Chapter 16.1: Election

The two sisters returned to the village before 8 a.m., where Zhao Er Nai, Zhao Wu Nai, and a few other women were chatting under the ancient pagoda tree.

When Zhao Er Nai saw them, she turned her nose up and looked away, turning her back to the pair.

When Zhao Mian greeted her, she felt a bit baffled by the cold reaction.

Zhao Ke, however, was thick-skinned and greeted everyone nonchalantly, “Er Nai, Wu Nai, Aunt Dong…”

Aunt Dong warmly responded to Zhao Mian, “Back from the factory, Da Guniang^[1]Big girl/eldest daughter? How’s everything going?”

Zhao Mian answered obediently, “Thanks to Xiao Ke asking her acquaintances to take care of me, everything’s going smoothly.”

Zhao Wu Nai smiled as she praised Zhao Ke, “Zhao Ke is quite capable.”

Zhao Ke acted as if she hadn’t noticed Aunt Dong’s favoritism and said to everyone, “I’m sending my sister back to the commune tomorrow. If there’s anything you need brought back, let me know in advance, and I’ll bring it for you.”

Aunt Dong immediately chimed in, “My family’s, your Da Ge is getting engaged, and I’d like to get two pieces of red fabric. Can you bring them back?”

“Aunt Dong, just give me the fabric coupons,” Zhao Ke replied.

“The Production Team hasn’t distributed dividends yet. Let’s put it on credit until the harvest season,” Aunt Dong suggested.

Zhao Ke raised her eyebrows but kept her smile steady. “Sure, I’ll let Accountant Niu know and have it noted down.”

Aunt Dong seemed a little embarrassed. “It’s not like I wouldn’t give it to you.”

“San Ge’s big day is ahead, so it’s good to get everything in order to keep things smooth afterward,” Zhao Ke said in a pleasing tone.

Her words left Aunt Dong with no room for complaint, and she quickly agreed, “Alright, alright, we’ll do as you say.”

Seizing the moment, Zhao Mian added, “Xiao Ke still needs to deliver a package. We’ll be off now.”

Zhao Ke got on her bike, carrying Zhao Mian as they headed home.

The group watched the two sisters leave, filled with a mix of envy and admiration.

Zhao Wu Nai nudged Zhao Er Nai, “You’re not even as good as a kid.”

Zhao Er Nai shrugged off her hand, rolled her eyes, and walked away.

—

Elsewhere, Zhao Ke first dropped her sister off at home, then cycled to the educated youth’s residence, calling out to the men’s quarters, “Fu Zhiqing, you’ve got a package!”

Fu Hang appeared at the window, looking somewhat surprised to see Zhao Ke. “One moment.”

While waiting, Zhao Ke got off her bike, set the kickstand, and retrieved the package from the rear seat.

Fu Hang emerged wearing a neatly tailored white shirt and trousers, adjusting the sleeve of his right arm with his left hand as he walked.

Zhao Ke’s gaze lingered briefly on his right forearm, but she couldn’t discern his injury through the fabric.

“Comrade Zhao…” Fu Hang chose a polite form of address as he extended his hand. “Must be heavy. Let me take it.”

“Just call me Zhao Ke.” Zhao Ke handed the package to his left hand.

The package wasn’t a standard shape. As soon as Zhao Ke let go, the heavier end tilted.

It was about to fall.

There was no telling what was inside—if it contained anything fragile…

Zhao Ke instinctively grabbed both sides of the package to steady it.

At the same time, Fu Hang mirrored her motion with his right hand.

He was just a second too late, and his long fingers directly landed on Zhao Ke’s hand.

One second.

Two seconds…

Fu Hang withdrew his hand as though he’d been shocked by electricity.

Zhao Ke, unfazed, kept her hands firmly on the package without so much as a twitch of her fingers or a change in expression.

What’s the big deal about touching hands?

She tactfully broke the awkwardness. “Does your arm still hurt, Fu Zhiqing?”

In comparison, Fu Hang’s earlier reaction now seemed overly dramatic.

Suppressing the odd feeling within him, Fu Hang placed his right hand back on the package, keeping his face calm. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Zhao Ke released her grip. “Alright, I’ll be off then. If you run out of red flower oil, just let me know.”

