LAVW – Chapter 99 Sister Xu Brother Xie Gets Married

After Chen Niu finished being scolded, he was back to being a proper young man.

The youth clutched a book in one rough hand, while waving with the other to Xu Youguang: “Uncle, I’m going to find Qian Niuhua first.”

“No need to go looking. He’s either gone back home or with Aigang.”

Xu Youguang knew exactly where that little “Niu Spirit” was.

He was clever, very clever.

Even getting smarter by the day, almost rivaling a fully grown “spirit.”

Looking at Chen Niu’s back, Xu Youguang muttered to himself, “And you… look like a complete fool.”

He whispered under his breath, “Why read so many books? City girls aren’t like this. Parents pay attention—who knows when they’ll call her back to the city.”

In recent years, going back to the city had loosened up a bit. More and more cases of “educated youth” returning had been allowed.

In production teams with many educated youths, there were plenty of amusing stories, even scandals—some abandoned their children—truly frightening.

Judging from the frequency of letters from Lin Nanyin’s family, Xu Youguang knew the Lin family wouldn’t let such a precious daughter stay in the countryside her entire life.

So when Chen Niu became “obsessed with studying,” Xu Youguang didn’t even know how to comment, and could only find an excuse to scold him a bit.

But since the words weren’t clear, Chen Niu didn’t understand.

“What a waste of my breath… forget it.” Xu Youguang thought. He wasn’t a matchmaker, so why bother?

He turned his mind back to the original reason he had gone to see Chen Niu in the first place, only to be distracted by the cattle incident. He’d have to deal with it tomorrow.

Leaving, Chen Niu went straight to the cowshed and found Shi Qian playing happily.

“Qian Niuhua, we’re going home.”

“Moo moo.”

Understood.

Shi Qian nudged the calf, slipping out through the fence.

With a flick of his eyes, he signaled Chen Niu to close the door.

Xu Aigang was checking on other cows and called out: “Chen Niu, come help me fix a cow hoof tomorrow!”

“Fix a cow hoof? Sure!” Chen Niu nodded enthusiastically.

Helping in the cowshed would earn him work points, just as well as doing anything else.

Shi Qian looked curiously at his hoof: “Moo moo?”

You’re going to fix it for me?

Chen Niu knew he was just “tempted” by something new. He said, “If I don’t fix it, your hoof has barely grown yet.”

“Moo moo.”

Then let me see.

Shi Qian thought it wasn’t a big deal. He had seen cows’ hooves fixed before, as well as horses’, mules’, and donkeys’—he had plenty of experience.

“See you tomorrow, Aigang. Qian Niuhua and I are heading off first.”

“Fine, go ahead. I can handle things here.”

Shi Qian only heard the voice but didn’t see anyone. Xu Aigang must be busy squatting down, focused on his work, too busy to see them off.

Along the way, thin smoke curled from every household chimney.

Among them, one plume belonged to them.

As Shi Qian drew closer, he first smelled the familiar aroma of sweet potato rice.

Even though food had just been rationed, some frugal farmers still preferred to eat simple meals when not busy, saving grain for later, or to sell or trade for other necessities.

Unfortunately, this time, prices were so low it wasn’t worth much.

Saving much was impossible—just enough for everyday needs.

In the Chen household, Zhang Peiyue still prioritized filling the mouths of the family first. As long as they could get by, no rush.

Unusually, today, someone was at home. Normally, Zhang Peiyue’s old friends wouldn’t come over because she didn’t like visitors, nor did she like visiting others.

Shi Qian heard the old lady say, “Stay and eat before you go.”

“Aunt, I won’t. I’m leaving.”

A thin, middle-aged woman shook her head, like a malnourished cabbage stalk.

Chen Niu heard the voice and called out: “Second Aunt?”

“Ah.” Inside, Chen Erjun’s wife—Du Chun—turned toward the kitchen door and said, “Niu’er, you’re back.”

Shi Qian: …

Shi Qian winked at Chen Niu.

Almost thought she meant me.

