Chapter 28

“How about it? Did you get through to your sister-in-law?” 

After the siblings returned home from the county town and confirmed that they had eaten at the State-Owned Restaurant, Cao Qiuhua asked about the phone call. 

The twins had spotted some eels on the way back. Once home, they rolled up their pants, changed into straw sandals, grabbed an iron fork and a bucket, and rushed out. 

This time, the brothers didn’t ask their Little Sister Yuyu to join, knowing full well that the young girl didn’t like those soft-boned creatures. 

It was mid-July, the height of summer, and the sun hung in the sky like a blazing fireball. Chen Nongmo couldn’t help but admire her two brothers’ stamina. 

Although they had been lucky enough to catch a ride on a passing tractor when leaving the county town, it only got them as far as the town center. The rest of the journey had to be made on foot. 

“Big Sister-in-law was at work today, so we only got to talk to Big Brother,” said Chen Nongmo, who felt so hot she thought she might burst into flames. She immediately soaked a towel in the well water and used it to wash her face and hands. 

Cao Qiuhua followed closely behind her daughter and wanted to ask more questions, but she noticed that her daughter’s white shirt was already soaked with sweat. “There’s hot water in the pot. Go take a bath and change into clean clothes first.” 

Chen Nongmo tugged at her shirt, frowning in discomfort. “Alright, let’s talk after I bathe.” 

After freshening up and washing her clothes, a now-clean and refreshed Chen Nongmo drank a bowl of cool mung bean soup that Mother Qiuhua had hung in the well water in advance. Only then did she feel the summer heat from the long journey home finally dissipate. 

Still worried about her eldest son, Cao Qiuhua pressed on, “What did your Big Brother say? How’s Yuegui feeling?” 

“Big Brother said everything’s fine. She’s doing well, no big reactions. He also mentioned that once Sister-in-law gets a few days off, they’ll call home together.” 

As she spoke, Chen Nongmo had already kicked off her slippers, sprawled onto another bamboo chair beside Mother Qiuhua, let her damp long hair hang loose, and closed her eyes, basking in comfort. 

Living at the foot of the mountain certainly had its drawbacks, like the abundance of mosquitoes that required multiple bouts of smoke to ward them off daily. But the lush greenery made it a good six or seven degrees cooler than outside. 

In just a short while, the last traces of heat on Chen Nongmo’s body were soothed away by the gentle breeze. 

Cao Qiuhua reached out and draped the small blanket that was hanging on the back of the rocking chair over her daughter’s stomach. “If you’re tired, go inside and sleep.”

Having walked a lot today, Chen Nongmo didn’t want to move anymore. Without opening her eyes, she replied, “I’m not tired. It’s just that I’ve walked too much. I just need to rest for a bit.”

Two minutes later, the one who claimed not to be tired had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Seeing this, Cao Qiuhua couldn’t help but smile. She adjusted the blanket, covering her daughter completely, before lying back in her own rocking chair.

As she rocked back and forth, she too began to feel a bit drowsy.

Before falling asleep, she thought to herself that the rocking chair her husband and sons had made was incredibly comfortable.

Chen Nongmo didn’t dare catch eels but loved to eat them.

Especially the braised chestnut eels that Mother Qiuhua was so good at making. They were an absolute delicacy.

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At the dinner table, the family ate while chatting.

The conversation mostly centered around the future of the three children who had already graduated from high school.

When everyone had eaten enough, Chen Yi finally spoke up to his parents, “The thing with the Chinese teacher helping out, it’s been settled.”

“Are you really sure about becoming a substitute teacher at an elementary school? You really don’t want to go to a workers’ and peasants’ university?” Cao Qiuhua asked, still feeling somewhat regretful.

Fifth Brother Yi had good grades and loved to study.

He clearly had the opportunity to attend university, yet he didn’t want to go.

Chen Yi shook his head. “You know, I’ve asked around with some alumni from our village and the neighboring village who went to a workers’ and peasants’ university. I found out about the actual situation at the university, and I don’t like that kind of environment. I think I’ll find a job first, observe for a year or two, and then decide.”

There was one thing he didn’t say: all of his three older brothers had joined the army, and he had to take care of the family.

Two years ago, just two or three months after high school graduation, his Third Brother Huai, Chen Huai, had been specially recruited by the military to fill a position that was supposed to be reserved for a workers’ and peasants’ university student.

Yes, it had been a special recruitment.

The reason was simple. Second Brother Liu, Cao Liu, had performed exceptionally well in the Military Unit. Within just a few months after joining the guard battalion, he had caught the attention of several leaders, who expressed their intent to take him after the assessment ended.

Hearing this repeatedly, one day, a drill officer jokingly said that they should divide Cao Liu into a few parts, so that everyone wouldn’t have to fight over him.

