Chapter 63

Chapter 63

After Zhu Juncai and Hu Caidie were caught, the other sent-down youth in the village settled down a lot and worked much harder. Those who usually only managed four or five work points gritted their teeth and took on jobs worth seven or eight points, scared the villagers would think they were the same kind as those two.

Later, when Hu Caidie was released, the others dared not interact much with her, just keeping up a fake peace.

Today, with Hu Caidie getting married and moving out, the sent-down youth at the settlement let out a huge sigh of relief. They chipped in some money to buy a little cured meat and eggs from a commune member, planning to cook a good meal to celebrate. When they saw Shen Banyue and the others walk in, the sent-down youth were surprised at first, then warmly asked them to stay for dinner.

"Xiao Yue, you have no idea how much we big brothers and sisters admire you!" said the female sent-down youth with a "Hu Lan-style" haircut, smiling.

Shen Banyue recognized her as the one the village aunties always called Xiao Qian, the liveliest and cheeriest of the female sent-down youth, who was always borrowing eggs or swapping shoe patterns with the aunties. Shen Banyue wasn't the type to blush over a compliment. Hearing Xiao Qian say that, she grinned and asked back, "What do you admire about me?"

Xiao Qian paused, then laughed even harder: "Of course, we admire how amazing you are! Look at you, so young, you've saved a drowning child, won the commune's 'Little Hero for Bravely Fighting Off Bad Guys' award, and the county's 'Brave and Righteous Little Hero' certificate. Let alone ordinary kids, even us adults couldn't do all that!"

Xiao Dizi chimed in, giggling: "Sister is the best!"

Xiao Qian pinched her cheek fondly: "That's right, your sister's the best, and you're the cutest."

Another female sent-down youth with braids added: "Ever since Shen Banyue came, the village kids have been a lot better behaved. Before, when we were working, kids would throw dirt clods at us." She meant half-grown teenagers, not little kids—you couldn't report them for harassment, but it was still a pain.

Compared to many other villages, Xiaodun Brigade had a pretty good atmosphere, but every place had its troublemakers. The brigade office handled the village bums but wouldn't mess with the unruly kids, so the women had to swallow their complaints.

Hearing this, another female sent-down youth who had been silent nodded vigorously, and even the male sent-down youth sighed, saying the kids settling down had saved them a lot of hassle.

The four new sent-down youth stood at the door, looking at each other. They remembered that before coming in, Xiao Yue had said Shen Wenyi was just kidding and that she was an ordinary kid. Now, it seemed "ordinary kid" was a total lie—who had an ordinary kid this amazing?

The four silently thought how lucky they were, meeting such a capable child on their first day of settling in, latching onto a golden leg that, while not thick, was definitely useful.

Shen Banyue listened to all the praise with a big smile, feeling great. She introduced the four new sent-down youth to the old ones, then said goodbye along with Shen Wenyi, who the group had totally ignored.

Shen Wenyi remarked, "Kid, your reputation among the people is almost as good as my dad's."

Shen Banyue thought, why would I want to catch up to your dad? I don't want to be a brigade leader. At a fork in the road, she waved at Shen Wenyi: "See ya."

Shen Wenyi casually said "See ya," but as he watched the little girl sprint off carrying someone, he suddenly realized she wasn't going home. He muttered to himself, wondering where she was running off to, and called out, "Where are you going with Xiao Dizi? Get home and eat!"

Shen Banyue didn't look back, just raised a hand and waved loosely. She ran all the way to the stream behind the cowshed, hid in the weeds, and whistled toward the shed.

Soon, Nie Yuanbai came out of the cowshed and looked around. Shen Banyue whispered, "Over here." Nie Yuanbai spotted a skinny little hand sticking out of the weeds—it would've been a bit creepy if it weren't broad daylight. He chuckled, walked over, and crouched down beside her in the weeds, saying, "If someone walked by and saw us, they'd think the three of us were here..."

Xiao Dizi squatted in the weeds, blinking her big, bright eyes, tilting her head in confusion: "Huh?"

Shen Banyue crossed her arms in an "X" and said to Nie Yuanbai, "Don't say it, or you'll regret it." She then took the "treasure bag" from Xiao Dizi's arms and, like a magician, pulled out a brown paper bag and handed it to Nie Yuanbai.

Nie Yuanbai opened it to find a steamed bun and two pieces of egg cake. He laughed: "You're right, it's not the time for that talk when there's good food." Then he sighed: "I always feel embarrassed eating your little girl's things!"

Shen Banyue fished out two pencils, two notebooks, and a bar of soap from the "treasure bag" and handed them to Nie Yuanbai—things he had asked her to buy from the commune. She waved dismissively: "You're teaching us math, physics, and chemistry, aren't you? Besides, we're friends."

The kids often sneaked off to the stream or bamboo grove to learn advanced math and science from Nie Yuanbai.

