Chapter 71: How Should a Patchwork Landlord Act?

Han Li gazed at the clothes hanging from the rope, trying to guess who had washed them for him. Could it be He Mi? It seemed unlikely; Han Li felt that bringing him steamed buns last time was probably the limit of what she’d do.

So who could it be? But he soon abandoned the speculation—he could simply ask later and find out. He grabbed a handful of broken rice and fed the six sparrows, then began to cook.

Cornmeal porridge was quick and simple; all it needed was boiling water. But just as the meal was ready, before he could take a bite, Sun Yong walked in.

“Comrade Han, you haven’t eaten yet?”

“I went to gather some firewood after work, so dinner’s a bit late. Have you eaten, Captain Sun? If not, you’re welcome to join me.”

Sun Yong replied, “I’ve already eaten. Well, from now on, there will be an hour of study at the Youth Academy every evening. After you finish eating, please come over as soon as you can.”

Han Li said, “Captain Sun, I’m very happy to keep learning and revisiting the directives of our great leaders. I’ve been attending the sessions on time these past days, no problem at all. But I’ve joined the village’s Autumn Guard, and once that starts, I’m afraid I won’t be able to study with everyone.”

Sun Yong replied, “That’s fine. Once the Autumn Guard begins, you don’t need to come, but if you have free time, be sure to read the quotations. And remember to bring your own lamp when you come tonight.”

After seeing Sun Yong off, Han Li couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off with him today. He didn’t have his usual easygoing manner; instead, he seemed to be putting on airs.

Han Li had only eaten half his dinner when Hao Hongmei, Yang Xiuying, the Yun sisters, and He Mi all arrived.

They walked in without ceremony, settling on the kang. Yang Xiuying sidled up to Han Li and whispered mysteriously, “I just heard some news today—do you want to know?”

“No, right now I just want to finish my meal,” Han Li replied.

Yang Xiuying...

The other girls chuckled, and Yun Yingying stepped forward, about to spill the secret, but Yang Xiuying spoke first.

“Fine, you win. I’ll tell you: the word is, Shanghe Village may get a spot for a worker-peasant-soldier university this year. How about it? Are you tempted?”

Han Li held his bowl, not even raising his eyes. “What’s the point of being tempted? Admission to the worker-peasant-soldier university is extremely strict. You have to be a high school graduate, pass all reviews, and as a sent-down youth, you must have spent three years in the village with good conduct and no unjust disciplinary issues. Only then, with the village cadres’ approval and a recommendation letter, can you apply. We’ve only been in Shanghe Village for less than three months—so what use is it to be tempted?”

The worker-peasant-soldier university started recruiting students in 1970, ended in 1976, and in 1977 the national college entrance exam resumed.

So Han Li really didn’t care about that university; he wasn’t qualified. By the time he would be, the college entrance exam would have returned, so why bother longing for it?

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Furthermore, the worker-peasant-soldier university would later become embroiled in all sorts of controversy, and Han Li had no desire to become part of that. It wasn’t a matter of right or wrong—Han Li’s philosophy was always to steer clear of trouble.

As for the debates and judgments, aside from those directly involved, no one was truly qualified to comment.

Yang Xiuying pouted. “Can’t you think of something nice for a change? Is it so wrong to dream a little?”

Han Li replied, “Dreaming is no substitute for putting your feet on the ground. Do you know why I always encourage you to work hard, even if it’s just going through the motions every day? It’s so that, when opportunity finally knocks, you can actually seize it.”

Yang Xiuying huffed, “Well, if you don’t explain, how are we supposed to know? Anyway, things are getting lively at the Youth Academy.”

Yun Yingying scoffed, “Lively? It’s more like a powder keg now. But I have something to tell you that’ll make you happy.”

Han Li looked up at her. “I barely know anyone at the Youth Academy. What could possibly make me happy?”

Yun Yingying said, “To show off, they’re planning to drag Zhang San out again for another round of public criticism.”

Poor Zhang San—if everyone had that attitude and took a turn calling him out, would Han Li even need to intervene?

“Ahem, ahem. If someone makes a mistake, they should accept criticism from everyone. I think the comrade who suggested it is quite admirable.”

Yang Xiuying shifted aside. “Hey, try not to smile so obviously—I don’t want you to spit out your food.”

Han Li...

Hao Hongmin nudged Yang Xiuying. “Enough teasing—let Han Li finish his meal. We still need to head to the Youth Academy soon.”

Han Li wanted to eat quickly, but the cornmeal porridge was scalding hot; all he could do was circle his bowl and sip it like bean soup.

His method of drinking porridge didn’t draw much reaction from the others, but Yun Yingying laughed, “You’re drinking cornmeal porridge as if it were bean soup.”

Someone asked Yun Yingying what bean soup was, and the girls started chatting about it.

When Han Li finished and set his bowl on the kang table, He Mi reached out and took it away to wash. Yun Yingying, seeing this, picked up the vegetable platter from the table and put it away in the cupboard. Hao Hongmin, noticing, instinctively moved the table outside and wiped it down.

This left Han Li feeling rather pampered—had he unintentionally become a wealthy landlord? Though, as a landlord, he was a bit pitiful: no one helped him cook, and no one warmed his bed.

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But who had washed the clothes that afternoon? Under the slightly surprised gaze of the girls, Han Li remained as indifferent as ever, stepping off the kang, putting on his shoes, and refilling his kerosene lamp.

When they all grabbed their stools and lamps and headed to the Youth Academy, the place already glowed with light—kerosene lamps, candles, and even two torches burning nearby. Such enthusiasm!

Jiang Xiaoli’s voice rivaled Sun Yong’s, giving Han Li a real taste of how women could hold up half the sky.

When Han Li returned, his ears were still ringing, leaving him wide awake.

What now? Since he couldn’t sleep, he might as well process the eel and medicinal herbs. When he next went to the county, he could send a batch home to his family. He lit the fire, set up the pot, and began drying everything in batches.

Once the eel was dried, he ground it into powder; the medicinal herbs received similar treatment.

After he finished processing everything stored in his space, Han Li checked his watch.

Goodness—it was already two-thirty in the morning. He hadn’t realized he’d accumulated so much.

No more talking—time to sleep.

Though he went to bed late, his body’s internal clock woke him right on time.

Exercise, wash up, eat breakfast. When he reached the drying yard that morning, the brigade leader was already delivering a lengthy lecture.

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