Chapter 13: Harvest Mission

The Hongyun Commune lay at the foot of Stone Mountain. The mountain wasn’t very big, but it used to be notorious for bandits.

However, during the war, the mountain region suffered heavy losses—there were barely any able-bodied men left. With this year’s harvest being especially urgent, higher-ups feared that Hongyun Commune wouldn’t have enough labor, so they dispatched the 32nd Regiment to assist.

Lin Yiqiao and Liu Hongying rode in a transport truck to the foot of the mountain. The army had taken good care of the two female soldiers—unlike them, the male soldiers had marched on foot.

Lin Yiqiao lightly jumped down from the truck. The sun blazed overhead, pouring down unfiltered heat, and waves of hot air rolled over the endless wheat fields.

She scanned the area and saw Qi Jun stepping out of the lead jeep with his long legs. A man in a faded white shirt, likely a local cadre, jogged up to shake hands with him.

Before Lin Yiqiao could take a better look, someone from Hongyun Commune handed them a small booklet and began assigning tasks.

Lin Yiqiao was assigned as a recorder to Dahuai Tree Village. She figured it would be an easy job—just basic arithmetic to help track labor points.

But Lin Yiqiao seriously overestimated her stamina. After running around all morning, she was exhausted. And recording labor points wasn’t so simple after all.

Women were allotted fewer points by regulation, but many of the women and children in Dahuai Tree Village worked just as hard as the men. Lin Yiqiao personally felt they deserved more points and wanted to give them extra, but knew the village accountant would later audit her records—it would be tricky.

As lunchtime approached, Lin Yiqiao ignored her growling stomach and rushed to record labor points for the last household, Ma Chunhua’s.

Ma Chunhua had a baby a few months old strapped to her back. Her eldest daughter, only five, was bent over cutting wheat beside her. Both were tanned and sweaty under the relentless sun.

Watching the baby jostle on Ma Chunhua’s back as she moved, its little face flushed and streaked with dried tears, Lin Yiqiao felt a pang of sorrow.

“Big Sister Ma, let me hold the baby for you,” Lin Yiqiao offered. “She looks so uncomfortable like that.”

“No need, comrade. She’ll fall asleep after crying a bit. It’s fine,” Ma Chunhua replied, tying up a large bundle of wheat and moving on without pause.

Lin Yiqiao was still thinking how she might sneak a few extra points onto Ma Chunhua’s tally when she suddenly heard a thud—then the baby’s piercing wail.

She rushed over to check, as did several nearby women. One pressed Ma Chunhua’s philtrum and said, “She’s okay—just fainted from exhaustion. Quick, bring cold water!”

Lin Yiqiao picked up the baby from beneath Ma Chunhua. The child was clearly frightened and cried nonstop.

Ma Chunhua’s daughter came over with a ladle of water and splashed her mother awake. Lin Yiqiao finally exhaled in relief.

Several women helped Ma Chunhua to a shady spot. Lin Yiqiao continued to comfort the baby in her arms.

Her braided ponytail had loosened a little, her fair face was flushed pink, and sweat beaded at her temples.

“What happened?” a deep voice asked.

Lin Yiqiao looked up, right into Qi Jun’s dark eyes. She answered, “Commander, Ma Chunhua fainted. The baby won’t stop crying.”

Qi Jun glanced at the awkward way she held the child and frowned slightly. “Try holding the baby upright against your shoulder.”

“Oh, okay. Let me try.”

Lin Yiqiao carefully shifted the baby to her shoulder and gently rocked her. Even with her clothes getting soaked in tears, she remained calm and tender.

Qi Jun paused, then casually picked up the labor record booklet she’d set aside.

Lin Yiqiao grew tense—she’d carefully adjusted many entries to give certain villagers more points. She stared nervously at his large, angular hands.

After flipping through a few pages, Qi Jun closed the book and looked up, meeting her anxious gaze. His frown eased. “I’ll give this back to you in the afternoon.”

Lin Yiqiao had no way to refuse, so she simply forced a smile. “Okay.”

Just then, the local cadre came jogging over. “Commander Qi, the canteen’s ready. Shall we eat?”

“Mm.” Qi Jun gave Lin Yiqiao a quick glance, tucked the booklet away, and strode off.

Lin Yiqiao rubbed her now-numb stomach. Ma Chunhua hurried over to take the baby from her arms.

“Thank you, comrade. Go eat—you’ve done enough.”

Lin Yiqiao waved off her thanks, then turned and ran toward the canteen.