Chapter 29: Not a strange person

At 7:25 the next morning, Fu Hang appeared outside the Zhao family courtyard and politely greeted Zhao Feng, who was hanging laundry inside.

It was Zhao Feng’s first time interacting with this Fu Zhiqing, and being treated so formally left him a bit reserved. He wiped his hands on his clothes, trying to act mature as he returned the greeting and invited Fu Hang inside.

“My sister told me you wanted to borrow a bicycle. Fu Zhiqing, please wait here; I’ll go fetch it for you,” Zhao Feng said, then dashed into the storage room.

Fu Hang’s gaze swept across the main room, but Zhao Ke was nowhere in sight.

Just then, the west room’s window opened.

Hearing the sound, Fu Hang turned his head and saw Zhao Ke standing behind the window, her long hair cascading down.

The long hair softened the sharpness of her brows and eyes, adding an unexpected gentleness.

His heart raced.

Fu Hang quickly looked away, his thumb and forefinger pinching together tightly. With no expression on his face, he greeted her, “Director Zhao, morning.”

Zhao Ke didn’t find his curt demeanor odd and responded casually. She stayed by the window to chat for a bit, ensuring their guest wouldn’t feel awkward standing alone in the courtyard.

Fu Hang answered every question she asked. Even though he didn’t say much, each response was thoughtful.

Yet his peripheral vision kept drifting to Zhao Ke’s hands as her fingers moved through her black hair, twisting and weaving it into a braid with ease.

Her hair must be so smooth.

Fu Hang couldn’t help but lose himself in thought.

“Fu Zhiqing, here’s the bicycle for you,” Zhao Feng said.

Fu Hang’s heart skipped a beat. He maintained a calm demeanor as he took the bicycle. “Thank you.”

Just now, he had actually wanted to touch her hair!

What was going on with him…

Feeling unsettled, Fu Hang pushed the bicycle straight out of the courtyard.

Zhao Feng saw him off at the gate, then came back and remarked to Zhao Ke, “It’s the first time I’ve seen someone stand so straight. Jie, do you think he has no dowager’s hump^[1]A bulge on the back of the neck caused by Long-term forward neck bending, especially bowing the head for a long time.?”

Zhao Ke twitched the corner of her mouth and, unable to resist, smacked the back of his neck lightly. “I’m the one with a hunchback!”

Rubbing the back of his neck, Zhao Feng felt around for a moment. “I don’t have one either.”

Avoiding her foolish brother, Zhao Ke slung her bag over her shoulder, picked up her tea canister, and headed to the team committee office.

The Wang family’s possessions were inventoried and listed the day before.

Their property included:

• One house plot, with private land in front and back. Two new rooms facing south, three old rooms.
• One kitchen with two stoves and various dishes.
• One storage room with various tools.
• Grain: approximately 1,100 jin of corn and beans.
• Cash: 33 yuan, 7 jiao, and 6 fen.

Zhao Xinshan decided that the bride price would be given to Dong Ni’er, but it was reduced to ten yuan.

Everything else was divided as follows: cash would be allocated after deducting wedding costs for Lao San and Lao Si, split evenly between Aunt Dong, Uncle Dong, and their four sons. Grain would be divided per head. Other items were distributed roughly based on value.

The most valuable items were the houses. Aunt Dong and Uncle Dong, along with the eldest son’s family, were assigned the new rooms. The other three sons temporarily occupied the old rooms. If these three sons moved out in the future, the eldest son would need to compensate them based on the house’s value at that time.

Aunt Dong and Uncle Dong would live with the eldest son, and the other three families were required to provide 100 jin of grain annually.

The team committee had a standard family division agreement template. Zhao Xinshan asked Zhao Ke to rewrite it, ensuring all these details were included.

Deputy Team Leader Xu and Accountant Niu each held a tea canister, standing on either side of Zhao Ke as she wrote.

Accountant Niu chuckled and praised, “Zhao Ke, your handwriting is so neat. From now on, we won’t have to scratch things out like chicken claws for handwritten documents at the team committee.”

