Chapter 15

Two years later, summer of 1977.

Twelve li east of Xiaotang Village, at the flood control embankment construction site.

Laborers lined up on both sides, waiting for the last boulder to be transported.

The man pushing the wheelbarrow had a sunbaked spine and back, hardened to a deep wheat color after an entire summer under the blazing sun. Large beads of sweat rolled down his handsome, youthful cheeks, dripping onto the white towel wrapped around his neck. His eyes held an untamed wildness, like a cheetah raised in the open wilderness.

“Comrade Gu, please bring it over here,” came a voice.

Gu Yiren didn’t answer, instead turning the wheelbarrow around.

His bare arms revealed bulging sinews, and his strong, muscular thighs made him more powerful and vigorous than others his age, as if he were a masterpiece carefully sculpted by the heavens. The lines of his muscles, honed through relentless toil, exuded strength and beauty, radiating a masculine charm that was impossible for the opposite sex to resist.

The final boulder settled firmly in place. Unlike the others who were panting heavily, Gu Yiren glanced back toward the grass shelter.

“Brother Yi, here’s some mung bean soup for you.” Chen Xiaojuan, the only daughter of Clerk Chen, finally caught up with Gu Yiren and handed him a bowl of mung bean soup sweetened generously with white sugar.

“No, thanks.” Gu Yiren untied the white towel and wiped his face a few times, then strode toward the grass shelter with purposeful steps.

Chen Xiaojuan, standing behind, tiptoed and called out, “Brother Yi, remember to go to the main team today — there’s a vote!”

“Thanks, I’ll be there.” Gu Yiren spoke rarely, and his words caused Chen Xiaojuan and the girls around her to blush.

He stopped in front of the grass shelter, his large, strong hand—calloused from labor—picked up a cup of chrysanthemum tea and took several long gulps. His Adam’s apple moved up and down rhythmically, sensual without him even realizing it.

Su Liuhe sat beneath the shelter, wilting from the heat, feeling utterly useless.

Everyone in the village, young and old, was reinforcing the riverbank. After fainting twice from heatstroke, she was only in charge of boiling tea for everyone. Her partner in guarding the tea was Fubao, the one-year-old daughter of Miss Song—a clear indicator of her lowly status.

She fanned herself with a palm leaf fan, wisps of fine hair fluttering as she teased, “How many times has this happened now? If I had known, I wouldn’t have bothered boiling water. My skin is sunburned from standing here day after day.”

In this harsh, rugged land, summer training under the dog days and winter training in the deep cold, spring and autumn were brief respites, fleeting like a revolving lantern.

Gu Yiren put down the cup and walked over. His tall figure immediately brought a refreshing coolness to Su Liuhe.

Unlike his indifferent demeanor with others, a rare tenderness flickered in his eyes as he spoke: “Let me see.”

Su Liuhe stretched out her soft, pale arm. “Here.”

Gu Yiren supported her arm carefully, examining it before saying, “Soak it in well water at home and I’ll apply some medicine for you.”

Having passed through his voice-changing phase, Gu Yiren’s voice was clear and bright, strikingly contrasting with his increasingly profound gaze. After more than two years of rapid growth, sometimes Su Liuhe felt he was even more mature than herself.

“First, let’s go to the brigade headquarters.” Su Liuhe stood up, rubbing her numb legs, speaking childishly, “We have to keep an eye on things, or they might actually pick you.”

It was midsummer, the final deadline for confirming the student list for the Workers’ and Peasants’ University.

In previous years, the brigade secretary and clerks had secretly decided the enrollment list, but after a reprimand from the higher-level commune, this year the villagers voted openly.

Over these two years, Gu Yiren and Su Liuhe had built quite a reputation. Gu Yiren had become the dream of every young woman, and Su Liuhe feared that if people acted rashly, Gu Yiren might truly be sent off to the Workers’ and Peasants’ University.

They would refuse the coveted spots even if offered.

Su Liuhe wore a straw hat and walked ahead, occasionally picking up dogtail grass by the roadside to play with.

Gu Yiren’s growth had been intense over the past two years, while time seemed to have stood still for Su Liuhe. Her childish personality, delicate nature, increasingly radiant face, and annoyingly sharp little mouth.

