It had been over two months since Qi Fang last saw Yan Xue after their brief encounter on the narrow-gauge train. He never expected to run into her here.
The young woman was just as lovely as he remembered. Even without smiling, her eyes sparkled with warmth. Shedding her heavy winter coat, she now carried a lighter, more graceful charm.
Under her gaze, his face flushed before he could even speak. "The forestry team said they found wild boar tracks nearby. Since the agricultural team is about to start spring planting soon, they’re worried the boars might cause damage. We were sent to dig some traps up in the mountains."
Wild boars were massive—males could weigh as much as black bears, reaching four or five hundred pounds. Their thick hide made them hard to take down even with guns, let alone traps.
There were two methods: either set snares with large rocks tied behind them, so the boar would exhaust itself dragging the weight until it collapsed; or dig deep pits with sharpened wooden stakes fixed at the bottom—a laborious task either way.
But how had digging traps nearby led him all the way to the Jinchuan Forestry Farm?
Yan Xue noticed he was alone. "Did you get separated from your team?"
"Not exactly," Qi Fang hesitated. "The other two in my group had something come up, so I came up the mountain alone."
Both of them at the same time? Yan Xue suspected he was being taken advantage of for being too honest.
His hesitant manner suggested he might know it too but didn’t know how to shirk work like others.
Since they were acquainted, Yan Xue explained again, "We don’t know the way to Xiaojinchuan from here either. Besides, this area is already quite far from Xiaojinchuan. Even if we knew the route, it might not be faster than taking the train tracks."
Qi Fang nodded sheepishly. "Sorry to trouble you again."
"It’s no trouble. You even made me those roller skates, remember?" Yan Xue, having rested enough, began packing her basket to head back.
Just then, Qi Fang, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "So this is the one who made your roller skates?"
Back on the train when she’d received the skates, he hadn’t asked a single question. Why bring it up now?
Yan Xue glanced at him but nodded. "Yes, this is the comrade I mentioned."
Qi Fang suddenly remembered there were two people present and flushed awkwardly.
Before he could say anything, the man turned his gaze on him, studying him for a moment. "Thank you."
Qi Fang blinked. "Huh?"
Yan Xue quickly clarified, "This is my husband. He’s thanking you for making the roller skates for me."
"Oh." This time, Qi Fang understood, but his embarrassment only deepened. He instinctively extended a hand. "Hello, comrade."
Qi Fang held his gaze for another long moment, making him squirm before finally reaching out with a faint, "Hello."
"He’s not much of a talker. Don’t mind him," Yan Xue said, trying to ease the tension. She shifted to a familiar topic. "By the way, last time you mentioned sending dried fungus to your aunt. Did you manage to deliver it?"
As long as he wasn’t facing her inscrutable husband, Qi Fang relaxed. "No, I went again a couple of days ago, but she still wasn’t back."
Yan Xue was surprised. "Still not back?" She shouldered her basket, ready to descend the mountain.
Qi Fang nodded, but just as he was about to speak, he saw Qi Fang lift Yan Xue’s basket for her, waiting until she had it secured before picking up his own.
He stumbled over his words. "Y-yeah, she’s still away. I don’t have my uncle’s hometown address, so I didn’t ask. Figured I’d wait until after the tree-planting season to try again."
Communication in this era was truly unreliable. Without an address, someone might as well vanish off the face of the earth.
But since her whole family had gone together, and it was just a trip back home, surely nothing bad could have happened. Yan Xue smiled and pointed ahead. "Careful here, it’s a bit steep."
Qi Fang was about to respond when Qi Fang, with his long legs, took two swift steps down and turned to offer Yan Xue a hand.
He forgot what he’d meant to say. When Yan Xue descended and Qi Fang reached for him too, he hastily waved it off. "I can manage."
Qi Fang lowered his peach-blossom eyes without comment, and the three of them continued down, eventually stepping onto the narrow-gauge tracks leading back to Jinchuan Forestry Farm.
The tracks were narrow—normally fine, but with three people, it became awkward. If Yan Xue and Qi Fang walked side by side, Qi Fang would be left behind. Walking alongside him didn’t feel right either. Spreading out would only widen the distance, leaving Yan Xue to occasionally call back to Qi Fang to keep the conversation going.
Qi Fang responded, but his eyes kept drifting to the pair ahead.
He’d heard she was married, but he hadn’t expected her husband to be so striking—standing beside her, they looked perfectly matched.
