MAC’60s Chapter 85.1

With the job confirmed, going into the city finally felt real.

Wang Ying ate half a bowl of the spicy chicken mixed noodles that Chen Dong had made; the remaining half was taken by Xu Shuang, worried that she might find it too spicy.

Wang Ying felt a little aggrieved, and Xu Shuang comforted her: “Later tonight, I’ll make braised pork for you.”

Wang Ying was in good health, so eating meat didn’t bother her. But if she ate too much chili, blisters would form at the corners of her mouth, which would hurt for a whole day.

Without bringing up old grievances, Xu Shuang took Wang Ying on the bicycle with the wind at their backs. On the way back to the brigade, they also bought two jin of pork—ribs with layers of lean and fat, red and white, pleasing to the eye.

Having spent the past two years running a state-owned restaurant in town, Xu Shuang had established good relations with the meat stalls at the vegetable market, so he was able to reserve two jin of quality meat in advance.

After tying it up with straw, Xu Shuang went to the restaurant to prepare for mealtime, while Wang Ying hung the meat on the bike handlebars and headed back to the brigade.

Three years ago, Wang Ying might have been a little reserved, worried that being too conspicuous would draw attention. Now, she had no such concerns.

Everyone in the Seventh Brigade depended on the method she taught for stir-frying honeysuckle flowers to earn some extra money each year. Elder Xu, as the only person in the brigade with a sewing machine, often helped alter clothes, saving people the trouble of going to the town tailor. As for Xu Shuang, he was already regarded as a senior leader at the restaurant.

In short, the villagers no longer felt envious of the Xu family. When the gap becomes too large, no one tries to pull you down.

After all, it was widely recognized that the young couple, Xu Shuang and Wang Ying, would eventually move to the city.

It was better to maintain good relations.

Wang Ying rode home with the meat hanging from her handlebars, greeting countless people along the way.

As soon as she arrived home, Elder Xu came to meet her. “Well? Was it finalized?”

Wang Ying swung off the bike, carrying the meat, and exclaimed, “Yes! We start work at the beginning of next month.”

Elder Xu happily took the meat. “Good, good. Tonight we’ll have Xu Shuang come back and make a proper meal. By the end of the month, we’ll host a few tables and invite those we know well.”

This time, Elder Xu refused to go to the city no matter what. One reason was that life in the countryside was comfortable; everyone treated her politely. She could easily find old friends to chat with, and someone would come over just to listen to the radio with her. Her son and daughter-in-law were responsible, and Wang Ying never looked down on her, always buying this or that for her. Life like this—let alone moving to the city—even in a cadre’s family, wasn’t necessarily so harmonious.

The second reason was a bit of Elder Xu’s selfishness. She worried that once Wang Ying left, the brigade might pocket the profits from the honeysuckle flowers and not give it to her daughter-in-law.

Elder Xu didn’t say this out loud, but her intention was clear: she would stay at the brigade. She already knew how to process and dry the honeysuckle flowers, and every year she would oversee it. Wang Ying had initially said she would take half the first year, and then for at least five years, only one-tenth would be given to her.

Elder Xu thought Wang Ying was too honest. Five years? For coming up with such a profitable idea for the brigade, Elder Xu felt she deserved it for ten years, if not more.

But Wang Ying insisted: starting this year, five more years would suffice, until 1977.

Elder Xu had no choice but to decide to stay and oversee things herself. Otherwise, once Wang Ying and Xu Shuang moved to the city, who knew if anyone at the brigade would forget their promises and withhold the agreed-upon money?

Her son and daughter-in-law would be living in the city, and there would be plenty of expenses.

Without land in the city, no crops, even vegetables would have to be bought. The expenditures would be considerable.

By staying in the countryside and growing extra vegetables, she could ease some of the young couple’s burdens.

Wang Ying and Xu Shuang tried persuading her for a long time but couldn’t change her mind.

Elder Xu said firmly, “You two are going to work. If I go, I’ll just stay cooped up inside. I’ll go when you have children.”

They had been married nearly five years, and Wang Ying had yet to have children. Many in the brigade were gossiping, so Elder Xu naturally felt a little anxious.

