Chapter 3: Watching the Educated Youth Cheat, Rewarded with National Grain Coupons

Before dawn had fully broken, when the window paper had just begun to glow faintly white, Su Yao awoke. At the far end of the earthen kang, three children were nestled together sound asleep. Lu Xingchen held his younger brother and sister close, his brows slightly furrowed, as if even in his dreams he hadn’t relaxed. Su Yao rose quietly, feeling her way in the dimness toward the kitchen. The leftover half bowl of rice from last night was just enough to cook a pot of thin congee for breakfast.

The fire in the stove had not completely died out. She added some firewood, and the flames suddenly leapt up, warming her face immediately. The water in the pot quickly steamed, and she stirred in the rice. The fragrance of white congee gradually spread through the air. Glancing outside the kitchen, the horizon was tinged with a faint red glow. The wind, less fierce than during the night, still bit sharply at the skin.

“Sister?” Lu Shihan rubbed her eyes and stood in the doorway, her little braids tousled from sleep.

“Awake already?” Su Yao smiled and waved her over. “The congee will be ready soon. Go wake up the brothers.”

The little girl nodded and tiptoed to the kang, gently tapping Lu Xingchen’s arm. “Brother, it’s time to eat.”

Lu Xingchen’s eyes snapped open; seeing it was his sister, he relaxed, sat up, and shook Lu Yuxuan awake. The three children quickly dressed in layers. Lu Yuxuan took the initiative to fetch water, while Lu Xingchen wiped the table with a cloth, a bit more nimble than yesterday.

The congee was ladled into chipped bowls, steam rising in white wisps. Su Yao sprinkled a bit of salt into each bowl—that was breakfast. Lu Shihan sipped the congee carefully, then suddenly looked up and asked, “Sister, can we still eat rice today?”

Su Yao’s heart skipped a beat. Five jin of rice seemed like a lot, but with four mouths to feed, it wouldn’t last long. She patted the little girl’s head. “After we get the ration from the commune later, I’ll swap it for something more delicious.”

After breakfast and washing the bowls, Su Yao found a canvas bag left by the original occupant and stuffed in a handkerchief patched up with many repairs. “I’m going to the commune to collect rations. You all stay home and be good. Don’t wander off.”

“I want to come with you!” Lu Xingchen immediately stood up. Lu Yuxuan and Lu Shihan nodded earnestly, their small eyes pleading.

Su Yao thought for a moment. The three children had just arrived in a strange place yesterday; it was indeed unsettling to leave them alone. “Alright, follow me closely and don’t get lost.”

As she locked the door, the widow next door peeked out, glanced at the three children, curled her mouth slightly, and said nothing. Su Yao pretended not to notice, holding Lu Shihan’s hand, with Lu Xingchen pulling Lu Yuxuan behind her. The four of them walked toward the village entrance.

Along the way, many villagers were already heading to the fields. When they saw Su Yao, they stopped to scrutinize her curiously. Some whispered among themselves, and Su Yao caught fragments like “fake heiress” and “burden.” She kept walking, tightening her grip on Lu Shihan’s hand.

“They’re saying bad things,” Lu Xingchen whispered, his small fist clenched tightly.

“Don’t mind them,” Su Yao smiled. “Once our lives get better, they won’t say such things anymore.”

The commune was on the other side of town, over half an hour’s walk. Lu Shihan soon grew tired and Su Yao picked her up. The little girl clung around her neck, resting her head on Su Yao’s shoulder, soon falling silent.

Near the commune, they passed a heap of wheat straw piled like a small hill. The withered stalks rustled in the wind. As Su Yao walked forward, she suddenly heard muffled crying from behind the stack—soft and filled with grievance.

“Who’s crying?” Lu Yuxuan stopped and looked toward the straw pile.

Su Yao also heard it and carried Lu Shihan over. Just around the corner, she saw a girl in a red cotton jacket squatting on the ground, hands covering her face, shoulders shaking with sobs. A crumpled letter lay nearby, the handwriting wild and sprawling.

“What’s wrong?” Su Yao asked gently.

The girl startled, lifted her tear-streaked, swollen face—her eyes red like walnuts. “You? New educated youth?” She recognized Su Yao and sniffled. “It’s nothing. You should go.”

Su Yao didn’t move, her gaze falling on the letter. The corner showed the name “Wanwan,” followed by the sentence “I’ll marry you when I return to the city.” She sensed the girl had been deceived.

