RIRW – Chapter 73

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The Wei family was completely dumbfounded by this sudden turn of events. Even Wei Xiaojun and Wei Xiaohong were confused. Wasn’t their father determined to send them to the countryside? Everyone knew about it. So how did it suddenly turn into him pulling strings to keep them in the city, only to get reported?

“You see! This is all because you two insisted on staying in the city. Look at what you’ve done—you got your father into trouble!”

Du Juan pointed angrily at the two children. Seeing their guilty and uneasy expressions, she finally felt satisfied.

Of course, she didn’t really blame them. Even if the children hadn’t insisted on staying in the city, as their mother, she would have tried to find a way to keep them there. But lately, these two had been acting too spoiled, constantly complaining that she and Wei Guohua didn’t love them. Now was the perfect opportunity to teach them a lesson.

Sure enough, after getting scolded, Wei Xiaojun and Wei Xiaohong didn’t dare to say a word. Their father had been taken away—this was a huge deal for the family.

“Mom, don’t blame them. They didn’t mean to. What are we going to do about this?”

Wei Jingren tried to calm her mother down. If something really happened to Wei Guohua, her own future would be at risk. How could she continue to have a good standing at work?

Du Juan snapped, “You’re still defending them? These two ungrateful brats will never appreciate what you do for them!”

“It’s fine. They’ll understand one day,” Wei Jingren said generously.

Wei Xiaojun and Wei Xiaohong stayed silent. However, their hostility toward Wei Jingren seemed to have faded a bit.

Seeing this, Du Juan didn’t scold them any further and sighed. “I’ll go ask around for information.”

They lived in the provincial government compound, where many officials resided. However, after making a few rounds, Du Juan couldn’t find anyone who could give her any news.

With no other option, she called Li Jianghe.

As soon as the call connected, Li Jianghe spoke first. “Comrade Du Juan, about that favor you asked me—to help keep your children in the city—I haven’t done it yet.”

Instinctively, Du Juan replied, “That’s not what I’m asking about. I’m calling about Guohua. Comrade Li Jianghe, our Guohua…”

“You heard that, right? She admitted it herself—pulling strings to stay in the city, violating policy. This is selfishness!”

Suddenly, Li Jianghe’s voice turned into a furious roar. Du Juan was stunned, then quickly realized—he had deliberately led her into a trap! And on the other end of the line, he wasn’t the only one listening.

It was over. Completely over…

Li Jianghe hung up. Looking at Wei Guohua, whose face had gone pale, he sneered. “Minister Wei, you and your wife have truly let down the Party and the people. Just recently, grassroots officials were giving you banners of commendation, and yet, you were secretly doing such disgraceful things. Comrade Wei Guohua, you really are a hypocrite.”

While Wei Guohua’s punishment was still being decided, his two children were already sent to the countryside.

Once again, the ones sent to pick them up were Zuo Dan and Zuo Shuisheng. The two of them rode into town on a tractor driven by Zuo Dacheng, their arrival loud and impressive.

Sitting on the tractor, Zuo Shuisheng sighed. “Luckily, Yiming got us this tractor back then. It’s been so useful!”

Zuo Dan thought to herself, Because of this one tractor, the people of Zuojiatun will probably remember Shen Yiming for years.

Even though he was no longer in Zuojiatun, stories about him still spread everywhere.

Hearing Zuo Shuisheng praise Shen Yiming, Zuo Dacheng looked extremely proud, as if they were talking about his own son.

Zuo Dan was already used to this. Right now, she was more interested in meeting the Wei family’s two “precious darlings.” She wanted to find out what exactly had happened in the provincial capital.

These two had originally not been on the list to be sent to Zuojiatun. That meant some intense behind-the-scenes struggle must have taken place. How could she not be curious?

This time, there weren’t as many people being sent down as before. The official in charge, Director Hou, stood surrounded by a group of bright-eyed young people, all full of youthful energy.

