Chapter 8: Why?

The second most influential surname in Zhao Village is Yu, the same as Yu Xiulan’s Yu.

It’s not because there are many people with the surname Yu, but because the Yus are capable.

During the years of war, many people from Shuangshan Commune joined the army, and some capable women even fought in the trenches, shooting a few enemies.

Zhao Xinshan and Zhao Jianguo’s generation, several died on the battlefield.

The Yu family was the same. Only Yu’s grandfather survived, but he didn’t enjoy many peaceful years before passing away due to old wounds.

Yu Xiulan’s biological mother, Zhao Ke’s maternal grandmother, Liu Sanni, was an extraordinary woman. She was the leader of the women’s team during the war and held that position until a few years ago, when her son, who had become a regiment leader, took her with him to the army, and she retired. Yu Xiulan then took over as the women’s director.

Now, in Zhao Village, there are three households with the surname Yu. All the men in these households were raised by Zhao Ke’s maternal grandmother and follow Yu Xiulan’s orders—whatever Yu Xiulan says goes.

Additionally, Yu Xiulan has a cousin who, although married a bit farther away, has a husband who works in the local public security.

Yu Xiulan’s prestige in the village, at the moment, is not as high as Zhao Xinshan, the village leader’s, but it’s hard to say what will happen in the future…

When Zhao Xinshan thinks about something, he can’t help but light up a cigarette, moving from the house to the yard, smoking a whole bunch of cigarette butts.

Li Hehua was inside, preparing some dough to steam buns. When she came out and saw him, she couldn’t help but complain, “What are you doing? You’re going to smoke yourself to death.”

“I need to tell you something.” Zhao Xinshan called his wife over and whispered a few words in her ear.

Li Hehua hesitated, “What are you planning to do? With that second aunt’s temper, isn’t she going to make a fuss?”

Zhao Xinshan didn’t let her inquire, “Don’t worry about it. Just go if I tell you to.”

Li Hehua gave him a disdainful glance and said unkindly, “Fine, I’ll go.”

She took off her apron and tossed it over Zhao Xinshan, “Stop smoking, it stinks.”

Zhao Xinshan, with his hand holding the cigarette, hastily dodged it, annoyed, “You this woman^[1]婆娘 – derogatory term for woman, usually a married woman.…”

Li Hehua ignored him and had already left the house.

·

The next day, Zhao Xinshan issued the certificate for transferring Zhao Mian’s grain account.

It was the busy season for farming, and everyone was gathered together. The news about Zhao Ke and Zhao Mian switching jobs spread from the team committee, and in less than two hours, almost everyone in Zhao Village knew about it.

At the fields, people gathered at both ends, discussing the matter. Some even stopped their work to ask Zhao Jianguo, Yu Xiulan, and Zhao Feng for details.

Not only were they asking, but they were also chatting casually—

“Director Yu, Jianguo, why not transfer the job to your Zhao Feng?”

“Zhao Feng, why wasn’t your second sister’s job transferred to you?”

Their reasoning was simple: women were eventually going to marry out and join other families, so rather than letting it go to someone with a different surname, it was better to keep it within the family.

Yu Xiulan was not polite with these older women, “The leader says women can support half the sky, right? So? I haven’t helped Zhao Ke with her job at all. She wants to transfer it to her sister, and I still have to block her?”

“How can you say you haven’t helped? If her parents hadn’t sent her to high school, she wouldn’t even be able to touch the factory gate?”

The speaker was a sharp-eyed woman named Tian Guizhi, and when talking about Zhao Ke going to high school, her tone was full of contempt.

Yu Xiulan retorted, “That’s my daughter’s ability.”

On Zhao Jianguo’s side, the men all shared the same opinion.

“A daughter is like water poured out. In the future, the one who will take care of you and your wife in your old age and do the heavy lifting is Zhao Feng.”

Zhao Jianguo wasn’t angry, and no matter what anyone said, he responded cheerfully, “As long as the siblings get along, that’s fine.”

Meanwhile, a boy of similar age to Zhao Feng was goading him on, “With this job, aren’t you worried the village educated youth won’t accept you?”

Zhao Feng was displeased, “If Zhuang Lan accepts me, it’s definitely because she sees I’m outstanding.”

The goading boy:….

You don’t know what you’re like yourself?

“Zhao Feng is just not as good as Mian Jie.”

Zhao Yunyun dragged Zhao Ke out of the house angrily, saying, “Why does it have to be the son who gets the job? They always have to meddle in everything. Don’t think I don’t know they’re always behind my back saying I can’t do anything, they’re just jealous.”

Zhao Ke comforted her, “Yes, yes, you’re right.”

But in her heart, Zhao Ke didn’t quite agree with Zhao Yunyun’s judgment of her sister and brother. Any comparison that ignored individual differences was just nonsense.

Zhao Yunyun vented her frustration and asked, “Aren’t you at a disadvantage?”

Zhao Ke smiled smugly and said deliberately, “Being at a disadvantage is a blessing. My sister said she would make more money to support me.”

Zhao Yunyun immediately became sour.

Zhao Ke glanced at the sky and asked, “You called me out just to say this? In the afternoon, I still have to take my sister to the commune to handle some paperwork.”

“It’s still early.” Zhao Yunyun didn’t let her leave, “You think fast, help me think of a way to get close to Fu Zhiqing. He won’t even acknowledge me.”

