RIRW – Chapter 80

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Although Shen Yiming knew that Zuo Dan was busy, he still planned to try calling her again to discuss the house. He wanted to secure the house first or at least ask when she would be coming to the provincial capital after the autumn harvest so they could go house hunting together. Additionally, they needed to discuss the car situation and decide what kind of vehicle would be suitable.

As for whether Zuo Dan would be able to answer the call this time, Shen Yiming wasn’t worried. Secretary Zhang wasn’t a fool—he surely understood why he was calling.

Early the next morning, Shen Yiming kept his eyes on the office phone, feeling excited and expectant at the thought of talking to Zuo Dan. At the same time, he was also frustrated by how inconvenient their communication was. Having her travel back and forth like this wasn’t ideal.

He needed to figure out a way to get a telephone installed in Zuo Village.

His mind started running through his network of connections, thinking about how he could arrange for a phone installation.

“Comrade Shen Yiming, someone is looking for you outside.” The security guard at the gate called out.

Someone noticed that Shen Yiming was lost in thought and quickly helped relay the message. “Yiming, someone is here to see you.”

Only then did Shen Yiming snap back to reality. He smiled and thanked them before getting up and walking toward the gate. He saw the guard, Uncle Zhang, and handed him a cigarette while asking, “Uncle Zhang, who’s looking for me?”

“A man and a woman. They said they’re from Zuo Village and claimed to be your relatives. I took a look—no dimples, so it’s not your fiancée,” Uncle Zhang said with a grin.

Shen Yiming knew that Zuo Dan was busy and wouldn’t have time to visit him, so he was puzzled but kept his expression neutral.

When he reached the gate and saw the visitors, he raised an eyebrow slightly but kept a smile on his face as he walked over.

Uncle Zhang didn’t enter the security room, giving them some privacy to talk while he stayed outside smoking the cigarette Shen Yiming had just given him.

Inside the security room, Zuo Huan blushed as soon as she saw Shen Yiming. She stood beside Yang Wenxin without daring to speak. She had always been intimidated by Shen Yiming, feeling like she couldn’t even lift her head in front of him.

Yang Wenxin found her timid attitude annoying. He stepped forward and shook hands with Shen Yiming. “Comrade Shen Yiming, do you remember me? I’m Yang Wenxin. The first time you visited the production team in Zuo Village, I was the one who greeted you.”

Shen Yiming pretended to think for a moment before his face lit up with realization. “Oh… I remember now. But I recall that Dandan was the one who greeted us. Weren’t you the one squeezing in with the female comrades?”

Yang Wenxin’s face stiffened in embarrassment. “I was just helping out the female comrades. But let’s not dwell on that. Speaking of which, we seem to have quite the connection. You and Comrade Zuo Dan are engaged, and I’m also dating Comrade Zuo Huan. If we go by the old traditions, that would make us brothers-in-law. Isn’t that quite the coincidence?”

Shen Yiming looked at Zuo Huan and asked curiously, “Weren’t you already separated from the family? I heard from Grandma Zuo that she has severed ties with you.”

Yang Wenxin had no response and tugged at Zuo Huan’s sleeve.

“…That was just said in anger. We’re still family—how could we really cut ties? Our relationship is still good. See, when we mentioned coming to see you, my second uncle and second aunt were happy about it,” Zuo Huan quickly interjected. She was also resentful that her grandmother had been so ruthless in making such a statement.

“That makes sense,” Shen Yiming nodded with a smile. “So you came all this way just to visit me? I’m really sorry—I’m still at work and can’t take time off. If you had told me in advance, I could have taken you around for a tour.”

“No need, no need. I’m actually quite familiar with this place,” Yang Wenxin replied, feeling reassured by Shen Yiming’s attitude. “Yiming, actually, we came today because we need your help. Since we’re family, I thought you might be willing to lend a hand.”

Shen Yiming smiled but remained composed. “No need to be so polite. Just tell me what you need.”

