Chapter 29:

Every place has its local specialties.

Apart from the cloud mushrooms Yu Xiangqing mentioned, there’s also a famous taro here, known far and wide for its fragrant, sticky, and delicious taste that lingers on the palate.

The glutinous rice here is also quite good, though the yield is low, and not much is planted—just enough to make rice cakes for the New Year.

Yu Xiangqing and the others had already tried the taro and cloud mushrooms last night, and they were indeed tasty. As for the glutinous rice, Yu Xiangqing didn’t have any left—she had eaten the small portion she received during last year’s New Year celebration.

When Yu Xiang’an showed interest in the local food, Yu Xiangqing didn’t find it suspicious. After all, food is the first necessity of the people—what’s strange about asking a few extra questions?

So she explained in detail.

It wasn’t until her younger sister mentioned wanting some vegetable seeds from the area and exchanging for glutinous rice with the locals that Yu Xiangqing suddenly looked at her with admiration. “No wonder your cooking skills have improved so much—look how much attention you’re paying to ingredients now.”

Yu Xiang’an: “…”

This was a wonderful misunderstanding.

She just thought the ingredients were good and wanted to try them back home. If it worked out, exchanging with the locals through her sister in the future would be a perfectly normal thing, wouldn’t it?

The brigade leader was very polite to them. These two were city folks with formal jobs—even if they weren’t from around here, who knew what the future held?

Judging by their attitude, they cared deeply about their daughter, who was a sent-down youth in this village. Having more connections never hurt, and he had no problem showing goodwill.

He didn’t dare promise anything beyond his duties, but looking after a female sent-down youth within his authority was effortless for him.

When he saw the biscuits Yu Qingshan took out, the brigade leader’s smile grew even warmer. Listening to the father’s words:

“There’s an old saying: ‘While parents are alive, a child should not travel far.’ Nowadays, that’s not so strictly followed, but there’s some truth to it. When children are young and leave home to make their way alone, parents can’t help but worry. That’s why the ancients said, ‘While parents are alive, a child should not travel far’—they didn’t want their parents to fret. Times are different now. Under the Chairman’s wise leadership, our lives are getting better. Their going to the countryside follows national policy, and there’s nothing to criticize. But as a father, I can’t help but worry. You must understand—no matter how old the child is, in our eyes, they’re always children. We can never fully let go.”

The brigade leader nodded in agreement.

Yu Qingshan: “My other daughter works at a food factory. These are benefits from her workplace—a local specialty from our area. Please try them.”

The gift couldn’t be too extravagant or too meager. Too extravagant might make him seem opportunistic; too meager might make him indifferent. This was just right.

Hearing this, the brigade leader couldn’t refuse. After all, these were factory benefits—no money was spent, right?

He understood the implication. “Don’t worry. Comrade Yu Xiangqing’s performance since coming here has been commendable. She’s a good comrade—hardworking and proactive. Exactly the kind of talent we need.”

His praise was sincere. Among the sent-down youths, this newcomer had indeed performed well.

At first, she struggled, but that was understandable—she’d never done farm work before. What mattered was her attitude: once she got past the initial clumsiness, she asked questions and improved quickly. Plus, her family supported her, and she had access to good resources. Once, when a village child fell ill and medicine was scarce, she provided her own tablets, saving the day.

Any later, and the child might not have recovered unscathed.

Overall, the differences between Niujiao Brigade and Hongxing Brigade weren’t huge. Within the same province, there were some variations, but more similarities.

The climate was similar, the crops were similar.

After touring around, they finally arrived at the sent-down youth dormitory. They came at noon when most of the youths were present—other times, they were all out working in the fields.

Yu Qingshan was there to thank the sent-down youths for looking after his daughter, with special thanks to Zheng Ke, who had taken time off yesterday to fetch them with the ox cart.

Zheng Ke was flustered. “Uncle, there’s no need to be so polite. We’re all far from home in this unfamiliar place. Meeting here is fate. I’ve been here longer, so I’m more familiar with the area. I didn’t do much—Comrade Yu Xiangqing has helped me before too.”

Mo Wenwen, seeing them, thought there might be a change in the situation. Earlier, it was Yu Xiangqing’s sister who had been sharp-tongued—surely her father wouldn’t agree with her words.

But when it came to her, Yu Qingshan said:

“Comrade, I know you came by this morning. There are some things I shouldn’t say, but since I’m so far from my daughter, if I don’t speak clearly, I’m afraid she’ll hold back and suffer in silence. You’ve borrowed ration coupons from her and freeloaded meals under various pretexts—let’s leave that in the past. Back then, you were friends. It’s also my fault—I raised her to be a bit naive, not sharp enough. I never taught her how to deal with people with ill intentions.

