Chapter 49

“The village head said, “Hurry up and go to work. You guys are getting more and more arrogant. Your tails are almost wagging in the air.”

“Whenever there’s something going on, you’re the first to run over. You love to gossip and be in the middle of things. Should I give you guys a few days off so you can chat properly? It doesn’t matter to you if you have food or not, judging by the way you are.”

The people below knew that the village head was angry, so no one dared to answer. Otherwise, they would be scolded. The village head wasn’t known for his good temper.

Only the newly arrived educated youths didn’t know. They thought the village head was very easygoing. That was when no one was bothering him. They couldn’t forget how the village head used a carrying pole to beat his lazy brothers-in-law. It was a memory they would never forget.

Time flew by, and five days later, Xia Yunxuan always felt like someone was watching her, but she didn’t pay much attention. This morning, after distributing the farm tools and locking the door, she rode Xiao Yichen’s bicycle to town to deliver the book to Director Wang.

The road was also not good. To be honest, this Flying Pigeon bicycle was too high for her. She was a little afraid to ride it, but she didn’t want to walk. She would buy a women’s bicycle when she got her manuscript fee.

As soon as Xia Yunxuan left, Xia Yunyan followed her to town. However, she didn’t walk as fast as Xia Yunxuan. Xia Yunyan took out a letter she had written and put it in the Revolutionary Committee’s envelope, hoping that someone would see it and come to arrest Xia Yunxuan.

Then, that damn girl’s house would be hers. She had passed by and seen that the house the damn girl built was so beautiful. It had floor tiles, and it was spacious, bright, and nice.

Unlike her, she could only live in a small storage room at home. It was dark and had mice. Why could a damn girl who had been disowned live so well, while she was living a life of hunger and not enough food?

Xia Yunxuan didn’t know that she was being targeted by someone with bad intentions. They had dug a pit and were waiting for her.

Xia Yunxuan rode her bicycle shakily and finally arrived at the bookstore. She greeted Director Wang, “Director Wang, hello. I’ve finished translating the book. I came here to deliver it to you.”

“Oh, Director Wang was surprised. “Little girl, you’re not fooling me, are you? You finished translating it so quickly?” Xia Yunxuan said, “Director Wang, have a look. Would I lie to you?”

Director Wang opened the book and saw Xia Yunxuan’s handwriting. He was deeply impressed. This girl was so young, yet her handwriting was so good. He looked at the translation and flipped through a few pages. It was all correct, not a single mistake. This was a huge surprise for him. He rarely met people who translated perfectly.

“Director Wang said, “Little girl, you’re really a talent. I checked a few pages, and there wasn’t a single mistake. Why don’t you sit down for a moment? I’ll take a closer look. If it’s all correct, the manuscript fee is quite high.”

Xia Yunxuan said, “Director Wang, take your time. I have time.” Director Wang was now very excited. He took the book Xia Yunxuan translated and started reading. After he finished reading it all, about half an hour had passed. Director Wang said, “Little girl, I’ve checked it all. It’s all correct. There’s not a single mistake. Your manuscript fee is 400 yuan per book. You have 4 books, so that’s 1600 yuan.”

Director Wang asked, “Little girl, do you have a savings account? If not, I’ll take you to the bank to open one. I’ll transfer the money to you. It’s not safe for you to carry so much money by yourself.”

“Keep your savings account. When you need money, you can just go to the bank and withdraw it.” Xia Yunxuan said, “Then I’ll trouble you, Director Wang. I don’t have a savings account.”

Director Wang said, “Little girl, you don’t have to be so polite. We’re helping each other. Besides, it’s more convenient for me to transfer the money if you have a savings account.”

Wang Haisheng took Xia Yunxuan to the bank and quickly opened a savings account for her. He also transferred the 1600 yuan manuscript fee. The bank staff were also very envious of this little girl. She was so young and already had so much savings. How long would it take for them to earn that much?

Wang Haisheng took Xia Yunxuan back to the bookstore. “Little girl, bring back a few more books this time. You translate so quickly anyway.” Xia Yunxuan said, “Okay, Director Wang, please get me a few more. I’ll deliver them to you when I finish translating them.”

“Little girl, wait a moment. I’ll get you a new ID. You translate so well, I’ll give you a higher-level ID. Even some leaders will have to give you special treatment when they see this ID.”

Xia Yunxuan smiled sweetly and politely said, “Thank you, Director Wang.” Director Wang was very happy to see this little girl smile so sweetly. He liked children who were capable and polite.

Xia Yunxuan waited for about 10 minutes before Wang Haisheng finished processing the ID. “Little girl, keep this ID safe.” Xia Yunxuan took the ID and thanked him politely. She saw that the ID was indeed much higher level. It said “Special Personnel of the State.”

Xia Yunxuan remembered that special personnel was a privilege given to senior research experts. She didn’t expect to have one now. But she was happy. This was the result of her hard work.

Xia Yunxuan put the ID in her bag, actually in her space, so it would be safer. “Director Wang, Zhao Comrade, I’ll be on my way then. See you next time.”

Director Wang smiled and said, “Little girl, take care.” After she left, Zhao Qinglan whispered, “Uncle, this little girl is amazing. I didn’t expect her to translate so well. I wish I had her skills.”

Wang Haisheng glanced around and said, “Don’t call me Uncle when you’re at work. It might leave a bad impression and people will say you got this job through backdoor connections.”

“You know how many people are eyeing your job. You can’t make any mistakes. Otherwise, someone will immediately take your job.”

“Yes, Director Wang, I understand. I’ll go to work now.”

Xia Yunxuan was riding her bicycle when she was about to reach the village. She took out a lot of rice, millet, glutinous rice, flour, eggs, pork belly, spare ribs, pig’s feet, pig liver, lard, bacon, and sausage from her space.

Although they were in bags, the sharp-eyed aunties saw them as she rode past and started gossiping. “You know, this little girl has suddenly become rich. Every day, we can smell meat. Look, she bought so many things. Didn’t she just split from her family?”

“Where did she get the money? Maybe what Mrs. He said about her losing money was true. Maybe the little girl stole it?”

“Some aunties who didn’t like her said, “Who knows? Otherwise, how did she get all this money and tickets?”