Chapter 8

Hu Shufen wiped her mouth with her sleeve and told her father about her younger sister Hu Shufang’s plan to pack up the food and personally deliver it door-to-door to win people’s favor and get their support.

Hu Qinghui nodded in approval. “Shufang really is quick-witted. We’ll deliver together later. If it’s just her and young Yang, they’ll never finish. But leave your mother out of this—she only makes trouble.”

Hu Shufen replied, “Alright, Dad, you should eat something too. You’ll need the strength for delivering food. I’ll finish this chicken leg and then take a meal over to Shufang. Oh, and she’s already thought of a way to deal with Wen Jiao.”

Hu Qinghui frowned. “Forget it. She’s a soldier’s wife now—we can’t afford to provoke her.”

Hu Shufen tilted her chin proudly. “That’s not necessarily true. Just wait, Dad. It’s not even certain she’ll stay a soldier’s wife.”

Hu Qinghui’s expression darkened. “What are you two planning? Don’t do anything illegal.”

“Of course not, Dad.” Hu Shufen’s voice wavered slightly. In truth, Hu Shufang had done something illegal last night—she pushed Wen Jiao into the river.

But since Wen Jiao didn’t die, Shufen convinced herself it didn’t really count as a crime.

Hu Qinghui looked at his eldest daughter suspiciously. “I’m warning you, these are dangerous times. We all have to watch our step. I just don’t understand—how did a perfectly good wedding turn into this mess? All your mother’s fault.”

“I’ve told you before—her mouth will ruin this family sooner or later. You two sisters had better talk some sense into her, tell her to keep quiet and stop causing trouble.”

Hu Shufen muttered gloomily, “Got it.”

It took more than an hour for Zhou Changhuai and the others to reach the county seat by tractor.

Wen Jiao stood on the trailer bed until her legs went weak, grateful Zhou Changhuai was there to steady her. The other young educated women secretly envied her.

Lin Hui, in particular, was burning with jealousy.

She never imagined Wen Jiao would marry an officer—didn’t that make her an officer’s wife now?

The thought soured Lin Hui’s heart even more. If only I had fallen into the river with Liu Cuihua last night instead of Wen Jiao!

She let out a heavy sigh. Some people are just born lucky. Wen Jiao has a doctor for a father and now a military officer for a husband. I guess I’ll have to accept my fate.

Sun Lei, standing beside her, called out loudly, “Lin Hui, what are you sighing for?”

Everyone turned to look at her.

Embarrassed, Lin Hui snapped at him, “Mind your own business!”

Sun Lei curled his lip and looked away, then turned to Zhou Changhuai gratefully. “Comrade Zhou, I can’t tell you how excited I am right now. Since I came to the countryside, I’ve never felt this stirred up. Thank you for standing up for us.”

He raised his voice to the others. “Comrades, when we meet the county revolutionary committee leaders, we must keep calm. Don’t embarrass Comrade Zhou. Wait for his lead, and when it’s our turn to speak, think before you talk.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“We’ll follow Comrade Zhou’s instructions—if he says speak, we speak.”

The tractor ground to a halt. The driver turned back. “We’re at the county revolutionary committee. Everybody off—this is where the vehicle stops.”

The people at the back jumped off first. Once Zhou Changhuai and Wen Jiao stepped down, the rest followed them toward the security office.

The guard on duty immediately stood at attention and saluted when he saw Zhou Changhuai.

Zhou returned the salute and stated his business. “Comrade, my name is Zhou Changhuai from the Lingtou Brigade. I’d like to meet Director Wu Jianxun. He’ll know who I am if you give him my name.”

The guard told them to wait and hurried inside to report to the director’s office.

Soon, Wu Jianxun himself came rushing out with several staff members to greet them. “Captain Zhou, you’re back? Why didn’t you call? I would’ve sent a car to pick you up! When did you arrive? And these folks are…?”

Zhou shook his hand and introduced everyone. “Director Wu, I’m home on personal business. This is my fiancée, Wen Jiao. We’re planning to marry. She’s an educated youth sent down to our Lingtou Brigade from Guangyuan City. These are her fellow educated youth—we’ve come to report some issues.”

“Excellent, let’s talk inside. We’ll go to the canteen—it’s more spacious,” Wu said, then turned to his secretary. “Get tea ready at once.”

At the mention of the canteen, everyone suddenly remembered they were hungry.

Wu noticed and asked, “You haven’t had lunch yet?”

The educated youth shook their heads.

Zhou explained, “We came in a hurry—no time to eat.”

Wu ordered his secretary, “Secretary Li, have the canteen prepare food for everyone. I haven’t eaten either, so we’ll all dine together and talk over lunch.”

Secretary Li nodded and hurried off.

As they walked, Wu Jianxun sized up Wen Jiao with an approving smile and chatted with Zhou.

“Captain Zhou, your fiancée is truly exceptional—what poise, what presence. A perfect match for you. If I remember correctly, you’re 32 now?”

“Yes, sir. You’ve got a good memory,” Zhou replied.

Wu laughed. “Of course. You’re our county’s great hero! I still recall four years ago when you came back injured to recover. I accompanied the higher-ups to Lingtou Brigade to visit you—you were 28 then.

“Now you’re 32. You’ve sacrificed so much for the country, delaying your own personal life. It’s time to start a family. Comrade Wen, you must take good care of Captain Zhou—that’s a very honorable duty.”

Wen Jiao blinked in surprise. People in this era really spoke in such formal, heartfelt tones. Caught off guard by the compliment, she smiled and nodded, playing the obedient bride-to-be.

The other educated youth straightened proudly. If Wen Jiao was entrusted with such an “honorable duty,” it brought glory to all of them.

She never expected her status to be elevated so suddenly.

In the canteen, Secretary Li and some staff were pushing tables together. The young people quickly pitched in to help.

When the tables were set, they carried the dishes out from the serving window.

Wen Jiao’s eyes lit up. This would be her very first full meal since arriving in this time period. It looked far better than she imagined—life here was clearly improving for the people.

The staples were steamed buns and sweet potato porridge, with five main dishes: braised pork, braised fish chunks, cabbage with tofu, smashed cucumber, and a cold vegetable salad—plus two types of pickles.

Wu Jianxun invited everyone to sit, lifted his tea cup, and toasted Zhou Changhuai. “Let’s use tea instead of wine and first honor our great hero Captain Zhou. I wish Captain Zhou and Comrade Wen a lifetime of happiness and many children.”

The others quickly raised their cups to join the toast.

After setting their cups down, Wu picked up his chopsticks. “You came on such short notice—we had no time to prepare anything fancy. Please accept this humble meal. Next time, I’ll treat you to something better.”

Sun Lei hurried to speak. “Director Wu, this is already the best food we’ve had! At our educated youth post, we go a week without seeing a piece of meat. It’s sweet potato porridge with pickles every day. We only get steamed buns once every three days.”

Wu’s brows shot up. “What? Your food is really that bad?”

Sun Lei didn’t dare say more. He glanced at Zhou Changhuai for help.