Chapter 104: Ming Dai's Disappointment, Holding Back Her Forces.

When it was time to deliver the vegetables again, Ming Dai had prepared everything early in the morning, even making two extra portions of garlic sprouts wrapped in newspaper.

The weather was cold, and Ming Dai wanted to persuade Zhou Sinian not to come along.

Zhou Sinian didn’t protest; he just sat across from her, blinking his eyes as he looked at her.

Ming Dai surrendered: "Alright, alright, come with me. Put on your hat properly."

Zhou Sinian smiled quietly. He now knew that whenever he made this expression, Ming Dai would agree to anything.

Ming Dai felt a bit guilty and ignored Zhou Sinian’s unusual behavior.

At that moment, she glanced in the mirror at the brand-new sweater she was wearing—a green base with white heart patterns, very beautiful.

Zhou Sinian had even crocheted lace around the collar, resembling the ruffled collars popular in later times, which made her delicate face look even more refined.

She washed up and put it on. Made of pure wool, it was very warm and, most importantly, very attractive!

There was some yarn left over. Due to his obsessive tendencies, Zhou Sinian couldn’t help but knit a green-and-white floral scarf as well.

Ming Dai thought it was for her and felt touched.

Who knew the next day she would see it around the neck of a silly little deer.

...She knew then it was just a misunderstanding. Zhou Sinian didn’t understand a thing!

The two of them dressed and stepped outside. Elder Liu San was already waiting.

Zhou Sinian loaded two baskets of mushrooms onto the cart, wrapped them with straw and blankets, then helped Ming Dai, bundled up like a ball, into the cotton quilt.

He stretched out his long legs, sat on the other side, and covered himself with his own blanket.

“Elder Liu, let’s go.”

Upon hearing this, Elder Liu cracked his whip, and the horse’s hooves stirred the morning mist as they headed into the distance.

At the commune post office, they arrived just as it opened, and Ming Dai received her letter.

Director Niu was very satisfied with the types and quantities of specialty products she provided and mentioned some household items left unused at her home. He informed her there were connections on the train, so he could help transport them to the Yudai County train station, asking when it would be convenient for her to receive them.

Ming Dai was pleased that the delivery channels were arranged. She immediately replied, scheduling the next mushroom delivery and promising to send along the specialty gifts she had prepared.

After sending the letter, Ming Dai got back on the cart, and they headed toward the county town.

Upon arrival, the cart circled to the back door.

Ming Dai knocked, and when the door opened, she brought Zhou Sinian in with the vegetables.

They first went to the kitchen. It was just after lunch, and Chef Zhou was resting there. Seeing Ming Dai arrive pleased him.

“So today the young educated youth, Xiao Ming, has come to deliver vegetables?”

Ming Dai nodded, setting down the basket. “Master Chef Zhou, here are the same 100 jin of mushrooms as last time.”

Chef Zhou called someone over to scoop out the mushrooms. After confirming everything was fine, he handed her the bamboo basket from last time.

“All good here. Take this receipt and go find the accountant.”

Ming Dai took it and thanked him. Seeing no one else spoke, she added, “Master Chef, I also grew some garlic sprouts. There aren’t many, not enough to send regularly, but I brought some for you to try fresh.”

Chef Zhou’s eyes lit up. Garlic sprouts stir-fried with cured meat—a real treat!

He smiled and accepted them, placing the sprouts in his basket. “Thanks, Xiao Ming. I just happen to like those. I was worried I wouldn’t find any in winter!”

Ming Dai smiled and chatted with him briefly before asking if Secretary Cheng was around.

“Secretary Cheng? He’s here these days. If you want to see him, you can go to his office.”

After getting the information she needed, Ming Dai thanked him and left with Zhou Sinian.

Once she knew where Secretary Cheng’s office was, she led Zhou Sinian upstairs.

She knocked and waited for a reply before pushing the door open.

Seeing them, Secretary Cheng looked surprised and quickly stood up.

“Ah, young educated youth Xiao Ming, you’ve come to deliver vegetables?”

Ming Dai smiled and nodded, sitting down as he invited her.

He was alone in the office at the moment. Ming Dai took out a wrapped package and said, “Secretary Cheng, the team leader said that thanks to your care these last few times we’ve delivered vegetables. These are some garlic sprouts I grew myself. Not many, not worth sending regularly, just for you to try fresh.”

As the closest aide to the county party secretary, Cheng Xu often received gifts, but this was the first time someone had brought him vegetables, which he found quite novel.

