Rebirth in Famine: She Thrives by Lucky Space

Chapter 1049: Feeling Fortunate

Dear friends, happy holidays!Still, Shuping and her three companions followed the plan they discussed at home and asked Lantian some questions.

Moreover, since they didn’t clarify the stance at home, they couldn’t make any moves. To be honest, in their hearts, even marrying a fellow educated youth from the countryside was not desirable.

However, if things turned out to be the worst result, then they’d settle down.

They arrived at the youth point quite early. After they finished the process, more than ten educated youths came, but they weren’t in a group; only two or three people came from each village because the fieldwork wasn’t finished, and those responsible wouldn’t give leave.

Pan Xiaoying meant to wait and primarily ask about the situation.

This time, nearly all of those who came were women; one could tell from their mental state that they were certainly not doing well.

Listless, everyone looked extremely exhausted.

At this, Hou Wenhui and the others were dumbfounded. Though they were tired, it was definitely not to this extent.

Being older, Yan Shuping approached a shy-looking girl, "Hello comrade, I’m Yan Shuping, an educated youth from Li Family Village."

The female comrade glanced up at Yan Shuping, "I can tell. Only the educated youths from Li Family Village can still have such spirits."

"I am Zhong Yurong from Tangjiazhuang. I’ve been here for two years.

You don’t have to be surprised how we discerned you’re from Li Family Village.

Because only that village has little work; I have no connections, but if I had, I’d surely transfer to Li Family Village."

"Mr. Zhong, is it really that obvious?"

"Here, turn around. Look at your three companions, then look at the other female educated youths, and you’ll know."

Glancing around, Yan Shuping indeed saw a vast difference.

"Mr. Zhong, we are new educated youths this year, completely ignorant, and hope you can enlighten us."

"Just wait. Everyone will probably go to the restaurant soon, and you can directly ask whatever you want to know then."

Yan Shuping relayed the news she just learned to her three companions.

"Let’s send the letter first, then head to the supply and marketing cooperative.

Since Mr. Zhong said everyone would go to the restaurant, let’s head there directly," Hou Wenhui whispered.

Everyone agreed, informing Xu Chunshan, and the four hurriedly went to the post office.

Xu Chunshan was also gathering information — all heavy news, making both he and his fellow male comrade lose the courage to continue inquiring.

"Comrade, comrade."

Xu Chunshan saw a pretty, petite girl speaking to him.

"What’s the matter? Is there something you need?"

"Comrade, can we speak outside?"

Xu Chunshan hesitated; he didn’t know this female educated youth, wondering what she might need.

But a pretty girl had her advantages — without much thought, Xu Chunshan went outside with the girl.

They dared not wander, stopping just outside the youth office entrance.

This way, if someone saw them, they wouldn’t overthink, nor would they cause trouble.

"Comrade, what do you need from me?"

"May I ask if you’re an educated youth from Li Family Village?"

A startled nod from Xu Chunshan, "Yes, I am."

"Comrade, I need a favor." After speaking, the girl began to cry.

"What happened? Please don’t cry or I won’t be able to explain clearly."

"Comrade, what’s your name? I’m Zheng Mingzhu, an educated youth sent to Liu Family Village this year."

"Hello, Educated Youth Zheng, I’m Xu Chunshan, also a new arrival this year."

"Mr. Xu, might I ask if we could swap villages for our placements? Just that I’d go to Li Family Village and you’d come to Liu Family Village?

Please don’t rush to refuse. If you agree to switch with me, I’ll give you a thousand yuan."

A thousand yuan? What does that entail? A common worker earns just over thirty yuan a month, so this one thousand yuan would take three years to save without spending anything.

Xu Chunshan was tempted, but he wasn’t foolish, knowing there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

"Comrade, might I ask why you want to move to Li Family Village?"

"To be honest, I’ve never done labor before. Due to family issues, I have no choice but to go down to the countryside this time, but the farmwork in Liu Family Village is just too much for me."

As Zheng Mingzhu spoke, her tears wouldn’t stop.

Xu Chunshan also didn’t know what to do and subtly stepped back; this girl was too prone to tears, unable to stop crying.

After calming herself a bit, Zheng Mingzhu said, "Mr. Xu, I’ve already inquired — the farmwork at Li Family Village is the least taxing, evident even from your appearance.

So, could you switch with me? I really can’t stay in Liu Family Village any longer."

Xu Chunshan was genuinely tempted by the thousand yuan.

"Educated Youth Zheng, maybe you don’t know, Li Family Village’s farmwork is also considerable; we hardly have any idle time. Maybe it’s not as much as yours, and the labor intensity is lower, but avoiding farmwork altogether is impossible.

"I understand that — coming to the countryside to do labor work is inevitable, I just want a relatively more relaxed place.

Mr. Xu, I’m offering you all my savings, please swap with me. I fear I lack the courage to endure; you don’t understand, the land at Liu Family Village isn’t even half-planted yet, and I just can’t take it anymore."

"Educated Youth Zheng, I can’t help you; even if Liu Family Village agrees to release you, Li Family Village might not accept you.

Besides, I can’t have the leadership in the village hold a grudge against me over this matter. Sorry, I’m powerless here."

"Mr. Xu, would you really bear to see a fellow woman suffer such hardships? You seem robust and you’re a man; although farming is surely tiring, you’d fare better than I would.

Isn’t the placement all the same regardless of location? We all still do work, and there’s also a thousand yuan to earn.

Furthermore, your concern about Li Family Village not accepting me, you don’t have to manage — leave it to me. I just need to work less."

Yet, Xu Chunshan continued shaking his head, "Sorry, Educated Youth Zheng." With that, he turned back to the youth office.

Zheng Mingzhu called after Xu Chunshan a few more times, but he didn’t stop.

Was there no hope? Zheng Mingzhu burst into loud sobs behind him, purely wishing for a lighter locale.

Not only overwhelming labor at Liu Family Village, but also she couldn’t get along with the dozen educated youths there.

It was naive of her; several people eyed her money, as did a few village ne’er-do-wells. How could she handle this?

All her negative emotions spilled out as she squatted at the youth office entrance, crying out all her grievances, helplessness, and longing for family.