Chapter 43: A Chance Encounter in the Jianghu
Hearing the voice, Ning Xiyue turned her head and saw a familiar figure, a little surprised at the coincidence of their meeting.
A reunion in the jianghu (social battleground).
The person was none other than the same auntie she had secretly competed with over a corner seat on the bus from the county to the town.
“Auntie, long time no see. I’m sorry about what happened on the bus that day. I was feeling really unwell and didn’t dare move around. Please don’t hold it against me for being rude.”
Ning Xiyue stood up with a bright smile, immediately offering a simple apology for that day.
Since this auntie was able to enter, and Dahei neither barked nor growled but wagged its tail instead, it was clear she was a member of the drying team. If there was a chance to avoid hostility, there was no reason not to.
A few words cost nothing and could leave a good impression, preventing trouble — a win-win situation.
The auntie burst into booming laughter at Ning Xiyue’s apology, her voice loud and penetrating, perfect for leading a choir.
Waving her hand, she said heartily, “It’s fine, no need to apologize. Getting a good seat on that bus was always a matter of skill. I was just bored and thought you were an interesting little girl, so I decided to have a bit of fun competing with you.”
Stepping forward, she took Ning Xiyue’s hand warmly and continued,
“I didn’t expect you’d be assigned as an educated youth in our team — and even a member of our drying group. It seems we’re really destined to cross paths. You can call me Aunt Yangliu from now on.”
Hearing her name made Ning Xiyue genuinely happy — she’d gotten what she wanted without even trying. On the very first day she arrived in the countryside, she had thought about befriending the captain’s wife, and here was the perfect opportunity.
Moreover, from this brief interaction, she could already tell Aunt Yangliu was generous and easy-going.
Ning Xiyue returned the handshake warmly, “Auntie, my name is Ning Xiyue. You can just call me Xiyue.”
“Little Xiyue, your Uncle Dawei praises you every day at home — says you’re smart and capable, bringing honor to the team. Now that I see you in person, I believe it. Such a bright and pretty girl.”
Before meeting her, Aunt Yangliu had worried that the new educated youth might be spoiled and difficult to get along with. If that had been the case, she would never have followed her husband’s request to look after the newcomer.
But now that she realized the new educated youth was the same girl from the bus — spirited, interesting, and with a personality she liked — she was no longer worried. At least life wouldn’t be boring.
Ning Xiyue giggled behind her hand. “Auntie, you’re flattering me too much. I’m not nearly as good as you and Uncle Dawei say.”
Her playful words drew another hearty laugh from Aunt Yangliu.
There was still some time before work started, and some people had yet to arrive, so the two of them sat down and continued chatting.
Ning Xiyue learned that Uncle Anguo was the team’s accountant and the nominal leader of their group. He was responsible for organizing the team’s work. Recently, he’d been staying there to guard the grain and would be busy elsewhere during the day.
She also found out that Aunt Yangliu had gone to the county to bring some food to her son who worked there, and on the way back, she had stopped by her maternal home near the Dahuai Team. She had only returned yesterday afternoon — that’s why Ning Xiyue hadn’t seen her before.
Ning Xiyue’s eyes widened in surprise. “Auntie, what a coincidence! My second brother is a educated youth in the Dahuai Team. He’s been there for two years already. I was planning to visit him when I had some free time.”
Aunt Yangliu slapped her thighs with such force that Ning Xiyue winced just watching, though the aunt didn’t feel a thing. Still smiling broadly, she said,
“Well, isn’t that perfect! I told you we’re fated. If you want to go to the Dahuai Team, just ask me — I’ll take you there. I know the place like the back of my hand.”
Ning Xiyue nodded quickly, her face glowing with joy. “Alright, then I won’t be polite with you, Auntie.”
Her lack of formality only made Aunt Yangliu more pleased. “That’s the way to be! Don’t stand on ceremony with me. I liked how spirited you were on the bus — girls who are tough don’t get bullied.”
Ning Xiyue then mentioned she had a piece of army-green fabric she wanted to turn into clothes. Aunt Yangliu’s smile grew even wider. “If you want to learn how to make clothes, come find me when you’re free. I might not know much else, but my sewing skills are more than decent.”
“Okay, Auntie. I’ll definitely come.”
They chatted back and forth until 7:30, when everyone had arrived for work.
Zhao Anguo gathered everyone together, gave them instructions, and briefly introduced Ning Xiyue to the group.
Ning Xiyue stepped forward and greeted everyone. Most of them smiled warmly, but one woman scowled, her face full of displeasure and dislike, looking at Ning Xiyue with obvious hostility.
Curling her lip, she muttered with contempt, “Hmph, what could a weak little educated youth like her possibly do?”
Ning Xiyue was baffled.
Since the other party clearly wasn’t happy to see her, she saw no reason to smile back. She had a temper too. Her cheerful expression vanished, and she rolled her eyes before turning her back on the sharp-eyed, mean-faced auntie.
“It’s none of your business what I can do,” she shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “You must have a huge ocean at home to mind things so wide.”
Aunt Yangliu shot a glare at the woman beside her — Li Cuihua — and pulled Ning Xiyue aside.
“Don’t pay her any attention. She wants her lazy, gluttonous daughter to get this job, but your Uncle Anguo has always refused. Now that you’ve taken the spot, she knows there’s no chance, so she’s throwing a tantrum.”
Knowing that, Ning Xiyue cared even less. She could handle a nasty look, but there was no way anyone was taking her hard-earned position — not a chance.
“Don’t worry, Auntie. I don’t care. No one’s going to push me out. Even the scar on my forehead wouldn’t allow it. If anyone makes things hard for me, I’ll make sure they don’t have a moment’s peace. My hands have been itching for some action anyway.”
Though she appeared to be talking to Aunt Yangliu, she deliberately raised her voice so everyone — especially the woman eyeing her job — could hear.
At the same time, she clenched her fists, knuckles cracking loudly.
She was quite eager to test out the Taichi she’d recently learned.
Aunt Yangliu raised her voice to match. “Oh my, with me around, Little Xiyue, you can rest easy. Anyone who bullies you is bullying me!”
Their back-and-forth only made Li Cuihua’s face uglier, but it did rein in her hostility. She didn’t dare openly glare or speak cutting remarks anymore.
Just then, Zhao Anguo called out from the front, “It’s getting late. Everyone, hurry up and get to work! Bring out the grain that needs to be dried, spread out the mats, and do whatever tasks you’re assigned. Don’t delay the comrades bringing in the grain from the fields to dry. If anyone holds things up, their work points will be deducted. Alright, dismissed!”
