Chapter 23

After Deputy Secretary Zheng Dayong gave them all a scolding, the newly arrived educated youths on the tractor kept their heads down, not daring to say another word.

Especially Bai Jiaojiao, who had just been harassed by the older man—she was still trembling all over and silently shedding tears, her head lowered in fear.

Li Yumei also felt a deep sense of anxiety. She had heard too many stories about female educated youths being assaulted by lecherous rural men. There was even a girl from her alley who went to the countryside in good health and, within a month, was married off to a local man and eventually went mad.

So Li Yumei had already made up her mind before she came—she was going to be aggressive, take the initiative to survive, and never sacrifice herself.

The tractor drove straight to the Red Flag Brigade’s educated youth station.

Deputy Secretary Zheng Dayong said, “Our Red Flag Brigade’s village secretary went to the commune for a meeting today, so I’ll be the one to brief you. This place is where the educated youths of our brigade will be staying. Boys and girls have separate dormitories. The dorms are communal sleeping areas—each person gets one sleeping spot, no more. You’re not allowed to store personal items on the bunks, so find a place for your luggage elsewhere.

Most importantly, you must get along with the older educated youths here.

Your first month here, the village will provide you with 20 jin (approx. 10 kg) of grain for free. Starting from the second month, you’ll earn grain based on how much labor you contribute. The more you work, the more you get. I hope you will all be diligent.

Also, you have the afternoon off today. If you need to buy daily necessities, you’d better go to the commune or the county. Work starts officially tomorrow, and no one is allowed to take leave.”

Chi Yiyi planned to sneak off into the village that afternoon to look for a place to rent—there was no way she would force herself to stay in a communal dormitory.

Zhao Xiu, after putting down her luggage, wanted to head to the commune to buy supplies. She asked Chi Yiyi if she wanted to go together. Since Chi Yiyi knew Zhao Xiu had feelings for Chi Junshu, she didn’t want to get too close to her and politely declined.

Bai Jiaojiao and Li Yumei went inside to check out the dorm and came running back out in tears.

Li Yumei followed and said, “Jiaojiao, don’t panic. Why don’t we go rent a place in the village?”

Bai Jiaojiao’s eyes lit up. “We can rent a place here?”

Li Yumei nodded. “Of course, but we’ll have to pay rent.”

Bai Jiaojiao immediately said, “Yumei, let’s go find a house right now. I have money—I’m not staying in that crowded dorm.”

Li Yumei happily agreed. She was already counting on Bai Jiaojiao as her golden goose—this was her chance.

Just as the two of them left, the older educated youths returned from the fields.

Chi Yiyi greeted them all. Since they were going to live and work together, she knew there was no avoiding future interactions. To show goodwill, she took out a handful of fruit candies and gave one to each person.

The older educated youths appreciated her friendly attitude and sincerity, and they chatted with her warmly in return.

One of them even kindly told her that if she needed to buy anything, she should go to the county—not the commune, where things were expensive and limited. The bus to the county left at 1:30 p.m., and the last bus back to Hezigou Commune was at 5:00 p.m. She must not miss it.

There were ox-carts available for traveling from the Red Flag Brigade to the commune. Walking was free, but hiring Old Man Zheng’s ox-cart cost 10 cents for a private trip (normally 2 cents per person, but solo trips were more expensive).

Chi Yiyi also learned that most of the villagers here had the surname Zheng, and both the village chief and secretary were from the Zheng clan.

Chi Yiyi felt her fruit candies were definitely a good investment—everyone was eager to tell her everything about the village.

She then asked, “Big sisters, are there any educated youths renting homes in the village?”

“Yes, the village secretary’s house used to be the safest and cheapest to rent. You could stay there with peace of mind. But not this year—his youngest son is getting married, so it’s no longer available.”

“If you rent from other villagers, be careful. It’s not always safe. I rented from the secretary last year. Now I’ve got no choice but to stay at the youth station.”

Chi Yiyi realized how chaotic things were in this village, but no matter what, she was determined to rent a room outside.

An older woman said, “Yiyi, why don’t you stay and have lunch with us? We’re having stewed beans with rice today.”

Chi Yiyi knew how strictly food was rationed during this era, so she didn’t want to overstep. Instead, she remembered she had a pack of spiced dried tofu in her portable space. It was a perfect time to return the kindness.

She said, “Thank you, big sisters. I actually brought some spiced tofu from the city. Let’s share it for lunch.”

Her thoughtfulness made it impossible for the older women to criticize her.

Even the ones who were a little jealous of her good looks found nothing bad to say.

Eight female educated youths sat around a table with three small plates of pickles. When Chi Yiyi took out the tofu, the rich aroma made everyone swoon.

While eating, Chi Yiyi noticed that Chi Junshu and Chi Junjie hadn’t come over. They must be having lunch elsewhere.

She quickly finished her rice and excused herself.

The most important task now was to get a room at the village secretary’s house. She believed that if she was generous enough, there was no way she’d fail.

Chi Yiyi found a quiet place along the way and pulled out a tote bag from her space. Inside, she packed a carton of cigarettes and a bottle of liquor—things that belonged to Chi Daqiang—along with two apples and some fruit candies.

The cigarettes and liquor were Daqiang’s; the fruits and candies were snacks bought by Lin Ru. Chi Yiyi didn’t feel a bit guilty using them as bribes.

On the road, she offered a candy to a child and asked for directions to the village secretary’s house.

As she neared it, she suddenly heard an old woman shouting.

“Someone help! A city girl is trying to steal our grain!”

Chi Yiyi immediately realized this must be a drama involving Bai Jiaojiao and Li Yumei. The shouting seemed to be coming from the courtyard near the village chief’s house.

She picked up her pace, eager to “watch the show.”

“Ah!”

She was so caught up in her excitement that she wasn’t watching where she was going and accidentally bumped into someone.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to! Are you okay?”

Chi Yiyi pulled out a fruit candy to apologize.

When Zheng Abao saw the shiny candy in her palm, her eyes lit up as she looked up at the beautiful girl before her. “You—you’re the new educated youth, Chi Yiyi, right?”

Chi Yiyi blinked in confusion. “You—you know me?”