Yang Wenxin chuckled. “It’s like this—I heard that Comrade Xu Dapeng was able to return to the city with your help… I’ve been working in the Dahe Commune for a few years now, and I’ve gotten used to it. But now that I’m dating Zuo Huan, I want to give her a good life and bring her back to the city… Yiming, I think you can understand how I feel, right?”

“Of course I can understand,” Shen Yiming nodded with a smile. “So, you’re asking me to help you return to the city?”

Yang Wenxin and Zuo Huan hadn’t expected Shen Yiming to be so direct. Zuo Huan hesitated and said, “Shen Yiming, we’re family after all. Dandan and I are cousins. If you care about Dandan, please help us.”

Shen Yiming looked at them but said nothing.

Yang Wenxin frowned slightly and pinched Zuo Huan, prompting her to grit her teeth and continue, “Shen Yiming, my second uncle and second aunt are still in the village. We see them every day. If this doesn’t work out, my mother will definitely go and make trouble for them. You wouldn’t want them to be harassed all the time, right? You know what my mother’s temper is like—no one can stop her…”

Yang Wenxin added with a smirk, “Comrade Zuo Dan is now a cadre at the commune. If she keeps getting harassed, she won’t be able to lift her head in public, and people in the commune will mock her. If she can’t even manage her own family, how can she be a leader? Don’t you think so? We’re family—it’s only right to help each other out.”

Shen Yiming glanced at the two of them and smiled slightly. “Family should indeed help each other. But before we talk about whether I can help… are we really family?”

Yang Wenxin’s expression changed slightly.

Zuo Huan quickly responded, “We are family! Teacher Yang and I are planning to get married.”

“But you’re not married yet, are you?” Shen Yiming frowned. “I’ve seen too many cases where people return to the city and abandon their rural partners. You two haven’t registered your marriage, and I have no interest in helping strangers. Otherwise, today you bring this one and call them family, tomorrow you bring another…”

“Shen Yiming, what do you mean by that? I’m not someone who easily changes my mind!” Zuo Huan said emotionally.

Shen Yiming slowly shook his finger and said calmly, “No, no, that’s not what I mean. I’m just worried that some people might forget their roots once they return to the city. Then, your mother would still go make trouble for Uncle Dacheng and the others. I’m not foolish enough to get involved in something like that. Comrade Zuo Huan, if you’re not married, don’t bring people to me claiming they’re family.”

His tone was light, but his words were irrefutable.

Zuo Huan fell silent. Without a marriage certificate, Shen Yiming wouldn’t acknowledge Yang Wenxin as family.

Yang Wenxin could no longer smile, his face stiff. He understood that Shen Yiming was telling him to marry Zuo Huan first.

Seeing them speechless, Shen Yiming said sternly, “Look at that. You two haven’t even figured things out, yet you’re already asking me for help. Get your matters straight first. I’m busy, so I’ll be going now.”

With that, he walked out leisurely. Passing by Uncle Zhang, he handed him another cigarette.

“Oh, you don’t need to do that, keep it for yourself,” Uncle Zhang said, embarrassed.

Shen Yiming smiled. “I don’t smoke—my girlfriend doesn’t like it.”

Uncle Zhang chuckled. “This kid, huh? Whipped already.”

By the time Shen Yiming returned to his office, it was already past 9 a.m. He took out the manuscript he had written and carefully reviewed and edited it.

At 11:40, when work was over for lunch, he took a sip of tea before picking up the phone and dialing.

“Hello, this is Dahe Commune. Who’s calling?” a clear female voice answered.

Shen Yiming’s lips curled into a smile. “This is the Provincial Military Region Newspaper Office. I’d like to speak with Accountant Zuo regarding work.”

Zuo Dan didn’t believe it. If Shen Yiming wanted to bully someone, it would be as easy as playing a game.

“Who’s so impressive that they could actually bully Comrade Shen Yiming?”

“Yang Wenxin and Zuo Huan came to ask me for help in getting back to the city,” Shen Yiming explained what had happened earlier with them.

