When Lü Yulan brought this matter up, the air in the courtyard grew heavy. Everyone, whether a veteran or a new educated youth, knew that two iron pots were a significant investment; if the newcomers were expected to split the cost, it would not be a small sum.
The Jiang siblings’ expressions shifted instantly. They had joined the veteran group primarily to pool resources and get by, as their current finances were extremely tight. Being hit with a major expense for the pots before they had even settled in was enough to give anyone pause, especially since they would have to cover three shares.
As everyone stood in silence, Feng Qingqing, unwilling to waste any more time, spoke up. "I won't touch the vegetables in the garden, you can rest assured of that. If I want to eat, I’ll grow my own or trade for them with the production brigade. The iron pots have nothing to do with me either. As for the garden wall, just let me know what share you’ve decided the new arrivals should pay; I’ll chip in the same as everyone else."
With that, she went inside to wash up.
"I’m with Qingqing. Just let us know when you’ve decided," Hu Fangming added before following her inside.
Lin Feng offered the same sentiment and retreated into his room as well.
The remaining new arrivals were those who had previously expressed interest in cooking together. Seeing that the Jiang siblings might be short on funds, Qi Hongsheng turned to Lü Yulan. "Why don’t you tell us how you want to handle this? Don't leave things half-said and force us to guess."
Lü Yulan cleared her throat, not wanting to offend these newcomers, especially the male youth from Beijing who clearly came from a well-off background. "Look, we’re not trying to gouge you. The two pots cost us 60 yuan and four industrial coupons at the time. Setting aside the coupons, we’re asking for 5 yuan per person. What do you think?"
Qi Hongsheng and Zhuang Shan didn't think it was too much, as their families had provided them with plenty of money, and they weren't worried about such trivial amounts. However, Qi Hongsheng had taken a liking to Jiang Yun and didn't want to make things difficult for her, so he intentionally remarked, "You’ve been using these pots for quite a while. Isn't it a bit unfair to charge us the price of new ones?"
The veteran youths realized he had a point. Seeing their reactions, Lü Yulan knew the price would have to drop. "Then what do you propose?"
Qi Hongsheng feigned hesitation. "How about two yuan per person?" He knew it was a low offer, but one had to start somewhere when negotiating.
In the end, they settled on a price both sides could accept: three yuan per person. To the Jiang siblings, this was at least within a reasonable range. Lü Yulan, though forced to accept, was deeply dissatisfied, but with the matter decided, she had to let it rest.
By then, Feng Qingqing was already lying on the kang. She and Hu Fangming had washed up as best they could with a basin of water before turning in. The day had been exhausting; Feng Qingqing had intended to check the harvest in her spatial dimension, but she fell asleep shortly after her head hit the pillow.
Since it was their first day, the new arrivals were granted a day of rest. When Feng Qingqing woke up the next morning, the other youths were gone, leaving only her and Hu Fangming in the room. They took the opportunity to discuss their meal arrangements.
Feng Qingqing had a pot in her spatial dimension, so she had long since planned for their food, but Hu Fangming, unaware of this, had been worried all night. Feng Qingqing, though not particularly outgoing, felt for Hu Fangming, who was sincerely trying to be her friend and looked to her for guidance. She couldn't bear to leave her hanging, so she laid out their plans for the future.
Once she heard the arrangement, Hu Fangming’s anxiety vanished. Even though she had been determined to stick with Feng Qingqing, she had been terrified they wouldn't have a way to cook. She hadn't realized that Feng Qingqing was a master of self-sufficiency, having even packed a pot in her luggage.
With the pot sorted, everything else was easy. The two of them got to work, building a makeshift stove in the corner of the courtyard using stones they picked up by the roadside. Because Feng Qingqing had other long-term plans, she didn't want to renovate the area too much until winter.
Once the stove was ready, Feng Qingqing, familiar with the area, took Hu Fangming to the hills behind the village to find food. Guided by Feng Qingqing, they managed to find wild chestnuts and taro—perfect for filling their stomachs. They were thrilled and dug up plenty, filling their baskets.
They returned to the Educated Youth Courtyard before noon, cleaned their harvest, and boiled it in the pot Feng Qingqing had produced. After a simple meal of taro and salted sauce, they prepared to head to the production brigade headquarters.
Before they could leave, the other new arrivals, led by the Jiang siblings, pushed open the door. The moment they saw the new stove in the corner, their eyes widened. Just as they were about to ask, Feng Qingqing led Hu Fangming out.
Their mission was clear: to collect their food rations from the production brigade headquarters. New arrivals were allowed to receive an advance on their grain, to be paid back after the autumn harvest.
On their way back, they ran into Lin Feng, who was also there to collect his rations. This time, Lin Feng stopped in front of them and looked at Feng Qingqing. "I have something to discuss with you. I’m living and eating on my own now. Could I use your pot to cook? Don't worry, it won't be for free. I’ll pay you three yuan a month as a usage fee."
He stared at Feng Qingqing, knowing the pot was hers and that she was the one calling the shots for their two-person team. Feng Qingqing considered it. She didn't have a bad impression of Lin Feng, and she didn't want the courtyard to be filled with people who were hostile to them. She agreed, and Lin Feng paid the first month’s fee on the spot.
When they returned to the courtyard, the afternoon was still young. Hu Fangming decided to take a nap, but Feng Qingqing had other business. She left without even acknowledging the Jiang siblings, who were trying to strike up a conversation. She had something much more important to attend to.
With a few boiled taro in her pocket and a basket on her back, she headed for the hills again. This time, she wasn't looking for food—she was looking to intercept someone.
Specifically, the man who would be her husband in her past life.
The man’s name was He Yongan. His father was He Dashan and his mother was Wei Xiangcui; the villagers called them "Old He’s Family." He Yongan was the eldest of six, with three younger brothers, He Yongchang, He Yongguo, and the twins He Yongyun and He Yongming, as well as one younger sister, He Yongxia.
The He family had lived in the Lanshan Production Brigade for generations. They were a large, prosperous clan and a household that held significant influence within the brigade.
However, whenever the villagers spoke of He Dashan’s family, they always did so with a sense of pity: "Yongan is such an honest, hardworking lad. It's a shame he has parents like that."
As for why—