Chapter 5 – Lodging

“Captain, do you know how long it will take to finish building the dormitory for the educated youth?” Wang Yuman asked.

“About a month or so. It’s the busy farming season now, so construction can only happen after work hours.”

“Then how much would it cost per month if we stay with villagers?” Qin Fang asked.

“One yuan per month. As for meals, whether you pay with money, food, or ration coupons, that’s up to you to negotiate,” the captain replied curtly without even sparing her a glance.

“So expensive? This is the first time I’ve heard of having to pay to rent a house just to go to the countryside,” Qin Fang blurted out again.

It wasn’t that she deliberately wanted to pick a fight with the captain. The truth was, her family had taken her entire countryside subsidy, only giving her thirty yuan and a few ration coupons. Now, she was already looking at spending one yuan for just a month.

She worried she wouldn’t survive long enough to start earning work points.

And as for Nanqiao—currently looking like she couldn’t care less and ignoring her completely—Qin Fang figured it’d take a miracle to get any benefit out of her.

The captain was just about to lose his temper when the village Women’s Director beside him stopped him with a look, and he held back.

“This little educated youth,” said the Women’s Director kindly, “I’m the Women’s Director of the village. Just call me Auntie Xiumei. Regarding staying with villagers, we did report to the commune in advance. The fee was also set by the commune. If you’re not willing, you can apply for a transfer in town. Or, if you prefer, our brigade can arrange for your return. What do you think?”

Qin Fang gave up the idea at once. She realized she’d been too impulsive. What Auntie Xiumei said was true—if she were sent back, it would be formally reported and criticized, and she might never be accepted by a work unit again.

So she reluctantly shut her mouth.

Seeing her fall silent, Auntie Xiumei continued, “You all discuss among yourselves and make your decisions quickly. Everyone is still waiting to go home and cook.”

“Captain, I’ll stay with a village family,” Nanqiao raised her hand and said.

Shen Nian, seeing Nanqiao agree to stay with villagers, tugged at her sleeve and whispered, “Qiaoqiao, can I stay with you?”

“Of course,” Nanqiao replied without hesitation.

Shen Nian quickly raised her hand too. “Captain, I agree as well. But can I stay in the same household as Qiaoqiao?”

The captain originally had a poor impression of these two overly pretty girls, assuming they were useless. But seeing how cooperative they were, he softened a bit. “That’s fine, but if you want separate rooms, it’s separate charges.”

“No problem,” Shen Nian agreed cheerfully.

“And what about you three?” the captain asked the rest with a frown.

“Maybe I’ll also stay with a villager,” Dong Jiayan said with a slightly wronged tone as she glanced at Su Mu, who hadn’t even looked at her once.

Her family wasn’t wealthy either, but to maintain her pure image, she couldn’t bring herself to argue with Wang Yuman or Qin Fang. She’d hoped Su Mu would speak up for her so she could stay at the educated youth point and be closer to him.

But he didn’t even glance her way.

After a long silence from the other two, the captain lost his patience. “Hurry up! The sun’s going down. How long do you plan to keep everyone waiting?”

Seeing this, Qin Fang quickly said, “Then I’ll stay… at the youth dorm. Jiayan, you and Yuman are better off than me. I’m sure you don’t mind, right?” She said it so righteously, it was hard to argue.

Dong Jiayan’s face froze. Seeing everyone staring at her, she could only say, “N-No, I don’t mind.”

Wang Yuman said nothing, only rolling her eyes when no one was watching. Though they were supposed to be friends, it was a fragile kind of friendship. Qin Fang was always opportunistic, so this wasn’t surprising.

Seeing no objection, the captain continued, “Then it’s settled.”

“You two will stay at Auntie Xiumei’s place. Didn’t you want to live together? Her old house has just enough space,” he said, pointing to Nanqiao and Shen Nian.

“You two will go to Granny Wang’s and Aunt Zhao’s homes,” he said, pointing to Dong Jiayan and Wang Yuman.

“Alright, that’s it. These next couple of days, get what you need. The day after tomorrow, you’ll officially start work,” he said, leading the others to the youth dorm.

Meanwhile, those temporarily staying with villagers followed the village hosts to their lodgings.

The captain had carefully selected elderly villagers, all over fifty, with households consisting of an elderly couple, perhaps a son and daughter-in-law, and young children—suitable for female educated youth.

As for Auntie Xiumei’s old house, her family had built a new red-brick home because the children had grown up and there wasn’t enough space. The old house was left empty.

When Nanqiao and Shen Nian followed Auntie Xiumei to the old house, they found it clean and tidy.

“There were originally three rooms here, but one’s used for storage. That leaves the main room and one sun-facing room—one big, one small, but not much difference. You two pick.”

“Auntie, Nian Nian, I’ll take the smaller one,” Shen Nian didn’t mind. She wasn’t particular about size—smaller meant cozier.

“Alright, come this way,” said Auntie Xiumei, leading Nanqiao to the side room while Shen Nian went to her own bedroom.

Nanqiao opened the door. Inside was a kang bed. Though not luxurious, it was big and functional. The room had a stove for heating the kang, cupboards by the wall, a table, and a chair. Not too comfortable, but enough for her to get by.

“Auntie, can I use the cupboards in here?”

“Of course, everything in here is yours to use. If you need more, go to the carpenter at the edge of the village. He can make cupboards or tables for a bit of grain or ration coupons.”

