Chapter 33: A Rare Fool in the World

The reason why the government provided a 20-kilogram grain subsidy to the educated youth was that it feared they would be unable to adapt to rural life and end up starving.

Because this had happened before.

Every regulation has an unknown story behind it. No matter how absurd it may seem, it is based on real events.

However, the government had a heavy burden and could not afford to provide monthly subsidies. The assistance was only for the first month after that, the educated youth had to fend for themselves.

Moreover, when they signed up to go to the countryside, the Youth League Office gave each of them a resettlement fee of over 100 yuan, which was enough for them to survive for a while.

Some families, however, sent their children to the countryside just to receive this resettlement fee.

Once they got the money, they would never let their children take it with them.

In short, the educated youth movement had been ongoing since the 1950s, and more than twenty years had passed. Many things had changed.

By the time these educated youth arrived in the countryside, most of them had to rely on themselves.

But the countryside was not a dangerous place. As long as one was willing to shed the air of a scholar and work diligently, they could still survive.

Perhaps they could even live a comfortable life.

After all, from ancient times to the present, people have always had a natural admiration for those who are educated and knowledgeable.

The only ones in trouble were those who had lofty ideals but fragile resilience.

…

When Zhao Xue and Lin Ranran arrived, Mai Juncai immediately said, “Zhao Zhiqing, Lin Zhiqing, there’s no more space. You’ll have to walk back.”

Lin Ranran pointed at an empty seat and said casually, “Isn’t this seat still open?”

“There are four new educated youth arriving. These seats are reserved for them.”

Lin Ranran thought back to when she first arrived and felt empathy for them. She didn’t argue further and was ready to accept her fate and walk back.

But Zhao Xue didn’t want to walk. She spoke to Mai Juncai in a sweet, pitiful voice:

“Brother Juncai, we don’t take up much space. Maybe we could squeeze in. Or we could sit in the aisle?”

Mai Juncai was a straightforward man. He was so dull that he didn’t even understand romance with his own wife, let alone recognize Zhao Xue’s flirtation.

Without hesitation, he refused: “No, the aisle is for luggage. If you take up space, where will the new educated youth put their belongings?”

Then, he even lectured Zhao Xue:

“Zhao Zhiqing, the Great Leader taught us to carry forward the fine tradition of hard work and perseverance. It’s just a short walk don’t be so delicate.”

Hearing this, the villagers on the tractor began to mock Zhao Xue.

“That’s right, Zhao Zhiqing. It’s just a walk. Why are you acting like you’re about to die? Lin Zhiqing can walk, so why can’t you?”

“Zhao Zhiqing, you’ve been in the countryside for quite a while now. Why do you still act like a newcomer?”

Meng Guilan, in particular, seemed to hold a strong dislike for Zhao Xue. She spoke even more bluntly:

“Zhao Xue, stop talking so sweetly. What do you mean by ‘Brother Juncai’? Is Juncai your brother? Why are you calling him that?”

“Aren’t you educated youth supposed to call people ‘comrades’?”

“I see you’re just the type to flirt wherever you go. It’s disgusting to watch. Ugh!”

It turned out that Meng Guilan’s youngest son, He Jiawei, had taken a liking to Zhao Xue.

Meng Guilan had once overheard Zhao Xue calling her son “Jiawei Ge” (Brother Jiawei), and her foolish son had happily gone to help her with work.

He even secretly saved his own food rations to give to Zhao Xue.

In fact, it wasn’t uncommon for educated youth to marry local villagers. If her son truly liked Zhao Xue, Meng Guilan wouldn’t have opposed it.

But Zhao Xue never gave a clear answer she simply kept stringing He Jiawei along to do work for her.

After some time, Meng Guilan realized what was going on and privately advised her son to give up. She told him that Zhao Xue looked down on them because they were just a peasant family.

But He Jiawei was completely bewitched. He didn’t believe his mother’s words and was determined to marry Zhao Xue.

He was even working hard to save money, planning to buy a three-wheeler and a ring to marry Zhao Xue in a grand ceremony.

Now, hearing Zhao Xue call Mai Juncai “Brother” in such a flirtatious tone, Meng Guilan was utterly enraged. She lashed out without restraint.

