Chapter 20: Everything Is Ready

At this point, Ye Fan could not refuse: “I don’t know if he—” glancing at Su Yuanhang, “—has told this comrade why I’m helping you.”

The staff member nodded. “Of course. The military and civilians are like family. I also came here today on another matter, representing the city and Comrade Su—now to be addressed as Director Su—and Director Su will discuss this matter with Captain Geng.”

Ye Fan couldn’t help but ask, “A verbal agreement?”

This was far too unprofessional.

The staff member chuckled. “How could it be? Even in ancient times, people knew to clap hands to seal a pact.”

Ye Fan replied, “Then sign a five-year agreement with him. It’s impossible for them to keep him here for longer than that.”

When the commune director reported this to the higher-ups, although they didn’t explicitly say “Ye Fan suggested” and instead framed it as “my son suggested,” every key point Ye Fan mentioned was included, particularly her insistence on being responsible for only five years.

During the Revolutionary Committee’s discussion of the matter, they calculated that Su Yuanhang traveled to the capital an average of twice a year. Five years would be enough for him to secure a foothold in the capital market. By then, Ye Fan’s involvement would no longer be crucial.

The staff member asked, “Captain Geng hasn’t left, right?”

Ye Fan replied, “He didn’t say he wasn’t coming back tonight.”

The weather was scorching, and there was no guesthouse on the island. The staff member didn’t want to stay at the secretary’s house and grew annoyed seeing his hesitant yet stubborn demeanor. Hearing this, she stood up and took her leave.

Su Yuanhang, worried she might not know the way, rode his bike to accompany her.

As soon as they left, Dabao opened the door, staring wide-eyed at his mother.

Ye Fan waved him over.

Dabao didn’t budge. “You’re going back on your word!”

Ye Fan replied, “You asked Mom if she wanted to do business, and I said no. That’s still the case.”

“But, but—”

Ye Fan shook her head. “Going to work isn’t the same as doing business. Su Yuanhang even said I don’t need to go to the market every day. Even if I didn’t work, I’d still have to shop for groceries. Besides, the market is so close to home. Working there is just like being at home, isn’t it?”

“But you… you’re an accountant! I heard it. Accountants are really busy—I know.”

Ye Fan walked over and picked up her son. “Where’s Erbao?”

“You’re changing the subject again!”

Ye Fan carried him into the house. “Is Erbao asleep? Is it too hot? Dabao, get down first. Mommy’s going to carry your sister to the living room to sleep.” With one arm holding her daughter and the other hand pulling her son’s little hand, she asked, “You’ve seen the supply and marketing cooperative here, haven’t you?”

Dabao had seen it when Ye Fan went there to buy soda. “What are you trying to say now?”

Ye Fan placed her daughter on a chair and covered her stomach with a cloth. “The supply and marketing cooperative here is small, isn’t it? That’s because there aren’t many people. Fewer people means fewer goods. Even if Mommy wanted to be busy, she couldn’t.”

“When I was little, you said the same thing.”

Ye Fan couldn’t help but laugh. “May I ask how old you are now?”

“I—I was as little as Erbao.”

Ye Fan thought to herself, You weren’t even old enough to remember things back then. “If Mommy lies to you, you can ask Miaomiao to help you write a letter and tell Grandma and Nana, okay?”

Dabao’s puffed-up little face deflated, and he climbed onto her lap. “You said it!”

“If I lie, I’m a little puppy!” Ye Fan pinched his little cheeks. “And I’d have to bark, too!”

Dabao immediately made up with his mom.

Ye Fan asked, “Are you sleepy?”

Before Su Yuanhang arrived, Dabao had already taken off his shoes, ready to climb onto a chair for his afternoon nap.

“I’m sleepy. Mommy, if I fall asleep, will you leave?”

Ye Fan replied, “The chair is so narrow. What if you both roll off while sleeping and get hurt? Mommy will stay here and watch over you two. In the meantime, I’ll write a letter to the director of the supply and marketing cooperative in the capital to let him know this deal is finalized and tell him what’s available here.”

