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Was it really just a coincidence?
She always felt as if some hidden mystery was waiting for her to uncover.
“Yo, that’s kinda interesting~”
Liu Meihua hadn’t read much, and though she didn’t quite understand the connection between a mother surnamed He and the name Wen Qinghe, it didn’t stop her from thinking it was a good name—at least better than the Zhulan, Mei, and Ju names of her own sisters.
“Comrades assigned to Baibailing Commune, please get off! Comrades assigned to Baibailing Commune, get off! We’ve arrived!”
As the train gradually slowed, the platform in the distance grew nearer.
Hearing the call, Liu Meihua turned to Wen Qinghe with a grin.
“Comrade Wen, we’re here. You look so skinny and weak—if there’s luggage you can’t manage, just give it to me. I’ll help you carry it!”
Liu Meihua had two large bags in her hands, a snakeskin sack slung over her shoulder, and she carried them as if they weighed nothing.
Wen Qinghe looked down at her own luggage: just a small shoulder bag and a large bundle containing her quilt.
It should be fine… right?
“Thank you, but there’s no need to trouble Sister Liu. I can manage on my own.”
She set her shoulder bag in front of her, then tried to imitate Liu Meihua by hefting the bundle onto her back. But no matter how hard she tried, it wouldn’t budge.
A wave of discouragement hit her. Thinking of this frail body, she decided it wasn’t worth forcing herself…
Yet she couldn’t bring herself to trouble others either.
Just as she was stuck in this dilemma—
“Comrade, let me help you.”
She turned her head only to see her bundle already lifted by a soldier in uniform, as easily as if he were carrying a tray of food.
Wen Qinghe: …
She felt utterly defeated. Everyone else was so capable, and she was the only weakling…
Seeing the soldier already disembarking with her bundle, she had no choice but to follow behind.
The crowd pressed in on all sides. Even with just a single bag on her, she was crushed until she could hardly breathe.
Her brows furrowed tightly, her eyes reddening. Just as she thought she’d suffocate, she finally made it off the carriage—
and there stood the soldier, waiting for her.
“Comrade, thank you! Let me give you some candy.”
“No need. Serving the people is my duty!”
His skin was dark, but his bright white teeth made him instantly likable.
By the time she reached into her pocket for fruit candy to thank him, he had already disappeared into the crowd.
Indeed, in any era, soldiers were always the most admirable and lovable people.
“Comrades assigned to Hongxing Brigade, please gather here! Comrades for Hongxing Brigade, gather here!”
Wen Qinghe looked up and saw not far away a bamboo pole tied with red cloth waving back and forth. The voice was coming from there.
Relieved that someone had come to meet them, she tried dragging her bundle forward. But after just two steps, her fingers had gone white with strain, and sweat beaded her forehead…
Even with all that effort, she’d only managed to drag it two meters.
Meanwhile, Liu Meihua had already dropped her own luggage off with the brigade leader and was waiting. Seeing Wen Qinghe hadn’t arrived yet, and remembering how tightly she had clutched her shoulder bag, Liu Meihua said something to the brigade leader and walked back.
She found Wen Qinghe still struggling with the bundle.
“Comrade Wen?”
At the sound of her voice, Wen Qinghe’s eyes lit up as if she’d just seen her savior.
Caught off guard by such a fervent gaze, Liu Meihua shifted uncomfortably.
What a temptress! One look and it felt like your soul was being stolen.
But that sickly, fragile appearance made people frown. She wondered if this girl would just end up dragging everyone down in the countryside.
Her eyes fell on the small shoulder bag Wen Qinghe never let out of her sight. What could be inside?
Then, looking at the quilt bundle Wen Qinghe had fought with so long, she offered to help.
“I’ll carry it for you. The brigade leader is already waiting.”
“Then… thank you, Sister Liu~”
Liu Meihua nearly staggered at the way she sweetly called her “sister.”
Tch—so what if she was a little prettier, a little sweeter with her words?
Even so, her steps grew lighter.
When everyone had gathered, Hongxing Brigade’s leader, Feng Dabing, looked at the five new arrivals: three men, two women.
Tsk. None of them looked like they could handle much work…
The three male youths—one was skinny as a chicken bone, barely taller than the girl beside him; one wore glasses and looked bookish, with hands paler than a young lady’s; and another had a big toothy grin, laughing like a fool.
Hmm. That one might be useful—not too bright, so unlikely to cause trouble.
Yao Min (the one with the big grin): Damn, what luck! I actually get to work in the same brigade as a fairy!
And she was so beautiful it hurt.
The other two male youths were equally stunned by Wen Qinghe’s appearance.
The bespectacled one, Fang Ming, quickly pushed down the gleam in his eyes. He’d been startled by her beauty at first glance, but her coarse linen clothes made him think her family background couldn’t be very good.
…
Leader Feng Dabing frowned. There was only one bed left in the women’s dormitory, but now two new female youths had arrived.
And one of them was outrageously beautiful, but looked so weak she was practically translucent.
What a mess. Sending someone like that to the countryside was basically sending her to die.
The other girl, though, seemed capable—he’d seen her hauling several bundles just now—so at least that was some relief.
“Well, everyone, you’ve all been on the train a long time. I’m Feng Dabing, the leader of Hongxing Brigade. Since it’s not too late yet, let’s hurry and take the ox cart back to the village—it’s already waiting.”
“Leader, how far is the brigade from here?”
“By ox cart, a little over two hours. Now, bring your luggage over and let’s get moving!”
“Alright!”
Yao Min hurried to Wen Qinghe’s side.
“Comrade, I’m Yao Min. We’re in the same brigade. Let me carry your bundle for you!”
Wen Qinghe didn’t refuse. She truly didn’t want to push herself anymore.
“Thank you, Comrade Yao. I’m Wen Qinghe. Sorry to trouble you!”
Seeing the “fairy” talk to him, Yao Min blushed and waved his hand, embarrassed.
Liu Meihua, meanwhile, had already gone ahead to find the ox cart.
Another male youth had wanted to help the beautiful girl too, but he’d missed his chance.
The cart wasn’t far—it was just outside the station.
But for Wen Qinghe, even that short distance felt like walking five kilometers.
By the time she reached the cart, her face was pale, her breathing labored, as if she’d collapse at a push.
The brigade leader was startled.
“You must be Comrade Wen? Are you alright? Do you feel unwell?”
“I… cough, cough…”
Seeing her like that—frail, sickly—the others were equally alarmed. It was hard to imagine how she’d even made it this far.
Yao Min wanted to pat her back, but was afraid his strength might break her. He didn’t dare move.
Liu Meihua stood far away, worried she’d be blamed if the girl collapsed in public.
After a while, Wen Qinghe managed to steady herself, and only then did everyone breathe easier.
Just now, they’d truly feared this Lin Daiyu would wither away on the spot.
“I was born frail. I’m sorry to have worried everyone…”
At that moment, Wen Qinghe finally admitted defeat before this body.
She wondered if she should reveal she had a heart condition. But if she did, no matter which brigade she was in, she’d surely be cast aside…