Chapter 28: First Day at Work, Idle Chatter

Early the next morning, as usual, Mingdai woke up searching for her phone. Once she confirmed reality, she got up yawning.

Today was the first day of work!

Stepping outside, she saw Zhou Sinian sweeping the courtyard and nodded in satisfaction. Entering the kitchen, she found the big pot already boiling, which pleased her even more.

Scooping out hot water to wash her face and brush her teeth, she felt refreshed and began preparing breakfast. After days of eating nothing but cornbread, she was tired of it, so she slipped into her room and smuggled out two eggs and a packet of noodles.

A simple bowl of noodles for breakfast!

She lit the small stove, heated the pan, fried two eggs, chopped up the last bit of cabbage heart, and tossed it in. She ladled boiling water from the big pot into the pan.

With a sizzling sound, the aroma of oil filled the air!

Soon, the broth turned milky white and bubbled. Mingdai added half the packet of noodles, spreading them perfectly around the pan. Before serving, she sprinkled salt and pepper powder, dripped a bit of sesame oil at the bottom of the bowl, then poured in the noodles and broth. The fragrance was almost intoxicating!

After devouring the bowl of noodles fit for gods, Zhou Sinian’s enthusiasm for work soared.

She grabbed her backpack, locked the door, and led Zhou Sinian to the work site.

At the entrance to the Youth Point, Fang Mingyang and the others were clearly headed to work as well. Just as they were about to greet her, they caught sight of Zhou Sinian behind her, turned abruptly, and hurried away without a single pause.

Mingdai was very satisfied with this effect!

She followed at a distance, arriving soon at the granary in Liujiawan, where many were already queued up for work.

Everyone had just finished breakfast and were gossiping loudly, the scene bustling. But when someone spotted Zhou Sinian, the exclamations swiftly quieted the crowd. Heads dropped, eyes fixed ahead—no one dared look at Zhou Sinian trailing behind.

The effect was remarkable—immediate and powerful!

Knowing everyone was afraid, Mingdai led Zhou Sinian to stand a bit away from the line. Those who had been directly ahead of her visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

Liu Dazhu, who was overseeing the work, was pleased with the unexpectedly disciplined crowd. He hadn’t even started to praise them when he noticed Zhou Sinian at the back. His official tone forgotten, he simply barked, “Start working!” and led the way inside.

It wasn’t the busy farming season, so the work was simple: shelling corn, one pile per person, and leave when done.

Everyone scrambled inside, eager to pick the smallest pile.

When Mingdai and the others entered, she guided Zhou Sinian forward. The remaining piles were all near the Youth Point. Mingdai chose two nearby piles without fuss.

Knowing today’s task was shelling corn, Mingdai had Zhou Sinian cut two wooden stools last night before the truck left, perfect for sitting now.

She decided they’d work together on one pile, instead of one pile each.

Everyone else worked silently, though their eyes constantly darted toward Mingdai.

Pretending not to notice their poorly disguised curiosity, Mingdai sat down and took something from her crossbody bag.

A shoemaker’s awl.

While the others wondered what she was doing, Mingdai picked up an ear of corn, chose a spot at the base, and jabbed it. A row of kernels popped off easily. She then selected another spot three or four rows away and pushed off another line.

She repeated this five or six times per ear, then picked up another and repeated the process.

After prepping several ears, she set aside the awl and crossed two ears of corn, twisting them together. The kernels fell off in a rush, and in no time, five ears were shelled.

Everyone was astonished—this was much easier than picking kernels one by one! City folk really were clever!

After finishing, Mingdai handed the awl to Zhou Sinian.

Everyone was shocked—she gave a weapon to the madman!

As they hesitated, thinking of fleeing, Zhou Sinian was already using the awl, and his speed surpassed Mingdai’s!

Mingdai watched for a while; he was doing well, so she started shelling the ears he had prepped.

The clever villagers quietly sent their kids home to fetch awls, while the stubborn ones challenged Mingdai and Zhou Sinian to a race.

The Youth Point was closest and had the best view.

Fang Mingyang felt a pang of regret watching the pile of corn shrink so quickly—why hadn’t he, as the leader, thought of such an ingenious method?

Fang Rou looked thoughtful, certain she'd never heard of a Youth Point member named Mingdai in her previous life—where had she come from?

