Except for some gossip, everything is fine with Yu Xiangan here. Yu Xiangqing has completely made peace with Liang Yong in Niujiao Brigade of Dayu Commune.

They also moved out of the Youth League Home and started living with a family where a grandmother was living with her grandchildren.

She broke up with Liang Yong, and also didn't want to live in the same room with Mo Wenwen anymore.

After all, she had a short patience. Seeing the annoying people hanging around in front of her, she felt disgusted and could no longer put on a smiling face. She might as well express her attitude publicly and give herself a relief.

She has a long future ahead of her, so why bother getting entangled with those annoying people?

She would rather pay a little money every month to rent the old lady's room and live alone.

Here, there are people everywhere around, so there is no need to worry about your safety. The old lady is a reasonable person, and we can count on her to tutor her grandchildren. She herself has prestige, and her only son is in the army, so there is no need to worry about being bullied by others.

After moving out, she felt that the mountains were greener, the water was clearer, and even the annoying sun was not so irritating anymore.

Ding Minxiu had been keeping an eye on her affairs. She had never shown up in front of Yu Xiangqing. She was now visibly pregnant and she didn't want to take the risk of her guessing it and then shouting it out.

But she asked someone to secretly inquire, and it was not as difficult as she imagined.

Because they were educated youth, anything new happening among them would spread easily.

Many people don’t know about Yu Xiangqing’s case, but many people know about Liang Yong’s case.

I know that there was an educated youth who was dating the only daughter of a commune cadre. The cadre also found him a temporary job and moved him to the commune. Although temporary workers could not transfer their household registration, they were already considered half city dwellers. If they got married, one could imagine what their future would be like.

He has reached a smooth path.

When other male educated youth knew about this, they were envious and jealous.

They don’t know that there is such a good thing. If they were in their shoes, they would be willing to do it too.

The better Liang Yong lives, the worse Yu Xiangqing lives. She must be in great pain now after being betrayed. This gives Ding Minxiu a secret pleasure. She is happy to see that she is not living well.

Whenever she thought of this, her depressed mood would be relieved a little. Here, after she took out the private money Zhou Boyang gave her, Hu Chunyu blatantly deducted her food, saying something like "Anyway, you have money in your hand. If you want to eat good food, then just buy it yourself. Don't be too squeamish. When I was pregnant, I survived by eating wild vegetables and tree bark from the mountains. Now you still have an egg from time to time. You can't be squeamish. It's not good for the child..."

If she wasn't afraid that she would say something bad in front of her daughter Fang Rong when she returned, she would have even taken the egg.

Ding Minxiu did not go to the countryside as an educated youth, so she did not have to work in the countryside, but she had to share some of the housework at home. For example, she could not bear not cleaning her own room, and she felt very tired.

Once again, she was extremely grateful. Although her affair with Brother Boyang was revealed in advance, which was beyond her expectations, the final result was still achieved.

She doesn't want to go to the countryside, she doesn't want to leave the city.

Absolutely not.

Now she is just staying here for a while and doesn't have to work in the fields. But she already knows how hard it is to go to the countryside. If she goes to the countryside, she feels that her life will be lost there.

She made the right choice.

She is now waiting to go back, until she is a little older.

When she goes back later, others who see her belly will only say that she got pregnant quickly and too early, and they will not suspect anything else.

She touched her belly and thought it must be a son. With a son, she would be able to ask for a job.

Only if she has a formal job will her future be more secure.

When she learned that Yu Xiangqing and Liang Yong had broken up, Ding Minxiu subconsciously thought that she was not living well, otherwise why would she move out of the Youth League Home?

Those who are in the know stick together.

She lived alone and no one stood up for her when she was bullied.

She laughed at that moment and wrote a letter back to Zhou Boyang, which also included one for Zhao Qiaoniang.

She told this story in a letter to Zhou Boyang and shared it with him.

In the letter to Zhao Qiaoniang, she asked her if she knew about Yu Xiangqing. If she didn't, it meant that Yu Xiangqing had not told his family.

She guessed that she didn't tell her family because she didn't want them to know, perhaps because she was afraid of being embarrassed.

It’s amazing that both sisters encountered such a thing, hahaha, it makes me happy just thinking about it.

When Zhou Boyang saw her letter, he was as happy as Ding Minxiu. He was happy to see that the Yu family was not doing well.

Although he had no hatred or grudge against Yu Xiangqing, she was also a member of the Yu family and her surname was also Yu. He did not want any member of the Yu family to have a good life.

I saw another letter to Zhao Qiaoniang and gave it to her.

