Chapter 43: Opening a Brick Kiln

The more mysterious something is, the more curious people become. After all, who doesn’t want to see a gala? Just a little hint, and the members will actively find out all the information and push the team leader to achieve his goal.

This propaganda tactic is brilliant!

Luo Jiawang looked at Jiang Anan with a strange expression, feeling lucky that he had never made things difficult for her. Otherwise, he wouldn’t know how he would have been played.

Leaving the team leader’s house, Jiang Anan took another small path towards the river. There was a row of single-family wooden houses, which were temporary residences built specifically for the educated youth.

“Comrade Jiang Anan, what brings you here?”

Wen Hao ran up excitedly, his eyes shining: “Did Aunt Lin make something delicious today and ask you to call us over for dinner?”

Since the Jiang family had been responsible for their three meals, the quality had been steadily improving. They could eat white rice or white flour steamed buns/noodles, and occasionally there would be some eggs or pork fat stir-fried dishes.

The educated youth had tickets but no way to buy anything. The tickets were no different from waste paper. Who in the educated youth point didn’t envy their good fortune?

Some people tried to imitate them and team up with local people, but firstly, their cooking skills couldn’t compare to Lin Meiru’s, and secondly, they were reluctant to use good ingredients, and the food wasn’t as rich. In comparison, Wen Hao practically considered Lin Meiru his own aunt.

Jiang Anan shook her head: “No, I have something to talk to Comrade Yang Qing about.”

Wen Hao hung his head in disappointment, like a puppy that had been abandoned.

Jiang Anan noticed the drawing in his hand, a lifelike depiction of the entire Nanxi Team, and her mind stirred: “Comrade Wen Hao, the Women’s Federation is holding a lecture and gala at the end of the month. Would you like to be responsible for setting up the venue? The canteen auntie at the commune is very familiar with me, and it seems like they’re making braised pork tomorrow…”

“No problem.” Wen Hao was almost overjoyed. He didn’t have to do farm work and could also improve his meals. Who would refuse?

Braised pork!

How long had it been since he had eaten braised pork?

Wen Hao couldn’t help but swallow his saliva. He unilaterally declared in his heart that Jiang Anan was his sister from now on!

“When do I start work?”

“Let’s go to the commune to see the venue tomorrow morning.”

“Okay, you’re looking for Yang Qing, right? I’ll go get her for you.” Wen Hao ran excitedly towards the educated youth point, heading straight for the girls’ dormitory.

Hearing that Jiang Anan had something to talk to her about, Yang Qing couldn’t help but frown. She thought Jiang Anan was looking for trouble. But she had never done anything wrong, so she didn’t hesitate and followed Wen Hao to see Jiang Anan.

Yang Qing’s voice was cold and hard: “If you’re here about my parents being reported, I’m sorry, it wasn’t me, and I can’t help you with anything.”

Jiang Anan smiled: “I believe in Yang Zhiqing’s character.”

Yang Qing, who was prepared to retort with a whole belly of words: ???

“…Then what are you looking for me for?” Yang Qing disliked Jiang Anan even more. They were enemies, why was she smiling so brightly?

Jiang Anan: “When I went to town last time, I had the chance to hear Yang Zhiqing sing. I think your voice is beautiful and powerful, very inspiring. The commune is holding a gala this time, and I want to invite Yang Zhiqing to participate, to put together a few programs. Are you interested?”

She handed the document to Yang Qing: “This is a legal education lecture, the purpose is to make the members of the Red Flag Team understand the law better. It’s a very educational event.”

Yang Qing was shamelessly tempted.

Which educated youth didn’t come to the countryside with the idea of doing great things? But things didn’t go as planned. They worked in the fields all day, and their knowledge was useless.

“Are you really willing to entrust me with the task of arranging the gala programs?” Yang Qing was full of doubts, and also a little wary, afraid that Jiang Anan was trying to trick her.

Jiang Anan sincerely tried to win her over: “To be honest, I’m too busy, so I wanted to find someone to help me with the gala. The reason I chose you is because you sing well, and you’re from a big city, you have experience and courage. Of course, I believe that you didn’t come to the countryside just to farm.”

There would be about five or six programs in the evening. The educated youth would sing one or two red songs, recite poems, and then some local people would sing some folk songs. Finally, there would be some humorous sketches.

Even if Yang Qing didn’t agree, there were over a hundred educated youth in the Red Flag Commune. It would just take a little more time, but they could always find suitable talent.

“I agree.” It was a coincidence that Yang Qing was also in the school’s art troupe and had a lot of experience with gala events.

Jiang Anan’s smile became even brighter. She grabbed Yang Qing’s hand: “Tomorrow morning at eight o’clock, you and Comrade Wen Hao come to the commune to find me. Keep this document. The theme is ‘Farmers and Soldiers Are One Family’. The educated youth group can prepare at most two programs, songs, recitations, or dances, it’s entirely up to you.”

Yang Qing looked at her intently and nodded vigorously: “Since you’ve shown your sincerity, I will definitely not let you down.”

Another big thing was settled. The sun was setting, and night was quietly falling.

Wen Hao quickly caught up and said considerately: “Comrade Xiao Jiang, I’ll walk you back and pick up dinner at your house.”

Jiang Anan asked in confusion: “Don’t we usually get food from Comrade Xiang?” Speaking of which, she hadn’t seen Zhou Yinghuai and the others at the educated youth point today.

“Brother Huai took the male educated youth from the team to pick up clay.” Wen Hao said proudly: “With this clay, we can start preparing to make kilns and burn bricks tomorrow.”

“Zhou Yinghuai is going to burn bricks?” Jiang Anan raised an eyebrow in surprise. She had seen a science video on a certain app in her previous life. Ordinary soil can be used to burn bricks, but clay has higher hardness and better resistance.

“Zhou is quite impressive, he knows a lot.”

Wen Hao straightened his chest: “Of course, Brother Huai is the most capable among the young generation in the compound, even my grandfather often praises him. Good clay is hard to find, he found it by chance on the mountain, even the team leader is looking forward to the bricks being successfully fired.”

Jiang Anan asked seemingly casually: “Does Zhou often go up the mountain?”

Wen Hao nodded: “Of course, I heard that it snows in the south in winter, so the educated youth will go up the mountain to find firewood whenever they have time. Stock up more, and it will be easier in winter.”

The two chatted casually, and when they arrived at the Jiang family, the topic of conversation was right there in the yard. Everyone was in high spirits. Duo Bao was squatting by a bamboo basket, poking at the things inside with a stick.

It turned out that there were two plump gray rabbits inside.

Jiang Anan: !!!

Spicy rabbit head, hot pot rabbit, orange-flavored skewered rabbit… dozens of delicious rabbit recipes instantly appeared in her mind.

In those days, wild rabbits were state property, and it was a case of “no complaint, no prosecution.”

Wen Hao was so excited that his mouth was watering: “Brother Huai, did you catch these?”

Zhou Yinghuai said solemnly: “No, two stupid rabbits bumped their heads against a tree, I just picked them up.”

Wen Hao: “…”

Jiang Anan: “…”

But no matter what, being able to eat meat was a very happy thing.