If his Mother knelt down and Zhao Rencheng did not agree, then he would be utterly unfilial.

Zhao Rencheng lowered his gaze.

Zhang Yunxi couldn’t help but gasp for him. His mother had placed him on a pedestal; if he didn’t agree, the consequences would be dire.

She wondered how Zhao Rencheng would handle this.

The people of Zhao Village were also whispering among themselves. Some spoke up for Zhao Rencheng, while others cursed him, believing his actions had completely corrupted the youth. They thought it best for Brigade leader Zhao to remove him from his position.

Hearing these words, Brigade leader Zhao was so angry he nearly fainted.

Zhao Rencheng had returned a year ago and had helped the village so much. Were these people blind?

But now, he was also anxious, unsure of what to do.

Mother Zhao cried bitterly, but she secretly glanced at Zhao Rencheng, unable to hide the triumph in her eyes. Did he still think he could escape this time?
Hah!
Let’s see if he can ignore the village’s public opinion!

Zhao Rencheng naturally noticed his mother’s subtle expression. He wasn’t too perturbed internally. Instead, he glanced at Zhang Yunxi, who was frowning slightly, and felt rather pleased. He then turned to the villagers and said, “I am indeed familiar with one of the examiners. Originally, I planned to take the young men of Zhao Village with me and put in a good word for the strongest among them to help them get a chance to join the military. But with my mother making such a scene, I have no choice. After all, as a son, I can’t just watch my mother kneel, right?”

“Wrong!!!”

The families of those who wanted to join the military immediately shouted.

“Exactly, Zhao Rencheng is the captain of our village’s militia, and he’s already cut ties with you. What kind of parents are you?”

“You, as a mother, haven’t done your part, yet you expect your son to be filial? Does that mean a mother can commit murder and arson, and as long as she kneels, she’s in the right?”

The scene became chaotic.

When personal interests were at stake, no one could stay out of it. Everyone was waving their own flags.

Mother Zhao’s face changed dramatically. She hadn’t expected him to play such a dirty trick. Originally lying on the ground, sobbing and refusing to get up, she suddenly jumped up and pointed at Zhao Rencheng’s nose, shouting, “You heartless ingrate! You’ll get your retribution someday!”

Zhao Rencheng: “Oh.”

Zhang Yunxi gave him two thumbs up.

Zhao Rencheng was in a good mood and raised his voice again, “Those who want to sign up, come to me for an assessment in a couple of days. If I say no, don’t waste your money.”

No one objected.

Only Zhao’s parents were furious!
Even kneeling couldn’t control Zhao Rencheng. What else could they do?
Brigade leader Zhao told everyone to disperse. It was already broad daylight, time to get to work. “Go do what you need to do. Don’t waste time here.”

Everyone looked at the sky and touched their stomachs.

They all ran home.

At that moment, the postman shouted, “Where is Zhang Yunxi, the educated youth?”

“Here!” Zhang Yunxi raised her hand.

The postman rode his bicycle to her and smiled, “It’s you. Your manuscript fee has arrived.”

Those who were about to leave stopped in their tracks.

Manuscript fee?

What’s that?

So they stopped to ask the postman what a manuscript fee was.

No one had heard of it before.

The postman explained to them, “It’s the payment you get for writing articles for the newspaper.”

Newspaper!

Everyone turned to look at Zhang Yunxi. They hadn’t expected her to have such a skill, to write articles and submit them to newspapers to earn a manuscript fee.

Their eyes lit up as they looked at her.

Before, they had thought she was pretty, but beauty doesn’t fill the stomach. Many parents were afraid she would seduce their sons. But now, they looked at her with shining eyes, wishing their sons would woo her!

Zhang Yunxi thanked him and took the envelope. She opened it on the spot. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to hide it, but everyone had surrounded her, making it clear they wouldn’t let her leave without opening it.

She also wanted to open it and tell everyone how much it was.

That way, if she bought something expensive, she would have a good reason!
She opened the letter, and inside was not cash, but a money order for sixteen yuan, which she would need to collect with her ID.

“Sixteen yuan…”

Many were dumbfounded, stunned by the amount.

Writing one article earned sixteen yuan. If she wrote a few more, wouldn’t she be making as much as a worker?

Even if she wrote just one article a month, she’d be making a lot.

After showing the money order, Zhang Yunxi headed back to the educated youth dormitory. Everyone made way for her, treating her with a newfound respect.

Brigade leader Zhao also said to Zhao Rencheng in disbelief, “This little girl has real talent.”

Zhao Rencheng nodded.

He felt a sense of pride.

Of course.

She’s amazing.

“Let’s go. I need to take people up the mountain. The weather’s been good these past few days, but who knows if it’ll rain soon.”

“Right, let’s go.” Brigade leader Zhao shook his head.

Talented people won’t be buried anywhere. Before, he thought Zhang Yunxi was foolish for not taking a temporary job in the city, but now he didn’t think so. The girl was sharp.

After returning home, the Zhao Village folks discussed Zhang Yunxi and Zhao Rencheng at the dinner table.

For a while, the two were the talk of the town.

After receiving her manuscript fee, Zhang Yunxi went back to the dormitory, took one yuan, and approached Brigade leader Zhao, asking him to help buy a pound of pork.

Brigade leader Zhao wanted to tell her to save her money.

But he thought better of it.

She could do as she pleased. She had the money.

“Dad, are you close with Zhang Yunxi?” Zhao Qinglan popped out right after Zhang Yunxi left.

“What do you want?”

“Can you not take her pork and just ask her to help me cut my hair?” Zhao Qinglan blushed a little. “She’s really good at cutting hair.”

“What are you thinking? She’s a writer!” Brigade leader Zhao glared at his daughter. “Go away, don’t bother me while I’m working.”

“Just ask her. My older sister is setting me up on a blind date with a commune official.” Zhao Qinglan spoke softer and softer, her head almost buried in her chest.

Brigade leader Zhao shooed her away.

But after helping Zhang Yunxi buy a pound of pork, he still asked, “Zhang Yunxi, are you free lately?”

“What’s up?” Zhang Yunxi asked.

“Well, my daughter, she grew up in the countryside and doesn’t know how to dress up. Her hair looks like it’s been chewed by a dog. She’s eighteen now and needs to meet someone…”

Brigade leader Zhao stammered.

He felt really embarrassed saying this.

If it weren’t for his daughter, he wouldn’t have brought it up.

Zhang Yunxi immediately saw his discomfort and smiled, “A haircut? Sure, just have her come find me whenever she’s free.”

“Alright, I’ll tell her to come find you. And don’t worry about the pork, keep it for yourself.”

“Okay!”

Zhang Yunxi didn’t stand on ceremony.

She didn’t want to help for free.

After all, not everyone was Deng Damei.

With the pork in hand, Zhang Yunxi called Zhao Mo and Er Gouzi for dinner. Brigade leader Zhao had helped her buy some pork belly this time, and she planned to make a dish of braised pork with preserved vegetables.

The kids were all envious. They wished they had an aunt like Zhang Yunxi!