Chapter 5: You Can't Be an Educated Youth

In front of the stone table under the grape arbor, Lu Ying rested her chin.

"Qing Yan, when do you plan to set off?"

"In a week; I've already spoken with the Street Office, and they said they'd also file my train ticket to Beidahuang."

Lu Ying looked very dejected, grasping Lin Qingyan's hand: "That soon? I'll miss you so much; I heard the labor team is quite hard, how will you manage those farm chores?"

Lin Qingyan let out a light sigh: "I'll miss you too, but here I can't work; as an Educated Youth I can at least have something to eat."

"You don't need to worry; I'm not the only one going to the countryside. What others can do, I can do too. I'm not afraid of hardship; no matter how hard it gets, I can endure it."

Lin Qingyan has always been a strong-willed person; when the family suffers, many children are eager to cut ties with their parents.

Only Lin Qingyan swore never to yield, insisting her father was innocent, which earned her the resentment of the Street Office staff.

They gave her daily ideological persuasion, trying to send her to the countryside for labor.

Lin Qingyan didn't want to compromise, but she was on the brink of starvation here; if it weren't for Lu Ying's support, she would have collapsed long ago.

But she can't keep relying on others' support; even as a good sister, no family's days are easy.

Lin Qingyan lowered her head: "Actually, it's better if I leave; then you won't have to visit me so often, otherwise it would affect you."

Lu Ying glared: "What impact? I'm not afraid of them; if they have the guts, they can grab me and take me away."

Lin Qingyan smiled at the corner of her mouth: "You have Lu Cheng, a good younger brother. Though he's a bit reckless, he'd never speak ill of you, your sister. If anyone dared to seize you, Lu Cheng could smash the Street Office."

"Don't speak so highly of him. I still don't know what his temperament is; he's just blunt and daring. I'm afraid he'll get the short end of the stick in this, always being supervised; it drives me crazy every day."

Although Lin Qingyan's mouth still held a smile, she felt a bit lonely inside; it's nice that someone can be so exasperated, unlike her solitary self.

Lu Cheng toured the Siheyuan, as if it had already become his.

He then plopped onto a stone stool: "Sister Qing Yan, you can't go to the countryside as an Educated Youth."

Lu Ying rolled her eyes: "Weren't I telling you to stay at the doorway? Who let you come over? I'm whispering with you, Sister Qing Yan, and you, a big man, are just eavesdropping here?"

Lu Cheng, shedding his usual laxity, said solemnly: "Sister, I'm serious; Sister Qing Yan truly cannot go to the countryside for labor…"

"How could I not know? If she doesn't go to the countryside for labor, what can we do? Our big brother once wrote to us; in the Commune's Big Team there are Educated Youth subsidies, you can earn work points for food, at least there's a meal to eat."

"Big brother also said that once you get used to it, you'll gradually adapt."

Lu Ying had to say so; Lin Qingyan's going to the countryside for labor was a done deal, no one could change it, so instead of that, she offered some comforting words.

Lu Cheng disagreed: "But big brother also said the countryside is in fierce struggle now; given Sister Qing Yan's family background, they'll only be targeted harder. If someone dies, no one will look after you."

After that, Lu Ying didn't know how to rebut; indeed, big brother had mentioned these matters in his letters.

"So going together isn't right, and not going isn't right either."

Lu Ying, worried about her good friend, couldn't help feeling restless.

Lu Cheng seized the moment: "Of course we shouldn't go to the countryside; Capital City is better after all. Sister Qing Yan's family has influence; when a big tree falls, its roots remain, so many who want to move against her dare not act, but it's different in the countryside."

"Therefore staying in Capital City is the wise choice."

Since liberation, the Lin Family's influence still exists, but some people, wary of Lin Zhenfeng's fate, dare not openly help, though they won't strike her down either, leaving the young girl alone.

Hearing Lu Cheng's words, Lu Ying looked up in surprise: "Oh, silly little brother, I see you're finally getting to the point."

I have to admit, Lu Cheng's words make some sense; only she and Lin Qingyan, the two female Comrades, have been completely at a loss.

Whatever the Street Office says, you have to follow; you're at their mercy.

Lin Qingyan was also a bit surprised; although what she said to Lu Cheng earlier sounded nice, it was just to encourage him.

In fact, how chaotic Lu Cheng is, she's known since childhood living with him; it's crystal clear—people find him rotten, dogs find dogs annoying.

He's the brother she grew up with; though not blood‑related, he's called Sister Qing Yan since childhood, and Lin Qingyan still hopes the grown‑up Lu Cheng can become more mature and steady.

It's rare for the brother to be serious; Lu Ying asked for opinions.

"Then tell me, given Qing Yan's current situation—the Street Office comes every day looking for trouble, and if Qing Yan doesn't leave even one day, she can't have peace— how can Qing Yan stay?"

Lu Cheng patted his chest: "Simple, let Sister Qing Yan marry me; I'll support her, so she won't have to worry about food."

As the words fell, Lin Qingyan couldn't help pressing her forehead, and a blush rose on both cheeks.

That Lu Cheng really never grows up; every rotten idea he spits out.

Lu Ying glared and then quickly grabbed Lu Cheng's ear.

"Ow, sister, it hurts, hurts, hurts, be gentle."

"You deserve to be in pain; I told you not to plot against my friend, yet you still did, right?"

"You just fall for anyone you see, then cause trouble for Sister Qing Yan; you toad, dreaming of swan meat!"

After all she's a real sister; however harsh the words, it's still an insult.

Lu Cheng covered his ear: "Sister, I'm truly serious. Think about it—once Sister Qing Yan goes to the countryside for labor, this house will surely be seized by the Street Office. I'm doing this for her benefit."

"If she marries me, I'll have a share in the house, and since I'm a railway worker, no one dares to touch it again."

Thus, Lu Cheng would obtain this Siheyuan.

And without spending a cent, he'd also gain the beautiful Lin Qingyan.

Just think, the future days will be beautiful.

Lu Ying again grabbed his ear: "Fine, you Lu Cheng, why are you so black‑hearted now? Not only plotting against my friend, but also scheming about her house. Who taught you this? If you ever dare to mess around again, I won't spare you, even if dad doesn't step in."

While the siblings were arguing, a clamor erupted from the courtyard, and Lin Qingyan instantly tensed.

"Someone must have reported; it seems Street Office people are coming outside. You two should leave quickly, or it could cause trouble."

Lu Ying isn't afraid of the impact; with Lin Qingyan like this, constantly watched, she'll only cause more trouble here.

She pulled Lu Cheng, and they had to exit the courtyard.

Just as they reached the doorway, a group quickly surrounded them.

"You two, which Street Office are you from? Do you know you're not allowed inside, who let you in?"

The leader was fierce.

Lu Ying didn't want to cause Lin Qingyan trouble, so she forced a smile.

"Sorry, Comrade, Qing Yan is about to leave; we're just here to pay a visit, we won't cause you any trouble, we'll leave right now."

Since we've already met Lin Qingyan and said what needed to be said, we'll just drop by the train station later to see her off.

The leader, Zhong Qingbao of the Street Office, bared his big teeth and shouted, "Get out right now! If you dare come again, we'll twist you up and throw you away."

Seeing someone dare speak to his sister that way, Lu Cheng instantly couldn't hold his temper, rolled up his sleeves and walked over.