Chapter 74: Educated Youth Going to the Countryside
Sun Yuhe made two coarse-grain pancakes and boiled two eggs for Mu Lantu. She watched him pack his luggage, her eyes full of disdain. Is it really necessary to bring all that stuff? Even junk collectors probably wouldn’t want it.
Mu Aijun examined his child’s room for the first time. The contrast between Mu Lantu’s and Mu Hongbing’s beds was stark.
Mu Lantu’s bedding was all old and thin. Mu Hongbing’s sheets and duvet looked worn too, but from the thickness of the bedding, it was clear his were much better.
Mu Lantu noticed and raised an eyebrow in curiosity. Could it be that this scumbag father is having a change of heart?
Mu Aijun glanced at him, then quickly looked away.
Mu Lantu once again felt grateful that it was him facing this situation, not the original host.
Mu Aijun said, “Once you leave, it’s unlikely you’ll return. Heiliao Province is far, and we won’t be able to visit. You’re eighteen now—an adult. From now on, take care of yourself. Write home when you have time.”
When you have time, not when something happens.
Mu Lantu gave a slight smile, knelt at the doorway and gave a formal kowtow, then stood up.
“This bow is to thank you and stepmother for raising me. Please take care of yourselves too. You’re both busy—no need to see me off.”
Mu Lantu hurried out. When he reached the first floor, one of his burlap sacks accidentally fell, spilling the junk inside everywhere.
Everyone in the courtyard stared strangely at Sun Yuhe and Mu Aijun.
How heartless is Mu Aijun? Lantu is going to the countryside in Heiliao Province, and this is all he prepared for him?
Sun Yuhe and Mu Aijun’s expressions immediately changed.
Mu Lantu calmly packed up his things and cheerfully said goodbye to the neighbors. He especially greeted Granny Li and Grandpa Jiang, then strode away.
Sun Yuhe shoved Mu Aijun, who pushed his bicycle and chased after him.
But Mu Lantu had already hopped onto a three-wheeled cart he’d prearranged.
Mu Aijun stopped awkwardly.
Near the train station, it was still early.
Mu Lantu found a quiet corner and swapped out his belongings. His real luggage, besides the two large burlap sacks, included two plain black hemp bags—one hung around his neck, the other tied to his waist.
The two large sacks were tied together with rope and slung on his back. Walking through the crowd, he looked like a moving mountain.
The train station was packed with educated youth and their families. Voices clamored everywhere.
The crowd instinctively made way for Mu Lantu—nobody wanted to get hit by his bags.
Mu Lantu didn’t want to carry so much either, but he had no choice. If he brought too little, people would get suspicious when he used the resources from his spatial system.
He waited patiently until it was time to board and pushed his way in with effort.
He was strong—no one could outpush him.
Since Jiang City wasn’t the train’s starting station, the carriage already had quite a few people. Judging from their young faces and curious expressions, they were all educated youth.
He stowed the burlap sacks on the luggage rack above and placed the bulging hand-carry on the seat. Standing in front of it, he scanned the boarding passengers.
Only once the carriage was full did he sit down.
[Little Five, will Xu Huazhang appear in this world?]
System 005 hesitated but had to answer.
[That’s impossible, Host. Forget about him!]
Mu Lantu added, [Why didn’t you stop me back when I was dating Xu Huazhang?]
[Host…]
005 felt wronged. Could it even stop him? Would he have listened?
Mu Lantu realized he was being unreasonable.
[Alright, that was my fault. Sorry.]
005, magnanimous as always, [It’s okay.]
At that moment, the sweaty face of a middle-aged man appeared outside the window, his anxious eyes searching the carriage.
“Lantu? Mu Lantu! MU LANTU—”
Mu Lantu stood up in surprise. “Uncle! I’m here!”
His uncle He Zhimin and aunt had always been kind to him. But they were ordinary factory workers supporting two elderly parents and three kids—life was tough.
Mu Lantu hadn’t visited them before leaving, afraid they’d try to give him supplies he didn’t want them to part with. He planned to write once he settled.
“You brat!” He Zhimin ran to the window next to Mu Lantu’s seat. “Why didn’t you say anything before leaving? If I hadn’t stopped by your house this morning, I wouldn’t have known you lost your job and got sent to Heiliao! Your dad, he—”
He Zhimin swallowed the rest of his words. Going to the countryside was national policy—he couldn’t openly complain.
“Uncle, I’m fine. Don’t worry. Please also tell Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt that I’ll take care of myself.”
Woooo—
The train whistled, signaling imminent departure.
He Zhimin had to keep it short.
“When you get there, write home. If anything happens, call me. This is some food your aunt packed, a set of clothes, a pair of shoes, and a few things from your grandparents. There are a lot of people on the train—stay safe.”
Mu Lantu accepted it, knowing refusal would only hurt his uncle’s feelings.
“Thank you, Uncle. I’ll write as soon as I arrive.”