Though the man seemed a little hard to read. He wondered if she ever had a tough time at home because of it...
Just as the thought crossed his mind, the man up ahead turned, as if sensing his gaze.
There was nothing sharp in his expression, but Qi Fang still averted his eyes, pretending he’d only been looking at the path. Yan Xue noticed too and asked her husband, "What is it?"
"Something over there. Not sure if you’ve seen it before." Qi Fang pointed toward a spot under a nearby tree.
It was nearing dusk, and the setting sun cast a glare. Yan Xue, who’d been walking into the light, squinted before spotting what he meant—an oval-shaped cocoon.
To confirm, she walked over and picked it up. It was indeed a silkworm cocoon.
The silkworms in the northeast were different from those down south. Southern silkworms fed on mulberry leaves, smaller in size, their silk mainly used for textiles. The northeastern ones, however, were oak silkworms—as big as a thumb, their silk used in industry, electrical work, even national defense. Most importantly, they were delicious and packed with nutrients.
But these oak silkworms were primarily found in the neighboring province. The colder climate here meant few raised them, and wild ones were rare.
Yan Xue tossed the chrysalis into her basket and scanned the area for more.
"Interested?" Qi Fang joined her in searching.
"These taste amazing," Yan Xue admitted. "Stir-fried, deep-fried, even boiled—they have a unique sweetness."
They were expensive too, later costing at least forty or fifty yuan per pound. Rumor had it one chrysalis had the nutritional value of two eggs.
Hearing this, Qi Fang eagerly helped look. Between the three of them, they only found about a dozen in the oak grove.
But it gave him something to do. From then on, whenever they passed oak trees, he’d glance over, making the hour-long walk feel shorter.
As Jinchuan Forestry Farm came into view, Yan Xue suddenly stopped, then hurried toward the woods beside the tracks.
Qi Fang followed her gaze and saw a young couple—the woman being roughly dragged by the man. "Come here! You’re going to explain this to me right now!"
The woman was dragged along, staggering. She struggled but couldn't break free or shake him off. She could only try to pry his hand off with her own. "Let go! Can't you talk to me nicely?"
"Do you listen when I talk to you nicely? You've made my mom so angry that she went back!" the man growled and gave her arm another hard tug.
This time, the woman almost fell. She managed to steady herself by grabbing onto a nearby tree trunk. The man didn't care. He forcefully flung her arm away and pointed at her. "You're such a bitch! It's only been a few days since you divorced me, and you can't hold it in anymore. You're craving a man, aren't you? Your cunt itches if it goes a day without being fucked, right?"
The words were so vulgar that Yan Xue, who heard a bit of it from afar, already had a dark look on her face. And this woman being scolded was Lang Yue'e, who was on good terms with her.
Lang Yue'e was obviously furious, and her face turned faintly blue. "You know we're divorced. Now that I'm divorced, can't I find someone else?"
"Did I give you permission to find someone else?" The man slapped her across the face. "The cunt I've fucked has to rot in my family. How dare you cuckold me!"
He grabbed Lang Yue'e by the collar and was about to punch and kick her.
"Stop right there!" Yan Xue shouted, but the man ignored her as if he hadn't heard.
There was still some distance between them. No matter how fast Yan Xue ran, she couldn't make it in time. In a moment of desperation, she went to look for something to throw nearby.
Qi Fang was quicker. He picked up a rock and accurately hit the man on the back of the head.
The man winced in pain. His hand instinctively loosened, and he covered his head and turned around, glaring. "Who the hell dared to hit me!"
To be honest, he wasn't bad - looking. His features were even quite handsome, but with his blood - shot eyes and angry expression, he looked terrifyingly ferocious.
Lang Yue'e took the opportunity to break free from his grasp and instinctively exclaimed in surprise, "Xiao Yan?"
But the man only saw Qi Fang beside Yan Xue. His eyes turned red, and he charged forward. "You're the bastard introduced to her, right? You even dare to pick up my cast - off woman!"
He was really out of control at this moment. He had also been drinking before coming. As soon as he saw Qi Fang, he immediately thought of what his mom had said about a one - meter - eight - tall, good - looking guy.
Qi Fang had no idea how he had become a "bastard," but since the man was charging at him, he just stepped to the side.
The man's punch missed, and he almost stumbled and fell flat on his face. He got even angrier and was about to charge forward again without saying a word. "If you're a man, don't dodge!"
This time, Yan Xue was closer. She swung the shovel she had brought for digging gastrodia elata and hit the man on the head.
