For Chen Lina, simply removing Liu Jiefang from his position as farm director wasn’t enough.

Initially, she wasn’t particularly angry, not even when she reviewed the messy accounts.

But as the educated youth began sharing their grievances, her fury grew.

She soon realized that not only Liu Jiefang, but also Wang Fusheng and a few morally questionable officials from the mining district, had inflicted extensive suffering on them.

One young woman spoke up: “Putting up with dancing with these inappropriate men is one thing. But Wang Fusheng is the worst—every time he comes for an inspection, he can’t keep his hands to himself. I can’t stand him.”

Another added, “It’s fine if you don’t dance, but then you’re sent to dig salt drainage ditches like Anna or assigned to the worst jobs, like hauling manure. It’s humiliating!

And as for going back to visit our families, we only get one chance a year, and if they don’t approve, we’re stuck here. We’re so frustrated, but what can we do?”

Chen Lina, beloved by all the educated youth, held their hands and said, “If you’re willing to report Liu Jiefang and Wang Fusheng, they can be imprisoned.”

But the youths hesitated.

Even Anna, known for her progressive thinking, replied, “Director Chen, if we report them, they’ll end up in prison, sure. But our reputations would be ruined too.”

A male leader might have pushed these young women to speak out, convincing them to publicly denounce people like Liu Jiefang and Wang Fusheng.

But Chen Lina, as a woman herself, especially one who had experienced injustice in her own life, understood deeply how important reputation is for a woman.

She wasn’t willing to ruin these girls’ reputations just to take down two scoundrels.

After some thought, she said, “Alright, I’ll make sure these two end up in prison. I want you to know that justice may be delayed, but it never fails to arrive.

Keep this to yourselves and protect your reputations. As for those two scoundrels, leave them to me.”

Thus, days passed, and Chen Lina didn’t make any moves against the Sun family.

It was an unnatural truce, with Huang Huacai pretending to be humble and Chen Lina absorbed in her work.

Until one day, when Wang Fusheng quietly returned to the farm, and trouble began to stir once again.

The whole Sun family gathered, dark clouds of frustration and resentment hanging in the air.

Since they had arrived on the frontier, they had ruled the farm for seven or eight years.

Now, with a complete and utter defeat, Huang Huacai decided to convene an urgent meeting.

“Fusheng, what do we do about Chen Lina? I can handle losing control of the farm. We have enough now, and Dabao has enough to live on for the rest of his life.

If things go bad, we can always go back to our hometown. But I can’t let that woman have it easy,” Huang Huacai said.

“That’s right, Brother-in-Law. We’re done for now, so it’s up to you,” Liu Jiefang added dejectedly.

“I’ve got an idea. Chief Wang is a big drinker. I’ll go to the base tomorrow, have a drink with him, and when he’s drunk, I’ll steal Chen Lina’s records.

We know she’s one of the intellectuals—if we report that to the mining district and rally some young Red Guards patrolling the frontier, she’ll get what’s coming to her. What do you think?”

Wang Fusheng wasn’t particularly cultured and had married Sun Ainan only because of Sun Zhuannan’s influence.

He was disappointed to find out that Sun Ainan was unable to have children.

Yet, for him, the marriage was mostly about advancing his career.

In truth, he had his own plans.

He had a younger sister who had graduated from the Red Special School, an attractive woman whom he hoped to introduce to Nie Bozhao, an influential figure.

With that connection, the families could unite, and he could even arrange for one of the sons to be adopted into the family. Perfect.

So his plan was to intoxicate Chief Wang, steal Chen Lina’s records, and use the Red Guards to topple her from power, crushing her reputation.

The Sun family’s gloom lifted instantly upon hearing Wang Fusheng’s plan.

“Alright, Jiefang, prepare a few dishes. Tonight, we’ll have a drink with your brother-in-law,” Huanghuacai said.

Liu Jiefang replied, “Mom, we’re so poor right now, we don’t even have food left, let alone wine.”

“If you don’t have any, I do.” Huang Huacai wiped her face and went to fetch her stash of liquor. The wine, originally saved for Sun Dabao, would be used for their “savior,” Wang Fusheng.

After they drank, Wang Fusheng left, prepared to wander around the farm, checking things out under the guise of a leadership inspection, with Liu Jiefang in tow.

As they passed a shabby cultural hall, Wang Fusheng asked, “Why’s the Workers’ Cultural Hall closed, Jiefang? That’s not like you.”

Liu Jiefang replied, “Well, since I lost my director’s position and the new director is likely to clean things up, I sent all the women home.”

“That won’t do! I was hoping to dance ‘Evenings in the Moscow Suburbs’ with Anna tonight. Call the youths together and open the hall for a social gathering!” His intoxicated eagerness for attention had become impossible to control.