Thanks to Zuojiatun’s tractor, their journey was much faster than others’. Many production teams hadn’t even arrived yet.

Zuo Shuisheng didn’t bother getting off. He just stood on the tractor and shouted, “Where are the Zuojiatun production team’s educated youths? Get on the tractor!”

Seeing him, Director Hou grinned. “Old Zuo, not bad! In less than a year, you’ve upgraded from old rifles to cannons. Now you’ve even got a tractor!”

“Not bad, not bad. It’s all thanks to the higher-ups looking out for us,” Zuo Shuisheng replied, smoking happily.

Director Hou didn’t chat further and waved his hand. “Zuojiatun team, get on. Seven people—Liu Meixia, Hu Cuicui, Wei Xiaohong, Wei Xiaojun, Sun Lei, Zhang Aijun, and Hu Guoqiang.”

The named individuals quickly stepped out of the lineup, eager to climb onto the tractor. How could they not be excited? Just moments ago, they had seen others arriving in horse-drawn carts and ox carts—dirty and smelly. Compared to those, this tractor was practically a luxury car!

The educated youths riding in the carts and wagons looked on with envy as the lucky seven climbed aboard.

With a shout from Zuo Shuisheng, the tractor roared to life and set off.

Wei Xiaohong and Wei Xiaojun had already spotted Zuo Dan and were staring at her eagerly. Back in the provincial capital, they hadn’t thought much about her. But now that they were in the countryside, seeing a familiar face filled them with excitement—and a bit of dependence. More importantly, Zuo Dan hadn’t lied. Zuojiatun really did have better conditions than other places.

Zuo Dan gave them a subtle look, signaling them not to speak yet.

Then, Zuo Shuisheng introduced Zuo Dacheng and Zuo Dan. “This is our team’s master driver. And this here is our production team’s accountant. She’ll be responsible for the educated youths’ affairs.”

Everyone looked at Zuo Dan. Seeing how young she was, they felt relieved—at least they wouldn’t have an overly strict overseer.

Zuo Dan smiled kindly, but her sharp eyes took in all their expressions. She figured she should make it clear soon—anyone joining the Zuojiatun production team had only one job: to work hard. Any funny business would get their “little claws” chopped off.

Once they arrived at the village, Zuo Dan arranged housing for them.

Currently, the only female educated youth living there was Li Suli. Since she knew more people were coming, she had volunteered to help settle them in. Meanwhile, the male educated youths needed a different arrangement. Li Chenliang and his two roommates still lived in their dorm, so there wasn’t room for four more people.

Zuo Shuisheng decided to house them in Zuo Dan’s old house, which now belonged to the production team and had been vacant. It was perfect for their needs.

From a distance, Li Chenliang and Gao Wei stood outside the male educated youth dorm, watching as Zuo Dan led the newcomers away.

Gao Wei muttered, “Hey, what’s with you lately? Why do you keep sneaking glances at that girl? What’s so interesting about her?”

Li Chenliang chewed on a stalk of wheat, feeling frustrated. Ever since the Liu Lili incident, he had been avoiding Zuo Dan and had stopped stirring up trouble. Every time he acted up, she looked at him like he was an idiot. He hated that feeling! But when he didn’t look at her, he felt even worse.

“You’re really not going back to the city? Why not join the army? It’s better than staying here,” Gao Wei sighed. He wanted to go back, but his family had no connections. Meanwhile, Li Chenliang had the opportunity but refused to take it.

Thinking about how few of their original group remained, he felt even more frustrated. And now, with so many new arrivals, who knew when they’d ever return?

“This place is fine. Why go back?” Li Chenliang spat out the stalk of wheat and walked inside.

Gao Wei watched him go and sighed. Don’t tell me this guy is starting to fancy Zuo Dan like Shen Yiming did.

After settling the newcomers, Zuo Dan called Wei Xiaohong and Wei Xiaojun aside.