“You’re too polite, young educated youth. Growing vegetables in winter has solved a big problem for Secretary Wang. We really should thank you.”

Ming Dai smiled sheepishly. “I was just experimenting, didn’t expect it to work. These garlic sprouts aren’t much, enough for one meal. Try stir-frying them with cured meat at home—it’s quite good.”

Hearing this, Secretary Cheng agreed that while he couldn’t accept cured meat, the garlic sprouts were fine.

They chatted a while longer about the issues of idled labor in Yudai County during winter, which led to fights, gambling, and other negative incidents—problems troubling Secretary Wang and him lately.

Having experienced an information overload in a previous life, Ming Dai offered some thoughts that didn’t cross any lines, giving Secretary Cheng quite a few ideas.

He looked at Ming Dai with appreciation. “Young educated youth, have you thought about working in the county?”

Ming Dai was momentarily stunned but shook her head. “No, as an educated youth sent down to the countryside, I should steadfastly remain there, undergo education alongside the lower-middle poor farmers, and work together with the comrades of Liujiawan for a brighter tomorrow!”

Her words were impassioned, drawing frequent glances from Zhou Sinian, who was knitting nearby.

Secretary Cheng was moved by her words. “That’s the spirit, young educated youth! If all the educated youth were like you, we’d never have to worry about issues in the subordinate communes again.”

Ming Dai feigned embarrassment and blushed.

Another day of acting.

After chatting a bit more and seeing Secretary Cheng’s good mood, Ming Dai seized the moment to ask for a favor.

“Secretary Cheng, you know about Comrade Zhou Sinian’s condition. I’ve treated him for some time, but there’s been no improvement. I wanted to ask if you know anything about his situation? I want to gather information for targeted treatment. Otherwise, his condition here in the village will continue to delay production progress.”

Cheng Xu glanced at Zhou Sinian, who was knitting with red yarn this time. Comparing it to the headscarf he wore, Cheng Xu’s first thought was that this knitting was for himself.

Hearing his name, Zhou Sinian looked up, smiled at Ming Dai, then gave Cheng Xu a disdainful glance before returning to his work.

Cheng Xu wasn’t angry, just amused.

This was the infamous troublemaker of Hongqi Commune!

Back then, the director of Hongqi Commune, with a face like a pig’s, made several trips between the county town and the commune but failed to send Zhou Sinian away, causing a minor stir in the county.

As for why he wasn’t sent away and the specifics of his case, Cheng Xu really didn’t know. Educated youth were generally managed by regional youth offices, with the Revolutionary Committee responsible. (The author did not find exact information on this; corrections are welcome.)

“I don’t know much about this either. I can ask the youth office for you, but the Revolutionary Committee is hard to deal with—we might not get an answer.”

Ming Dai felt a little disappointed hearing this and shook her head.

“No need to trouble you. If you happen to know someone who does, please help me inquire. I don’t have to know for sure. As a doctor, seeing this case makes me eager to try treatment.”

Secretary Cheng nodded understandingly. “Alright, I’ll keep an eye out. Oh, you might also ask your commune’s Director Wang. He handled Zhou Sinian’s case back then and might know something.”

Ming Dai silently made a note and stood up with the receipt.

“Okay, I’ll not keep you any longer. I’ll leave now.”

Secretary Cheng rose to see them out. “No problem. We’re counting on young educated youth Xiao Ming to bring chives for the New Year. I’m looking forward to eating dumplings. I’ll take you next door to collect your payment.”

Ming Dai smiled cheerfully, saying that was no problem.

After collecting the money, the two carried their baskets out and stopped by to say goodbye to Chef Zhou, who packed some cornbread for them—probably in thanks for the garlic sprouts Ming Dai had given him.

Outside, the three split the cornbread and ate before heading home.

While eating, Ming Dai thought it over. Secretary Cheng was the only familiar person in the county; she didn’t plan to ask anyone else to avoid encountering dangerous individuals.

She also wouldn’t visit the commune director for now. She would wait for a chance to talk with the commune and gauge the director’s disposition, so as not to raise suspicion.

The remaining lead was Zhou Sinian’s parcel. She had planned to send a letter back using the address on it to check the situation but now decided against it.

Considering Secretary Cheng’s words, Ming Dai suspected someone in the county was monitoring Zhou Sinian. Unsure whether they were friend or foe, it was best to keep distance.

The urgent task was to treat Zhou Sinian’s illness first.

After finishing their meal, they strolled around the recycling station before setting off again—heading home!

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