In the end, it was still Xu Shuang and Wang Ying who compromised.

Elder Xu would stay in the countryside, and the two of them would return whenever they had time off. They also asked the barefoot doctor currently at the brigade, Tian Xinghua, to pay extra attention to Elder Xu’s well-being and send anything she needed to the city as soon as possible.

Wang Ying instructed Elder Xu to leave the meat for Xu Shuang to prepare in the evening, then she took a package and headed to the back mountain.

At the back mountain, the dilapidated house where Cheng Shufen lived had gradually improved over the years. Although it was still a single room with a skylight, there was now a thorny fence surrounding it. In the courtyard stood an old water vat, and under the eaves was a stove with a ceramic pot and a small iron pan.

Wang Ying knew all of this had been deliberately arranged by Cheng Yu. With the money she earned from selling medicinal herbs she collected on the mountain and fish from the pond to other brigades, Cheng Yu could have given Cheng Shufen a comfortable life.

However, Cheng Yu was cautious and kept all the money for herself, never spending it outwardly. Any time she wanted to buy something or eat well, she would rely on Qian Juhua or Wang Ying. Nothing was revealed at home.

As Wang Ying approached the door, Cheng Shufen heard her footsteps and quickly came to open it, smiling. “Cheng Yu sent you to buy something again, didn’t she?”

Wang Ying handed over a bag of preserved fruits.

Cheng Shufen said, “This girl… already sixteen, and still so unpredictable.”

Just then, Cheng Yu returned.

The sixteen-year-old girl was gentle yet spirited, with bright, sparkling eyes.

“Sister Ying, you’re here!”

Wang Ying touched her short hair. “Why did you cut it again? Your scalp’s almost showing.”

Cheng Yu replied, “Short hair is cooler. Long hair is such a hassle.”

She eagerly reached for the preserved fruits Wang Ying brought and popped one into her mouth, puckering at the sourness in a charmingly childlike way.

Cheng Shufen watched her fussing happily and turned to Wang Ying. “Everything’s settled on your side, right? When are you heading to the city?”

Wang Ying said, “At the beginning of next month.”

Cheng Shufen was genuinely happy for her. “That’s wonderful.”

Cheng Yu shyly came closer, nudging Wang Ying. “Sister Ying, I’ll miss you when you leave.”

Wang Ying pinched her cheeks. “I’ll miss you too. Practice well, and in a few years, who knows? You might get to go to the city too.”

Cheng Yu nodded. “I’ve been practicing seriously the whole time. Right, Teacher?”

Cheng Shufen felt a little sad—not about parting with Wang Ying, for she had long known Wang Ying would go to the city. With the abilities of Xu Shuang and Wang Ying, this little rural village could not hold them back.

Her sadness was for Cheng Yu’s future.

She could spend her life here and be fine, but Cheng Yu was sixteen. In a few years, would she waste her youth here?

Wang Ying noticed Cheng Shufen’s worries. She sent Cheng Yu out and quietly spoke a few words to Cheng Shufen.

“What? You’re saying other brigades are already allowing people to return to the city?!”

Cheng Shufen gripped Wang Ying’s hand excitedly. “Really?”

Wang Ying replied, “Yes. Two people, reportedly university professors, were brought back.”

Cheng Shufen’s eyes lit up. No matter what, the news Wang Ying brought gave her confidence.

If she could return, even losing a job wouldn’t matter. As long as Cheng Yu could go back, she would willingly give everything.

Wang Ying said, “It’ll probably take three to five years, maybe even less than three. Don’t worry too much. Cheng Yu will be around twenty when she returns. As long as she keeps up her skills, she’ll eventually find her way.”

Cheng Shufen nodded vigorously.

After reassuring Cheng Shufen, Wang Ying felt one matter settled. The two professors she mentioned were not a rumor—she had heard about it from Tian Youfu. The process was handled discreetly, but the people were indeed brought back, reportedly because some research work was restarting.

Wang Ying was eager to share the news with Cheng Shufen, both to ease her worries and to give her hope for the future. It was now 1973. There was no need to wait five years—Cheng Shufen could return to Beijing sooner.

In five years, Cheng Yu would only be twenty-one, hardly a delay at all.

