Chapter 9: The Meeting

“I’m Zheng Guoqiang, the head of the educated youth station. I’m also the oldest here, so if you need anything, you can come to me.”

Zheng Guoqiang, 23 years old, had been sent to the countryside for five years. He looked kind and approachable, with an easygoing demeanor.

“I’m Zhou Chunshan.”

Zhou Chunshan was of medium height, with big eyes. He seemed somewhat listless, as if lacking energy.

“I’m Zhu Liyan, and this is my good buddy Fang Mingyi.”

Zhu Liyan was tall and strong, speaking in a loud, straightforward manner. He not only introduced himself but also included his friend in the introduction.

Li Lin glanced at the man named Fang Mingyi, and immediately, her eyes lit up. 

The man in front of her had a tall, lean build, with a refined, clean aura. His chiseled features were exactly to her liking.

“Lin Lin, let’s go. It’s getting late.”  

Hu Yingying noticed that Li Lin was staring at Fang Mingyi like a cat eyeing a piece of fish, so she hurriedly pulled Li Lin away, speaking as she walked.

“Oh, oh, okay.”  

Li Lin snapped out of it, her face flushed with embarrassment, and hurried to follow Hu Yingying out the door.

“Yi Ge, those two female educated youths seem alright.”  

After the two girls left, Zhu Liyan commented to Fang Mingyi, as they walked toward their room.

“Men and women have different roles.”  

Fang Mingyi responded indifferently, without paying much attention to the larger man. He took out his keys from his pocket, opened the door, and began washing his hands to prepare dinner.

“Yi Ge, the number of people coming to the countryside is increasing. I wonder when we’ll be able to return to the city.”

Zhu Liyan entered the room, grabbed a small stool, and sat down by the fire. As he tended to it, he frowned and spoke to Fang Mingyi.

“When it’s time to go back, we’ll go.”  

Fang Mingyi replied with a calm tone, but it was clear he was thinking about something else. He had been told when he first came to the countryside that he would have to spend three years here, with his companion, the big lug Zhu Liyan, as a way to avoid attention. After three years, they would be sent to their designated destinations. 

It had already been over a year. In less than two years, he would finally be able to go to the place he had been yearning for.

“Sigh. Although the countryside isn’t bad, when it’s busy season, it really takes a toll on you.”  

Zhu Liyan looked down at his increasingly darkened skin. He then glanced at Fang Mingyi’s pale complexion, which remained unaffected no matter how much time he spent in the sun. It made him feel envious.

“Quickly, start cooking. The people from the front yard will be coming soon to call us to the meeting.”  

Fang Mingyi’s tone didn’t change, but a flicker of distaste flashed in his eyes when he mentioned the front yard.

“Meetings, meetings… It’s more like a way for them to assert their power over the new arrivals. Those lowlifes from the front yard, how many of them have a good heart?”  

Zhu Liyan spat as he recalled the past. When he and Fang Mingyi first arrived, they had been hopeful and kind, even bringing some food to share. But what happened? The others not only tried to take their food but also wanted to steal everything they had brought with them. 

If it weren’t for Fang Mingyi stopping him, Zhu Liyan would have already beaten them up.

“Don’t talk nonsense. Even if it’s the truth, we shouldn’t be the ones to spread it.”  

Fang Mingyi reprimanded him sharply, then added, “When we go over later, don’t say anything, just keep quiet. Once the meeting is over, we’ll leave.”

“Got it.”  

Zhu Liyan nodded obediently, but his big eyes were still darting around.

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. You’ve got your eye on those two female educated youths, huh? They’re smart, so wait for the show tonight.”  

Zhu Liyan added, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Fang Mingyi had caught a glimpse of the two new female educated youths, and from just that brief glance, he knew they came from relatively well-off families and were women of their own opinions. 

Those people from the front yard? They wouldn’t be able to manipulate these two easily.

“Fine,” Zhu Liyan muttered, his thoughts quickly shifting as he realized he couldn’t pursue his earlier idea. With a resigned grunt, he focused back on the task of stoking the fire and preparing their meal.

Meanwhile, Li Lin and Hu Yingying were still unaware of what awaited them when they returned.

The two women found their way to the brigade leader’s house, where they explained their reasons for coming. Afterward, they each took out a piece of Big White Rabbit milk candy and handed it to a nearby child.

“Li Zhiqing, Hu Zhiqing, you can’t do that! These Big White Rabbit candies are precious, don’t let the children waste them, quickly take them back,” urged Zhang Jun’s wife, Li Cuilan, when she saw what they were doing.

“Auntie, even if they’re valuable, they’re meant to be eaten. Let the children have a sweet treat as a little gesture from us, a way of saying hello,” Li Lin responded with a smile, gently stopping Li Cuilan’s hand from taking the candies back.

Zhang Jun, who had been silent, interrupted his wife’s protest. He turned to the women and said, “You should go early tomorrow, and come back quickly. If you can’t buy a pot, go to the supply and marketing cooperative and look for Zhang Xia. Tell her I sent you.”

Li Lin and Hu Yingying exchanged a look, nodded, and expressed their thanks before declining the invitation to stay for dinner. Hand in hand, they left the house.

“I think you’re quite taken with those two girls,” Li Cuilan remarked with a knowing smile as she watched her husband walk away.

“They’re good people. We can get along with them,” Zhang Jun responded casually, walking outside.

Li Cuilan chuckled softly, shaking her head, before heading off to prepare their meal.

—

Back at the educated youth station, Li Lin and Hu Yingying were chatting as they walked through the darkening evening back to the station.

“Li Zhiqing, Hu Zhiqing, just in time! You two came back, great! Come to the front yard for the meeting. It’s to welcome you both and discuss the food situation for the new arrivals,” Zheng Guoqiang called out as he saw them return.

“Alright, we’re coming,” Li Lin and Hu Yingying answered after exchanging a glance. They followed Zheng Guoqiang to the front yard.

—

Once in the front yard, Zheng Guoqiang wasted no time and began speaking to the assembled group. “Today’s meeting has two main purposes: one, to welcome the new educated youths, and two, to talk about the food situation.”

Zheng Guoqiang’s words were simple and direct, and the rest of the group nodded, seemingly ready for the discussion.

Zhang Qinghua, one of the older educated youths, looked at his food supply and said, “Since we don’t have a pot and don’t know how to cook, we’ll just eat with you all from now on.”

Li Lin was surprised when he included them in his plans to share meals. Without missing a beat, she spoke up, “That’s you, not us. We’ll be living in a single room, so it’s easier for us to cook on our own.”

Hu Yingying, though not as quick to speak as Li Lin, supported her friend. “Yes, we’ll cook by ourselves too. It’s just more convenient.”

Li Lin’s refusal to join the communal meals immediately sparked some tension. 

Li Dilai, who had been pleased to hear that someone was willing to share their food, suddenly looked a little upset. “Well, if you’re not eating with us, just know that if something happens, we won’t be able to help you. After all, if we’re not sharing a meal together, it’ll be hard to help out.”

Her comment, although subtle, carried a hint of veiled threat, and the room fell silent for a moment.