Upon arriving at the brigade headquarters, many people had already gathered in the threshing yard outside.

Chen Xiaojuan, eyes straining, finally spotted Gu Yiren and hurried over, offering him a small folding stool. “Sit down, the votes will be counted soon. I have to go write down the names.”

Gu Yiren casually unfolded the stool and handed it to Su Liuhe. “Find some shade.”

Su Liuhe, her eyes rimmed with pink from the heat, glanced around and saw some shade beneath the bulletin board, intending to go there.

Chen Xiaojuan grew anxious and said to Gu Yiren, “That stool’s for you, why give it to her?”

Su Liuhe stopped, handed the stool back, and softly said, “Here, take it back. I can’t let you waste their kindness.”

Gu Yiren took the stool and placed it at Chen Xiaojuan’s feet, then reached out a large hand to shield Su Liuhe’s head. “Want me to get it from home for you?”

Chen Xiaojuan, seeing Gu Yiren ignoring her completely, snapped angrily, “What are you getting? I think you should just marry her.” As long as Su Liuhe was around, Gu Yiren’s eyes would see no one else!

Su Liuhe turned to the hostile girl and said confusedly, “Teacher Chen, is this how you usually teach? Ignoring ethics?”

Gu Yiren’s Adam’s apple twitched as his eyes darkened enigmatically. “Don’t be mad, she didn’t mean it that way.”

Su Liuhe glanced at him, already forgetting how long it had been since he’d last addressed her as “Auntie.” She was too lazy to argue with the yellow-haired girl, and continued forward.

Gu Yiren waited until Su Liuhe was gone, then looked at Chen Xiaojuan. “I don’t mean anything like that toward you either.”

Chen Xiaojuan blushed bright red, knowing many were secretly watching them, and stamped her foot in frustration.

“Come on, Xiaohe. There’s a spot here.” Xiangcai’s mother called out from a few steps away, breaking the awkwardness. “Hurry and vote so I can go rest. This heat is unbearable. I told them we’d give all our votes to Brother Yi, but they forced us to come.”

Su Liuhe was pulled onto a small stool and said, “Don’t vote for him. He has his own plans.”

Xiangcai’s mother was shocked. “What plans could be better than going to the Workers’ and Peasants’ University?”

Xiangcai whispered on the side, “He’s going to join the army. Everyone says Brother Yi will enlist next year.”

Su Liuhe and Gu Yiren exchanged a glance, neither confirming nor denying.

According to Su Liuhe’s memory, the college entrance exams would resume at year’s end, and Gu Yiren planned to take the first exam to apply to the National Defense Military Academy in the capital.

This was their closely guarded secret, one they hadn’t shared with anyone in two years.

While waiting, Gu Yiren saw Liu, the eldest son of the Liu family, slip away from the crowd. With his shifty eyes, something was definitely amiss.

Xiangcai’s mother said, “It’s starting, look!”

The vote counter listed the names of the Workers’ and Peasants’ University reserve candidates, selected from the first round of screening over the past two days, on the blackboard. All villagers present raised their hands openly to vote as names were called.

“Comrades, after voting by all brigade members, we have selected Jiang Jinlan, Gu Yiren, and Zhou Chenggong! They will depart next month for the City Agricultural Technical University. Let’s give them a round of applause!”

The three belonged to the same labor group and were of similar age. Jiang Jinlan and Zhou Chenggong were ecstatic, pulling Gu Yiren forward to thank everyone amid applause.

Gu Yiren stood, ready to express his wishes — hoping the fourth candidate, Sun Ju, would take his place — when suddenly a loud shout shattered the cheerful atmosphere.

Liu, the eldest, led the town’s postman, Master Wang, shouting, “Since you’re all here, Master Wang has something to say!”

Elder cadre Sister Ma frowned. “What are you doing? If you have business, speak privately. Our meeting isn’t over.”

Liu nudged Master Wang. Wang swallowed his saliva and said, “With so many people here, I want to ask—who took my things yesterday? A parcel I delivered is missing!”

Master Wang was about forty, weather-beaten and thin as a monkey, eyes sparkling with intensity. He often rode his bicycle to the brigade to deliver newspapers and registered letters, sometimes helping villagers with postal packages. Everyone knew him well.