Nanqiao nodded obediently. She pulled out one yuan from her pocket, added another from Shen Nian, and handed them to Auntie Xiumei. “Auntie, here’s our rent for the month.”

“Oh dear, no rush! You girls just moved in—no need to worry about rent yet.”

“Please take it, Auntie. It’ll help us feel more at ease settling in. Besides, I have another favor to ask.”

“What is it, dear? Just tell Auntie.”

“I couldn’t bring too much with me this time. My bedding was mailed separately by my family, but it hasn’t arrived yet. Do you know anyone with spare bedding I could trade for? I can give ration coupons or money.”

Private sales weren’t allowed at the time, so saying “trade” was a more delicate way to put it.

Nanqiao had bedding in her space, and could even sleep inside the space if needed. But since Shen Nian knew her circumstances, she had to maintain appearances.

“Hmm… no one’s rich these days. A full set might be hard to find. If you don’t mind used bedding, we do have clean ones.”

Auntie Xiumei was worried the city girl would be too particular.

“I don’t mind, Auntie. Honestly, having anything at all is already very kind of you.” Nanqiao didn’t intend to use it anyway, so new or old didn’t matter. It was all for show.

“I’ll ask my daughter to bring it over in a bit. Don’t worry about payment—just return it once your own bedding arrives.”

Nanqiao readily agreed. There was still plenty of time to repay Auntie Xiumei with some gifts later on.

“Thank you, Auntie!”

“Oh, don’t mention it! Our house is right over there. If you need anything, just come find me.”

“Will do, Auntie. I’m sure I’ll be bothering you a lot in the future,” Nanqiao replied playfully.

She had a good impression of Auntie Xiumei. Unlike some of the other gossiping aunties, this one seemed genuinely kind, so Nanqiao was happy to build a relationship.

“Oh, you girl. How could your family bear to send you all the way out here?” Auntie Xiumei said, looking at her fair and delicate hands with a sigh.

Nanqiao didn’t answer, just smiled innocently as if she hadn’t heard.

She didn’t actually mind coming to the countryside—it was just that the reason for her transfer always made her furious.

“Alright, go tidy up. I’ll have my daughter Taozhu bring the bedding. You girls can join us for dinner too,” Auntie Xiumei said as she walked toward the gate.

“Thank you, Auntie!”

After seeing her off, Nanqiao went to Shen Nian’s room. Shen Nian was unpacking her bags when Nanqiao arrived.

“Qiaoqiao! I thought the living conditions here would be terrible, but we’ve got such a lovely courtyard and even our own rooms! I don’t think life here will be so hard after all.”

Nanqiao silently added in her heart: Wait until you’re out harvesting corn…

“By the way, Auntie Xiumei invited us for dinner. She wouldn’t take any money, so I thought we should bring something. What about you?” Nanqiao asked.

“I’ll look through my things too and find something suitable,” Shen Nian replied.

Nanqiao nodded and went back to tidy up. She retrieved a plain wooden basin from her space, drew water from the well, and cleaned the furniture in her room.

By the time she finished wiping everything down, her back was sore.

She sighed—this body really had never done physical labor before. Good thing she had good genes and a great figure. Otherwise, with how lazy the original owner had been, she’d be massive.

After stretching, she organized her belongings and took out some snacks to bring for dinner.

Just as she was about to check on Shen Nian, a young girl’s voice called from outside.

“Educated Youth Sister! Educated Youth Sister!”

Nanqiao opened the door to find a girl of around ten holding a bundle of bedding, with a toddler toddling along behind her.

She quickly opened the gate to help.

“You must be Auntie Xiumei’s daughter, Taozhu?”

Before she could touch the quilt, the girl backed away. “Sister, it’s heavy—I can carry it.”

“I’m Sheng Taozhu, and this is my big brother’s daughter, Tutu.”

“You’re staying in this room, right?” Taozhu asked as she walked right into Nanqiao’s room.

“Yes, thank you, Taozhu!” Nanqiao gave up trying to help and just let her be.

Taozhu seemed excited—so this was a real city girl! She hadn’t been here long and already made the place smell clean and sweet.

Nanqiao had used modern cleaning products, which left a faint camellia scent in the room.

Taozhu didn’t know what it was, only that it smelled amazing. She assumed it was some fancy cream used by girls from the city.

Even her sister-in-law’s perfume didn’t smell this good.

“I’ll leave the bedding here, then,” she said sweetly.

“Thank you! Here, this is for you—my thank-you gift,” Nanqiao said, pulling out a pink hairclip. It was cheap and ordinary in modern times, but in this era, it was a treasure for village girls.

“No, I can’t take this. Isn’t it expensive?” Taozhu asked, clearly tempted.

“But you helped me carry such a heavy quilt. If you don’t take it, I’ll feel bad. And look—it has a little peach blossom design, just like your name!”

Taozhu hesitated, but Nanqiao clipped it right onto her hair.

Taozhu touched the hairpin and beamed. She grabbed Nanqiao’s hand and said, “Thank you, Sister! I love it! If you ever need help, just call me—I’m really strong!”

“Okay, then I’ll come to you when I need help.”

“Great!”

“Let’s go call the other sister and have dinner together at your house,” Nanqiao said.

“Nian Nian! Auntie’s daughter came to invite us for dinner!”

“Coming!” Shen Nian called as she came out with a bundle, surprised and delighted to see the adorable pair.