Chapter 23 Going to the County

Mu Jingxun looked at Jiang Li with intensity. He had never seen a woman like her; she always surprised him. He was increasingly curious about her abilities. Jiang Li found Peng Zhigang’s reaction exaggerated; hunting some game was nothing. “I learned a few skills,” she said casually. Peng Zhigang finally recovered.

 Knowing Jiang Li’s skills, he wanted to pursue her.  If he could win her over, he wouldn’t have to worry about a hard life in the countryside. The other educated youth were excited to have meat. They hadn’t had meat in a long time. 

They were grateful to Jiang Li. Liu Yulan and Sun Wenwen were also happy to have meat, but their mood soured when they realized the old educated youth were praising Jiang Li and comparing them unfavorably.  Jiang Li was making herself look good.

Mu Jingxun and Bai Ziyong, seeing Jiang Li sharing the game, took out two cans of meat.  Building relationships was necessary. They had plenty of food and decided to follow Jiang Li’s example.  Dinner was good. The old educated youth ate ravenously. Liu Yulan said, “You’re exaggerating. It’s just a little meat.

”  She had eaten meat regularly before coming to the countryside. These old educated youth were like they hadn’t eaten meat in years.  She couldn’t help but make a sarcastic remark. Ma Gui Xiang retorted, “Exaggerating? You’ll know once you’ve been here longer.  The last time we had meat was during the New Year.”  She was right; they only had meat during the New Year when they slaughtered a pig. 

They didn’t have meat coupons to buy meat unless their families sent them some. Most of the educated youth were abandoned by their families and didn’t receive meat coupons. They only ate meat when the brigade distributed it; it had been half a year.  They were craving meat. If it weren’t for Jiang Li, they wouldn’t have had meat. The old educated youth were grateful to Jiang Li.

 Zhang Laidi said, “Liu Zhiqing, you don’t know what it’s like to be hungry. We’re craving meat; if you’re not hungry, eat less.” Liu Yulan didn’t dare to say anything more; she didn’t want to lose her share of meat. After eating, the educated youth cleaned up and washed. The old educated youth gave Jiang Li hot water; she could get cold water from the large water jar.

  They could use water and firewood for free but would have to participate in labor. Jiang Li meditated before sleeping. The next morning, the new educated youth went to the county town. They needed to buy things.

The old educated youth told them they could take the ox cart to the county town at 7 am.  The ox cart wasn’t free; it cost two cents one way, four cents round trip. Jiang Li only needed to go one way; she would use the bicycle she had taken from the Jiang family.  The new educated youth paid and boarded the ox cart.

 Liu Yulan complained about the dirty ox cart.  A woman scolded her, “If you dislike it so much, why did you come to the countryside? You’re acting like a capitalist; how are you going to contribute to rural construction?” “Yes, capitalists shouldn’t come to our countryside; they’re a burden.

” Liu Yulan’s face flushed; being called a capitalist was serious. She didn’t dare to say anything more. After an hour, they arrived in the county town. The cart driver tied the ox cart to a tree and smoked his pipe. He would wait two hours.

  Jiang Li got off and went to the scrap yard. She wanted to find some used furniture; new furniture was expensive and needed to be ordered. She also needed newspapers to cover the walls.

 She found the scrap yard and told the gatekeeper. He told her to go in and choose.