After speaking with Cheng Shufen, Wang Ying went to see Qian Juhua.

Qian Juhua was very different from a few years ago. Standing there, she appeared confident and natural. When Wang Ying arrived, she was briskly feeding the pigs. The brigade now had eight pigs, all well-fed and plump.

In the beginning, Wang Ying often brought them Lingquan water. Over time, Qian Juhua developed her own method for raising pigs. Since all the pigs were born within the brigade, even without Lingquan water, they could easily reach over 200 jin.

Because of this, Qian Juhua had become one of the notable families in the brigade.

She could earn a full year’s worth of work points, and the brigade head also calculated the profit from raising pigs: five yuan per pig. Her annual income was comparable to others.

Money brings confidence. Qian Juhua now carried herself openly wherever she went, earning everyone’s respect.

Seeing Wang Ying, she didn’t stop her work but greeted her, “Come inside and sit. On the cabinet are peach crisps from Maimai’s grandmother. Take some and eat.”

Wang Ying didn’t go inside, but went over to help.

Once all the pigs were fed, Qian Juhua removed her apron and invited Wang Ying inside, generously sharing the peach crisps.

“Maimai hasn’t come back from school yet. Maizui went to her grandmother’s. She said they planted grapes there and wanted to pick some. Maiya also went along with her.”

In the past two years, the brigade had some funds and repaired part of the main road. Walking on it was smooth, so Qian Juhua had no worries.

Because all three children took the Qian surname, interactions between the two sides became frequent. Ever since she established herself, her maternal family had started paying more attention to her.

Each year, Qian Juhua shared more pork with her maternal family. After sending it twice, her maternal side began reciprocating regularly, often sending gifts. Especially after Qian Maimai skipped grades last year and was now in the commune’s junior high, her maternal family was overjoyed and kept thinking of her and her siblings whenever there was something good to eat. Some of the elder family members even suggested she move back to her maternal family’s brigade. After all, seeing how well she raised pigs for the Seventh Brigade made them envious.

Why couldn’t their own brigade raise pigs to over 200 jin?

Everyone believed Qian Juhua had a knack for it.

Her maternal family now hoped Qian Juhua could return and teach them how to raise pigs, so they could live like the Seventh Brigade.

But Qian Juhua never considered going back. Her maternal family’s brigade wasn’t close to the commune, so it would always be hard for the children to go to school. Besides, everyone in the Seventh Brigade treated her well. Over the years, all the minor gossip about her divorce had faded; very few still cared.

She felt fine living here. Tian Youfu had officially given her this run-down house along with the land, and after buying a few bricks, she had repaired it.

Her family of four lived comfortably, and Cheng Shufen could come by to chat.

Wang Ying came simply to say that her work arrangements were finalized and to invite them for a meal at the end of the month.

Qian Juhua’s face beamed with joy. “Wonderful! Being educated really makes a difference—you can go to the city. I need to make Maimai work harder, too, so she can go to the city eventually.”

After earning some money, Qian Juhua’s horizons had expanded.

She had even once gone to the city with an introduction letter, technically to buy pig fever medicine, but it was an eye-opening experience. She returned determined that Maimai and Maizui must study diligently.

The city was wonderful—everything was orderly, people were well-dressed.

She wanted her daughters to experience that kind of life.

Maimai was obedient and took her mother’s words to heart. When Wang Ying suggested she get tutoring in advance, she listened. Over two years, she mastered elementary school knowledge completely.

Yang Hong recommended she go to junior high. Maimai, being the oldest of the children in the village to start school, had begun elementary school at eleven. Two years later, at thirteen, she was ready to skip a grade to junior high.

Regardless, finishing elementary school in two years was unheard of in the brigade.

During that period, Qian Juhua walked with a spring in her step. What could be more gratifying than having children excel? Nothing! And the envious glances of others made her even prouder.

Maimai went to the commune’s junior high. At first, she struggled to keep up, but she would return home, clutch her books, and ask teachers at the educated youth point for guidance. Gradually, she caught up. Now, everyone in the commune junior high knew of a girl named Qian Maimai who was always top of her grade.

Maimai’s success made Qian Juhua feel triumphant.