“You’re still thinking about him?”

Zhao Yunyun was frustrated, “Don’t try to fool me. Just tell me what to do.”

Zhao Ke stalled, “Can’t you wait until I come back?”

“No.” Zhao Yunyun placed her hands on her hips, “I’ve already seen the new female educated youths flirting with Fu Zhiqing. What if she beats me to it?”

“Female educated youths, which one?” Zhao Ke asked with interest.

Zhao Yunyun reluctantly said, “The one who can’t speak normally in front of men without pinching her throat.”

Zhao Ke thought there might have been some progress between the male and female leads, but it turned out not to be the case, so her interest immediately dropped by half. “So, has Fu Zhiqing paid any attention to her?”

Zhao Yunyun’s face brightened again, “No.”

Zhao Ke nodded, unable to tolerate her pestering any longer, and said, “If you like him, you have to know what he likes, understand what I mean?”

Zhao Yunyun huffed, “I went to primary school.”

“Not that kind of meaning. I mean, do you know how to figure out what Fu Zhiqing likes?”

Zhao Yunyun asked, “What does he like?”

Zhao Ke guided her, “Look at Fu Zhiqing. What kind of person do you think he would like?”

Zhao Yunyun thought for a moment, then asked cautiously, “Someone educated?”

“And what else?”

Zhao Yunyun added, “Pretty?”

Zhao Ke asked, “Any personality traits?”

Zhao Yunyun’s face grew increasingly displeased, “Gentle and capable.”

These were all her own thoughts, had nothing to do with Zhao Ke, and even less to do with Fu Zhiqing’s personal preferences.

But Zhao Ke nodded affirmatively. “Since you understand, there’s your direction. Start with the easiest thing, go to my house, I’ll give you two books. You can start with those.”

Zhao Yunyun was shocked. How did it suddenly come to this? If she liked reading, she wouldn’t have only finished primary school.

Zhao Ke raised an eyebrow. “Such a small challenge, and it’s too hard for you?”

Zhao Yunyun looked serious, and after a long time, she gritted her teeth. “Fine.”

Zhao Ke smiled, knowing that Zhao Yunyun wouldn’t last three and a half days. After that, she would probably avoid her, and there’d be a time when she wouldn’t be hearing Zhao Yunyun constantly talking about Fu Zhiqing.

It would be great to have peace and quiet.

Zhao Ke sent Zhao Yunyun off, and the whole family had lunch together. After one o’clock in the afternoon, Zhao Ke left the house with her sister.

The two sisters took turns riding and arrived at the commune by 4:30.

Zhao Mian had only been to the commune a few times, and those were just to buy things at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. The route was always the same: from the checkpoint to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, then back to the checkpoint to take the ox cart.

It was still light out, so Zhao Ke took her sister around the area.

At home, it was always Zhao Mian who took care of Zhao Ke in every way, but now, on unfamiliar streets surrounded by strangers, Zhao Mian appeared normal on the surface but kept her eyes on Zhao Ke, not daring to stray too far from her.

Zhao Ke didn’t notice at first, but once she did, she took her sister’s hand and guided her to familiarize herself with the surroundings.

Where the police station is, where the health center is, where her friends and classmates are, and where she can go to find help if needed…

In the evening, Zhao Ke took her sister to stay in her dormitory, giving her sister a chance to meet the dormitory workers in advance.

Because Zhao Ke had maintained good relationships before, everyone was very warm toward Zhao Mian.

The two sisters squeezed into one bed to sleep. Zhao Mian felt empty in her heart and couldn’t sleep. She whispered softly into her sister’s ear, “I always knew you were smart and popular, but I didn’t expect that when you’re outside, you seem more like a reliable adult than me.”

Zhao Ke hugged her sister tightly, giving her strength. “Jie, you’ll be able to do it too.”

After a long time, Zhao Mian softly murmured, “Mm.”

The next day, Zhao Ke took her sister to handle the paperwork at the factory.

Zhao Mian was beautiful, and many familiar and unfamiliar male workers came to talk to Zhao Ke and ask about her.

They all wanted to get close to Zhao Ke’s good-looking sister, but Zhao Ke, protective of her sister, laughed and scolded them all away.

The male workers left laughing, but kept glancing back, making Zhao Mian feel very embarrassed.

At that moment, Zhao Ke felt like her sister was a little lamb falling into a wolf’s den. She thought about how her sister didn’t know which wolf would take her home, and it made her feel sour inside.

Once the paperwork was done, Zhao Mian officially became an apprentice at the bearing factory.

Zhao Mian was reluctant to part from her, and she walked with her to the factory gate. Only when Zhao Ke stopped her did she pause. “You should take your luggage and ride your bike back. I don’t need it.”

Zhao Ke thought that her sister might need to go to and from the commune often and could also come to pick her up, so she got on her bike. “Jie, you go back. I’ll come see you when I have time.”

Zhao Mian stood there until her sister’s figure disappeared, then she entered the bearing factory.

Meanwhile, things were quite different at the Zhao village team committee.

Early in the morning, an old, small woman with graying hair blocked the entrance to the team committee. In front of Zhao Xinshan, Yu Xiulan, and others, she threw a tantrum. “Zhao Mian got into the factory. Why should Zhao Ke be the one to take the job she left behind?”

“What? Is the production team going to be entirely taken over by Yu Xiulan?”