Of course, it was mainly Lin Mian and Shen Wendong who studied; she just listened casually. As for Zhao Xuehai and Xiao Dizi, they were basically there for the fun of it.

Xiao Dizi giggled: "Good friends, share treats—one for you, one for me, everyone gets some!"

Nie Yuanbai patted her fluffy head and smiled: "Then I won't stand on ceremony with you."

Come to think of it, the little girl sometimes acted quite mature, not like an ordinary kid. He didn't treat her as a junior; their relationship was more like teacher and friend. Accepting a little food from a friend didn't seem like a big deal—especially since this friend was quite resourceful at getting good stuff.

After handing over the items, Shen Banyue grabbed Xiao Dizi and dashed home, while Nie Yuanbai returned to the cowshed with his things.

Nie Yuanbai shared a piece of cake, half a bun, a pencil, and a notebook with Xie Tingqin and her husband next door, then went back to his room to enjoy his meal with some thin porridge he had cooked earlier.

When Shen Banyue and Xiao Dizi got home, Wang Guizhi and Shen Dechang hadn't returned yet. Lin Mian was in the kitchen tending the fire, the porridge in the pot already blooming with rice flowers, and half-cut green beans on the cutting board.

Shen Banyue set Xiao Dizi down and told her to join her Brother Mian at the fire. She washed her hands, grabbed a small stool, picked up the knife, and deftly chopped the green beans.

Even after half a year of good food and care, she was still shorter than her peers, and so was Lin Mian.

Worrying about their height, after finishing the green beans, Shen Banyue took two eggs and washed some scallions, deciding to add another dish for lunch to boost their protein.

Once the porridge was done and the vegetables cooked, the two adults still hadn't returned. The three kids served themselves half the dishes, left the rest with two buns steaming in the pot, and then carried their meal outside to eat.

Having already eaten egg cakes and buns on the way, the three were full after just one bowl of porridge with the stir-fried green beans and scallion eggs.

Just as they finished washing the dishes, Wang Guizhi and Shen Dechang walked in. Wang Guizhi was fuming, while Shen Dechang looked dejected.

Shen Banyue and Lin Mian brought out the old couple's meal. Seeing the two buns, Wang Guizhi's expression softened: "You kids eat these yourselves."

"We've already eaten. There are three left for tonight," Shen Banyue said.

Wang Guizhi nodded and sat down to eat. As she ate, she couldn't help venting: "I just don't get it. That brat Shen Aizhen—how can she be such a coward in front of her own parents but so bold with us? She even questioned me about adopting Xiao Yue and the others. Hah, I'll adopt whoever I want—it's none of her business! She's got the guts to cause trouble outside and threaten people with a knife, so why doesn't she stand up to her parents or the Hu family?"

Shen Dechang stayed quiet, looking glum.

Shen Banyue asked curiously: "Is the old house really going to marry her off to Qishan Commune?" And to an old bachelor at that. Were Shen Guoxing and Hu Huaihua that desperate for money? And what was the Hu family's involvement in this?

Also: "Brother Aihua tipped us off before, but I didn't see him today."

Wang Guizhi sighed: "I think the eldest couple are just fools. They say Old Hu is sick and bedridden, so they sent Aihua to help with the work. Isn't that ridiculous? The Hu family has plenty of people—why should a Shen go serve that old bastard? As for Aizhen's marriage, I heard it was arranged by the Hu family's eldest daughter-in-law. She wouldn't do anything without a benefit, would she?"

Wang Guizhi waved her hand: "I can't manage Shen Aizhen anymore, but the brigade leader won't let it slide. He told Guoxing to go to the Hu family and bring Aihua back, and he called off the marriage."

As for Shen Aizhen, that dangerous character, Shen Zhenxing wanted to place her elsewhere but feared she'd cause more trouble, so he had Hu Huaihua take her back. After sending that family off, Shen Zhenxing didn't go home for lunch but headed straight to Auntie Liu's house, asking her to find a suitable match for Shen Aizhen.

Auntie Liu had failed spectacularly in arranging a match for Shen Guoqing, and as a veteran matchmaker of over a decade, no one had come to her for months. Finally getting this job, she slapped her chest and promised to find a good match for Shen Aizhen.

Though Shen Aizhen's case was tough, if Auntie Liu pulled it off, her reputation would surely bounce back, so she agreed readily.

Wang Guizhi and Shen Dechang didn't go to Auntie Liu's house but waited at the intersection until Shen Zhenxing came out, got the good news, and then went home.

However, Auntie Liu had no idea how hard it would be. Over the next two months, she couldn't find a single suitable match. Either Shen Aizhen complained the man was too old, Shen Guoxing said he earned too few work points, or Hu Huaihua thought the family was too poor... No matter who she introduced, the trio always found something to nitpick.