Chen Niu felt a little embarrassed. That nickname wasn’t his doing. As a child, he wasn’t picky like Qian Niuhua; he even disliked names like Xiao Huang. Being called Niu’er didn’t bother him.

Besides, it’s said that humble names are easier to survive with.

Under Shi Qian’s teasing gaze, Chen Niu said, “Second Aunt, stay for a meal.”

“No, no.”

Du Chun quickly dashed out from inside, her face pale-yellow, “I couldn’t possibly eat now.”

Clearly, she felt embarrassed because of what Chen Erjun had done.

But Chen Niu didn’t think they were closely involved. His Second Aunt couldn’t control Chen Erjun, a grown man.

As a young man, he couldn’t pull Du Chun along either. He just gave Shi Qian a helpless look, buying some time: “Second Aunt, what brings you here?”

Shi Qian refused: “Moo moo.”

Not my business.

Seeing Du Chun’s displeasure, Shi Qian didn’t push.

He wandered inside to have today’s sweet potato meal with the old lady.

Outside, Du Chun said simply: “Just to tell you, that person named Xiang will eat peanuts, and Erjun is sentenced to one and a half years of labor reform.”

“Eat peanuts?” Chen Niu didn’t expect such a harsh outcome.

Du Chun nodded: “Yes, that should be the result. The branch secretary told me.”

“I just came to tell you this. I have to go eat now. Your grandmother cooked well, very fragrant—take care, Niu’er. Eat more.” Du Chun smiled and quickly left.

Her hurried pace was unlike Chen Niu’s steady steps, seeming a little light.

Chen Niu worriedly saw her to the door: “Walk slowly, no rush, Aunt!”

“Sigh. Got it.”

Another rather eager response, but the person walked away quickly.

By the time Du Chun was out of sight, Chen Niu saw Xu Guozi and Xie Guoan approaching from afar.

Seeing that the two were heading toward his house, Chen Niu stood at the doorway waiting.

“A rare visitor! What brings you to my doorstep?” Chen Niu teased Xu Guozi, then looked at Xie Guoan: “Hello, Teacher Xie.”

Xu Guozi snorted: “I came straight here as soon as I arrived, haven’t even gone inside my house.”

“Want to see something amazing?”

“What kind of amazing thing?” Chen Niu, sensing Xu Guozi was teasing him, urged, “Tell me quickly, or Teacher Xie won’t be allowed to go back to sleep today.”

“You, Chen Niu! Thanks to Guoan teaching you every day, he barely has time for me, and you treat him like this!”

“Here, this is for you.”

Xu Guozi shoved a newspaper into Chen Niu’s hands and dragged the laughing Xie Guoan away, as if genuinely afraid Chen Niu might keep him.

Chen Niu smiled, knowing full well Xu Guozi was most susceptible to this trick.

He asked, “Don’t you have Lin Zhiqing with you?”

Xu Guozi, having walked a little ahead, turned back: “Nanyin is home reading letters, she’s got no time for me!”

Chen Niu touched his nose: “Take care, I won’t see you off.”

He bent down to open the newspaper Xu Guozi had mysteriously shoved into his hands to see what was written.

Upon opening it, he saw a line of bold black characters.

—【The People’s Good Comrade — “Qian Niuhua”!】

The article began from the author’s perspective, first recounting that shocking five-pointed star, then describing how the young calf had been influenced, unfolding a small initial story.

It continued: “Qian Niuhua has long had a connection with us.”

In a simple, sincere tone, it gently asked the people if they remembered the big yellow ox that had moved countless hearts many years ago.

The text was filled with passion and emotion, flowing from every line.

There were even two photos: one of the five-pointed star, the other of Shi Qian’s “Single Ox Picture.”

Even though Chen Niu knew some of the details and that there were hidden truths, he was moved by how cleverly Shi Qian had found the culprit—Zhao Kang—and even more so by how the little calf brought news of the grain thief, resolving his grandmother’s long-standing worries and helping him recover his memories.

A story in someone else’s eyes was his real experience.

“Aren’t you coming in?” Zhang Peiyue’s voice rang out.

“Grandma! It’s an article about Qian Niuhua, it got published—I’ll read it to you.”