Chen Xiaojuan stood and said, “If your things are lost, go find the police. Why ask here in our village?”

Master Wang ignored her, glanced at the names on the board, then swept the crowd. “The parcel came from the provincial capital yesterday afternoon. I left it near the east side of the threshing yard. It contained money, grain coupons, and two articles of clothing!”

Teacher Chen signaled Chen Xiaojuan not to speak out. He went into the office to summon the brigade secretary. “Look, old Wang’s lost property has come here.”

Before the secretary could answer, the villagers in the threshing yard grew restless.

Master Wang was implying someone here was a thief.

Gu Yiren felt a tug on his sleeve and looked down to see Su Liuhe winking at him.

He didn’t need her reminder—he already sensed that someone in the shadows would make a move today. In his past life, a certain faction had prevented him from leaving Xiaotang Village. It seemed this life was no different.

Over the past two years, four or five people had tried to harm him. Fortunately, Half-Crazy helped him deal with them all, dragging them into the mountains to feed the wolves.

Strangely, Half-Crazy seemed clearer-headed these days but still pretended to be mad, aiding Gu Yiren.

One more ally was better than one more enemy.

Master Wang continued: “Around 3 p.m. yesterday, I saw many people repairing the riverbank. Did anyone see someone coming this way?”

The crowd murmured, recalling who had left the riverbank around 3 p.m. Their gaze slowly focused on Su Liuhe and Gu Yiren.

At 3 p.m. yesterday, Su Liuhe had succumbed to heatstroke and was carried home by Gu Yiren, leaving the work site three hours early.

Sister Ma, who recorded work hours, had even said they would have to make up those hours three hours early today—a fact many laborers overheard.

At that time, Zhou Chenggong and Jiang Jinlan were also resting. After accompanying Gu Yiren to take Su Liuhe home, they ate osmanthus rice cake together.

Now, with one word, Master Wang had turned the three Workers’ and Peasants’ University reserve candidates and Su Liuhe into suspects.

The brigade secretary’s face darkened as he looked at them and muttered, “If anyone took someone else's things, step forward. Otherwise, I’d rather mistakenly kill three thousand than let one thief go to university!”

The crowd erupted, accusing the secretary of being biased.

“What do you mean? Who are you talking about?!” Zhou Chenggong nearly charged forward, but Jiang Jinlan held him back.

Upon hearing the exact time, Su Liuhe sneered, “Master Wang, you have a good memory, remembering the exact hour. How does a thief know the time to steal? Were they told in advance? Did you at least get their name?”

Master Wang waved his hands frantically. “I’m just here to ask because I lost my things. Your words are hurtful.”

Gu Yiren said coldly, “Choosing such an auspicious day to ask—is that deliberate?”

Master Wang shrank back and glanced at Liu.

Liu snorted and patted Wang’s shoulder. “You don’t know, our village has been losing things these past two years. Today’s the day to settle accounts. Right, Secretary Xia?”

The brigade secretary nodded. “Yes, I have no tolerance for dirt in my eyes.”

Unaware of the deeper plots, Chen Xiaojuan thought Master Wang was simply trying to find his lost parcel, not realizing Liu’s appearance meant he was targeting Gu Yiren.

She told Master Wang, “You left your bike at the threshing yard. With so many people coming and going, you can’t say just because of the time that someone’s a thief. Anyone could have gone to the latrine and still stolen something.”

Old Song was smoking in a corner. He guessed Master Wang wanted to sabotage Gu Yiren’s spot at the Workers’ and Peasants’ University.

He tapped his pipe on his shoe and said, “I was at the supply and marketing cooperative buying tobacco leaves at 3 p.m. yesterday afternoon.”

Xiangcai’s mother and Xiangcai spoke up, “My daughter and I got home at 3 p.m., changed clothes, and brought two pancakes.”

Sister Qian adjusted her fake collar and looked up at the sky thoughtfully. “At 3 p.m., I was on my period and went home to change pants.”

Grandma He, leaning on a cane Gu Yiren had made for her, looked at Master Wang and Liu. “I was passing the threshing yard with my grandsons. Two grandsons!”

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