“Why?”

Ye Fan explained, “Seaweed is good for your health, but there’s no seaweed in the capital. Here, we have so much that we can’t even finish it. Su Yuanhang’s factory is going to transport goods from here to the capital to sell in the supply and marketing cooperative where Mommy used to work. Don’t worry and sleep well. Mommy really doesn’t need to go to work every day.”

In reality, the capital did have seaweed. But the seafood from the Bohai and Yellow Seas, after passing through multiple hands, was more expensive when sold in supply and marketing cooperatives compared to the cheaper, direct shipments from the East China Sea. Bohai seafood required railway freight for dried goods, which lowered transportation costs. However, a full freight car carried too much and wasn’t easy to sell. Hengshan, on the other hand, had surplus dried bamboo shoots and oranges at low prices, which were scarce in the capital. Combining these with seafood for a freight car shipment ensured they sold out in a few days.

It was a stroke of luck, really. In a different province, Ye Fan wouldn’t dare commit to five years. Northern specialties weren’t rare in the capital, and southern routes were too far and uneconomical, lacking direct freight services.

As dusk fell, Geng Zhiyé returned.

Ye Fan was busy preparing dinner, while Dabao and Erbao were squatting in the yard, counting ants.

Geng Zhiyé glanced into the kitchen. Ye Fan was boiling noodles on the stove and didn’t need his help, so he went out to get the two kids up and washed their hands.

Dabao took the chance to ask his dad if he knew that his mom was going to work.

Geng Zhiyé nodded. “Su Yuanhang told me. You don’t want Mommy to go to work?”

“Mommy is so busy.” Dabao didn’t want her to be so busy that she wasn’t home.

Geng Zhiyé reassured him, “There’s not much to do on the island. Your mom won’t be too busy.”

Dabao’s eyes lit up. His dad was saying the same thing as his mom, so it seemed she hadn’t lied to him this time.

Meanwhile, things were far less harmonious at the Su family’s home, about seven or eight miles away.

Although Su Yuanhang was two years older than Ye Fan, he hadn’t started school as early as she had. Furthermore, because there was no high school on the island, his father, worried that his youthful impulsiveness might lead him astray, made him repeat a grade in elementary school. By sheer coincidence, this put him in the same academic year as Ye Fan. Then, the year they were supposed to take the college entrance exam, the exams were canceled.

It was an unforeseen twist of fate, and Su Yuanhang couldn’t blame his father.

Now, with a chance to make something of himself again, Su Yuanhang’s father was worried about everything under the sun. Unable to hold back, Su Yuanhang argued with him. When his father’s stubborn temper flared, the two nearly came to blows.

Hearing the commotion, the neighbors came over to separate the father and son. They asked Su Yuanhang why he couldn’t discuss things calmly—how could he argue with his father like that?

Su Yuanhang explained the situation with the food processing plant to the neighbors.

When they heard about it, the neighbors saw it as fantastic news. They criticized the old secretary, saying he shouldn’t have scolded his son. Not only did Su Yuanhang have a job, but it was also a formal position—something to celebrate.

The commune secretary, however, asked the neighbors what would happen if the goods didn’t sell and had to be brought back.

Before Su Yuanhang could respond, one of the neighbors said, “No business comes with guaranteed profits. At least trying it will let you know if it’s feasible. Besides, if the Revolutionary Committee isn’t afraid to pay wages to Su Yuanhang and Ye Fan, why should we be worried?”

“Worst case, if it doesn’t work out, there’s no real loss. The bamboo shoots dug from the mountains, the oranges picked from the trees, and the seafood collected from the shore didn’t cost a thing. It’s no different than if a typhoon had swept them away.”

The commune secretary was left speechless and, feeling disappointed, said, “Fine, do whatever you want. I’m not getting involved.”

The neighbors then pulled Su Yuanhang aside to ask when he was heading to the capital.