Liu Yan glared at Zhou Sinian in resentment, but when Zhou Sinian glanced back, she quickly lowered her head in fear, cursing inwardly and wishing Mingdai had been beaten instead.

Others were amazed that Zhou Sinian listened to Mingdai and helped her work.

Soon, Mingdai’s pile was all shelled, Zhou Sinian handed the awl back to her, and started shelling at machine-like speed. In moments, the cobs were bare.

Mingdai took the awl and moved her stool to another pile.

Their speed created pressure, prompting others to work frantically.

Soon, Zhou Sinian finished his pile and moved over with his stool, snatching the awl from Mingdai’s hand.

Mingdai stood up and gathered the shelled corn cobs.

The benefit of shelling corn was that whoever shelled a cob could take it home, creating opportunities for many. Some would purposely leave a few kernels, and over time, it added up to a meal. As long as it wasn’t excessive, the team leader wouldn’t mind.

But Mingdai and Zhou Sinian shelled theirs clean, leaving not a single kernel.

Before midday, they finished both their piles, while others hadn’t completed half.

Packing all the kernels, they collected four sacks of cobs.

Mingdai took the awl, Zhou Sinian carried the stools, and under the eager gazes from the Youth Point, they walked over to Aunt Huang.

“Auntie, here’s the awl for you.”

Aunt Huang, already familiar with Zhou Sinian from yesterday, was much calmer now. They only had one shoemaker’s awl at home, and it was with her daughter-in-law, so she gratefully accepted Mingdai’s.

“Thank you, Little Ming. Are you heading to the commune? Hurry along, the ticket’s with my old man. Leave the stools too; I’ll have your brothers deliver the cobs to you later.”

The first time she was called Little Ming, Mingdai tried to protest. Her childhood nickname had always been Little Ming, and she was sick of it.

But protest was futile; all the aunties called her Little Ming, affectionately.

Not having to make another trip was just fine, and Mingdai cheerfully agreed.

As soon as she and Zhou Sinian left, the scene exploded.

“Oh my, the madman’s changed—he’s working now!”

“He’s been working for days, helping that little Youth Point girl haul firewood.”

“I saw it too—several big loads! She won’t have to worry about firewood this winter!”

“Why does he only help her, not us?”

“Right, mad or not, he does a good job.”

“Do you think the madman’s taken a liking to Little Ming? Wants her for a wife?”

“Exactly, why else hasn’t he beaten her out, only left her?”

“Well, he may be mad, but he’s still a young man—wanting a wife is natural!”

“Haha, wonder if he’ll invite us to his wedding?”

“He can’t—gotta ask Little Ming first!”

“Alright then, when she comes back, we’ll ask!”

Aunt Huang, hearing the increasingly outrageous talk, cursed loudly, “Ask what? You bunch of filthy-mouthed old women, nothing better to do!”

“What do you know!”

“The madman listens to Little Ming because she feeds him! The new Youth Point members just got their rations—Little Ming got fine grain, twenty pounds of cornmeal, and the madman’s almost eaten it all up.

She feeds him, so he works for her. If any of you want, just say so! Tonight I’ll have the madman eat at your house and work for you!”

Everyone was terrified.

“Oh my heavens, twenty pounds of fine grain in three days!”

“I don’t want it, no way—not enough grain at home.”

“Exactly, with that much, I’d rather eat it myself!”

Aunt Huang snorted, “Don’t think I don’t know your little schemes. Here’s the deal: whoever can get the madman to listen, we won’t interfere.

None of you know how to appreciate blessings. He’s not so easy to coax—you’ve all tried. As long as he doesn’t cause trouble, it’s good for us.

Besides, Little Ming didn’t choose this—he attached himself to her. She’s lost so much to keep him from beating her, and now he works for her. She’s an orphan, living off her father’s pension, and now facing this big trouble. She’s pitiful enough!

And you dare gossip, heartless bunch! If I catch anyone stirring up trouble, I’ll teach you a lesson!”

Everyone quickly shook their heads, vowing not to dare.

After hearing Women’s Director Aunt Huang’s words, the crowd realized the madman’s obedience benefited them, and knowing Mingdai had lost so much, they felt balanced, stopped their sour talk, and began to sympathize with the little Youth Point girl.

At the Youth Point, hearing of Mingdai’s “misfortune,” everyone felt oddly relieved.

Only Fang Rou frowned, unwilling for any unexpected developments.