Chapter 14: Fallen

When Lin Yingying and Huo Qingshan returned to the production brigade, it was already quite late. Huo Qingshan dropped her off at the road leading to the Educated Youth Point.

Lin Yingying said, “Brother Qingshan, you’d better hurry and prepare the marriage application. I still have to buy wedding candies and wedding wine… Oh right, should I first go to your house to say hello?”

Huo Qingshan had been listening to her soft, sweet voice as she spoke without interrupting. When he heard her asking him, he replied, “Let’s wait until your parents agree first.”

If they agreed, he would take care of all these matters. If they did not agree, then he… He glanced at her, putting himself in their shoes. If he had such a daughter, he would never bear to let her marry far away.

Huo Qingshan watched her graceful figure disappear behind the parasol trees like a little bird. He first returned the bicycle to the production brigade, then went straight home.

When Lin Yingying returned to the Educated Youth Point, she was so tired that she dozed off for a while. When she woke up, she saw Ye Manman and another female educated youth preparing dinner.

Speaking of Ye Manman’s father passing away early, one would think she should have learned to do everything from a young age. Yet, for some unknown reason, her mother insisted on raising her as delicately as Lin Yingying.

Ye Manman did not know how to cook at all. Even starting a fire was a struggle for her.

Watching Ye Manman clumsily try to get the fire going, Lin Yingying pursed her lips and mocked, “Better be careful, don’t burn down the Educated Youth Point.”

Ye Manman lowered her head, feeling very wronged. “Sister Yingying, where did you go this afternoon?”

A sly glint flashed in Lin Yingying’s eyes. “I called your mom. I told her you’ve been suffering here, that you can’t eat or sleep well, and that you’re as tired as a dog.”

Ye Manman’s eyes immediately turned red. She was feeling homesick.

Seeing her about to cry made Lin Yingying feel pleased. She then turned to the female educated youth kneading cornbread dough and gave her a smile. “You’ve worked hard.”

The female educated youth beamed brightly. “Hello, Yingying, my name is Ma Pingping, I’m from the provincial capital.”

Lin Yingying returned the smile warmly. “Hello, Comrade Ma Pingping, your cooking is delicious, keep up the good work!” She was speaking blatant nonsense with her eyes wide open — that cornbread hard enough to chip her teeth was simply something else.

Hearing Lin Yingying praise her, Ma Pingping’s face lit up with excitement, looking as honored as if she had just been commended by a superior.

They had all just arrived in the village and had been sent to harvest wheat right away, so there hadn’t been much time to get acquainted.

Still, every educated youth knew who Lin Yingying was. After all, she was the most beautiful, the wealthiest, the most delicate, the most temperamental, and on her very first day she had made Ye Manman cry.

With a dozen or so girls gathered together, it was impossible for there to be no conflicts. In just these few days, they had already split into three factions, and frictions had arisen among those who didn’t see eye to eye.

But no matter what they might disapprove of, none of them ever felt jealous of Lin Yingying — because they could not measure up. Lin Yingying stood high above, like a princess, making them feel that to envy her would be something only a person with too much time and food to waste would do.

They would only look up to her, try to please her, or observe her from afar. Even when she had been rescued from danger and made the astonishing declaration that she would marry Huo Qingshan, they saw nothing wrong with it. On the contrary, they thought, See! As expected of Lin Yingying — she really is different!

Lin Yingying took out half a box of biscuits, opened it, and let Ma Pingping take two pieces.

Ma Pingping was flattered and a little overwhelmed, carefully picking out two delicate biscuits.

When Lin Yingying saw Ye Manman sitting there sulking with her head down, she closed the biscuit tin and thought, You’re not getting any!

Although Father Lin had said to pack the things together so she and Ye Manman could share, Lin Yingying’s things were hers alone. How could she possibly share them with someone else?

Ye Manman wiped her tears and quickly glanced at Lin Yingying and Ma Pingping, feeling even more aggrieved. Lin Yingying had actually given the good stuff to another educated youth instead of to her.

Ma Pingping ate happily. “Lin Yingying, your biscuits are really delicious. I’ve had them at home too, but I’ve never eaten iron-tin biscuits this tasty before.”

Lin Yingying smiled, closed the biscuit tin, put it back, then gathered her own change of clothes along with Huo Qingshan’s, intending to go wash them by the river.

Ye Manman quickly stood up. “Sister Yingying, your hand hasn’t healed yet, let me wash them for you. Uncle Lin told us to take care of each other.”