Every time Auntie Liu was driven to the brink of frustration, she wanted to ask these three: Wasn't that old bachelor in the deep mountains of Qishan Commune old and poor? Wasn't Doctor Ma at the health clinic stingy and broke?

Of course, she didn't dare.

By the time Auntie Liu was rejected for the seventh time, the kids had already started summer vacation. Lin Xiaohui arrived back at Xiaodun Brigade carrying a luggage bag and a big bundle of snacks and toys.

Wang Guizhi took a cleaver and cut a long watermelon in half, putting one half back in the kitchen and slicing the other into long strips. The sweet, fresh scent of watermelon filled the air. She glanced at Xiao Dizi, who was sitting on a small stool, chin in hand, licking her lips, and smiled as she cut a thinner piece to hand to her: "Eat up."

Xiao Dizi pouted—whether her belly was small or not, her eyes were definitely big. She didn't want the thin piece and pointed at the biggest one: "Not the small one, Xiao Dizi wants this one!"

Wang Guizhi chuckled and gave her the big piece. Shen Banyue grabbed the thin one, and the others each took a piece and started eating.

Soon, Xiao Dizi looked up, her face smeared with watermelon juice, and said blankly: "I can't bite the middle."

Everyone burst out laughing. Wang Guizhi smiled: "Didn't you pick this one yourself?"

Xiao Dizi was confused for a sec, then turned her head to look at Shen Banyue. She saw Shen Banyue crunching through a piece of watermelon with ease and reaching for another thin slice, and immediately her face fell. She scolded herself, "Xiao Dizi, you bit off more than you can chew."

The others cracked up even more. Lin Xiaohui pinched her little cheek and chuckled, "You're hilarious! Here, let Auntie cut it thinner for you."

She grabbed the knife and sliced Xiao Dizi's watermelon in two. The little one held a piece in each hand, took a bite from one side, then the other, and was finally happy.

"This melon's really sweet. Where's it from?" Lin Xiaohui asked.

Each family's private plot was barely enough for grain and veggies, so nobody'd waste land on watermelons. Lin Xiaohui figured it was bought from another brigade, but then Wang Guizhi spoke up, "Old Li's family sent it over. They planted a few vines on the edge of their plot, along the ridge, and only grew a few melons. They made a point to give us one. Their family's really grateful—they remember Xiao Yue saving their Little Potato and Little Pumpkin. They gave generous New Year's money, too, and whenever they have something rare, they think to send some over."

Lin Xiaohui sighed, "They sure know how to repay a favor."

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law chatted, got to talking about Auntie Liu setting Shen Aizhen up. When she heard Auntie Liu had scouted seven guys and the eldest branch shot them all down, Lin Xiaohui couldn't help laughing, "Zhuge Liang only captured Meng Huo seven times. What kind of perfect catch are they hoping to land?"

Wang Guizhi snorted, "In the end, the dad wants someone impressive, the mom wants someone rich, and Shen Aizhen, with her scrambled brain, might still be dreaming of marrying into the commune or county town. It's not impossible, but what's she bringing to the table?"

When Shen Aizhen stopped Ma Guangrong, didn't she ask why Hu Caidie got to marry a guy with a job?

But honestly, even though Hu Caidie had a screw loose, she was good-looking.

Just then, Shen Wendong and Zhao Xuehai arrived.

Zhao Xuehai hollered as he walked in, "The sun's not so bad now. Lin Mian, Xiao Yue, let's go wash up in the stream!"

Wang Guizhi got up and cut them two slices of watermelon. They thanked her and started chowing down happily.

Shen Banyue tossed the rind into a bamboo basket and went inside to grab her and Xiao Dizi's change of clothes.

In the countryside, there wasn't any running water. You had to fetch water from wells or streams. In the summer heat, the men and kids in the brigade often went to the stream to wash up together, saving the hassle of hauling water.

When Shen Banyue brought out the clothes, Lin Mian came out with his too, and Lin Xiaohui carried a rolled-up bamboo mat. "I'll go with you all."

Bathing in the stream wasn't done in the buff. The shy ones or girls usually went into the water in their clothes, washed up, then came ashore, wrapped themselves in the bamboo mat for privacy, dried off, and changed.

Kids loved messing around in the water. Even Xiao Dizi bounced along all happy when she heard they were going to the stream.

Shen Wendong and Zhao Xuehai had brought their own clothes to change into. After finishing the watermelon and washing their hands, the kids cheered and ran out of the village.

At the stream, the banks and water were packed.

The little kids mostly stayed in the shallow parts by the bank. The men in the stream weren't just washing up—some swam, others dove for fish.

Shen Banyue and the others walked a few hundred meters further to find a spot with fewer people. With Lin Xiaohui there, the four older kids didn't have to watch Xiao Dizi. They dropped their stuff and dove into the water.