The train whistled a second time. Parents outside began to wipe their eyes, and a tide of farewell sorrow swept through the educated youth inside.
The boys held back tears, while many girls quietly sobbed.
“Kuang-chi, Kuang-chi, Kuang-chi…”
The train slowly pulled away, accelerating until the familiar city faded into the distance.
Inside the carriage, a heavy silence lingered for over half an hour before small talk gradually resumed.
[Little Five, is Little Zhang okay?]
[Don’t worry, Host. He’s still asleep.]
The system space could store living beings, who would enter a sleep state once inside. This made things easier for Mu Lantu—he could bring Little Zhang from Jiang City to Heiliao.
The train ride wasn’t worth describing.
At first, people chatted. The longer it went, the worse it got. The food was bad, and no one could sleep well.
Too many people made going to the dining car or bathroom a challenge.
Three days later, the train arrived.
Everyone rushed to get off—people shouted about lost shoes and forgotten luggage.
Heiliao was the final stop. Mu Lantu waited until the crowd thinned before getting off.
Local educated youth office personnel waited at the exit. Representatives from each production brigade also held handmade signs with their brigade names in calligraphy.
When Mu Lantu appeared with his huge bags, a few previously expressionless brigade leaders suddenly brightened.
This young man is strong—he’ll be a great worker. If only he gets assigned to our brigade!
They looked at him, then at the other educated youth. None of the others looked like they could handle physical labor—regardless of gender.
The Dongfanghong Brigade sent their leader, Zhang Jianxin, to pick up the educated youth. In his fifties, Zhang was tall and spirited. He wore a grey undershirt with a black outer jacket, and trousers made from a fertilizer sack—“UREA” printed boldly on the legs. His straw hat was weathered and falling apart, but it still blocked the sun.
They’d already called most names—only two were left.
Zhang Jianxin wasn’t happy about having educated youth sent to his village to compete for food. Now someone was late? He was already annoyed.
When Mu Lantu walked toward him, Zhang suddenly brightened, smiling despite himself.
Mu Lantu strode up.
“Sorry I’m late. I had too much stuff and didn’t want to bump into others, so I waited.”
The other educated youth said nothing.
Zhang Jianxin smiled warmly. “No worries, no worries. You’re not late. We’re still waiting for one more. Young man, put your luggage on the ox cart. I’m Zhang Jianxin, leader of the Dongfanghong Brigade. Call me Uncle Zhang if you don’t mind. What do you have in these bags? Can they handle weight?”
Mu Lantu obediently called out “Uncle Zhang.” “Yes, it’s just bedding and clothes. I’m Mu Lantu. You can call me Xiao Mu or just Lantu.”
Together, they placed the sacks on the bottom of the ox cart and stacked others’ luggage on top.
Other youth nervously watched their own belongings, then finally relaxed.
Mu Lantu opened the bag at his waist and placed Little Zhang on the ground.
He’d already tied a black leash around Little Zhang’s neck.
The dog looked dazed for a second, then caught Mu Lantu’s scent and affectionately rubbed against his leg, tail wagging joyfully.
Everyone was stunned.
“M-Mu comrade, did you seriously bring a dog?”
They already knew his name from the train ride.
The speaker was Du Xuewen, a youth from Haishi (a.k.a Shanghai).
Zhang Jianxin’s brow furrowed, his good impression of Mu Lantu fading fast. People can’t even feed themselves, and he brings a dog? Is this a joke?
Mu Lantu said, “It saved my life once and is very intelligent. Don’t worry—it won’t hurt anyone unless provoked.”
After drinking spring water from the system, Little Zhang had become stronger and smarter. Communication was no problem now.
Zhang Jianxin looked closely and couldn’t help liking the dog. Though young, it was fit, sleek, and bright-eyed—a good dog. In a couple of years, it might rival his own hunting dog.
Zhang said, “There are a few villagers who keep dogs. You can keep it—but you’re responsible for it. If it hurts anyone, it has to go.”
Some of the educated youth looked uncomfortable.
Only Du Xuewen was curious. “Mu comrade, how did you get it on the train? It didn’t make a sound.”
“I gave it a little sleeping pill,” Mu Lantu replied.
“No wonder.” Du Xuewen asked again, “Does it have a name?”
Mu Lantu opened his mouth—then hesitated. Why’d the brigade leader have to be named Zhang?
“…It’s called Wangcai.”
At that moment, a beautiful female youth struggled over with two leather suitcases.
Xie Xiaojun and Zhao Chengxin rushed to help.
“Thank you,” she smiled shyly and gratefully.
Xie quickly said, “Don’t mention it! We’re all educated youth from across the country. Now that we’re here, we’re like family. I’m Xie Xiaojun. May I ask your name?”
Zhao Chengxin added, “I’m Zhao Chengxin from Huishi!”
“I’m Su Qianqian.”
“Comrade Su—”
“Ahem!” Zhang Jianxin cut them off loudly. “Alright, since everyone’s here, let’s hit the road!”
