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The wheat has been harvested, and the corn that was planted is 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 handled by the Farm Machinery Station. Pesticides, chemical fertilizers, hardware, and daily necessities are all provided by various retail stores of the supply and marketing cooperative.
Although there is a minimum protection price for the corn and wheat that farmers plant, since they can only be purchased and sold through the Grain Management Office, prices remain stagnant.
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 in various fees deducted directly from the Public Grain Payment—such as contributions at the county, township, and village levels, one-off fees for specific projects, and shared salaries for private teachers—the average cost per person has reached over two hundred yuan. Even after selling the grain tax settlement funds, there isn’t enough to cover these expenses. On top of that, there are costs for irrigation electricity, pesticide spraying, and seed costs. Although since the Household Responsibility System was implemented, farmers no longer struggle to put food on the table, converting agricultural output into currency still doesn’t make most farmers wealthy.
At this time in rural areas, farmers who have finally managed to secure some grain have become like Tang Seng meat—everyone wants a bite.
Back then, the most significant officials in the village were the village head and the Party Secretary from the Two Committees. They had the final say on everything: who had children, who married and received land allocations for building houses. Even registering a child’s household or moving a new bride’s household registration required proof from the village. As family planning policies tightened and became more stringent, fines for exceeding birth limits were also collected by village officials.
Neither the village head nor the Party Secretary were technically considered “officials” by rank or title; however, they largely dictated every household's life in the village. In the past, not only village heads or Party Secretaries but even accountants and committee members looked down on Hu Ruoyun’s honest father and Second Uncle. But ever since they had connections with the Vice Governor and county leaders visited them personally, they now greeted each other as if they were family.
Isn’t it true that no one can escape human nature?
On this day, an unexpected guest arrived at Hu Ruoyun’s home.
It was Brother Biao and Jiang Qiuying bringing along a middle-aged couple driving a four-wheeled tractor; they were Jiang Qiuying's parents. 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. However, out of concern for their daughter’s reputation, despite their immense gratitude—wanting to light incense for her two classmates at home—they were reluctant to thank them face-to-face in other villages. There are too many gossipers in rural areas; who knows how their daughter’s situation would be twisted if it got out? But 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 truly been in 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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