Faced with the neighbors’ enthusiastic expectations, Su Yuanhang didn’t dare to exaggerate. In a small community where everyone saw each other daily, lying now would leave him too embarrassed to face anyone later. He explained that the necessary paperwork hadn’t been finalized yet. The food processing plant didn’t even have a sign, and the offices still needed cleaning. At the moment, the plant only had him and Ye Fan. Plus, Ye Fan had children to take care of—

The neighbors interrupted Su Yuanhang, telling him to come find them early the next morning so they could all figure out what was needed together.

The next day, before Su Yuanhang had even eaten breakfast, the neighbors were already waiting at his door.

The team leader of the brigade where the Su family lived even brought out a hand tractor to transport Su Yuanhang and the neighbors to the farmers’ market.

The full name of the market was the Agricultural and Sideline Products Market. It had three vacant rooms. The brigade leader suggested using wooden boards to partition one room as an office and the other two as storage. Since the Jiangnan region often had rainy weather, they decided the roof and walls would need repairs, and the floor should be covered with gravel and wooden planks to prevent water from pooling and causing dampness. These materials were items most households already had, and the neighbors enthusiastically planned everything out for Su Yuanhang.

The neighbors’ eagerness wasn’t just because they didn’t have money. It was also due to Su Yuanhang mentioning the previous night that he would recruit workers from the various brigades if they were short-staffed. Half of the profits would be handed over, while the other half would be split equally among everyone.

In two days, the three rooms were completely transformed. A plaque had been hung outside the office door, written by a teacher who had been sent to the island. Two desks and chairs for the office were donated by two prominent boat owners.

The dozen or so men who participated in the renovation carefully inspected everything, making sure all was ready, and then asked Su Yuanhang to invite Ye Fan.

Although Ye Fan’s house wasn’t far from the market, the round trip would still take over ten minutes. The brigade leader offered to drive over to pick her up and bring her and her two children back.

When Dabao saw the office desks, he glared at his mom. So this is what you meant by “different”?!

Su Yuanhang looked puzzled. “What’s wrong with Dabao?”

Dabao was furious. “I don’t want to talk to you!”

The little boy, not even waist-high to most of the adults, saying such words only made everyone laugh. They couldn’t hold back their chuckles. Dabao’s small face flushed red with anger.

Ye Fan quickly set down Erbao and crouched down to comfort him. “Dabao is worried I’ll be too busy to take care of him and Erbao. Dabao, Mommy promises you, no matter how busy I get, when your winter break comes, we’ll go to Grandma’s house. Okay?”

Dabao asked, “This year?”

Ye Fan nodded. “Yes, this year. Is that good enough? You can even personally tell Grandma if Mommy breaks her promise.”

Dabao loudly clarified, “I’m not a tattletale!”

In front of everyone, the child wanted to save face. Ye Fan nodded. “I know. Dabao is the most reasonable boy.”

Dabao nodded back, feeling satisfied that his mom understood him.

Ye Fan stood up. “Play with your sister at the door for a bit while Mommy talks with the uncles.”

Su Yuanhang’s distant cousin said, “I’ll watch the two of them outside.”

Su Yuanhang introduced him to Ye Fan. “He’s the son of one of my uncles. His name is Su Yuncheng. He’s twenty-one and not married yet. If needed, he can help out here and watch over the warehouse.”

Pointing to the two rooms next to the office, he continued, “These are the warehouses I mentioned to you. Is the space enough?”

Ye Fan nodded. “If fully loaded, it’s enough for a whole train car. I can stay in the office to keep watch. You handle things outside. Su Yuncheng can ride along with the shipment, but one person is too few. Even though it departs today and arrives tomorrow, trains aren’t very safe.”

The brigade leader who had driven Ye Fan there asked, “Who do you think would be suitable from our side?”

Ye Fan replied, “If we only use our own people, it’ll be hard to win everyone over.”

Outside the door, Su Yuncheng stumbled backward and hit the wall. The pain snapped him back to reality. After hesitating for a moment, he walked to the doorway and said, “Then… forget it. Anyone can watch the warehouse.”

