RIRW – Chapter 14

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When Zuo Dan came to deliver food, the members of the Zuo family walked over from the field.

Seeing the limited amount of food in the basket, Xu Fengxia commented while eating, “Why is there so little food today? Could someone have eaten it on the way?”

“Big sister-in-law, our Dandan isn’t that kind of person,” Zuo Dacheng replied, visibly displeased.

He didn’t mind being mistreated himself, but he couldn’t tolerate false accusations against his child. If such rumors spread, how would others view Dandan in the future? Especially since she was of marriageable age and such gossip could affect her prospects for a good match.

Zuo Dan explained calmly, “Aunt, I didn’t bring this food today—it was delivered by Sister Huanhuan. This was all there was when she brought it. If you don’t believe me, you can ask her later. Grandma was in a bad mood today, so this is all she made.”

“Then where is our Huanhuan? Why did you bring the food?” Xu Fengxia asked skeptically.

“She bumped into some male educated youths and started chatting with them. If you don’t believe me, you can go to the threshing ground and see for yourself.”

Hearing this, Xu Fengxia’s expression turned sour. She knew her daughter well—Huanhuan had mentioned before that she wanted to marry someone from the city. It was quite possible that she’d act this way.

Though she suspected it might be true, she refused to admit it aloud. “Hmph, who knows who really ate it? Our Huanhuan isn’t the type to sneak food.”

With someone like this, logic was pointless. Zuo Dan didn’t bother arguing further. After everyone finished eating, she picked up the basket to leave.

Li Hui stopped her and asked, “Are the educated youths adjusting to the work?”

Zuo Dan was puzzled as to why her mother suddenly cared about the educated youths. However, she still answered, “They’re doing better than yesterday, but I think it’ll take some time for them to fully adapt.”

Li Hui expressed concern, “They’re all city kids, so it must be hard for them to adjust. Dandan, if you can, lend them a hand.”

“Mom, why are you so concerned about the educated youths?” Zuo Dan asked, clearly intrigued.

Li Hui was usually someone who focused only on her work and rarely meddled in other affairs. It was unusual for her to bring up the educated youths and even suggest helping them.

“No reason, I just think that being away from home must be tough for them. If we can help a little, we should. Don’t you agree?”

“Oh… okay, I get it. Don’t worry, Mom,” Zuo Dan replied with a bright smile.

Agreeing was easy, but whether she’d actually help was a different matter. These people were perfectly capable and had years ahead to adapt. Why bother?

When she arrived at the threshing ground, Huanhuan was still there, diligently helping with the work.

Shen Yiming was pushing a cart to fetch more grain. When he noticed Zuo Dan approaching, he greeted her with a warm, charming smile.

An actor. The Oscars owe you a little gold statue, Zuo Dan thought, smiling back at him.

Huanhuan, noticing the interaction, puffed up her cheeks and quickly took the basket from Zuo Dan’s hands. “Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving with the food? I was just looking for you. You’re always messing things up!”

“Oh? If you think I’m not doing a good job, go report to the team leader and ask to switch roles. How about that?” Zuo Dan retorted. Then, turning to Shen Yiming, she asked, “Comrade Shen Yiming, don’t you think my cousin Huanhuan is quite efficient? A great worker like her should definitely be out here helping. It’d be such a waste otherwise.”

Shen Yiming, who was about to leave with the cart, paused at her words. Looking at the flustered Huanhuan, he smiled and said, “That would indeed be a waste.”

Huanhuan’s face turned red. “I… I was going to come earlier, but Grandma needed me at home. I’ll definitely be here this afternoon!”

Raising an eyebrow, Zuo Dan thought to herself that she should’ve brought Shen Yiming out sooner—he clearly had an effect on Huanhuan.

“Well done, Sister Huanhuan! Let’s work hard together this afternoon. The more we contribute, the more food our family will get this year.”

As Shen Yiming and Xu Dapeng pushed the cart away, Xu Dapeng couldn’t help but remark, “Brother Yiming, don’t you think that village girl is different from the others?”

“What’s different about her?” Shen Yiming asked casually.

“I can’t put my finger on it. She seems clever. Did you see how she got her cousin to volunteer for work with just a few words? But at first glance, she seems like a regular girl. I just can’t figure her out.”

“If you can’t figure her out, then stop thinking about it and focus on work. Perform well so we can borrow some grain from the locals after the harvest.”

“Borrow grain? Why not just buy it? I have some industrial coupons my parents gave me—rural folks would really value those…” Halfway through his sentence, Xu Dapeng stopped abruptly, sneaking a glance at Shen Yiming.

“You’re right, borrowing grain is better. We’re adults now and should rely on ourselves, not our families,” he quickly corrected himself.

Shen Yiming patted his shoulder and smiled. “There’s no shame in having family support. It’s a good thing.” With that, he continued pushing the cart toward the field.

