Chapter 22: Exclusive Errand Runner

"I am telling the truth. Your thinking is skewed; did you really think I wouldn't dare say it? If it weren't for Brother Gang wanting to curry favor with educated youth Jian, you wouldn't be worth a damn."

"You... how could you say that about me?" Xia Tiantian asked through gritted teeth. She considered herself quite attractive and felt this bumpkin clearly lacked any sense of taste.

"Brother Gang gave you the best things from his home, and instead of being grateful, you looked down on him. I didn't hit you, which is already being very polite."

The enthusiastic young man spoke loudly, then stepped forward to snatch the items from Qu Chenggang’s hands. "Brother Gang, let’s go. You’re capable enough; there’s no need to offer a warm face to a cold backside."

"..."

Qu Chenggang wanted to say that wasn't the case, but when he looked at Jian Yueshi, who stood there looking hesitant to speak yet remained silent throughout, the words died in his throat.

It was true that he had been kind to her because she was beautiful. He took one last deep look at Jian Yueshi and turned to leave. Once was enough for offering a warm face to a cold backside.

Seeing Qu Chenggang turn to leave, Xiao Zhiyu quickly chased after him. "Comrade Qu, may I ride on your bicycle to town to buy some daily necessities?"

"This educated youth, my name is Zhong Qingfeng. I can give you a ride. Since you look decent and are well-mannered, I’ll charge you ten cents—the same price as the ox cart, but less bumpy."

Zhong Qingfeng turned and said enthusiastically. His ancestors had been local gentry during the Qing Dynasty, so his mind was much sharper than the average person’s. He didn't toil in the fields; instead, he quietly ran errands and fetched goods for urban educated youths and those sent down to farms for "re-education" to earn a little extra money.

Although he earned more than the villagers, they weren't jealous because he knew how to handle people. When he saw the village children, he would share a candy with them, telling them he had saved it through great hardship. The simple-minded villagers couldn't bring themselves to run errands for others, viewing it as the work of spineless sycophants. They even tirelessly warned their children never to degenerate like Zhong Qingfeng. Consequently, he became the sole provider of errand services. Though he didn't make a fortune, he managed to avoid backbreaking farm labor and never went without.

"Ten cents is not much. Comrade Zhong, if you can take both of us to town, we’ll give you twenty cents," Xiao Zhiyu said, pulling the bespectacled youth forward.

"Sure thing! Brother Gang happens to have a bike; we’ll drop off these things first and then come back for you," Zhong Qingfeng said happily.

"Comrade Qu, can you take me and Tiantian to—" Jian Yueshi’s words were interrupted by Zhong Qingfeng.

"No. I’ve already promised the Xiao educated youth I’d take them. A bicycle can only carry one person; Brother Gang will take him," Zhong Qingfeng said, pointing at the bespectacled youth.

Seeing Jian Yueshi on the verge of tears, Qu Chenggang couldn't bear it. "Qingfeng, tell Chengyuan to take him. I’ll take educated youth Jian."

"Fine!" Zhong Qingfeng looked at Qu Chenggang deeply; the brother he had followed for years really lacked any backbone. He hung the items on the handlebars and sped off toward Qu Chenggang’s house without looking back.

Seeing the annoying Zhong Qingfeng leave, Xia Tiantian turned to see Wen Lin holding a muddy-colored plastic bucket in each hand. "Wen Lin, where did you get those buckets?"

"Why should I tell you? If you want some, go buy them in town later. Tsk tsk... though I’m not sure if this backwater has plastic buckets."

"Wen Lin, your thinking is problematic, looking down on—"

Wen Lin issued a blunt warning: "You shouldn't eat things indiscriminately, and you certainly shouldn't speak indiscriminately. Didn't your parents teach you that?"

Wen Lin wasn't afraid of Xia Tiantian. The three of them had grown up in the same residential compound, though Xia Tiantian had lived in a cramped apartment block there. Her family background was similar to Jian Yueshi’s, but Jian Yueshi had a stepmother, step-siblings, and a complicated home, while Wen Lin had her biological parents and five doting older brothers. Jian Yueshi had been sent to the countryside out of necessity, while Wen Lin had come because she wanted to experience the "Up to the Mountains and Down to the Countryside" life.

"Wen Lin, don't tell me those plastic buckets came all the way from Beijing," Jian Yueshi sneered. She had been jealous of Wen Lin since childhood—the kind of jealousy that drove one mad.

"Heh, sorry to disappoint, but you guessed right. I didn't just bring plastic buckets; I also brought brand-new quilt covers, sheets, porcelain basins, and a thermos." Wen Lin lied without batting an eye. She had indeed brought a large backpack, but it was filled with clothes and shoes—four pairs of boots alone. Her sister-in-law had told her the Northwest was cold, so she had been sent boots and thick cotton coats by all her sisters-in-law, filling the bag completely.

"What are you gloating about? We’ll just buy some in town later," Xia Tiantian said loudly, seeing Jian Yueshi’s face twist in anger.

"This beautiful sister is truly far-sighted. I didn't bring any supplies at all; what a mistake," Xiao Zhiyu sighed with envy.

Wen Lin nodded in agreement. "Ugh, I was so stupid! These things are so heavy. You’ll have a much easier time buying them in town later."

"Ding-a-ling..." Zhong Qingfeng pedaled the bike like it was flying, his feet barely touching the ground when he heard Wen Lin’s words.

"Comrade, your bucket is so pretty! We don't sell those in town; you’d have to go to Qing City for that."

"Comrade, may I ask if you know of any water wells nearby?" Wen Lin asked with a smile.

"It’s a bit far, but since Brother Yuan hasn't arrived yet, I’ll fetch the water for you," Zhong Qingfeng offered with extra enthusiasm. As an excellent errand runner, he showed his utmost hospitality to the well-dressed Wen Lin.

"Oh, I couldn't possibly!" Wen Lin said, though she held the buckets out toward him.

"It’s no trouble. You’ve left your homes to come here; helping you with what I can is only right."

Seeing Zhong Qingfeng acting so obsequious toward Wen Lin, Xia Tiantian said sarcastically, "Some people talk so nicely, but they still charge money just to give someone a ride to town."

"Xia Tiantian, listen to yourself. People work hard to take you to town; isn't it only right to pay for their labor?" Wen Lin clicked her tongue. Money was the one thing she lacked the least. She said generously, "Comrade, if you fetch me two buckets of water, I’ll give you ten cents."

"That wouldn't be right!" Zhong Qingfeng said, though he quickly took the buckets from Wen Lin and ran off as if he were wild with excitement.

"Wen Lin, how can you spoil him like that? What if he demands money for every little thing he helps us with later?"

"Then we’ll pay him!" Wen Lin said dismissively. Again, she didn't lack money.

"Comrade Wen Lin is right. One should be rewarded for their labor," the bespectacled youth said gently. He felt Wen Lin was not only beautiful but also wealthy, and he decided to change his target of affection.

"You... all of you are siding with an outsider! It’s infuriating! Shouldn't we be sticking together?" Xia Tiantian stamped her foot in annoyance.

"Sister Xia, as long as you don't say such prickly things, we are sticking together!" Xiao Zhiyu said sincerely, his clear, naive eyes wide.

"Exactly. As long as you stop nitpicking, we’ll be united," the bespectacled youth added, looking toward Wen Lin with a fawning expression.