Chapter 6

Lin Kexin’s words seemed to resonate with those who preferred a quiet environment.

“Yes, the train is a public space. You can’t just think of yourself and disturb everyone else!”

“Exactly! I’ve been rushing from the countryside since before dawn to catch this train. My head’s throbbing, and then that person starts screaming—I thought I was seeing a ghost!”

“Their manners are terrible. Other carriages aren’t like this. Do they really think this is a marketplace?”

Most of the passengers on this train were sent-down youth heading to the countryside. The Lin family lived close to the train station, so Lin Kexin had only arrived at sunrise, whereas others had endured long journeys on foot, some covering forty or fifty li. The wealthy could hire an ox cart, but the poor had to walk.

Seeing their tired faces, Lin Kexin stood up and apologized to everyone.

“I’m sorry, everyone. I’ll ask her to keep her voice down and try not to disturb you.”

Everyone nodded and waved, accepting her apology, but Liu Xuewei’s expression fluctuated between red and black.

“Kexin, I didn’t mean to bother anyone…”

“Shh!”

Before she could finish, Lin Kexin made a ‘shush’ gesture, signaling her to be quiet.

Once Liu Xuewei complied, Lin Kexin returned to her seat and closed her eyes again.

In her previous life, Liu Xuewei had caused her so much suffering and even taken everything Lin Kexin had worked hard for after her death. Thinking of it, Lin Kexin nearly wished she could strangle her on the spot.

She had clearly used Lin Kexin to secure a way back to the city through that man’s connections. When had the two of them been in contact?

But now that fate had granted her a second life, she wasn’t going to let Liu Xuewei off so easily.

She wanted to see how Liu Xuewei would manage without her as bait. Without Lin Kexin helping her earn work points, could she even survive in the countryside, given her lazy, self-indulgent nature?

Liu Xuewei, the future is long.

During the two days on the train, Lin Kexin used bathroom breaks to go into her space and harvest crops. When hungry, she ate at the train’s dining car; when tired, she covered her head with her coat and slept, giving Liu Xuewei no opportunity to talk to her.

In her previous life, Liu Xuewei had probed her, discovering that Wang Cuihua hadn’t given her any money. Her initial warmth soon turned cold. Later, at the brigade, when Liu Xuewei needed help, she got closer.

After two days and nights, the train finally reached Sichuan Province.

Lin Kexin carried the bundle Wang Cuihua had prepared and followed the crowd off the train.

Guided by her memories of her previous life, she quickly found the people there to receive them.

“Hello, comrade. My name is Lin Kexin. I’m a sent-down youth assigned to Victory Village!”

She approached a young man holding a Victory Village sign and handed him her papers.

“Hello, comrade!”

The man checked her papers and, confirming she was assigned to their brigade, returned them.

“My name is Chen Hongjun, the broadcaster of Victory Brigade, Victory Village. Just call me Comrade Chen.”

Chen Hongjun was about 1.75 meters tall, with dark skin, and when he smiled, his teeth were strikingly white.

“Lin Comrade, please wait here for a bit. Three other sent-down youth haven’t arrived yet. Once everyone’s here, we’ll head back together.”

Lin Kexin smiled and nodded, finding a quiet spot to rest. After sitting two days on the train, her legs were numb, and she began to stretch.

Soon, Liu Xuewei, struggling with a large bundle, arrived. After showing her papers to Chen Hongjun, she joined Lin Kexin to wait.

“Kexin, why didn’t you answer me earlier?”

Liu Xuewei rubbed her reddened wrist, glaring at Lin Kexin.

This brat was only carrying one bundle, likely just bedding, with barely any basic supplies. Hmph! When we get to the brigade, if she asks to borrow anything, she’ll hear my sarcasm!

“Didn’t hear you.”

Lin Kexin rolled her eyes, her tone cold.

“How could you not hear me when I yelled so loud?”

Liu Xuewei realized Lin Kexin was determined to draw a clear line between them.

In the past, when their aunt scolded Lin Kexin at her maternal home, she’d only added fuel to the fire or snatched a few things during visits. This girl was acting distant already?

“Kexin, when we came to the countryside, our aunt said we should look out for each other. What’s with this attitude?”

Liu Xuewei, furious at Lin Kexin’s demeanor, put her hands on her hips and pointed at her, clearly trying to intimidate her.

“My aunt didn’t tell me anything like that!”

Lin Kexin waved off her hand and spoke firmly.

“Also, I hate being pointed at when someone talks to me!”

Oh my!

Liu Xuewei rolled her eyes in disbelief.

This girl was showing a whole new side! How had she survived her aunt’s household, yet now suddenly acted so bold in the countryside?

She complains about being pointed at now, but where was her objection when her aunt, uncle, or cousin hit her with a cane?

Now, she’s acting all high and mighty in front of me!

Tch!

Liu Xuewei opened her mouth to retort, but Chen Hongjun, leading two other male sent-down youth, arrived.

“All comrades are here. Let’s go!”

Chen Hongjun called them to follow him. It was about 5 or 6 p.m., and it would take at least an hour to reach Victory Brigade, so everyone obediently followed him.

Chen Hongjun had come with an ox cart. In the production team, oxen were precious and rarely used.

“Place your luggage on the cart and take turns riding. This ox is old and can’t carry too many people.”

Chen Hongjun’s expression showed slight regret. During the recent harvest, the ox had worked hard.

“Alright, you go ahead. I want to walk a bit!”

Lin Kexin placed her luggage down and immediately said she wanted to walk. Two days on the train had left her bones aching.

“Go ahead. I need to stretch too!”

Another male sent-down youth in a navy jacket decided not to ride either.

Liu Xuewei and another male youth didn’t hesitate; they set down their luggage and boarded the cart.

Chen Hongjun drove the ox cart, getting on and off to let it rest.

“Hello, comrade. My name is Wei Dongming, from Jiang Province. I’m seventeen this year. Please take care of me!”

Wei Dongming, walking beside Lin Kexin, introduced himself warmly.

“Hello, I’m Lin Kexin, also seventeen, also from Jiang Province.”

“I’m also from Jiang Province. My name is Li Tao, sixteen this year!”

Lin Kexin’s words made the boy on the cart excited. Out of the four sent-down youth heading to Victory Brigade, aside from himself, the other two were also from Jiang Province. He would have someone to chat with about home.

“Tch! Most of the people on this train are from Jiang Province. Is it really that surprising?”

Liu Xuewei’s untimely voice interrupted the warm and friendly atmosphere. She pretended to be haughty, glanced at Li Tao, and turned away in disdain.

“Besides, coming from Jiang Province doesn’t mean we’re from the same town or street. It’s not that big of a deal!”