Chapter 88 A New Look She just loved seeing people hate her so much they wanted to grind their teeth…
Yang Tongjie jumped off the oxcart first, followed by Han Yanqun. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he turned around, and Yu Jing jumped off the cart with his help.
Yu Jing stopped, looked at Zhong Ying, and then at Li Ming. "A year ago, you took the three of us to the Tonggan Production Team. Now, a year later, you are the ones sending us away again."
It feels like just yesterday.
Looking back on her year of labor re-education in the countryside, Yu Jing realized that she had indeed gained many valuable things.
She contributed to the improvement of agricultural tools, planted grain and reclaimed wasteland, led the construction of her first water conservancy project, participated in the vigorous "Three Summers" harvest and planting season, and personally experienced a grain harvest...
Of course, besides these experiences, the most precious thing is the people I met and got to know on this trip.
Yu Jing silently tightened her grip on the young man's hand beside her, then looked up at Zhong Ying, saying with deep reluctance, "I won't forget to write to you after I return to the capital. Don't lose touch with me."
Zhong Ying nodded emphatically.
"Thank you for taking care of me this year." Han Yanqun, standing next to Yu Jing, spoke little, but his sincerity was undiminished.
Yang Tongjie was much more outgoing. "Yes, yes, Captain Li and Captain Zhong, we really owe you a lot for taking care of us this year."
Looking back now, Yang Tongjie feels the same way. He originally came to Tonggan Production Team with the idea of seeking refuge with Li Linshi, but he never expected that he would be taken care of by Li Linshi's father and his wife, which saved him from the hardships that other educated youth in the production team had to endure.
Li Ming waved his hand, "It was nothing, and besides, don't call me captain anymore."
Since stepping down from his duties, Li Ming had to admit that he felt much lighter. Spending his days enjoying his grandchildren had made him more accepting of life. With Li Rongshi and Li Rou's son and daughter by his side, and his grandchildren surrounding him, the blow from his eldest son's betrayal was gradually healed by the peaceful and tranquil life.
Before boarding the long-distance bus, Yu Jing, after having her ticket checked, stuffed the boxy thing she had been carrying the whole way into Zhong Ying's hand, saying, "This is for you."
Zhong Ying saw that it was a radio and immediately tried to return it, saying, "I can't accept it!"
At that time, radios were a luxury item; you needed money and industrial coupons to buy one.
But Yu Jing had already run into the car and sat down. She stuck her head out of the car window and said, "You can make better use of it than I can. The people in the production team need it more than I do."
Zhong Ying had no choice but to stand outside the car and say, "Then I'll send you the equivalent amount of grain coupons along with the letter."
“Compared to food coupons,” Yu Jing smiled, her eyes crinkling, “I would much rather receive good news from you along with the letter, such as that you have finally come to your senses and are going to find your own happiness.”
The former admirer, even before leaving, couldn't resist trying to undermine her. Zhong Ying glanced at the ghost's expression beside her and quickly said, "I'm very happy now! I wish you happiness in the future too!"
A little bit of jealousy can be a flavorful seasoning for a relationship, but too much will turn into a raging inferno. Who knows how much she sacrificed to appease the ghost? She almost dehydrated and turned into a dried-up human.
——
The trees on Yingshan Mountain transform from lush green in summer to a golden expanse in autumn, and then to a frosty white in winter.
Zhong Ying was wrapped in a padded jacket. Her long hair, which used to be tied up, had been replaced with a neat and stylish short bob. At the moment, it was covered by a green cotton hat that was covering her ears, making her face, which had lost its baby fat, even more striking.
"The hydroelectric power station on our production team's site is a water diversion type hydroelectric power station, which uses the natural energy of the river water to convert into electricity..." Zhong Ying exhaled puffs of white mist as she spoke. She led the way, followed by several other production team leaders who had come to visit and learn.
In the past six months, the commune has been vigorously promoting the successful construction of the Tonggan production team's hydropower station. Zhong Ying, as the team leader, has naturally been mentioned many times. She has received a steady stream of visiting groups, not only from production teams under Liuzhang Commune, but also from production teams in neighboring communes.
Zhong Ying was happy to see this happen. Starting with the Tonggan production team, power lines and electric lights were successively installed in Liwangou, Shenjiagou, and Panpokou. Although selling electricity was not a side business that could make people rich, it was like a trickle of water, continuously accumulating funds.