Zuo Dan hadn’t expected them to be so bold as to go to the city and threaten Shen Yiming. Wow, were they asking for trouble?

“So what did you say?”

“Oh, I didn’t say much—just told them that if they hadn’t registered their marriage, they weren’t considered relatives, so I couldn’t help them.”

Zuo Dan chuckled. “You’re so bad.” She knew full well that Yang Wenxin didn’t really want to marry Zuo Huan.

After laughing for a moment, she asked, “But what if they actually go and register their marriage and then come to you?”

Shen Yiming sighed. “Comrade Zuo Dan, you’re overestimating me. According to policy, once married, it’s actually very difficult to return to the city. Where would I get such power? If I had that kind of ability, I would’ve brought you to the city a long time ago.”

“Shen Yiming, you little rascal,” Zuo Dan teased. “Alright, I won’t talk to you anymore. I have to get back to work before someone comes into the office.”

“Mm.” Shen Yiming listened with a satisfied smile, picturing Zuo Dan’s mischievous expression as she scolded him.

A telephone… He needed to get a telephone installed.

At the Dahe Commune, Zuo Dan was still amused by Shen Yiming’s tricks. Then, she suddenly recalled that time in the little forest when Shen Yiming had acted so foolishly… Cough, cough. She touched her warm cheeks and patted them lightly.

What was she thinking? She had to keep a pure heart and not let Shen Yiming corrupt her!

As she stepped out of the office, Secretary Zhang was chatting with Zhang Baoshu outside.

He had actually returned a while ago, but he deliberately left some time for Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming to talk on the phone. When people were dating, others were too embarrassed to linger nearby.

“Xiao Zuo, did anyone call?” Secretary Zhang asked with a grin.

Zuo Dan smiled. “Yes, the provincial newspaper called to thank you. They said it was about the article from last time and that they really appreciated the commune’s cooperation. Now, even the Provincial Military District knows about our Dahe Commune! They insisted that I thank you properly. Since you weren’t here just now, I exchanged some polite words on your behalf.”

Secretary Zhang laughed heartily. Whether it was true or not, it was nice to hear.

Zuo Dan needed to get back to the village for the autumn harvest, so she couldn’t stay long. She quickly hitched up the horse cart and left.

After she left, Zhang Baoshu took a drag of his cigarette and watched her departing figure. “That girl is really sharp—so much better than those dull, wooden-headed ones. No wonder Shen Yiming likes her.”

Hearing this, Secretary Zhang’s expression darkened. “Baoshu, you better keep your thoughts in check. Last time, I let you off without breaking your legs. If you cause trouble again, I’ll break both of them.”

Zhang Baoshu’s legs instantly felt weak, and he didn’t dare say another word.

After returning to the village from the commune, Zuo Dan got busy right away. She hadn’t lied to Shen Yiming—the autumn harvest really was hectic. The weather hadn’t been great this year, and everyone was worried that if they didn’t harvest the crops in time, they’d get washed away by the rain.

In the midst of her work, she took note of Zuo Hongjun’s family situation.

Since the autumn harvest was divided into assigned tasks for each household, their family had been given tasks for four people. But in reality, only Zuo Hongjun, Xu Fengxia, and Zuo Qing were doing the work.

Zuo Dan knew that Zuo Qing had been set up with someone, thanks to Granny Qi’s matchmaking.

The other family had no issues with Zuo Qing, knowing she was diligent and hardworking. However, because Zuo Qing’s fiancée wasn’t very talkative and rarely interacted with her family or brought gifts to them, Xu Fengxia was dissatisfied with the match. Likewise, the girl’s family wasn’t happy with Xu Fengxia’s attitude, so the wedding plans had been on hold.

Zuo Dan found Xu Fengxia’s way of thinking quite odd. A younger daughter could slack off, but an older daughter had to work like crazy and even find a husband who would take care of her natal family? The strangest part was that Zuo Qing had no objections to this. Granny Qi had mentioned that Zuo Qing himself didn’t seem too keen on the engagement, so the marriage might not happen after all.

