Chapter 46 Visiting the Captain's House
She met the probing gazes with composure, her voice clear and firm: "My brother's situation is special."
She gently patted An'an's thin shoulder. "We can't keep troubling others to take care of us. Having his own little house is good for him and will save him from causing trouble for the other educated youth. Don't you think that makes sense?"
She held high the banners of "troublesome educated youth" and "good to her younger brother," leaving everyone speechless.
The crowd looked at the sixteen-year-old girl with a "burden" younger brother, their expressions complex.
I genuinely don't understand, but that fiery temper and the "responsibility" she shows for her younger brother make it hard to say anything harsh.
His gaze fell on the net bag she was carrying, stuffed full, and he thought to himself: It seems she really has some savings; she won't starve for now.
Just then, Xu Zhili deftly placed the net on the oxcart and swiftly opened her faded green handbag.
Amidst the puzzled looks of the crowd, she pulled out a handful of brightly colored fruit candies—the very ones she had just bought from the supply and marketing cooperative.
Under the sunlight, the candy wrapper reflected an alluring luster, instantly attracting everyone's attention, and even the air seemed to sweeten a bit.
"Aunties and grandmas, Uncle Niu."
Xu Zhili's face once again broke into that deceptively sweet smile, her voice as sweet as honey, "We're new here, and my brother and I are still young and don't know any better. Here's some candy to sweeten our mouths,"
As she spoke, she stepped forward without waiting for a reply and precisely placed two candies into the rough hands of the nearest elderly woman, with an affection that left no room for refusal. "From now on, we will have to trouble you elders to take good care of my brother and me."
"Oh dear, Xu Zhiqing, this... this is too much!"
The old woman instinctively wanted to refuse, but her eyes were glued to the pretty candy wrapper, unable to look away. "Your little brother is still young, save it for him!"
"It's alright!"
Xu Zhili grabbed the old lady's hand, which she was trying to pull away, her smile still bright. "I've already saved enough for An'an! Please don't be so polite with me."
She spoke quickly and her movements were extremely swift. She quickly stuffed two candies into the hands of every elderly woman and even the cart driver, including the woman who had just questioned the size of her pot.
Lu Yanchen and Bai Linlin exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of surprise and understanding in each other's eyes.
Lu Yanchen reacted quickly and immediately took out some candy from his bag, smiling gently: "Yes, everyone, please don't be shy, it's just a small token of my appreciation."
Bai Linlin quickly followed.
In an instant, everyone had six precious candies in their hands, and the air was filled with a sweet fragrance and a subtle sense of helplessness, as if hit by a "sugar-coated bullet".
Some people immediately peeled one open and popped it into their mouths, squinting their eyes in satisfaction.
Some people, however, would carefully wrap the item in a handkerchief and place it gently in the innermost pocket, as if it were a precious treasure. Without a doubt, they were thinking of their children at home.
Xu Zhili glanced casually over the woman and noticed that she was so focused on her family that she hadn't even thought about giving her a bite. She didn't say anything more about it.
After all, once the candy is in the aunt's hands, whether she enjoys it herself or saves it for her family is entirely her prerogative.
An'an quickly peeled open a candy, stuffed it into her mouth, puffed out her cheeks, and smiled with her eyes crinkling.
"It's so sweet!"
"Oh, yes, it's so sweet..."
Those who had eaten the candy joined in.
Xu Zhili then looked away with satisfaction, a faint smile flickering deep in her eyes.
She knew all too well the value of candy in those days, and she knew all too well how to use this cheap sweetness to win people's hearts and silence dissent.
These candies are not only a gesture of goodwill, but also a declaration: I, Xu Zhili, have arrived with my younger brother. Stand firm, and don't try to manipulate us easily.
After lunch, the sun was beginning to set.
Xu Zhili carefully examined the "stepping stones" she was carrying: two glass jars of tempting golden peaches, a small packet of fruit candy carefully wrapped in white paper, two boxes of "Daqianmen" cigarettes with exquisite patterns, and a bottle of "Xifeng" liquor with a red label.
This generous gift, in the materially impoverished countryside, is enough to open the door to the vast majority of grassroots cadres.
She weighed the situation for a moment, a calm, almost cold smile curving her lips. She knew she couldn't exhaust her debts of gratitude on the first day; she had to use them wisely.
The village party secretary's side is being kept as a backup plan.
Now, the goal is clear—take down Captain Xie Jianguo!
"An'an, stay close to your sister."
She took her younger brother's hand; his small palm was cold and quiet.
The shadows of the brother and sister stretched long on the dirt road; one was slender yet walked with firm steps, while the other was small and silent like a shadow.
"Captain, are you home?"
Xu Zhili's voice rang out outside the Xie family's courtyard gate, clear, polite, and with just the right amount of distance.
"Who is it?" A middle-aged woman wearing an old dark blue apron and with flour still on her hands peeked out from the kitchen.
Her gaze lingered on Xu Zhili's face for a second, then, as if drawn by a magnet, it fixed firmly on the heavy net bag Xu Zhili was carrying. The bright yellow cans, the brand-new cigarette packs, and the red-labeled liquor bottles practically shimmered in the sunlight.
The doubt on Wang Xiuying's face was instantly replaced by a warm smile that mixed surprise, joy, and understanding.
"Oh, it's Xu, the educated youth. Come in, come in quickly."
She quickly wiped her hands on her apron and greeted him warmly, raising her voice a few decibels, "Honey! Xu Zhiqing is here to see you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xie Jianguo, the sturdy and serious-looking brigade leader, strolled out of the main room with his hands behind his back.
His gaze swept over Xu Zhili and her brother like a hawk's, finally landing precisely on the "generous gift" in the net bag. His pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, but his face remained expressionless.
Xu Zhiqing's net bag is really a good thing; he must be really rich.
"Xu, the educated youth? Sit down." Xie Jianguo pointed to the stone bench in the courtyard, his voice steady. "Is it about building a house?"
To get straight to the point, it's the old fox's intuition.
Wang Xiuying quickly brought over two glasses of water, a rare treat with added sugar, and handed them to Xu Zhili and An'an, saying, "Xu Zhiqing, have a sip of water to soothe your nerves."
"Thank you, Auntie!" Xu Zhili quickly stood up, took the cup with both hands, and showed a grateful smile of surprise on her face, but her eyes were clear.
Xu Zhili held An'an's little hand and fed An'an water.
"Xu Zhiqing, you should have some too."
She sat down as instructed, but instead of drinking water, she gently placed the net bag filled with "sincerity" in a conspicuous position in front of Xie Jianguo.
Xu Zhili sat on a small stool, her back straight, carefully holding the enamel mug with the double happiness symbol printed on it.
The sweetness of the syrup melted on her tongue, and a trace of warmth slowly seeped into her tense heart.
She looked up and saw the concerned gazes of the brigade leader and his wife. Her heart was filled with this sudden kindness, and her eyes couldn't help but redden slightly.
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