RIRW – Chapter 35

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Although the family didn’t have much appetite, they still thought of inviting Shen Yiming over for a meal, so they had to prepare the food. Besides, they had work in the afternoon, and skipping a meal on an empty stomach would be unbearable.

Li Hui specifically took out the family’s corn to steam rice, while Zuo Dan helped with the firewood. Seeing the worried expressions on Li Hui and Zuo Dacheng’s faces, Zuo Dan felt a bit conflicted herself.

With Su Xue’s temper, being close to Li Hui and Zuo Dacheng over time might lead to trouble. She didn’t want to have to guard against Su Xue every day. It was essential for the couple to be cautious on their own. People only guard against those they dislike.

Zuo Dan was determined to make them dislike Su Xue.

Moreover, Zuo Dan thought about the future. She knew that after the movement ended, those who had been reformed through labor would return to their original positions. She didn’t want Su Xue, a mere troublemaker, to dominate over their families when that happened.

It would be too humiliating.

Just as the food was ready, Shen Yiming arrived.

Zuo Dacheng welcomed him joyfully and brought him inside, not treating Shen Yiming like a younger generation at all.

Shen Yiming didn’t consider himself a junior either. He sat and chatted with Zuo Dacheng, who, during the conversation, subtly inquired about the situation of the educated youths. Shen Yiming became a bit serious and said, “The old captain hasn’t returned yet, but these educated youths have already decided that if the commune doesn’t give a proper explanation, they won’t go to work. I think this situation is quite tricky.”

“Will they investigate their families?” Zuo Dacheng asked.

“That’s hard to say. We can’t predict the higher-ups’ reaction for now. All we can say is, it depends on luck. They might investigate, or they might not.”

Zuo Dacheng started praying silently, hoping that they wouldn’t be investigated.

Shen Yiming said, “I think there’s a good chance they won’t investigate. After all, the holiday is coming up, and every department is busy preparing for it. As long as their families don’t contact them, the commune won’t have the time to look for their families.”

Zuo Dacheng nodded repeatedly, deciding that Li Hui and Su Xue should keep their distance in the future. They couldn’t let others know about the relationship between their families.

His niece was so prone to causing trouble that who knew when something big might happen? While she might be fine, the family could suffer as enemies of the state.

People with bad class backgrounds could still live in the village, but if they were labeled as reactionaries or enemies of the state, they could be executed.

A few years ago, many people were executed for similar reasons.

Seeing that Shen Yiming had almost convinced Zuo Dacheng, Zuo Dan brought out the food.

Steamed corn rice, wild chicken soup, and stir-fried vegetables made for a very sumptuous meal in those times.

Zuo Dacheng quickly invited Shen Yiming to eat. After Shen Yiming’s analysis, he felt more at ease. As long as the investigation wasn’t too thorough, they wouldn’t find out about their connection to Su Xue. This way, they wouldn’t be labeled as reactionaries.

“Auntie’s cooking is perfect in every way,” Shen Yiming complimented with a smile.

Li Hui smiled reluctantly, “My skills have declined a lot. I don’t know if it suits your taste.” Over the years at the Zuo family, she hadn’t even had the right to cook.

“It’s excellent, better than what the chefs at the provincial government cafeteria make.”

Hearing this, Li Hui smiled, feeling that Shen Yiming was overly generous with his praise. She kept serving him soup. “Comrade Yiming, eat more. Don’t be shy.”

Zuo Dan stared at the chicken neck in the soup, thinking that since Shen Yiming had helped them, they shouldn’t let him have just the chicken neck.

“Comrade Zuo Dan, why aren’t you eating? You’re even more reserved than me as a guest. Come on, eat more.”

The chicken neck Zuo Dan had been eyeing ended up in her bowl.

“…”

After the meal, Shen Yiming left. With the old captain away, Shen Yiming was in charge of the work. He had no choice since the village trusted him, and the old captain trusted him even more than his own grandson.

To have such influence, even Zuo Dan was impressed.

After Shen Yiming left, Zuo Dacheng closed the door to discuss Su Xue’s situation. Inspired by Shen Yiming’s words, Zuo Dacheng and Li Hui agreed that for the sake of their family and the Li family members far away at the farm, they had to keep their distance from Su Xue. They would stop delivering things to her and would act as if they didn’t know her when they met. Helping her with work was out of the question.

After all, those educated youths weren’t working and were doing just fine. Shen Yiming could even help the village with extra tasks. There was no reason Su Xue couldn’t manage. Without their family connection, Su Xue could still be an educated youth.

But if Li Hui had a relative like Su Xue, it could very well cost her her life.

Knowing what was important, Zuo Dacheng didn’t need to think twice.

Zuo Dan said, “Isn’t this a bit harsh? Even though she’s willful and might cause trouble for me and Xiaocong if we ever have to go to the farm, I still can’t bear to just ignore her…”

“Dandan, it’s good to be kind, but being too kind can be a problem,” Zuo Dacheng shook his head disapprovingly.

“I still disagree. I’m thinking of asking Su Xue about the situation later. Maybe we can ask Uncle Shuisheng for help, or even have Shen Yiming speak to the commune and ask them not to pursue Su Xue,” Zuo Dan poured out her ideas like beans spilling from a jar.