After Zhao Qiaoniang knew about this, she became a little uneasy. They really didn't know that the letter sent back by Yu Xiangqing said that everything was fine. It didn't say at all that Liang Yong had climbed up the social ladder and that they had broken up.

She said nothing.

What should I do?

Should she tell Yu Qingshan?

Zhao Qiaoniang was conflicted. If she told him how she knew it, she would definitely involve Minxiu. Although he didn't ask them to break off contact, it was obvious that Yu Qingshan would not be happy to see her being too close to his daughter.

But if this matter was revealed later, and she knew about it but didn't tell them, he would definitely be even more angry.

Zhou Boyang also knew about this matter, and if the Zhou family let it slip, it would also spread.

After hesitating for two days, she finally said it.

It was said that Zhou Boyang brought a letter from Minxiu. Coincidentally, she and Yu Xiangqing lived not far from each other in the countryside, and heard the news that an educated youth named Liang Yong from Baishi County had hooked up with the only daughter of a commune cadre there, and now he was working as a temporary worker in the city.

Originally, Yu Qingshan and Yu Xiangan were happily counting the benefits of the Mid-Autumn Festival, but her words poured cold water on the joyful atmosphere at home.

Yu Qingshan clenched his fists and looked grim.

This brat! If it wasn't for him, his daughter would have gone to the countryside in a nearby place. It was for him that she went with him.

She was willing to suffer with him, but he didn't appreciate it at all!

Yu Qingshan thought about it and couldn't feel relieved. "I'll go to her place to take a look. Two days will be enough for the round trip."

He asked someone to take a day off and took two days to visit her. Yu Xiangan said, "Dad, I'll go with you. I can comfort her. You see, I've gotten over it, and my sister is fine too."

Yu Qingshan did not object at first.

Yu Xiangan continued to persuade him: "Dad, there are some things that you can't say, but I'm different."

This time, Yu Qingshan was not as opposed to her wanting to go to Yu Xiangyan's place. Perhaps it was because he wanted to go too, or perhaps it was because they had similar experiences and he could comfort her.

That’s settled.

It happened to be the Mid-Autumn Festival, so if they set off early, they could celebrate the festival together.

The two of them went back to the factory to coordinate and at the same time take stock of the Mid-Autumn Festival benefits distributed this year and decide which ones to take with them.

As expected, the holiday benefits of the food factory this year included the oil that she and Deputy Director Wang had exchanged for at the city's oil mill last time. Each person got half a pound of it, in addition to a pound of five-nut mooncakes and a box of fruit.

Yu Qingshan’s factory sent a box of fruit, two kilograms of rice, and four mooncakes.

Yu Xianghai's rank was not as high as his, so the benefits he received were cut in half.

Ye Qijiajia’s holiday benefits are also good. In addition to mooncakes, there is a piece of cloth and a pair of towels.

Yu Manchang was a temporary worker, but he also received holiday benefits, although they were much less than those for regular employees. He received a mooncake and half a pound of candy.

They packed some easy-to-carry items, sent a telegram to Yu Xiangqing on the other end, bought tickets, and boarded the train.

Yu Xiangqing has been working in the countryside for more than a year now.

She was eighteen years old when she first went to the countryside.

This was because Yu Qingshan didn't want them to go to the countryside, so he forced them to go to high school and stay for two more years.

If they could repeat a grade to avoid going to the countryside, he would let them take this path.

Yu Qingshan didn't want his children to be like him, with different characters. Later, he suffered a lot in order to learn to read.

He hoped that his children would at least graduate from elementary school, and if they were capable, they could go to college, which would be even better. However, they were not able to do so and had to go back to the countryside.

Except for the eldest son Yu Xianghai who graduated from junior high school early because he had to take over a class, all the other children finished high school.

After graduating from high school, I went to the countryside when I was older.

It wouldn't make him so worried.

Yu Xiangan is now eighteen years old, and Yu Xiangqing is one year older than her and is nineteen this year.

She is already an adult, but in Yu Qingshan's eyes, she is still a child, a betrayed child who needs the comfort of her family.

They boarded the train with bags of all sizes.

This is Yu Xiangan’s first train ride.

The original owner had never taken this kind of transportation in his life.

It was a green bus, not going very fast, and there were a lot of people on the bus.

They didn't buy seat tickets. On the one hand, they couldn't buy them, but on the other hand, there was no need to do so as they could arrive in four hours.

Yu Qingshan prepared two newspapers as cushions for sitting, but there was no room for them to sit down.

At most, I can sit on my luggage and take a rest.

