Chapter 56: Going to Work

Based on the facts ascertained, the work group reported the existing problems in the Wangjiayu Production Brigade to the commune's "Four Clean-ups" work team and informed the commune party committee.

Upon the decision of the brigade's branch general meeting and with the approval of the commune party committee, Wang Hongbiao was dismissed from his position as the commander of the militia company. Wang Hongbing was elected as a member of the brigade party branch, serving as the deputy branch secretary and the commander of the brigade militia company. Following a re-election, Wang Hongbing also took on the concurrent role of the head of the Wangjiayu Production Team.

The other cadres of the brigade, particularly the brigade secretary Yang Shaowen, received severe criticism and education, with the hope that after this "washing of hands and taking a bath," they would be able to shed their mental burdens and actively carry out their work.

Having spent several months eating, living, and working alongside the commune members, the work group established deep bonds with everyone, who held the work group's work style and dedication in high admiration.

In mid-May, having fully accomplished all their tasks, the work group was on the verge of departure.

On the evening before their departure, Caiyun meticulously prepared braised swamp eels and crucian carp soup. Team Leader Li was very pleased and drank two bowls of the carp soup.

After dinner, the two talked late into the night. He encouraged her to grit her teeth and lead her children through the immediate hardships, promising to find time to visit her and the children.

Caiyun expressed her gratitude for the care and assistance Team Leader Li had provided, while apologizing profusely for not being able to take better care of him.

Just before bedtime, Team Leader Li hurried over to find Caiyun. "I don't have much on me, just these five yuan. Take it and make Yulan a jacket."

Caiyun said, "Didn't you just give money a moment ago? I really cannot accept this."

"What I gave you earlier was for meals. This is a small token of my affection for Yulan. Yulan is a good girl, and I like her!"

"She has a jacket. I can patch it up, and she can still wear it."

"That still won't do. It's too thin, and the buttons are barely able to fasten."

"This child doesn't get good tea and rice, yet she grows so fast."

"Still calling her a child, a child! She's taller than you are, and sturdier too. She's a grown young woman."

"She's only sixteen this year; she just matured early."

"Five years younger than my youngest son. If I had known you all earlier, how wonderful it would be to have Yulan as my daughter-in-law."

"Yulan doesn't have such good fortune. Is he married now?"

"He got married just at the end of last year."

"What does your son do?"

"He works at a bank."

"That's wonderful. He eats commercial grain, doesn't he?"

"Yes, both my son and daughter-in-law eat commercial grain."

"Since you look so handsome, your son must be very good-looking as well."

"My son looks just like his father, exceptionally handsome. Many families sent matchmakers, but he turned his nose up at all of them. Instead, he ended up finding someone I find displeasing—she isn't pretty at all, and she has a terrible temper. They are always fighting after getting married, driving me crazy."

"Our Yulan is just a peasant girl with no education. With your son's great background, even if he weren't married, he would never take a fancy to our Yulan."

"That's where you're wrong. I know my son. Yulan is not only beautiful, but she has a sweet temper and is well-liked. If my son could marry such a good wife, he'd wake up smiling from his dreams."

"We can only blame our Yulan for lacking this fate. If your son weren't married, I could make the decision and have Yulan be your daughter-in-law."

"If you trust me, I can help her find a good family in the city."

"We're short of labor at home. Let's talk about it in a couple of years."

"You can get engaged first; when she gets married can be discussed later."

"That's easy to say, but once it's settled, the groom's family gets anxious to marry her off. Look at Wang Hongbing's second daughter, who is the same age as Yulan. The family wanted to marry her off last year, and after delaying it to this year, it couldn't be delayed any longer—she's getting married right away."

"Very well. Whenever you need my help, feel free to come find me."

"Thank you!"

On the day of leaving the village, early in the morning, dozens of villagers, men and women, young and old, stood at the village entrance to bid them farewell. Team Leader Wu and Team Leader Li firmly shook everyone's hands to say goodbye.