“You guys actually came! I thought I didn’t see your names on the list. What happened?” she asked in surprise.

At her words, their faces turned bitter.

Seeing this, Zuo Dan got excited. “What happened? Tell me! Maybe I can help!”

Wei Xiaojun still couldn’t keep his mouth shut. “My dad got arrested trying to keep us in the city…”

Under Wei Xiaojun’s excited explanation, Zuo Dan finally understood the whole story and gave Li Jianghe a thumbs-up. Well done—just as expected from someone chosen by Shen Yiming.

Zuo Dan shook her head, rubbing her chin. “You two shouldn’t feel guilty. I don’t think this has anything to do with you.”

“But my dad did it for us…” Wei Xiaohong said guiltily. “That’s what my mom said too.”

“That’s exactly why I’m saying you’re fools. You just believe whatever your mom says? Let me ask you, didn’t a lot of people in the compound hate your dad before this?”

The two nodded quickly. Yes, he was pretty disliked, and it even caused them to be ostracized.

“Exactly. Your dad was completely set up. That whole ‘keeping you in the city’ excuse is nonsense. Otherwise, why wouldn’t you have heard anything about it beforehand? If he really was trying to keep you in the city, don’t you think he would’ve told you about it?”

Wei Xiaohong and Wei Xiaojun thought about it and started feeling suspicious. They really hadn’t heard a single word before their dad was arrested—they had actually thought they were going to be sent to the countryside themselves.

Zuo Dan clapped her hands. “See? It has nothing to do with you. Your dad was targeted because he wanted to send you to the countryside, which made others have to go too. He made enemies. You two are actually the victims here.”

Wei Xiaojun hesitated. “But my mom said—”

“After your mom told you all that, didn’t you feel incredibly guilty, like you owed her something? Let me guess—your older sister even pleaded for you, didn’t she?” That pretender definitely wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to put on a performance.

Wei Xiaohong and Wei Xiaojun were stunned. They nodded vigorously.

“I knew it. Your mom is shifting all the blame onto you to make you feel guilty. Look at you now—you still had to go to the countryside, yet you’re left feeling grateful to your dad for his ‘sacrifice’ and guilty toward your mom. If your dad really loses everything, wouldn’t you still feel obligated to serve them like a pair of beasts of burden?”

“…” The two were speechless, utterly shocked by this analysis. It was like a sudden enlightenment.

It really was like that! They still ended up in the countryside, and they had initially resented their family for it. But after hearing that story, they’d been consumed by guilt. So that was their mom’s true motive—sending them to the countryside while still making sure they’d remain loyal, ready to work like slaves for the family.

Zuo Dan continued, “Your eldest sister stayed in the city. Everything in the family will belong to her. With all that guilt weighing on you, you wouldn’t even dare to fight her for anything. Your mom is really smart. How come you two didn’t inherit any of her cunning? Only your eldest sister did—otherwise, how could she, an outsider by name, take up a spot meant for one of you?”

“What a vicious heart! Treating her own children like this—worse than an animal!” Wei Xiaojun was so furious he started cursing. He felt like he should’ve given them a proper scolding before leaving. Trying to deceive him and Xiaohong for a lifetime—what shamelessness!

Wei Xiaohong bit her lip, her eyes red with anger. “I won’t care about them anymore. I don’t acknowledge such cruel parents!”

“Sigh…” Zuo Dan shook her head in pity. If only they had inherited their mother’s intelligence.

“Sister-in-law…” Wei Xiaohong cried out, trying to cling to a relative for support. With their parents unreliable, they needed someone else to rely on.

Zuo Dan was almost startled to death by the term. She quickly coughed and waved her hand. “Don’t call me that! We can’t let people know our connection. From now on, call me Accountant Zuo. That way, if I help you, no one will gossip.”

How could they just call her “Sister-in-law” so casually? These two were still naïve and selfish—she hadn’t even trained them properly yet. Besides, Comrade Shen Yiming hadn’t even officially acknowledged them. They couldn’t just claim ties randomly.

