Back to the 60s: The Struggle Career of a Charmed Wife
Chapter 1268: Going to the Countryside 7

Chapter 1268: Chapter 1268: Going to the Countryside 7

Feng Qingxue squinted at the boy running towards her. He was backlit by the sun, making it hard for her to see clearly.

The boy arrived, panting heavily, "Auntie, auntie, do you recognize me?"

Was it an acquaintance? Feng Qingxue let out a surprised sound and peered at him carefully, "Are you Xing Yushan? How did you get here? Did you come alone? Where are your brother and your younger brother?"

"Auntie, auntie, you recognized me! You’re dressed differently from that day; I didn’t recognize you at first, I’m really sorry." Xing Yushan jumped with joy, "I came to the countryside to find something to eat. My older brother had to stay in the Capital; otherwise, my younger brother wouldn’t be able to survive. Moreover, he has already been promoted from an apprentice, so he doesn’t need to go to the countryside. My brother heard from someone in the factory that the Wanglou Brigade is the best rural area, it is even recognized by the old leaders. He asked many people before finally getting me assigned here."

He became more delighted as he spoke, and, bursting with joy, he said, "I must write a letter to my brother telling him this great news! I’m so glad I came to the countryside, otherwise, how would I meet auntie and Xibao? Right, where’s Little Xibao?"

"Xibao went out to play," Feng Qingxue answered the question and looked him over, "How old are you this year? You’ve already come down to the countryside?"

He seemed to be about fourteen or fifteen years old, not much taller than when she saw him two years ago.

Xing Yushan coughed softly and said in a low voice, "I reported being two years older on my household registration; I’m sixteen this year. But I’m very capable, don’t underestimate me, auntie. I’ll listen to Head Wang of the brigade and work hard to earn my meals."

During tough times, he and his brothers had also left the Capital to beg in the surrounding countryside, so they were familiar with rural life.

Wanglou Brigade was truly good; they had provided them with food just yesterday – dried sweet potatoes, corn and wheat bran, sweet potato flour among others, totaling up to twenty-five pounds. It was a month’s supply, and although it was coarse grain, it was enough to fill their stomachs.

After finishing his work, he would go collect wild vegetables. He had seen plenty of them and had asked the brigade leader; they were allowed to pick them at will.

A mere fourteen-year-old boy had traveled all the way to the countryside alone.

Feng Qingxue sighed softly, reminding herself to tell Wang Zhengguo or Wang Dachun to carefully check the ages of these educated youths and assign farm work according to their age. They couldn’t let a fourteen-year-old child do an adult’s work; it could impact his growth and bring great risk to his health.

Looking at the youthful and joyous face of Xing Yushan, Feng Qingxue spoke softly, "Since you say so, hurry and learn how to work from the old educated youths. Be diligent and alert when working, and when you have some free time, come to our house for a meal."

"Thank you, auntie, we have enough food," Xing Yushan was concerned about using up the Lu Family’s rations.

Feng Qingxue didn’t dwell on the topic, "Hurry and go, don’t delay and make others unhappy."

"Alright, auntie, I’m going!"

When Xing Yushan returned to the group of educated youths, someone immediately asked how he knew Feng Qingxue.

"Back in the Capital, when we had nothing to eat, my two brothers and I were nearly starved to death during a heavy snowfall; it was Xibao and his grandfather who gave us something to eat. Later, when our family was in trouble and we were starving again, I met auntie and Uncle Lu; they helped me once. I never expected to meet auntie here; this is actually Xibao’s hometown!"

As Xing Yushan spoke, his face was animated, marking this as the happiest day of his life.

Next was weeding the wheat, and Xing Yushan bent over eagerly pulling out the weeds. He could differentiate the wheat from the wild grass, but the other six educated youths who had come with him struggled – bending over only to stand up again after a short while, rubbing their backs and groaning with complaints.