Chapter 112: Daily Shrimp Fishing
There were only ten people left at the educated youth spot.
The male educated youths: Xu Jincheng, Zhang Guodong, Zhao Chengxin, and Xie Xiaojun.
The female educated youths: Lu Manman, Yue Xiaoying, Bai Ningning, Lin Shuzhen, Zhang Jingxian, and Su Qianqian, who had just returned not long ago.
Xu Jincheng and Lu Manman remained calm. As senior educated youths, they had already welcomed several batches of newcomers over the years. Whether new ones came or not, they had no say in it—they could only passively accept.
The others were more or less resistant. Just when they had finally gotten used to each other, new people were joining again. They didn’t know what their personalities would be like, or whether they would get along. Naturally, they worried that their peaceful life might be disrupted.
Among them, Zhang Guodong, Zhao Chengxin, and Xie Xiaojun showed the most obvious unease.
Ever since Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang, Miao Jiaze, and Du Xuewen moved out one after another, the space they left behind—including beds and immovable cabinets—was split among the remaining four men.
They had been living more comfortably—plenty of space to spread out, even lying crosswise without issue. But if more male educated youths came this time, their space would shrink again.
The five women were worried that too many new female educated youths might arrive. The dorms for men and women were both built for ten people. If more than four new women joined, wouldn’t they be squeezed to death?
“Brother Xu, did the team leader say how many new educated youths are coming this time?” Lu Manman asked.
Xu Jincheng replied, “Not sure yet. We’ll only find out when we go to the county tomorrow.”
Back at the dorm, Lin Shuzhen asked, “Should we move our bedding around first? There are six of us sleeping in a row.”
“Move it! Move it!” Bai Ningning pouted. “I don’t want to sleep right next to strangers.”
“I’ll take the outermost spot,” Lu Manman volunteered. Years of rural life had already worn away all her edges. Instead of fussing over trivial things, she would rather rest whenever possible.
After rearranging the beds, Su Qianqian picked up a laundry basket and headed out.
Xie Xiaojun spotted her from across the way and followed.
“Qianqian, it’s too dangerous to go wash clothes by the river alone. I’ll go with you.”
“No need! Comrade Xie, please don’t follow me.” Su Qianqian’s slender brows knit together slightly as she quickened her pace, wanting to shake him off.
She had deliberately chosen this time to do laundry—when the sun was high and it was the hottest part of the day. Fewer people would be by the river, and she could stay quietly by herself.
But Xie Xiaojun stuck close behind.
He was far too near, his oppressive presence making Su Qianqian feel both nauseated and afraid. She shifted away, clutching the laundry beater in her hand like a weapon.
“Comrade Xie! What exactly are you trying to do?”
Xie Xiaojun’s frivolous gaze swept over her full chest before landing on her face. “Qianqian, come with me. You’re not pure anymore, but I don’t mind. As long as you’re willing to be with me, I’ll treat you well—just like before.”
Su Qianqian trembled with anger, but her voice was icy calm. “Comrade Xie, do you know how the Li family controlled me?”
Her voice was beautiful—like a willow branch brushing softly over the heart—making Xie Xiaojun itch all over, his breathing heavy.
He longed to hear more, reaching his hand toward her waist and speaking gently, “I don’t know… Qianqian, if you’re willing to tell me, I’ll be a good listener.”
Su Qianqian sidestepped, her tone frosty. “Du Xiujun knows some herbal medicine. She could make medicine and poison. When she rested, afraid I’d run, she secretly drugged me a little. Before I left the Li family, I stole some of her medicine!”
She had never told Xu Jincheng and the others this back at the Li house. At the time, she feared provoking the Li’s into desperation. Later, she thought it might serve as a useful trump card.
She hadn’t expected to be forced to reveal it so soon.
Xie Xiaojun’s smile faltered.
Su Qianqian’s pretty face frosted over. “Stay away from me! You said it yourself—I’m not clean anymore! I don’t care, my life’s already ruined. If you keep pressing me, I won’t even accuse you of assault. I’ll just poison you first, then kill myself!”
“You—you crazy woman!”
Xie Xiaojun turned and fled. Lustful as he was, he valued his life more.
Still fuming, Su Qianqian picked up a stone and hurled it after him—unfortunately, she missed.
005 withdrew its surveillance and angrily reported to its host.
[Host, Xie Xiaojun really is trash!]
[What happened?]
[He tried to assault Su Qianqian, but she scared him off.]
Mu Lantu frowned. [Garbage.]
“Big beauty.”
“Baby?” Xu Huazhang opened his eyes, pulled him into his arms, and patted him gently. “Had a nightmare?”
“I want to deal with Xie Xiaojun.” Mu Lantu pinched his nose.
Xu Huazhang’s drowsiness vanished.
“I’ve kept this in mind. I want to hit him hard, that’s why I haven’t acted yet. He’s only stirring trouble because he’s too comfortable.
When the busy farming season comes—if he injures himself and can’t work in the fields, and then can’t chop firewood after the season, do you think the others will still tolerate him?”
Mu Lantu looked forward to that day.
“Good. Then we’ll wait until the farming season.”
The two plotted, while the one being plotted against remained clueless.