Zhao Ke joked half-seriously, “Wouldn’t that just add to my workload? If you don’t give me extra work points, I might slip some bitter tea into your canisters.”

She’d learned from Zhao Jianguo at home that he had dried dandelion tea, specifically choosing the oldest stems. The bitterness was enough to quell anyone’s temper.

That morning, Deputy Team Leader Xu had tried a whole canister and joked to Zhao Xinshan, “Lao Zhao, did you hear that? If you don’t give her extra work points, you’ll taste the consequences.”

Even the typically stern-faced Zhao Xinshan let out a rare smile. “What, can’t I as her uncle give her orders?”

Zhao Ke held her steel pen between her fingers, clasping her hands together in mock surrender. “Of course you can! If I said otherwise, Comrade Yu Xiulan would surely scold me.”

The three of them burst into laughter.

Deputy Team Leader Xu glanced at the Wang family’s savings. “You know, several families in the Production Team are poorer than the Wang family. Considering they’ve built a house, furnished it, and are raising children, saving over thirty yuan is no small feat.”

Zhao Xinshan looked up. “Did you notice their grain? It’s only midyear, and two-thirds is already gone.”

None of them were the kind to gossip. Accountant Niu spoke in a low voice, “What, they’ve been secretly selling it?”

Zhao Xinshan didn’t reply.

Accountant Niu calculated the grain each family member received. “They’re cutting it pretty close. When the heavy farmwork comes in the fall, will they have enough to get by?”

“Kids eating less is manageable. It’s still better than during the famine years. If they really run out, their in-laws won’t just stand by.”

True.

Accountant Niu and Deputy Team Leader Xu nodded.

As the head of the Zhao Village Production Team, Zhao Xinshan sometimes turned a blind eye to minor infractions, like members secretly selling grain or mountain goods. As long as it wasn’t too blatant or reported, he didn’t interfere.

It was clear Deputy Xu and Accountant Niu knew the score.

Yu Xiulan likely knew too, but before Zhao Ke became the Women’s Director, she hadn’t been aware of any of it.

These folks could keep their mouths shut.

Zhao Ke actually had safer channels than secretly selling grain, but she decided against rushing to take on the responsibility.

The agreement was drafted, and Zhao Ke handed it to Zhao Xinshan.

He read it carefully word by word, nodded in satisfaction, and said, “At noon, take this to have them sign and make their handprints. Bring it back for my seal.”

As the youngest Women’s Director, Zhao Ke couldn’t shirk the legwork even if she wanted to.

At noon, she stood outside the Wang family courtyard with the agreement in hand, waiting.

Some members of the Production Team passed by and inquired about the Wang family’s division of assets.

Zhao Ke no longer pretended to be a gentle and refined female student in front of the members. First, there was no need to pretend since her true colors were already exposed, and second, sometimes speaking indirectly only wasted more effort.

So she directly and bluntly dismissed the person, “Why are you poking your nose into it? Isn’t what a family owns their private business? Would you be happy if I spilled everything your family owns for everyone to hear?”

“Fine, I won’t ask.”

The member didn’t get upset and walked away muttering to themselves.

Zhao Ke had to wait for all the Wang family members to sign the documents together. If some were missing, she wasn’t in a hurry to track them down. Coincidentally, Uncle Sun and Aunt Sun returned from work, so she stood outside their yard and chatted with them.

Aunt Sun had developed some respect for her by now and asked in a low voice, “Director Zhao…”

Zhao Ke corrected her, “Call me by my name in private. Just be mindful during official matters.”

“Alright,” Aunt Sun agreed and sought her opinion. “Dong Ni’er and Wang Lao Si have already set their wedding date—it’s next month. I was thinking, if Dong Ni’er lives with the entire Wang family after getting married, along with Lu Dongmei, that sharp-tongued mother-in-law, she might suffer grievances. Her father and I discussed it, and we have an empty room at home. Should we let them move in for now?”

