The Red Era: Starting from Being an Educated Youth in the Countryside

Chapter 80: Feeling proud and refreshed!
When the old team members returned to the team, the team members saw them and their eyes widened and rubbed their eyes, thinking they were dazzled.

"Why did you come back so soon? At the previous speed, we wouldn't be able to finish it even if we waited another two days!"

Paying public grain is a big deal. It takes turns every year. We have to set out at dawn and it takes several days just to queue. It can be very painful.

Because it takes time to harvest grain, and it also needs to be dried in the sun, if everyone rushes over there, it will be very time-consuming and laborious.

Some of the old team members who had paid their dues in the past were now boasting about it, and their faces, wrinkled with smiles, were filled with pride.

"Little educated youth Chen is incredible. We were prepared to be bullied, but he turned out to be smart and went straight to the cadres to establish connections."

"Are the officials who are responsible for paying public grain so easy to fool? In the end, they were fooled by him and opened a back door for us to collect grain without being picked and chosen. This year is the fastest year for paying public grain."

"Other teams sent members to follow, and their eyes almost popped out when they saw it. They were very envious, but they could do nothing about it."

"This year, neither the people nor the cows have to endure the cold weather. We don't have to endure the cold wind. It couldn't be more comfortable."

"It was the first time I saw a staff member of the grain management office with such a kind smile on his face. He usually had a stern face and wanted to scold people. He was also very picky about the grain he brought over."

"This time it's different. I don't have to choose. This feeling of being proud is so refreshing."

"I don't know how the young educated youth Chen did it. He was able to conquer a person that others couldn't handle. This ability is really admirable!"

The old team members' chattering about Chen Huaiyang, who was praised as omnipotent, aroused everyone's curiosity.

The young team member looked at the people gathered together, listened carefully and started talking.

"Young educated youth Chen is very capable. He led the team to build the dam. The team leader thinks highly of him. He has only been here for four months, but the team leader has great trust in him!"

"Our captain is such a smart guy! Is he so easy to capture? I can only say that Chen Huaiyang is extremely capable!"

After listening to this, the old team member agreed, "Indeed, who doesn't like someone who is capable and smart? We excluded him behind his back earlier and didn't like his lazy attitude at all, but he didn't get angry at all."

"Not only did he get things done, but he also didn't get angry with us at all. Not many people can have such a broad mind."

"The more capable people are, the more humble they will be. Only those who are incapable will keep shouting."

"It makes sense that the captain can trust him and hand over the work to him."

"If someone without ability is asked to carry the burden, he probably won't be able to do it!"

Discussions continued one after another, but Chen Huaiyang was unaware of what others were saying about him and returned to the educated youth point.

The man with glasses opened the door and came out when he heard the noise. "I heard them say that paying the public grain tax is difficult and it will take at least two or three days. Are you back now?"

Chen Huaiyang nodded, "I used some connections, got a meal and two packs of cigarettes, and it was half done."

"It's freezing cold, I can't stay there for two days. Although I'm not afraid of the cold, I don't want to waste time there either."

The man with glasses was speechless after hearing this. "You're losing money by doing this, aren't you? You've wasted your money and tickets. It's not worth it."

Chen Huaiyang shook his head. "It's not difficult to smooth out the relationship. The only thing is that if you can't smooth out the relationship, you will have to wait. That's the hard part!"

"I handled this matter easily. Everyone has to accept my kindness. This way it is not a loss. There are gains and losses in everything!"

“How can you expect anything in return if you are not willing to give?”

The man with glasses was stunned, not knowing whether he heard it or not. He seemed to be thinking. Seeing Chen Huaiyang was about to go back to his room, he hurriedly stopped him and said,
"Liu Jun doesn't have the energy to yell today. He hasn't eaten for almost two days. Should we go and solve this problem?"

Chen Huaiyang showed a mocking smile on his face, "He doesn't curse me anymore, but he still complains in his heart. If I starve him for another day, I will make him convinced this time."

"So that you won't find any opportunity to cause trouble. You really think I'm easy to bully and you always help the evildoers!"

"Don't worry about it. The captain didn't punish him, which means he just wanted to leave him alone. When people are starving and cold, they will reflect on what they shouldn't do."

The man with glasses didn't try to persuade him, as he knew his limits.

"By the way, the old educated youth asked us if we want to get together during the day? This way we can burn two less kangs and save a lot of firewood!"

Chen Huaiyang waved his hand. "It's up to you. If you want to go, go. But I don't think you have time."

It was hard to worry about the glasses, he really didn't have time to keep them warm.

Chen Huaiyang sent the man with glasses away and quietly went to Tang Xiaolin's room. He saw her sitting on the kang knitting a sweater.

A grown man who is strong and healthy doesn't feel that cold, but if there is a chance of getting chills, you should take it.

He took off his shoes quickly, climbed onto the kang, hugged her from behind, and gave her a kiss on the face.

