RIRW – Chapter 34

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“How is it unfair?!” Zuo Shuisheng bristled the moment he heard Li Hongbing’s words. So this fuss was still about the Xu Dapeng matter, huh?

Realizing it was about that, Zuo Shuisheng became even more upset. He knew exactly why Xu Dapeng was chosen to go to the commune. The commune had originally intended to offer the opportunity to Yiming, but Yiming had voluntarily stepped aside, claiming he didn’t have the necessary skills. Instead, he recommended Xu Dapeng, explaining that Xu had relatives working at the provincial coal depot. If Xu Dapeng went, it might bring support to the commune’s coal operations.

Privately, Yiming had even told him that once Xu Dapeng got settled, he would try to ensure that workers from Zuojiatun were prioritized for jobs at the coal depot. Plus, Zuojiatun’s production team might even get access to coal scraps to use as fuel.

Just look at Yiming, always thinking about the commune and the Zuojiatun production team. Now compare that to these educated youth—barely interested in working, yet so skilled at stirring up trouble.

The educated youth had no idea what was going through the old team leader’s mind at that moment.

When Zuo Shuisheng posed his question, Li Chenliang spoke up, “Why is it that Xu Dapeng, also an educated youth, gets to go to the coal depot while the rest of us are stuck here?”

“That was the commune’s decision!” Zuo Shuisheng practically growled through gritted teeth.

Su Xue’s face was full of indignation as she said, “And why did the commune choose him? Why can’t we go? We’re all equals, but the commune’s decision isn’t fair to us!”

Li Chenliang smirked. “Maybe someone pulled some strings behind the scenes. I recall Shen Yiming went to the commune recently.”

Inwardly, Li Chenliang cursed Yiming for being so cunning—quietly arranging for Xu Dapeng to leave without anyone knowing. If Liu Lili hadn’t told him, he would’ve been completely in the dark! Luckily, he found out in time to cause some trouble for Yiming. Who told that guy to interfere with his grain collection work last time? “I’d bet it was Shen Yiming who pulled some strings for Xu Dapeng,” he said smugly.

Li Hongbing immediately glared at him, puffing up his chest like a protective hen. “Li Chenliang, stop making baseless accusations! Shen Yiming is an upright and honorable comrade. I’m sure he has nothing to do with this!”

“Then how do you explain Xu Dapeng being the one chosen? I’m telling you, it’s that sneaky Shen Yiming!” Li Chenliang insisted confidently.

Su Xue chimed in, “I agree with Li Chenliang. I suggest we call Shen Yiming over to confront him directly.”

Zuo Shuisheng’s face darkened as he said, “What’s next? Do you want to hold an investigation meeting and put him on trial? This is outrageous!”

With a heavy snort, he added, “Fine, if you’re not going to work, then don’t. But I’ll tell you this—when the year-end grain distribution comes around and you don’t have enough work points, don’t expect to get any food!”

With that, he flung his sleeve and stormed off.

After Zuo Shuisheng left in a huff, the group fell into silence. Su Dai adjusted his glasses and murmured hesitantly, “Do you think we might’ve gone too far?”

Gao Wei smacked him on the head. “What’s so bad about it? We’re standing up for our rights!”

Li Hongbing raised his hand and said, “I propose that if the team doesn’t give us an answer on this matter, we go directly to the commune. If they don’t give us a satisfactory explanation, we won’t go to work.”

Li Chenliang was the first to raise his hand. He had nothing else to do anyway and didn’t mind stirring things up. Su Xue followed closely, and seeing this, the others also raised their hands.

The news of the educated youths going on strike quickly spread throughout the Zuojiatun production team.

Out in the fields, everyone was abuzz, discussing the matter. They felt that these young people were too bold—saying they wouldn’t work and then actually not working. What were they trying to do?

“They’re asking for trouble!” Zuo Dan declared with certainty. “No matter how powerful their families might be in the city, this is a remote area where the emperor’s authority doesn’t reach. Here, they’re under the control of the production team. Without a pass issued by the production team, they can’t even return home. And now they dare to stir up trouble with the production team? It’s only because the old team leader has been too lenient with them. If they were in another production team, they’d be worked hard until they wouldn’t even think of causing trouble.”

Zuo Dan didn’t support mistreating the educated youths but felt that using a strike to make trouble was particularly unwise.

If they succeeded once, the production team compromised once, and then no one would want to work anymore—it’d be endless trouble.

Zuo Dan was certain that their actions wouldn’t force the production team to back down. Instead, it would only anger both the commune and the team. When it came time to distribute the quotas for returning to the city, not one of these people would be considered.

Suddenly, a thought struck Zuo Dan. Could this troublemaking by the educated youths have been instigated by Shen Yiming?

She thought about it but couldn’t figure out how Shen Yiming might have persuaded these people, especially Li Chenliang, his stubborn rival. Maybe she was overthinking it. But when she glanced at Shen Yiming, who was talking to Zuo Shuisheng, her suspicions didn’t subside—instead, they grew even stronger.

If it really was Shen Yiming behind this, then his heart and mind must be as dark as coal. Still, she couldn’t help but feel a little excited, as if she were watching a suspense movie, always trying to solve the mysteries Shen Yiming left behind.