You must watch your own packages carefully. If you are not careful and someone takes them away, you won’t be able to get them back.

Yu Xiangan heard accents from almost all corners of the world, and she couldn't understand many of them, but Yu Qingshan could, and could even say a few words.

By the way, tell her where this accent comes from and where that accent comes from.

Yu Xiangan was somewhat impressed.

"Dad, you know so much."

Yu Qingshan smiled implicitly and said, “When I was running errands for others before, you should have understood some of these.” If you don’t understand, how can you pass on the message?

They also had a train meal.

No ticket is required, just money is required to buy meat.

Each person can only buy one copy.

Yu Qingshan went to buy one and shared it with his daughter.

One portion was generous and more than enough.

Those four hours were tough.

It was okay at the beginning, it was new and fresh, but later, the newness wore off and all kinds of problems surfaced. The noise was okay, the crowding was tolerable, the important thing was the taste.

Yu Xiangan was protected by Yu Qingshan behind him, avoiding squeezing with other people, but the smell could not be isolated. It was hot now and it was easy to sweat. In addition, many people could not afford to use soap to clean themselves. With so many people squeezed into the carriage, you could imagine how bad it was.

Yu Xiangan: "..."

I was too naive.

Where did she get the confidence to take the train alone to find Yu Xiangyan?

It's not that I can bear it, but I guess I'll be tormented enough.

After finally arriving at the station, Yu Xiangan breathed in the fresh air outside and was deeply moved.

It is true that we only cherish things after we lose them.

She must prepare a mask for her return trip.

Yu Xiangqing was already waiting outside the station, holding a piece of cardboard with the word "Yu" written on it.

As soon as he got out of the station, Yu Xiangan saw it.

"Dad, look, that!"

Yu Qingshan looked over and saw his fourth daughter.

She was darker and a little taller than before she went to the countryside.

Yu Qingshan took a deep breath and called her, "Xiaoqing."

Yu Xiangqing looked over when she heard the voice, her eyes reddened, "Dad, I'm here." She trotted over and saw them carrying large and small bags. She took a bag from Yu Xiangan and wanted to take the one from Yu Qingshan, but Yu Qingshan refused, "I don't need your help, take it for your sister."

Yu Xiangan: "How long have you been waiting here?"

As I asked, I felt a little curious. They were two sisters and looked 30% alike. It felt a little strange as I watched them.

Yu Xiangqing smiled brightly when he saw his sister. "Not long, not late. I haven't seen you for a while. Xiao An, you have grown taller and become whiter. Look at me, how much darker I am now."

Yu Xiangan didn't know what to say for a moment. Seeing her reaction, Yu Xiangqing laughed, "What's with that expression? It's not your fault that I went to the countryside. If you want to stay dark after going to the countryside, you have to be naturally beautiful."

Looks very cheerful.

Yu Qingshan nodded and looked at the bright sun outside. "Is it far from here to your team?"

"It's not far. I borrowed a bullock cart from the team. It's just outside the station. It's very fast to go back by bullock cart."

"Can you drive a bullock cart?"

Yu Xiangqing was a little embarrassed. She tried her best but it didn't work. "No, I asked an elder brother from the Youth Academy for help."

"The other party may be getting impatient waiting. Let's go out quickly." Knowing that someone was waiting outside, Yu Qingshan frowned, "You don't need to borrow a car from others. You can carry these things."

Yu Xiangqing waved his hand. "Oh, it's nothing. You must be tired from the ride. Let's talk about it slowly when we get back."

When I went outside the station, I saw a young man standing next to a ox cart, waiting there.

Seeing them coming out, he smiled and said, "Hello, uncles."

Yu Xiangqing introduced, "This is my dad and my sister, and this is Zheng Ke, the eldest brother in our Youth Academy. He usually takes good care of us newcomers."

Yu Qingshan nodded, "Hello, thank you for taking care of my daughter."

"Uncle, you're welcome. I didn't do anything."

Yu Xiangqing called out, "Get in the car, don't stay out in the sun here."

Put all the packages on it and sit on it.

Yu Xiangqing was right. This place was indeed not far from her Niujiao Brigade. It only took an hour to get there by ox cart.

This is more than half the distance from the Red Star Brigade to the commune, and judging from the surrounding houses and the clothes and faces of passers-by, it can be judged that the living standard here is worse than theirs.

Neither Yu Qingshan nor Yu Xiangan said that it was not far. Yu Xiangqing felt guilty and explained, "It's really not far. The teams below are far. The farthest one takes half a day to walk."