Many parents often say they have cheap skins ^[2]Used in a derogatory sense as a compliment. It is usually used by parents to refer to their children, meaning that they can withstand beatings, are not afraid of pain, and are brave., and this applied to Uncle and Aunt Sun. Although they had sworn not to meddle in Dong Ni’er’s affairs again, they couldn’t bear to see her suffer even a little.

But Zhao Ke didn’t agree. “If you suggest that, it’s bound to create conflict. It’d be better to have them apply to the Production Team for a piece of land to build their own house gradually.”

“I know they’ll need to live separately eventually, but what about the time in between?”

Zhao Ke shook her head. “If you trust me, let Dong Ni’er endure some hardship first. Otherwise, she won’t understand your good intentions.”

Aunt Sun sighed, “I just can’t bear it…”

“My mom said that the men in the Wang family don’t hit their wives. I didn’t think much of it at first, but on second thought, compared to those with truly malicious intentions—like those who’d exploit an only child’s family—at least they’re not rushing to take advantage of you.”

Aunt Sun seemed to be mulling it over.

After living as neighbors for over a decade, they’d had their fair share of squabbles but also understood each other well.

Looking at it positively, the Wang family was indeed better than the family of her eldest daughter’s in-laws.

Seeing her thoughts start to shift, Zhao Ke persuaded her further, “They’re not bad to that extent. For the things you can’t bear for your daughter, just endure a bit longer. Some hardships she’ll have to experience herself to understand.”

Aunt Sun let out a long sigh, “I’ll discuss it with Dong Ni’er’s father again.”

Zhao Ke nodded. Noticing that the Wang family members hadn’t all returned yet, she changed the subject to Aunt Sun’s eldest daughter. “I haven’t seen Chunni Jie visit home recently?”

Mentioning her, Aunt Sun’s face turned even gloomier. “Her in-laws don’t like her coming back too often. I usually go to Li Village to visit her.”

“Then…”

Before Zhao Ke could finish, she spotted Aunt Dong and her family returning. She stopped mid-sentence, waved goodbye to Aunt Sun, and walked over to meet Aunt Dong’s family.

The Wang family’s decision to divide their household had a lot to do with Zhao Ke, who had even scolded several members of the family individually.

Because of this, the Wang family felt awkward in front of Zhao Ke, and their tone was unnatural.

Zhao Ke, however, acted as if nothing had happened. She greeted them as usual and spoke with them as if everything were perfectly normal.

The Wang family felt even more uneasy. The Wang brothers could only think, “No wonder she can be the Women’s Director,” as they quickly signed the documents and made their escape.

After pressing her thumbprint, Aunt Dong couldn’t help teasing Zhao Ke, “It’s rare to see an unmarried young lady as tough as you.”

Zhao Ke figured that Aunt Dong probably meant to say she had thick skin^[3]Brazen – referring to someone who does not understand the ways of the world, does not know when to advance or retreat, does not consider the overall situation, and does things that harm others … Continue reading.

To think she put it so tactfully.

What was wrong with having thick skin? She was proud of it.

In the afternoon, Zhao Ke handed the agreement to Zhao Xinshan, who stamped it with the Production Team’s seal and locked it away in the cabinet.

Around two o’clock, Fu Hang returned from the commune and came straight to the team committee office to return the bicycle to Zhao Ke.

“Do you want to check it?”

Zhao Ke glanced at the bicycle. “No need. Just returning the bicycle is fine. Fu Zhiqing, you can go back now.”

As she spoke, she began pushing the bicycle to park it to the side.

“Wait a moment.”

Fu Hang stopped her.

Zhao Ke looked at him, puzzled. “Hmm? Something else?”

Fu Hang’s heart once again began racing uncontrollably. He quietly took a deep breath to steady himself and handed over two pieces of mung bean cake. “This is a token of thanks.”

Not only had he bought the two mung bean cakes at the supply and marketing cooperative, but he had also inexplicably purchased a hair clip. Yet, he didn’t dare to take the clip out.

If he gave her the hair clip, Zhao Ke would definitely find it strange.

Even Fu Hang himself found it strange.

