Because the brigade leader's house was one of the few brick and tile houses in the village, the three of them found it easily.
The gate wasn't closed. Standing outside the yard, Chen Shuning saw an auntie drying things in the yard, so he went up and knocked on the door.
"Auntie, is this the brigade leader's house?"
Wan Guixiang looked up and saw two unfamiliar girls and a very energetic young man. She realized they were the educated youth who had just arrived yesterday, so she warmly invited the three of them into the courtyard.
Thinking that her husband hadn't gotten up yet, she led the three of them to sit at the stone table in the courtyard, and then called into the house, "Old man, come out quickly, the new educated youth is looking for you."
The brigade leader got up early when he heard voices outside the yard. When he heard his wife calling him, he hurriedly put on his clothes and replied, "Coming, coming."
As Shen Baogen put on his clothes, he secretly groaned in his heart. He had just glanced at the clock and saw that it was only five o'clock.
Thinking that perhaps the two young educated youths regretted their decision after sleeping there all night, he wondered if he should run away from the backyard before the two girls entered the house. That way, once he got the permit from the commune, the two girls wouldn't have time to regret it.
But building a house is no small matter, and forty or fifty yuan is not a small amount. As a village cadre, no matter how difficult it is, he can't cheat a young girl. So, the brigade leader, who was standing at the door, was conflicted and didn't know what to do. His old face was wrinkled into the shape of a walnut.
Wan Guixiang, living in the courtyard, had no idea what her old man was thinking.
After shouting that, she didn't go to work, but sat on a stone stool to the side and smiled at the three of them.
He thought to himself, "These new female educated youths are really pretty. Look at these two girls, their faces are so fair and tender, it's like you could squeeze water out of them."
This young man is also very energetic. Look at his thick eyebrows and big eyes, he's tall and strong, he looks capable.
Wan Guixiang's eyes kept darting back and forth between the three of them. Even Zhong Lingling, who had seen a lot in life, was embarrassed by Wan Guixiang's gaze and lowered her head. Wang Wenqi, the only male present, was even more ashamed and blushed.
Chen Shuning, however, didn't seem to care at all. She reached out and took out what she had brought and placed it on the stone table, smiling as she said, "Auntie, this is my first time visiting your home, and I didn't know what to bring. This is some candy for the children to sweeten their mouths. Please don't find it offensive."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Lingling quickly followed suit and took out the things she had brought. However, she only took out milk candy and white sugar; she would have to wait and get the face cream later.
Wan Guixiang glanced at the things on the table and was overjoyed. Her youngest daughter-in-law was due to give birth next month, and she was worried about not being able to buy brown sugar. The newly arrived educated youth had brought it over, along with White Rabbit milk candy, which was a rare treat that they could hardly ever see.
So everything he said was said with a smile.
“Oh dear, you kids just came here and brought nothing? This candy is a precious thing, it’s so hard to buy. I went to the supply and marketing cooperative several times and still couldn’t find any.”
His father came home yesterday and said that two female educated youths wanted to build their own houses, and now it seems that these are the two in front of him.
They're clearly two sensible kids. I can't just accept this for nothing; I'll have to ask the old man to take good care of them from now on.
As soon as Shen Baogen arrived, he saw the things on the stone table and frowned in disapproval. "What are you doing? If you have something to say, say it. Take the things back. What kind of person do you take me for?"
The captain seems like an honest man, but after seeing the captain's wife's smiling face just now, if Chen Shuning were to obediently take the things back, she would really be a fool.
So he simply didn't respond to the brigade leader's comment, and said with a smile, "Look at what you're saying, Uncle Brigade Leader. Back in the commune, we heard that you were the most upright person. Under your leadership, our Qingshan Brigade was a well-known wealthy brigade."
As Chen Shuning spoke, he observed the captain's expression. Seeing that the old man's brows had relaxed after his words, he continued, "Uncle Captain, this isn't something you're giving away for free. We need your help with something!"
Looking at Chen Shuning's sincere face, and then turning to his wife who was winking at him, Shen Baogen remained silent for a moment before asking seriously, "What kind of help do you need? Let me make it clear, I'm just a team leader, I can't be of much help."
Hearing what the captain said, Chen Shuning felt more at ease. He turned to look at Zhong Lingling and Wang Wenqi, who had been silent all along, and couldn't help but think to himself, "So this couple is just here to be there as background characters? When it comes to the real thing, they're so useless."
In the end, we still have to rely on ourselves, so we didn't bother beating around the bush with the team leader and said directly, "This is a big deal for Lingling and me, but it's a small matter for you. Lingling and I are building a house, and as you know, team leader, we are two newcomers and don't know anything, so we would like to ask you to keep an eye on things for us."
Upon hearing that he wasn't regretting not building the house, Shen Baogen finally felt relieved, and the smile on his face instantly relaxed.
He had originally planned that if the two girls really regretted it, he would have his sons clean up the warehouse at the educated youth settlement and build a kang (heated brick bed) so that a few people could sleep there.
As long as it's not a matter of backing out and not building the house, anything is fine. So without thinking, Shen Baogen patted his chest and agreed: "Girl, don't worry about this little thing. Your uncle was a bricklayer when he was young. When the time comes, I will personally lead people to build your house. I guarantee it will be sturdy and warm."
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