Chapter 24: The Su Family’s Eldest Daughter Comes Back Driving a Tractor
Su He’s eyes lit up. She had thought things would probably work out, but hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly!
“Aunt Qian, can I ride the tractor back to the village with you?”
Qian Huifang looked a bit troubled. “The cab can only fit two people, and we need two drivers this time—there’s probably no room.”
This kind of crawler tractor towed a harrow in the back, and only the cab had space for people to sit.
Tractors were scarce, and usually operated non-stop with two drivers taking turns.
Su He had been hoping to return in style on the tractor—there was no way she’d give up so easily.
After a moment of thought, she said, “Aunt Qian, I’ll figure something out. Just take me to the Agricultural Machinery Bureau tomorrow.”
Qian Huifang thought it might be a bit difficult, but seeing how confident Su He looked, she didn’t press further. They’d know tomorrow if it would work or not.
Su He expressed her deep gratitude to Qian Huifang before going back into the courtyard.
Su Yongshi and Cao Hongmei were home. When they saw Su He, they didn’t say a word.
Su He found it amusing. What, they were giving her the silent treatment? Trying to pressure her into leaving?
The next morning, Su He got up bright and early.
“Second Uncle, Second Aunt, I’m heading back to the countryside today. I’ll come visit another day.”
Cao Hongmei filtered out the last part of what Su He said and responded with feigned politeness, “What a pity—I have to take Jinbao to school, and your second uncle has the early shift. Otherwise, we’d take you to the station. Just make sure to lock the door when you leave.”
Su He smiled. “Okay, I got it.”
Su Yongshi didn’t even bother with pleasantries. He figured Su He had finally hit a wall and was leaving in disappointment.
As Su He was leaving, she noticed smoke rising from Old Man Ge’s chimney, meaning he was up. She called out over the wall, “Grandpa Ge, I’m leaving now! I’ll come see you in a few days!”
Just when she thought there wouldn’t be a response, Old Man Ge’s voice came from inside the house: “Then go! What are you shouting for this early in the morning? No manners!”
Su He grinned and left the courtyard.
Qian Huifang happened to be coming out too, and the two of them headed to the Agricultural Machinery Bureau.
When they arrived, the two drivers were wiping down the tractor.
To be honest, the tractor looked pretty old—no wonder it broke down every few days.
Qian Huifang explained their purpose, and the drivers were reasonably friendly.
Usually, they acted high and mighty when working in the countryside, but since Qian Huifang worked at the machinery factory, they gave her some face.
When Su He gave Qian Huifang a meaningful look, she took the hint and said, “I’ll go check on our factory’s people who’ve been dispatched out. You all go ahead and talk.”
Once Qian Huifang left, the drivers didn’t pay Su He much attention.
Seeing no one else around, Su He handed each of them two packs of cigarettes.
The drivers were stunned at first, then smiled broadly.
This girl knew how to play the game—and had good connections too.
Cigarettes required ration coupons, and this particular brand was a hot commodity—very hard to get.
Seeing Su He look like she wanted to say something but was too shy, one of them chuckled and said, “Come on, little girl, say what’s on your mind. Don’t be shy.”
Su He finally spoke: “Master Sun, Master Zhang, I’d like to discuss something with you. I’m the kind of person who likes to show off a little, and I really want to ride the tractor back to the village.
But since the cab only fits two people, I was wondering if one of you could take the bus to Huaihua Town instead. I’ll have someone pick you up, and I’ll pay for your ticket. Would that be okay?”
The two drivers looked at each other, and finally, the younger one—Master Zhang—said, “I’ll take the bus then!”
After all, she had given them something, and honestly, riding in that bumpy old tractor wasn’t comfortable anyway—he’d rather take the bus.
Su He thanked him profusely and gave him a whole yuan for the bus ticket.
The ticket only cost 20 cents, so he made a quick 80-cent profit—no complaints here!
By the time Qian Huifang returned, Su He was already calling them “Uncle Sun” and “Brother Zhang” like they were family.
If Qian Huifang didn’t know it was their first time meeting, she’d have thought they’d known each other for years.
“Aunt Qian, I’ve talked it over with Brother Zhang. He’ll take the bus to our commune, and I’ll ride the tractor with Uncle Sun.”
Qian Huifang: “…Oh. Okay.”
This little girl really pulled it off?
Once the two drivers confirmed everything was in order, Master Zhang headed off to the bus station, while Master Sun and Su He got into the cab.
The tractor chugged to life—tut-tut-tut—and they were off…
Meanwhile, chaos reigned at the Su family’s house.
Two days ago, Chen Youde, the brigade leader of Huangxi Village, had gone to Zhangjia Village to borrow an ox. He ended up getting a chicken-neck slam and a heap of mockery!
The village accountant—Zhang Lianxiang’s father—mocked him coldly:
“My daughter got beaten by someone from the Su family, and instead of stopping them, you all cheered them on. Now you want a favor from us?”
“Aren’t you from proud old Huangxi Village? Then don’t come crawling to borrow our ox!”
“Want to borrow the ox? Dream on!”
The brigade leader of Zhangjia Village kept trying to mediate, but he never agreed. It was clear they were playing good cop/bad cop to extort something.
Chen Youde pleaded and negotiated. In the end, Zhangjia Village gave a condition: Old Man Su’s family had to apologize to Zhang Lianxiang in person and pay 30 yuan—then they’d let it go.
When Old Madam Su heard this, she was so furious she cursed nonstop, practically wanting to dig up Zhang Lianxiang’s ancestors and curse them too.
But what use was that?
The news had already spread through Huangxi Village, and many people were getting restless.
If they couldn’t borrow an ox and missed the planting season, it would affect the entire year’s harvest.
Yesterday, people began showing up at the Su house in small groups to persuade them to compromise.
Last night, Old Man Su smoked his pipe all night, Old Madam Su cried and cursed, Zhao Cui’er cried so hard her eyes swelled, and Su Yongguo just sighed nonstop.
Even little Su Xiaoman had a furrowed brow, wondering if her “bad sister” could manage to borrow the tractor.
And sure enough, today even more villagers gathered at the Su house.
“Old Su, stop being stubborn. Just go apologize to the Zhangs. It’s your own son and daughter-in-law—they won’t make it too hard for you.”
“If you can’t say the words yourself, have Yongguo do it. He’s the eldest. A few soft words don’t cost anything.”
“Yeah, giving in a little won’t kill you. But if you delay any longer, we’re going to miss the farming season.”
…
Those were the nicer folks. The ones who didn’t get along with the Su family spoke much more harshly.
“You Su lot want to play the hero? Fine. Just don’t drag the rest of us down with you!”
“Even let your son marry into someone else’s house, and you still have the nerve to act high and mighty?”
“There’s nothing more important than food! If anyone delays farming, they’re the enemy of the whole village!”
…
Old Man Su puffed on his pipe silently. He had already foreseen this day—his hard-earned dignity was once again stomped into the mud.
But what could he do?
If they didn’t bow to the Zhangs, the Su family would be finished in Huangxi Village—ostracized and hated by everyone.
He knocked his pipe against his shoe sole and steeled himself. “Enough talking. I’ll go—”
TUT-TUT-TUT!
A chugging sound cut him off. Outside, people started shouting:
“A tractor! It’s a tractor!”
“Why’s a tractor coming to our village?”
“Look! It’s Su family’s eldest girl! She’s driving the tractor back!”