Ye Fan was surprised. Not bad—he was a good young man. She smiled and said, “I wasn’t finished speaking. My first choice for this role was Secretary Su. If your brother hadn’t stepped in, this plan wouldn’t have succeeded. Just for that, he deserves a spot.” She turned to the brigade leader and others, “You all didn’t know, did you?”

Su Yuanhang’s neighbor laughed. “How could we not know? The old secretary said the two of you are too young to pull this off. The father and son nearly came to blows over it. If I hadn’t sensed something was wrong and rushed over in time, the old man might still be lying in the hospital.”

Looking at Su Yuanhang, he added, “You didn’t dare tell Ye Fan, did you?”

Ye Fan raised her eyebrows. “This happened? And what’s the situation now?”

The brigade leader shook his head. “The old secretary is stubborn. He still doesn’t think this will work. A few days ago, he came to take a look. The sign hadn’t been hung yet, and the desks and chairs were still outside. He said we were just a shabby, makeshift operation.”

Embarrassed by his father’s lack of support, Su Yuanhang’s face turned a deep shade of red, the same as eight years ago when he first heard that the college entrance exams were being suspended.

Ye Fan was upset by the old secretary’s actions. “I had originally planned to take it slow, but it looks like we have to move faster. Your father is always pessimistic, and before we even began, everyone’s enthusiasm started to fade. I’ll write a letter to the capital when I get back, and we’ll ship a batch of goods before the fifteenth of August.” She saw the brigade leader about to say something and quickly added, “Don’t rush. To ship the goods, we need transport vehicles, and we have to find a transport company or a fleet. Since we’re close to the dock, we’ll use the island’s vehicles. For loading and unloading, we’ll use the island’s people. Wages haven’t increased much in recent years. We’ll pay the same daily rate for loading and unloading as before, calling them temporary workers. The ship won’t pay us upfront, but I’ll keep a record. Once the money comes in, it’ll go to the brigade. The large ships are all public property, right?”

The brigade leader nodded. “Our brigade owns the large ships. Whoever wants to use them can pay a rental fee.”

Ye Fan continued, “We’ll need about five or six loaders, and we’ll also need people to sort and organize the goods. We’ll need one or two to buy boxes and paper from the paper factory. But since we’re just starting, Su Yuanhang, you’ll be in charge of the boxes. Also, check with the supply and marketing cooperative in the city to see if they want any capital city specialties. Whatever they need, have the director sign a contract with you. Payment in full upon delivery. No credit! Otherwise, we’ll just be working for them.”

Su Yuanhang nodded. “Anything else?”

Ye Fan turned to the brigade leader. “Besides Su Yuncheng, we need to hire ten more temporary workers—one from each village. For packaging and sorting, we can hire women. You should know how to select the right candidates.”

Su Yuanhang, who is from Lianhua Brigade, had the large ship owner present today. When Ye Fan heard that the commune secretary was making things difficult for her son, her anger flared up immediately. This attitude, which resonated with the large ship owner who had refrained from speaking out for eight years, led him to say, “Start with the poor.”

Ye Fan: “Is that all?”

The large ship owner was caught off guard by the question.

Ye Fan: “There are many kinds of poverty. Some are poor because they are lazy, some because they got into trouble and lost their family’s wealth. Some are poor due to illness. If a family has strong labor capable of going out to sea to fish, that kind of family shouldn’t be considered. The elderly, women, and children are the most disadvantaged. The elderly and women can’t move goods, so they should stay here to watch the warehouse and sort the goods.” She reminded Su Yuanhang, “This is how we should choose people in the future. But don’t let sympathy make you hire everyone.”

The brigade leader agreed: “Once the goods are sold, every household will get money, and life will get easier. Also, there’s the brigade office. Even if the brigade office has no money, we won’t starve by relying on the sea.”

Ye Fan: “Su Yuanhang, you have no experience, so take it slow. Even express mail takes ten days for a round trip. By the way, about the person going with the truck—” She looked at the large ship owner, “It should be you and Su Yuncheng.”