In addition to the previously reclaimed land, nearly twenty acres of land were planted with grain. Every bit of hard work brings a reward, and this year the team had a bumper harvest. The total grain output increased by 30%. Not only did they meet the grain delivery target, but they also had a considerable surplus grain, which earned them some extra income.
With the two funds pooled together, the loan from the commune credit union was paid off by the end of the year. Zhong Ying plans to save money again next year so that she can arrange to buy agricultural machinery such as electric flour mills and threshers.
Zhong Ying continued to lead the group on a tour of the hydroelectric power station. "This is a water turbine unit. If you want something economical and don't have a high demand for electricity, you can consider a wooden water turbine. Just make sure to strictly follow the blueprints when making the driving wheel. This is an experience we learned from our previous failures."
Zhong Ying then introduced the person to the people who came forward to observe, saying, "This is Station Chief Liu, who is now in charge of supervising and maintaining the hydropower station."
Liu Laicai worked with the other educated youth to build a wooden water turbine, demonstrating his conscientiousness and meticulousness. So after Yu Jing and the others left, Zhong Ying simply let him take over the management of the hydroelectric power station.
Visitors were amazed. Since arriving at the Tonggan production team, they felt a sense of youthfulness. From the team leader to the scorekeeper and storekeeper, everyone was young, giving the entire production team a vibrant and energetic spirit.
Liu Laicai felt a little embarrassed in front of so many people, but he still mustered up his courage to add, "The wood used for the motor wheels of the wooden waterwheel should also be of better quality, preferably locust wood, elm wood, or pine, while other parts can use slightly lower quality wood."
Zhong Ying then led everyone on a tour of the generator sets inside the factory. She had followed the entire construction of the hydroelectric power station and is now considered a semi-expert, but she wasn't the only one learning during this process.
"Small generators operate at higher speeds, while water turbines operate at lower speeds, necessitating the use of indirect transmission."
Zhong Ying hesitated for a moment.
"A horizontal shaft generator with a lower cost can be selected, but a transmission device needs to be installed, and belt drive is often used."
Zhong Ying readily repeated what "Secretary Li" had said. She was half an expert, and Li Linshi was half an expert as well. Together, they made up a whole.
After the visit, people thanked Zhong Ying and rode away on their bicycles, with Captain Nie of the Yuqianwa production team lagging behind last.
"Captain Zhong, could you come and help out at our production team?" Captain Nie finally spoke up. "Could we see if our local terrain is suitable for building a small hydroelectric power station?"
Zhong Ying nodded without hesitation, "Sure."
Then Zhong Ying went to the Yuqianwa production team.
Captain Nie, as if showing off his own child, led Zhong Ying on a tour of their production team. "Our team is also next to a mountain, Elm Mountain. The mountain is full of elm trees. Have you ever eaten elm seeds? You can steam elm seed rice or make elm seed cornmeal pancakes. You are welcome to come to our production team again in the spring. I will have my husband make them for you!"
"Every year on the 'eighth' day of the month, a large market is held in the open space in front of Elm Seed Hill, and this period before the Lunar New Year is the most lively."
"This depression in front of us is called Yuqian Depression. The water from your Ganlin River eventually flows into here. Our production team earns some income by raising fish in this depression as a sideline..."
Zhong Ying approached the lakeside, her figure reflected on the water. The fish in the lake were frightened by the huge human-shaped reflection and swam away in all directions, leaving only a golden carp that remained, seemingly observing the person on the shore with curiosity.
Li Linshi could roughly guess what Zhong Ying was thinking just by looking at her staring intently at the carp.
“We can’t have it, we can’t take it away, it can’t be raised in the river.” Li Linshi refused three times in a row. This was the guardian of Yuqianwa. He couldn’t just take Yu Ling back to the Tonggan Production Team because Zhong Ying wanted it.
Zhong Ying could only pout and give up, taking one last reluctant look before forcing herself to look away.
She didn't know it was a fish spirit, but she thought to herself: "A golden carp! It looks like it brings good fortune. The Yuqianwa production team must be making a lot of money by running markets and doing side businesses."
Zhong Ying brought her mind back to the main business and said to Captain Nie, "You can't build a hydroelectric power station here. First, the river is already very calm when it flows here, so there isn't enough water power. Second, you've already developed fish farming using the lake's water resources, so building a hydroelectric power station would only affect your sideline business."
Captain Nie was immediately disappointed upon hearing this, but also somewhat suspicious. Could it be that Captain Zhong was saying this on purpose? If their production team didn't build a hydroelectric power station, they would have to buy electricity.
