Chapter 54: Building the Reservoir, Fang Rou's Outburst

After finishing with the cabbages and radishes in the fields, all the farm work was finally done, marking the official beginning of the winter leisure period in Heilongjiang Province. However, there was still one task left for the Hongqi Commune: the annual reservoir repairs. This job was grueling, especially in winter—every time people returned from the site, they were so thin they looked like skin and bones. Luckily, there was a whole winter to recover; otherwise, even the strongest men would be unable to endure.

This time of year always cast a hush over the Youth Support Point. Every year, the educated youths were required to join the reservoir repairs—a burden left by a predecessor, whose actions had brought misery upon everyone. Yet, there was one exception.

When Fang Mingyang announced that everyone would be going to work on the reservoir, Fang Rou calmly dropped a bombshell: she was going to be a teacher at the commune’s elementary school! When this news came out, Qi Zhijun was utterly dumbfounded. He stared at Fang Rou’s tranquil face, feeling a nameless anger rising from deep within.

Song Lanlan, with her sharp tongue and sour attitude, insinuated that Fang Rou had used improper means to secure this opportunity. Fang Rou, unbothered, met her gaze and softly uttered two words, so chilling that Song Lanlan turned pale and dared not say another word.

Fang Mingyang frowned, making his displeasure clear without saying anything, but Fang Rou ignored him entirely. Chen Erhong’s eyes were deep and inscrutable; she watched Fang Rou for a moment before lowering her head. Hou Wei flattered her, probing for any available positions, eager to see if he could join her.

Liu Yan gritted her teeth in envy, unable to fathom how Fang Rou always managed to seize the good fortune. Yet, seeing Qi Zhijun’s disappointment, she felt a surge of joy—now she’d have more time alone with him.

Zhang Xiaojun and Liu Daye were somewhat jealous, but mostly anxious about soon heading out to repair the reservoir, knowing from the old educated youths that it was a grueling ordeal. Cai Mingcheng, as usual, remained invisible, huddled by the stove for warmth.

The only one to sincerely congratulate Fang Rou was the simple-minded Qin Fangfang, to whom Fang Rou responded with a smile. When night fell and everyone returned to their beds, Qi Zhijun sought out Fang Rou.

In the darkness, Qi Zhijun couldn’t see Fang Rou’s face, but he sensed that she had changed. “Xiao Rou, why didn’t you tell me about going to the commune elementary school?” Was it, as Liu Yan had said, because you’re afraid I’d take your spot?

Fang Rou found his accusation amusing—what right did he have to question her this way? Still, she lowered her voice and said with a hint of grievance, “Do you ever have time? You’re always with Liu Yan. It’s hard enough to get a private word with you, and before things were settled, could I just announce it to everyone?”

Her soft, aggrieved voice brushed against Qi Zhijun’s heart like a gentle hand. Indeed, he’d not spent time alone with her lately, and she’d had no opportunity to share her news.

He frowned. “It’s all Liu Yan’s fault—she follows me everywhere, and that kept you from telling me. But it’s good you’re going. Repairing the reservoir is too hard; I wouldn’t want you to suffer through it.”

Fang Rou’s lips curled in a mocking smile. Blaming Liu Yan for sticking to him, yet he never refused her, simply enjoying her flattery—a pair of fools!

“It’s good that you don’t blame me, Zhijun. Be careful when you go to the reservoir repairs.”

Calling him “Zhijun” was enough to turn Qi Zhijun into a fool; he generously lent Fang Rou his bicycle to make her commute easier. Fang Rou gladly accepted, and after calling him “Zhijun” a few more times, Qi Zhijun was utterly delighted.

After sending off the big fool Qi Zhijun, Fang Rou was stopped by a low female voice. She smiled at the timid woman, amused yet a little bored.

“How did you find out?” Song Lanlan’s bravado faded at her first words, exposing her true colors.

Fang Rou elegantly yawned. “How I found out doesn’t matter. Just remember that you can’t afford to cross me. Behave yourself and don’t cause trouble, or else—well, you’ll see.”

Without waiting for Song Lanlan to react, she turned and closed the door behind her, leaving Song Lanlan standing in a cold sweat. The icy wind made her shiver, and she slid down the wall in fear. From then on, Song Lanlan kept silent and never bothered Fang Rou again.

Meanwhile, Ming Dai learned about the reservoir repairs from Aunt Huang herself, who delivered two huge sacks of dried vegetables promised to her. It was Aunt Huang’s first time in the small courtyard behind the Youth Support Point, led by Iron Egg. They came through the back gate.

Curious about the knock at the door, Ming Dai opened it and quickly invited them inside. Aunt Huang’s youngest son, Liu Laifa, shyly carried the two sacks of dried vegetables, asked where to place them, and left immediately, despite Ming Dai’s efforts to keep him.

Aunt Huang pulled Ming Dai aside. “Don’t mind him. He’s always been a quiet one, makes me wonder if I raised a daughter instead!”

Ming Dai laughed at Aunt Huang’s comparison and welcomed her, Iron Egg, and Dog Egg inside. Though not their first visit, the two boys were still bashful, clinging tightly to their grandmother’s clothes and nearly tripping her.

“Get out of the way, you little rascals! If you trip me and I get hurt, you’ll be in trouble!” Aunt Huang scolded them as she surveyed the courtyard. The firewood stacked up was impressive—enough for a whole family, thanks to Ming Dai.

Inside, she was amazed by the neatness of Ming Dai’s room and the spotless walls. They used the kang stove, which always left smoke stains, but Ming Dai’s room was clean enough to make Aunt Huang hesitant to enter.

Ming Dai brought over a hot water kettle and three bowls, quickly inviting them to sit on the kang. “Auntie, please, come up! Iron Egg, Dog Egg, come here—Auntie has treats for you.”

Aunt Huang brushed the dust off herself, patted the mud off the two boys, and was embarrassed by Dog Egg’s runny nose. She pinched him and nearly wiped his nose on the wall, then stopped herself—Ming Dai’s walls were covered with neatly pasted newspapers.

Ming Dai handed her some paper from the kang table, solving the problem. She lifted five-year-old Dog Egg onto the kang and invited Iron Egg to climb up himself—she couldn’t lift the eight-year-old.

Dog Egg felt shy after being lifted by Aunt Ming; she smelled so nice, different from mother or grandmother, and he sat upright, not rolling around as he did at home. Iron Egg, too, sat quietly at the edge, not daring to climb up.

Aunt Huang tossed the paper into a bamboo basket full of waste paper and thought how convenient and hygienic this was. She looked around Ming Dai’s room again—no fancy decor, just old-style furniture, unpainted, showing the wood’s natural color. There were a few extra bamboo baskets, but the place felt inexplicably comfortable.