader, thank you for the trouble.”
The Brigade Leader asked, “Just you two living there, no one else?”
Su Yi nodded like pounding garlic, “Yes, just us two; Educated Youth Guan and I get along well, just us two.”
Two people having company; too many people would be no different from the Educated Youth Point.
She feared trouble the most.
“Alright, I’ll discuss with the other cadres and give you a reply later.” the Brigade Leader said.
Actually, for this small matter, he could decide immediately, but he couldn’t give the impression that it could be done casually, lest those educated youths push their luck.
Su Yi’s face lit up with joy.
“Thanks!”
She linked arms with Educated Youth Guan, “Educated Youth Guan, I told Comrade Lin that if we two can move out, I want to treat her to candy. You’re going to the county tomorrow; can you bring back some things for me?”
The educated youths took turns going out; Su Yi had just gone to the city a few days ago and couldn’t go tomorrow.
“Sure.”
As Educated Youth Guan’s words fell, the Brigade Leader who was about to leave stopped and looked at Su Yi, asking, “Did you two come to me on Yu Bao’s mother’s idea?”
Su Yi explained, “I went to her first; I thought the Gu Family had extra rooms and wanted to rent one. Comrade Lin said her cousin was coming to live, so she refused me. Seeing how much I really wanted to move out, she gave me this idea.”
The Brigade Leader narrowed his eyes, feeling.
As expected of a high school student; her brain was quick.
Look at this idea she came up with: solving the brigade’s problem while creating income.
What a good female comrade, with such high awareness. He had been blinded by lard before… allowing the village gossips to badmouth her behind her back.
He regretted it.
The Brigade Leader left with a complicated mood.
Su Yi was baffled: “What’s wrong with the Brigade Leader? Did he agree?”
Educated Youth Guan’s tone was calm, “In a few days, you can pack your things.”
Building adobe houses wouldn’t take many days.
Su Yi laughed out loud.
–
While Gu Fu was working in the field, the Brigade Leader walked up to him and praised him fiercely without any subtlety, all straightforward compliments.
“?” Gu Fu was very confused.
After asking, he learned that Third Son’s Wife had given the educated youths an idea, solving the brigade’s problem.
He smiled, feeling proud: “It should be; solving the problem is good.”
The Brigade Leader sincerely said, “The Gu Family’s awareness goes without saying; it’s all high. No wonder your family’s old third climbed so fast; his awareness far surpasses others.”
Gu Fu modestly said, “The country educated them well.”
“Yes.” The Brigade Leader agreed, “Even those ruffians in the army can be transformed; our New China is great.”
He chatted a few more sentences, then slipped away elsewhere.
Once the Brigade Leader left, Gu Mu came over, “Old man, what did the Brigade Leader want with you?”
Gu Fu told his wife about the casual chat.
“Third Son’s Wife helped the brigade?” Gu Mu was delighted, “Good news; if not for the Brigade Leader saying it, we wouldn’t know. Yu Bao’s mother is too modest!”
The Third Branch’s reputation was getting better and better; this was great.
The outside was noisy, and that bad atmosphere hadn’t spread to the brigade yet, but who knew about the future; a good reputation was better than a bad one!
Gu Fu’s dark face was full of smiles; sweat flowed down his cheeks, he wiped his sweat and continued working.
After a while, he ran into Gu Chenghuai in the field and told his son about what Lin Zhao had done.
“I know about this.” Gu Chenghuai smiled; not having been in the sun for nearly half a month, his handsome face had become much fairer, but today in the field, it was sunburned red, with sweat covering his forehead.
Gu Fu was a very traditional father; he could endure hardship himself but couldn’t bear for his children to suffer.
“Chenghuai, work a bit and go back; Dad can handle these tasks. Dad is used to it; you haven’t done farm work for years, don’t suffer this.”
Gu Chenghuai looked at his father’s aged face, sourness welling up in his heart.
“Dad, go rest; I’ll finish the rest.”
Besides building houses, picking up and dropping off Lin Zhao, and taking care of the children, he hadn’t slacked on farm work; with his parents still working hard, he couldn’t just watch.
