Chapter 128: Building a Factory
Seeing that the old man hadn’t finished speaking, Mu Lantu pulled out another apple.
“We were just asking. Look at us—don’t we look upright and open? Do we look like bad people to you?”
The old man nodded, acknowledging his reasoning. Both young men were good-looking, and from their bearing, they didn’t seem like ruffians.
“She also asked me to help her find more high school textbooks and study materials. She’ll come once a month and buy them from me at three times the scrap paper price.”
“Thank you.”
To avoid making the old man suspect they had any ill intentions toward that female comrade, Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang left in the opposite direction from Jiang Qiaohui.
The old man had indeed worried about that. He stayed at the doorway, watching them walk far away before going back inside.
Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang exchanged a helpless smile. Being mistaken for bad guys was a novel experience.
They went home, got their bicycles, and returned to the brigade.
Miao Jiaze heard movement and came over.
“Comrade Xiao Zhang has moved out.”
Xu Huazhang was fetching wash water in the kitchen while Mu Lantu turned over the bedding on the clothesline, beating it hard with a stick so the dust flew everywhere.
“So sudden? Where to?”
Miao Jiaze used his palm fan to cover his face and dodge aside.
“She moved to Aunt Chunhua’s sister-in-law’s place—Aunt Qingmiao’s. She’s living with Aunt Qingmiao’s daughter. Aunt Chunhua came over to help her move her luggage.”
But something even more sudden happened.
Not long after Zhang Jingxian moved out, while collecting firewood one day, she was stopped by Wu Laizi from the village. Luckily, two aunties happened to pass by and chased him off.
After she moved, it became inconvenient for her to act together with the other educated women. Aunt Qingmiao’s daughter was still in school, which meant she was often alone doing chores. That gave Wu Laizi his chance.
According to his confession, Zhang Jingxian had thrown a note into his house, arranging a meeting with him. But it was later proven that the handwriting wasn’t hers.
The next day, Zhang Jingxian came to the educated youth spot and announced her engagement to Tang Mingjie.
“The day after tomorrow, when Mingjie comes back, we’ll go to the county to get our marriage certificate. We’ll host the guests at Aunt Chunhua’s house, and then I’ll follow Mingjie with the army. I probably won’t ever come back. I hope you’ll all come to the wedding.”
“What did you say?” Jiang Qiaohui suddenly stood up, staring at Zhang Jingxian, hatred surging violently in her eyes.
Everyone was shocked. Their impression of Jiang Qiaohui had always been gentle, but today she was as fierce as a beast.
Zhang Jingxian was startled, but quickly calmed down. Looking around at the place she’d lived for over a year, she gazed at Jiang Qiaohui with deep emotion.
“I’m certain someone here has been watching me and my brother, ready to harm us at any moment. Unfortunately, I have no proof. But if I can’t fight, I can avoid. That’s why I’m marrying Mingjie in such a rush. All of you must be careful. Who knows when this venomous snake might bite one of you.”
Everyone couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Qiaohui. Zhang Jingxian’s implication was far too obvious.
Jiang Qiaohui quickly smoothed away her emotions and smiled. “I didn’t expect Jingxian to marry so soon. She and Comrade Tang haven’t even known each other for two months.”
An uneasy chill ran through the group, and no one spoke.
Zhang Jingxian turned to Lu Manman and Yue Xiaoying. “Sister Manman, Xiaoying, could I trouble you to escort me back? I’m worried someone might harass me again on the way.”
Both of them stood up.
“Of course.”
It was broad daylight—two people together had nothing to fear.
Then Zhang Jingxian shyly asked Mu Lantu, “Comrade Mu, could I borrow your dog, Wangcai? I’ll return him when Mingjie comes back. Until then, I don’t plan to go out. But I worry someone might try to kill me by setting fire to Aunt Qingmiao’s house. With Wangcai around, I won’t have to worry.”
Everyone gasped softly, sneaking looks at Jiang Qiaohui. Arson? Could she really be that ruthless?
Jiang Qiaohui smiled calmly.
“Jingxian’s fears aren’t unreasonable. Not only should you guard against arson, but also against someone poisoning your food. Especially on your wedding day, with so many people around—someone could smear poison on your clothes, cosmetics, or wine.
Children don’t know any better. What if someone gives them a piece of candy and they agree to poison you? I suggest you stop eating and drinking altogether. Oh, and what if someone sneaks poisonous snakes into the house? One bite and you’re dead.
And what if someone uses knockout incense? If it’s a man, he might do something unspeakable to you. Jingxian, you really must be careful. Don’t let us worry.”
Four words flashed in Mu Lantu’s mind: a ruthless person.
Whether Zhang Jingxian was frightened wasn’t clear, but the other educated youths were truly terrified, almost to tears.
Zhang Jingxian stared at Jiang Qiaohui, her expression shifting before settling into calm.
“Thank you for the reminder. Don’t worry, Mingjie has already made arrangements. He asked two of his comrades—both capable soldiers—to protect me in secret. I believe they won’t let anything happen to me. Qiaohui, once I go with the army, I hope you’ll write to me. I’m looking forward to more exchanges with you, and to uncovering your secret. You will write to me, won’t you?”