There was a crisp "snap."
Not only Kang Peisheng but also Qi Fang, who was a step behind, winced in sympathy.
Of course, Yan Xue didn't really plan to fight the man head - on with her small frame. She took a step back and pointed at the man. "Beat him up!"
Qi Fang charged forward without even thinking. He was even faster than Qi Fang. Although he was a bit clumsy, soon Kang Peisheng was completely pinned to the ground by the two of them.
He still kept swearing. Qi Fang twisted his hands behind his back and pushed him down, making him eat a mouthful of mud. Finally, he was temporarily quiet.
Qi Fang had a sensitive nose and couldn't help frowning. "He's drunk."
"Even if he wasn't drunk, he wouldn't have dared to come to the forest farm to cause trouble." Lang Yue'e straightened her disordered clothes. There was still a bright red handprint on her face. She came over to thank the group. "Thank you."
He usually didn't show his face and only let his mom handle things for him. But when he was drunk, he dared to come and beat people.
Yan Xue handed Lang Yue'e a handkerchief. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Lang Yue'e took it instinctively. Only when she looked at what was in her hand did she realize that there were tears on her face.
She wiped them away. "Thank you." She couldn't help but let out a sob.
Even after the divorce, she still couldn't get rid of him. At that moment when the man's fist was about to fall, she must have been extremely desperate.
Yan Xue put her arm around Lang Yue'e and patted her on the shoulder. After her emotions had stabilized a bit, she asked, "What are you going to do about this?"
Lang Yue'e obviously hadn't thought it through yet. She turned to look at the man on the ground and hesitated.
"You're not going to just let it go, are you?" Yan Xue lowered her voice. "You're already divorced from him, and he still dares to come looking for you. If you let it go this time, what about in the future?"
"I'm not. I just don't want to trouble my family." Lang Yue'e shook her head.
Yan Xue understood what she meant. After all, like Lang Yue'e, she had followed her mother to remarry and lived with her step - father's family.
For many women facing an unhappy marriage, the economic situation is one aspect. Another important reason why they dare not divorce is the fear that their natal family won't accept them and they'll have nowhere to go, especially in this era.
In traditional concepts, once a woman gets married, she becomes part of her husband's family. Even if she goes back, she's just a guest. How can a guest stay at home for a long time?
Even if her parents are willing, her elder brother and sister - in - law may not be. Moreover, divorce is sure to be gossiped about.
Lang Yue'e was actually quite lucky. Secretary Lang and her brothers in the family supported her divorce. But if she had a choice, she definitely didn't want to cause more trouble for her family.
Yan Xue didn't try to persuade her anymore. She just pointed at Lang Yue'e's face. "Do you think you can hide this when you go back?"
Lang Yue'e was stunned. She touched her obviously swollen left cheek and forced a bitter smile. "I probably can't."
Since she couldn't hide it, she stopped worrying so much. She took a deep breath. "Then please help me take him back. I'll go and talk to my family."
If Lang Yue'e were the kind of weak - willed person who always gave in, Yan Xue wouldn't have bothered to help her the next time.
Yan Xue had seen this kind of thing in her previous life. The couple was divorced, and the woman's family had even stepped in, but in the end, the woman still went back, making her natal family look bad for nothing.
Since Lang Yue'e wasn't going to just let it go, Yan Xue walked over and bent down to untie the belt around Kang Peisheng's waist.
Qi Fang's small eyes widened in surprise, and Qi Fang even picked the man up and pulled him to the side.
Only then did Yan Xue realize that her actions were a bit misleading. She explained, "He likes to beat people with a belt. We can use this to tie him up."
Qi Fang then understood what was going on, and his expression relaxed.
But right after that, he noticed the man beside him looking at him without saying a word.
He really didn't understand and blinked his eyes.
Qi Fang looked at him for a while longer. Seeing that he still didn't react, he said, "You do it."
Only then did he let out an "ah" sound and stepped forward to help Yan Xue take out Kang Peisheng's belt.
This was simply an insult. Kang Peisheng never expected that a petite and pretty girl like Yan Xue would be so "vicious."
Unfortunately, he couldn't do anything. He was quickly tied up by Qi Fang, and he let out a pained groan as the belt tightened.
Yan Xue then pointed at his mouth. "His mouth is so foul. Didn't we bring some paper with us to sit on? Roll it up and stuff it in his mouth."
Qi Fang stood there with a cold face and didn't move.
