Chapter 20: The Madman and the Red Headscarf

As they stepped out of the educated youth quarters, it was just about time for the workday to begin.

Although it was the slack season for farming and people were allowed to take leave, most still chose to work to earn labor points—after all, those points were directly tied to their food rations.

So when people saw the two of them walking out together, their mouths fell open in shock.

What’s going on?!

Why is that menace wearing different clothes?!

And who’s the kid following behind him?

Did that lunatic steal a child from somewhere?!

Wait—he really did!

“Quick! Go tell the brigade leader! The madman stole a child!”

By the time Liu Dazhu and Liu Qingmin rushed over in a panic, Ming Dai and Zhou Sinian had just arrived at the brigade office.

Seeing them, Ming Dai cheerfully greeted, “Brigade Leader Uncle! Secretary Uncle!”

Liu Dazhu stared at the two of them in disbelief, rubbing the corner of his eye as if trying to wake himself up.

“Did I get up too fast? Why am I seeing Ming Dai standing next to that menace?!”

Liu Qingmin’s jaw nearly hit the ground. “I must’ve gotten up too fast too, ‘cause I’m seeing the same thing!”

The two men exchanged a glance before simultaneously turning back to look at the excitedly waving Ming Dai.

How did she end up tangled with this lunatic?!

Liu Dazhu eyed Zhou Sinian warily and didn’t dare get too close. Instead, he motioned for Ming Dai to come over.

Ming Dai said a few words to Zhou Sinian, then ran toward them.

“Uncle!”

Liu Dazhu stared at Zhou Sinian, who remained in place, waiting.

Even though he looked displeased, he really wasn’t moving!

“Dai-girl,” Liu Dazhu asked, still in a daze, “Tell your uncle—how did you get him to be so obedient?!”

Ming Dai pouted and quickly recounted what had happened the previous day.

After listening, Liu Dazhu immediately understood Fang Mingyang’s intentions.

Heh… when it comes to cruelty, we country folk really can’t compare to city people.

Just for the sake of a house, they were willing to gamble with four lives?!

If Ming Dai hadn’t handled the situation well, wouldn’t she have been beaten up by that madman too?

With her frail frame, could she have even survived?

Liu Dazhu made a mental note—he couldn’t place too much trust in the educated youths.

Meanwhile, Ming Dai, subtly feeding him more ideas, continued her act.

“Uncle, I don’t know why he’s not hitting me or why he’s willing to listen to me… maybe it’s because I fed him?

“But he’s not always obedient. This morning, he even stole my breakfast!”

Liu Dazhu looked at Zhou Sinian, then back at Ming Dai, feeling torn.

“Girl, this is a tricky situation. You don’t understand—this menace, he beats everyone!“

He sniffled inwardly.

I’ve been beaten too!

He was the one who had brought Zhou Sinian over from Xiahe Village.

The entire way, Zhou Sinian refused to cooperate, so Liu Dazhu had to carry his bundle of belongings to keep him from running off.

And what did he get for his troubles?

A beating.

All the way back.

He was already fifty-three! Even his own father had never hit him this much, and yet, a madman had beaten him black and blue!

It was so unfair!

Ming Dai quickly shook her head, putting on an earnest expression.

“Uncle! What are you saying? I’d never cause trouble for you! You’ve already helped me so much!

“I only told you because I just got here and don’t know if being around him is right or wrong.

“I don’t know if it’ll affect Liujiawan, and since he doesn’t listen to me completely, I’m afraid I won’t be able to control him, which might bring shame to the village…”

Such a good girl!

Liu Dazhu and Liu Qingmin quickly shook their heads.

“Girl, if he causes trouble, the entire commune is already used to it. No one will blame our village. As long as he stays in our brigade, it’s fine—you don’t have to worry about him.

“As for your food situation, I’ll think of something. If he wants to eat, just let him. Otherwise, I’m afraid he’ll hit you.”

“That’s right! Dai-girl, if you don’t have enough to eat, we’ll figure something out for you. If worst comes to worst, just take turns eating at my house and your uncle’s house!”