When Xie Xiaojun returned to the youth spot, he subconsciously felt safe again—but the suppressed fire in his heart surged back up. At his age, his blood was hot. Once he thought of women, he couldn’t control himself.
But he didn’t dare provoke Su Qianqian anymore. Nor were the other five female educated youths to be trifled with.
Lu Manman was well-liked, Bai Ningning and Lu Manman were inseparable, Lin Shuzhen was fierce, Yue Xiaoying shrewd, Zhang Jingxian the prettiest but always aloof—Xie Xiaojun didn’t understand her, and wouldn’t risk it…
He had thought about hooking up with village girls, but strangely, though they often came to the youth spot to play, they kept their distance from the male educated youths.
What he didn’t know was—this was thanks to Mu Lantu.
Mu Lantu had “brainwashed” the village aunts many times, and they in turn influenced their daughters and nieces. Almost none of the village girls even considered pairing with the male educated youths.
Besides, Su Qianqian’s case was already a warning.
Perhaps Aunt Chunhua and the team leader also did something privately, but any budding goodwill from the villagers toward the youths had been thoroughly snuffed out. Now, their attitude was nothing more than ordinary friendship.
Zhao Chengxin, disturbed by Xie Xiaojun tossing and turning, snapped impatiently, “What are you doing? The bed full of thorns?”
Just about to retort, Xie Xiaojun glanced at Xu Jincheng and Zhang Guodong.
The two didn’t stir, appearing deeply asleep.
Xie Xiaojun edged closer to Zhao Chengxin, whispering, “Old Zhao, do you still like Su Qianqian?”
Zhao Chengxin sobered instantly. “What are you getting at?”
“She’s back now. Don’t you have any thoughts?” Xie Xiaojun said casually. “I think… she probably hopes for a man to take care of her.”
Zhao Chengxin didn’t know what he was scheming, but he was on guard.
“If you pity her, then you go take care of her. What’s it got to do with me? When did I ever say I liked Comrade Su? Don’t you ruin my reputation with her!”
Xie Xiaojun gave him a look of “I understand,” and added, “So you dislike that she—”
“Cough.” Xu Jincheng turned over, mumbling something indistinct.
Zhao Chengxin turned his back to Xie Xiaojun, dragging his bedding a few inches further away.
Xie Xiaojun’s face darkened. He lay flat, closed his eyes.
Sunset and sunrise—another day began.
The team leader drove the ox cart out of the village, children skipped off to school, and members carrying their farm tools ambled toward the fields of hope.
Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang appeared by the river.
Yesterday’s shrimp feast hadn’t satisfied them.
This time they came well-prepared: shrimping rods, fishing rods, baskets and buckets for the catch, sun hats, little stools, snacks, melon seeds, and fruit salad.
Mu Lantu even prepared a shrimping rod for Wangcai.
Around its neck hung a little basket, filled with strawberries it had picked that morning.
Mu Lantu almost died of exasperation. This was blatant distrust of its master! He always kept his word—would he really snatch its fruit?
So, he gave Wangcai a fishing rod. If it didn’t catch shrimp, no lunch!
Unaware of his master’s malicious intent, Wangcai crouched by the river, one paw pressing down on the rod, eyes fixed on the bobber—looking honest and innocent.
Mu Lantu almost felt guilty bullying it.
Xu Huazhang chuckled at their little contest.
“Before we left, I locked the back gate. From tomorrow on, the strawberries are all yours.”
Mu Lantu was pleased. “They’re ours. But seeing Wangcai so pitiful—let’s buy some extra just for it.”
The strawberries in the Labor Honor Mall weren’t as sweet as the ones he grew himself.
“Later let’s go home early and pick the red peppers to dry. There are also lots of cowpeas, cucumbers, and eggplants ready to harvest.”
The thought made him feel busy—but not tired.
Life in the countryside lacked entertainment. These simple farm chores were the perfect way to pass time—light work, yet fulfilling.
Xu Huazhang nodded. “How should we cook the crayfish today? Baby, let’s keep it light.” He always worried Mu Lantu would get overheated.
Mu Lantu speared a piece of peach from the fruit salad and fed it to him. “Let’s make a Three-Delicacy Crayfish Pot.”
“Which three delicacies?” Xu Huazhang frowned. “Baby, don’t eat peaches—they’re astringent.”
The peaches were ones they’d picked in the mountains.
Mu Lantu tried one anyway. “Not sweet? They looked so red—ugh, not good!”
Xu Huazhang kicked away a big ant climbing toward Mu Lantu’s foot. “Kiwi’s better.”
Mu Lantu tried one, nodding. “Remember, we had a Three-Delicacy Crayfish Pot before? With potatoes, winter melon, and chicken feet—it was pretty good. I don’t know exactly how, just all stewed together.”
“I remember. I like hearing you talk.” Xu Huazhang looked at him intently.
Mu Lantu’s face heated. He turned away. “Fishing requires silence.”
Xu Huazhang said no more, picking up a palm fan to cool them.
It was summer now, hotter by the day.
“Woof!”
Wangcai stood up, barking at the water.
“Wangcai really caught one!” Mu Lantu laughed, pulling up the rod. A palm-sized crayfish dangled midair, wriggling triumphantly.
