Chapter 44: The Complexity of the Human Heart

Through Xu Qingqing’s complaints, Lin Jingyue felt somewhat relieved.

The Qingshan Brigade truly treated its educated youth much better.

“Every day I work in the fields, my whole body turns dark,” Xu Qingqing sighed, then looked at Lin Jingyue suspiciously. “What did you put on your face? It seems even fairer than when you first arrived.”

“It’s just snow cream. Maybe I’m naturally beautiful,” Lin Jingyue replied shamelessly.

“Well, I can’t compete with that.”

Lin Jingyue smiled and brought out melon seeds, peanuts, and sweet rice sticks to entertain her friend.

“Are you off today?”

“Yes, otherwise I wouldn’t have come to play with you. Oh, and here, this is for you.” Xu Qingqing tapped her forehead, almost forgetting.

She took out an oiled paper package from her shoulder bag. Inside was a pound of pastries. “Bought these in the county town—they taste pretty good.”

Lin Jingyue sampled one out of politeness; the sweetness was moderate, the texture soft, and it wasn’t bad at all.

“Where did you buy them? If I get the chance, I’ll pick up some myself.”

“The department store.” The county had a department store, though it couldn’t compare to the one in An City.

At best, it was a large supply and marketing cooperative.

“Are the people here easy to get along with?” As they chatted, Xu Qingqing lowered her voice to ask.

“What’s wrong? Are things bad over there?”

“Bad is an understatement.” Xu Qingqing finally found someone to vent to, and began speaking with difficulty.

The Kaoshan Brigade originally had six old educated youth, three men and three women, already tightly united.

The newly arrived educated youth knew nothing, were reckless, and suffered many losses—not to mention everything else.

Almost all the chores at their site fell on the new arrivals.

They wanted to resist, but couldn’t. The household items belonged to the old educated youth, the vegetable patch was theirs; if you wanted to use anything or eat vegetables, you had to work.

To make matters worse, the female educated youth not only had to cook, but also wash clothes for the men.

Hearing this, Lin Jingyue felt uneasy. “They make the women wash their clothes? That’s disgusting.”

Work clothes soaked in sweat, unwashed, smelled unbearable—just the thought made her shudder.

Xu Qingqing’s eyes reddened. “Yes, I didn’t want to wash them, but as soon as I showed any sign, the others acted as if I’d committed an unforgivable crime.”

It truly disgusted her.

She’d hidden away to cry several times at night, but there was nothing she could do.

If she refused to wash, she’d be completely ostracized.

Lin Jingyue couldn’t say much. Should she tell her to make a scene and cook separately? Setting aside everything else, could Xu Qingqing manage? She was just a genuine seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl.

Moreover, Lin Jingyue wasn’t entirely familiar with the situation at the other brigade, so she simply comforted her, saying nothing unnecessary.

Having vented, Xu Qingqing felt much better.

Before they knew it, lunchtime was approaching, and Lin Jingyue wanted to keep Xu Qingqing for a meal.

But Xu Qingqing had no intention of staying. Everyone’s grain rations were tight. “I didn’t bring any rations today, so let’s leave it for next time. I’ll head off now, but I’ll come visit you again when I have time.”

Compared to when she arrived, her smile was lighter.

Lin Jingyue didn’t insist. “I’ll come visit you when I get the chance.”

“Good, I’ll wait for you. I’m off then.” Xu Qingqing waved.

Lin Jingyue walked her to the village entrance, only turning back when her friend’s figure had vanished.

“Educated youth Lin, was that your friend just now?” Aunt Liu craned her neck as she passed by.

“Yes. Do you need something, Aunt Liu?”

“Can’t I just ask?”

“No, you can’t.”

“…You cheeky girl, always have something sharp to say.”

Lin Jingyue smiled sweetly at Aunt Liu, looking obedient and gentle.

If you didn’t know her nature, you’d truly think she was a harmless young girl.

Aunt Liu rolled her eyes, muttered to herself, and went home.

Lin Jingyue, in a good mood, returned to the educated youth site. She took out the fish she’d prepared and planned to make braised fish.

If she’d kept Xu Qingqing for lunch, she wouldn’t have brought out the fish—serving something too nice invited envy.

Who knew, Xu Qingqing might think she was showing off.

Such is human nature—complicated as ever.

Just as the fish finished stewing and before she could eat, Lin Jingyue heard someone else was looking for her.

What was going on today? Usually, no one paid her any mind.

“Cuihua?” The girl with reddened eyes was none other than Li Cuihua, the brigade leader’s daughter.

Lin Jingyue pulled her inside, closed the door to shut out prying eyes, handed her a handkerchief, and didn’t ask anything.

Li Cuihua paused, finding herself unable to cry.

“Jingyue, aren’t you going to ask what’s wrong?”

“Oh, what’s wrong with you?”

Li Cuihua: “….” She felt a pang in her chest.

She looked at Lin Jingyue, half annoyed. “You don’t care about me.”

“I’m caring, aren’t I?”

“…”

Li Cuihua took a few deep breaths. Her gloomy mood miraculously dissipated, and she couldn’t cry anymore.

“My mother wants me to meet a suitor.”

“A man marries when he’s grown, a woman does the same—perfectly normal.” Lin Jingyue didn’t see why this was something to cry about.

Besides, Aunt Chun and the brigade leader obviously cherished their daughter; they wouldn’t randomly pick a husband for her.

Sun Lanlan considered herself the best girl in the village, having finished middle school, and looked down on everyone.

But Li Cuihua was also a middle school graduate—she just kept a low profile.

“But, I, I…”

Seeing her bashful manner, Lin Jingyue remained calm. “You’ve got someone in your heart?”

“…Yes.”

“Then just tell your mother. She’ll surely take it into account.”

“She won’t agree.”

“How can you be so sure?” Lin Jingyue raised an eyebrow, her eyes flickering. “Is the one you like… from the educated youth site?”

She lowered her voice for the last part.

Li Cuihua suddenly looked up, then nervously glanced at the closed door, finally turning helplessly to Lin Jingyue.

But she found Lin Jingyue looking at her strangely.

“Jingyue, do you think I shouldn’t like an educated youth? Or… do you think I’m not worthy of someone from the city?”

The look in Lin Jingyue’s eyes suddenly cooled. “Neither.”

“Then why…”

“I was just guessing who you liked.” Love, truly, had a way of blinding people.

Among the men at the site, those still single were Jiang Xun, Zhou Yan, Du Jianguo, Zhao Hua, and Lin Xinjian, as well as Luo Jianhua—but Luo Jianhua was likely secretly seeing Xie Wenjuan.

The three newly arrived male educated youth were impossible—there hadn’t been enough time. Among the old ones, it had to be either Zhou Yan or Jiang Xun.

Li Cuihua glanced at Lin Jingyue. “Jingyue, do you think I… have a chance?”

“You’re asking me?” Lin Jingyue pointed at herself. “I’m still a child. I know nothing about love.”

“…”

Li Cuihua noticed the shift in Lin Jingyue’s attitude and felt uneasy, but recalling Lin Jingyue’s earlier words, she steadied herself.

She twisted her fingers. “Jingyue, could you help me find Educated Youth Jiang? I… I want to say a few words to him.”

Tomorrow, the suitor would arrive. If she didn’t make a move, she’d never have another chance.