MAC’60s Chapter 26.2

When Wang Ying and Xu Shuang got married, Old Lady Xu tossed and turned for several nights. In the end, she concluded that Wang Ying must’ve fallen for Xu Shuang because of his looks.

Old Lady Xu patted her chest and sighed with relief—thank goodness she had given birth to such a properly good-looking youngest son.

She used to think a good-looking boy couldn’t fill a belly or lift a hoe. But now, she realized that being good-looking was useful—just look, didn’t he manage to land a wife with just his face?

Wang Ying was thriving among the elderly crowd. She was a doctor by trade, her temperament had been honed to be gentle and patient over the years, so it wasn’t long before someone handed her some homemade roasted soybean flour.

On the other side, Li Chunjuan was huddled with a group of gossiping women, picking kernels off corn cobs while running their mouths.

“Look at how she’s sucking up!”

“No idea what she’s so smug about!”

“Lazy bum, just sitting there doing nothing, not helping at all.”

Li Chunjuan scoffed, “You don’t even know how lazy she is. She just orders Xu Shuang around to do everything. And not only that, she’s at home eating all day long!”

Just thinking about it made Li Chunjuan drool—these past couple of days, every time it was mealtime, she could smell the delicious aroma wafting from Wang Ying’s place.

“She only knows how to eat. I’m telling you, Xu Shuang’s going to be eaten into poverty by her sooner or later!”

The group of women all felt sour. Initially, they thought Wang Ying, as a young girl turned housewife, would naturally want to fit into their circle. Being young, they figured they could tease her a bit, maybe even get some food or goodies out of her.

Who would’ve thought Wang Ying wouldn’t even bother with them?

She showed zero interest in mingling with them and instead chatted happily with the older folks.

“When the team leader gets here, we need to speak up—she comes here, she’s gotta help pick corn. Can’t just sit there doing nothing!”

They just couldn’t stand seeing Wang Ying idle—it felt like a thorn in their hearts.

Everyone’s a daughter-in-law, so why does she get to skip the work?

The few women came to a decision and waited for Tian Youfu to arrive to stir things up.

But they waited and waited, and Tian Youfu didn’t show up.

Someone told their kid, “Go ask what time we’re starting.”

A little while later, instead of Tian Youfu, Song Dagui came in.

He said, “We’re not having a meeting today. Everyone’s still getting their work points though, so don’t leave just yet—Youfu will be here soon to talk to you all about something.”

Once he mentioned work points, nobody wanted to leave. Everyone waited.

Someone asked, “What’s it about? If the team leader isn’t here, can’t you just tell us, Secretary?”

Song Dagui waved his hand. “Just wait. The men will be coming over soon too.”

That got everyone on edge—it had to be something big.

Another hour passed in the meeting hall before Tian Youfu returned.

It had started snowing lightly again that afternoon. His shoulders were soaked, and his fur hat was dusted with white frost.

Tian Youfu didn’t look happy. He told everyone to stand up: “Tell the kids to run home and call one family member from each household.”

Wang Ying had no idea what was going on, but stood at the back of the crowd.

Once everyone gathered, the meeting room was full of noise.

“What’s going on? There’s barely room to stand!”

“Just say it already—I need to get home and heat the stove, it’s freezing!”

“What kind of major thing needs saying in the middle of a snowstorm?”

…

Tian Youfu quieted the room. Then, following him, several militiamen brought in two people.

They were both women, looking like a mother and daughter. The older one seemed to be nearly forty, with a delicate face and tall figure, but she was skinny as a twig. Her hair looked like it had been soaked and then frozen—frost dusted her hair and eyebrows. Despite the freezing weather, she was wearing only a thin outfit, frozen stiff to the point that she couldn’t even shiver. She looked like she might collapse at any moment.

The only reason she was still upright was because the young girl beside her was holding her up. The girl looked about thirteen or fourteen, also thin, but her eyes were bright. She was dressed a bit warmer than the older woman and gripped her tightly for support. The two of them stood just inside the door.

At some point, Xu Shuang had slipped inside and made his way to Wang Ying’s side. He quietly held her hand, and the two of them exchanged a smile, ready to listen to what Tian Youfu had to say.

Tian Youfu cleared his throat and started with a long preamble, then introduced the two individuals.

“Cheng Shufen, former employee of the Peking Opera House…”

As Wang Ying listened, she finally understood who they were. The older one was a performer who, after a conflict over a burned costume, had been labeled a “counterrevolutionary” and exiled from Beijing. She had been sent here for reform through labor.

The younger one wasn’t her daughter but her apprentice. She had insisted on following her master, and so they were both sent to the Seventh Production Team.

This was the first time their brigade had ever received such individuals. They had heard of people being sent down before, but usually to the northwest or to state-run farms. Even those sent to their commune were mostly assigned to other teams. So this was Tian Youfu’s first time officially receiving a “reform target.”

