The captain glared at him, annoyed: "You think you're the only one with eyes? Siya clearly showed it!"
Xu Sanxiong chuckled: "Dad, aren't you curious about why? I heard that Aunt Xie looked like she'd seen a ghost when she came out of Siya's house that day! She didn't hear anyone talking to her and stumbled home! I wonder what happened! I think Siya is usually very nice, except when she cuts ties with her family. Could it be that Uncle Changfeng from Aunt Xie's family came back and offended her?"
The captain took a drag on his cigarette: "Shut your mouth! Do you need to worry about this? When we get to your Uncle Changfeng's house, you're not allowed to say a word, understand?"
He didn't say the rest. He couldn't afford to offend either Xu Ningyan or Xu Changfeng!
So, if Xu Ningyan doesn't say anything, he won't ask. It's better to play dumb sometimes!
Xu Sanxiong has one good point: he is obedient. When the brigade leader speaks, even though he doesn't understand, he obediently agrees.
When they arrived at Aunt Xie's house, they saw the two of them carrying baskets full of food. Aunt Xie and Xu Changfeng were a little confused about what was going on.
After hearing what the brigade leader said, he emptied everything from his basket into their yard and was about to leave.
Aunt Xie just stared blankly at the pile of vegetables and fruits.
Xu Changfeng offered the captain a cigarette, and then asked as he saw him out, "Did Siya say anything else?"
The brigade leader lit the cigarette Xu Changfeng offered, took a deep drag, and then said, "I didn't say anything! You're asking about Siya taking back her private plot, right? Well, this is a decision we made after discussing it with our brigade headquarters and consulting with Siya. She works in the city, and it's a waste to just grow some melons and vegetables on this private plot! Besides, so many older people have suddenly been sent down to the countryside from our brigade, and these dozen or so people need to eat as soon as they open their mouths."
"Our brigade doesn't have that much extra grain for them. We might as well let them figure it out themselves. We'll temporarily lend Siya's plot of land to those people in the cowshed to grow some sweet potatoes or potatoes. That way, they can fill their stomachs and not starve, and it'll also get them to work harder and actively reform. In our Tuanjie Brigade, no one eats for free!"
"It's fortunate that Siya is a good girl and supports our work. She agreed as soon as she heard it! She's going back to work in a few days, so we have to get things done before she goes back to work. What, are you afraid of what Siya will say?"
In return, they asked the same question.
Xu Changfeng paused for a moment, then immediately came to his senses: "No, no, I was just asking casually."
He forced a smile as he saw the captain and Xu Sanxiong off.
After Xu Ningyan had finished dealing with most of the matters, she began to pack her things.
She stored the perishable vegetables and fruits she harvested from her private plot in her spatial storage, while the more durable ones were kept outside. She planned to take them to the county unnoticed and give them as gifts.
That evening, Chen Fangfang came over again and saw Xu Ningyan packing fruits into his basket.
While helping, he asked Xu Ningyan, "I heard that your private plot was taken back and the brigade headquarters gave it to those people who were sent down to the cowshed to cultivate?"
Xu Ningyan nodded, then set aside some of the vegetables and fruits she had on hand for Chen Fangfang to take back: "I can't finish them all, and I can't take that much with me. You take some home with you."
Chen Fangfang accepted it without ceremony, but couldn't help muttering a few words about how the brigade leader and his ilk only picked on the weak. It was only because Xu Ningyan was easy to talk to that they would lend out their land without giving some benefits.
After saying that, knowing that Xu Ningyan was going back to the county town, he couldn't help but bring up the hair tie business again.
Xu Ningyan thought for a moment and asked Chen Fangfang, "How long do you plan to continue this hair tie business? What are your plans for the future?"
One sentence left Chen Fangfang speechless.
After a long pause, he finally spoke in a low voice: "Who knows what will happen in the future? Now that I have this hair tie business, I can earn some income, I'm spared from working in the fields, my mother-in-law gives me a good look, and I can hold my head high in the Xu family. Of course, I will do this business for the long term."
After saying that, he couldn't help but ask, "But what changes have occurred in the situation outside? Is it no longer allowed to do business in the name of the brigade?"
His expression changed when he asked that question.
Xu Ningyan quickly replied, "No, no, I just wanted to ask, if one day you were able to go back to the city, what would you do?"
A knowing glint flashed in Chen Fangfang's eyes. She mistakenly thought that Xu Ningyan had asked the question because she was thinking of Gu Zhiyuan.
After thinking for a moment, he smiled bitterly and said, "If I could go back to the city, who wouldn't want to? But can I still go back?"
His eyes were filled with confusion.
Xu Ningyan dared not say more, after all, it was only 1974, and there were still three years until the resumption of the college entrance examination in 1977.
So he patted Chen Fangfang on the shoulder: "Since we can't go back to the city for the time being, let's focus on doing business! Besides hair ties, we can think of some other new ideas, like hair clips, hair ties, and the like—"
When Chen Fangfang mentioned her hair tie business, her eyes lit up, and she pulled Xu Ningyan aside to ask her in detail.
Finally, I asked about a few styles of hair ties, thought about it for a moment, and decided that I could give them a try. Then, I left with the vegetables and fruits, completely satisfied.
She only remembered after walking quite a distance that she originally wanted to ask Xu Ningyan if she had a conflict with Aunt Xie's family, but since Xu Ningyan deliberately changed the subject, she decided not to interfere.
After packing his things, Xu Ningyan set off early the next morning with his basket on his back. He greeted the brigade leader and the party secretary before heading to the commune.
Halfway there, someone caught up from behind and reached out to take Xu Ningyan's basket: "Let me carry it for you! I'm going to the county town too."
She had only reached halfway when she cried out in surprise and jumped away.
Beside them, a lackey emerged from some bushes, his mouth wide open, revealing sharp teeth, and he stared warily at the newcomer.
Xu Ningyan turned around and saw Xu Changfeng in a defensive stance, staring intently at the lackey.
Seeing Xu Ningyan turn around, she quickly said, "Siya, it's me, I meant no harm!"
Xu Ningyan patted the lackey's head without saying a word.
The lackey whimpered softly, leaning against Xu Ningyan's leg and watching Xu Changfeng warily.
Xu Changfeng said sadly, "Siya, I'm sorry, I've let you down. I just wanted to do something to help you, so I could feel better. I really didn't mean any harm, I just wanted to make it up to you! You don't need to be so wary of me—"
Xu Ningyan chuckled coldly: "Since you've wronged me, why should I make you feel better? Seeing you makes me feel bad too! Why don't you go away and stay away from me, so I can feel better?"
"When I was three years old, I wasn't on guard against you, and I ended up being abandoned and dumped by Shen Yue'e! Don't you find it ridiculous that you're telling me this now?"
Xu Changfeng was speechless.
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