Liu Qingmin glanced at Zhou Sinian, who was already looking impatient, and added firmly, “But you can’t bring him!”

Ming Dai’s eyes reddened, and she gazed at them with admiration.

“I’m not afraid! I have my uncles!”

She lowered her voice and moved closer to them.

“Uncles, don’t worry about me. Before I came to the countryside, my father’s old superior felt sorry for me. He was afraid I wouldn’t have enough to eat out here, so he promised that as long as I sent him money, he’d send me food!

“He works at a hospital—people go through him for connections all the time. He has ways to get supplies.

“I also brought my dad’s military pension with me, so I have money. I can buy my own food. Uncle, please don’t cut back on your own family’s rations for me! At a time like this, making sure your wives and kids are fed is your responsibility!

“I can take care of myself!”

Liu Dazhu and Liu Qingmin felt even worse—such a good girl!

How did she end up getting stuck with that madman?!

When they found out she and Zhou Sinian were heading to the mountains to gather firewood, Liu Dazhu immediately ordered someone to bring over a cart and some chopping tools from his house.

The onlookers were shocked.

A cart?!

The brigade leader guarded that cart closely. Normally, no one was allowed to use it except during grain deliveries.

Yet now, he was voluntarily lending it to a little educated youth on her first day here?!

Too strange!

As for the madman standing beside her, everyone simply pretended he didn’t exist.

And so, under the murmurs and discussions of the crowd, Ming Dai pushed the cart, following Zhou Sinian up the mountain.

To anyone watching, she looked exactly like a poor girl being oppressed by a lunatic.

“Sigh! That poor girl!”

“She got tangled up with a madman!”

Zhou Sinian: Don’t say a word. Really, don’t. This is the first time since I lost my mind that someone tried to take advantage of me—and actually succeeded!

Once they left the village, there were no buildings to block the wind. The northern gusts slapped against their faces mercilessly.

Ming Dai kept her mouth tightly shut to avoid swallowing the cold air. She reached into her crossbody bag and pulled out a red headscarf, tying it on.

All the young women and married ladies in the village had one, so it wasn’t out of place for her to wear it.

She pressed down on the cart’s handlebars and continued forward. It felt much warmer now.

They hadn’t gone far when Zhou Sinian suddenly stopped in his tracks, his gaze locked onto the red headscarf on Ming Dai’s head.

She was blocked by him and had to stop as well. After a brief observation, she pointed to her headscarf and asked, “You want one too?”

His eyes lit up instantly.

That was a clear yes.

Refusing him would only lead to a standoff, making it impossible to move forward. Worse, she might even get beaten up. Without hesitation, she reached into her bag and stealthily took out another one.

A green one.

She handed it over, but Zhou Sinian didn’t take it.

Ming Dai hesitated before trying to put it on his head for him, but he dodged away. His gaze, however, remained fixed on her head.

Left with no choice, Ming Dai sighed, took off her own red headscarf, and handed it to him.

Sure enough, he snatched it up in a flash and swiftly draped it over his head, tying it into a neat little bow.

Ha! So what if you can tie a bow? Big deal!

Ming Dai pulled on the green headscarf, but in her haste, she accidentally tied a dead knot.

Yeah, yeah, knowing how to tie a bow is so impressive.

With the red headscarf secured, Zhou Sinian strode ahead with his head held high, leading the way.

Ming Dai hurried after him, half running while pulling the cart along.

On the mountain path, several villagers who had come to gather firewood stood dumbfounded.

“Where did that madman get a red headscarf?!”

“And who’s that kid following behind him?”

“Tsk tsk, poor thing. Must’ve been dragged along to do labor for the lunatic.”

Zhou Sinian paid no attention to the curious stares and continued striding forward with confidence.

Ming Dai, too busy keeping up with him, had no time to care about the onlookers.

And just like that, the news spread like wildfire across Liujiawan, from the mountain to the village below.

A poor little thing from the newly arrived educated youth had been targeted by the madman.

That poor little thing, Ming Dai, had followed the madman all the way to the foot of the mountain.

Now standing before an almost vertical cliff, she shivered in the northern wind—completely bewildered.