Two days later, the results were out.
Gao Zhijun finally received his leave report and boarded the train home. Watching the scenery roll backward from the train window, his heart warmed.
Bai Jiu had no idea that the man she had constantly wished ’dead’ was already on his way back.
"Xiaojie, are you saying I can clear a private plot myself?" Bai Jiu asked. She wondered, "I don’t even have a home, yet I can clear land?"
"Of course you can," Qian Xiaojie said, giving her a speechless eyeroll. "Didn’t your mother-in-law’s family have a private plot before? Every household is allowed to clear one, so why wouldn’t you be able to?"
"But I don’t even have a home of my own. I’m currently living in a former landlord’s house. Would that really be allowed?" If she could grow her own vegetables, she would certainly be happy to do so. She couldn’t exactly travel to town every day just for a few vegetables.
"What’s the big deal? Our village isn’t that strict. Besides, even the bad elements living near you are allowed to clear their own land, let alone you. Whenever you have some free time, go to the production captain to demarcate a plot and build a house," Qian Xiaojie explained.
Bai Jiu genuinely didn’t know this. She hadn’t seen her neighbors clearing any land either.
"How do you know those people cleared land for themselves?" Bai Jiu asked in confusion.
The two of them bent over, chatting as they hoed the fields.
"That goes without saying. If they hadn’t grown vegetables, they wouldn’t have survived the winter. Even though our village doesn’t pay much attention to them, we don’t offer them any help either." Anyone who wasn’t blind could tell that those people had lived quite comfortably this winter. If it weren’t for their backgrounds, they would probably be living better than anyone in the village.
Bai Jiu was stunned. Then she understood. She had given them plenty of grain and meat over the winter. Now that they were out working again, everyone had noticed their changes. Although everyone had gained some weight, their weight gain was a bit unusual.
"I understand now. After work, I’ll go back and clear a plot too. That way, we’ll have vegetables to eat all year round." Naturally, she didn’t mention the meat and grain.
Qian Xiaojie nodded. "You still have to take care of the kids after work. Let Brother Zhou help you dig it. He’s strong and works fast." After all, her Gouwa had eaten his fair share of Bai Jiu’s food lately. It was their turn to return the favor now, and it just cost a bit of physical effort.
Bai Jiu didn’t stand on ceremony. She wasn’t the original Bai Jiu, who wouldn’t be tired after a full day of work and still had the energy to go home and serve the Gao family.
"Then I’ll have to trouble Brother Zhou."
"Don’t mention it."
After a full day, even though Bai Jiu had grown accustomed to farm work, she was still exhausted.
Just as she got home and put the rice in the pot, Zhou Qingshan arrived, carrying a chipped hoe. Farm tools were precious items, rarely owned by ordinary households. She didn’t know about others, but she certainly didn’t have one.
"Brother Zhou, you’re here." Seeing him, Bai Jiu immediately invited him in.
"Yeah. Bai Jiu, which patch of land do you want hoed?" Zhou Qingshan didn’t enter the house, merely standing in the yard to ask. They said a widow’s door attracted gossip, and he didn’t want to cause any trouble. Since his wife wasn’t there, it was best he stayed outside.
"Just here in the yard. If it’s too far, I won’t be able to look after it."
Watching her gesture to the spot, Zhou Qingshan knew where to start. "Alright."
It had to be said that men were truly strong. Bai Jiu had just finished cooking when Zhou Qingshan called out from outside.
"Bai Jiu, take a look and see if this is enough. If not, I’ll come back and clear some more tomorrow." Looking at the small plot he had turned over, Zhou Qingshan shouted toward the house. He spoke up now because he could smell the food from inside. He couldn’t stay any longer; it was mealtime.
Bai Jiu walked out of the house. Seeing the turned soil in the yard, she looked surprised. "That was fast!" She never expected him to finish so quickly. This plot of land was more than enough to feed her and her two children.
"It wasn’t that fast," Zhou Qingshan replied, a little embarrassed. "Is this enough? If not, I’ll come back and clear more tomorrow. It just takes a little effort anyway."
