The Educated Youth 09

"Dad, where did you go?" Fang Xiaoxia asked.

Fang Zhiyi nonchalantly stuffed the things in his hands into hers. "Don't ask, it has nothing to do with you."

Fang Xiaoxia only felt a heaviness in her hands. Looking down, she saw that it was actually a stack of old books.

"Dad, why did you buy these?"

"For you to read. Did you think I was going to use them for kindling?" As Fang Zhiyi spoke, a young man walked out.

"Xiaoxia, come a bit earlier tomorrow, you can practice more... And who is this?"

Fang Zhiyi looked him up and down.

"This is my dad. Dad, this is Technician Wang, whom I told you about."

Little Wang reached out his hand. "Xiaoxia mentioned you. You must be Team Leader Fang, right?"

Fang Zhiyi set his things on the ground and shook his hand, though his eyes drifted past the man to glance at the tractor.

This gesture made Little Wang misunderstand. He smiled and said, "Every village is busy right now. This tractor is scheduled in order, so your Xiashan Village might have to wait a while..."

Fang Zhiyi nodded, then withdrew his gaze. "Thank you, technician, for taking care of my daughter. She's a bit clumsy."

"Not at all! Everyone has to learn. I've also learned a lot from her; she's quite talented." This was considered a very high appraisal.

Fang Zhiyi smiled and patted Fang Xiaoxia's head. "Talent? Talent combined with hard work is what brings success. You can't get arrogant."

Technician Wang paused for a moment, then took out a pocket notebook and earnestly began to write down the exact words Fang Zhiyi had just said. Fang Zhiyi felt a sense of approval; he had to admit, this unique earnestness belonging to the people of this era was quite precious.

After a few more pleasantries, Fang Zhiyi left with Fang Xiaoxia. Technician Wang watched them go until someone behind him shouted, "Technician, this tractor broke down again!"

He sighed and quickly turned around to run inside and check.

Compared to Fang Zhiyi's open and natural demeanor, Fang Xiaoxia was a bit nervous, afraid that someone would stop them and ask why they had so many things. She couldn't understand how her old man could be so bold.

Fortunately, there were no hiccups along the way. When Fang Zhiyi returned to the village, he first delivered some items to every household. These were nothing more than basic supplies like sugar, cloth, and eggs, some of which he had traded for directly on the black market using ration coupons.

In short, every household was very satisfied. In the face of their gratitude, Fang Zhiyi just waved his hand. "Serving the people, you know."

When he got home, apart from some food and daily necessities, the rest were all books.

Fang Xiaoxia looked at the pile of books in confusion, until Fang Zhiyi slowly opened one and began to give her a serious lesson. This truly shocked Fang Xiaoxia.

Did her dad have this level of education? But thinking about it, it didn't seem wrong. When her mother was still alive, she had heard her say that her dad had also gone to school in his early years.

Fang Zhiyi's reprimand interrupted her wild thoughts, and soon she began to listen to his explanations.

Fang Zhiyi knew exactly how to approach the teaching, and Fang Xiaoxia listened very attentively. They didn't stop until both of their stomachs were rumbling.

Compared to the harmony in their home, Zhang Qingqing was having a very hard time right now. Previously, when she couldn't carry the fodder, others would lend a hand, but now they completely ignored her. Zhang Qingqing tried to talk to them to ease the awkwardness, but the other female educated youths just turned their heads away and pretended not to hear.

Wei Xiangyang, on the other hand, was happy. After gathering the rice, he leisurely returned to the educated youth spot. Seeing the other male educated youths covered in sweat, his face was full of smugness.

When he saw Zhang Qingqing come in, he immediately stood up to greet her, holding the remaining half can of malted milk extract in his hand. He offered it to her like a treasure, but before he could speak, a shout came from outside.

"Who dried this rice? Who!"

Wei Xiangyang turned his head in confusion, only to see a villager standing at the door with a frown.

"I dried it, what's..."

"What do you mean, what's wrong? What kind of job did you do? Don't you know you have to collect it after it dries? You just left it in a pile there? You can't even handle this little bit of work? What if it rains?"

The series of questions made Wei Xiangyang look embarrassed. He glanced at Zhang Qingqing, lowered his head, and walked out.

Some people in the educated youth spot were snickering, while others said, "See that? Lazy people are lazy everywhere. It's a pity for other people's good intentions."

Zhang Qingqing's face flushed red and then turned pale. She hadn't expected that Wei Xiangyang would make her look bad on the very first day.

Hearing the others' discussions, the isolated Zhang Qingqing felt restless, her brain spinning rapidly.

Soon she had a new idea. Why not take this opportunity to go find Fang Zhiyi again and push Feng Jingya forward? That would also salvage her own image. Having made up her mind, she was about to walk out, only to bump right into Fang Zhiyi walking in.

Fang Zhiyi looked at her first. "I said I'd help you out, but it seems that won't work. He didn't even go pull the dung cart today."

Zhang Qingqing looked completely bewildered.

Then Fang Zhiyi looked at the other educated youths. "Given that Wei Xiangyang is careless in his work, I don't think he's suitable for the job of drying the rice! Let's choose someone else! I think, just... you guys decide."

The educated youths looked at each other, and eventually, all eyes fell on Feng Jingya.

A female educated youth stood up. "Captain, I think it's more appropriate for Feng Jingya to go. She's more careful."

"Exactly, much better than that lazybones."

"Jingya isn't in good health, so it's right for her to have a lighter task."

Fang Zhiyi smiled at them, then pressed his hands down. Waiting until everyone quieted down, he said, "Alright, then Feng Jingya will go. You have a good group of comrades, hahahaha."

Everyone laughed, creating a harmonious and joyous scene.

Zhang Qingqing was completely dumbfounded. Things shouldn't be like this! With Fang Zhiyi taking the initiative to bring this up in front of everyone, what did that make her? They would only remember Fang Zhiyi's kindness and praise his fairness, while the false accusations she had suffered earlier would be confirmed as true!

"Yes, I also think Feng Jingya is the most suitable. It's better for a grown man like Wei Xiangyang to go to the fields," Zhang Qingqing said, bracing herself. Her words drew a few sneers.

Fang Zhiyi smiled at her. "By the way, remember to tell Wei Xiangyang to go pull the dung cart later. I'll leave it to you to inform him." He turned his head and happened to see Wei Xiangyang standing dumbly at the door. Fang Zhiyi looked at Wei Xiangyang, said nothing, reached out to pat his shoulder, and walked away.

"Xiangyang..." Zhang Qingqing was stunned.

"You..." Wei Xiangyang hadn't heard the earlier conversation, but he had heard Zhang Qingqing's words loud and clear.

"Ooh, the little couple is going to fight," Zhou Qiaoyun jeered. Right now, she had absolutely no feelings for Wei Xiangyang at all. She found both of them quite annoying: one was hypocritical, and the other was habitually lazy.

The other educated youths chimed in with their jeers. Wei Xiangyang's ears grew redder and redder, and he turned around and ran out.

Zhang Qingqing stomped her foot. What kind of mess was this! How did she become the object of everyone's disgust?