“Did someone bully you?” Lu Xingchen stepped in front of Su Yao, like a little beast protecting her cubs.

The girl looked at the three children, tears flowing again. “Zhang Qiang... he’s not human!”

At that moment, a young man in blue work clothes hurried over from a distance. Seeing the scene, his face darkened. “Li Juan! What are you causing a scene for here?” He tried to pull her up. “Come with me!”

“Don’t touch me!” Li Juan yanked her hand free and threw the letter at his face. “What’s this? Tell me! What’s going on between you and that city girl?”

So this was Zhang Qiang? Su Yao raised an eyebrow, holding Lu Shihan tighter as she stepped back, preparing to watch quietly.

Zhang Qiang’s face flushed red and pale, then glared fiercely at Su Yao. “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

As soon as he finished speaking, a system voice echoed in Su Yao’s mind: [Observing emotional dispute, trigger gossip reward: 20 jin of national ration tickets.]

Her spirits lifted—there was a reward? Just as she was about to find the tickets, Zhang Qiang suddenly lunged forward, trying to shove her. “City folk, mind your own business!”

“Don’t touch my sister!” Lu Xingchen suddenly pulled something from his pocket and with a sharp “ping,” a small stone struck Zhang Qiang’s hand precisely.

Zhang Qiang hissed in pain, looking down at the small stone. Lu Xingchen held a slingshot, glaring fiercely. Lu Yuxuan also picked up a stone, his little face flushed red. “Don’t bully my mother!”

Su Yao felt warm inside, hugged Lu Shihan tighter, and looked up at Zhang Qiang with a slight smile. “Not only will I mind, but I’ll use these ration tickets I just got to trade for some meat to nourish the children.”

She deliberately shook the newly acquired ration tickets in her hand. Twenty jin of national ration tickets, the fresh paper gleamed under the sun.

Zhang Qiang’s eyes widened, staring at the tickets without a word. Li Juan stopped crying, looking between the tickets and Su Yao, her eyes full of surprise.

“Where... where did you get those tickets?” Zhang Qiang stammered, greed in his voice.

“None of your business.” Su Yao pocketed the tickets. “But you—playing both sides and still daring to hit people?”

“I didn’t!” Zhang Qiang stiffened his neck but kept his distance. “She’s making things up!”

“Making things up?” Li Juan trembled with anger. “You promised to marry me! You even assured my father!”

Su Yao then realized Li Juan was the niece of the village secretary. No wonder Zhang Qiang was so brazen—he probably thought the secretary would protect him.

“Do you really believe someone like him?” Su Yao crouched down, wiping Li Juan’s tears. “If he truly cared, he wouldn’t be secretly writing to another woman.”

Li Juan sniffled, looking at Zhang Qiang. Her heartbreak slowly shifted to disappointment. “Zhang Qiang, I see through you now. We’re done!” She wiped her face and turned to leave, her steps unsteady but proud.

Zhang Qiang wanted to follow but glanced at Su Yao’s ration tickets and hesitated. Eventually, he didn’t move. He shot Su Yao a hateful glare. “Just you wait!”

“Anytime,” Su Yao said, holding Lu Shihan and raising her chin. “Instead of threatening me, maybe think about how you’ll explain to the secretary.”

Zhang Qiang’s face went pale, likely recalling the secretary’s power. He turned away, cursing as he left.

“Sister, he’s so scary,” Lu Shihan whispered, leaning on Su Yao’s shoulder.

“Don’t be afraid; he won’t dare do anything,” Su Yao patted her back, then looked at Lu Xingchen and Lu Yuxuan. “You both were very brave just now.”

The two boys lowered their heads shyly; Lu Xingchen’s ears tinged pink.

“Come on, let’s get the ration,” Su Yao smiled. “After that, we’ll go to the supply and marketing cooperative to see if we can trade some tickets for meat.”

At the mention of meat, the three children’s eyes lit up. Lu Xingchen took the canvas bag, Lu Yuxuan held his sister’s hand, and they all walked briskly beside Su Yao.

At the commune courtyard, many people were already lined up for their rations. Su Yao and the children joined the end of the queue, listening to the chatter ahead.

“Did you hear? The secretary’s niece got dumped by an educated youth.”