“So I’ll say it plainly: you and my daughter are not compatible in character. If you have any issues, come to me, not her. You’re not suited to be friends. As a father, I don’t want you two associating.”

Mo Wenwen was stunned. Wasn’t he outright calling her scheming?

Wasn’t he saying she was manipulative?

Wasn’t he telling her to stay away from Yu Xiangqing?

In front of everyone, Mo Wenwen felt utterly humiliated.

Yu Qingshan continued, “I’m not blaming you. In life, being shrewd helps you get by better. My daughter needs to improve in this regard. But right now, I don’t think you two should be friends. So as her father, I have to say these unpleasant words. If she can’t refuse, then I will. Everyone here can bear witness. If you resent anyone, resent me. I’m too strict with my daughter—even her friendships are under my scrutiny.”

With that, how could she possibly approach Yu Xiangqing again? Her father had outright told her to stay away, fearing she’d take advantage.

If she showed up again, tearful and pitiful, it would only prove his point.

Yu Xiangqing was overjoyed.

Perfect. Now she wouldn’t have to deal with Mo Wenwen anymore.

Mo Wenwen didn’t dare do anything drastic—she just relied on sweet talk. As they left, Yu Xiangqing looked relieved. “When I cut ties with her before, she just cried and cried, making it seem like I bullied her. But with Dad stepping in, she couldn’t pull that act. Now I can just ignore her.”

Then, a bit sheepishly: “Dad, sorry for troubling you again.”

Yu Qingshan shook his head. “Some people just have thick skin. You need to learn from your sister—speak up when you should. If you don’t, how will others know you’re in the right? That you’ve been wronged? Did you think a simple ‘we’re not friends’ would suffice?”

Yu Xiangqing: “…”

She had been too naive.

Frustrated, she muttered, “How can some people be so shameless?”

Yu Qingshan: “People come in all types. You’ve just never met bad apples before, so you assumed the best in everyone.”

Shamelessness was just annoying. True malice could cost lives.

Yu Xiangqing: “…”

After lunch, it was time to leave. Yu Xiangqing was reluctant, wishing the meal could stretch on forever.

“Try to come home for New Year’s. Don’t worry about travel expenses—I can cover them.”

Tearfully, Yu Xiangqing nodded. “Okay, Dad. I will.”

Yu Xiang’an added, “Second Brother said he’d try to come back this New Year too. If you’re both home, the family can reunite.”

Yu Xiangqing smiled through her tears. “Is he bringing Second Sister-in-Law?”

Yu Qingshan: “Yes.”

Yu Xiangqing: “Second Brother finally got his wish.”

In a way, the siblings were similar—but only in the beginning. Second Brother got his happy ending, while she and Liang Yong went their separate ways.

Yu Qingshan grew serious. “I don’t want you rushing into another relationship. The state won’t keep you in the countryside forever. You’re still young, and I’ll keep looking for opportunities back home. If a job opens up, it’ll go to you. Your brother and his wife are settled—they don’t need it as much. But if you marry someone here, returning will be much harder.”

Yu Xiang’an chimed in, “Sis, I’ll help too. There’s no need to rush into a relationship. Even waiting until thirty is fine.”

Hearing this, Yu Qingshan’s eye twitched.

Thirty?

Was she serious?

That was too much!

Twenty-five, at the latest!

Personal matters had to be considered.

Seeing her father’s expression, Yu Xiangqing burst out laughing. “Thirty is way too late! Who’d marry me then?”

Yu Xiang’an shrugged. “Of course they would. And if you settle for someone bad, regret comes too late. Better to marry once and well than divorce later, especially with kids involved.”

Yu Xiangqing laughed harder. “Alright, alright. I get it. I won’t even think about it for now—I’ve got articles to write. No time for romance.”

She wanted to outshine Liang Yong. She wanted him to regret it.

She didn’t have leisure time to dwell on nonsense.

When she returned to the city, his face would be priceless.

……

No matter how much Yu Xiangqing wished otherwise, departure time arrived.

They came with bags full of gifts and left with bags full of local specialties—most of them inexpensive but impressive in quantity.

Once again, Zheng Ke helped by driving the ox cart to the station.

On the cart, as Yu Xiangqing’s smiling face grew smaller and smaller in the distance, her tears fell harder.

On the journey back, both Yu Qingshan and Yu Xiang’an relaxed. They’d done all they could—her future was now in her own hands.

Yu Qingshan remained optimistic.

His children were resilient. They could overcome obstacles—whether it was Xiang’an or Xiangqing.

Life was long, full of ups and downs. But as long as you were alive, anything was possible.

Misjudging people? Take it slow. Eventually, you’d learn to see clearly.

The real tragedy was his eldest daughter—she never got the chance.