Chapter 024: An Astonishing Discovery, Working the Fields

"Alright, I understand," Jing Qingxin replied happily, receiving approval. She stepped out of the main entrance, unable to resist taking a deep breath in the courtyard. The air in this era was so pure, so fresh! Untainted by any pollution, unlike the time she came from, where the air was dreadful. Though scientists had developed advanced technologies to purify the atmosphere, those were mere filters, and could never compare to the untouched freshness of nature.

With a cheerful heart, Jing Qingxin pushed open the wooden gate of the courtyard and followed a muddy path toward the village. Gao Shen’s residence was rather remote—apart from the neighboring Li family, there were no other houses nearby. However, she could see clusters of mud-brick homes scattered a few hundred meters away.

As she walked, Jing Qingxin observed her surroundings. Within a dozen steps, she reached the outside of the Li family's brick wall. Coincidentally, the Li family was just about to leave for their day's work, carrying various farming tools. The two groups met unexpectedly.

Jing Qingxin knew the Li family usually helped take care of Gao Shen. Now, meeting them by chance, she smiled and waved, greeting, "Hello!"

Apart from Li Dahu, the other three members of the Li family stared at Jing Qingxin in astonishment, inwardly amazed: What a lovely young woman!

They had heard from their son or brother that a woman had arrived at Gao Shen’s home, but none expected her to be so young and beautiful.

Li Dahu was surprised to meet Jing Qingxin so soon, but upon receiving her greeting—and seeing his family staring dumbfounded—he quickly responded, "Hello! These are my parents, and my younger sister."

Li Dahu nudged his mother, his face breaking into a sincere smile.

"You must be the relative who came to stay with Gao Shen? Hello, hello, our family name is Li. You can call us Uncle Li and Aunt Li," his mother said warmly, quickly recovering.

"Uncle Li, Aunt Li, nice to meet you! My name is Jing Qingxin," she replied politely. This was her first real introduction to anyone in this era, aside from Gao Shen; her brief encounter with Li Dahu earlier that morning barely counted, as she’d rushed away without a word.

Seeing her friendly and courteous manner, Aunt Li felt a surge of goodwill. She had worried that a city girl, dressed so prettily—her skirt and shoes unlike anything she’d ever seen—might be difficult to get along with. After all, several urban intellectuals who had settled in the village were often critical of their ways, unable to accept their customs and speaking loudly and rudely.

But this young lady, with her sweet smile and gentle voice, showed no sign of disdain for their rural ways. She was approachable, her eyes bright with warmth, inviting closeness.

Aunt Li was instantly fond of her. After decades of life, her instincts for judging people were keen. She disliked the city girls in the village, disapproved of their airs and attitudes. Her family might be poor, but so what? They had neither stolen nor robbed, and lived diligently.

"My dear, you are truly beautiful! You stunned me for a moment there," Aunt Li said with a hearty laugh.

Jing Qingxin smiled softly, "Aunt Li, you're too kind. You may call me Xiao Jing or Qingxin, whichever you like. Are you all heading out to work?"

She glanced at the Li family: all four wore gray, patched garments. The father and son carried hoes, Aunt Li held a sickle, and Li Xiaomei had a woven basket strapped to her back—clearly prepared for farm labor.

Though Jing Qingxin had grown up in a privileged urban household, never experiencing hardship or worrying about food and clothing, she wasn’t ignorant of rural life. Her mother was from the countryside, and her grandparents still lived there.

Sixty years later, rural conditions had improved greatly, but as a child she often stayed with her grandparents in the village. People worked daily in the fields and vegetable plots, and she’d been mischievous, running about with her brother, familiar with village life and the tools used for farming, even recognizing some vegetable seeds.

Curious, she and her brother sometimes followed the uncles and elders into the fields, asking about everything they saw. She had learned a bit about farming: watering, sowing seeds, picking vegetables—simple, easy tasks. More strenuous work, her grandparents forbade them from doing.

"Yes, that's the rule. Every family must send someone to work daily, or else we won’t get any work points," Aunt Li explained patiently, concerned Jing Qingxin might not know the village’s arrangements.

"May I come with you? I can help!" Jing Qingxin asked excitedly. She knew that in this era, collective labor was essential; work points defined a family's income. Only by working could one earn more points—without them, hunger awaited.

She was eager to experience collective labor herself. Staying indoors was dull, and she wasn’t familiar with the village. Wandering alone might lead to trouble, but going with Aunt Li’s family would save her from aimless wandering.

"What? You want to come and work with us?" Aunt Li asked, surprised.

Even the other three family members, silent till now, were taken aback. City people usually found farm work exhausting and dirty. Why would a young woman choose to labor instead of relaxing at home?

Li Xiaomei, quiet for a moment, murmured, "Your clothes are so pretty—they’ll get dirty."

Jing Qingxin shrugged, "It’s alright. I brought other clothes. Let’s go!"

Li Xiaomei sighed inwardly: Such a beautiful dress for farm work—what a pity to ruin it! None of the village girls could afford such finery. It must be expensive.

Seeing Jing Qingxin’s determined expression, the Li family realized she wasn’t joking and decided to let her join them on the way to the gathering point.

Father and son walked briskly ahead, Aunt Li followed closely, and Jing Qingxin strolled slowly, observing the surroundings. Li Xiaomei, curious about Jing Qingxin, slowed her pace as well, trailing beside her.

"My name is Li Xiaomei, I’m sixteen. How old are you?" Li Xiaomei asked.

"I’m eighteen," Jing Qingxin replied with a smile.

Li Xiaomei nodded, "Then I should call you Sister Jing. When did you arrive?"

"Uh, I came at midnight. Is our village large?" Jing Qingxin answered briefly, preferring not to elaborate and deftly changed the subject.

"Our Da Jing Village is the biggest in An Town, with two production teams and about two or three hundred households," Li Xiaomei estimated.

—End of chapter—

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