The Sent-Down Youth Station

“Fu Qiusheng, Lian Ailian, the new sent-down youth have arrived. You two arrange things for them.”

At the entrance of the youth station, Bai Qingshan shouted loudly inside.

“Captain, they’re here.”

“Alright, Captain.”

As soon as Bai Captain’s voice fell, a man and a woman walked out of the youth station.

Once Uncle Xi arrived at the youth station entrance, he had already arranged for Su Huazhu and the other five to take their luggage off the ox-cart, then drove the cart away.

“These are the six new sent-down youths assigned to our production team. In a while, I’ll have someone deliver the fifty kilograms of grain that the team lent them.”

Bai Qingshan introduced the new arrivals to the two leaders of the youth station, then turned to introduce Su Huazhu and the others.

“This is the male leader of the youth station, Fu Qiusheng, and the female leader, Lian Ailian. You can take a rest tomorrow. If you need to buy anything, make sure you buy it all tomorrow, and then you’ll officially start working the day after tomorrow. As for the rest, the old sent-down youths in the production team will explain things to you.”

“Huazhu, since you don’t want to go to my house, come find me if you need anything.”

After finishing his instructions, Bai Qingshan reminded Su Huazhu before leaving. The girl was determined not to go to his house, and no one insisted.

There was no rush; she’d be in the production team for a long time, and there would be plenty of opportunities to get closer in the future.

“Uncle Qingshan, I understand.”

Su Huazhu bowed gratefully to the Captain, responding obediently, watching Bai Qingshan leave.

Fu Qiusheng and Lian Ailian understood immediately.

This new female sent-down youth had a connection with the Captain’s family, and the way it was so openly acknowledged made it clear she wasn’t trying to hide it.

“Comrades, come in quickly. We were just about to make dinner. Since you just arrived, you can have dinner with us tonight, and after eating, you can decide how you want to arrange your meals in the future.”

“Just now, the Captain introduced me. I’m Lian Ailian, and this is Fu Qiusheng. I’ve been here for six years, and Fu Qiusheng has also been here for six years.

The youth station has six rooms, three for men and three for women. Each room can sleep six people, and now there’s only one bed left in the women’s rooms. You three female comrades can pick which room you want to stay in.”

“The men’s side also has three beds left, and the three male comrades can pick from those.”

Fu Qiusheng and Lian Ailian felt that the number of new sent-down youths this time just filled up the station.

If any more came, it would be too much.

They also hoped that the new arrivals would be easy to get along with, because if there were constant arguments over trivial matters, it could really affect the mood of everyone at the youth station.

“Lian Jie, I’m Su Huazhu, and this is my cousin, Song Luoshu. We’ve just arrived at a new place and would like to share a room to look out for each other. Could we possibly ask the old sent-down youths to help us change a bed?”

Su Huazhu spoke politely, asking in a considerate tone while glancing at her cousin, Song Luoshu.

Song Luoshu nodded vigorously, appearing a bit shy and staying close to Su Huazhu.

Lian Ailian noticed Song Luoshu at this point.

The girl couldn’t be older than thirteen, which was under the age for going down to the countryside.

She must have come because her family couldn’t make it, likely forced by circumstances.

“Alright, once the old sent-down youths are off work, I’ll ask them and try to arrange something for you.”

Lian Ailian didn’t think it would be a problem to find a bed for the two cousins.

After all, the relationships between the women at the station were varied, with some very close and others just average.

It didn’t matter who lived with whom.

“This young lady here? You can pick any room and settle in.”

Lian Ailian looked at the last female sent-down youth, noting that it would be easiest to just let her pick a room.

“I’m Shang Xiaoyun, and I’ll be counting on you and Fu Dage in the future.”

Shang Xiaoyun nodded with understanding, saying she had no objections and just hoped everyone would get along.

On the other side, Fu Qiusheng said the same thing to Song Luoyun, Li Jin, and Liu Wei. The three male sent-down youths went to pick their rooms.

“Fu Qiusheng, Lian Ailian, Captain Bai asked me to deliver the grain that was lent to the new sent-down youths. Each person gets 15 jin of coarse grain and 5 jin of fine grain.”

A rough voice came from the entrance of the youth station. It was the grain that Captain Bai had mentioned earlier.

“Bai Bo, you work fast!”

“Su Zhiying, Song Zhiying, Shang Zhiying, Li Zhiying, Liu Zhiying, come out and help carry the grain the production team lent to you.”

When Fu Qiusheng heard the voice outside, he immediately went out to meet Bai Bo, shouting for Su Huazhu and the others to come out and help.

“These grains are ready in the afternoon. By the way, I also brought the loan book. Please sign it, new sent-down youths.”

Bai Bo pulled out a rolled-up notebook and pen from his pants pocket, flipping open the book as he spoke.

Su Huazhu and the others naturally had no objections, each signing their name in the corresponding section of the grain loan book.

“Which one is Su Huazhu? My dad said he prepared a grass mat, water bucket, and wooden box for you. I’ll bring them over later.”

Bai Bo looked at the three new girls and focused on Su Huazhu’s face, recognizing her as the great-granddaughter of Old Master Qiao, who had been mentioned by his grandfather.

“I’m Su Huazhu. I didn’t know which uncle’s family you’re from?”

Before coming, Su Huazhu thought she only had a few relatives in the Dashan village, but now she was surprised to find there were so many.

“Huazhu Mei, I’m Bai Bo, you can call me Fifth Brother. My dad is Bai Shushan, and you can call him Uncle Shushan.”

“By the way, my dad works as a carpenter in the production team. The water buckets and wooden boxes are from our family, no charge. You can use them with ease.”

Bai Bo said with a cheerful smile.

This city girl was very polite, and he had a good first impression.

“Fifth Brother, that’s not right. These items cost effort and labor, we should still give something in return.”

Su Huazhu didn’t want to take something for nothing.

Her upbringing and education didn’t allow her to take advantage of others, and these things weren’t expensive anyway.

Plus, she didn’t lack money.

“You don’t have to be polite. I heard from Uncle Qingshan that you didn’t want to trouble us. Now I know you really don’t want to.

Our family may not be rich, but we can afford to give you a few wooden items. My dad said your great-grandfather was also from our village and even saved my grandfather’s life back then.

These wooden items are just a bit of hard work, and if you refuse, it’s like not treating this place as your home.”

Bai Bo didn’t care about Su Huazhu’s refusal.

He had spoken his piece, and if she rejected them again, it would be as if she didn’t see them as family.

Su Huazhu: “…”