Gu Fu couldn’t persuade his son and sighed softly, not resting but speeding up his work.
This month was preparation for autumn sowing: weeding, soil cultivation, fertilizing, pest control… it concerned the autumn harvest, no one slacked.
It was tiring, but the work points were plentiful; work points were tied to rations, not to mention adults—even the kids on holiday didn’t laze around.
Gu Fu and Gu Mu were not yet sixty and could still work; they didn’t want to burden the children and continued earning work points. Gu Fu got seven or eight work points a day, Gu Mu was not far behind; enough to support themselves and even subsidize their grandsons and granddaughters.
Gu Chenghuai had advised them several times to stop going to the fields; he gave them twenty yuan a month in filial piety, but the old couple wouldn’t.
“Dad, slow down.” Gu Chenghuai saw his father swinging the hoe vigorously and spoke up.
Gu Fu waved his hand, “Dad is used to it; I could do it with my eyes closed.”
“…”
Gu Chenghuai said no more and also sped up.
“Third Brother, wait for me.” Gu Qingzhou envyingly glanced at his father’s bulging arm muscles, then at his own thin arms, falling into extreme self-inferiority.
How could he train to be like his brother?!
Gu Chenghuai looked over at the voice and helped out casually; the brothers worked side by side.
Half an hour passed.
Several familiar figures appeared on the field ridge.
Heng Bao’s loud voice rang out.
“Grandpa, Grandma, Daddy, Little Uncle… we came to bring you sour plum soup, come drink it quick.”
Gu Chenghuai: Heng Bao was suited for shouting commands; what a loud voice!
The people in the field stopped, lifted the tattered towels hanging around their necks to wipe sweat, and looked over unanimously.
Someone not far from Gu Mu said, “Chenghuai’s mother, your family’s Third Son’s Wife sent Yu Bao and Heng Bao to deliver water again.”
“It’s not water; it’s sour plum soup—sour plum soup needs sugar, right?” Another person licked their lips; there was no water nearby, couldn’t even moisten their mouth.
“Yu Bao’s mother is generous; must have added sugar!”
“Chenghuai’s mother, you’re fortunate; all your daughters-in-law are good.”
Gu Mu was happy.
Third Son’s Wife really gave her and the old man face.
She joyfully walked toward the twins with the Gu Family members.
Someone who couldn’t stand Lin Zhao pursed her lips, “If her Third Son’s Wife is so thoughtful, why not deliver it herself? A little favor and she’s overjoyed; she’s seriously ill.”
Someone on good terms with Gu Mu sneered coldly, “You want some little favor too; do you have it?”
After speaking, they went aside to drink water.
The sharp-tongued speaker loved pouring cold water on people; no one liked talking to her and pretended to be very busy.
That person was furious and kicked at the hoe on the ground; her foot couldn’t beat the iron’s hardness, and without releasing force, it hurt so much she bared her teeth.
At the field ridge.
The Gu Family members tasted the sour and sweet sour plum soup, instantly dispelling the heat from their bodies.
Huang Xiulan said, “This sour plum soup smells so fragrant! Like… osmanthus?”
“Yes! It’s osmanthus!” Yu Bao’s voice rose lightly, “Mom added osmanthus.”
Heng Bao added, “Adding osmanthus makes it fragrant and tastier; I drank half a bowl, fragrant and delicious.”
He held the fan Grandpa made for him and fanned for Gu Fu.
“Mom said the weather is hot and you’re working hard for work points; she put the sour plum soup in the well to chill. Grandpa, when it hits your mouth, is it cool?”
Gu Fu smiled, “Yes, your mom is thoughtful.”
Third Son’s family was great at making food; he and the children’s mom had tasted many good things.
The dragon-phoenix twins were very satisfied.
They liked others praising Mom.
Gu Chenghuai took his own straw hat and put it on Heng Bao’s head; his hat was big and sagged down directly, covering the little friend’s entire face.
“Daddy, I don’t want to wear the straw hat!”
“Not wearing it will make you tan; you’ll be the darkest in our family.” Gu Chenghuai said deliberately.
