Chapter 3: Drenched in Sweat

“Hello, Captain Ye. This is Comrade Zhong Yuxiu, the new educated youth. Her health has improved and she wishes to join the work. Could you please arrange it?” Jiang Mei spoke first. “Comrade Zhong, this is our brigade’s captain, his surname is Ye.”

“Hello, Captain Ye.”

A look of surprise flashed across Captain Ye’s dark face but disappeared instantly. He shifted his gaze, “You’ve recovered?”

“Yes, Captain Ye. I can work in the fields now.” Zhong Yuxiu nodded earnestly, her reply resolute.

“Good. You’ll work alongside Jiang and Sun, the other educated youth. Remember to find the scorekeeper after work to record your labor points.” A smile finally appeared on Captain Ye’s face.

“Thank you, Captain Ye.” Zhong Yuxiu’s eyes curved, gratitude shining in her smile.

Jiang Mei and Sun Ruhong, smiling brightly, pulled her along towards the fields. As they left, the scorekeeper approached.

“Uncle, was that the new educated youth?” The scorekeeper was a slightly short man, a close relative of the captain, also surnamed Ye.

Captain Ye glanced at him, “Yes, her name is Zhong Yuxiu. Her gaze is clear and upright, she’s a good one. If she works well, she won’t cause trouble.”

The scorekeeper smiled, nodding in agreement, secretly thinking: As long as she doesn’t stir up trouble, she’ll be fine.

The educated youth from other brigades had caused no end of problems, but theirs were always reliable, never making a fuss.

On the ridge, Zhong Yuxiu imitated Jiang Mei and Sun Ruhong, tying her trouser legs tightly before entering the field. In the water, the leeches were clearly visible, floating about, enough to unsettle anyone.

“Jiang Mei, Sister Ruhong, why are there so many bugs in the field?”

There were no such creatures in the interstellar era; the insect race consisted of giant beings, each possessing consciousness.

“Those are leeches, they suck blood. If they catch you, they burrow right into your pores. Be careful, never let your legs or feet be exposed,” Sun Ruhong advised, smiling gently. She remembered her own first days in the countryside, just like Zhong Yuxiu now. “Don’t be afraid. As long as your trouser legs stay tight, they won’t bite you.”

Zhong Yuxiu shivered, “Isn’t that scary enough?”

“What’s so scary about leeches? The water snakes are what you should fear. If you encounter a harmless one, it’s fine; but if it’s venomous, a bite sends you straight to the county hospital,” Jiang Mei rolled her eyes.

“There are snakes? Then there’s snake meat to eat,” Zhong Yuxiu replied, her psychic abilities barely functional but more than enough to handle a snake.

Jiang Mei and Sun Ruhong exchanged bewildered glances, unsure how to respond. “Let’s hurry and harvest the rice. If someone sees us chatting here, we’ll lose labor points.”

“Oh.” Zhong Yuxiu picked up her sickle, copying their technique as she followed. Thanks to her psychic ability, she learned surprisingly fast. Initially, her pace was slow, making others anxious, but Jiang Mei and Sun Ruhong had gone through the same process and didn’t rush her. Gradually, her speed increased, her cuts swift and precise, soon surpassing the two.

Their fondness for her grew. Educated youth from the city always needed a period to adjust; only after accepting their circumstances and adapting to rural life could they work as freely as Jiang Mei and Sun Ruhong. Yet Zhong Yuxiu adapted even faster than they had anticipated.

It was a blessing; they would have one less burden, and their work would be easier.

“Yuxiu, let’s rest under the trees—it’s too hot,” Sun Ruhong called out.

Zhong Yuxiu looked up; Jiang Mei and Sun Ruhong had climbed out of the fields, finding a large tree for shade. Many other villagers were resting there as well—on scorching days, it was common to take breaks.

“Yuxiu, come up. Take a break, don’t get heatstroke,” Jiang Mei echoed. The two had started calling her by her name, a sign of acceptance.

Sweating, Zhong Yuxiu smiled, “I’m fine, not too hot yet. You rest a bit longer, I’ll do some more.”

Her warm smile further endeared her to the two; with fewer female educated youth, there was less scheming, making for a pleasant atmosphere.

The three were assigned a large field. Once Zhong Yuxiu finished her half, she helped Jiang Mei and Sun Ruhong with theirs. At dusk, as the sun dipped low, the three went together to the scorekeeper to record their labor points before returning to the educated youth dormitory.

The male educated youth had not yet returned. As strong laborers, their fields were larger.

The three girls changed out of their soaked clothes and soaked them in clean water.

“Yuxiu, your health just recovered and you worked hard this afternoon. Rest in your room for a while,” Sun Ruhong said, smiling with genuine concern.

Jiang Mei agreed, “Go on, we’ll make dinner. When the others return, we’ll call you.”

Their gazes were steady and bright. Zhong Yuxiu smiled, “I am a bit tired. I’ll go lie down—thank you, Sister Ruhong and Sister Jiang Mei.”

“It’s only right. Go, rest quickly,” Sun Ruhong replied, her eyes crinkling with a smile as she ushered Zhong Yuxiu into the room. Then she and Jiang Mei went to the kitchen, chatting as they washed vegetables and stoked the fire. “Yuxiu is a good comrade. She never complains about the heat, even today.”

Jiang Mei nodded, a smile brightening her sun-browned face. “A level-headed educated youth is much better than a troublemaker.”

“Absolutely!”

Once the meal was ready and hot water boiled, they agreed to fetch water for bathing, and even carried a bucket of hot water for Zhong Yuxiu. After gathering their clothes, they called to her, and the three bathed together.

With hot water, their bodies were refreshed, the sweat and grime washed away.

“Sister Ruhong, Sister Jiang Mei, is there still hot water in the pot?” Zhong Yuxiu asked.

Jiang Mei emerged with her dirty clothes, “Yes, do you want to wash your hair?”

“It’s time. It smells now,” Sun Ruhong glanced at her hair; after a day in the fields, it was greasy. “There’s a whole pot of hot water left. Scoop some and mix it with cool water. There are embers in the stove, so you can warm the water for the male educated youth when they return.”

Zhong Yuxiu nodded, carrying a bucket to the kitchen, scooping water and squatting on the steps to wash her hair. The original owner had short hair and hadn’t washed it for a week—four days on the train, two sick days after arrival. She hadn’t brought anything valuable, and had no toiletries, so she could only rinse away the sweat with clean water. At least her hair would feel fresher and wouldn’t smell.

After washing her hair, she dried it casually, fetched her dirty clothes from the bath, and joined Jiang Mei and Sun Ruhong at the well to wash them with wood ash.

“Yuxiu, I have some soap here. You can use it,” Sun Ruhong offered, sympathy in her gaze as she handed over the soap.

Zhong Yuxiu shook her head. “Thank you, Sister Ruhong. Clothes aren’t very dirty in this heat, just scrubbing is enough.”

“If you don’t wash them well, they’ll smell.”

“The sun’s strong, they won’t,” she replied, not wanting to owe too many favors.

The original owner had arrived in the countryside with no money or ration coupons, and would have to live like this for some time. Better to suffer now and get used to hardship, rather than grow accustomed to comfort and struggle later. She would seek income when she could.

As night fell, the male educated youth returned together, gathered at the table for dinner. The girls went to bed, while the boys cleaned the kitchen and courtyard. Only when darkness settled did the courtyard finally grow quiet.