"It’s enough, it’s enough. Thank you so much, Brother Zhou." Bai Jiu was extremely grateful. No wonder everyone liked making friends. Having friends truly opened doors. If she had done this herself, it would have taken her at least three days.
"Zhengyang, hurry and pour a basin of water for Uncle Zhou to wash up! We’re about to eat!" Bai Jiu shouted toward the house.
Hearing this, Zhou Qingshan immediately waved his hand. "No need, no need. I’m heading back right now."
"How can you do that?" Bai Jiu couldn’t just let someone work for free. "The food is already done. You have to at least take a bite." She wanted to give him something else in return, but that would make them seem too estranged.
"No need. Xiaojie already made dinner at home." How could Zhou Qingshan have the nerve to go inside?
Seeing his reaction, Bai Jiu immediately understood. It was true. Her status was different now, and in such a sensitive era... She truly was being thoughtless.
"Then wait for me a moment, Brother Zhou."
With that, Bai Jiu turned and went into the kitchen. When she came back out, she held a large bowl emitting the rich aroma of braised meat.
"I cooked a bit extra tonight, and I don’t want to make you stay here to eat alone, Brother Zhou. So, take this bowl of food back with you. Have Xiaojie bring the bowl tomorrow when she goes to work, and I’ll bring it back myself later."
Bai Jiu offered the bowl, and before Zhou Qingshan could refuse, she placed it on the ground beside him. She had no choice. She couldn’t exactly shove it into his hands. If he felt awkward, she would feel embarrassed too.
After setting it down, she turned and returned to the kitchen.
Zhengyang and Xiuxiu came out just in time to see Uncle Zhou standing there foolishly.
"Uncle Zhou, this is braised pork made by my mom. Take it back for Brother Gouwa to eat," Zhengyang said in his childish voice, snapping Zhou Qingshan out of his daze. "He really likes it. Last time, he even said he wanted to come to our house to eat."
Zhou Qingshan wanted to refuse, but having worked for so long, he was indeed craving meat. "Alright. Next time you come over to our house, I’ll have Xiaojie cook some rabbit meat for you." The only decent things he could offer were wild game. It wasn’t that his family lacked money, but they lacked ration coupons.
"Okay!" the two children cheered happily.
CLACK-CLACK, CLACK-CLACK...
The train arrived in Songxiang City.
Carrying his sparse luggage, Gao Zhijun stepped onto the soil of his hometown. The surroundings looked the same as before; little had changed. But he was anxious and wanted to see that person sooner, so he didn’t even have time to glance at the passing scenery.
He had gotten off the train right in the morning. By afternoon, he would reach the town, and after walking through the night, he would be able to see the person he dreamed of day and night by tonight.
No matter how urgent he felt in his heart, his pace was perfectly steady. He took powerful steps, one by one, on the solid ground.
However, he never could have imagined that when he finally arrived in front of the familiar house, his footsteps would come to a halt. He was afraid. But no matter how afraid he was, he eventually pushed the door open and walked in.
This was a side room, the place where he had lived both before and after his marriage.
But what did he see?
The room was a mess, with clutter scattered everywhere. The heated brick bed that was still fresh in his memory had been abandoned, covered in a thick layer of dust.
Gao Zhijun’s heart felt as if it had been stabbed by a knife, the pain making him break out in a cold sweat. His bundle dropped to the floor at some point, kicking up a cloud of dust. A pungent, foul odor flooded his senses.
After standing there for who knew how long, he closed his eyes and opened them again, unable to hide the icy coldness in his gaze.
When he walked to the main room, he was even more shocked. Because there was not a single soul in sight.
What he didn’t know was that the entire Gao family had long since left. The Gao family had sold this old house to the village in exchange for travel funds to move away. Now, let alone people, the house was entirely deserted, inhabited by nothing but rats.
After standing there for an unknown amount of time, Gao Zhijun finally walked out the front gate. He headed toward the center of the village, taking the path that led straight to the production captain’s house.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
"Who is it?"