Hearing her words, the two found them reasonable. After all the blows they’d suffered, they felt that Zuo Dan, the only one who hadn’t deceived them, was very trustworthy.

“Alright, we’ll listen to you,” Wei Xiaohong said.

Zuo Dan thought that if she were a cuckoo bird, these two would have already driven her to death with frustration. Hahaha.

Since Zuo Shuisheng had been completely worn out by the previous batch of educated youths, he decided not to get involved this time and left things to Zuo Dan. She took full advantage of the situation and assigned everyone to work in the fields. She picked out a few quick and efficient workers from the production team to lead the way. Then she told them, “Whoever learns farm work the fastest gets to be the group leader of the educated youths and manage the others.”

Upon hearing this, even those who were reluctant to work suddenly got motivated.

Wei Xiaohong secretly pulled Zuo Dan aside. “Accountant Zuo, do Xiaojun and I have to work too?”

“Of course! And I’ll make sure you do the hardest, most exhausting tasks!”

Wei Xiaohong’s face fell instantly.

Zuo Dan smirked. “Do you know how your brother Yiming managed to return to the city? He performed well, got recommended by the old team leader to the commune, and then the commune recommended him higher up. That’s how he got back. If you two work hard, you can go back too. But I’m not telling the others—I don’t want them returning to the city. It’s better if they stay here and work. You two work hard and try to return.”

Hearing this, Wei Xiaohong’s eyes sparkled. Right! If Shen Yiming could return, so could they. It was good to have connections—otherwise, they’d never have known about this loophole. She quickly ran off to tell Wei Xiaojun about it, and soon, Zuo Dan saw him brimming with determination.

As for their family matters? They didn’t care anymore. What did it have to do with them? Their father got himself into trouble and then tried to pin it on them. Who needed such a family?

Meanwhile, in the provincial capital, Du Juan had been constantly worrying since the two children were sent to the countryside, but there was nothing she could do.

With Wei Guohua’s downfall, people turned on them. When she sought help, no one was willing. Instead, they sneered behind her back, saying that despite his righteous talk, Wei Guohua had secretly tried to keep his kids in the city.

Du Juan gritted her teeth in hatred. After waiting two days, the results finally came in—Wei Guohua had lost his position. He was found guilty of abusing power for personal gain, harboring selfish intentions, undermining socialism, and engaging in bureaucratic behavior. He was dismissed and placed under investigation. Worse, he had to attend monthly public meetings to be criticized and re-educated.

Upon hearing the news, Du Juan almost fainted.

“Mom, what do we do? What should we do? Should we go find Yiming? He’s working in the military district now—he can definitely help!” Wei Jingren sobbed.

Du Juan sat on the couch, dazed. Hearing Shen Yiming’s name, she suddenly shivered. When had the Wei family’s downfall begun? It seemed… ever since they visited the Shen family. From that day on, chaos followed, and there was never another moment of peace…

Du Juan didn’t dare think further. She didn’t believe Shen Yiming had such power. “What’s the point of going to him? He’d only mock us. I know he hates me.”

She knew Shen Yiming resented the Wei family—not just for the countryside issue but also for nearly starving him to death in the past. “Let’s wait until your father gets back. At least he’s only been dismissed—it could’ve been worse.”

Wei Guohua was soon released, but they had to move immediately. Their home was government property, and now that he had no position, they lost it. Luckily, they still had an old dormitory from when he married Shen Yuehong.

However, after returning, Wei Guohua remained cold and silent toward Du Juan, deliberately making her uncomfortable. He blamed her for everything.

“Guohua, I only did it for the children. I had no selfish motives,” Du Juan tried to explain.

Wei Guohua sneered. “No selfish motives? Then why is Jingren the only one left in the city? If she had gone to the countryside, at least one of the others could have stayed.”