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墨書 Inktalez
The wheat has been harvested, and the corn that was planted is now growing rapidly.
It’s time for fertilization. The seeds this year are managed uniformly by the Seed Management Station in the village, while agricultural machinery is operated by the Farm Machinery Station. Pesticides, chemical fertilizers, hardware, and daily necessities are all handled by various retail stores under the supply and marketing cooperative.
Although the state has set a minimum protection price for the corn and wheat that farmers plant, prices remain stagnant because they can only be purchased and sold through the Grain Management Office.
The price of chemical fertilizer has risen to nine yuan per bag. For ten acres of land, just this round of fertilization will cost nearly a hundred yuan. Adding to that are various deductions from the Public Grain Payment for county, township, and village-level contributions, fees for specific issues, shared salaries for private teachers, and other miscellaneous expenses, bringing the average cost per person to over two hundred yuan. After selling the grain tax settlement amount, there’s still not enough to cover these expenses. Additionally, there are costs for irrigation electricity, pesticide spraying fees, and seed costs. Although since the Household Responsibility System was implemented, farmers no longer have to worry about food, converting agricultural output into currency still does not make most farmers wealthy.
At this time in rural areas, farmers who have just managed to secure enough grain have become like Tang Seng Meat—everyone wants a bite.
During this period, the most significant officials in the village were the Village Chief and the Party Secretary of the Two Committees. They had the final say on everything from childbirth to marriage, land allocation for housing construction, and even household registration for children and new brides. As family planning policies became stricter over time, fines for exceeding birth limits were also collected by village officials.
Neither the Village Chief nor the Party Secretary could be considered "officials" in terms of rank or position; however, they largely controlled every household's life in the village. In the past, not only Village Chiefs and Party Secretaries but even accountants and committee members looked down on Hu Ruoyun's honest father and Second Uncle. But ever since they had shaken hands with the Vice Governor and received visits from county and township leaders, they now greeted them as if they were family.
People really can’t escape social norms.
One day, an unexpected guest arrived at Hu Ruoyun's home.
It was Brother Biao and Jiang Qiuying bringing along a middle-aged couple who drove a four-wheeled tractor—the parents of Jiang Qiuying. Jiang Qiuying's father was relatively composed while her mother immediately grasped Hu Ruoyun's hands upon arrival: "Child, your aunt and uncle will always remember that you and Xiaoxiong saved Qiuying..."
Such matters inevitably affect a girl's reputation. Hu Ruoyun quickly interrupted her: "Auntie, there's no need to say anything; please come inside!"
To be honest, it was heart-wrenching for parents when their daughter nearly faced danger. Although they were immensely grateful to those two classmates of their daughter’s—feeling as if they should burn incense for them daily at home—they were reluctant to express their gratitude openly in front of people from other villages. There are too many gossipers in rural areas; who knows how their daughter's situation would be twisted if it got out? However, unable to resist their daughter's pleas, her aunt later returned to her maternal family saying: "We should go thank them; if it weren't for those two kids, our Qiuying would have been in real danger!"
They first went to Xiong Family Village.
Brother Biao's family had no idea what was happening. When a classmate came over, it was one thing, but a beautiful female classmate? That was fine, but why did her parents come along too? What was going on?
Brother Biao couldn't explain everything clearly. When he really couldn't push back any longer, he let his parents accept the two bags of candy that Jiang Qiuying's parents insisted on leaving behind. Then he jumped into the back of the four-wheeler and said to Jiang Qiuying's father, "Uncle, let's go."
This only left Brother Biao's family even more confused about the situation.
Since Brother Biao had already been to Hu Ruoyun's house, there was no need to ask for directions. Thus, the little four-wheeler rumbled directly to the entrance of Hu Ruoyun's alley.
Hu Ruoyun didn't let Jiang Qiuying's parents say much, which suited their intentions perfectly. The two families, along with Brother Biao, chatted aimlessly for a while, drank a lot of tea, and when the Jiang family left with two bags of candy and Brother Biao, they insisted on saying goodbye without staying for a meal.
They had come and shown their goodwill; that was enough. Staying for a meal would only trouble them.
Hu Ruoyun accompanied his parents to see off their guests. His situation was similar to Brother Biao's; not only were the neighbors gossiping excitedly, but even his parents wanted to know what was going on.
But this couldn’t be discussed openly.
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