Chapter 14: A New Approach

On the way to the fields, Luo Qiao kept thinking about how school had already started. She needed to find time in the next few days to visit the middle school at the commune to see if she could resolve her schooling issue.

She wondered if she could just take exams without attending regular classes. Once the land was distributed, she could manage her time more freely.

When she arrived at the fields, the captain’s wife, Qiao Lanlan, was already there. She waved to her to come over and to join her.

At lunchtime, Qiao Lanlan had praised Luo Qiao a lot to her husband. Indeed, this young girl was endearing, working earnestly and diligently, which made people feel sorry for her.

During the afternoon work, Luo Qiao chatted a lot with Aunt Qiao, learning many things about the village.

As the days passed, Luo Qiao gradually gained a good understanding of Qingshan Village. During this time, Gao Suhua came twice, but Luo Qiao ignored her. Since she didn’t open the door, Gao Suhua could only leave in frustration.

When working, Luo Qiao stayed close to the captain’s wife, Qiao Lanlan. Gao Suhua tried several times to talk to Luo Qiao but failed each time, nearly driving herself to fury.

Now, Gao Suhua had changed her tactics, sending her daughters to get close to Luo Qiao. Clearly, Gao Suhua was plotting something sinister.

However, Luo Qiao now had an independent household registration, so whatever schemes Gao Suhua had in mind would be in vain. She was not the original Luo Qiao, who had been foolishly manipulated by the Zhao family for her entire life.

After half a month of hard work, they had finally plowed all the fields in the village. They were letting the fields rest for a few days before planting. There was no heavy labor in the fields for the next few days.

Before sowing, the commune organized a road repair project. Each village was responsible for its own section of the road, and all the able-bodied adults in the village were assigned to cooperate with the commune in repairing the roads.

When they said road repair, it basically meant leveling the ground and filling in any pits with soil, a task that would take just two or three days and wouldn’t interfere with the spring planting.

Some of the women and the younger laborers were assigned to the team warehouse to sort soybean seeds. Over the past few days, Luo Qiao had gradually become familiar with the people in the brigade

At the end of the day’s work, the captain announced that they would have the next day off to tidy up their private plots and handle any personal matters, with spring planting beginning the day after, during which no one would be allowed to take leave.

The captain had allocated two fen of land to Luo Qiao for her private plot, which was part of the original private land for the educated youth. Luo Qiao had been tidying it up bit by bit after work over the past few days, and the ridges in the field were now ready.

Behind the educated youth courtyard, there was about one and a half fen of land. Luo Qiao planned to grow vegetables there, while the two fen of private land would be used to plant sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn, to avoid arousing jealousy from others if her vegetables turned out too well.

She planned to sell the vegetables from the one and a half fen of land at the commune or a state-run place in the city, as the situation now was different and regulations were not as strict.

Luo Qiao intended to visit the commune the next day, hoping to find some junior high and high school textbooks. She also planned to check with the school to see if she could join midway, attending only for exams.

Having returned to a normal diet over the past few days, Luo Qiao steamed rice for dinner, using rice from her space. Since Qingshan Village mainly grew corn and wheat, she never cooked rice during the day.

She made a mixed stew with potatoes and beans, and also stir-fried eggplant with minced garlic. After eating and tidying up the kitchen, she went outside, where the water she had boiled in the kitchen was ready. She filled a basin and took a bath.

Just as she was about to clean up the courtyard and go back inside, she heard voices coming from the path. Luo Qiao recognized the voices as those of the Zhao family’s daughters. It seemed they were not done pestering her.