Lin Yingying said, “I don’t want to take care of you at all, tch~~”

Ye Manman looked at her with a hurt expression, while Ma Pingping hurried to continue kneading the cornbread dough.

Just then, a little mud-covered child came running over. “Educated Youth Lin, your Qingshan said for you to give him the clothes, he’ll wash them himself.”

Lin Yingying turned her head to look. “Where is he?”

The little mud-covered child pointed.

Lin Yingying smiled. “Wait here, big sister will get you some biscuits to eat.”

The little mud monkey said, “Wrong.”

Lin Yingying asked, “What’s wrong? You don’t want biscuits?”

The little mud monkey replied, “Your man’s generation is older, so I have to call him Grandpa. That makes you my Grandma, not big sister.”

Lin Yingying, suddenly aged on the spot: “……”

She silently gave the little mud monkey a piece of biscuit, then picked up the basin and went out to look for Huo Qingshan. She saw him standing by the roadside, tall and straight, his features cold and sharp, with quite a few wheat awns clinging to his trouser legs — he had probably just returned from harvesting wheat.

How could this man be so diligent and capable!

Hearing the “grandpa and grandma” talk, Huo Qingshan’s expression was a little unnatural. “I can wash them myself.”

Lin Yingying teased him with a grin. “There’s my underwear in there. Do you want to wash it?”

Huo Qingshan’s face remained calm, but his ears slowly turned red. He lowered his eyes to glance into the basin; inside were only his clothes along with her blouse and trousers — she was tricking him.

He took the basin and started walking away, and Lin Yingying trailed after him step by step.

Looking at the darkening sky, Huo Qingshan said slowly, “Before your parents agree, don’t stay with me after dark.”

She was a girl, and it was easier for her to be gossiped about and hurt.

Lin Yingying blocked his path. With her hands behind her back, she tilted her head slightly to look up at him, her large eyes curved in a smile. “Huo Qingshan, I’m a person, not a goblin. I won’t transform at night and eat you, so you don’t have to be afraid.”

Huo Qingshan: “…”

He gripped the enamel basin tightly, his eyelashes lowered as he stared at her. When he focused on someone like this, his gaze could be rather fierce — enough to scare his younger brothers and sisters.

But the little goblin in front of him was clearly not one of his siblings. She bit her lip slightly, lowered her head shyly, her shoes scuffing the ground, and whispered, “But… if you want to eat me…”

Before she could finish teasing him, the tall man beside her bolted away as swiftly as the wind, his stride so fast it even looked a little unsteady.

Lin Yingying: “……”

By now, night had fully fallen. The production brigade’s threshing ground had already lit up with kerosene lamps, and even the village road used for carts had them hung along the way. In order to bring in the wheat harvest, the usually precious kerosene was being burned as if it cost nothing.

Lin Yingying gazed at those scattered points of light, and one beam happened to fall right over Huo Qingshan’s tall, straight figure. She could not help but smile, her heart filled with a gentle warmth.

What a lovely man.

She stood there for a while, but when she felt mosquitoes starting to bite, she decided to turn back. Just then, she came across an old lady carrying a kerosene lamp in one hand and a bamboo basket in the other, tiptoeing toward her with a smile.

In the dark, Lin Yingying suddenly thought of that old Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio TV series she had been recommended in her previous life, and a shiver ran through her. “Auntie, what are you doing?”

Mother Huo smiled gently. “Girl, I’m Qingshan’s mother.”

Though Mother Huo’s hair was already graying and her face showed the marks of the years, her features still bore traces of the striking beauty she had in her youth.

Lin Yingying let out a breath of relief and smiled sweetly. “Hello, Auntie.”

Mother Huo handed her the bamboo basket and whispered, “Girl, Qingshan’s cooking skills are embarrassing. Try what I made, and if you like it, I’ll make it for you again in the future.”

Lin Yingying quickly took it, giving her a sweet smile. “Thank you, Auntie.”

Mother Huo glanced toward the riverside where her son was washing clothes, then hurriedly reminded her, “Girl, don’t tell Qingshan. He said that before your parents agree, I’m not allowed to come see you. You’d better go back and eat, it tastes best while it’s hot.”

She moved off as if she were doing something sneaky, even using her clothes to shield the lamp as she slipped away quietly.

Lin Yingying called after her, “Auntie, watch your step and don’t fall!”

Mother Huo replied, “I know. Eat it up quick, don’t keep it overnight or it’ll go sour.”