Shi Qian: “Moo!”

No.

Shi Qian resisted, but Chen Niu was enthusiastic, and besides, Zhang Peiyue wanted to hear it.

So Shi Qian had no choice but to listen as Chen Niu loudly recited the story of the good comrade Qian Niuhua.

The slightly taller little calf rested his head on the old lady’s shoulder.

Why did drawing a five-pointed star have to bring this kind of social humiliation?

No, he could still go out and graze.

Shi Qian left the happy and satisfied pair behind, went outside, and focused on his grass bucket, eating properly.

As long as he didn’t listen, it could be as if nothing had happened.

But the next morning, Xu Youguang started shouting half an hour early through the loudspeaker, summoning everyone to work.

Then he also pulled out a newspaper and, in a more local dialect than Chen Niu, read the published article loudly.

As soon as Xu Youguang spoke, the crowd began shouting “Qian Niuhua!”

The little yellow ox hesitated, taking a cautious step back.

Shi Qian regretted ever letting his photo be taken.

The price of taking advantage? Being remembered for many years.

Amid Xu Youguang’s cheerful and rousing loudspeaker, the little yellow ox, who could once plow an entire acre in one go, gradually lost his spirit.

When Xu Youguang finished reading, Shi Qian glared at him with big eyes: “Moo moo.”

Why shout so loudly?

Don’t you have your own article?

Read that one another day.

Xu Youguang chuckled: “Qian Niuhua knows this is about you, little comrade. From now on, you must work hard and live up to the trust the organization has in you.”

Shi Qian squeezed out of the crowd, lifting his hooves onto the gong and drum Xu Youguang used to call work.

“Clang clang—”

Enough talk, time to work!

The sound of the gong spread. Xu Youguang herded them into action, staring at the little ox and shouting in a prolonged voice: “Time to work!”

The last busy period before the New Year officially began.

Because of his excellent plowing performance, Shi Qian was also assigned plowing duties.

Being young, he was allowed breaks to rest. Chen Niu stayed with him, gaining some leisure time to secretly read.

Shi Qian worked for a while, then obediently chewed grass, providing energy.

Xu Aigang once thought it was strange. Brother had learned to walk in a straight line and turn well, and worked hard with strength, but how… was he always so easily caught up by Qian Niuhua?

After pondering, he realized Qian Niuhua… was actually slacking, loafing around.

But seeing the little ox struggle just to eat grass, Xu Aigang couldn’t bear to tell anyone, including his strict father.

Days of work became even more monotonous, yet somehow passed particularly quickly.

Before he knew it, it was time to hand over the pigs the team had raised.

White, black, and spotted pigs were driven out of the pens, weighed, and transported away by truck. After all the hard work raising them, only a few would likely remain.

Then came the village holiday, the day of slaughtering pigs and dividing the blood and meat.

That task—was still handled by Chen Niu.

Setting other things aside, Chen Niu was undoubtedly the capable young man in the village.

Shi Qian, unable to bear Second Brother’s howling, sneaked off to the big kitchen.

In the past, for communal meals and cooking convenience, Shengli Village had built a large kitchen. Now it was generally used for celebratory events.

Slaughtering pigs was also considered a joyous occasion. From the boiling pig blood to the meat and tail, every part was precious.

Every household brought out a bowl—once the meat was portioned, they carefully took it home first, then returned to eat the communal big-pot meal: the pig-slaughter feast.

On this day, even the poorest families received a piece of meat allocated by Xu Youguang according to work points, so everyone could taste a bit of meat.

Once the distribution was done, Xu Youguang announced more good news.

Soon, Xu Guozi would marry Xie Guoan before the New Year and would be holding a wedding banquet.

Such a joyous event instantly made everything livelier.

Shi Qian was shocked. Xu Guozi had gone from silent to suddenly making a big splash.

It felt like they hadn’t seen each other in a while, yet now she was getting married.

This time, Chen Niu went to act as Xie Guoan’s partner, helping him renovate the house and tidy up, including minor repairs and cleaning. With diligence, it was quickly done.