He didn’t care if the child was dark or fair, but Zhaozhao cared a lot; she liked fair and tender children.
“Your mom likes ones that are fair-skinned.”
Heng Bao’s eyes turned, “Daddy, you’re not fair either.”
“I have special talent.” Gu Chenghuai said without modesty, his dark eyes glancing at little second son, “I can get fair in two days covered up; you?”
Heng Bao: He couldn’t.
His action of putting on the hat paused; he put it on properly, his little face scrunched up, looking pitifully at Yu Bao, fake crying: “Brother, I didn’t wear one when I came; I’ll be darker than you wuwu!”
Yu Bao, like a little adult, pinched his brow, “I told you to wear it, you refused, and said the hat affects your running speed.”
“…I was wrong.” Heng Bao regretted endlessly.
Yu Bao said, “Will you throw the hat again in the future?”
“No more throwing.” Heng Bao drooped his head.
“Don’t be down.” Yu Bao said seriously: “If you end up darker than me, I’ll tan all the way too; we’ll still be the same.”
Heng Bao’s eyes brightened slightly, “Brother is so smart.”
Yu Bao’s mouth curved up.
Right, he was smart.
Gu Chenghuai: “…”
Gu Family members: “…”
“You two go back early; be careful not to get heatstroke.” Gu Chenghuai said.
“Okay.” Heng Bao responded, pulled his brother and ran off; they were so small but ran fast, disappearing in an instant.
Gu Qingzhou sighed, “Kids have such vigorous energy.”
After drinking the sour, sweet, and fragrant drink, the Gu Family members were full of strength, rushing back to the field; the work was done flying fast, finishing nearly an hour earlier than estimated.
The other members in the field cast envious looks.
Gu Chenghuai would have a meal when he got home; the people at the old house couldn’t even get a sip of cool boiled water.
Gu Xing’er hadn’t gone to the field and hadn’t thought to boil water or cook; she was in the room eating the eggs she had robbed from Tie Dan that morning. After eating the eggs, her belly was still hungry.
Hearing voices from the yard, she opened the door and came out.
“Eldest Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law, hurry and cook; I’m starving flat!”
Huang Xiulan & Zhao Liuniang: Almost laughed in anger.
The sisters-in-law couldn’t even force a polite, distant smile.
Gu Mu’s face was ugly; she suppressed her anger: “…You lay at home all afternoon?”
“Yeah.” Gu Xing’er didn’t think much, “I wanted to find little sisters to play, but they all went busy. The field is so hot; I’m not going, what if I tan black.”
Gu Mu ground her teeth, “What about the cool boiled water at the stove?”
“Drank it all; the weather is terribly hot, my throat was dry so I drank it.” Gu Xing’er felt her mom’s expression was strange, figured something out, and was a bit unhappy, “Mom, what’s with that look? I’m Gu Family too; can’t I even drink water?”
Gu Mu ignored her words, took a deep breath, her hands clenched into fists.
If she ever hit or scolded children, she would have slapped her twice already!
This debt collector!
“We were all busy in the fields; didn’t it occur to you to cook?”
Gu Xing’er said righteously, “I don’t know how!”
“You don’t know, can’t you learn?” Gu Mu was very angry, “With your lazy good-for-nothing attitude, which good young man would marry you? You still want to marry into the city; you’re dreaming nonsense.”
“So what if I’m lazy and love eating.” Gu Xing’er felt no shame, “I’m not marrying someone who dislikes me; I want to marry into the city for enjoyment, not for work. Why should I learn.”
These damn words actually made sense, all absurd reasoning!
Gu Mu had bustled all afternoon, tired and hot, and now angered, her head felt dizzy.
“No dinner tonight!”
Gu Xing’er’s face turned cold, about to make a fuss, when Gu Er Shen entered the yard gate.
She didn’t notice the strange atmosphere and got straight to the point: “Xing’er, your grandma calls you to the upper house.”
After delivering the message, she turned and left.
Interrupted by someone, Gu Mu’s belly full of anger dissipated; a thought flashed in her mind: had the old man and mother-in-law’s matter gotten news?!