“Thanks,” Fu Hang said, referring to both the package and the oil.

Zhao Ke kicked up the stand, swung a long leg over her bike, and casually waved as she rode off. “No need to thank me.”

Fu Hang watched her ride away, then lowered his gaze to his right hand, momentarily lost in thought.

After a while, his eyes shifted to the address on the package, and his expression turned cold.

When Liu Xingxue saw him carrying such a large package inside, he commented enviously, “Fu Hang, your family really treats you well.”

Fu Hang responded listlessly and sat at his desk, slowly unwrapping the package.

Inside were some daily necessities, two new outfits, a hand-knit scarf, two physics notebooks, and two thick envelopes.

He opened the envelopes, finding them both filled with money and ration coupons. One of them contained a letter.

Fu Hang put the money and coupons away, sat in silence for a long moment, then expressionlessly opened the letter:

“To my son Fu Hang,  

We hope this letter finds you well. 

Your father and mother only recently learned of the tragic news and are heartbroken beyond words…”

—

When Zhao Mian entered the house, she was greeted with an enthusiastic welcome.

Yu Xiulan and Zhao Jianguo circled around her, scrutinizing her closely. “You’ve lost weight, definitely lost weight.”

Zhao Mian touched her cheeks and laughed. “It’s only been a week. How could I lose weight that quickly?”

Unable to get close, Zhao Feng poured her a glass of water and chimed in, “Da Jie, you really do look thinner.”

“See?” Yu Xiulan grabbed her hand and led her to the table. “You’re here so early. Have you eaten yet?”

Remembering the food container she had brought back, Zhao Mian stood up. “Not yet. I’ll go heat up the food I got from the cafeteria yesterday.”

“You sit down. Let your brother handle it.” Yu Xiulan snatched the container and handed it to Zhao Feng.

Zhao Feng took the container and, as he headed to the kitchen, said, “Da Jie, drink your water. I’ll heat the food. By the time Er Jie gets back, we’ll be ready to eat.”

Feeling a bit out of place, Zhao Mian tried to stand again, but Yu Xiulan pressed her down. “You just sit and relax.”

Helpless, Zhao Mian stayed seated, answering her parents’ endless questions while glancing around the house.

The courtyard was tidy, the house spotless, and everything looked refreshed. She had assumed the house might be a bit chaotic in her absence, but it was as orderly as ever.

It felt as though her presence or absence didn’t make much difference—as if the family didn’t really need her. A tinge of disappointment crept into her heart.

By the time Zhao Ke returned, the food was nearly ready. Zhao Mian tried to help set the table but was once again thwarted.

Zhao Feng brought the dishes to the table: fish soup, stir-fried wild vegetables with eggs, fried pancakes… and the fish soup was even milky white.

Seeing this, Zhao Ke teased, “Mom, this is favoritism! When I come back, it’s just boiled water. But for Da Jie, it’s thick soup!”

Yu Xiulan, holding two pairs of chopsticks, gently handed one to her eldest daughter and stuffed the other unceremoniously into her second daughter’s hand. She snapped back, “Just eat and stop talking so much.”

Zhao Ke turned to her elder sister to complain, “Da Jie, look at Mom~”

Zhao Mian lowered her head, chuckling.

Zhao Feng came back with an iron food container, salivating as he walked. The rich aroma of braised pork filled the air.

“Is this the braised pork from the cafeteria?” Zhao Ke happily leaned close to Zhao Mian. “Only Da Jie treats me this well.”

Unable to tolerate her flattery any longer, Yu Xiulan scolded, “Enough with your nonsense!”

Zhao Ke cheekily raised her eyebrows and, before her mother could truly lose her temper, picked up a piece of braised pork and fed it to her.  

Half-reluctant, half-accepting, Yu Xiulan ate it. Even as she chewed, she grumbled, “You all eat. I don’t care for this greasy stuff.”

“Mom might not like it, but I do,” Zhao Feng said shamelessly. “Da Jie, you and Er Jie eat the meat. Leave the sauce for me to mix with rice at lunch.”

Yu Xiulan gave him a light knock on the head. “As if we’re short on food for you!”

