Chapter 74 Give and Take
"Secretary Zhao, what are these materials?"
Secretary Zhao heard her question. It was not a secret and he would soon hold a meeting to tell everyone in the commune. So he smiled and said:
"Oh, these are the household registration, food relations and other materials of the educated youth who will be newly sent to our commune in the next few days. This time, many of them are coming from Beijing! I don't know if these kids from the city can adapt to the hard life in our countryside."
The corners of Xia Juanjuan's mouth twitched. The person who came from Beijing was most likely Bai Lianhua who had set a trap for her in the hospital last time.
Secretary Zhao did not notice Xia Juanjuan's expression, he sighed and said:
"Alas! These ten or so educated youth are one thing, and there are four or five more who will be transferred from other communes to the 'cowshed' for education and reform. All of a sudden there are fifteen or sixteen more mouths to feed. I'm afraid our commune will have even less food next year! Apart from other things, just how to place them is a worry! I'm afraid none of the three villages want to accept them!"
Secretary Zhao complained to Xia Juanjuan unconsciously while looking at another pile of materials. He accidentally dropped several of them on the ground.
Xia Juanjuan helped pick up one, took a casual look at it, and saw the name on it was "Shen Wanxue". She couldn't help but be stunned.
Such a poetic name is out of tune with the style of this era.
Looking at his age, he is over 40, and it becomes clear that he is probably one of those people with some "flaws" in his background or other aspects.
He sighed inwardly but remained expressionless as he handed the materials to Secretary Zhao, saying, "Don't worry, Secretary. Things will work out. There are more mouths to feed, but there are also more hands to work, right? There will always be a solution."
Secretary Zhao glanced at Xia Juanjuan and said with a smile, "You are quite open-minded. But it is indeed true!"
Xia Juanjuan put down the candy, said a few more words, and left.
As I walked, I couldn't help muttering in my heart.
It is definitely not possible that Fu Qingye was randomly assigned to Qingshui Village, otherwise it would be too much of a coincidence.
Then her purpose of coming here was, of course, to have a fierce battle.
How shameless! Knowing that Lizhan is already married, yet he still rushes over to interfere?
However, she didn't care.
Just come.
If Fu Qingye really had the ability to defeat Li Zhan in front of her and undermine her, she would be willing to admit defeat and there would be nothing to say.
Of course, she naturally did not intend to let Bai Lianhua do evil. She would still give Bai Lianhua a slap in the face when she deserved it!
On the way back, I met Aunt Wu and her grandson who were going to the mountains to pick wild vegetables and mushrooms.
Aunt Wu had always been thinking of Xia Juanjuan because of the last time they divided the wild boar. If anyone in the village dared to gossip about Xia Juanjuan behind her back, Aunt Wu would definitely scold them back fiercely.
Xia Juanjuan also took a bag of candies and snacks and handed them to Aunt Wu, saying with a smile: "Aunt Wu, these are candies and snacks brought back from Beijing. They are not expensive but they are fresh. Give them to your eldest grandson to try."
When Aunt Wu saw this, she immediately tried to refuse: "This... this is not possible!"
Candies and snacks all cost money, let alone those brought back from Beijing? How could they not be worth the money?
Seeing this, Xia Juanjuan turned around and handed it directly to Aunt Wu's grandson, saying with a smile: "Hurry up and take it. Remember to share it with your brothers and sisters. Don't eat it alone!"
Aunt Wu’s grandson was only a child after all, so he immediately caught it and held it against his chest, looking as if he was not going to let go even if he was beaten to death.
Seeing this, Aunt Wu was so angry that she hit the child on the head and said, "Hey kid! You took it just because I told you to?"
He raised his head and looked at Xia Juanjuan a little embarrassedly: "Lizhan's wife, look at you, how can this be worthless..."
Xia Juanjuan smiled and said, "It's worthless! Aunt Wu, you protected me in front of everyone and prevented them from making up stories about me throwing dirty water at me. This is much more valuable than these little candies! I can't thank you enough!"
Aunt Wu blushed a little, but said proudly: "What's the big deal! It's because you are upright and honest, and there is no reason for people to find fault with you. That's why I dare to say it in front of everyone! It's just a few words, what's the value of it!"
As she spoke, she suddenly seemed to remember something, and grabbed a handful of mushrooms, fungus, and other things from the basket on her back, and gave them all to Xia Juanjuan, saying with a smile, "Here! These are all picked from the mountains this morning, you can go back and make a stew with them!"
Xia Juanjuan was stunned for a moment, then her heart felt warm. She accepted it without any hesitation.
It seems that most people of this era, except for people like Li Cuihua, Liu Lan, Wang Guixiang and Song Xiuyue, are still simple and honest farmers who adhere to the principle of give and take and repay kindness.
Aunt Wu is a bit of a talker, but she is still a very kind person.
After returning home, Xia Juanjuan called Li Wen over, handed him a bag of candies wrapped in oil paper, and asked him to secretly give them to Secretary Zhao's grandson and granddaughter. She also told him not to let others see it and not to let them tell anyone.
Li Wen was very sensible. He nodded and ran out.
Since she married into Qingshui Village, Secretary Zhao had helped her many times and spoken many fair words for her, but she had never expressed any opinion, mainly because she was afraid that people in the village would gossip that Secretary Zhao was biased towards her because he had accepted bribes.
If this happens, not only will her rightness become wrong, but Secretary Zhao may also be harmed!
However, this time, Secretary Zhao helped her chase the postman who delivered the telegram, and also confirmed Bai Zihan's identity for her when she was at a loss. He was a great help to her, so a little candy should not be too much.
Besides, even if people knew about it, she didn't show up. Her kid just gave it to Secretary Zhao's grandson and granddaughter because they played well together. No one could find fault with it!
After finishing this matter, Xia Juanjuan went to the supply and marketing cooperative in the town again. She first gave Director Zheng a bag of specialty candies to thank her for taking her to the county town last time.
Director Zheng naturally declined for a while, but finally accepted it.
Although she is the director of the supply and marketing cooperative, she has no channels to get the things bought in Beijing. Aren’t they rare items?
Then, Xia Juanjuan bought two bags of milk powder to thank Zhou Qiuhe.
She didn't want the ten yuan either. The milk powder is for her baby to drink, so he shouldn't refuse it.
Director Zheng took the money and gave her the milk powder, then smiled and said, "You came at the right time. I have something to ask you..."