Chapter 22 See who is disgusting

When Song Nanting and the others saw Xu Shichang, Xu Shichang saw them too. He just glanced at them and immediately turned around to run away. Auntie Song spat with disgust, “He got off easy. But those two Red Guards weren’t any good if they just let him go like that.” Her tone was full of regret.

Song Nanting smiled and said, “Did you really expect them to drag him off for a public struggle session? Didn’t you hear Xu Shichang say he’s also a committee member? Just a quick call to verify his identity, throw in some benefits, and he’s free to go.”

In the countryside, they rarely encountered committee members, so Auntie Song’s worldview was shattered. “It can be like that?”

“Of course,” Comrade Han nodded affirmatively. “Although they’re not from the same place, people in that organization sometimes feel insecure. After getting scolded a lot, they sympathize with each other. Once you pay enough, and since he’s not local, there’s no point in holding him. Most likely, they’ll just release him.”

Auntie Song said angrily, “I hope we never run into them again.”

But fate is funny that way. After boarding the train, the three were in the same small carriage, and soon Xu Shichang came in carrying a bag. When he saw them, he instinctively wanted to leave. But after a few steps, he turned back, mumbling, “I didn’t do anything wrong, why should I leave?”

Xu Shichang’s seat was right below Auntie Song’s. Though Auntie Song was old, she actually liked being on the upper bunk. She peeked down and mocked, “Oh, isn’t this the comrade who looks down on poor peasants? I’m just a muddy-footed villager; I fart and snore a lot. Comrade, you’re so noble—don’t make me sick with your airs.”

After she spoke, Xu Shichang’s face darkened. Song Nanting and Comrade Han couldn’t help but cover their mouths and laugh. Auntie Song’s sharp tongue spared no one. They could tell this trip would be lively.

Sure enough, just as Xu Shichang lay on his bunk with a dark face, Auntie Song started tossing and turning above him. The bunk beds were shaky, creaking terribly. And with someone flipping around above, the person below wouldn’t be comfortable.

Plus, after Auntie Song’s comment, Xu Shichang couldn’t stop watching her, wondering if she’d really fart. His face grew darker and darker until he finally sat up angrily, “Auntie, if what happened before upset you, I apologize, isn’t that enough?”

Auntie Song, sitting cross-legged on the top bunk, said playfully, “Is that how you apologize? Someone might think I owe you money or something.”

“You! Don’t be so outrageous!” Xu Shichang snapped, putting on his shoes and leaving. Not long after, he came back with a conductor and pointed at Auntie Song, saying, “Comrade, this old lady is disturbing my rest up there. Can you move me to another bed?”

The conductor wasn’t like the modern ones—she was proud and looked at Auntie Song before saying, “The old lady’s just quietly sleeping; how is she disturbing you?”

Xu Shichang peeked up and nearly exploded—Auntie Song was lying there, looking perfectly asleep.

The conductor muttered, “Looks all proper but full of complaints. If the train’s not quiet enough, go fly. Bet you can’t even.”

Then she walked off.

Xu Shichang was even more furious. First, he got irritated by an old lady; then, the conductor made things worse. He was thoroughly miserable.

When the conductor had walked away, Auntie Song rolled off the top bunk, grinning triumphantly at Xu Shichang, “Kid, you’re still green if you think you can fight me. Back in the village when I fought, you were still hiding in your mama’s arms.”

Xu Shichang trembled with anger, his face red, and after a moment he grumbled, “Unreasonable.”

Auntie Song didn’t know what that meant and continued to cross her legs on the top bunk, humming a little tune.

Song Nanting and Comrade Han were amused, thinking Auntie Song was quite a character.

Unfortunately, their journey together wasn’t long, and Song Nanting was a bit reluctant to part ways. If only Lu Jian’an and Auntie Song’s son were in the same military district, she could have a connection, and being friends with Auntie Song would be pretty fun.

Auntie Song, tired of tormenting Xu Shichang, started climbing up and down the bunk repeatedly, going back and forth endlessly.

Xu Shichang lost his temper, “Are you done yet?”

Auntie Song suddenly cried out, “Oh no, come see! This big official is bullying a poor peasant! Looking down on the peasants!”

She put on a whole performance of singing, chanting, and acting it out.

Xu Shichang’s head was buzzing. More and more people gathered to watch the commotion. Xu Shichang angrily looked at Song Nanting, “Aren’t you going to do something?”

“Do something?” Song Nanting said innocently, “She’s not my mom. How can I control her?”

Xu Shichang: “…You!”

Song Nanting shrugged, “Besides, what Auntie Song said isn’t wrong. On the train before, you looked down on her because she’s a rural old lady and a poor peasant. Now she just wants to stretch her legs and you criticize her. What did she say that was wrong?”

Nothing she said was wrong, but everything stuck labels on Xu Shichang.

The bystanders watching Auntie Song crying with tears and snot thought she was pitiful and began to criticize Xu Shichang.

“You young people shouldn’t behave like this. Poor peasants are loyal and competent. If you look down on her, then what kind of person are you?”

“Yeah, all dressed up but don’t act like a decent person.”

Voices murmured all around. Xu Shichang had no way to respond. He used to be an important committee member in the capital, but here on this train, he couldn’t handle two women.

“You all aren’t aware enough and still criticize me? Unreasonable!” With that, Xu Shichang grabbed his bag and stormed off.

Once he left, the excitement ended. Auntie Song said, “Let’s all disperse. I’m too old to argue with a young man.”

As the crowd dispersed, Song Nanting gave Auntie Song a thumbs-up, “Auntie, you’re awesome.”

Auntie Song proudly said, “Of course. Old foxes are the most cunning. There’s no way I’d let him bully me.”

She glanced at the bunk and asked, “Do you think he’ll come back?”

Song Nanting shook her head, “I don’t know.”

Auntie Song was conflicted. “Honestly, I kind of want him to come back.”

Song Nanting was curious, “Why?”

“It’d be fun. I could tease him. Now that he’s gone, I’m bored.”

Not far away, Xu Shichang, who had just reached the carriage connection, looked even darker in the face. After a moment, furious, he turned and walked away.

Xu Shichang didn’t return. Auntie Song sighed and climbed up to her bunk to sleep.

At noon, the train stopped at a station, and an old lady walked by carrying luggage.

Xu Shichang led the way in front, “Auntie, this is your compartment. It even has a lower bunk.”

Looking at the unfriendly old lady in front, Song Nanting and Auntie Song were dumbfounded.

Xu Shichang had swapped tickets with someone else.