Chapter 53 Ji Xuening Feels Guilty for Not Being Able to Raise Her
Wang Yuqing did not go directly back to the brigade, but went to the commune's supply and marketing cooperative, where she bought one yuan's worth of kraft paper, as well as peppercorns, cinnamon, star anise, and bay leaves.
People in this era rarely ate these spices, and the area where Wang Yuqing lived was even less known for its spices. People had little exposure to them, so almost no one had them in their kitchens. In addition, everyone cooked very simply, and adding a little oil to their dishes was already considered good, let alone using these spices to cook meat dishes.
Because few people buy it, the price is very cheap. Each item is a big bag and it only cost one dollar and ninety-four cents in total. No seasoning coupons are needed.
She still had two yuan in her hand. She originally wanted to buy yellow wine or white wine, but she needed wine coupons, which made her feel a little regretful, because adding wine could not only remove the fishy smell, but also make the snails taste more fragrant and delicious.
Ji Xuening followed behind her, carrying the things, and didn't ask her any questions. However, the two sales clerks from the supply and marketing cooperative, a man and a woman, talked about it after she left.
The male sales clerk said, "She's really a pampered person. She even buys so many spices just for a meal. If you didn't know better, you'd think she was from the city and that her family was very well-off."
The saleswoman, cracking sunflower seeds, said, "You don't know her? She's Wang Yuqing, the tough guy who beat up the Cao family men and cursed the Cao family mother-in-law and daughter-in-law... I also heard that she just fishes and eats whenever she comes to the Ji family. She's a glutton too. The men's family is already poor, and if she keeps eating like this, they'll be so poor they'll have to beg for food with a basin."
Not only did they gossip about it, but along the way, people who watched them drive away would say, "That woman really knows how to eat; poor man."
When they reached the main group, Ji Xuening stopped his bicycle again and said to Wang Yuqing, "I have some good news to tell you."
Wang Yuqing, however, was somewhat expectant, her eyes wide open: "What good news?"
As it turned out, they simply told her that the Party Secretary knew her situation and agreed to let her register her name, and that she could start working with the collective to earn work points from tomorrow.
Wang Yuqing gave a forced smile: "Thank you so much."
Ji Xuening said in a serious tone, "This is what I should do."
Just as Wang Yuqing followed Ji Xuening listlessly to the door of the secretary's office, the secretary and He Guangliang walked out of the office together.
The Party Secretary, carrying a pipe, stood ramrod straight despite being over sixty. He looked somewhat embarrassed and guilty, saying, "Little Wang, you're not really part of the brigade. Officially, we can't let you work with the collective to earn work points. Personally, it's possible. Since you've come to our brigade, we're all one big family, but..."
He pointed to He Guangliang next to him: "Our director said that you have had a serious impact on the brigade these past few days. In addition, you were reported for having illicit relationships with women and were taken back for investigation by higher-ups. They said that you have an improper conduct. Our brigade doesn't want members with improper conduct."
He Guangliang felt that the old man was doing it on purpose! He told Wang Yuqing what the old man had said to him earlier.
Wang Yuqing wasn't angry at all. She didn't want to go to work in the first place. Instead, she smiled and said to He Guangliang, "Secretary, you're right. It's all thanks to your good daughter who reported me."
If it weren't for her skillful reporting, He Guangliang would have had no reason not to let her work, forcing her to work herself to the bone and earn just a pittance of food.
He Guangliang didn't quite understand and said seriously, "Comrade Wang Yuqing, I'm handling this officially. This has nothing to do with Comrade He Ruhua."
Ji Xuening was furious. He stared coldly at He Guangliang: "Director, we have returned from the commune's investigation. The head of the security department said that we did not have any improper relationships with women. At most, it was a matter of conduct, but it was understandable. We were not punished or criticized. Therefore, I think Comrade Wang Yuqing can go to work with the collective. Director, you have been preventing it. Isn't it really because of your own selfish motives?"
He Guangliang was embarrassed by what he was said, which was one of the reasons why he disliked Ji Xuening. Ji Xuening was rigid and inflexible, and couldn't understand human relationships, unlike Liu Huo, the youngest son of the Liu family, who would always offer him a cigarette and always go along with him.
They are all around the same age and have served in the military, so why is there such a big difference?
However, the old Party Secretary next to him greatly admired Ji Xuening, always praising him for being upright, strong-willed, and having a good moral character. Of course, bringing back his unmarried girlfriend was indeed a bit impulsive, but it wasn't a big problem.
He had heard about Wang Yuqing's behavior and thought highly of the young couple.
Seeing that the secretary was getting a little annoyed by Ji Xuening's rebuke, Wang Yuqing quickly said, "Comrade Ji Xuening, what nonsense are you talking about? The director is a good cadre. He has all the people in his heart, but not himself. If he did anything immoral, he would definitely feel ashamed and heartbroken. How could he have any selfish thoughts?"
After saying that, she looked at He Guangliang with a smile: "Director, do you think I'm right? Comrade Ji Xuening is clumsy with words and doesn't know how to speak properly, so please don't be angry with him."
He Guangliang felt extremely uncomfortable listening to this, as if the words were directed at him, which was also due to his own guilty conscience.
The secretary took a drag of his cigarette. Although he was very old and his face was full of wrinkles, his eyes were bright and seemed to see through everything.
He felt that the young man in front of him, Xiao Wang, was quite clever.
Although he was the brigade secretary and had high prestige, he was old and powerless, and didn't really want to get involved.
Wang Yuqing continued, "I'm not sick, but I'm lazy. I don't want to work in the fields. I have to thank you, Director, and your daughter too. But your daughter might have some good news for you later. She's truly a wonderful daughter, like father, like daughter, both are excellent."
He Guangliang couldn't understand what Wang Yuqing meant.
However, when he heard Wang Yuqing say that she didn't want to work in the fields, he was filled with disdain. How could she compare to his own daughter?
"Then we'll be going now, Secretary and Director, you're busy."
Wang Yuqing greeted him politely and then left.
She followed behind Ji Xuening, who was pushing his bicycle, and looked at him without saying a word, asking, "What's wrong? Are you upset because you heard me say I didn't want to work in the fields? Are you angry? Are you unhappy?"
Ji Xuening spoke clearly, keeping her voice as low as possible: "I'm not uncomfortable, I'm not angry, I'm not annoyed. I've said it before, even if you don't work, I'll still support you."
"only……"
He spoke with a hint of guilt and shame: "I may not be able to raise him well right now."
Wang Yuqing: "..."
She pouted unhappily: "What, are you trying to raise me like a pig again?"
Ji Xuening, who wasn't usually amused, apologized earnestly: "Comrade Wang Yuqing, I'm sorry. I didn't ask for your opinion and took it upon myself to have you come and work in the fields without asking for your consent. That was my fault."
These weren't particularly sentimental words, but they inexplicably brought tears to Wang Yuqing's eyes. She replied softly, "You don't need to apologize. You're right. Who doesn't work in the fields to earn work points these days? I'm so lazy, and you still accept it. You're such a kind person."
Ji Xuening said, "You're not lazy. I've seen how much you've done for our family. When Grandpa died, he told me to treat you well."
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