The large ship owner couldn’t believe it, his eyes nearly popping out: “Me?”

Ye Fan explained to the brigade leader and the others: “Su Yuncheng is young, and he can stay awake for a whole day and night. When the train arrives at night, he can get off and check if anyone is trying to steal from the train. Although things are different now, business is still business, and we need someone experienced to go to the capital with him. If not this comrade, then someone else.”

Everyone understood, but some still said, “He can learn.”

The brigade leader responded: “Where is there to learn? Who runs business around like that anymore? Besides, we’re sending a whole trainload of goods to the capital. If something goes wrong, how can we explain it to the villagers? It’s not even enough to be scolded by the old secretary himself.”

Ye Fan nodded: “Su Yuanhang, you should go the first time too. You and the secretary can negotiate the money and goods. I’ll write down the prices of the dried seafood, dried bamboo shoots, and tangerines we sold at the supply and marketing cooperative last year. Take some time to memorize them so that when you negotiate, you’ll have some knowledge. Also, the first time, you can just take a deposit. The supply and marketing cooperative I used to work for has money, so if the director insists on paying the full price, don’t be shy. If the director tries to lower the price by saying they can’t take all the goods, you can say it’s fine, and that you’ll ask other cooperatives. I’ll write down the addresses for the East City and West City cooperatives for you. If they don’t cooperate, don’t worry, there’s still Shen City.”

Chen Xiaohui kindly reminded her that Geng Zhiyé had someone in his heart, and she had stayed in the countryside for seven years for her sake, so she should show some appreciation in return.

Ye Fan’s expression was determined and calm. Su Yuanhang seemed to have found his sense of direction. “You’re familiar with that side, I’ll follow your lead. I’ll go to the transportation team tomorrow. Yuncheng can read, he can go with us. This one is called Su Duofu, also from our family.”

The ship owner smiled: “Thank you, Accountant Ye—”

Ye Fan shook her head: “No need to thank me. You’re just here. It’s better to say you’re lucky.”

Su Duofu agreed: “Right, right, saying thank you is too much. Accountant Ye, don’t worry, when we go, Yuncheng will check the vehicle, and when we return, I’ll check it.”

Ye Fan replied, “Make sure the money is secure.”

Su Duofu nodded: “As long as I’m here, the money’s safe. If I’m not around, the money’s still safe.”

Such a miser! Ye Fan laughed and shook her head, then asked Su Yuanhang if there was any paper or pen in the office.

The office was very clean, with nothing but desks and chairs.

Seeing his apologetic look, Ye Fan casually said, “You can come to my house to get it another day. First, we need to count the goods. If we need cardboard boxes, we’ll go to the sea to get them; if we need wooden boxes, we’ll find the island’s craftsmen. Pay them what’s due. If you don’t have the money, come to me, I’ll advance it. This includes the travel and food expenses to the capital. I’ll advance 500.”

Su Yuanhang hurriedly said, “No need for that much.”

Su Duofu replied, “Ye Accountant is saying this to make sure you don’t hesitate to ask for the price later. First, go to the transport team and ask how much it costs to get from the dock to the train station. You can always come to Ye Accountant for the money before departure.”

Ye Fan nodded, “If there’s nothing else, can I leave now?”

The team leader offered to drive her. Ye Fan didn’t refuse.

Once home, Ye Fan asked Dabao, “Did Mommy lie to you?”

Dabao asked, “Is Mommy off work?”

Ye Fan nodded, “Mommy started working seven days ago.”

One week ago, Ye Fan became a full-time worker at the food factory, and her salary started being counted from then. In a few days, she would receive her pay for the month—about seven or eight yuan, enough for next month’s grocery money.

“Xiao Ye, are you home?”

Ye Fan replied, “Is it Miao Miao’s mom?”

Dabao ran to the door, looked outside, then turned around and said, “Yes.” He then shouted toward the outside, “Aunt Zhuang, my mom is home, come in.”

