Upon hearing Wei Lanlan’s words, Xu Ning stepped out of the kitchen, her face serious. “Who said that? Step forward! I came to Yushu Village as an educated youth to help develop the countryside. The leaders have said that we are all one big family.

I believe everyone came here with the same purpose. With so many people in the educated youth compound building houses, and with villagers living separately, does that mean we’re not all family?

We’re here for a common goal. Instead of working together to unite everyone, you act like a mouse turd trying to create division. Just watch; I’m going to break your legs today.”

After saying this, she shot a glance at Liu Fang and walked toward her with a fire poker in hand. Liu Fang, frightened, quickly hid behind Chunhua.

Chunhua, worried that the two would end up fighting like last time, laughed nervously and said, “Xu Ning, she’s just joking with you. You said it yourself, we’re one big family. Let’s not take it too seriously.”

Xu Ning maintained her serious expression and replied to Chunhua, “Chunhua Zhiqing, it’s not right to defend her like this. While we are a family, every family has its troublemakers. If we don’t correct her behavior, she’ll cause trouble for others in the future. Move aside; I’m going to teach her how to be a decent person today.”

Remembering the time Xu Ning had slapped her, Liu Fang turned and ran back to the educated youth compound.

Xu Ning hadn’t originally planned to hit her; she just wanted to scare her. However, she was annoyed by Chunhua’s comment.

Looking at her, she said, “Comrade Chunhua, you’re not helping her; you’re harming her! I used to think you were someone who could clearly distinguish right from wrong, but today… sigh.”

After saying that, Xu Ning sighed, shook her head, and went back into the house, leaving Chunhua standing there feeling awkward.

Wei Lanlan stifled a laugh and pulled Chen Xiangdong away with her as they left.

In just two days, Xu Ning’s courtyard wall was completed. The wall was quite tall, nearly two meters high, and in one corner, they built a small bathroom for summer use.

With the wall finished, Xu Ning effectively had her own courtyard. When Wei Lanlan and Yang Xiaomei came to visit, they were both very envious.

On the day the wall was completed, Xu Ning invited a few people over for a meal, which included pork, sauerkraut stewed with vermicelli, cold wood ear mushrooms, and handmade pancakes.

In 1973, when spring planting began, Wang Juanjuan’s house was still not finished. Spring planting was a significant matter that couldn’t be delayed, so they would have to continue building her house after the planting season.

Everyone in the educated youth compound was assigned to work together digging the fields. Xu An was also given time off for spring planting; this year, he planned to earn seven work points. He and his two good friends, Liu Shaojie and Zhang Hairong, asked the squad leader to assign them together with Xu An, so they could chat while they worked.

After last year’s incident where some educated youths had bullied the people in the cow shed, Old Man Qi went to the village head to request that the four workers in the cow shed be separated for their tasks. The village head agreed and assigned them to work in a different field, while Xu Mo followed behind, collecting the roots they dug up, earning a work point each day.

As usual, Xu Ning finished her assigned work and then returned to tend to her private plot. With the high courtyard wall, she felt completely separated from the educated youth compound. She dug up every corner of her yard, allowing her to plant even more vegetables.

This year, she planned to grow more watermelons, cucumbers, and tomatoes at home, and she could even plant a few pumpkin plants in the corner of the yard.

Looking at the tidy and organized courtyard, she felt very pleased. How had she not thought of building a wall in the middle before? How foolish she had been!

Now that there was a wall, it became inconvenient for Wei Lanlan and Yang Xiaomei to visit; they had to take a long detour to come over.

While digging, Wei Lanlan asked, “Have you planted your vegetables yet? What are you planning to grow this year?”

Xu Ning replied, “I’m planting green beans, eggplants, peppers, watermelons, pumpkins, cucumbers, and tomatoes.”

Hearing her list, Wei Lanlan inquired, “Do you have any extra watermelon seeds? I’d like to plant some, too.”

Xu Ning nodded, saying, “I have some extra. I saved all the seeds from the largest and sweetest watermelon last year. You can ask Yang Xiaomei if she wants any, and I’ll bring them to you this afternoon. This is the perfect time to plant.”

As the two chatted, they heard Wang Juanjuan start to cry. Liu Fang and Chunhua were nearby comforting her, while Gu Wenjing and Gu Wenping also approached to ask what was wrong.

Xu Ning glanced over, then turned her face back to continue digging, and Wei Lanlan didn’t go over either.

Yang Xiaomei and Sun Hao exchanged glances but didn’t move. The two were also planning to get married this year, working and eating together every day.

Xu Ning glanced at the others as well. Lin Qiuhua was focused on her work, seemingly oblivious to what was happening.

Yang Wenli and Lin Miao were busy with their own tasks.

Liu Shaojie and Zhang Haihong were chatting with Xu An, and the three of them were laughing heartily, completely unaware of the situation unfolding nearby.

During the lunch break, Gu Wenping and Gu Wenjing took Wang Juanjuan to see the village head. They mentioned that she couldn’t do the work and asked if they could switch tasks.

Xu Ning couldn’t help but laugh. In the village, even girls around fourteen or fifteen were doing this kind of work. Did they think they were more precious than anyone else? Did they really believe the village head was their father?

Xu An noticed his sister laughing and asked, “Sister, do you think the village head will really switch her tasks?”

Xu Ning glanced at him and replied, “What a fanciful thought! The village head isn’t foolish. If he switches her tasks today, tomorrow all the young girls and women in the village will come to him to ask for the same.”

The siblings hurried to finish their work in the afternoon and headed to Aunt Dashuan’s self-cultivated land. They had arranged with Aunt Dashuan the day before to help pull vegetable seedlings from her field.

Xu Ning planned to get the seedlings in the ground early so they could have fresh vegetables a few days sooner.

Wang Juanjuan watched the siblings get to work so early, glancing down at the blisters on her hands. She felt a mix of envy and jealousy as she stared at them.

Lin Qiuhua was working in a nearby patch and noticed her expression. She chuckled, thinking to herself that Wang Juanjuan should focus on her own work instead of constantly watching others.

Lin Qiuhua felt a wave of shame wash over her as she realized she used to be just like Wang Juanjuan. If it hadn’t been for Liu Fang’s instigation, getting the people from the cattle shed to help her, she wouldn’t have earned a reputation for bullying others, and her marriage prospects wouldn’t have fallen through.

Liu Fang noticed the siblings working early and the envious look in Wang Juanjuan’s eyes. She scoffed, “That girl has strength, works quickly, and knows how to flatter people.”

Wang Juanjuan perked up, asking, “Whom is she flattering?”

Liu Fang replied dismissively, “Who else? The village head’s wife! But flattering won’t do her any good; it didn’t get her a better task, did it?”

Wang Juanjuan’s gaze darkened as she recalled the village head’s words when she went with Gu Wenping and Gu Wenjing to request a task change. He had said, “Wang Zhiqing, you’re just new here; you’ll get used to it. Life in the countryside isn’t like the city. Farming isn’t easy work. Our village’s young girls, at thirteen or fourteen, are already digging in the fields, and even five- or six-year-old children earn work points in the fields. Just look at Xu Ning and her brother—they were so young when they first arrived, yet they do the same work as everyone else.”