“Grandma, these are wild duck eggs I found when I went up the mountain,” Xu Ying said, placing the basket on the table. “They’re really nutritious. You and Grand Dad should each have one every day. When you finish, I’ll go pick more for you.”
Grandma Xu’s eyebrows arched in surprise. Wild duck eggs weren’t that easy to find, but looking at her granddaughter’s bright face, she felt as if the sun was rising from the west.
Was this really her granddaughter? She seemed like a completely different person. But Grandma Xu liked this change—liked it a lot. Still, she couldn’t help but keep her tone gruff: “Alright, just leave them there.”
“Grandma, isn’t Grandpa home?” Xu Ying asked.
“He went out. I’m here alone. What’s going on with you?” Grandma Xu replied, suspicion creeping into her voice. Whenever the kids came to see the old couple, it was usually because they wanted something—like mice avoiding a cat unless they had no choice. This girl showing up now could only mean she had a request.
Xu Ying chuckled. “Grandma, you really know me best—you know what I’m thinking right away!”
Grandma Xu’s mouth twitched at the old flattery.
“Grandma, I want to go into the county to look around, maybe find a job. Staying idle at home every day is making my brain go rusty.”
Rusty? Grandma Xu thought to herself. You weren’t this ‘rusty’ back when you fell for Dong Wenzhong’s handsome face.
She adjusted her glasses and waved a hand impatiently. “Just get to the point already.”
“I want to borrow the bicycle!” Xu Ying blinked innocently.
Without even glancing up, Grandma Xu pointed toward the backyard.
Xu Ying beamed and dashed off. Moments later, she returned, pushing out the bicycle. “Grandma, I’ll bring you back something tasty!”
With that, she hopped on and pedaled away, leaving a cloud of dust behind.
When Xu Ying arrived at the county town, she started pushing her bicycle along the streets. Compared to their little commune, the county was several times bigger, surrounded by all kinds of factories. She planned to stop by the department store first, then check out the factories nearby.
She followed a shortcut she remembered—narrow but convenient—and hadn’t gone far before she turned a corner and spotted a man and a woman arguing in a small alley.
“Zhang Debao, what are you doing?” the woman shouted, panic flashing in her eyes. “I told you—we’re not right for each other!”
The man’s smile twisted into something unsettling, sending chills down her spine. “Gu Fuying, I really like you. I swear, my feelings are true. Just give me a chance.”
Seeing his creepy grin, Gu Fuying’s heart pounded with fear. She waited for an opening, then bolted, hoping to slip past him from behind.
But the man had already anticipated her move. The moment she rushed forward, he spread his arms wide to block her.
“Out of the way!” Xu Ying’s voice rang out. Without hesitation, she kicked the man hard on the backside.
Gu Fuying swerved aside as the man stumbled forward, crashing face-first onto the ground with a painful groan. “Who—who the hell kicked me?” he howled.
Xu Ying didn’t bother answering. She stepped forward and delivered a solid kick to his back. “Bullying a woman? Pathetic.” Then she stomped down on his hand and twisted her foot sharply. “Hands like these? No good keeping them.”
Gu Fuying stared wide-eyed at the scene, half-shocked, half-relieved. When the dust settled, she stepped forward with gratitude shining in her eyes. “Thank you, thank you so much!”
Xu Ying waved it off, frowning. “Don’t go wandering into quiet alleys alone again. It’s too dangerous.”
Gu Fuying almost wanted to ask, then why are you here? But remembering Xu Ying’s fierce moves, she wisely kept her mouth shut.
Instead, her gaze filled with admiration. “Sister, you’re incredible! You’re so young, but you know martial arts. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Xu Ying’s lips curved into a small smile. Well, that’s what years of fighting zombies in the apocalypse will do to you. But outwardly, she stayed modest. “It’s nothing. Just a few basic moves.”
“My name’s Gu Fuying,” the woman introduced herself eagerly as they walked out of the alley. “What’s yours?”
“Xu Ying,” she replied simply.
“Such a pretty name—just like you!” Gu Fuying grinned brightly, earning another faint smile from Xu Ying.
Gu Fuying kept chattering happily. “I work at the supply and marketing cooperative. If you’re free, come visit me! By the way, where’s your home?”
Xu Ying answered each question patiently.
When she mentioned heading to the supply and marketing cooperative, Gu Fuying’s eyes lit up. “Come on then! I’ll take you there. I know the place inside out. I can even help you get discounted defective goods.”
Xu Ying raised an eyebrow in interest. Now that sounded useful.
Goods labeled ‘defective’ at the supply and marketing cooperative usually weren’t that bad—maybe a tiny flaw somewhere—but they worked just fine.
“What brings you to the county today, Yingying?” Gu Fuying asked curiously.
“I’m looking around for job opportunities,” Xu Ying replied.
Hearing this, Gu Fuying slapped her chest confidently. “Leave it to me! My parents know lots of people. I’ll ask them to help you.”
Xu Ying shook her head with a polite smile. They’d just met; she wasn’t comfortable asking for favors so soon. And besides, finding a job these days wasn’t easy—you needed connections and money.
“Thanks, but I’d rather try my luck myself.”
They chatted as they arrived at the cooperative.
Inside, Gu Fuying turned to her eagerly. “So, what do you need?”
“A thermos,” Xu Ying said thoughtfully, “and maybe a flashlight.”
Autumn was coming, the days were getting cooler. Having hot water at home was essential. And a flashlight? Even more so. Their commune had electricity, but people rarely used it to save money. The Xu family’s yard didn’t even have lights. Just the other night, she’d nearly fallen into the exposed latrine in the dark. The mere memory made her shudder.
“Fuying, do you guys have any defective thermoses or flashlights?” she asked sheepishly. “I, uh, don’t have an industrial ticket.”
“We’ve got flashlights for sure; thermoses—I’m not sure. Come, let’s go check!” Gu Fuying grabbed her arm like an old friend.
The other clerks greeted Gu Fuying warmly as they passed, making Xu Ying suspect she had some family connections here.
In the back warehouse, Gu Fuying called out, “Sister Zhang, do we have any flashlights or thermoses in the defective stock?”
The warehouse manager immediately understood. After rummaging for a bit, they unearthed a thermos and a flashlight.
Worried Xu Ying might not have enough money, Gu Fuying pulled out cash, ready to pay.
“No, no—let me!” Xu Ying quickly stopped her, fishing out her own money. “I’ve got it.”
Gu Fuying reluctantly stepped back. “Then you must come to my house for dinner! You saved me—how can I not thank you?”
But Xu Ying shook her head. “Next time. I’ve still got errands today. But I’ll definitely visit when I’m free. And if you have time, come to my place too.”
Seeing she really had things to do, Gu Fuying nodded with a disappointed pout.
Xu Ying left the cooperative, biked to a secluded spot, and swiftly tucked the thermos and flashlight into her space.
Then she pedaled off toward the nearby factories.
On the way, she spotted the same man who’d harassed Gu Fuying earlier. The moment he saw her, he bolted—like a rat seeing a cat.