Today, Su Qingmeng was assigned to plant cabbages. She and Aunt Cuihua were in a group. Aunt Cuihua dug the holes in front, while Su Qingmeng followed behind, planting the seeds. She placed two seeds in the holes as she walked, then filled them with soil with her feet. After two hours, they switched roles.
Aunt Cuihua worked very hard, and Su Qingmeng felt bad for falling behind. She didn't slack off today and worked diligently. They finished four work points in the morning, and the team leader praised her.
In the afternoon, Lin Xiuyao came to help from time to time and let her go to the side to rest. Now everyone knows that he is pursuing Su Qingmeng.
Su Qingmeng was teased by an aunt she knew. She felt a little embarrassed at first, but later she was able to listen without changing her expression.
Thanks to Lin Xiuyao's high profile, the men who had been courting her from time to time had all disappeared. Only Guo Wei would occasionally look at her with a feigned affectionate gaze, but she ignored him.
That day, Su Qingmeng was fetching water when a female comrade carrying a small bag came in through the door. She was of average appearance, but had a pitiful temperament.
Chang Hong sarcastically said to the visitor, "Hey, Yang Yuanyuan, is your mother-in-law bullying you again? Are you looking for someone to help you?"
"The educated youth camp is my mother's home. Is it not okay for me to just come back and stay for a few days?" Yang Yuanyuan said innocently.
"You go back to your parents' home quite often. Did you bring any gifts?" Chang Hong continued.
Yang Yuanyuan cried out of grievance after hearing this. Su Qingmeng was surprised. It was a small white flower.
Hu Aidang stepped forward and said, "Okay, Chang Hong, stop talking." Yang Ping also came over and pulled Chang Hong into the house.
"Thank you, Comrade Hu," Yang Yuanyuan said gratefully. Hu Aidang said, "You're welcome. Go to your own room," so as to avoid another quarrel.
After Su Qingmeng finished fetching water and returned, she found Yang Yuanyuan talking to Zhou Wenxi at the door of their house. Seeing her, she asked, "Is this Su Qingmeng, the educated youth? My name is Yang Yuanyuan."
Su Qingmeng nodded, not wanting to talk. Seeing this, Yang Yuanyuan said to Zhou Wenxi, "Then I'll go back."
Su Qingmeng asked Zhou Wenxi: "Why did she come here?" "To borrow firewood and ask about you." She was surprised: "Why is she asking about me?" Zhou Wenxi shook her head to indicate that she didn't know either.
Zhou Wenxi explained Yang Yuanyuan's story to her. She had snatched Chang Hong's boyfriend, a rare employed man in the village. Her mother-in-law was drawn to Chang Hong's spirited personality, and the two were about to get married.
Yang Yuanyuan hooked up with a man, but she was unhappy after marriage. She did not get along well with her mother-in-law and often came back to the educated youth site.
Su Qingmeng understood. No wonder Chang Hong had ridiculed her just now.
After that, Yang Yuanyuan would come over to talk to Su Qingmeng whenever she had time. Su Qingmeng was very annoyed. She was a private person and didn't like others staying in her bedroom. Moreover, with Yang Yuanyuan here, it was inconvenient for her to do anything else and it was a waste of time.
She quickly figured out Yang Yuanyuan's purpose. She came to get close to her, and even said that she could visit the village more often after marrying. Su Qingmeng herself was still unsure whether to agree to Lin Xiuyao.
When Yang Yuanyuan came over again, Su Qingmeng's patience ran out and she gave Yang Yuanyuan a cold face. Yang Yuanyuan said aggrievedly, "Su Zhiqing, don't you like me?" "Yes." Her face froze. She didn't expect Su Qingmeng to be so direct. She walked away hesitantly.
"Pfft," Zhou Wenxi praised, "You did a good job. I'm also annoyed by her." They complained about this guy's silly personality and they all disliked this kind of person.