Maizui, although more playful than her sister, was kept on track by Maimai’s supervision, so her grades remained in the top three. Attending junior high was clearly feasible.

Whenever Qian Juhua spoke of her daughters, her face lit up. “Now I don’t care about anything else. I just want Maimai to succeed in her studies, Maizui to follow her sister’s example, and Maiya to have a smooth path too.”

She could afford it. Although educating all three children was expensive and left little savings at the end of the year, spending on education was far better than on anything else.

Qian Juhua was determined to educate her daughters, ideally sending them to a vocational school. Graduating from a vocational school would allow them to be assigned jobs. She hoped Maimai, after vocational school, could secure a position. Vocational school was even harder to get into than high school. If she couldn’t get in, she could attend high school instead. City jobs generally required at least a high school education, so a few extra years of study wouldn’t hurt.

Wang Ying didn’t directly oppose Qian Juhua’s plan for her daughter to attend vocational school. These days, not everyone could enter workers’ and peasants’ universities; vocational school was the most practical path.

They chatted for a while until Maizui returned.

Maizui pulled her younger sister inside, both carrying small baskets, and called out to their mother at the door.

Qian Juhua quickly took the baskets and ushered the girls inside.

Seeing Wang Ying, Maizui greeted her eagerly, “Sister Ying is here!”

The youngest, Maiya, only four, in her childish voice said, “Ying Ying is here?”

Wang Ying was delighted, picked her up, and tousled her. The little girl nearly protested in mock horror, hastily offering the grapes in her hands to Wang Ying. “Ying Ying, eat!”

Wang Ying returned them: “No, you eat, little one.”

Maiya took a bite, her cheeks puffed out, looking utterly adorable.

Whenever Wang Ying stayed at Qian Juhua’s, it was mainly to cuddle the little glutinous rice balls—Maiya was so cute, like a big sticky rice dumpling.

While Wang Ying cuddled Maiya, Maizui was already reporting to her mother.

“When we got to the village entrance, we saw Widow Yu fighting with Tian Erzhu. She even scolded me when she saw me.”

Qian Juhua was furious. “She dared scold you? Just wait—I’ll deal with her. What a shameless woman!”

Maizui quickly reassured her, “I threw a clump of mud at her, and her face is all muddy. It’s fine, Mom. Don’t go. They’ve been fighting these past few days; let’s not get involved.”

Wang Ying leaned in. “What’s going on?”

She had been busy arranging the city job and hadn’t paid much attention to the brigade.

Qian Juhua handed Maiya to Maizui so the girls could eat peach crisps, then turned to gossip with Wang Ying.

“You know, last year, everyone at the brigade said Tian Dazhu’s son didn’t look like his own. Both he and Widow Yu have double eyelids, but their child has single eyelids. The nose and mouth don’t match either—it doesn’t resemble the Tian family at all.”

“Just a few days ago, someone went visiting relatives at another brigade and happened to meet Widow Yu’s mother’s daughter. She had a little girl, and everyone in our brigade started noticing that the little girl looked a lot like Widow Yu. The news spread when they returned.”

“Actually, Tian Dazhu hadn’t said much, but his mother was so furious she fainted. Tian Erzhu was hopping mad, claiming he’d been deceived, and he went after Widow Yu.”

“Now everyone in the brigade is speculating that the little girl might not even be a Tian at all. Although she looks like Widow Yu, she doesn’t resemble Tian Dazhu or Tian Erzhu in the slightest.”

“All this confusion has stirred things up over there. Widow Yu is making a scene, her mother-in-law is threatening suicide and even trying to hang herself. Tian Erzhu and his wife want to expel Widow Yu and her mother-in-law…”

Wang Ying was taken aback. She had guessed something like this before but didn’t expect the situation to be this messy.

Widow Yu didn’t know whose child she was carrying, but she wanted to pin it on Tian Dazhu. So she colluded with Tian Erzhu and Tian Dazhu’s mother to deceive both sides: she told Tian Erzhu the child was his, and told Tian Dazhu he had an heir.

The child wasn’t even born to Widow Yu. She gave birth to a daughter, while the son was actually Widow Yu’s mother-in-law’s own grandson that she had switched in.

What a shocking mess…