Zhuang Qiuyue entered, and only then did Dabao see that there was someone else behind her. “Mom, and Aunt Hua.”

Ye Fan took out two glass cups, poured water into them, and asked the two to sit down.

Liu Guihua, straightforward and quick to speak, asked, “Did you know we were coming?”

Ye Fan smiled and replied, “I just got home. You arrived before I even got comfortable in my chair. You must have been watching me. What’s the point of keeping an eye on me?”

Seeing that Ye Fan wasn’t upset, Liu Guihua felt at ease and asked, “I heard there’s a new food factory next to the market. Are you the accountant?”

Ye Fan replied, “They call it a food factory, but it’s actually a trading company.”

The word “company” sounded too grand for the two women, so they both straightened up and listened carefully.

Ye Fan continued, “A food factory would process food and have its own products, right? We’re not. We get goods from villagers and sell them to the supply and marketing cooperatives. To put it bluntly, we’re middlemen.”

Liu Guihua was shocked. “Can you still do that now?”

Ye Fan shook her head with a smile. “Of course not. That’s why it’s called a food factory. The middlemen keep the profits for themselves. The factory manager, Su Yuanhang, and I get salaries, and the profits are evenly split among the fishermen. You’re probably wondering why, since it’s something from Hengshan Commune, they made me the accountant. It’s because they don’t have connections, and they need mine to get the goods to the capital.”

Liu Guihua blurted out, “Isn’t it because of Captain Geng?”

Ye Fan asked, “Is that what people are saying outside?”

Zhuang Qiuyue was surprised and asked, “You knew?”

Ye Fan smiled and replied, “Who doesn’t have rumors behind their back? I also know that some people are jealous of me. After all, if you’re not envied, you’re mediocre!”

Liu Guihua was so shocked she almost lost her balance: “You… you’re not angry?”

Ye Fan shrugged. “Dabao was just worried that with my new job, I wouldn’t have time for him and Erbao. How would I have time to be angry? Besides, why waste time getting upset with people who are beneath me? When I get my salary, I’ll ask the colleagues who are delivering goods to the capital to help me buy some roast duck and braised chicken. Dabao, Erbao, from now on, you two can eat where there are crowds, one hand with a chicken leg and the other with a duck leg.”

Zhuang Qiuyue laughed, “You sure know how to tease people!”

Liu Guihua asked, “You need people for the deliveries, right?”

Ye Fan answered, “Don’t even think about it. There are over ten thousand people on the island who are waiting for rice to cook.”

Liu Guihua, having heard too many rumors, assumed the food factory was something Geng Zhiyé helped Ye Fan set up: “So, the fishermen won’t be fishing anymore?”

Ye Fan replied, “To be honest, the factory manager’s family only has one spot. They haven’t even given it to close relatives yet. Everyone else is from one village each. Counting me, there are thirteen people. Half of them are elderly or children, four out of ten are fishermen going out to sea, and the rest, even if they stay home, are over a thousand people.”

Zhuang Qiuyue patted Liu Guihua’s hand: “It’s not easy for people who rely on the heavens for a living. Even if things are hard, we still have our wages.”

Liu Guihua smiled apologetically: “Xiao Ye, sorry to make you laugh.”

Ye Fan: “I understand. If I had my own factory, I’d definitely prioritize our people too.”

Liu Guihua nodded: “Do you want to know how we found out?”

Ye Fan decisively shook her head: “No, I don’t want to know!”

Liu Guihua paused for a moment.

Ye Fan said: “If I knew and still wanted to get back at them, I’d have to act in front of them. Isn’t that just asking for trouble?”

The two of them were speechless.

Dabao couldn’t help but ask: “Mom, aren’t you writing the letter anymore?”

Zhuang Qiuyue instinctively asked: “What letter?”

Ye Fan: “At the food factory, I told Director Su that as soon as I got back, I’d write a letter to the capital’s supply and marketing cooperative. Before the goods are shipped, I’ll send them a telegram. They’ll pay for the truck rental to pick up the goods from the train station.”