Yang Yuanyuan went back to her husband's home the next day. It was said that her husband had returned. Her husband was a driver and went on a long trip every month. Yang Yuanyuan would go back to the educated youth site. She and her mother-in-law did not get along well.
That day, Su Qingmeng was planting vegetables in her private plot, with Lin Xiuyao helping. Half of her plot was planted with cabbage, which lasts a long time and is a good winter vegetable. The other half was planted with tomatoes and cucumbers, both of which can be eaten directly as fruit. Around the edges were some condiments: onions, cilantro, chili peppers, and so on.
Wang Aijun came over and shouted, "Su Zhiqing, there's a letter for you." When she arrived at the front yard, she found Gu Shuyao and Gao Xiaohuan there too. Both of them had packages, and hers was a letter.
Su Qingmeng took the letter and looked at it. It was a reply from the Jilin Provincial Daily and the Workers and Peasants Daily. She was about to go back to her room to open it when she saw Guo Wei approaching Gao Xiaohuan and trying to please her. "Comrade Gao, let me help you. We are all educated youth sent to the countryside, so we should help each other."
Gao Xiaohuan said shyly, "Thank you for your help, Comrade Guo." Guo Wei looked very upright, and Su Qingmeng couldn't bear to look at him. She took two quick steps to distance herself from them.
Lin Xiuyao saw Su Qingmeng coming back and asked, "Su Zhiqing, did your family send you a letter?"
Su Qingmeng shook her head. "No, it's a reply from the newspaper." She opened the envelope and found two articles that had been selected. One described the emotional journey of an educated youth from the south who came to the countryside in the north.
One article was about praising the great people of the motherland and their happy life. Inside the envelope were 10 jin of grain coupons and 2 chi of cloth coupons.
Su Qingmeng took out two receipts and waved them at Lin Xiuyao, saying happily, "Last time I went to the commune and sent a few articles, two of them were accepted."
Lin Xiuyao was also infected by her joy, "Su Zhiqing, you are amazing." In his heart, Su Qingmeng was a talented woman with a wealth of knowledge and elegance. The lady from an ancient family that he imagined was just like Su Qingmeng.
The next day, Su Zhiqing was working in the fields when the team leader came over. His usually serious face broke into a pleased smile.
"Su Zhiqing, your article was published in the newspaper, why didn't you tell me about it? You are an excellent comrade." It turned out that the team leader was praised when he went to the commune for a meeting today. Su Qingmeng submitted an article writing about the life in the Songjiang Brigade after going to the countryside, praising the enthusiastic villagers.
The commune secretary read about it in the newspaper and praised the team leader for his good work and leadership. The team leader took the opportunity to raise the issue of insufficient fertilizer, and the secretary readily agreed.
The team leader praised Su Qingmeng: "Su Zhiqing, the team will give you 50 work points. You must keep up the good work!" Su Qingmeng was happy and had an unexpected surprise.
A few minutes after the team leader left, the village loudspeaker blared, "Hey, hey, let me tell you something. Our village's educated youth, Comrade Su Qingmeng's article has been published in the newspaper. Let me read it to you: When I set foot on this black soil, my mood..."
Su Qingmeng was embarrassed, feeling as if she were being publicly executed. This was the first time she had heard the loudspeaker since arriving in the countryside, which showed how happy the captain was.
The aunties in the village were saying, "This Su Zhiqing is really amazing. She can even write articles." "Her family is well-off, but Yao is such a cunning kid. He acted so quickly."
One aunt regretted: "If I had known earlier, I would have let my second son pursue Su Zhiqing, and Yao boy got the chance." "Haha, your son is much worse than Yao boy, Su Zhiqing will definitely look down on him." Another aunt laughed at her.
Su Qingmeng has become famous in the village. People often greet her on the street, calling her "Little Su Zhiqing." Some even give her food. She feels the uniquely cheerful and welcoming nature of Northeastern people. Su Zhiqing has written another article about life in Northeast China, and whether it's a hit or miss is up to fate.
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