The town was livelier than they had imagined. After asking for directions, the group arrived at the post office, where each filled out a form to send a message home.  

Each character cost four cents.  

Rong Xiaoxiao was frugal, spending just eight cents to send the word “safe.”  

The rest could wait for a proper letter.  

As she handed over her form and paid, she happened to catch sight of Jiao Gang writing furiously.  

At four cents per character, he had already scribbled at least forty or fifty words—and showed no sign of stopping. Now that was extravagance!  

Jiao Gang was still grumbling and wailing, begging his parents to bring him home.  

He really didn’t want to dig dirt here. If this kept up, he might never make it back in his lifetime.  

His eyes nearly welled up as he wrote.  

He couldn’t even handle the idea of labor, let alone the real thing. Once work actually started, he’d probably cry himself to death.  

Rong Xiaoxiao found it amusing. For such a tall, sturdy guy, he sure was a delicate crybaby. She almost wondered if his family had sent him here for a “metamorphosis” precisely because they couldn’t stand his dramatics.  

After watching the spectacle for a while, she decided to explore the area on her own. Agreeing on a meeting time, she stepped out of the post office.  

After wandering a few streets, she understood why the town was so bustling. Within just a few blocks, she spotted two or three small-to-medium-sized factories.  

Factories didn’t interest her much, so after getting a general sense of the place, she headed to the supply and marketing cooperative.  

Luck was on her side—a fresh batch of fuling cakes had just arrived, their rich aroma filling the air the moment she walked in.  

“Half a pound for me!”  

“They’re still warm! Save some for me—I’ll run home to get my coupons!”  

“No way! First come, first served—no holds!” The sales clerk raised her voice above the crowd. “Eight mao per pound, minimum half a pound. Have your money and coupons ready—once they’re gone, they’re gone!” 

“I’ll take a pound!”

“Stop shoving! Give me eight pounds!”  

“Ugh, why didn’t I bring my coupons?” Someone slapped their thigh in frustration, then pleaded, “Comrade, if this batch sells out, when’s the next one coming?”

“No idea. If you’re not buying, move aside—let the next comrade in!” The clerk waved them off. “No crowding without money and coupons!”  

Those who missed out were dismayed, while those who succeeded grinned from ear to ear.  

“These rice-based fuling cakes are so fragrant—my little grandson will love them!”  

“Who wouldn’t?” An old woman carefully wrapped her purchase and tucked it into the bottom of her basket. “Perfect timing—my son’s wedding is coming up. A pound of these will make a fine gift.”

Rong Xiaoxiao watched the scene unfold and, without a second thought, squeezed into the crowd to buy two pounds.  

Luckily, her parents had prepared national ration coupons for her—how could she pass up this opportunity to stock up?  

Once she got her hands on the cakes, she immediately popped one into her mouth.  

Delicious!

A rich, fragrant rice flavor burst on her tongue.  

The texture was soft and fluffy—utterly addictive.  

After satisfying her cravings, Rong Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but think, People in this town really don’t mind spending money.

At eight mao per pound, the price was nearly the same as pork.  

Yet so many were scrambling to buy it—she’d had to fight her way through the crowd just to get some.  

Taking another bite of the fragrant fuling cake, she suddenly understood why they were in such high demand.  

When wasn’t good food a luxury these days?

Made from rice, osmanthus honey, fuling (poria cocos), and other ingredients, these cakes were both delicious and rare.  

And since they weren’t always available—essentially “priced but not in stock”—who wouldn’t jump at the chance to buy some when they had the opportunity?  

Sure, they were a little expensive, but with real ingredients and limited supply, most people were still willing to splurge.  

Rong Xiaoxiao mulled it over.  

Processed goods like this were far more profitable than selling raw ingredients.  

But doing business came with risks.  

She had no desire to get sent to a labor camp for “reform.”  

For now, it was better to play it safe—she could think about other plans once she had a better grasp of the local situation.  

After buying two pounds of fuling cakes, she spent another two yuan on two large bags of candy.  

One bag of lard candies and one of fruit hard candies.  

The lard candies were pricier, while the fruit hard candies were dirt cheap—two yuan bought her nearly a hundred pieces.  

Rong Xiaoxiao wasn’t particularly fond of these sweets.  

But someone would be.  

Carrying her purchases, she wandered around a bit more before heading to the meeting spot when the time came.  

When she saw the other three lugging around large and small bundles, she realized just how restrained she’d been in comparison.  

“This still isn’t enough. Aside from some clothes, there’s a lot more we need to buy,” Gao Liao said, tiny beads of sweat forming on his forehead from exhaustion. “Right now, it’s manageable, but winters in the Northeast are brutal. If we can’t even buy cotton, how are we supposed to survive without thick padded jackets?”