Shen Yiming seemed to sense her gaze. He glanced in her direction briefly before turning back to continue speaking with Zuo Shuisheng. “Old team leader, how about I try talking to them again? If we explain things clearly, this issue can be resolved. A strike isn’t a trivial matter.”

At the mention of the strike, Zuo Shuisheng grew even angrier. “Explain what? To them, the production team doesn’t exist, and neither does the commune. With their lack of awareness, they’d never consider the collective. Yiming, stop speaking up for them. I’ve already decided to report this to the commune. I refuse to believe that our production team has to compromise with a few young comrades. These kids from the city are out of line… Oh, but you’re different from them. You’re a good comrade—a comrade who brings honor to our village.”

The old team leader praised Shen Yiming before assigning him the task of registering work points for the afternoon. He then had Zuo Mugen drive the cart to the commune in town. He was determined to make these young people understand that the production team was not a place for them to cause trouble.

Watching the old team leader leave, Shen Yiming glanced at the sky, seeming to sigh, as if he were worried about the educated youths.

At noon, when work ended, Zuo Dacheng approached Shen Yiming to register work points and took the opportunity to ask about the situation with the educated youths. After all, Li Hui’s niece was among them, and he was worried something serious might happen.

Shen Yiming replied, “Uncle Dacheng, this matter hasn’t been officially addressed yet. The old team leader has gone to the commune, and how it will be handled depends on the commune’s decision.”

Zuo Dan interjected, “Will their troublemaking affect their families?” Then she mouthed silently, “Su…”

Shen Yiming glanced at her and said, “I don’t think this will blow up too much. After all, their families are mostly working-class, and some even come from cadre households. Their backgrounds are clean, so it shouldn’t affect their families. If their class background were problematic, then it might be a different story.”

Hearing this, Zuo Dacheng grew anxious. “What? If their class background isn’t good, it could still affect their families? But it’s them causing trouble. How would that affect their families?”

Shen Yiming explained seriously, “If their background is problematic, they’d already be undergoing state reformation. Allowing family members to cause trouble during that time could be seen as dissatisfaction with the state. That could lead to being labeled as reactionaries or spies.”

Zuo Dacheng broke out in a cold sweat. Behind him, Li Hui’s face also turned pale.

Zuo Dan quickly tugged at Zuo Dacheng and Li Hui. “Dad, Mom, let’s head home. Let’s not hold up Yiming while he’s registering work points.” She turned to Shen Yiming and added, “Oh, Comrade Yiming, why don’t you come over to our house for lunch later? We’ve saved some meat—it smells delicious!”

Shen Yiming smiled. “Oh, I couldn’t possibly impose.”

But Zuo Dacheng, now recovering his composure, extended the invitation more earnestly. “What’s there to feel bad about? You’ve helped our family plenty. We wouldn’t have been able to get Dandan back from town without you. Once you’re done with your work, you must come over.” He also wanted to ask Shen Yiming more about the consequences of the educated youths’ actions. Until he fully understood the matter, he doubted he could even eat in peace.

Shen Yiming nodded. “Alright then, Uncle Dacheng. I won’t stand on ceremony. I’ll come over after I’m done.”

Zuo Dan quickly pulled her parents along and headed home.

On the way back, none of the three said a word. Once they were home and the door was closed, Zuo Dan’s expression suddenly shifted. “This is outrageous! Mom was even thinking of saving the meat for Su Xue to eat, and look at how she’s repaying us. Not only is she ignoring Mom, but she’s also neglecting her grandparents and her own father. If this gets investigated, wouldn’t it ruin the entire Li family? It might even drag our family down with it!”

Zuo Dan’s face showed deep anger and resentment. “Dad, Mom, what are we going to do about this now?”

Zuo Dacheng was also visibly angry. “This child has been spoiled since she was little. Even now that she’s grown up, she still can’t give anyone peace of mind.”

“How can she be so reckless?” Li Hui was deeply afraid. Her fear only made her more resentful of Su Xue’s thoughtlessness. She had already noticed that Su Xue’s temperament had changed, but now it seemed she had no sense of consideration for others. Given the family’s precarious situation, they were lucky to be keeping their heads down and avoiding trouble. How could Su Xue insist on stirring things up? This mess could harm so many people—her parents, her elder brother, and even herself. Worse, it might drag the Zuo family into it. Thinking of Zuo Dacheng and her two children, Li Hui couldn’t help but feel heartache.

At this moment, the joy Li Hui had felt upon reuniting with her relatives was significantly dampened. No matter how close a niece was, she couldn’t compare to one’s own parents and children. Now, because of this niece, her family might face disaster. She couldn’t help but wish she had never crossed paths with her in Zuojiatun.

Seeing her parents’ gloomy expressions, Zuo Dan asked, “It’s the middle of the day. Should we bring Su Xue some chicken meat?”

Zuo Dacheng snorted. “What for? She’s got the energy to make trouble, so she doesn’t need our meat.”

Li Hui remained silent.

Zuo Dan sighed. “The meatiest part of the chicken—I’ve been saving it and haven’t had the heart to eat it. I was planning to give it to Su Xue.”