He went on at length, then summarized the current issue: these people had to be housed somewhere, and the rules needed to be clarified.

First of all—where would they live? Many people thought “being sent down” meant being thrown into a cowshed, but that wasn’t quite accurate. Cattle were precious to the team; each cow had a caretaker. When snow hit, Tian Youfu even had people build reinforced stables to protect them.

Letting these “problematic elements” stay with the cows? Not a chance. Not even the team members would agree to that. What if these people did something to the cattle—who’d be responsible?

So the biggest headache for Tian Youfu now was where to put them.

The location had to be far enough not to influence the regular members but not so remote that they couldn’t be patrolled.

Tian Youfu suggested, “Let’s settle them near the back hill. Didn’t that old house almost collapse? Fix it up a bit and let them live there. The brigade will allocate a little grain, and they can haul manure in the spring.”

Although re-education personnel weren’t supposed to be treated too well—otherwise it would defeat the purpose of sending them down to the countryside—Tian Youfu wasn’t the type to kick someone when they were down. These two were women, after all! One was still a child. If their living conditions were too harsh, they probably wouldn’t survive the winter.

Li Chunjuan was the first to protest: “Why should they get grain? That’s our brigade’s grain. They haven’t earned any work points—giving them some just means we lose out!”

Tian Youfu’s face stiffened. “Then what do you propose?”

Li Chunjuan answered without hesitation, “We do whatever the other brigades do!”

In other brigades, re-education personnel were often thrown into rundown houses with roofs made of corn stalks. Nobody cared about them. When it came time for meetings, they were paraded out for criticism, made to do the hardest work, and given the smallest food rations.

Tian Youfu’s face turned ashen. “Then let’s vote.”

He couldn’t make a unilateral decision on something like this since the commune had ordered that these people were to be integrated into collective life.

Fortunately, not many people were like Li Chunjuan. Aside from a few who raised their hands in opposition, most tacitly accepted Tian Youfu’s plan.

He let out a sigh of relief. “Alright then, it’s settled. Now we need someone to oversee their reformation.”

In other words, someone had to keep an eye on them.

Tian Youfu didn’t want a man for the job. “It’s got to be a woman comrade. Anyone willing, raise your hand.”

Dead silence.

The two standing at the door could barely remain upright. Cheng Shufen’s eyes were full of pleading as she clutched the girl next to her tightly.

Tian Youfu said, “If no one’s willing, we’ll draw lots…”

Li Chunjuan’s eyes lit up and she shouted, “These bad elements need someone with high ideological consciousness to watch them. I propose someone with a good class background.”

Tian Youfu, annoyed by the constant interruptions, asked irritably, “Then who do you think has a good background?”

Predictably, Li Chunjuan declared, “Let Wang Ying do it!”

“She’s a martyr’s child—her ideological awareness must be high. If she watches these bad elements, she’ll definitely be able to help them reform.”

It was the first time Li Chunjuan used the phrase “reform from evil to good,” and she was very pleased with herself.

“Am I right? Besides, our brigade can’t afford to spare food for anyone, not even Wang Ying. So why shouldn’t she be responsible?”

Li Chunjuan’s shamelessness was truly distasteful.

Still, there were others in the crowd who were envious of Wang Ying and Xu Shuang and chimed in: “Exactly. Wang Ying’s family is one of the best off in our brigade. It’s just her and Xu Shuang—she ought to take responsibility.”

Before Wang Ying could say anything, Xu Shuang stepped forward: “We can take care of them. But let’s be clear—what do you mean by ‘ought to’? If having better conditions means you’re expected to suffer losses, then no one should work anymore. Everyone should just try to be as poor as possible to get more. Captain, don’t you agree?”

Tian Youfu had been irritated by Li Chunjuan, but Xu Shuang suddenly speaking up startled him.

You had to understand—Xu Shuang had always been quiet and reserved, and never spoke harshly to anyone.

After his statement, no one had anything to say.

He was right. If having better conditions meant you were obligated to give more, what was the point of working? Should everyone just hide and try to be as poor as possible?

Li Chunjuan tried to say something else, but Tian Youfu cut her off, “Are you the captain, or am I? Why don’t you take over if you know so much?”

Li Chunjuan, who had been so full of energy moments ago, now didn’t dare say a word when she saw Tian Youfu was angry.

Tian Youfu, not wanting anyone to feel taken advantage of, tentatively offered: “This job will count for work points—four a day.”

Four work points weren’t a lot, but not too little either—roughly equivalent to a good laborer’s half day of work.

“It’s just to make sure they get through the winter without incident.”

Tian Youfu had never received re-education personnel before, but he’d heard stories from neighboring brigades. Some of the ones sent down had overseas ties, some were former teachers—proud and aging intellectuals. Some didn’t last long and died within a couple of years.

Seeing how skinny these two women were made Tian Youfu uneasy.

Wang Ying, though a doctor who had seen plenty of life and death, couldn’t help feeling sympathy.