She stuffed her cold hands into her cotton-padded jacket, and Yang Xiaolin slapped her arms twice, "You're freezing me like a popsicle!"

Chen Huaiyang took out his hand and covered her face, "How is it cold? Isn't it warm? Let me hold you for a while, my hands are not cold, but my heart is cold, please warm me up."

His hands had their own ideas. After finding a position on their own, he breathed a sigh of relief and rested his chin on her shoulder. "Are you bored? Didn't the old educated youth ask you to come over and chat?" Yang Xiaolin glared at him. "I'm afraid you'll be as cold as an ice stick when you come back, so I warmed the kang for you!"

Chen Huaiyang felt relieved when he heard this. He exerted force with his hands, hugged the person into his arms, and lowered his head to kiss her on the lips.

Yang Xiaolin leaned against him, her hands unconsciously wrapped around his neck, and adjusted herself to the most comfortable position, responding to him.

The sweater was thrown aside by its owner.

……

Chen Huaiyang was pushed for a while before he was willing to let go. Looking at the shy girl, he licked her lips with the tip of his tongue, with a look of endless aftertaste.

Xiaolin, the educated youth, is becoming less and less resistant to him!
With time, you will be able to go further.

This development is very satisfying.

"It feels so good to have someone care about me! Thank you Comrade Xiaolin for caring about me. All my tiredness disappears at this moment."

Yang Xiaolin pushed him, "It's beautiful! Today, Liu Li, the educated youth, invited me to go over to their place. With someone to keep me company, time will pass faster. Do you want to go over?"

Chen Huaiyang lay down comfortably, with his hands on the back of his head, and answered in a lazy tone, "Let's talk about it later!"

A bunch of people were huddled together and making a lot of noise, making it inconvenient to do anything, so he really had no intention of going there.

Liu Jun had been hungry for three days. He felt weak all over and his nose was running due to the cold. He dared not yell or curse. He wished he could cover his mouth tightly.

No one paid any attention to me for several days in a row. My initial confidence turned into anxiety. I was afraid that I would be forgotten and no one would find out if I died here!
When people are hungry, the more they fear something, the more they think about it. After a few days of fear, their mentality will collapse.

The moment I saw the door open, light seeped in through the gap and made my eyes flicker.

There was anticipation in Liu Jun's eyes. Even if Chen Huaiyang's threat came true, as long as his life was not in danger, it would not matter at this critical moment.

"Captain..." He was too hungry to speak and his lips were very dry.

The captain looked down at him and asked someone to untie him. "Liu Jun, do you know how much harm it would cause to our team if the flood control equipment on the dam was destroyed?"

"No matter what personal entanglements you may have, you have to take responsibility for the mistakes you made. Do you have any complaints?"

Liu Jun had been left out for three days, so how could he dare to complain? If he had been scolded harshly before, now he would be like a quail, not daring to say a word.

"As long as there are no complaints, it's fine. The brigade cadres will discuss and make a joint decision on how to punish them."

"I'll have someone bring you food later. You can't leave until the punishment is announced."

After the captain finished speaking, he left and immediately saw Chen Huaiyang waiting outside.

At that time, Chen Huaiyang walked towards him and said with a guilty look on his face, "Uncle, I have caused you trouble again because of me."

The captain waved his hands, not caring at all, "You followed me eagerly, just tell me how you want to punish him!"

Chen Huaiyang shook his head. "This matter is of a bad nature. The relevant departments will have their own conclusions on how to punish it. I am just an educated youth. How can I interfere with your decision?"

"It's up to you to decide on this matter."

The captain was very satisfied with his ability to advance and retreat in moderation, and he would not be too ambitious just because he was valued. If someone really acted arrogantly, it meant that he had misjudged him.

Just like now, he can make requests, but he won’t ask for them casually. Instead, he is allowed to decide. Such trust makes him feel comfortable.

"Okay, I know what to do. I won't take this lightly. I will definitely teach him a severe lesson."

"You have nothing to do anyway, so why not follow along and listen to how the officials punish people?"

The captain led him intentionally or unintentionally, and he was able to infiltrate the team.

Chen Huaiyang was shocked and said, "Uncle, is it bad for you to lead me there?"

"The cadres are discussing something, and if I interfere, I'm afraid they will complain!"

The captain raised his hand to stop him from saying the next thing, "Just go if I tell you to. You are the one in charge this time, and you have the right to participate."

"You have to stay in the brigade in the future. It will be good for you to move around more. You are a person of integrity. If you are replaced by someone with dirty intentions, I will ignore you."

"Your aunt praised you highly and often told me to help you more. How could I let you suffer at a critical moment? Listening and watching more can also broaden your horizons."

The captain sent someone to ask Widow Liang to bring food to the people, but Widow Liang was too lazy to respond. "I am a woman, and it is already difficult to feed four mouths at home. If you support another one, won't you force me to death?"

"I have no food here, you guys figure it out."

(End of this chapter)