Chapter 275: Moving In
Ning Xiyue went to the front youth academy courtyard, where Zhao Jianshe and Yu Zhiyu were tidying up the empty room and clearing out miscellaneous items.
Since no one had been living there, the male youths had stored some of their extra belongings in it, especially tools and equipment.
Seeing them carry things in and out, Ning Xiyue realized that this room was most likely being prepared for her second brother. She didn’t need to ask him anything; her main goal was to check the room arrangements for him.
Seeing this scene, Ning Xiyue knew the captain had explained everything to Zhao Jianshe. Satisfied, she waved her hand and strolled around the courtyard, eyes fixed on the gate, waiting for her brother’s return.
Once Zhao Jianshe moved the last item out and came outside with a cloth, he saw Ning Xiyue in the courtyard and said:
“Xiyue, you’re just in time. When your brother returns, have him find me. I’ll help him get settled.”
“Okay.”
No sooner had Ning Xiyue replied than she heard the sound of a bicycle bell. She knew her brother had returned.
Sure enough, after the bell rang, Ning Qingyuan rode his bicycle toward them, luggage hanging both front and back, moving at a steady pace, and quickly reached the courtyard gate.
He stopped and shouted toward Ning Xiyue in the yard:
“Little sister, I’m back!”
Zhao Jianshe, seeing the person involved arrive, knew it would be easier to handle things directly. He called over the other youths in the courtyard and got ready to take care of everything.
Ning Xiyue waved:
“Second brother, come in! Comrade Jianshe is looking for you.”
Seeing most people ready, Zhao Jianshe stepped a few paces forward, stood in front of Ning Qingyuan, and patted his shoulder:
“Brother, you’ve come at just the right time. The captain already told me your situation. Welcome to our youth academy.”
Ning Qingyuan shook off Zhao Jianshe’s hand and shook hands with him, expressing gratitude:
“Thank you. From now on, we’ll work hard and advance together.”
The others, hearing their words, were a little puzzled, unsure what exactly was happening.
As the messenger of the captain’s instructions, Zhao Jianshe turned to clarify for everyone, smiling at the youths in the courtyard:
“Today I have something to tell you all. From now on, Comrade Ning Qingyuan will be a member of our youth academy, officially belonging to one of the brigades. Today he’s moving in with us. Everyone already knows him, so I won’t introduce him further. Let’s welcome him to our big family!”
After speaking, Zhao Jianshe led the applause, followed by Ning Xiyue.
“No need for introductions, we know him very well already.”
“Welcome! Welcome!”
Others clapped sincerely and shouted their welcome.
“Welcome Comrade Ning Qingyuan!”
Chen Ye Chu took Ning Xiyue’s hand and said:
“This is convenient. You two siblings won’t have to travel back and forth. Being in the same courtyard means you can look out for each other — saves a lot of trouble.”
“Yes, living in the same academy makes everything easier. And I have another helper for the tough chores,” Ning Xiyue joked.
Tonight, she would write home to tell her family. This was wonderful news — it would make them happy and reassured.
“Thank you all for the warm welcome,” Ning Qingyuan bowed and thanked everyone, adding some encouraging words:
“From now on, we’ll advance together, strive together, and build a beautiful homeland.”
“Good.” Zhao Jianshe clapped excitedly, then looked at Ning Qingyuan:
“Comrade Qingyuan, I’ll take you to your room. Bring your luggage and follow me.”
Seeing that his bicycle was loaded with luggage, Zhao Jianshe called other boys over to help:
“Everyone, come help Ning Qingyuan carry his things inside.”
“No need to trouble anyone. I can push my bike to the door. Easier that way,” Ning Qingyuan said, using the foot brake and pushing the bicycle forward.
“That works too. Bring it over,” Zhao Jianshe nodded and led the way.
Several young men followed to help. Ning Xiyue realized her brother didn’t need her at all — he was perfectly capable on his own — so she decided not to interfere.
She called out:
“Second brother, once you put the things down, come eat first. After eating, you can unpack.”
“Got it.”
Ning Xiyue greeted the others and, holding Chen Ye Chu’s hand, went back to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Once back, she carried the dishes to the table. Ning Qingyuan, after putting his things away, also came in.
“Wow, today’s meal is quite lavish,” Ning Qingyuan said, seeing a table full of dishes, all with meat, smelling delicious. He quickly washed his hands and sat down.
“A lot of good things happened today, time to celebrate,” Ning Xiyue said, placing a bowl of fermented rice fried egg in front of him.
As Ning Qingyuan sat down to eat, Ning Xiyue didn’t hesitate to give him some tasks:
“Second brother, tomorrow morning I’m going with the captain to the Da Rong brigade to castrate pigs. We’ll get three chicks back. If you’re free, help me set up a small chicken coop outside the kitchen. Just enough space for the three chicks to grow, with some extra room. There’s leftover construction material on the right you can use.”
Ning Qingyuan sipped his soup, then confidently patted his chest:
“Alright, leave it to me. I’ll build the coop, raise the chicks. You just focus on eating. I’ll handle the hard work.”
“Then I get to be lazy — just eat and drink, be a little lazybones,” Ning Xiyue laughed. She continued:
“After I return, I also plan to go with Yechu and others to the river reeds to catch wild ducks. If you’re free, you can join us.”
“Of course, I’ll go. I’ll make some tools for catching ducks tomorrow.” Ning Qingyuan eyed the duck meat on the table, picked up a piece with chopsticks, and asked:
“This duck, is it from the wild ducks we caught by the river?”
“Yes, exactly,” Ning Xiyue said while eating, explaining the duck’s origin.
After the meal, Ning Qingyuan washed the dishes while Ning Xiyue sat on a bench, telling him about brewing, her visit to the captain’s house, and everything that happened that day.
Ning Qingyuan listened while washing and shared about getting his certificates earlier.
Finally, after cleaning the kitchen, Ning Qingyuan brought all the grain and food he had brought back into the kitchen. Ning Xiyue organized everything neatly with her existing supplies.
Once finished, Ning Qingyuan brought a basin of water to wash his hands:
“I still have some things to take care of, need to go again tomorrow morning.”
Ning Xiyue took a handkerchief to dry her hands:
“Alright, go ahead. I’ll leave at 6:30 tomorrow morning. I cooked extra tonight so we can just heat it up in the morning. That’s it for today, I’m a bit tired.”
“Okay, go sleep. I’ll heat the food in the morning.”
Ning Xiyue nodded, washed up, and went to her room.
Inside, she saw Chen Ye Chu sitting at the table, checking his reflection in the mirror with a very satisfied expression.
Ning Xiyue laughed and teased:
“Staying up late to admire yourself? You’re already very handsome — beautiful indeed, no need for the mirror.”