Listening to this gave Zuo Dacheng a headache. He knew his daughter was kind-hearted, generous, and filial, but this was too much.

Going to plead with the production team and the commune… that would be like putting the whole family on the line.

Li Hui felt anxious as she listened. She hadn’t had a peaceful day in years. Now that they had split from the family and life was improving, if everything was ruined because of this, what hope did she have left? “Dandan, listen to your father. Don’t get involved. Those educated youths might just end up doing labor. But if this gets serious, our whole family could be destroyed.”

“But Su Xue…”

“Why do you only think about Su Xue and not about your mother, your brother, or yourself!” Zuo Dacheng rarely got angry.

Zuo Dan lowered her head, “But she’s family…”

“Your uncle is family too,” Zuo Dacheng tried to persuade her.

“That’s because Uncle is unfilial,” Zuo Dan replied. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t disown him as my uncle.”

“… Su Xue is unfilial too. She’s been here for so long and hasn’t even visited her father or grandparents at the farm,” Zuo Dacheng said, suddenly realizing it himself. A child who didn’t even acknowledge her own father and grandparents… Zuo Dacheng said sternly, “So, Dandan, you can’t tell anyone in the commune about Su Xue’s relationship with your mother.”

The team tolerated Li Hui’s poor class background, and the commune turned a blind eye. But Su Xue’s situation had already caught the commune’s attention. If they found out about Su Xue and Li Hui’s relationship, it would be disastrous. Strictly speaking, Su Xue caused trouble right under Li Hui’s nose…

The words “reactionary” and “enemy of the state” kept echoing in Zuo Dacheng’s mind.

Zuo Dan looked at Li Hui, “But isn’t Mom usually good to everyone? Was it wrong for me to learn from her?”

Zuo Dacheng rubbed his head, thinking that raising such a well-behaved child might not be a good thing after all.

Li Hui, wiping her tears, said anxiously, “Dandan, Mom had no choice. Mom’s class background isn’t good, but you’re different. You come from a poor peasant family. You’re not like me.”

Only then did Zuo Dan realize, “Oh, so that’s why. Now I understand. Mom, Dad, don’t worry. I’ll keep my distance from them from now on. It’s better this way, so Su Xue won’t be implicated.”

Zuo Dacheng and Li Hui finally breathed a sigh of relief, though her last words left them momentarily speechless.

On the way to work, Zuo Dacheng asked Zuo Dan to report first, while he and Li Hui walked behind. Once the child was out of earshot, Zuo Dacheng talked to Li Hui about Zuo Dan’s problem.

“Our Dandan is too kind-hearted; this won’t do!”

After what had just happened with Dandan pleading for Su Xue, Zuo Dacheng suddenly realized his daughter had a serious issue. She was too single-minded. Zuo Dacheng noticed that Dandan completely followed their temperament. They were filial to the old lady, and Dandan was the most filial in the family. They cared about Su Xue, and Dandan helped Su Xue with work. Even when they were angry, she still wanted to plead for Su Xue.

Thankfully, he and Li Hui were there to advise her. If they weren’t around, what would happen to their daughter?

Zuo Dacheng sensed something was amiss. It had to be addressed, and the only solution was for him and his wife to adjust their behavior in daily life. They needed to find a balance, ensuring Dandan didn’t overlearn their traits. They didn’t want their child to live a life where she couldn’t hold her head up high, just like them.

Zuo Dan, however, wasn’t concerned with what her parents were discussing. The general direction for the family had been set: anyone looking to take advantage would have to back off. She didn’t need to worry about that.

Her current concern was the issue with the educated youths. It wasn’t just her; everyone in the village was focused on this matter.

This was the only “news” in Zuojiatun, a usually tranquil place, and now there was finally some excitement, drawing everyone’s attention.

By the time Zuo Dan arrived at the threshing ground, people were already gathered in small groups, discussing the situation.

While registering the afternoon work points with Shen Yiming, Zuo Dan whispered, “Comrade Yiming, I’m really grateful to you.”

Shen Yiming looked puzzled, “What did I help you with?”

Zuo Dan replied sincerely, “You’ve helped me twice before, bringing me back from the town. I never properly thanked you.”

Shen Yiming suddenly understood, “Oh, that! It’s nothing, just a small favor.”

Zuo Dan smiled, finding Shen Yiming, though cunning, not entirely unlikeable. He was quite reliable in critical moments.

Yes, interacting with clever people felt quite relaxing.

Not long after work started in the afternoon, the old team leader, Zuo Shuisheng, finally returned on a cart, much to everyone’s anticipation. Accompanying him was Secretary Liu from the commune, the deputy secretary responsible for managing the educated youths. He oversaw dozens of them across the commune.

Usually, it was normal for the educated youths to cause some trouble in various production teams. Some even secretly roasted the local villagers’ old hens. Such mischievous acts were common. However, no matter how bold or unruly, they hadn’t gone on strike before. This was serious. Considering the history of strikes, they were often precursors to rebellion. With educated youths striking under his watch, it seemed they had no regard for the organization. If others followed suit, the entire commune, even the whole county, could descend into chaos.