No one dared breathe.
Jiang Qiaohui smiled lightly. “I will. Just don’t find me too bothersome.”
“I won’t,” Zhang Jingxian replied. “I must go now. See you at the wedding.”
Jiang Qiaohui walked her out, voice soft and gentle.
“Jingxian, one more thing. Don’t think I’m sowing discord. Aunt Qingmiao may be Aunt Chunhua’s sister-in-law, but they aren’t blood relatives. I heard that when they were younger, they quarreled and even fought because of their mother-in-law.
Are Aunt Qingmiao and her family really trustworthy? Be careful they don’t harm you. Isn’t there a saying? The ones who hurt you most are often the ones you trust the most.”
Bai Ningning shivered and clung tightly to Lin Shuzhen.
After lending Wangcai to Zhang Jingxian, Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang returned home. Just as they were about to close the door, Miao Jiaze and Du Xuewen slipped inside.
Miao Jiaze brought stools from under the eaves and set them in the shade.
“So scary!” Miao Jiaze pretended to cry.
Du Xuewen said, “Could it really have been Jiang Qiaohui behind everything before? She doesn’t show it at all.”
Mu Lantu replied, “Whether it’s her or not, after what she said today… Even if Comrade Xiao Zhang dares to keep living at Aunt Qingmiao’s, she won’t be able to rest easy.”
Miao Jiaze recalled, “I just saw Comrade Xiao Zhang’s back was soaked with sweat!” He’d seen it unintentionally.
Xu Huazhang wasn’t interested in the topic. He fanned himself and Mu Lantu with the palm fan.
Whether Zhang Jingxian and Jiang Qiaohui clashed again in private wasn’t known. But Zhang Jingxian successfully held her wedding with Tang Mingjie and left with him.
Jiang Qiaohui carried on as if nothing had happened, going to and from work as usual.
But she had a house built.
Next to the educated youth spot, about the same size as a carefully selected unit for one person. She even kept two dogs.
By the time Zhang Guodong returned from Xinjiang, she’d already been living there two days.
Everyone could see Jiang Qiaohui was genuinely well-off. Every few days she ate fried eggs or meat.
Fortunately, the brigade atmosphere was good. Though members whispered privately, no one acted out.
Xie Xiaojun came back from the hospital, still needing rest. Because of his injured leg, he couldn’t manage daily life—washing, bathing, using the toilet—without help. No one wanted to care for him except Cai Xiufen.
But Cai Xiufen was unwilling. As soon as he was discharged, she broke up with him. She figured she’d already done enough looking after him at the hospital, and she’d spent a lot of money.
But Xie Xiaojun refused to accept it.
It didn’t matter—Cai Xiufen avoided him, and he had no choice.
Since he couldn’t wash properly, the men’s dormitory stank.
Even Zhang Guodong and the others couldn’t stand it. After consulting the brigade leader, they partitioned a single room for Xie Xiaojun.
He was so furious he nearly spat blood.
After the rice and wheat harvest, the busy season ended.
Miao Jiaze and Du Xuewen came with gifts, asking Xu Huazhang for advice on how to avoid farm work.
Xu Huazhang said, “There’s only one way not to work the fields—become a worker.”
They both nodded obediently, like little schoolboys. “And then?”
Xu Huazhang replied, “If there’s no factory, build one.”
Their spirits soared.
Du Xuewen said, “Brother Xu, you mean—build a factory in the name of the brigade…”
Miao Jiaze pressed, “How do we build it?”
“What specialty does Dongfanghong Brigade have?” Xu Huazhang asked lazily from his recliner.
Miao Jiaze thought for a while, unsure. “If I had to say a specialty… it’s soybean paste? Every household makes it.”
Xu Huazhang said, “When the factory is built, workers can be chosen from the brigade. But educated youths come from all over the country. Can’t we use that advantage and make them product promoters?”
Miao Jiaze and Du Xuewen were so excited they jumped up and paced around.
“This—this idea is brilliant!”
The path had been pointed out to them.
“What to do next, figure it out yourselves.”
“Got it!”
Neither dared rely too much on Xu Huazhang. They thanked him again and again and left to discuss details.
Mu Lantu reminded them, “We’re not the only ones who know how to make soybean paste. Don’t let word leak out, or else…”
Their expressions immediately turned wary.
“Understood!”
Watching the two run off in high spirits, Mu Lantu asked, “Do you think they can convince the brigade leader?”
Xu Huazhang handed him a newspaper. “There are already successful examples elsewhere. Our brigade leader has some vision. The chances of success are pretty good.”
Mu Lantu asked casually, “Why didn’t you give that newspaper to them? Wouldn’t it be easier to persuade the leader with proof in hand?”
Xu Huazhang toyed with his teacup. “Maybe because I want to see them make fools of themselves? Serves them right for always disturbing us.”
Mu Lantu laughed. “Once the factory is really up and running, they won’t have any time to loaf around.”