Cao Liu, being calculating, immediately took the joke to heart.

After weighing the pros and cons several times, he finally called home and confirmed that his Third Brother Huai, Chen Huai, wanted to join the military. He then informed his superiors that he had a younger brother who had also graduated high school and had a solid physique.

Thus, Chen Huai was quickly approved for enlistment and, alongside Cao Liu, became an honorable soldier in the guard battalion.

Since Third Brother Huai entered the Military Unit, Chen Yi had begun to rethink his future.

He had no strong desire to join the army, and his physical fitness was only average. Compared to the Military Unit, he was now more interested in working in a government department.

Though the overall situation was slowly improving, no one could guarantee that another storm wouldn’t come. That was why he had decided to find a job and observe for a year or two before making any further decisions.

The principal of the town’s elementary school was the wife of the Chinese teacher.

With her help, Chen Yi had already successfully signed up and was just waiting for the upcoming exams and selection process.

He was confident that he would be able to become a teacher.

Of course, he had set a time limit for himself. If the university situation didn’t improve within five years, he would adjust his plans.

After explaining his reasons to his family, Chen Yi turned to his Little Sister Yuyu sitting next to him. “Are you sure you don’t want to take the exam with me? The elementary school environment is relatively simple.”

Chen Nongmo had already made it clear that she didn’t want to attend a workers’ and peasants’ university. Since they were both still observing their options, Chen Yi thought it might be a good idea for his Little Sister Yuyu to try teaching for a few years.

Chen Nongmo shook her head, finished the last spoonful of porridge in her bowl, and then said, “Even if I’m lucky enough to get in, I wouldn’t be able to stay long. Who knows, maybe one day Mom and Dad(Bioligical Parents) will agree to let me go see the borderlands…”

Cao Qiuhua nodded in agreement. “You’re older now. It’s time for you to go take a look. When do you plan to leave?”

Chen Nongmo began to clear the dishes. “No rush, at least I’ll discuss it with Mom and Dad first.”

Chen Yi also helped clean up. “This matter isn’t urgent. Not only do we need Dad and the others to agree, but me and Fourth Brother Jun also need to have time to send you off.”

Upon hearing this, Cao Qiuhua glanced at her daughter’s strikingly beautiful face and nodded in agreement. “That’s true. It’d be better to wait for warmer weather to leave.”

In mid-August, Fifth Brother Yi was preparing for exams, and Fourth Brother Jun had been sent to the county transportation team to learn to drive, thanks to Big Brother’s connections.

At this rate, it would likely be next spring before anything could happen.

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In mid-August, six more Educated Youth arrived at the village.

Since the late 1960s, Shanshun Village had seen many Educated Youth come and few leave. Over time, the village had accumulated over twenty Educated Youth.

However, no matter how many arrived, the villagers always maintained a distant relationship with the Educated Youth. They neither bullied them nor got close to them.

In the past two years, aside from noticing when a girl named Dong Xiuxiu left, Chen Nongmo hadn’t been particularly curious about any of the others.

But this time was different. Ever since the Old Secretary had used a loudspeaker to announce that the village would soon receive a few more Educated Youth, her interest had been piqued.

Chen Nongmo kept her eyes on the situation.

Especially that afternoon, when she learned that Uncle Ergen had returned with a tractor full of people, her curiosity piqued.

Having spent about a month learning to drive, Chen Jun, who had come home for a rare visit, thought of himself as a considerate older brother.

He truly believed that his Little Sister Yuyu was simply fascinated by the Educated Youth, so he immediately pulled her toward the Village Committee. “I heard that the Old Secretary doesn’t want to bring any more Educated Youth into the village. There’s no room for them at the Educated Youth point, so the people who arrived today might be temporarily scattered to stay in villagers’ homes. I really don’t want strangers living in our house…”

At this point, he stressed again, “It’s not that I’m being unsupportive, but I’m sure everyone feels the same way. Just wait, there will definitely be some negotiation over this matter today.”

Chen Nongmo wasn’t concerned with that. The Old Secretary, always cheerful, was a force to be reckoned with, and she trusted he could handle it just fine.

What she cared about was identifying which one of the Educated Youth was the same kind of villain that had caused the girl in her novel to meet a tragic end.

Seeing that she was walking along, Chen Yi, who had also come out, sensed that she wasn’t just interested in the Educated Youth. He gave her a gentle pat on the head. “What’s wrong? You don’t look too well.”

Chen Nongmo shook her head. “It’s nothing. I just kicked a small stone.”

Hearing this, Chen Yi paused, looking at her with a fixed gaze, clearly not convinced.

But since Yuyu didn’t want to say more, he didn’t push further. With a gentle smile, he simply stayed close beside her.