Zhong Ying read his thoughts from the changing expressions on Captain Nie's face. She said calmly and frankly, "Don't think I have any selfish motives. A portion of the electricity generated by our team's hydroelectric power station is sold to the commune's power supply bureau. This electricity, along with the electricity generated by their diesel generators, is combined together. Who this electricity is sold to and how it is sold is none of our Tonggan Production Team's business."
Captain Nie chuckled awkwardly, "Yes, that makes sense. I'll wait and go ask Director Ding. It's really unacceptable to be without electricity. I've seen that the production teams before and after us have all been connected to electricity, and I'm getting anxious..."
The leadership structure of the commune has also changed. Last month, the original commune director, Ji Zhenman, finally got his wish and went to work in the county party committee. Although he was only transferred to the propaganda department, it was still a promotion. And the deputy director of the commune, Ding, has finally dropped the "deputy" title and is now the top leader, Director Ding.
Captain Nie extended a warm invitation, "It's past lunchtime, come to my house for lunch. Although we can't get elm seeds at this time of year, I can still prepare some good dishes..."
Zhong Ying declined, "No need, hey, eldest cousin?"
When Li Gang looked up and saw that it was Zhong Ying, he was immediately choked by her calling him "elder cousin" and turned pale. He wished he could pretend he didn't know her and turn around and leave.
Zhong Ying wouldn't let him off the hook, and used this opportunity to decline Captain Nie's invitation, saying, "I'll just go to my older cousin's house for dinner. It's been a long time since we've seen each other, so we can catch up."
Li Gangshi was like someone who had swallowed an earthworm from a field; what old times could he possibly reminisce with Zhong Ying about!
But the other villagers were all looking at him curiously, so he could only give a stiff smile. "Yes, sister-in-law, you're all here now. Come on over and have a meal at home. Your sister-in-law misses you a lot."
Zhong Ying seemed to have suddenly lost her sharp wit and became unable to read people's expressions. She was quite happy, though, "I miss my sister-in-law too."
She enjoys seeing people hate her so much they're itching to get rid of her, but they can't do anything about it and feel frustrated.
Li Linshi watched Zhong Ying walk forward with Li Gangshi, her arrogant and domineering cuteness making him want to laugh. However, when his gaze fell on Li Gangshi, who was leading the way with his head down, most of the smile in his eyes disappeared.
Zhong Ying's address was correct. Since Li Gang had gotten what he wanted and was now the son of his third uncle, this person was no longer his eldest brother, but his eldest cousin.
Compared to Li Gang's reluctance, Tian Mei genuinely welcomed Zhong Ying.
"Yingnier!" Tian Mei's eyes lit up with surprise when she saw Zhong Ying enter the room. She was even more astonished when she saw Zhong Ying take off her hat. "You got a haircut?"
Zhong Ying nodded, "Short hair looks neat, and it's also convenient to wash."
Tian Mei nodded repeatedly, "Yes, this looks more capable and suits your current role as captain. Have you eaten? What would you like to eat? I'll make it for you!"
"I just miss my sister-in-law's cooking..."
The two were chatting enthusiastically when Li Gang, in a fit of impotence and rage, could only say, "I'm going to find out where Guangzong has gone," before heading out again.
Li Gangshi really didn't want to see Zhong Ying. Seeing her reminded him of how short-sighted and foolish he had been in his previous mess. But what's done is done, and he couldn't just move back to the Tonggan Production Team. If the team leader was still his father, he could still plead with him. But now the team leader had changed to Zhong Ying, and he was certain that even if he swallowed his pride, Zhong Ying would only watch the show without issuing a certificate of acceptance.
Besides, Li Gang still had his pride, and he didn't want to go back in such a humiliating way.
Zhong Ying was happy that her sister-in-law didn't seem as timid as before, perhaps because living near her parents' home gave her more confidence and support; she was also happy to see that Li Gang's life was just so-so; the satisfaction in her stomach after eating also made her happy.
In short, Zhong Ying happily rode her bicycle away from the Yuqianwa production team.
As soon as Zhong Ying got back to the Tonggan production team, she got off her bicycle and pushed it inside. Her brother, Zhong Xin, quickly came to greet her.
"Sister," Zhong Xin said, her breathing uneven and her voice filled with excitement, "People from the team have arrived! It's the inspection team from the commune that's selecting the Red Flag Team!"
When Zhong Ying first looked at Li Lin, their thoughts were in sync as their eyes met: They've finally arrived!
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Author's Note: I felt like a mouse after revising the last chapter...
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