Zhao Feng grumbled heroically, like a farmer in a resistance drama. “Your oil is so scant, you might as well just touch it with chopsticks. Where’s the flavor?”

“If I didn’t scrimp and save, how would you three have grown up this well?” Yu Xiulan tugged his ear. “Get lost. Don’t get in the way here.”

Zhao Feng quickly backed off, “Alright, alright, I’m leaving. Mom, let go.”

The family bickered and laughed, their bond evident.

Smiling, Zhao Mian said, “I’ll cook lunch. I just learned a new recipe from the cafeteria chef—everyone can give it a try.”

Yu Xiulan firmly refused. “No need. You hardly come back; just rest.”

Disappointed, Zhao Mian lowered her gaze, counting the grains of rice in her bowl with her chopsticks.

Zhao Ke noticed and interjected, “Mom, it’s not like Da Jie only comes back once in a blue moon. You’re acting as if she’s married off and this isn’t her home anymore.”

“Who says that? Even if you two marry, your mother’s home will always be yours.” Yu Xiulan turned on Zhao Feng instead, poking his head. “If you ever treat your two sisters like they’re water spilled out of the house, I’ll kick you out myself!”

Feeling wronged, Zhao Feng protested. What did he do? He hadn’t even said anything!

Yu Xiulan’s words, however, instantly lifted Zhao Mian’s spirits. She looked up and said, “Mom, since this is my home, stop stopping me from helping. Otherwise, I’ll feel uncomfortable.”

Yu Xiulan, not the most perceptive person, finally noticed her eldest daughter’s subtle mood shifts. Realizing her misstep, she grumbled in exasperation, “Why can’t you be more like your sister? Born to toil!”

Zhao Ke: “…”

She was just eating, but the blame fell on her.

Zhao Mian merely smiled.

—

Afterward, Yu Xiulan and Zhao Jianguo sat with Zhao Mian at the table, peppering her with questions. True to her nature, Zhao Mian only shared the good and glossed over the bad. But with Zhao Ke there, the parents learned enough to feel reassured that their eldest daughter had been doing well at the factory over the past week.

Eventually, the couple had to leave for their respective responsibilities.

After lunch, Zhao Ke gathered the dishes while Zhao Mian washed up and tidied the kitchen before checking the family’s clothes.

Zhao Yunyun dropped by and watched alongside Zhao Ke as Zhao Mian meticulously removed the patches Zhao Ke had previously sewn on Zhao Feng’s clothes, replacing them with finer stitches. Once satisfied, she moved on to prepare lunch.

Her diligence and capability left Zhao Ke and Zhao Yunyun feeling utterly useless in her presence.

Zhao Yunyun nudged Zhao Ke with her shoulder and asked, “Don’t you feel ashamed?”

Zhao Ke retorted, “Did you ever feel ashamed when you were at home?”  

Zhao Yunyun replied without hesitation, “Nope.”  

“Then I’m two points better than you—I have even less reason to feel ashamed.”  

“Two points? What are they?”  

“One for being considerate, another for being quick-witted.”  

Zhao Yunyun’s eyes brimmed with unrestrained disdain.  

Zhao Ke immediately demonstrated, sweetly calling out, “Jie, let me start the fire for you.”  

Zhao Yunyun was speechless, shivering as though shedding goosebumps, before retreating from Zhao Ke’s house.  

—  

On Zhao Mian’s first weekend back after a week away, the family quickly transitioned from the overly warm welcome to their usual routines, largely thanks to Zhao Ke’s humor and lighthearted antics.  

That evening, the two sisters leaned against each other.  

Zhao Mian softly said, “You always rescue me. I’m truly happy every day now.”  

“Rescue? What do you mean?” Zhao Ke gently rubbed her sister’s fingers, now slightly calloused after just a week, and replied with a sense of camaraderie, “We’re not just sisters; we’re comrades-in-arms forged under Comrade Yu Xiulan’s strict training.”  

Zhao Mian laughed at her words. “Yes, comrades-in-arms.”  

…………

TN:

3 chapters unlocked today. Happy New Year everyone. May this year bring you more blessings, joy, and success in all your endeavors. And hopefully, if you’re like me, you’ll achieve all your New Year resolutions you couldn’t last year.