“Just buy ready-made clothes,” Jiao Gang said, unconcerned.

Gao Liao let out a bitter laugh.  

Chen Shuming looked pained at the thought. “That’s way too expensive. We didn’t bring much money with us—we can’t afford to spend like that.” 

“You could ask around in the brigade,” Rong Xiaoxiao suggested. “The locals must have households that’ve stockpiled cotton. You could trade with them. If that doesn’t work, go to the brigade leader—he definitely won’t let you freeze to death.” 

She firmly believed in one rule: If you’re truly stuck, just go to the brigade leader for help.  

The locals had far more connections than outsiders like them.  

Chen Shuming’s eyes lit up. “Right! We can ask around in the brigade.”  

Gao Liao nodded in agreement. “And if all else fails, we can still go to the brigade leader. It’s not like we’re being unreasonable—we’d only ask if we had no other choice.”  

Jiao Gang, who had been squatting and munching on a meat bun, suddenly perked up. “Hey, do you think if I… gave the brigade leader a little ‘gift,’ he’d assign me easier work?”  

Rong Xiaoxiao’s eyes gleamed mischievously as she egged him on. “I think you should try it.” 

This was the perfect chance to test the brigade leader’s temperament.  

Jiao Gang forgot all about his meat bun, growing more excited the more he thought about it. “Come on, let’s head back to the brigade.”  

Gao Liao saw right through him. “I don’t think there’s a need to rush. Let’s see what kind of work the brigade assigns us tomorrow first. Who knows—it might not be as bad as we think.” 

Of course, he didn’t fully believe that either.  

Just looking at the older educated youth in their living quarters was enough to guess that the work wouldn’t be pleasant.  

Jiao Gang paused, then nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. If the work’s easy, then no need to bother with all that, huh?”  

……  

No matter how uneasy they felt, the dreaded day arrived.  

Brigade Leader Luo didn’t give them any special treatment. After a few brief questions, he handed them over to a team leader, who took them to a nearby field to pull weeds.  

The team leader pointed to a patch of land. “See this? Clear out all the weeds here. Five work points for the day. No slacking off, or I’ll dock your points.”

The field was filled with elderly women squatting as they worked.  

Jiao Gang instantly relaxed. “So… we’ll be working here from now on?”  

The team leader burst out laughing. “Dream on. I can tell you’ve never done farmwork before. You’ve got one week to adjust. After that, you’ll be sent to other areas. You can’t just stick with the grannies earning four or five points forever, can you?”  

As the instructions were being given, a group of old women in the field were also sizing up the new educated youth.  

“Oho, look at that girl—what a beauty!” Wang Guizhi pointed at one of them. “Even prettier than the town girls, don’t you think? And that outfit she’s wearing—so stylish!”

Qian Chunfeng chimed in, “You should’ve seen her the other day—wearing that bright pink dacron outfit. Looked absolutely stunning!”  

Zhu Pozi nearby curled her lip. “What’s the use of looking good? Dressing up so fancy for farmwork—what a spendthrift! Doesn’t she worry about ruining her clothes?”  

Qian Chunfeng frowned at her words. “How is she a spendthrift? City folks like her aren’t short on nice clothes.”  

“Typical city girl, that one. Look at that glare of hers—like someone owes her money,” someone else muttered. “Definitely a troublemaker. Just you wait—she’s got no intention of working hard. Mark my words, she’ll be nothing but drama.”  

Honestly, even without ill intent, most listening couldn’t help but agree.  

After all, this wasn’t the brigade’s first time hosting educated youths.  

There’d been plenty of drama before—only after resigning themselves to their fate did they finally settle into proper work.  

Even now, though, they still stirred up trouble now and then.  

That exceptionally pretty female educated youth? No way she’d last. With her fair, delicate skin and those pristine clothes, expecting her to endure dirty, backbreaking labor was laughable.  

Just then, Qian Chunfeng pointed to another figure. “Now that little one seems promising. Looks strong as an ox.”

She still remembered—watching her effortlessly haul two enormous bags like they were nothing.  

Among the six new educated youth, their eyes had first been drawn to the most striking beauty. But now they noticed this strong girl was quite pretty too, with a cheerful, easygoing air about her.  

“Brigade Leader’s lucked out this time,” Qian Chunfeng mused. “Two female educated youth, and at least one looks like she can pull her weight.” 

For once, Zhu Pozi didn’t argue.  

Clearly, she remembered too.  

A thought struck her. She scrambled up and hurried forward. “Team Leader! Assign this educated youth to my group! I’ll make sure she learns the ropes properly!”

Strength was good.  

And a soft-spoken young girl like that? Perfect for shunting extra work onto while she took it easy.