Chapter 104: Ming Dai’s Disappointment, Staying Still

When it was time to deliver the vegetables again, Ming Dai had prepared early in the morning, even going so far as to prepare two extra bundles of garlic shoots, wrapped in newspaper.

The weather was very cold, and Ming Dai tried to convince Zhou Sinian not to follow her.

Zhou Sinian didn’t argue. He just sat across from her, blinking his eyes while looking at her.

Ming Dai surrendered. “Go, go, go. Let’s go together. Put on your hat.”

Zhou Sinian quietly smiled. He had now realized that as long as he showed this kind of expression, Ming Dai would agree to anything he asked.

Ming Dai had something on her mind and ignored Zhou Sinian’s unusual behavior.

At that moment, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her new sweater was beautiful. The base was green with white heart patterns, which looked very nice.

Zhou Sinian had even added lace to the neckline, making it resemble the later-era “wood ear” collar, which made her small face look even more delicate.

She had washed it and then put it on. It was made of pure wool, very warm, and, most importantly, it looked great!

There was still some leftover yarn, and Zhou Sinian’s obsession couldn’t let it go. He knitted a green and white flower-patterned scarf.

Ming Dai thought it was for her and felt a bit touched.

Who knew, the next day she saw it wrapped around the neck of a silly deer.

…

She knew it! That day was just a misunderstanding—what does Zhou Sinian even understand about anything right now?

Once they were dressed and ready, Liu Laosan was already waiting outside.

Zhou Sinian effortlessly lifted the two baskets of mushrooms onto the cart, carefully wrapping them with straw and blankets. Then, without hesitation, he scooped up Ming Dai—who was bundled up like a ball—and tucked her snugly into the thick bedding.

With a long stride, he climbed onto the other side of the cart, pulling his own blanket over himself.

“Let’s go.”

Hearing his voice, Liu Laosan cracked the whip. The sound of the horse’s hooves broke the morning mist as they headed off toward the distance.

By the time they arrived at the commune post office, the staff was just beginning their workday. Ming Dai received her letter and quickly scanned its contents.

Director Niu expressed satisfaction with the variety and quantity of specialty products Ming Dai had provided. She had also included some unused household items and mentioned having connections on the train. She offered to help send them to the train station in Yudai County and asked when it would be convenient for Ming Dai to receive them.

Pleased to have secured a delivery channel, Ming Dai wasted no time in sending a reply. She confirmed the next mushroom delivery date and mentioned that the specialty gifts she had prepared would be included.

With the letter sent, she climbed back onto the cart, and they set off toward the county town.

When they arrived in the county town, the cart turned and made its way to the back door.

Ming Dai knocked, and when the door opened, she and Zhou Sinian carried the vegetables inside.

They headed straight to the kitchen, where they found Chef Zhou resting after lunch. Upon seeing Ming Dai, his face lit up. “Ah, Ming Zhiqing, bringing vegetables again today?”

Ming Dai nodded and set down the basket. “Chef Zhou, it’s the same as before—one hundred pounds of mushrooms.”

Chef Zhou called someone over to handle the delivery. After confirming everything was in order, he returned the bamboo basket from last time and handed her a receipt. “Everything looks good. You can take this to the accountant.”

Ming Dai thanked him, then hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Chef Zhou, these are some extra garlic shoots I grew. There aren’t many, not enough for a full delivery, but I brought them for you to try.”

Chef Zhou’s eyes lit up. Garlic shoots stir-fried with cured meat—such a great dish!

He smiled and took them, stuffing them into his basket. “Thank you, Ming Zhiqing. Just what I needed! I’ve been craving this all winter, and I couldn’t get any!”

Ming Dai smiled and exchanged a few more words with him before asking if Secretary Cheng was available.

“Secretary Cheng? Yes, he’s here these days. If you’re looking for him, you can go to his office.”

After getting the information she wanted, Ming Dai thanked him again and left with Zhou Sinian.

Once they found out the location of Secretary Cheng’s office, they went upstairs.

Ming Dai knocked on the door and waited for a response before pushing it open.

Seeing them, Secretary Cheng was briefly surprised but quickly stood up. “Ah, Ming Zhiqing! Are you here to deliver vegetables?”

Ming Dai smiled and nodded, taking a seat as he gestured for her to sit.

The office was empty except for him. Ming Dai took out a small paper-wrapped bundle and said, “Secretary Cheng, the brigade leader mentioned that we’ve received a lot of help from you while delivering vegetables. These are some garlic shoots I grew myself—there aren’t many, not enough for a formal delivery, but I brought them for you to try.”

As the county secretary’s closest aide, Cheng Xu was used to receiving gifts, but this was the first time someone had given him vegetables. He found it rather interesting.

“You’re too polite, Xiao Ming Zhiqing! The fact that you’ve managed to grow vegetables in winter has helped Secretary Wang solve a significant problem. We should be the ones thanking you!”