“Maybe I can find a replacement. Anna’s leg is injured; she wouldn’t look good dancing.”

Wang Fusheng, like other higher-ups who came to inspect, always liked to call on Anna to dance.

Work-minded as they were, even revolutionary leaders enjoyed some companionship and conversation on life and dreams in the evening.

Wang Fusheng had once touched Anna’s waist and hinted that offering herself was tantamount to serving the Republic, only to receive a slap in response.

A missed opportunity, he thought.

“Are there any younger, prettier girls around? Preferably from the art troupe, the kind that’s beautiful, enthusiastic, and generous, with the spirit of dedicating themselves to the Republic? Hurry up and find a few, so they can dance with me.” Wang Fusheng said, knowing that young girls were easier to manipulate.

He’d tell them a few stories about the struggles in the border areas and sell them the hardship card, and some would still end up in bed with him.

“I don’t have any from the art troupe, but I can introduce you to a few seasoned ones, my old flames, like Sanmei’s husband. I’ve retired, so I can’t mobilize the educated youth anymore,” replied the other person.

Without any young art troupe girls and without Anna showing up, Wang Fusheng was rather displeased.

However, there were still some seasoned women at the farm, so once the door to the workers’ cultural center opened, he went in to wait.

---

Late at Night, at the Nie Family Home

“Mom, mom.”

“What is it, San Dan’er?”

Chen Lina was making word cards for Nie Weimin when she noticed that San Dan was curled up in her lap and wouldn’t leave.

She asked, “Did you not eat enough dinner?”

“No, my brother hit me today.”

“Er Dan, Weimin, did you hit San Dan?”

“That’s nonsense, we brothers never fight. San Dan is lying,” Nie Weimin said, tilting his head.

He picked San Dan up and, as the little one let out a tiny fart, placed him back on the kang (heated bed) and started tickling him. “Little troublemaker, when did I ever hit you, huh?”

San Dan was laughing so hard, he pointed at Er Dan and said, “Er Dan hit me.”

“Impossible! When we raced, I always came in first. Er Dan ran slower because he insisted on carrying you. We were both first, he wouldn’t have hit you,” Nie Weimin said.

“Did you guys notice, San Dan nose seems to have gotten taller?” Chen Lina paused, climbed onto the bed, and the three of them huddled together, examining San Dan nose, which looked like it had grown.

Er Dan, confused, said, “No, he just has a flat nose.”

Nie Weimin, more observant, said, “I also think San Dan nose has grown a lot.”

“Mom asks you, did Er Dan really hit you?” Chen Lina asked again.

The little one, looking serious, said, “He hit me.”

Er Dan flipped out, “No! No! I only hit Qian GouDan and Xiao Jinbao, I’ve never hit him!”

“That’s it, San Dan nose has grown a lot. They say that when a child lies, their nose grows a little each time. I can tell, Er Dan’s right, it’s San Dan who’s lying,” Chen Lina said.

Er Dan was pleased, “That’s right, mom knows everything, it’s San Dan who’s lying.”

He pointed at San Dan nose and said, “Look, it really has grown. If it keeps growing, will it hit the ceiling?”

San Dan touched his nose and seriously thought it might grow enough to touch the ceiling.

He imagined how ugly it would be, and immediately burst into tears.

Chen Lina quickly hugged him, “Okay, okay, mom knows. You just don’t want to leave mom, right? From tomorrow on, if you want to come with me, I’ll take you to work. How about that? As long as you admit your mistake, your nose will shrink back.”

The little one, still wiping his tears, said, “Mom, I was wrong.”

Holding the child close, Chen Lina thought to herself: “These little ones are so easy to deceive. If someone with bad intentions led them, they’d be led astray.”

---

Outside, Someone Was Knocking on the Big Iron Door

The three children immediately perked up their ears. “Dad’s back,” they said in unison.

But it wasn’t their father.

Chen Lina, with a swat to their behinds, said, “Put on your big cotton coats, tonight we’re going out.”

“Mom, where are we going?” The three kids were excited when they heard they were going out.

“Mom has some important work to do, just like your dad’s work,” Chen Lina replied.

Outside, waiting for her was the head of the security team, Qin Sheng.

Once they got in the car, Chen Lina asked, “Do you have a gun?”

“I do. But, Director Chen, what exactly is going on? Our farm and Mulan Farm are on the same level, and our people are going straight to work there. Isn’t that a bit problematic?”

“Rest assured, at any time, there is no distinction between equal rank or superior rank when it comes to discipline and ethics.

As soon as I take office, the first priority is to manage the farm’s discipline.

As for you, the workers and cadres at the base, always running to the farm on weekends, you carry a huge responsibility.

I can imagine your worry, always afraid that when the higher-ups come for an inspection, your position might be at risk. You must have been on edge.

Today, let’s completely eradicate the unhealthy atmosphere on the farm, okay?”