Xiao Dizi, seeing her siblings in the water, was so anxious her hair practically stood on end. She scurried on her little legs to follow, but Lin Xiaohui grabbed her.

Lin Xiaohui usually saw Shen Banyue pick up the little one like a head of cabbage, no problem. She tried to do the same but couldn't lift her, so she had to drag her instead.

"Auntie'll take you over. The water's deep here. Your siblings can swim, but we can't, so we'll just wash up by the bank."

Luckily, the little one was more sensible and well-behaved than most kids her age. She didn't fuss, just tugged Lin Xiaohui's hand and said, "Let's go, let's go!"

Shen Banyue loved water.

In her past life, zombies and unknown viruses were everywhere, and clean water was scarce and precious. Her last mission before crossing over was to find a clean water source. In this world, everything was clean, especially the water—no pollution, no viruses, every molecule full of life.

Shen Banyue relaxed, letting the current carry her forward. The sounds around her seemed to fade into the distance.

At one moment, she heard someone calling "Sister Yue." Her scattered thoughts snapped back, and she burst out of the water with a splash. She saw Lin Mian, already some distance away, anxiously trying to swim toward her.

Shen Banyue quickly stopped him, "Don't come over. I'll swim back right away."

As she dove back into the water, she remembered something. She kicked her feet, shooting like an arrow into a nearby school of fish. Using her powers, she stunned an arm-length fish with force, grabbed its tail, dragged it to the shore, and flung it onto the bank.

The brigade didn't mind if someone caught fish while swimming—after all, few had that skill. If someone caught fish by their own ability, the whole brigade couldn't shamelessly demand a share.

"Wow, such a big fish, slurp," Xiao Dizi said, clapping happily with her wet, curly hair.

"Hehe, fish for dinner again," Zhao Xuehai cackled.

Lin Mian swam over to Shen Banyue and called out "Sister Yue." She patted his wet face and smiled, "Don't worry, I'm a great swimmer." At the same time, she made a "shush" gesture. Except for Lin Mian, no one else had noticed she'd accidentally drifted into the "deep water zone."

The kids played in the water, finished bathing, lined up to change in the "bamboo mat tube," washed their dirty clothes, and then headed home with their baskets.

The setting sun hung like a salted egg yolk above the horizon, the sky filled with colorful clouds, and the air thick with the scent of plants and sunlight.

Far away in the northwest, Professor Lin had waited over two months for news from the capital. His letter had been returned. Due to his special status, letters went through special channels. Besides returning his letter, the capital side had looked into the situation a bit.

"My son has been transferred from his original unit, and the house in the capital has been rented out through the street office?" Professor Lin frowned deeply. "Where was he transferred to?"

The liaison officer said helplessly, "It's said he went to the northeast, but he left in a hurry. The street office doesn't know the details. If you want to know exactly where, we can investigate."

Professor Lin instinctively shook his head, not wanting to trouble the organization with family matters, but he couldn't help asking, "What about my grandson, Lin Mian? Did he go to the northeast with his father?"

The officer frowned slightly, "They didn't say, but since Comrade Lin was transferred to the northeast, the child probably went along."

Professor Lin lowered his eyes and nodded, "I understand. Thank you."

The officer looked at him with concern, opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately shook his head and quietly left.

Everyone at the base knew Professor Lin didn't have a good relationship with his son. In all his years at the base, his son had rarely sent anything, even letters, for holidays or New Year's.

In previous years, there might be two or three letters annually, but from last July or August until now, almost a year, not a single letter had come from the capital.

For a son to be transferred away from the capital without even writing to his father—such a thing was unheard of.

The old man must be heartbroken.

The officer took a few steps, then looked back. Through the slightly open door, he saw Professor Lin pick up a document on his desk and return to work. The officer sighed inwardly, thinking that if anyone went to the capital later, he'd ask them to look into the matter.

Days passed, seasons changed, and three years flew by. It was now the winter of 1974.

"Xiao Yue, Xiao Mian, are you really not coming?"

At the entrance of the Shen family courtyard, fifteen-year-old Zhao Xuehai, already showing signs of his father's tall stature, had a reluctant expression that betrayed his youthful nature.

Shen Banyue wrung out the freshly washed clothes and hung them on a bamboo pole. She glanced back at Zhao Xuehai and said, exasperated, "Aren't you tired of this? You go early every year, and in the end, you still end up climbing trees with us to watch the movie. Isn't it a waste of time?"

"I'm just saving spots for my sister and the others. Besides, going early means I can buy some sunflower seeds at the supply co-op. I invite you every year, and you never come. You're not being a good buddy, are you?"

Lin Mian happened to walk in with a bucket of water. Hearing this, he retorted, "Since you invite us every year and we never go, shouldn't you give up by now? Failure is the mother of success, but with you, it's clearly a stillbirth—no, a miscarriage."

Shen Banyue burst out laughing.