Besides, Zhao Ke probably wouldn’t accept it…

In fact, Zhao Ke didn’t even want the mung bean cakes. Knowing that these individually wrapped cakes weren’t cheap, she politely declined. “No need. Borrowing a bicycle isn’t worth all this trouble.”

Without giving him a chance to insist, she pushed the bicycle and walked away.

Fu Hang expressionlessly put the mung bean cakes back in his pocket.

As expected, giving mung bean cakes was strange too.

When Fu Hang turned to leave, even his hair seemed to droop in dejection.

Back at the educated youth point, he had already adjusted his mood and resumed his usual cold and indifferent demeanor.

Liu Xingxue and Deng Haixin, who had been at odds with him before, hadn’t spoken to him for days.

The two were chatting with Su Limei in the yard. When they saw him, they pretended not to and continued their conversation.

Fu Hang didn’t care and walked straight into the house.

Watching his retreating back and the bundle in his hand, Su Limei thoughtlessly commented, “I wonder what Fu Zhiqing’s family does. They must be well-off, right?”

Jealousy flashed in Liu Xingxue and Deng Haixin’s eyes.

Liu Xingxue scoffed. “If it were so great, why would he come to the countryside? He’s just pretending.”

The two exchanged glances, their eyes filled with schadenfreude.

Inside, Lin Haiyang greeted Fu Hang enthusiastically, “You’re back? Tired?”

Fu Hang shook his head and handed him a piece of mung bean cake. “Here, one for you.”

Lin Haiyang was overjoyed. “Fu Hang, you actually bought snacks for me?!”

Fu Hang paused for a moment, didn’t explain, and sat down at his desk. When he glanced at the tabletop, he noticed his physics notebook was missing. He immediately started searching for it.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Haiyang asked through a mouthful of mung bean cake. “Did you lose something?”

“My notebook.”

“Eh?! I saw it here at noon!” Lin Haiyang started searching around him.

But it was nowhere to be found.

The two of them began searching the entire room, turning it upside down, yet they still couldn’t find it.

Fu Hang’s expression grew grim.

Lin Haiyang said, “I’ll go ask those two.”

Moments later, the yard was filled with the sound of an argument.

Deng Haixin: “Why are you asking us? We’re not his babysitters.”

Liu Xingxue: “We were working all day. But you? Took leave again this afternoon to slack off. Who knows if it was you who did something and now won’t admit it?”

Lin Haiyang retorted, “How could I have touched Fu Hang’s notebook?”

Deng Haixin: “And we couldn’t have touched it either.”

Liu Xingxue: “Some people don’t take care of their belongings and then blame others. Besides, the owner hasn’t even come looking for it yet. Why are you so worked up? Acting like a watchdog.”

Lin Haiyang exploded, “Who are you calling a watchdog? I think it’s you two holding a grudge over what happened last time!”

Liu Xingxue: “Do you have any proof? I could just as easily say it was you who lost it.”

How could there possibly be any proof?

Their attitude was clear: What can you even do to us?

So arrogant.

Unable to hold back his anger, Lin Haiyang raised his fist and swung it at Liu Xingxue.

Su Limei cried out in alarm and squeezed her eyes shut.

Suddenly, a hand appeared and grabbed Lin Haiyang’s wrist.

“Fu Hang?”

Fu Hang released Lin Haiyang’s wrist, stepped in front of Liu Xingxue and Deng Haixin, and said coldly, “Return my notebook, and I won’t hold it against you.”

Liu Xingxue wasn’t afraid of being held accountable and replied brazenly, “We don’t know where your notebook is.”

Deng Haixin tried to shift the blame, “What if it was some rascal from the village who stole it?”

Lin Haiyang countered, “How could that be? No one else came by this afternoon.”

Fu Hang’s face darkened as he asked, “Are you giving it back or not?”

The two older educated youth acted like dead pigs unafraid of boiling water.

Without another word, Fu Hang picked up a stool from the ground and smashed it down just ten centimeters above Liu Xingxue’s head.

