Chapter 16: Holding a Great-Grandchild Early

Jiang Wan walked up to Yu Jingjing and Zhao Yuan, saying, “Comrade Yu, Comrade Zhao, why are you two so unsociable?”

“We just didn’t want to trouble everyone, so we ate by ourselves,” Yu Jingjing replied.

“Did you forget what Comrade Fang said? He’s the leader here, and you’re not even listening to him. Do you still want to get along here?”

“I don’t think Comrade Fang would mind. We’ll join everyone for the next meal.”

Fang Yuhao didn’t say anything either, just kept his head down and ate. If he went over now, it would look like he was siding with her and trying to force them to comply.

Jiang Wan was furious. Why didn’t Fang Yuhao come help her and scold those two ignorant comrades? Annoyed, she stormed off.

At that moment, the system’s voice rang in Yu Jingjing’s mind:
[Host, don’t let her get away with it. You’ll have to deal with her again later.]

Hearing the system’s indignant tone, Yu Jingjing could almost imagine a mini villain version of it with eyes full of hatred, waving tiny fists.

“小财财 (Little Fortune), even you, a system, are so righteous.”

[Of course! I may be a robot, but I have feelings. I can tell right from wrong, and I know who to love and hate.]

“Alright, Little Fortune. Let’s talk more later when I have time.”

[Okay, Host.]

After finishing their meal, the brigade leader came over from the pigsty to make arrangements for the new educated youth.

He especially put on a kind face when talking to Yu Jingjing, smiling as he asked, “So, what do you think of this place? Is it alright?”

“It’s pretty good, Uncle Brigade Leader.”

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. This was how things were in this era — no point in nitpicking.

“Good, good.” The brigade leader nodded. He had worried this delicate-looking young comrade would be put off by the conditions here.

Jiang Wan found the sight incredibly irritating. The brigade leader had never treated her so kindly.

Sun Nana’s pain had mostly subsided, and she had momentarily forgotten to complain to the brigade leader. Jiang Wan gave her a little reminder, and she quickly covered her face and ran off to find him.

“Brigade Leader, please help me! Comrade Yu hit me as soon as she arrived. Look at my face — and I’ve got bruises all over my body too. I’m really being wronged!”

Yu Jingjing also walked over. The brigade leader frowned and asked, “Comrade Yu, is what she said true?”

Everyone could see the brigade leader’s attitude toward Yu Jingjing was different. If it had been another educated youth, he would’ve criticized them right away. But now, he was actually asking for Yu Jingjing’s side of the story.

From his tone, it was easy to guess Yu Jingjing must have successfully helped deliver the piglets, earning his favor.

Yu Jingjing didn’t pretend to be weak. After all, she had hit someone. And who would believe a frail person could take down someone as brawny as Sun Nana?

“Brigade Leader, I did hit her. I couldn’t help myself. Uncle Brigade Leader, here’s what happened: I went with you all to help deliver the piglets, but she said I was just showing off. That sow is the brigade’s communal property — our hope. I only wanted to protect her and the piglets, to contribute more to our collective. But she said I was doing it for show. Uncle, if someone said you were showing off when you worked so hard for the brigade, wouldn’t you be upset too?”

These words not only showed her concern and dedication to the brigade but also subtly praised the brigade leader while pleading her own case.

The brigade leader immediately got angry and turned to scold Sun Nana.

“Comrade Sun, this is your attitude? Comrade Yu just got here and already helped solve a major problem for the brigade. She wasn’t afraid of getting dirty or tired and saved the sow and her piglets. And you? You maliciously slander her and then have the nerve to file a complaint?

I think Comrade Yu did the right thing. You do need a good beating. If this happens again, Comrade Yu, don’t go easy on her.”

The brigade leader was a blunt old man. He didn’t beat around the bush when he spoke.

Even though he’d been a brigade official for years and often dealt with the commune, he never learned how to play politics or use sugar-coated words that looked nice on the outside but were laced with poison.

He always said what he thought. And he wasn’t afraid of being reported — this was just who he was. If anyone didn’t like it, they’d have to get rid of him, because he wasn’t going to change.

Sun Nana felt even more wronged now. The brigade leader didn’t stand up for her, and her tears started falling uncontrollably.

The brigade leader had no sympathy for her at all. “What are you crying for? You think crying makes you right? Instead of focusing on construction and progress, you’re always stirring up drama. You should learn from Comrade Yu.”

Now, Sun Nana didn’t even dare to cry anymore and quickly wiped away her tears.

But as for learning from Yu Jingjing — not a chance.

The only person she admired and stood by was Jiang Wan. If she was going to learn from anyone, it would be Comrade Jiang.

The brigade leader then informed the new educated youths that they would collect their food rations in the afternoon and that they could rest the next day. The day after, they’d start working in the fields.

After giving his instructions, the brigade leader led the cow away.

Gong Fanrui noticed the brigade leader didn’t seem to pay any attention to her. She wanted to speak to him about her background, but the old man walked off so fast that she gave up for now.

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In the Lu Family Courtyard

Matchmaker Guan brought a tall, strong girl and began showering Lu Granny and Lu Mother with endless praises for her.

Lu Granny and Lu Mother both took a liking to Sunflower. She was good-looking, tall, and strong — easy to care for.

But what worried them was that Lu Yunxiao had no desire to get married.

After negotiating for nearly two hours, Lu Granny and Lu Mother finally decided to call Lu Yunxiao the next day to ask if he was willing to come home and meet her.

Eldest son Lu Yunchuan and his wife Xie Xiaomeng felt guilty and promised they’d try harder to give Lu Granny some grandchildren. But Lu Granny didn’t put much hope in them.

“If your big brother’s son could help out just a little, I’d already be holding a great-grandchild,” she sighed.

Lu Granny really liked Sunflower, but worried that if Lu Yunxiao still insisted on his monk-like lifestyle, she’d have to consider other options. So she turned to her third grandson, who was sitting in the courtyard weaving willow strips.

“Yunyang, Granny thinks Sunflower is quite nice. If your big brother still refuses to come back and meet her, what do you say to you settling down with her instead? Keep it in the family, right?”

“Ah? Granny, please don’t joke like that.”

Lu Yunyang’s legs trembled in fear. With a figure like Sunflower’s, one sit could crush him. She was not his type at all.

“Granny, stop! I like slim and delicate girls. That way I can look strong and manly beside them. Sunflower’s not for me.”

Because in truth, he already liked someone. The little bunny he was weaving was for her, and he was almost done. Soon, he’d deliver it to her.