Chapter 94: The Educated Youth Donation
“He went to your place, but no one was home. He asked me to tell you he’ll come back tomorrow morning to finalize the well-digging schedule. There are others waiting too,” said the brigade leader.
“Alright.”
Digging a well had been on Xu Huazhang and Mu Lantu’s minds for a long time. At first, it was delayed because they didn’t want to flaunt their wealth. Then came the busy farming season. After that, they couldn’t get in the queue, and it kept getting postponed.
“Brigade Leader, I’d like to dig the well near the small woods behind our educated youth quarters. What do you think?”
The brigade leader was surprised. “There? Not in your courtyard?”
Mu Lantu said, “I discussed it with Comrade Xu. The woods are more suitable—it’s close to our home, making it easier for us to fetch water, and it also benefits the villagers. Our village only has two wells, which isn’t enough. There’s always a long wait for water. The spot I chose forms a sort of triangle with the existing two wells. Whether villagers are from the east or west side of the village, it’ll be convenient.”
The brigade leader stood up excitedly and grasped his hand. “Comrade Mu, you and Comrade Xu are so noble! On behalf of everyone, thank you!”
“You’re too kind, Brigade Leader. We’re just doing what we can.” Mu Lantu added, “Also, we’d like to donate this well to the village in the name of all the educated youth. Outwardly, it will be considered a collective donation.”
The brigade leader was deeply moved. “Comrade Mu, both the villagers and your fellow youth will be grateful. You can leave the arrangements to me.”
“Sorry to trouble you again.” Mu Lantu handed over fifty yuan. “Here’s the money for the well. Let me know if it’s not enough.”
The well-digging cost depended on depth—the deeper it was, the more expensive.
The brigade leader said, “That should be enough. Our two wells cost just over eighty yuan combined—about forty per well.” At the time, he and the accountant had felt the pinch.
Mu Lantu said, “We’ll need to provide lunch, right? Sorry to trouble Aunt Chunhua again.”
“No problem. Your aunt loves helping with things like this,” the brigade leader beamed. “Oh, and there’s more—you also received a package and two letters today. The postman went to your place but didn’t find anyone, so he left them with me.”
Mu Lantu’s standing in the brigade leader’s eyes rose once more. He’d long heard that Mu had a close friend in Haishi who’d sent him many large parcels—clearly a strong bond.
“Is it from Gong Juren? If it is, then it’s probably dried seafood this time. We don’t get much sea goods here—should be something new for folks. I’ll sort it out later and give some to you and the others to try.” Mu Lantu said.
The brigade leader grinned, “We’ll look forward to it. I’ll get your aunt to make chestnut cake for you and Comrade Xu.”
Mu Lantu carried the package home without rushing to open it. He read the letters first.
One was from his uncle, the other—from Mu Xiuxiu!
How did she get his address?
She’d asked before he left for the countryside, but he hadn’t told her. Likely, she wrote home and asked for it.
Mu Lantu tossed her letter aside and opened his uncle’s.
Nothing unusual in it. His uncle said everything was fine at home, his grandparents were healthy, and told him not to send anything more—keep the good stuff for himself. The letter included two yuan.
Mu Lantu wrote back, deciding not to send anything this time. He’d already sent parcels twice and planned to send another around the New Year.
After sealing the reply, he casually opened Mu Xiuxiu’s letter.
“Wangcai, I bet Mu Xiuxiu is writing to ask for money. Wanna bet? If I’m right, you get roasted sweet potato for dinner. If I’m wrong, you only get roasted potato.”
Wangcai tilted its head at Mu Lantu, its eyes wrinkled in confusion.
Mu Lantu scolded, “What? Not saying anything? Can’t handle losing?”
System 005 sighed: [Host, you’re unbelievable…] Picking on Wangcai just because it can’t talk? Either way, Wangcai gets the short end. Poor Wangcai!
Mu Lantu cleared his throat and read the letter.
“Brother, it’s Xiuxiu. How are things in Heiliao Province? Probably well—after all, you’re always so capable. But I’m not doing well at all…”
She went on to describe her suffering—bad food, bad housing, shabby clothes, mistreatment from both villagers and fellow youth, constant bullying, and even a serious illness…
Bottom line: she urgently needed money—fifty yuan, to be exact. She hoped her brother could send it, and she’d repay him once she had money.
Fifty yuan!
What nerve.
Most farmers couldn’t earn that much in a year. He was a farmer now too.
Did Mu Xiuxiu think he was made of money?
