Chapter Thirteen: When Enemies Meet

After finishing the tests, Liu Weidong carefully filled out the forms and collected the used test strips, knowing they would serve as bargaining chips in negotiations with the oil refinery. This land was not only fertile, but its pH and soil quality were perfectly suited for cultivating castor beans.

“Uncle Jianguo, I roughly estimated the land area. Before I go to the oil factory, we need to sign the land transfer contract; otherwise, there’s no proof, and the refinery won’t cooperate with us,” Liu Weidong said, sitting on the ridge and offering a cigarette to Wang Jianguo.

“That’s no problem. Didn’t Director Ma agree yesterday? But the grain you bought won’t last long. The new harvest is still over three months away. What are we going to do in the village for these three months? Do you have any ideas?” Wang Jianguo asked.

Hearing this, Liu Weidong smiled wryly. “Uncle Jianguo, as the saying goes, even landlords don’t have surplus grain. No matter how good I am at making money, I can’t support an entire village with just my own funds. If we want everyone to avoid hunger, all the members must work together. This time when I go to the city, I’ll look for suitable work. Our village’s fields are flooded, but there are still many resources we can convert into cash; it just depends on whether the villagers are willing to endure hardship.”

Wang Jianguo’s eyes lit up. “When we’re all starving, what hardship is too much? If you have any ideas, help the village think them through.”

Three tractors plowed the land, and in just over half a day, more than a hundred acres were leveled. After measuring with a tape, the land area was close to Liu Weidong’s estimate.

Wang Jianguo, Accountant Xu, several team leaders, together with Lou Yanru and an elderly teacher, witnessed the village formally transferring the land to Qingshan Primary School. The transfer agreement, with clear terms, bore the seals of both the production team and the village school, and the witnesses all affixed their fingerprints.

“Uncle Jianguo, since the land has been transferred, I’ll discuss the experimental fields with Yanru and Teacher Liu from now on. Starting this month, the team won’t need to record work points for the private teachers; I’ll pay them monthly. Senior students and teachers will work-study, and I’ll provide grain subsidies. This should help the village overcome many difficulties.

“Tomorrow, I’ll first take Yanru to the commune to fill out forms, then return to the city to discuss the next cooperation steps with the oil factory. You might want to ask the commune’s forestry station if we can cut some trees from the mountainsides and roadsides—they could fetch a good price,” Liu Weidong explained.

Wang Jianguo nodded repeatedly. “Perfect timing—we just saw Director Ma. Strike while the iron is hot; you might get a lead. You focus on your tasks; if anything comes up, just call the village.”

Seeing that matters were mostly settled, Liu Weidong called Lou Yanru to go home.

“Wei Dong, Jin Xu kept asking me how you know so much just now. I didn’t know how to explain. Are you hiding something from me?” Lou Yanru’s eyes fixed on Liu Weidong’s face, as if trying to detect a clue.

“Hide something from you? I used to love studying too, but you know, the political movements messed that up,” Liu Weidong lied smoothly, without batting an eye.

Lou Yanru smirked. “Keep making up stories. I’m your wife; I know you better than anyone.”

Back at home, Liu Weidong shook his head as he looked around their bare room.

“Yanru, Dad, I want to rebuild the house next year. Make it a big three-room brick and tile house. Yanru, you know how to use the sewing machine, right? Let’s buy one, and a bicycle too. It’d be great to have a transistor radio to keep up with the latest news.”

Old Liu’s mouth twitched. “Boy, do you think you have money to burn? Want to build a house and buy big items? That’ll cost a fortune. If you have children in the future, expenses will be even higher. Besides, what if Yanru really gets into university…”

Liu Weidong quickly stopped his father. “Don’t worry, Dad. I have money now; it’s enough to support Yanru’s studies and raise a child.”

Lou Yanru sat on the edge of the kang bed, looking somewhat downcast. Now, both of them earned just enough work points to get by. If she really got into university, Liu Weidong would have to support the family alone, and she would have to rely on him for living expenses every month. She couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling.

Fearing his father would say something unpleasant again, Liu Weidong hurriedly took his wife back to their small room.

“If I really get into university, you’ll be the only one earning work points. Maybe… maybe I should talk to my mom about it?” Lou Yanru hesitated.

Liu Weidong waved his hand. “Don’t joke. You’re my wife now. If you go to university, and still ask your mom for money? She’d probably push you to divorce me! You saw the contract I signed with the oil factory—ten thousand yuan. Your university living expenses are just a small part of that. I still plan to buy an apartment and a car in the city.”

Lou Yanru smiled and nudged him. “You’re full of hot air, but I believe you can build a career. It would be great if you could go to university with me; you’d definitely get in.”

Liu Weidong shook his head. “It’s not the time for university now. If we both went to school, what would Dad do? I’ll take care of earning money and supporting the family. You just focus on being beautiful. Tomorrow, I’ll buy some snow cream and fragrance for you—you have cracks all over your hands.”

He gently held Lou Yanru’s small hands with a face full of tenderness.

Lou Yanru’s gaze softened more and more, almost melting.

Early the next morning, Liu Weidong led his wife to the village office.

The letter of introduction for educated youths used to be handled by Li Baotian, but now that he had left, many troubles had lessened.

After securing Lou Yanru’s introduction letter, Wang Jianguo advised Liu Weidong, “After you handle Yanru’s paperwork at the commune, go thank Director Ma. Also, pay close attention to what I told you—everyone in the village, young and old, is counting on you.”

Liu Weidong pocketed the letter and nodded, then took Lou Yanru to the livestock shed, where Sun Wang had already harnessed the wagon.

“Weidong, you’ve become a star in our commune now. I went to borrow testing equipment, and the agricultural officer was stunned—didn’t expect you to be so talented, knowing everything,” Sun Wang said.

Liu Weidong laughed, stuffing a cigarette into Sun Wang’s mouth to silence him.

Filling out forms at the education department went smoothly, but as they came out, they ran into Li Baotian in the corridor.

“Well, Liu Weidong, your moves are bold. First, you buy a truckload of grain for the second team, then you come to the leaders asking for favors. You’ve got quite the scheme,” Li Baotian sneered, blocking their way and glancing repeatedly at Lou Yanru.

“Li Baotian, you’re hopeless—your mouth stinks. My wife’s transfer to a private teacher is proper and legitimate. Who are you to criticize? What makes you so special?” Liu Weidong snapped.

Li Baotian chuckled, “Don’t get cocky, Liu Weidong. I don’t believe you’ll never fall under my control. When you do, let’s see how I deal with you.”

Liu Weidong glared, ready to curse, when the door to Director Ma’s office opened, and Ma poked his head out.

“Li Baotian, you’ve got too much free time. Instead of gossiping, why don’t you go check on the educated youth sites in the countryside? You’re more of a hindrance than a help. Get moving…”

Li Baotian shot Liu Weidong a hateful glare before turning and leaving the commune office.