Many people held back hot tears, reluctant to part and lingering for a long time without leaving. They walked all the way to the edge of the main road, with quite a few shouting, "You are welcome to come again!"

Wang Hongbing was the biggest winner of this "Four Clean-ups" movement. Not only did he escape punishment, but he was also promoted and heavily relied upon, becoming a brigade cadre and concurrently serving as the production team leader.

As soon as the work group withdrew, he organized the militia cadres from all production teams for study and training.

"Yulan, come here." Caiyun had made a new white cotton-cloth jacket for Yulan and asked her to try it on.

"Mom, is it finished?"

"It's done. Try it and see how it fits."

After Yulan put it on, Caiyun looked and felt quite satisfied. However, Yulan remarked, "It's too big, both loose and long."

"Look at how fast you've grown these past two years; by next year, it probably won't be too big anymore."

Seeing Yulan beam from ear to ear, unable to close her mouth, Caiyun deliberately asked, "Do you like it?"

"I love it!"

"I only made this for you this time, not for your older brother or younger brother. Do you think they will say I'm partial?"

"A daughter is a mother's intimate little padded jacket; you should treat me better."

"Time for work! Grab your sickles and head south of the village to harvest wheat. Hurry up, everyone!" Wang Hongbing blew the whistle for work and called everyone out to the fields.

This year's wheat grew very well, and everyone had long eagerly hoped for the wheat to be harvested as soon as possible. Many households had run out of food for over a month, surviving only on vegetables and wild herbs. Thanks to Team Leader Li staying here, Caiyun was able to get some grain coupons and money to buy food to sustain them together.

On the way to work, many people crowded around Yulan, asking her questions and complimenting her new clothes, saying she looked even prettier. Yulan could only keep smiling, not knowing what to say.

After the crowd dispersed, Qingying walked over and asked Yulan, "Have you been betrothed to a family?"

"No?" Yulan felt puzzled by her second aunt's question, but it also planted seeds of suspicion in her mind. Could it be that the money didn't come from Team Leader Li? She began to feel uneasy inside.

"Then who made these new clothes for you?"

"My mom made them for me."

"Impossible. If your mom had money, she would definitely make clothes for your older brother and younger brother first. How could she make them for you first?"

"This was the money Team Leader Li gave me to make clothes, so of course she made them for me."

"Why would Team Leader Li give you money to make clothes? She must have discussed it with your mom to find you a good husband's family. This is the betrothal money and engagement clothing provided by your future in-laws! You really are a silly girl who understands nothing."

"Impossible. Team Leader Li never mentioned anything to me about finding a husband's family."

"It's no lie to call you a fool. To find a husband's family, it's enough to discuss it with your mom. Why would she discuss it with you?"

"I'm going to ask my mom."

Yulan's expression instantly shifted from clear skies to cloudy, and then to a rainstorm as tears streamed from the corners of her eyes.

"Mom! What is this deal with my clothes?" Yulan chased after her mother and demanded bluntly.

"What do you mean, what deal?"

"If you don't explain it clearly to me, I won't go to work."

Caiyun pulled Yulan aside and wiped away her tears. "You're such a big person, still crying like a baby. Aren't you ashamed?"

"You don't need to wipe them. Just tell me what's going on with these clothes!" Yulan angrily pushed her mother's hand away.

"I don't understand what you're getting at."

"My second aunt said you must have secretly found me a good husband's family behind my back, and these clothes are betrothal garments from my in-laws."

"Don't listen to her nonsense. Even though I have the final say in finding a husband, I wouldn't keep it a secret from you."

"I don't want you to find me a husband. Even if you find one, I won't go. Beat me to death and I still won't go! Just wait and see if you don't believe me!"

"All right, I truly didn't find you a husband. Aunt Li simply likes you, and there is no other meaning. Don't worry, child!"

"Really?"

"Really, I'm not lying to you."

Yulan's face changed from a rainstorm back to clear skies. Seeing this, Caiyun smiled. "For all your height, you're still just a child."