Mu Lantu didn’t know if her story about getting seriously ill was true or not. He sent her five yuan along with a letter telling her not to write or ask him for money again. This was the last time, purely because they were blood siblings.
He guessed she wouldn’t listen—more likely she’d push her luck further.
But when Mu Lantu said he wouldn’t care, he meant it. He felt no guilt.
Because her father was still alive. She wasn’t his responsibility—she was her father’s.
He said all of this clearly in the letter.
Then, Mu Lantu opened the package: two jin each of dried squid, scallops, shrimp skins, sea cucumbers, fish maw, and dried cuttlefish—plus five jin of dried kelp.
He separated out gifts for the brigade leader, the accountant, and the party secretary—half a jin of shrimp skins and scallops for each household.
Shrimp skins made great porridge and soup; scallops could be used in many dishes.
He cooked dinner early, locked up, grabbed a flashlight, took Wangcai, and headed toward the village entrance.
Xu Jincheng ran after him and called out.
“Comrade Mu, would you and Comrade Xu like to come hang out later?”
“Sure!”
Mu Lantu waved, guessing what it was about. The brigade leader sure worked fast.
On the road, villagers greeted him warmly.
“Comrade Mu, out for a walk?”
Mu Lantu responded just as warmly, “Uncle, still not home at this hour? Your wife’s probably worried. I’m going to meet Comrade Xu—these early sunsets make me worry he might fall in the dark and miss work. That’d cost us!”
The villager laughed, “What, does Comrade Xu pay you a salary for staying home working all day?”
Maybe he meant no harm, but Mu Lantu didn’t want any rumors—he wasn’t some servant for a rich family.
“No, no salary. I handle the farming and firewood, so he takes care of household essentials. Even between real brothers, clear accounts make good friends.”
The villager nodded, “True enough. But brothers shouldn’t be too calculative either—only then can you get along long-term.”
Mu Lantu agreed, “You’re absolutely right.”
They parted ways after that.
From a distance, Xu Huazhang had already spotted the flashlight beam and the familiar silhouette behind it. Though it was too dark to see clearly, the posture and stride were unmistakable. He pedaled faster.
“Woof!”
Wangcai perked up at the sound and ran off to greet Xu Huazhang.
Mu Lantu strolled back unhurriedly. Before long, Xu Huazhang and Wangcai caught up.
Mu Lantu hopped onto the back of the bike.
“I’ve got good news for you.”
Xu Huazhang smiled, “What a coincidence—I’ve got good news too.”
Neither elaborated.
After dinner, they headed to the educated youth quarters. The others were waiting and warmly invited them in.
That afternoon, the brigade leader had gone to the fields and told Xu Jincheng about Mu and Xu’s plan to dig a well for the village in the name of all the educated youth. Jincheng then told the rest.
The news delighted them all. The well wouldn’t just help with water—it would also improve relations with villagers. Every time someone fetched water from it, they’d be reminded that the well came from the educated youth.
If any conflict ever arose, the villagers would probably go easier on them because of it.
Everyone felt more secure—especially the girls.
Even in a village with good morals like Dongfanghong, there were always a few bad apples.
They probably wouldn’t dare go too far, but even suggestive looks and teasing words were enough to keep the girls on edge.
During commutes, the guys might go their own way, but the girls always walked together—never alone.
“Comrade Mu, Comrade Xu, thank you so much,” Lu Manman said gratefully.
Zhang Jingxian quietly brought them each a bowl of sweet soup.
Mu Lantu said, “You really don’t need to thank us. As long as you don’t blame us for deciding this without consulting you. We weren’t sure when it would happen, and if we’d said something prematurely and it fell through, it would’ve looked bad.”
Everyone reassured him—no one minded; they were the ones benefitting.
They all felt lucky to be assigned to Dongfanghong and to have someone like Mu Lantu around—so generous and considerate.
Xu Jincheng said, smiling, “We talked it over and want to treat you to dinner tomorrow. Will you be free?”
“Absolutely,” Mu Lantu replied. “I’ve been getting tired of cooking lately—nice to have the night off.”
Everyone laughed. They were taking turns cooking, so it wasn’t yet a burden.
Xu Jincheng asked, “Have you settled on the exact location for the well?”
Mu Lantu answered, “Yes, I’ve thought about it. Let me know what you think. I plan to dig it on the east side of the woods. You’ve got a lot of people at the youth point, so it makes sense to put it closer to you—and it’ll still be convenient for the villagers too.”