Within a couple of days, Xie Guoan had purchased all the wedding candies and prepared everything, waiting for the official day of the wedding.

Xie Guoan’s parents even traveled all the way from Beijing to attend their child’s big life event.

Amidst all the bustle, Shi Qian was just a leisurely “idle cow.”

He wandered around and noticed something unusual—Lin Nanyin was particularly quiet.

That day, Shi Qian casually strolled to Xu Youguang’s house, poking his head through the open window: “Moo~”

Out to play?

Lin Nanyin’s dim eyes glanced over and saw it wasn’t a person, just the incomprehensible little cow.

She went to the window and patted the little cow’s head. “Why are you here, Qian Niuhua?”

Shi Qian rubbed his head against her hand. “Moo~”

Just came to see you.

Lin Nanyin said, “A few days ago, my mother wrote. She said she might have found a job for me and that I should prepare to go back.”

She hesitated, not finishing the thought.

Shi Qian, however, had already foreseen the not-so-good outcome.

The job slot had been lost. In the original timeline, Lin Nanyin couldn’t go back because she got married.

He let out a call, biting Lin Nanyin’s sleeve and tugging her outside. “Moo~”

Lin Nanyin was forced to follow and help with the Xu family’s chores.

Poor Shi Qian—just done coaxing one person, only to be surrounded by a swarm of children shortly after.

It seemed the kids particularly liked him and happily trailed after him.

Shi Qian, however, found their closeness overwhelming and wished he could drag Chen Niu along to teach them.

No other reason—they were just too talkative and clingy.

Lin Nanyin received another letter from home on the day of Xu Guozi’s wedding.

She forced a smile and watched the newlyweds, standing like jade statues, and clapped her hands red for her friend.

On the other side, Chen Niu also heard about the possibility of Lin Nanyin leaving.

He avoided the joyful crowd and looked at Lin Zhiqing, his gaze blazing, as if a fire had ignited in his heart, ready to burn down the courtyard.

Chen Niu couldn’t help but ask, “Lin Zhiqing, when are you going back?”

Before Lin Nanyin could answer, he added, “Going back isn’t bad either. This place is too harsh. It’s not somewhere you should be.”

After enduring wind and rain, the once delicate “flower” had grown much stronger.

At least she was no longer helpless and fragile, incapable of farm work.

But it was obvious that Lin Nanyin’s skin had roughened, and her fingers, from farming, cooking, and laundry, had turned red.

Hearing Chen Niu’s words, Lin Nanyin only shook her head. “Harsh? Everyone’s been through it. I’m here to learn from lower-middle-class peasants and reform my old lazy habits.”

Chen Niu smiled. “Really not harsh?”

Lin Nanyin: …

Harsh? Of course it’s harsh.

A few self-deceptions are fine, but you can’t fool your own heart.

But—“It’s not like I can go back just because I want to,” she said softly. “The job my mom finally found was snatched away by someone else.”

Chen Niu awkwardly tried to console her: “It’s fine. You’re educated and capable; next time there will be hope.”

“Thanks for the encouragement.”

“I’m going to see Guozi now.” Lin Nanyin stood up, leaving the place.

Shi Qian, afraid they might discuss things he wasn’t meant to hear, didn’t follow.

In a blink, he saw them part ways.

Both seemed rather unhappy.

Shi Qian walked toward Chen Niu, letting him comfort the little cow.

“Moo~”

Men, it’s okay to cry~

Chen Niu noticed the big red flower on the little yellow cow’s chest and looked on with envy.

But he couldn’t share his heavy heart with the little cow. He only warned, “Qian Niuhua, don’t let those little kids following you kick anyone.”

“Moo~”

Ah, so clingy. Really annoying.

Shi Qian remembered those suddenly clingy little rascals, looking proudly stubborn.

Chen Niu clenched his teeth and said the cruel truth: “Winter manure, cow dung, five to ten work points per load.”

Shi Qian: ?

Farewell, little stinky rascals.

I played with you like cubs, but all you care about are work points.

Shi Qian lay beside Chen Niu, completely losing the mood to comfort anyone.

In this world, another heartbroken cow had appeared.