Watching his wife’s "claws-out" display, the Brigade Leader felt his mounting irritation slowly ebb away. He knew all too well that he was still being affected by what had happened the year before last. However, his wife was right—this was his territory. Ensuring the safety of the educated youth was his responsibility, but if they were in the wrong, he could never be lenient.
Over at the Educated Youth Point, the Brigade Leader had sent his youngest son, Su Mingjin, to deliver six reed mats as a welcome gift and as compensation for the fact that the youth quarters hadn't been cleaned up in advance. Do not underestimate these mats; they were incredibly useful. Spreading one over a *kang* kept dust from penetrating the bedding, and in the summer, they kept one much cooler. The mats woven by Old Zhangtou in Wansheng Village were the best for miles around; people came from all over to buy them. For weddings, most people would even pay a premium for the ones with intricate patterns, smooth surfaces, uniform color, and high breathability. In modern times, these would be considered genuine artisanal crafts.
However, the educated youth Feng Ru looked down on the mat and immediately made her displeasure known. Curling her lip, she sneered, "A single reed mat as a gift? They really have the nerve to say that, but I’m too embarrassed to even accept it. The Brigade Leader is just too stingy!"
Chapter 18