CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: I REALLY DESERVE TO DIE

"What are you planning to send back home?"

This wasn’t a pleasant topic, and everyone present had their faces fall.

Yi Chichi, as if unaware of the awkwardness, asked again, "Not planning to send anything?"

Zhou Qiuyu, a bit embarrassed, mustered the courage to explain, "I’m not sending anything, I need to first take care of myself..."

She slapped her thigh, "Hey, I’m not afraid of you criticizing me, I’m not planning to go back to that home, I consider myself an orphan."

"Smart choice."

Wang Nan gave her an approving look, with a hint of envy, "Actually, your parents did pretty well, at least they made it so you can let them go without any emotional burden, while we..."

She sighed deeply and said with a bit of helplessness, "We haven’t reached that point, can’t be so ruthless."

Yi Chichi thought, this isn’t about being unable to be ruthless, it’s clearly about still holding onto some hope and longing for familial ties.

But it’s normal, after all, only a few people can cleanly cut ties with their original families.

"Chichi, are you sending anything?"

Originally wanting to deflect the attention, Yi Chichi didn’t expect the topic to circle back to her.

She was stunned for a moment, then slowly shook her head under everyone’s gaze.

"Not sending anything."

Her tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Bai Chen and the others looked at her with surprise, and Wu Yongfei was even curious, "Not even a little?"

"Nope."

"Your parents..."

"They died!"

Her face was expressionless, her words cold without any emotional fluctuation.

In Bai Chen and the others’ eyes, it was a sign of being overly heartbroken.

Instantly, a ’I’m so sorry’ emotion rose in their hearts.

"Sorry!"

In unison, they even bowed.

They moved so fast that Yi Chichi didn’t even have time to react, and they had already completed the process.

She tried to control her facial expressions, responding plainly and matter-of-factly in her exasperation.

"No need to apologize, I’ve come to terms with it."

In her mind, even if Yi Yong were alive, he’d still be like a dead person.

Considering what he did, either he must have turned into ashes, or buried and turned into rotten flesh by now?!

Suppressing her chaotic thoughts, she got up and said, "You guys continue talking, I’m going to sleep first."

Not waiting for anyone to respond, she left with a basin filled with meat sauce and lard in her hand.

Wang Nan and the others watched her leaving figure, feeling as though she was enveloped in deep sorrow.

They felt increasingly uncomfortable inside.

"Next time, be more mindful when you talk."

Bai Chen looked at Wu Yongfei, speaking with a bit of exasperation, "I’m begging you, can you watch your mouth?"

Wu Yongfei was baffled, "What’s this got to do with me?"

What did he say to deserve a scolding?

"You brought up something that upset her."

Zhou Yadong hit the nail on the head, Wu Yongfei was tongue-tied. He wanted to explain, but since he did cause it, he could only nod, "Starting tomorrow, I’ll carry an embroidery needle with me."

Screw it, if it means making fewer mistakes in the future, then so be it.

Pricking himself with a needle is better than saying something stupid and getting beaten to death one day.

With that in mind, he told Wang Nan and the others, "Lend me one of your embroidery needles."

"I’ll go get it for you."

If it were anything else, Wang Nan and the others might need to think about it, but an embroidery needle required no consideration; they gave it right away.

Even if they didn’t have one, they’d be willing to get him a new one.

After all, Wu Yongfei’s mouth could deliver indiscriminate attacks.

They were also victims.

They really didn’t want to be rendered speechless by his remarks.

Soon, the embroidery needle appeared in Wu Yongfei’s hand.

He pondered for a bit before pinning it to the front of his shirt.

"Remember, when you can’t control your mouth, prick yourself."

Bai Chen nodded with satisfaction upon seeing this, but still felt the need to remind him.

Wu Yongfei gave a sound of acknowledgment, glancing toward Yi Chichi’s room, he softly said, "How about Old Wang, you guys go and comfort her later?"

Good intentions, but—

"I think she’d prefer to be alone now."

Wang Nan said sternly, "Anyway, when I’m in a bad mood, I don’t like people around."

Wu Yongfei was about to say something when Qi Yang covered his mouth, "Stop yakking, time to sleep, getting a haircut tomorrow."

Fair enough, that’s important business.

So, each returned to their respective rooms for a good night’s sleep.

The next day, Yi Chichi embarked on a barber career, initially cutting hair for members of the Youth Corps, but ended up being seen by Liu Xiangqian and the others as they headed to the mountain.

Then, it turned into cutting hair for the whole village.

No money was exchanged, but to show their gratitude, those who had their hair cut would bring her things from home.

One family would bring a bunch of vegetables, another a few eggs or sweet potatoes.

In the evening, Yi Chichi sorted the items, kept twenty eggs for herself, and split the rest, like peanuts, pine nuts, and pickles, giving Bai Chen and the others a portion.

As the saying goes, "One feels indebted after eating one’s food and taking one’s things." Following this event, Bai Chen and the others took extra care of her.

If something came up, they’d help out without hesitation.

In a blink of an eye, it had been ten days since the brigade captain and the others went into the mountain, and today was a rare sunny day.

Yi Chichi and Wang Nan were lazily basking in the sun at the door when the sound of hasty footsteps suddenly arrived.

Looking up, Bai Chen, Qi Yang, and the village committee secretary led a large crowd through the wide-open courtyard gate.

Several cadres were dressed in official attire, one of the older ones had a briefcase under his arm and headed straight for Yi Chichi and the others upon entering.

"Who is Yi Chichi?"

Wang Nan and the others felt a pang of anxiety, but Yi Chichi knew in her heart and quickly stood up, extending her hand to the visitor, "Hello, leader, I’m Yi Chichi."

No matter what kind of leader this was, it was never wrong to address them as ’leader’ when you didn’t know their name.

"Promising young person, Comrade Yi Zhqing is indeed a good comrade!"

He extended his hand to shake Yi Chichi’s, smiling as he spoke to Liu Xiangqian, "Mr. Liu, Comrade Yi Zhqing is a good comrade, taking decisive action upon discovering a spy and making an outstanding contribution to the country’s safety."

He spoke with sincerity, "We are here today specifically to commend her."

Looking around the Youth Corps Courtyard, he asked, "Mr. Liu, how about we find a venue to hold a commendation ceremony for Comrade Yi Zhqing?"

"It’s only proper."

Liu Xiangqian knew the people from the county came for Yi Chichi, and probably because she did something good.

But he really didn’t expect that the good deed was catching a spy.

This girl is truly remarkable.

As her farming brigade, although the credit had nothing to do with Kao Shan Village, the intangible benefits would fall upon them.

At the start of the year, they’d be eligible for outstanding secretary and brigade captain awards, and the honor of being an excellent farming brigade would also include them.

No, this matter needs to be made a bigger deal, preferably so that the neighboring production brigades are all aware.

Thinking of this, he smiled and said, "Secretary Tang, I want to gather the villagers to learn from Comrade Yi Zhqing, and I hope for your and all the leaders’ guidance."