Zhuang Qiuyue stood up: “This is important. You go ahead and do your work. We’ll come by another time—you’re off tomorrow, right?”

Ye Fan shook her head: “The salary’s low. They need me to help sell the goods, manage the accounts. Director Su is afraid I might not want to work, so he asked me to work from home.”

Zhuang Qiuyue said, “That’s a good plan,” and pulled Liu Guihua to leave.

Ye Fan rubbed her son’s little head: “Dabao, I almost forgot if you hadn’t mentioned it.”

Dabao actually didn’t want to hear their chatter: “Mom, you really mean roast duck?”

“Of course! But not right now.” Ye Fan stood up. “Erbao, don’t sit on the floor, it’s dirty.”

Dabao helped her up, supporting his sister as they climbed into the chair. The two siblings sat side by side reading a picture book.

Ye Fan took out some stationery and saw the books in the children’s hands. She decided to write a letter to her sister-in-law, asking her to pick out a few picture books and have Su Yuanhang bring them over.

The letter to the director was short, simply stating that a batch of goods could be ready by the 15th of the lunar August, and if they were needed, to reply as soon as possible.

The supply and marketing cooperative had been going through tough times recently.

After Ye Fan left, Geng Zhiqin went to the procurement station—looking to grab goods.

The procurement station had long been suffering from the “Ye” family. Upon hearing Ye Fan had left, they believed the others in the cooperative were no longer a threat. When Geng Zhiqin arrived, they sent people to cause trouble.

Geng Zhiqin was good with words, but being young and thin-skinned, she wasn’t as bold as Ye Fan. With her older brothers and father-in-law being suppressed, she didn’t have the same confidence. She hadn’t received the goods and was so angry that she ended up crying.

Geng Zhiqin didn’t tell anyone about the embarrassing situation. By the time the tears from the supply and marketing cooperative had dried, no one knew she had cried. Everyone saw her car was clean, but her face looked bad, so they guessed the young woman had been wronged. The second time, they sent someone else.

This person was capable, but both parents were ordinary workers, and she had even less confidence than Geng Zhiqin when facing off. Naturally, she returned empty-handed.

Chen Xiaohui finally figured out the cooperative’s accounts and said she would go. But she believed that in these revolutionary times, no one dared to be unreasonable.

Some people dared to settle personal scores, so what was a little bullying? Chen Xiaohui tried to reason with them and almost fainted from anger. When she got to the cooperative, she scolded them. After getting tired of scolding, she went to find Geng Zhiqin and asked how Ye Fan would handle such a situation.

Geng Zhiqin, unusually calm, said, “They said my sister-in-law was unreasonable, so she told them to go to the Revolutionary Committee. They didn’t dare to take action, so they tried to intimidate the people who were selling goods for my sister-in-law, saying she was breaking the law. My sister-in-law just said that if something went wrong, she would take responsibility. Later, they reported her to the higher-ups, claiming she was disturbing the market. When the authorities came to investigate, my sister-in-law said the people were so poor they couldn’t even afford food, so from now on, they’d come to your house to eat.”

Chen Xiaohui was shocked: “Isn’t this just bullying?”

Geng Zhiqin replied, “That’s what the higher-ups said too. If it feeds people, then call it bullying. She’s not afraid of being scolded. If they have the guts, they can arrest her. She also wants to know which law she’s violated. If there’s none, then she’ll suggest to the higher-ups that the supply and marketing cooperative should stop showing sympathy to the poor who can’t afford food. She’ll also suggest banning the cooperative from buying goods that the collection station doesn’t want. If the collection station has the ability, they can just take everything.”

When Chen Xiaohui saw the director coming out, she asked, “Can’t the collection station just sell the goods to us?”

The director responded, “The goods from the collection station need extra fuel and labor costs before they reach us. Even the cheapest ones are more expensive than buying directly from the farmers. If we buy from the collection station, we can’t process them at a special price. That’s why we can’t buy as much.”

Chen Xiaohui: “The collection station can’t…”