Zhao Xue was, after all, a young woman. She couldn’t stand being humiliated like that, so she immediately started crying.

At the same time, she didn’t forget to argue back: “Aunt Meng, how can you say that about me? You’re forcing me to my death! I… I don’t want to live anymore!”

With that, Zhao Xue pretended to throw herself at the tractor in an attempt to take her own life.

Mai Juncai reacted quickly and grabbed her arm, preventing her from getting hurt.

Lin Ranran snapped out of her shock and rushed forward to support Zhao Xue. Only then did Mai Juncai let go, taking a small step back to avoid suspicion.

Previously, when Zhao Xue called him “Brother Juncai,” he didn’t think much of it.

But after Meng Guilan’s outburst, he had to be cautious.

Otherwise, if people started gossiping about him, his father would beat him to death.

Lin Ranran was hot-tempered. Seeing her friend forced to the brink of suicide, how could she stay silent?

She pointed at the villagers on the tractor and shouted angrily:

“Well, you people from Lianhua Village are really something! Ganging up on us educated youth!”

“Just so happens that we’re at the commune. I’ll go find the commune secretary to report this! Since when is calling someone ‘big brother’ considered seduction?”

Zhao Xue, still crying, looked delicate and pitiful. But as soon as she heard Lin Ranran’s words, she quickly lowered her head hiding the victorious smirk on her lips.

Lin Ranran was being used as a pawn, but she didn’t even realize it. She was still furiously standing up for Zhao Xue.

Seeing this, Mai Juncai knew he couldn’t let Lin Ranran go to the commune secretary, so he quickly grabbed her.

“Lin Zhiqing, you’ve misunderstood. We didn’t bully Zhao Zhiqing.”

Lin Ranran’s eyes widened with anger. “Comrade Mai Juncai, let me remind you that there are differences between men and women. Let go of me immediately, or I’ll accuse you of being a hooligan!”

Mai Juncai quickly released her. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it.”

At this moment, Meng Guilan began to panic. She had only wanted to vent the resentment that had been building up in her heart, but she hadn’t expected the other party to threaten to report the matter to the commune.

If the team leader found out that she was the one who embarrassed Lianhua Village in front of the commune leaders, she would definitely be criticized.

That could not happen!

Seeing that Mai Juncai was unable to stop Lin Ranran, Meng Guilan quickly jumped out of the vehicle and tried to hold back the impulsive young woman.

“Lin Zhiqing, I spoke without thinking. I was wrong, okay? I’ll give you my seat and walk back instead.”

Hearing this, Lin Ranran became even angrier.

“What do you mean by that? We’re not trying to take anyone’s seat stop slandering us!”

“Yes, yes, I misspoke again. I’ll make it up to you. Will that do?”

Just then, Mai Xiangdong arrived with four new educated youths.

As soon as he got there, he noticed the tense atmosphere and turned to Mai Juncai for an explanation.

Mai Juncai quickly recounted what had happened.

Zhao Xue, seeing Mai Xiangdong approach, swiftly wiped away her tears and put on an understanding expression.

“Captain, I’m sorry. Ranran didn’t really mean to report anything she just got caught up in the heat of the moment.

Ultimately, this is all my fault. I lost my temper. Please don’t blame Ranran.”

On the surface, this seemed like an attempt to defend Lin Ranran, but in reality, it was a way to absolve herself of responsibility.

But Lin Ranran was foolish too naive and too fearless in the face of authority. She straightened her neck and declared righteously:

“Zhao Xue, how could this be your fault? They were the ones who ganged up to bully you!

Captain, I don’t care if you’re here. Everyone saw what just happened. I refuse to believe that you can cover up the truth!”

Mai Xiangdong’s expression darkened.

In the end, it was Zhao Xue who persuaded Lin Ranran to let it go.

Fools like Lin Ranran are rare in this world.

What had originally been a simple matter Meng Guilan misspeaking had been blown up into a full-fledged conflict between Lianhua Village and the educated youths, all because of Lin Ranran’s stubbornness.

She failed to consider one crucial question: If she offended the entire village, how would she survive here in the future?