"You're not even willing to give up a piece of paper, are you?" Yan Xue looked at him in surprise. Only then did he go to the backpack and find some paper to stuff in Kang Peisheng's mouth.
Whether it was beating, tying, or stuffing the man's mouth, she did it all so smoothly and naturally that Qi Fang's mouth had been hanging open since just now.
He thought he might be overthinking, but this... this personality of hers didn't seem like someone who could tolerate being bullied at all...
Just as he thought of this, Yan Xue had already turned around with a beaming smile. She was once again that sweet girl with crescent-like eyes. "Comrade, thank you. You've gone through all this trouble with us."
"It's okay," Qi Fang quickly waved his hand. Looking at the Jinchuan Forest Farm stop just ahead, he said, "Since you have things to do, I'll leave first."
Not far ahead was indeed a fork in the road, and they really did have things to deal with. Yan Xue didn't try to keep him. "See that fork over there? If you go straight along it, you'll reach Xiaojinchuan."
"Got it. I've taken the small train there before," Qi Fang said goodbye to them. After walking a few steps, he turned back to look at Yan Xue. "Thanks."
"What's there to thank for?" Yan Xue was about to say more when Qi Fang picked up Kang Peisheng. "Let's go."
After walking for a while, Lang Yue'e stopped by the roadside and picked up a soil basket. There were half - scattered dandelions and a small knife for digging vegetables in it. "I came out to dig some dandelions to make small tofu. I didn't expect to run into him."
Dandelions are a very common wild vegetable in the mountains and fields. Because of their bitter taste, they are especially suitable for reducing internal heat. Some people also fry the roots and use them to make tea.
Small tofu is a special local dish in Northeast China. You grind soybeans into pulp and then put in blanched wild vegetables and boil them together. It can be served as a dish or used to satisfy hunger. The wild vegetables can be dandelions, carrot tops, or plantain. You can use whatever is convenient.
It was just starting to get warm, and only dandelions and wild onions had sprouted among the wild vegetables. If you wanted to eat other kinds, you had to wait until next month.
Normally, there were also these things in the family vegetable garden, but there were many people in the Lang family, so Lang Yue'e went up the mountain and dug quite a lot. Unfortunately, she had the bad luck to run into Kang Peisheng.
Not to mention that they were still carrying a live person with them. Just the slap mark on her face would be eye - catching enough on the way back. Yan Xue wanted to find something to cover it for her, but she just forced a smile. "It's okay. People have seen me in worse situations."
"You can't just go back like this. If people want to watch a joke, they should watch his," Yan Xue simply let down Lang Yue'e's neck - length hair that was tucked behind her ears and adjusted it a bit.
Sure enough, many people asked along the way. As they were getting close to the area where the Lang family lived, they ran into Yu Cuiyun, who was just coming out of her mother - in - law's house with her child.
In the past, Yu Cuiyun would have taken the opportunity to taunt Lang Yue'e, but she had just been out of the hospital and still had a splint on her body. She just couldn't say those words.
Moreover, when it came to the time they encountered the black bear, everyone said that Yan Xue remained calm in the face of danger and Qi Fang was an excellent marksman, but when it came to her, people said it was all her own fault. And it was Qi Fang who had saved her younger brother's life. Even if she wanted to say something, she didn't have the confidence.
In the end, Yu Cuiyun simply turned her head and pretended not to see them. Just then, the Lang family members came out to look for Lang Yue'e. They spotted the group at a glance. "What happened? Did you run into Kang Peisheng?"
After they entered the house and figured out what had happened, Lang Yue'e's younger brother directly kicked Kang Peisheng twice.
Kang Peisheng groaned in pain. With a paper ball stuffed in his mouth, he couldn't say a word and could only stare blankly.
As a result, he got two more kicks, and this time Lang Yue'e's elder brother, who had just heard the commotion and rushed over from his own home, also joined in.
Lang Yue'e's mother thanked Yan Xue and Qi Fang profusely. She also packed two big pieces of freshly - steamed steamed cake for them. "It's so late. Don't go back to cook. I'll also pack some pickled mustard tubers for you."
Pickled mustard tubers are pickled mustard roots. They are a common dish on the table when there are no fresh vegetables. They are crisp when eaten raw, and have a softer and more glutinous texture when steamed.
Actually, if there was lard, stir - frying them with lard would make them even more delicious, but in those days, which family had so much lard to use casually?