Ming Dai smiled sheepishly. “I was just experimenting—I didn’t expect it to work. There aren’t many garlic shoots, just enough for one meal. Try stir-frying them with cured meat; they go really well together.”

Since she had put it that way, Secretary Cheng accepted the gift. While he couldn’t accept cured meat, a handful of garlic shoots seemed harmless.

The two then chatted about the growing problem of winter idleness among laborers in Yudai County, which had led to an increase in fights, gambling, and other issues—something that had been troubling Secretary Wang and his team.

Drawing from her past life’s knowledge, Ming Dai shared some neutral insights, offering Secretary Cheng a fresh perspective.

He looked at her with admiration. “Ming Zhiqing, have you ever considered working in the county?”

Ming Dai was taken aback for a moment and then shook her head. “No, I’m here as a sent-down youth, and I should stay committed to being in the countryside, receiving education alongside the poorer farmers and the comrades in Liujiawan, working together for a better tomorrow for Liujiawan!”

She said these words passionately, which caught Zhou Sinian, who was knitting, off guard as he kept glancing at her.

Secretary Cheng, however, was moved by Ming Dai’s words. “Ming Zhiqing, you’re a great example! If all the sent-down youths were like you, we wouldn’t need to worry about the issues in the commune anymore!”

Ming Dai pretended to feel embarrassed by the compliment, her face turning red.

Another day of acting.

After chatting for a little longer, seeing that Secretary Cheng was in a good mood, Ming Dai took the opportunity to bring up a matter she needed help with.

“Secretary Cheng, you know the situation with Comrade Zhou Sinian. I’ve been treating him for a while, but there hasn’t been any improvement. I wanted to ask if you knew anything about his situation? I’d like to gather some information so I can provide targeted treatment. Otherwise, his condition will continue to delay everyone’s progress in the village.”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xu looked over at Zhou Sinian, who was still knitting a red scarf. The color of the yarn, along with the headscarf on Zhou Sinian’s head, made Secretary Cheng immediately think that this scarf was for him.

When Zhou Sinian heard his name, he raised his head, glanced at Ming Dai with a smile, and then gave Cheng Xu a look of disdain before lowering his head to continue his work.

Cheng Xu wasn’t angry and found the situation somewhat amusing.

This was the famous troublemaker of Hongqi Commune!

In the past, the director of Hongqi Commune had made several attempts to send Zhou Sinian away, even traveling to the county town multiple times, but all efforts were in vain. The situation even caused a bit of a stir in the county.

As for why Zhou Sinian wasn’t sent away or the specifics of his case, Cheng Xu wasn’t certain. Typically, sent-down youths were managed by the regional youth office, while the revolutionary committee oversaw their assignments.

“I’m not too sure about that either,” Cheng Xu admitted. “I can ask the youth office for you, but the revolutionary committee isn’t exactly easy to deal with—they might not be willing to give us an answer.”

Ming Dai felt a bit disappointed hearing that he didn’t know, but she shook her head. “There’s no need to trouble you. If you happen to know anyone who might be familiar with the situation, I’d appreciate it if you could inquire. I don’t necessarily have to know, but as a doctor, when I see this kind of case, I just feel the urge to try.”

Secretary Cheng nodded in understanding. “Alright, I’ll keep an eye out for you. By the way, you might want to ask Director Wang from your commune. He, uh, handled Zhou Sinian’s case back in the day, so he might know something.”

Ming Dai quietly took note of the information, then stood up with the receipt. “Alright, I’ve taken up enough of your time. I won’t keep you any longer—I’ll be heading out now.”

Secretary Cheng also stood up to see them off. “No problem. We’re counting on you to bring us chives for the New Year—I’m looking forward to having dumplings. Let me take you next door to collect the payment.”

Ming Dai smiled and assured him it wouldn’t be an issue.

After receiving the money, she and Zhou Sinian picked up their baskets and went to say goodbye to Chef Zhou. In return, perhaps as a gesture of appreciation for the garlic shoots, Chef Zhou packed a few cornmeal pancakes for them.

Once outside, they shared the pancakes with Liu Laosan.

As she ate, Ming Dai’s mind was occupied with thoughts. Among the people she knew in the county, Secretary Cheng was the only one she felt she could turn to. She had no intention of seeking help from anyone else, as she wanted to avoid getting involved with potentially dangerous figures.

As for the commune’s director, she decided not to approach him for now. She would wait for an opportunity to strike up a conversation with someone from the commune and subtly gauge the director’s position without alerting anyone.

The last remaining lead was Zhou Sinian’s package. Initially, she had planned to send a letter to the address in hopes of gathering more information, but now she had changed her mind.

After reflecting on Secretary Cheng’s words, Ming Dai felt that there were people in the county watching Zhou Sinian’s situation. Whether they were allies or potential threats remained unclear, so for now, it was best to keep her distance.

Her top priority remained treating Zhou Sinian’s condition.

After finishing their meal, they made a quick stop at the scrap station before setting off for home.