Lin Yingying did not go back right away. Instead, she found a clean stone, spread her handkerchief over it, and sat down to taste the pancakes Mother Huo had given her.

They were chive and egg pancakes fried in peanut oil. Although not made from leavened dough, they were supple and chewy, with a generous filling of chives and eggs. The flavor was fresh, salty, and fragrant — absolutely delicious.

Originally, because of the hot weather, Lin Yingying hadn’t felt very hungry, yet before she knew it, she had eaten an entire pancake.

She let out a satisfied burp and rubbed her stomach. It was really so, so good!

She looked at the bamboo basket and saw that there were still two pancakes left. She truly could not eat any more, but if she kept them, they would spoil. She was unwilling to give them to anyone else. If it were her biscuits or candies, she wouldn’t mind sharing, but these were something Huo Qingshan’s mother had specially made for her — a gift from the heart.

By now, a kerosene lamp had been hung at the entrance of the Educated Youth Point to light the way for the educated youths coming back from the night shift for dinner.

Lin Yingying got up and looked around, just in time to see Huo Qingshan striding over with the basin in his hands. His hair was dripping wet, soaking half of his shirt — it looked as though he had gone down to the river to take a cold-water bath.

When Lin Yingying saw him, she quickly hid the small bamboo basket to one side, then used the small cloth bundle inside it to hold the pancake as she went to meet him. “Oh, Brother Qingshan, what a coincidence! I was just about to come find you.”

In the dim light of the evening, Huo Qingshan’s features didn’t seem quite so cold and stern, and his gaze appeared almost gentle.

“Here.” He handed her the enamel basin, which still held her clothes, now freshly washed.

Lin Yingying first held out the pancake in her hands to him. “Brother Qingshan, try the pancake I made. It’s so fragrant!”

Huo Qingshan: “???”

Lin Yingying rose on her toes, making an effort to lift it to his mouth so he could take a bite.

Huo Qingshan took a bite, and the moment the flavor hit his tongue, he immediately understood what was going on.

That old lady!

Lin Yingying’s eyes curved in a smile as she looked at him, showing off as if presenting a treasure. “Is it good?”

Huo Qingshan swallowed and gave a nod.

But Lin Yingying insisted, “Is it good?”

Huo Qingshan said, “It’s good!”

Lin Yingying beamed with delight and said proudly, “My cooking skills aren’t bad, right? I’ll make it for you again in the future~~”

In the warm orange glow of the lamp, her already delicate and striking face looked even more breathtaking with her smile. Her eyes shimmered like rippling water, so beautiful it almost felt unreal.

Anyone would wonder: why would such beauty fall upon me?

Something seemed to give way in Huo Qingshan’s heart. He curved his lips slightly, deciding not to let her feel so pleased with herself. “Mm, tastes like it’s got thirty or forty years of cooking experience behind it.”

Lin Yingying let out a playful cry and stamped her foot. “You’ve got a dog’s nose!”

Huo Qingshan’s voice was calm, yet carried a trace of amusement. “I’ve been eating it since I was little — I can tell with just a sniff.”

Lin Yingying immediately insisted he finish the pancake, pouting playfully. “You’re not allowed to go back and tell her, or Auntie won’t give me any more in the future.”

Huo Qingshan nodded. “Have you had enough to eat?”

Lin Yingying said, “Of course. Otherwise, would I be willing to save some for you? I’m so selfish. Hmph~”

Huo Qingshan silently ate the pancakes. He ate quickly, finishing the two in just a few bites. Then he said, “It’s late, let’s head back.”

With people coming and going as the wheat was transported back and workers returned for dinner, it would not be good for her reputation if others saw them together.

Lin Yingying shoved the small bamboo basket into his hands, waved goodbye with the basin in her arms, then walked a couple of steps before turning back. “Come pick me up tomorrow morning to go to the commune.”

Huo Qingshan said, “Alright.”

He stood there, waiting to watch her walk through the gates of the Educated Youth Point before leaving.

Suddenly, he saw her set down the basin, then turn and dart toward him like a bird returning to the forest.

Lin Yingying threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. Her cheek pressed firmly against his damp chest as she listened to his steady, powerful heartbeat thudding wildly, almost in disarray.

She laughed sweetly. “Huo Qingshan, I really like you, ya~~”

In that moment, Huo Qingshan knew with absolute clarity that a part of his heart had been completely and uncontrollably taken over.