“Alright,” she said.

She agreed. Some others grumbled—if they’d known it came with four work points, they might’ve agreed to do it too.

After all, it was just making sure the two didn’t die. Just checking in on them every day.

Even Li Chunjuan regretted it a bit. She’d originally wanted Wang Ying to take the fall. Since Wang Ying’s family had so much food, adding two more mouths to feed would surely prevent her from eating so lavishly every day.

But when Tian Youfu mentioned the work points, it felt like a loss to Li Chunjuan—like losing money.

But it was too late. Wang Ying had already agreed.

Seeing the women’s poor condition, Wang Ying told the militiamen to take them to their lodging.

She went home to fetch some things—common medicines, a pot of hot water, and some yellow wine.

Xu Shuang wanted to come along, but Wang Ying refused. “It’s not appropriate for you to go.”

She needed to examine the two closely to see if they had any health issues. If Xu Shuang came along and made them nervous, what good would that do?

Wang Ying gave him instructions: “Make some dough-drop soup. Make it thin. I’ll come back and get it.”

Wang Ying took her supplies to the designated place. The militia leader was an old acquaintance—Tian Dashu, who waited for Wang Ying to arrive before leaving.

Seeing her carrying so much, Tian Dashu pulled her aside and whispered, “These are bad elements. Why are you being so considerate? Better be careful—if others see this, it might be hard for you to explain.”

Wang Ying said, “They just got here. I want to see if they have any health issues. They’re here for reformation, but they need to be physically healthy for that to succeed, don’t you think?”

Tian Dashu scratched his head. “Alright, just be careful—especially around your grandaunt.”

Wang Ying thanked Tian Dashu again. “I’ll have Xu Shuang bring you some wedding candy later. You weren’t at the brigade last time, so we didn’t get to deliver it to you.”

She still remembered how he helped her argue with Li Chunjuan last time—he deserved a proper thank-you.

Tian Dashu called over the other two militiamen and prepared to leave. “Alright then, we’ll head off.”

After seeing them off, Wang Ying turned back and looked around.

This broken-down house had once belonged to a Five Guarantees household (elderly without family support) in the brigade. A house without anyone living in it quickly fell into disrepair over the years. There were two rooms—half of the roof had already collapsed. The remaining half was damp and musty.

There was no furniture inside, only a sleeping platform. The front door didn’t even have a lock.

Cheng Shufen looked at Wang Ying with a trembling, raspy voice: “Thank you, young lady.”

Wang Ying was startled. “What’s wrong with your voice?”

Wasn’t she supposed to be a traditional opera singer?

Cheng Shufen gave a bitter smile. “My voice is ruined. I worked my way here, and earlier it got choked by smoke too.”

Wang Ying remained silent. After a moment, she began examining both of them. What was the point in digging into their pasts? It would only reopen old wounds.

The younger one looked about thirteen or fourteen, with bright cat-like eyes and an alert, wary demeanor around strangers. When Wang Ying reached out to touch her hand, she quickly jerked it back.

Cheng Shufen hurried to explain, “She’s just scared. She’s not usually like this.”

Wang Ying waved it off. “Let’s not dwell on that. Do either of you feel unwell? Any external injuries?”

Cheng Shufen said she was fine, but the girl, Xiaoyu, seemed to have banged her leg.

Wang Ying pulled up the girl’s pant leg and frowned as soon as she saw it. “It’s bleeding and wasn’t treated in time. Start a fire to warm it up first so the blood flows, then we’ll disinfect it.”

After checking both of their pulses, Wang Ying found that they were mostly just suffering from severe cold exposure—no major health problems otherwise.

She immediately gave each of them a bowl of hot water with a little yellow wine added to help warm their bodies up quickly.

She found a broken basin in the house and went home to fetch some charcoal, then made a small brazier.

Once everything was set up, Wang Ying looked around again. The roof of the adjacent room was practically nonexistent—heat couldn’t be retained at all.

She thought for a moment, then removed the door from that room and placed it as a partition between the two rooms.

“From now on, block the doorway at night, and move it aside during the day.”

That way, even if people looked at the roof of the other room, they wouldn’t assume the living conditions were too good.

After bustling around for a while, Wang Ying suddenly heard a voice outside—Xu Shuang was calling for her.

“The captain delivered the grain to our house. This is for you—some dough-drop soup and two steamed buns.”

Wang Ying was puzzled. “They delivered the grain to our house?”

Xu Shuang spoke with anger in his voice: “Li Chunjuan stirred up some other women and said the grain should be kept at our place to prevent those bad elements from squandering it.”

Though that was the excuse, the amount of grain they were given was minuscule—mostly just taro from the commune.

Wang Ying’s eyes lit up. “Taro!”

I am just a novice translator and Chinese is not my native language. I try my best to translate the chapters as accurate as possible.
If there are any mistakes then kindly comment and remind me. Your support means a lot.