Since the family was so sincere and had already stuffed the things into Yan Xue's arms, she didn't refuse. After the conversation here was over, Secretary Lang asked Qi Fang, "I remember it's almost two years since you became a full - time worker after your apprenticeship, right?"
"Yes, it'll be two years in June," Qi Fang replied concisely.
Secretary Lang then walked out of the house, away from the still - tied Kang Peisheng, and whispered to him, "The application for this year's training has started again. There are two spots for tractor drivers and three spots for chainsaw operators. Regarding the chainsaw operator spots, both Liu Daniu and Hu Changjiang have recommended you. If you want to go, there's definitely no problem."
Hu Changjiang was the chainsaw operator master that Qi Fang had been following. Previously, when Director Yu asked him to recommend Yu Yongzhi, he wasn't so enthusiastic. Qi Fang and Yan Xue didn't even know about this.
Secretary Lang was obviously assuring them that as long as Qi Fang wanted to go, there wouldn't be any unexpected problems.
Secretary Lang gave them a tip. "The Jicai 50 tractors have been approved by the bureau. There are four in total, and they'll arrive in a while. The logging task this winter will definitely be heavier."
From two tractors to four, no wonder there were so many training spots this year.
Moreover, both chainsaw operators and tractor drivers were crucial in logging. A heavier task also meant more income.
However, Qi Fang was silent for a while and didn't immediately agree. "I'll go back and think about it."
Secretary Lang was a bit surprised, but then he seemed to think of something. "You're a good marksman. You can also join the security department."
The security department didn't pay as much, but the work was relatively easier, and there would be time to gather mountain products.
But Qi Fang still didn't give a definite answer. "Can I think it over?"
Secretary Lang then saw Yan Xue standing not far away. "Okay, you two should have a good discussion."
With that, the conversation was over. Just as they were about to leave, Yan Xue walked over. "Secretary Lang, how do you plan to handle this matter?"
Obviously, she was asking about the matter of Kang Peisheng.
Secretary Lang had met this girl a few times. She wasn't a showy person and didn't seem like someone who liked to pry into other people's business.
He pondered for a moment. "Do you have any ideas?"
"It's not really about having ideas," Yan Xue touched her nose. "I just think this guy never learns his lesson. What if he comes to bother Sister Yue'e again?"
"I've been worrying about this too," Secretary Lang, who obviously cared quite a lot about this girl, said. "Actually, the best thing would be to find a husband for Yue'e quickly and make him give up this idea. But Yue'e doesn't want to get married yet, and her family doesn't want to force her."
"Then can we find a way to get him away, far away so that he can't come to the forest farm anymore," Yan Xue suggested.
Secretary Lang had obviously thought of this too. "His job isn't in the forestry system." What he meant was that although he had some connections, it wasn't that easy to handle.
Yan Xue was obviously disappointed with this result. She said indignantly, "He comes here and manhandles Sister Yue'e. If it were me, I'd have reported him for attempted rape long ago."
Before she finished speaking, Qi Fang's gaze had already fallen on her. Obviously, he understood what she meant.
There was a glint of amusement in Secretary Lang's eyes, but he sighed. "Yeah, who knows what his real intentions are."
Although even if they reported him, they might not succeed, there were indeed precedents of people being sentenced for such things. Once the Kang family got scared, they would find a way to get Kang Peisheng away to calm things down.
The older and the younger exchanged a smile, understanding each other tacitly. Before entering the door, Secretary Lang took another look at Yan Xue. "You're Xiao Yan, right?"
Obviously, he had taken this person to heart. Even if there were no immediate benefits, it would only be advantageous for Yan Xue in the future.
Yan Xue turned around and adjusted the basket on her shoulder. The next second, two hands reached out from behind to help her carry it.
This made Yan Xue find it a bit amusing. "You've already got all the stuff. This one isn't heavy."
But Qi Fang didn't let go. He tilted his chin upwards, signaling her to keep walking. "It's okay. It's dark."
The implication was that no one could see them anyway.
This feeling was quite novel. Due to the difference in their heights, it even seemed as if Qi Fang was carrying Yan Xue along.
Thinking that it was indeed dark outside, Yan Xue didn't say anything more. Just as she was about to turn into another path, she heard someone say in the darkness, "It's okay. No one will come out at this hour."
Yan Xue looked up and locked eyes with Liu Weiguo, who was coming from the opposite direction.
Qi Fang: I have to keep a close eye. I can't let other men have ideas about my wife.
Qi Fang: Is it possible that she's actually my wife...