After arriving at Niujiao Brigade, they went to the house where Yu Xiangqing rented a house.

On the way, Yu Xiangqing had already explained to them, "Grandma Chen is a very good person, but her son is in the army outside and can't take care of the family. Her daughter-in-law died of complications during childbirth. The family is full of old and young people. Although they don't have to worry about food and clothing, they lack help. She also hopes that I can teach her grandchildren to read and write. We each get what we need and get along very well."

She was a little nervous, afraid that her father would think she was too impulsive in moving out of the Youth League Home.

Of course, in reality, Yu Qingshan didn't think so. He carefully asked her about how she moved out and learned that it was because her roommate always liked to take advantage of her and there were no other empty beds in the Youth League House, so she had no choice but to move out.

“You did the right thing.”

Yu Xiangqing was very surprised, "Dad, really? Do you think I'm right?"

Yu Qingshan confirmed again, "Yes, you are right. If you are not comfortable living there, then don't live there. The person in charge of your Youth League Team didn't object, right?"

Zheng Ke nodded in agreement, "Yes, we all have eyes. It's fine if we can't get along and move out. This is not the first case. There are other educated youth who live with their fellow villagers."

Yu Qingshan breathed a sigh of relief when he learned that the family only had an old lady and two grandchildren under the age of ten. "What kind of families live around here?"

Yu Xiangqing answered obediently, and the way he answered every question made Zheng Ke laugh.

But I've never seen her so well-behaved. She looks like a primary school student being scolded by her teacher.

"There lives a big family on my left. There are more than a dozen people in the family. The grandsons have all married, but the family has not yet divided up. There are many strong laborers. About 100 meters to my right lives the second oldest old man in the village. It's actually not far from the Youth League Institute, about 800 meters away." Yu Xiangqing knew that her father was worried about her safety, so she told him about all the families living around her.

Well, after all, she still felt guilty for hiding it.

Yu Qingshan listened with an expressionless face. It seemed that the conditions were not bad. After all, the man's son was in the army. Soldiers had a high status at that time. Even if he was not there, with this reputation, others would subconsciously favor him. Moreover, soldiers had fixed allowances and there were not many people in their family, so their life would not be too bad.

Only then will I have enough energy to clean up the house better.

Looking at the house, Yu Qingshan nodded.

The people were delivered, Zheng Ke said, "Then I will go and return this ox cart."

Yu Qingshan, "I'm sorry to bother you today."

Yu Xiangqing: "Thank you, Comrade Zheng!"

Grandma Chen also knew in advance that Yu Xiangqing's family would come over. When she saw them carrying a lot of bags, she came over to greet them, "Hello, comrade." The two grandchildren also curiously poked their heads out and looked at the outsiders.

Yu Qingshan and Yu Xiangan both showed their friendliness and smiled proactively.

Yu Xiangan: "..."

The words here were a little difficult to understand, and she didn't actually understand them.

Yu Qingshan was able to understand what Grandma Chen said by guessing and even had a clumsy conversation with her.

Yu Xiangan: "..."

Dad, you’re awesome!

Yu Xiangqing had been paying attention to his sister. While his father and Grandma Chen were talking, he came over secretly and lowered his voice, "You don't understand, right? You won't be used to it at first, but you will roughly understand it after listening for a while."

This is fortunately because their hometown is not far from here and is in the same province. Compared to people from other places who are completely at a loss as to what to say, they are pretty good. Not everyone can speak Mandarin. In the village, only a minority of people can speak Mandarin.

They put the package they brought in Yu Xiangqing's room. Yu Qingshan immediately took out some food from it and gave it to thank Grandma Chen for taking care of his daughter.

Grandma Chen refused to accept him, but finally accepted him after some refusals. She then said that he could stay in her son's room, which was empty and had a bed, so he could live there directly.

This way he doesn't have to sleep on the floor.

This is a pleasant surprise.

After the thanks were expressed, the family sat down to talk properly.

Grandma Chen had already left tactfully, leaving the place to their family.

Yu Xiangqing poured them some water and said, "You must be thirsty. Drink some water."

Yu Qingshan drank it in one gulp, "Why are you here to pick me up? Where's Liang Yong?"

Speaking of Liang Yong, Yu Xiangqing's eyes dodged. She hadn't figured out how to tell her father and the others yet, but suddenly her father sent a telegram saying he was coming over. She was caught off guard.

"You still want to hide this from me?" Yu Qingshan's voice sank. "Why don't you tell me the truth? What is going on?"

Yu Xiangqing was stunned. "Dad, you know? How did you know?"