Looking at Shen Yiming, Xu Dapeng wished he could smack himself for bringing up the wrong topic. Truly, he had a knack for saying the worst things at the worst time.

At lunchtime, during the Zuo family’s meal, Huanhuan announced her intention to join the others for work in the afternoon. Xu Fengxia was so shocked she nearly choked.

Although Xu Fengxia didn’t like the idea of her youngest daughter working, Grandma Zuo immediately set her face in a stern expression and declared, “It’s only right for the eldest daughter to contribute. If she wants to go, let her. What’s the matter? Do you expect me, an old woman, to go instead?”

With that sharp comment, Xu Fengxia dared not utter another word. Ever since she brought up the idea of splitting the household, the old lady had been giving her the cold shoulder. Now, she wouldn’t dare provoke her further.

Zuo Shuisheng was surprised to see Zuo Huan. He knew that ever since the eldest son of the Zuo family lost his position as team leader, the second branch of the family had been overly indulgent toward the first branch, even allowing their eldest daughter to avoid work without complaint.

Regardless, since she was here, he was determined to assign her proper work.

Without hesitation, Zuo Shuisheng arranged for her to work with Zuo Qing in the fields harvesting wheat.

Hearing this, Zuo Huan froze. “Why not at the threshing ground?”

“What threshing ground? There’s no shortage of people there. You’re already in your teens. Do you want to compete with old ladies for work?” Zuo Shuisheng said unhappily.

“Then why is Zuo Dan allowed to work at the threshing ground?” Zuo Huan’s eyes reddened with frustration. If she couldn’t work there, how could she talk to Shen Yiming? Wouldn’t her trip here be wasted?

“Dandan’s a patient recovering from illness. You’re perfectly healthy—how can you compare yourself to her? Go to work now. Since you registered here, you need to work properly. If you slack off, you’ll lose your share of the harvest and will have to make up the work credits at the farming collective come winter,” Zuo Shuisheng reprimanded sternly.

Zuo Huan was frightened into silence. She didn’t care about the harvest share, as her mother wouldn’t let her starve, but working at the collective farm in winter? No way. It was freezing, and the place was filled with undesirable elements. She wasn’t about to endure that.

Afraid to argue further, Zuo Huan reluctantly headed to work, fuming silently and cursing Zuo Dan under her breath.

Zuo Dan, of course, couldn’t hear her curses. Seeing Zuo Huan forced to work, she was in a great mood.

She’d always been someone who refused to suffer losses, especially not for someone she didn’t get along with. Now that she had coaxed both Xu Fengxia and Zuo Huan into working, she finally felt things were fair.

That afternoon, the female educated youth seemed to have gotten the hang of the work. Except for Su Xue, the others managed to perform adequately.

By the time it was almost quitting time, only Su Xue hadn’t finished her assigned task.

Seeing the pile of unthreshed wheat before Su Xue, Zuo Dan didn’t need to say anything—Li Hongbing was already furious. “Su Xue, you’re dragging the revolution down!”

“I’ll do more tomorrow. What’s the big deal?” Su Xue retorted impatiently.

Li Sulian offered, “How about I help you?”

“There’s nothing to help with! A laggard like her shouldn’t be assisted,” Li Hongbing protested.

Liu Lili didn’t say a word. She simply pulled Li Sulian away.

Zuo Dan didn’t bother intervening in their argument. She packed up her things and went home.

Before heading back, she stopped by Zuo Shuisheng to inquire about obtaining a permit to visit the city. With the autumn harvest ending in a few days, Zuo Dan planned a trip to the city. Normally, her father, Zuo Dacheng, would handle delivering food to her brother, Zuo Cong. However, she wasn’t sure if she could take over the task this time, so she wanted to be prepared.

Hearing that she intended to visit Zuo Cong, Zuo Shuisheng agreed immediately. He promised to issue her a permit after the harvest.

By the time she got home, it was already dark, and the Zuo family had begun their dinner. The family of Zuo Hongjun was seated at the table, eating heartily, and Zuo Chengtai was wolfing down his food. Only Zuo Dacheng and his wife were absent.

“Dandan, why are you so late? The food’s getting cold,” her third uncle, Zuo Chengtai, said loudly.

Grandma Zuo glanced at her but quickly lowered her head with a displeased expression. These days, she seemed to view everyone in the family as troublemakers bent on dividing the household.

Zuo Dan didn’t want to provoke the old woman, so she quietly served herself a bowl of food and looked around. “Where are my parents?”

“They came back with us but said they had something to do and left again,” Zuo Chengtai replied.

Zuo Dacheng and his wife were known for being hardworking, so coming home late wasn’t unusual.

Zuo Dan frowned. It was already so late, and they hadn’t even come back for dinner. Were they neglecting their health in favor of work again?

Putting down her bowl, she said, “I’ll go call them back.”