“I always thought Zhang Qiang was no good—slick and untrustworthy, not like a hard worker.”

“But that new educated youth, Su, is impressive. Someone saw her just now put Zhang Qiang in his place.”

Su Yao pretended not to hear but knew well that news traveled fast in the village. Still, this was good; no one would dare bully the four of them so easily now.

When it was Su Yao’s turn, the elderly ration clerk looked up. “Su Yao, right? Your rations are here.” He handed over a cloth bag. “Thirty jin of cornmeal and five jin of dried sweet potatoes.”

Su Yao took the heavy bag, feeling satisfied with the weight. “Thank you, sir.”

“You’re welcome,” the elder smiled. “I hear you have three kids—must be tough. If you need help, just tell the commune.”

Feeling warm inside, Su Yao thanked him and left with the children.

“Sister, are we going to exchange for meat now?” Lu Shihan asked eagerly.

“Yes,” Su Yao smiled. “But there might not be much. Even some meat bones to stew would be good for soup.”

The supply and marketing cooperative was right next to the commune—a small room with shelves behind the counter stocked with oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, cloth, candy, and some daily necessities. A blackboard displayed prices in chalk.

Su Yao’s eyes went straight to the meat counter. As expected, there wasn’t much—just a few bones and some fatty pieces left.

“Comrade, I’d like to exchange some national ration tickets for meat,” Su Yao said as she approached.

The middle-aged woman behind the counter glanced at her, then looked at the three children behind her. “National ration tickets? How many do you have?”

“Twenty jin,” Su Yao took out the tickets and handed them over.

The woman’s eyes brightened as she examined the tickets carefully. Confirming their authenticity, she smiled. “What would you like? I can give you those bones and weigh out two jin of fatty meat. Will that be enough?”

“That’s plenty, thank you, comrade,” Su Yao quickly replied.

The woman efficiently weighed the bones and meat, wrapped them in newspaper, and handed them over. “That used five jin of tickets. Here’s the rest.”

Taking the meat and remaining tickets, Su Yao felt a surge of happiness. With this meat, she could properly nourish the children.

The three children stared at the package, reluctant to look away. Lu Xingchen whispered, “Mother, let’s hurry home. I’ll help you start the fire.”

“All right,” Su Yao smiled. “We’ll stew the meat bones when we get back.”

On the way home, the warm sunlight bathed them, lessening the cold. Lu Shihan hummed a tuneless song, Lu Yuxuan hopped along, and even Lu Xingchen seemed less tense, occasionally chatting with his siblings.

Passing the wheat straw pile, Su Yao glanced instinctively. It was empty now, only the wind still rustling the stalks. Thinking of Li Juan’s swollen eyes, she sighed quietly. Love in these times was truly fragile.

“Sister, look!” Lu Shihan suddenly pointed ahead.

Su Yao looked up to see Li Juan standing by the roadside. She hesitated but then approached.

“Educated youth Su, thank you,” Li Juan said, lowering her head, voice shy.

“No need to thank me,” Su Yao smiled. “Better to see the truth early.”

Li Juan nodded and pulled out two apples, handing them to Su Yao. “These are for you and the children.”

The apples were bright red, looking sweet. Su Yao tried to refuse, but Li Juan insisted, pressing them into her hands. “Please take them. Otherwise, I’d feel bad.” Then she turned and ran away.

Looking at the apples and Li Juan’s retreating figure, Su Yao felt a warmth in her heart. Perhaps not everyone in this village was bad.

“Apples!” Lu Shihan pointed excitedly, her little face full of joy.

“I’ll share them with you when we get home,” Su Yao said, tucking the apples into the canvas bag. “Let’s hurry; the meat bones will get cold.”

The three children nodded and followed Su Yao home. Sunlight filtered through the bare branches, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Watching the children bounce along beside her, carrying the meat and rations, Su Yao felt a deep sense of reassurance.

These times were hard and bitter, but as long as they worked hard, they could survive. Especially with the help of the system and these three sensible children by her side.

She glanced down at the ration tickets in her pocket, then thought again of the “Spiritual Spring” icon. She wondered when it would truly activate and what surprises it might bring.

No matter what, today was a good start. With rations in hand, meat secured, and twenty jin of national ration tickets, the days ahead would surely get better.

Su Yao took a deep breath and quickened her pace. The stove at home was still waiting for her to light the fire.