The stool crashed to the ground with a loud bang. Liu Xingxue, who was almost hit, went weak in the knees, “You, you…”

Fu Hang turned, picked up a wrist-thick stick from the firewood pile, and coldly raised it toward Deng Haixin.

Terrified, Deng Haixin blurted everything out, “In the afternoon, it was thrown into the bushes outside the village.”

Fu Hang threw the stick at Deng Haixin’s feet and immediately went to retrieve the notebook.

Lin Haiyang shot a glare at the two and followed Fu Hang out to help.

Hearing the commotion, Zhuang Lan emerged from the house. After piecing together the story, her already low opinion of the two sly older educated youths turned into outright disdain. “I’ll help search too. Limei, are you coming?”

Su Limei glanced at Liu and Deng, then nodded silently.

Fang Jing kept pace, “I’ll go too.”

Meanwhile, Shu Gen’er found the notebook. Hugging it tightly, he bounced home and presented it to his father, Liu Guangzhi, like a treasure.

Zheng Guangmei saw it, grabbed the notebook, and flipped through it. “What’s this? Whose place did you steal it from?”

Shu Gen’er panicked. “No, no stealing, I found it!”

Zheng Guangmei couldn’t make sense of the scribbles inside, saw there were no blank pages, and casually tossed it toward the stove pit. “What a piece of junk. Use it for kindling.”

Shu Gen’er anxiously looked at his father.

Liu Guangzhi pretended not to see.

Their son, Liu Xiaoman, ran out and pushed Shu Gen’er. “Get out of here, dummy! Don’t come to my house!”

Shu Gen’er, helpless, was shoved aside and could only watch as they left. The courtyard was empty except for him.

A long while later, Shu Gen’er sneaked into the kitchen, picked up the notebook, and held it tightly to his chest.

Zheng Guangmei caught him and furiously scolded, “Did you steal food?!”

Shu Gen’er was too scared to move, shaking his head in denial even as he braced for a beating. “No, no stealing, Shu Gen’er didn’t steal food…”

·

Fu Hang and the others searched for a long time but couldn’t find the notebook.

Lin Haiyang went back to the educated youth point and dragged Deng Haixin and Liu Xingxue over, pressing them on where exactly they had thrown it.

Deng Haixin pointed out the spot.

A group of educated youths combed through the area, practically tearing up the grass, but still found nothing.

Lin Haiyang demanded, “Where did it go?”

“How should I know? I just threw it here,” Deng Haixin said.

Lin Haiyang was so angry he wanted to hit someone.

Afraid of getting beaten, Deng Haixin hastily explained, “Fu Hang was just too arrogant, so we wanted to teach him a lesson… really, it was just a lesson, I’m not lying! Otherwise, we would’ve thrown it straight into the river!”

Thrown anywhere is still thrown. How could he say that so brazenly?

But hitting them now wouldn’t solve anything. Lin Haiyang anxiously looked at Fu Hang. “Fu Hang, are you okay?”

Fu Hang lowered his gaze. “If we can’t find it, forget it. It’s not something important. Let’s go back.”

Lin Haiyang was skeptical. If it wasn’t important, why did Fu Hang spend all his spare time reading it, almost come to blows, and rush out to search for it?

That night, Fu Hang barely slept.

The next day, he went to the team committee again and applied to Zhao Xinshan, the Production Team leader, for a plot of land to build a house.

Zhao Xinshan was surprised. “Build a house? You’re not staying at the educated youth point anymore?”

Fu Hang nodded lightly. “No.”

“Approving land isn’t a problem.” Zhao Xinshan didn’t care about any issues at the educated youth point, as long as they didn’t reach his ears. Unrolling a simple map of Zhao Village, he asked, “Where do you want to build the house?”

Where to build…

Fu Hang’s eyes lingered on the empty plot east of Zhao Ke’s house.

It would make sense if he wanted to live next to one of the few people in the Production Team he could talk to.

Besides, moving into the village would help him integrate more quickly into the team.

He… wasn’t a strange person, right?