CHAPTER 49: CHAPTER 49: FIRST ARRIVAL AT THE YOUTH CAMP

They had figured it out. Bai Suli was just fond of comparisons, and it would be best to keep their distance from her in the future.

Once they had settled in, the old Branch Secretary and his nephew, Yang Shaoling, returned as well, their cart carrying even more items. The old Branch Secretary glanced over leisurely. "If everyone’s here, let’s get going."

Forty minutes later, two oxcarts slowly entered the village.

During this time, Bai Suli tried several times to show off the things she had just bought. Unfortunately, Yunyi and Geng Erhong simply wouldn’t engage with her, leaving her quite frustrated.

The oxcart took them directly to the Zhiqing Point.

At this time, the villagers had just finished their work for the day, and the Educated Youths residing at the Zhiqing Point had also just returned to the courtyard.

Hearing the commotion outside, someone came out to meet them. "Branch Secretary, have you brought the new people back?"

While speaking to the old Branch Secretary, the person’s eyes were fixed on the oxcart, and upon glimpsing the piled-high luggage, a calculating look flashed in their eyes.

The old Branch Secretary introduced the newly disembarked Educated Youths, "This is Xie Lizhu, a senior Educated Youth from the Zhiqing Point."

After finishing his introduction, he called into the courtyard, "Has Wang Jianhui returned yet?"

Wang Jianhui, who had just washed his hands in the courtyard, hurried out upon hearing the old Branch Secretary’s call. "I’m here, I’m here! I just washed my hands."

The old Branch Secretary pointed to the people by the oxcart. "These are the new Educated Youths. See to their arrangements. Later, take them to the accountant to register and collect their food rations."

Then, addressing the weary-faced new Educated Youths, he said, "This is Wang Jianhui, the person in charge at the Zhiqing Point. Just follow his arrangements. You can rest tomorrow, but work starts the day after."

Bai Suli was the first to object. "Branch Secretary, we’ve been on the train for so long, then a bus, and then an oxcart. Our bodies are almost falling apart! Can’t we rest for a few more days?"

The old Branch Secretary gave her a sidelong glance. "No work, no work points. No work points, no food. Consider that for yourself."

With that, he called to his nephew, and they left with the oxcart.

After the old Branch Secretary and his nephew had gone, Wang Jianhui addressed the new Educated Youths. "You heard what the old Branch Secretary said. Let’s go in and get settled for now."

He called into the courtyard, "Educated Youth Qiao, please take the female Educated Youths into their room to get them settled."

The Zhiqing Point had only three rooms: a communal kitchen in the middle, with the male and female Educated Youths each occupying one of the other rooms.

Educated Youth Qiao, who had responded to the call, came over just as Bai Suli began to grumble, "Is this place even fit for people to live in?"

The smile on Educated Youth Qiao’s face vanished. "All the houses in the village are like this. If you don’t like it, you can pay to build your own."

Yunyi perked up at this. "Educated Youth Qiao, can we Educated Youths really build our own houses elsewhere?"

Hearing the question, Educated Youth Qiao looked at Yunyi. "Yes, you can. But when you leave, the house must be turned over to the village."

Yunyi then remembered overhearing a conversation between Shao Guangming and the old Branch Secretary, where the old Branch Secretary mentioned that some people lived separately because they had built their own houses.

With this new information, Yunyi felt more assured. She decided it was best to first check out the accommodations at the Zhiqing Point since they had just arrived. There was no need to rush a decision; it was better to understand the situation more thoroughly first.

Educated Youth Qiao paid no mind to what the newcomers might be thinking and announced, "We female Educated Youths stay in the west room."

The room wasn’t very large. A big kang bed took up half the space, and with a few cabinets against the opposite wall, only a narrow walkway remained. She now had a clearer idea of what to do.

Looking at the kang, she saw four bedding sets already laid out. Squeezing in the three newcomers would likely make it impossible for anyone to even turn over comfortably.

Just as Qiao Yuxiang was wondering how to arrange sleeping spots for everyone, she heard Bai Suli, who had followed them in, complain, "Never mind that the house is dilapidated, but this kang is tiny! How are we supposed to live here?"