CHAPTER 159: CHAPTER 159: IS NOT HAVING A PARTNER BOTHERING YOU?

Yi Chichi replied with a sound, "I’ve almost finished, I’ll head back first. Are you guys continuing to fish?"

"We’ll fish a bit more."

So, Yi Chichi took the fish and went to the cowshed.

People in the village didn’t bully the old man and his group, but they kept their distance.

They lived like invisible people, even during planting and harvesting seasons, they worked in separate groups and didn’t interact with the team.

This was the captain’s idea, and the old man and his group accepted it well.

They were seeking stability now, and for this stability, they were willing to write regular self-criticisms for the captain to take to the commune. They were typical examples of adaptability.

But conversely, when fishing, no one called them.

So, when they saw Yi Chichi walking in with a basin of fish, the old man and his group were momentarily surprised before gathering around.

"Where did the fish come from?"

"Caught in a puddle."

She handed the fish basin to Old Mrs. Song, "Grandma Song, could you please clean them?"

The ones in the backpack couldn’t be given, as they had to be taken back to deal with the people in the Youth Corps Courtyard.

Old Mrs. Song took the basin without a word, and Yi Chichi poured all the fish into it. Her grandfather hurriedly tried to stop her, "That’s enough, that’s enough, you should keep some for yourself."

"There are plenty in the backpack."

She took down her backpack and put four relatively larger fish into the basin.

"You can eat these first. When the captain and his team return with the meat, I’ll bring some meat over."

"Make sure you look after yourself first, we won’t starve."

"Don’t worry, listen to me."

"Won’t starve," they said, yet each of them looked haggard and skinny from hunger.

She took her grandfather’s hand to check his pulse but got no meaningful result, so Yi Chichi helplessly gave up, but made up her mind to ask Aunt Yaozi to give the old man and his group a full check-up when Uncle Yaozi returned.

The reason for not asking Uncle Yaozi was that his medical skills were only slightly better than hers, whereas his wife was vastly superior.

Even a fool would know to choose between barefoot doctors and renowned physicians.

Seeing Old Mrs. Song taking the fish to the kitchen, she smiled, "Grandpa, Mr. Song... Uncle Ye, I’m heading back now, take care of yourselves."

"Okay, you take care too."

The group watched her leave, and only after her figure completely disappeared from view did they turn back into the house to help.

After returning to the Youth Corps Courtyard, Yi Chichi urgently started cleaning the fish.

Palm-sized fish were easy to clean, and as she worked methodically, the smell attracted Da Li, who came swiftly.

"Meow ooh aah ooh..."

Seeing the fish, Da Li’s eyes sparkled, and it darted over to rub against her leg, its voice filled with urgency.

"Greedy cat."

Yi Chichi picked a fish for it, and Da Li grabbed it, crouching by her feet to eat it with satisfaction.

Then came the second, the third, and finally after gobbling down four fish, it started washing its face and licking its fur, and instead of leaving, it hopped onto a stool beside Yi Chichi to rest with its eyes closed.

Its tail swished lazily, and its comfortable demeanor made Bai Chen and the others return panting with jealousy in their eyes.

"Feels like being human isn’t as comfortable as that cat, Da Li."

Yi Chichi rolled her eyes, "You guys are really full of nonsense, actually sharing feelings with a cat."

Unwilling to see them idle, she said, "Come over and help clean the fish."

"Where did the fish come from?"

Realizing belatedly that there were fish, Bai Chen and the others brightened and gathered to help.

"Grass patches are full of fish."

Before she finished speaking, Wu Yongfei sprang into action and ran to the kitchen. Yi Chichi quickly called out, "It’s not your turn, the ladies from the team and nearly the whole village have gone fishing."

Meaning, even if they went now, there wouldn’t be any fish left to catch.

Instantly, Wu Yongfei returned dejectedly, dragging his heavy steps, "How come there are no fish left?"

"Let’s eat together."

Yi Chichi pushed the basin towards him, "This is all I have, but Wang Nan and the others will get more later."

The implication being that they wouldn’t run out of fish anytime soon.

These words did a great job soothing their wounded souls.

No longer downcast, they started enthusiastically cleaning the fish.

When Wang Nan and the others returned with fish, wow, adding all the fish in the Youth Corps Courtyard totaled a good sixty to seventy pounds, though handling them was a hassle.

The fish Yi Chichi brought back were relatively larger, as the tiny ones slipped through the basket seams.

Wang Nan and her crew didn’t use backpacks, they used wooden basins and barrels, catching both big and small fish.

There were even quite a few very tiny fish, hardly manageable, so under Yi Chichi’s guidance, Wu Yongfei turned them into small dried fish using a method similar to making shrimp skins.

Then fried them with chilies and other spices, creating a flavorful and appetizing dish that satisfied everyone’s taste buds at the table.

Larger fish were also dried, as there wasn’t enough salt to preserve them otherwise, only dried fish lasts longer.

That afternoon, Liu Lan came over to tell Yi Chichi that the rack she requested had been made by her grandfather, and asked when Yi Chichi would like to pick it up.

Or they could deliver it to her.

Just as Mu Da returned for a break after working non-stop for several days, Yi Chichi greeted her before heading to the Liu Family to get the rack.

On the way, she asked Liu Lan about her marriage arrangements.

"Have you set a date for the wedding?"

"The second of next month."

Still a half month away, "Will you be moving with him?"

Zhang Jun was in the army, his rank wasn’t as high as Wen Shi, but it wasn’t bad.

His post was in the West of New Zealand, quite a tough place.

"I won’t move."

Liu Lan said softly, "Jun says visiting is fine, but moving would be too harsh, he doesn’t want me to endure that."

At least at home, there’s no worry about food, clothing, or water.

Actually moving to be with him means everything relies on oneself and living in water scarcity sounds frightening.

"Then when you marry will you live at his place, or stay at home?"

"At home."

Talking about this, Liu Lan’s face bloomed with happiness like a flower.

"My grandfather doesn’t want me to go to the Zhang Family, and Jun isn’t keen on me going over either. He said if it really doesn’t work out, he’ll find a way to get a plot of land allotted by the captain, to build a house for me separately, and when he returns, he’ll just move into Kao Shan Village."

Yi Chichi thought, ... How come there are so many generous people?

They talk about moving in as if it’s as simple as eating and drinking.

"Sounds great."

She hid her true feelings, "You have wonderful family, and great comrades to accompany you. Life will keep getting better."

"It must."

She smiled sweetly, and based on her principle that if she was happy, her close sister should be too, she said with a grin, "Chichi, you’re nearly 19, it’s time to find a partner."

"... No hurry."

"Why not have my Jun introduce you to a comrade? We could be military wives together?"

"Not interested."

Yi Chichi rejected swiftly, and seeing Liu Lan still trying to persuade her, she feigned anger, "What’s up, does my being single bother you?!"

"No, I don’t mean that, I just want you to be happy too."

Liu Lan quickly explained, making Yi Chichi laugh, "A woman’s happiness doesn’t have to rely on marriage."

Finding a partner and agreeing to marry would certainly mean the man was agreeable.

But it’s quite difficult.

Men of this era were mostly chauvinistic, and domestic violence against women was not uncommon.

The general environment around them found it normal.

Under such conditions, getting married and having children would not be a responsible choice for one’s life.