1970, Marching Brigade
The early harvest in autumn has just begun, and people in the fields are busy with all their family members. From old to young, and anyone who can move, each of them was dragged to the ground and cannot escape the fate of serving the land.
Of course, this did not include some eccentric giant brats with iron skins.
At this moment, a young girl was running down the mountain, followed by a string of tumbling little radishes trying to catch up to her. She took one look at the captain and swiftly ducked among the group of old aunties, then made her quick escape.
When she saw the mule cart still parked at the village entrance, her eyes shone as she smiled brightly.
"Secretary He!"
Hearing the energetic voice, the old man choked on the smoke of his tobacco and almost dropped his precious pipe.
"My dear uncle, breathe, breathe."
Shen Miaomiao patted the old man with genuine concern.
"Little Ancestor, I would be well if you didn't come!"
Secretary He was really sad. He timed his departure well, but still wasn't able to shake off this little ancestor!
"Don't say that, Secretary He. Weren't we good partners? I'm the most familiar with the commune and have always come with you to pick up the educated youth!"
After so many years of making trouble, who isn't familiar with the commune?!
Secretary He looked left and right to find a stick.
"Okay. Okay. You will only harm your health. Uncle, get in the cart and I will drive."
Shen Miaomiao turned to the silent Fourth Grandpa Shen, who was enjoying the show, and took the reins.
The old man smiled and made way, saying, "Take care on the road."
Anticipating the result, Fourth Grandpa Shen remained unfazed. If the secretary can slip away from this child, she won't be known as a little ancestor in their village.
It's better to give way to the young people. His old bones can't stand the bumps on the road.
"Little Aunt! Little Aunt!"
"Sister!"
A few of the little radishes finally caught up with their inconsiderate sister and called out while panting.
"Fifth Dumpling, Sixth Dumpling, take the basket home."
Shen Miaomiao took her basket down and, while instructing her little nephews, other children also came piling around. There were a few more catching up at the back, forming an irregular line.
While giving the children their task, she saw the Captain running after the other little radishes that were slow at the end of the line.
"Oops! You guys! You lured the Captain!" As she said that, she grabbed Secretary He at the back of his neck and quickly lifted him into the cart.
"You will tear my shirt!"
"Remember my words! When I come back, I'll check again!" Shen Miaomiao yelled as she pushed the donkey to sprint, disregarding the grievances of her passenger.
The children immediately dispersed after their boss ran off, making the Captain confused and mad. He was so tired! He should be supervising the autumn harvest, not catching these escapees!
....
When the sun was glaring fiercely in the sky, the bus from the county seat stopped at the Red Flag Commune.
Dozens of people came down with big sacks and straw baskets. Among them were some youth with pale faces. They were either squeezed tightly along the road or smouldered by the smoky odor inside. Add the bumpy ride, and they have turned into a mixed pickle.
A handsome young man swayed before his legs gave way. His cousin wanted to express his concern, but before even uttering some comfort, the young man vomited until his stomach was empty.
Hearing a comrade lost his battles, the pale faces of other young people went even paler and paler until another one surrendered and vomited as well.
A chain reaction ensued, and even some people who didn't feel like vomiting gagged.
Despite being the one who started the disaster, Shen Xingshen didn't care and felt better after throwing up. In order to stand up, he grabbed his innocent cousin and used him as a stool for support. He leaned all his weight on the tool person and once again came back to his frail, handsome self. Except for feeling hungry, he checked and found nothing amiss with his body.
"Cousin, have some water."
Before anyone reacted, the guy following Qian Feng mumbled, "Pretentious."
Qian Feng ignored him while Shen Xingshen glanced in his direction. He knew that this man was his cousin's classmate, and it was quite obvious during the train journey that the two did not get along. As an innocent bystander, Shen Xingshen was too close to the front line, and when shots were fired, his innocent self was among the casualties.
Shen Xingshen took a breath, "Comrade Wei, is that a tear on your backpack?"
Wei Shen's heart skipped a beat, and before he could think, he touched his backpack and felt an open tear. Not believing what he discovered without seeing the truth, he pulled off his bag to inspect it.
The other young people who noticed also subconsciously took down their backpacks. Just when they saw it intact and were about to exhale in relief, someone in the group let out a distressing cry.
"Ah! Someone stole my wallet!"
"Thief! There's a thief on the bus!"
"A black hearted thing tore my sack! All my tickets are there!"
The small commotion got louder and louder, and some even began weeping with full-blown, real tears. The bus, however, had long since left, and the spectators merely wanted to watch them as attractions.
It was only their first day in this strange place but these young people, who went away from their hometown for the first time, were already tired, hungry, and smelly, and yet still, misfortune also followed on their journey.