Thus, Deputy Secretary Liu immediately came to Zuojiatun’s production team, instructing Zuo Shuisheng to gather everyone for a profound ideological education session.

Meanwhile, the educated youths at their point had also learned about Deputy Secretary Liu’s visit. Li Hongbing and Li Chenliang quickly convened a meeting to plan their response when Secretary Liu spoke with them and what conditions to raise.

Li Hongbing said, “Everyone should speak up; this might be the last chance.”

“We can’t ask to return to the city,” Su Xue scoffed.

Li Chenliang snapped, “Then don’t bring up anything.”

Su Xue immediately fell silent.

The others, however, raised various suggestions. Su Dai wanted the commune to provide more food, as they were often only seven or eight tenths full. Gao Wei thought there should be more holidays, allowing them to work when they wanted and rest at home when they didn’t. This proposal received unanimous support, except from Li Hongbing. Li Sulai wanted to visit home, and Liu Lili also agreed, hoping to work at a coal site to earn a salary.

Everyone expressed their views. Even if they weren’t usually close, they were willing to unite this time to escalate the situation and achieve their respective goals.

At the threshing ground, Deputy Secretary Liu was giving his speech.

“Chairman Mao once said that it is necessary for educated youths to go to the countryside to receive re-education from poor and lower-middle peasants. I believe many comrades have realized the meaning of this statement through this incident. These educated youths need to come to the countryside for transformation, to truly learn the spirit of the poor and lower-middle peasants. Otherwise, if they always think they live in peacetime, they will forget their responsibilities and duties. Look at these educated youths; they strike at the drop of a hat. Would our poor and lower-middle peasants do this?”

The villagers of Zuojia Tun all responded in unison, “No, we wouldn’t!” Mainly because they didn’t dare. If they really went on strike, what would happen if the team stopped distributing food? They didn’t have relatives in the city to send them food.

“That’s right, we wouldn’t. If we all followed their example, where would the food and clothes for our nation’s people come from?” Deputy Secretary Liu shouted passionately.

“I think it’s very necessary to focus on transforming these intellectuals. They want to go to the coal yard? Fine, the commune will arrange it. Each of them will work at the commune’s coal yard for seven days. Anyone who refuses won’t receive any food. Let them receive the transformation of the poor and lower-middle peasants on an empty stomach! We’ll also report this to the county and province.”

The people of Zuojia Tun were stunned. Why were they all being sent to the coal yard?

Someone asked, “When they come back, can they bring back some coal scraps?” After all, it’s on the way.

“They can. Each day, they can carry back a load,” Deputy Secretary Liu replied, thinking this punishment method was quite fitting. It served the people and allowed for transformation.

“That’s good, let them go then.”

Everyone agreed, having no objections.

The villagers figured that whether those troublemakers were there or not made no difference. The busiest time of the harvest was over, and they didn’t need the extra hands. Sending them for transformation was fine, and they could even bring back coal. It was a good deal.

No one asked the educated youths for their opinions. The commune’s decision was the collective opinion, and since no one objected, how could a few troublesome youngsters have any objections?

The educated youths didn’t get the negotiation they had anticipated. Before they could even disperse, they were restrained by the militia summoned by the commune. Deputy Secretary Liu then announced their arrangement: all of them would go to the coal yard to dig coal for seven days, with their future depending on their performance.

In a swift move, the Dahe Commune government quelled this premeditated strike and issued a notice throughout the commune, serving as a warning to others.

Don’t want to work the fields? Fine, go carry coal.

The next morning, as the educated youths were being sent off, Zuo Dan made a point to see them. Li Chenliang, the troublemaker, was tied up like a dumpling and thrown onto the cart. The others all looked dejected, especially the young women, whose faces were pale.

When Su Xue saw Zuo Dan, her eyes lit up. “Dandan, Dandan…” She knew the people of Zuojia Tun were united. If Li Hui and Zuo Dacheng pleaded for her, the old team leader might help her.

“What are you shouting about? You’re still causing trouble even when you’re going to the coal yard,” Zuo Shuisheng approached with his hands behind his back, followed by Shen Yiming. Zuo Shuisheng frowned at the educated youths, feeling that although the issue was resolved, it had still tarnished the team’s reputation. The commune’s leaders would likely think poorly of his leadership. Why was it the educated youths in Zuojia Tun causing trouble? Feeling wronged, Zuo Shuisheng was filled with resentment.

Shen Yiming said, “Go to the coal yard and work hard. Strive to complete your transformation and return early. The villagers are kind and will accept you again.”

Li Chenliang, hearing Shen Yiming’s words, struggled on the cart. “Shen Yiming, you little devil, this is definitely all your doing.”

He blurted this out instinctively, but Zuo Dan raised an eyebrow. It’s often said that suffering brings wisdom, and for once, she agreed. Suffering at least increases one’s intelligence, which is indeed a blessing. However, Shen Yiming was completely unaffected, his face still calm and composed.

Zuo Shuisheng, on the other hand, was more agitated than Shen Yiming. He quickly ordered the people to send the troublemakers away, out of sight and out of mind.