CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33: BLOCKING THE WAY

Hearing Yi Chichi’s soul-piercing question, Wang Nan’s face flushed.

Both embarrassed and annoyed.

There was a flame in her eyes that extinguished instantly.

"I cursed them!"

As she spoke, her back slumped, her shoulders drooped, and her whole spirit deflated immediately.

Yi Chichi and the others understood that things didn’t end well.

"I didn’t win the cursing match."

She wiped her face, speaking weakly, "The village women can really curse fiercely and filthily. I couldn’t beat them..."

Waving her hand, she slipped back into the house.

The thick aura of depression was felt even by Yi Chichi and the others outside.

Wu Yongfei rubbed his nose, "She was really beaten down hard."

Zhou Qiuyu felt the same, "Nannan is stronger than me; at least she could curse back a few lines. If it were me, I’d be too tongue-tied to speak and would end up being cursed to tears."

Then, the group huddled together to discuss their odds against Da Niu’s family.

Bai Chen rolled his eyes, feeling that his companions were somewhat off.

"Ahem..."

Seeing them getting increasingly excited, discussing whether a gentleman should use words or fists to remain undefeated, he couldn’t resist clearing his throat to remind them, "The Youth Corps Courtyard allows internal brawls and gang fights."

As he said this, he glanced at Wu Yongfei, and the implication was very obvious.

Wu Yongfei almost jumped, "You’re blatantly targeting me."

"So what if I am?"

Ge Sujuan retorted unkindly, "You can never control that mouth of yours."

Before he could retort, she turned her head to Bai Chen, "Continue."

Bai Chen, "..."

He needed to continue, but what was he going to say?

Furrowing his brows and thinking for two seconds, he picked up where he left off, "Fighting and gang fights are not allowed outside the Youth Corps Courtyard."

"Why?"

They asked in unison, all equally puzzled.

Bai Chen sighed deeply, "Because once outside, whether cursing or fighting, we can’t beat those aunties."

Wu Yongfei wasn’t convinced, confidently replying, "Maybe we can; you shouldn’t boost others’ morale while knocking down our own."

Yi Chichi and the others felt like he was probably an idiot.

"Beat them, and wait for the men in the team to gang up on us."

Relationships are closer between spouses, and also between mothers and sons, and mothers and daughters. If you gang up on someone’s wife (or mother), it would be surprising if the men of the house don’t step in.

In most parts of China, there is a mentality that you can bully and mess with your own people and possessions, but outsiders can’t.

If you dare to act, don’t blame us for uniting against you.

So, if you really dare to brawl with the village women, even in a gang fight mode, no matter the outcome, it will only result in losses with no benefits for them.

Wu Yongfei sighed, feeling like the world was extremely meaningless.

"In the end, we’re the ones who end up being bullied."

"Who bullied us?"

Bai Chen sharply retorted, "Nobody in the team is bullying us. If anyone is, you should check how the neighboring team treats their educated youth."

This left Wu Yongfei in silence.

Seeing that he stopped causing trouble, Bai Chen waved his hand, "Alright, scatter and take a break. Tomorrow, we’re going to collect firewood."

Yi Chichi didn’t have time to collect firewood; she needed to make medicine first.

But not collecting firewood wasn’t an option either.

So, on her way to the team doctor’s office the next day, she stopped the party secretary.

"Uncle, I have something to ask you."

"What’s up."

"Does the team have anyone who can trade for firewood?"

Liu Xiangqian’s eyes widened suddenly, what was this, this girl wants to trade for firewood?

"You..."

He paused, then said sternly, "Girl, can you not fool around."

Yi Chichi felt wronged; she just wanted to trade for firewood.

Honestly.

"Uncle, how much firewood do you think I can collect with this body of mine?"

Liu Xiangqian recalled her working demeanor and looked back at the mountains.

With Yi Zhqing’s build, it doesn’t seem she can be relied upon.

"Do you live alone?"

"Yes."

He rubbed his face, "How much do you want to trade?"

"How much firewood does it take to burn through a winter?"

"That depends on how you burn it."

Then, Liu Xiangqian seriously explained to her.

The more Yi Chichi listened, the more hopeless she became. With temperatures of minus twenty or thirty degrees, it takes until March the next year for the temperatures to rise; in over five months...

Oh dear, if the stove isn’t burning day and night, she’ll freeze to death.

Recalling how she barely survived a trip to the Northeast even fully equipped to withstand the cold, after Liu Xiangqian’s estimation, she gritted her teeth and steeled her heart, saying, "Can I get two thousand pounds?"

"No."

Too much, can’t manage.

"(⊙o⊙)... Then how much can I buy?"

"Fifteen hundred at most."

Looking around and seeing no one nearby, she whispered sneakily, "How do I trade?"

She didn’t dare say buy, using trade instead.

"One yuan two for a hundred pounds of split wood. The neighboring team specifically trades for this. If you think it’s expensive, you can ask around."

The firewood selling trade has existed since ancient times; back then, villagers would carry it to the city, as not everyone in the city could afford coal.

The prices weren’t as high back then, about half a yuan for a bundle, but now it’s gone up.

Mainly because educated youth buy a lot.

Anyway, no one in their village does this trade; with Yi Chichi, she’s the pioneer.

Liu Xiangqian didn’t intend to make money off her; if she really wanted to trade, the work would have to be given to families with economic difficulties in the village.

"Trade or not?"

"Trade!"

One yuan two per hundred pounds, fifteen hundred is just over ten yuan.

To avoid freezing this winter, it’s worth spending where needed and saving where possible.

However—

"Can you keep a secret?"

"It must be kept."

Liu Xiangqian, a reliable person, heard and gave her reassurance, "I’ll have Da Wa and his grandpa do the work for you, ensuring it’s ready before the snow seals the mountain. If someone finds out and asks, just say you traded it for candy pancakes or something."

This was to keep her from mentioning money.

Yi Chichi thanked him with a smile, "Thank you, Uncle, for your trouble."

"Wait for it!"

Waving his hand, Liu Xiangqian strolled casually toward the brigade headquarters.

Yi Chichi watched his departing figure, feeling that most people in Kao Shan Village were quite endearing.

Even the despised educated youth.

It’s nice.

Thank you, Youth Corps Office, for assigning the original owner to such a good place, benefiting her.

"Sister, you’re blocking the way!"

A childish voice rang from behind; Yi Chichi turned around to see Er Dan holding Niu Niu’s hand, their big eyes like black grapes staring intently at her.

Yi Chichi, "???"

Wasn’t this muddy path wide enough for them; was it her fault blocking the road?

Stepping aside, she gestured with her hand, "You guys go."

If you have the skill, try walking sideways like a crab with eight legs.

Planning cleverly, in fact, the two rebellious kids didn’t leave but started chatting with her instead, asking where she was going and if they could join her in playing and such.

Yi Chichi felt it was fine, "I’m going to Uncle Yaozi’s place, do you want to come?"