She wondered—if Yang Wenxin and Zuo Huan really did get married, how would their family react then?

Zuo Huan and Yang Wenxin rushed back to the Dahe Commune the very next day.

On the way, Yang Wenxin had been brainwashing Zuo Huan, repeatedly emphasizing that they should return to the city first before getting married. He suggested that the Zuo family should pressure Shen Yiming again—especially by having Zuo Dan talk to him, since men often listened to their partners once they were in a relationship.

As soon as she got home, Zuo Huan started making a fuss, complaining that Shen Yiming was unwilling to help. She said that because she and Yang Wenxin weren’t married, Shen Yiming didn’t consider them relatives and refused to assist. The implication was that Xu Fengxia should go to Zuo Dan’s house and cause trouble, forcing Zuo Dan’s family to pressure Shen Yiming.

“I think what Shen Yiming said actually makes a lot of sense. If you’re not married, what if he just runs off?” Xu Fengxia agreed with Shen Yiming’s reasoning.

Better safe than sorry. Unlike Zuo Huan, she wasn’t some naive young girl who could be sweet-talked into losing her way.

Marriage. They had to get married.

After all, hadn’t Shen Yiming already said it? Once they were married, they would be considered relatives.

Zuo Huan hesitated. “But what if Teacher Yang doesn’t agree?”

Xu Fengxia gritted her teeth. “If he wants to return to the city, he has to agree. Just tell him that. Marriage is non-negotiable.”

It took Yang Wenxin two whole days of deliberation before he finally gritted his teeth and agreed to marry Zuo Huan—but only after the autumn harvest.

“The autumn harvest is nearly complete! We are on the verge of our final victory! Comrades, if we finish ahead of schedule this year, we’ll slaughter an extra pig and reward the families who complete their tasks early! Comrades, keep up the spirit and strive for the final victory! Everything is for the country’s development!” Zuo Shuisheng shouted at the top of his lungs.

Everything for pork! The people of Zuo Family Village cheered in their hearts.

No matter what slogans were shouted, their goal was the same—finish the work and earn extra pork.

Zuo Dan slumped over the office desk, letting out a long sigh as she looked at the neatly organized stack of work point records. Lately, she had been helping in the fields while also trying to finish calculating work points in time for the food distribution after the harvest. She was exhausted—almost worked to death.

At noon, after finishing her work, she locked up the office and went straight home. Just as she reached her door, she saw Wei Xiaohong and Wei Xiaojun, both looking utterly drained.

The siblings no longer resembled city kids at all. Their skin was tanned dark and shiny, and they were so thin their bones were practically visible. The moment Zuo Dan arrived, Wei Xiaohong burst into tears.

“Accountant Zuo, still no money? Could someone have taken it?”

Zuo Dan’s face remained stern. “How could anyone have taken it? Other than you two, no one else can withdraw the money. If it can’t be withdrawn, what use would anyone have for it? If you don’t believe me, you can go to the commune and ask yourself.”

Wei Xiaohong wiped her tears. “I just never expected them to be so heartless. They really don’t care about Xiaojun and me at all. We can’t even get enough to eat, we have no money… we can’t go on like this.”

Wei Xiaojun angrily kicked a stone on the ground, feeling completely frustrated.

Zuo Dan looked at them with sympathy. “You should try to think positively. Relying on others won’t work. How about this—when the pork is distributed, I’ll find a way to get you both some, so you can at least have some nourishment. Seeing you like this… it’s really pitiful. Maybe you should go home and beg your mother during the New Year—”

“No way! I’d rather die than beg her. As far as we’re concerned, we don’t have a mother anymore. We will never go back to that house for the rest of our lives!”

Wei Xiaojun gritted his teeth in anger.

Yes, yes, their mother was so heartless—never going back was absolutely the right decision. No problem with that at all. Zuo Dan sighed dramatically, pretending to look sorrowful.