“Director Chen, I have something sincere to say.”

“Go ahead, Captain Qin.”

“He wants to say, mom is the first family member of the base, and she certainly deserves the first car of the base,” Nie Weimin interrupted from behind.

“Good boy, tell me, did you eavesdrop on my argument with Aunt Fangfang?” Qin Sheng turned to ask.

Nie Weimin grumbled, “Who dares to speak ill of Aunt Chen? Be careful, I hear everything.”

When they arrived at the farm gate, the security team immediately let them in upon seeing the director. Behind them, a large truck full of security personnel from Base 1 headed straight for the cultural hall.

It was the middle of the night, and most people at the farm were asleep.

Chen Lina parked the car, noticing the three kids in the back, all with their ears perked up, like little puppies.

She asked, “Are you cold?”

The two older kids shook their heads in unison, but the youngest, Sandan, nodded. “Cold.”

He didn’t dare lie, afraid his nose would grow longer if he did.

Chen Lina turned up the heater a couple of notches, since there was plenty of oil at the base.

She saw the security team get off the truck, followed by the sound of bolts being undone.

The three kids pressed their faces to the window and saw several people walk out of the Workers’ Cultural Hall.

“That’s my third uncle, mom, that’s my third uncle.”

Chen Lina smiled and said, “Oh, it really is your third uncle. Isn’t he a cadre in the mining district? What’s he doing here, getting caught by our security team in the middle of the night? We’re here to catch workers from the base, after all.”

“You came here to find my third uncle,” Nie Weimin didn’t buy it.

With a reddened face, he said, “If you want to become the director, my grandma won’t agree. It’s not that she has an issue, but the one person who might stop you is my third uncle. He’s in charge of personnel in the mining district, and he’ll send many people you don’t want into the farm.”

“Little brat, you’re just a child. I brought you out because I didn’t want to leave you home alone at night. If you start acting like an adult, I won’t take you out anymore.”

“Mom only brought me,” Sandan said, full of confidence. “Because I love mom the most.”

“Director Wang, you say you’re here for work, but I have to ask you, what’s this?” Chen Lina held up a tape.

“‘On the Banks of the Xiangsi River’? This is decadent music, imported from Taiwan to numb and corrupt our revolutionary fighters. You, a cadre from the mining district, are actually listening to such things?”

Wang Fusheng had said “Those tapes were secretly brought by a few female comrades, they have nothing to do with me. I’m both red and expert, I just drank a little, and they framed me.”

“You all, what’s going on here?” Qin Sheng, holding a gun and wearing a coat, smoked a cigarette and narrowed his eyes as he glared at the women.

There were workers at the base who had been corrupted by these women.

Several had contracted diseases, and truthfully, they were the cancer of the whole mining district.

“We don’t know anything. These tapes belong to Director Wang. He even boasted that at his home, there are at least a dozen such tapes,” one woman immediately spoke up.

“Don’t talk nonsense, you corrupt prostitute. You’re selling yourself! Qin, you hear me? These women are prostitutes. You can’t trust anything they say. I order you to lock them all up in the cowshed!”

“You say one thing, but do another. You’re involved in money laundering and bribery, while I sell myself and eat my own food. You’re the real capitalist roader!”

The accusations flew thick and fast.

“Alright, it turns out Director Wang isn’t just listening to tapes at the farm, there are treasures at his home too. Let’s go, tonight we’ll raid Director Wang’s house in the mining district. He’s not just a revisionist, he’s a capitalist roader, a Taiwan spy.” Qin Sheng stubbed out his cigarette, signaled for the security team, and the truck set off, heading for the mining district with several corrupted women and Wang Fusheng.

“Mom, are we going to the mining district too?” The two younger kids couldn’t hold it anymore and fell asleep in the warm car.

Nie Weimin was still wide awake.

Following his mom in the car, he thought he could stay awake all night without a problem.

“Little brat, go back to sleep. I really let you get wild.”

Chen Lina hummed a tune from Beijing as they drove towards the base.

Occasionally, she glanced at the rearview mirror, noticing little Nie Weimin dozing off.

She quickly said, “Hey, hey, you can’t sleep. If you fall asleep, I’ll have to carry all three of you. That’s exhausting, wake up!”

“No, I’m tired.”

“Before I left, I roasted some sweet potatoes. Do you want to eat them with me?”

Nie Weimin’s eyes fluttered open.

Alright, he was fully awake now.

But Erdan, ever sharp, woke up: “Mom, I want to eat. I want to eat now.”

Unconsciously, she glanced out the window at the dark, silent snow-covered mountains, with stars twinkling above.

Somehow, it made her think of Nie Bozhao’s smiling eyes.

Her husband, she thought, when you return, this place will have become a flourishing farm, with fruit and vegetables in abundance.