The 60s Island: The Daily Life of a Capitalist Young Lady with the Army - Chapter 104: The Shining Girl

Chapter 104: The Shining Girl

The sky gradually darkened.

The mountain wind grew chilly, whistling through the forest with a mournful howl like ghostly weeping.

Wang Fang and Liu Li’s sobbing never ceased, their nerves so frayed that the slightest rustle would startle them.

Village Chief Li Dasha had completely given up on dealing with them, focusing solely on trudging forward with a face as dark as storm clouds.

Meanwhile, Xu Jingjing played her role perfectly.

Occasionally startled by strange noises, she would hide behind Xie Chengjun before quickly peeking out to comfort her two nearly broken companions with a voice both gentle and firm.

Her performance sent Xie Chengjun’s fondness for her skyrocketing like a rocket.

He felt this rural assignment was worth it.

Meeting a girl like Xu Jingjing, who still shone brightly in adversity, felt like heaven’s greatest gift to him.

Finally, when faint yellow lights appeared at the end of the pitch-black mountain path, the entire group erupted in cheers of relief, as if they had narrowly escaped death.

They had arrived at Peaceful Village.

Xu Jingjing’s legs gave way, nearly collapsing before the village entrance stone carved with the village name.

Her feet no longer felt like her own.

They were pulped, blistered masses of flesh that had been repeatedly pierced by countless needles.

Every movement tugged at her nerves, sending sharp tremors through her body.

She bit her lower lip hard to suppress any cries of pain.

The taste of blood spread in her mouth.

Damn it!

It was all Xie Chengjun’s fault!

If he hadn’t been so impulsive, insisting on choosing this destitute, godforsaken place, she wouldn’t have suffered like this!

In her heart, Xu Jingjing had cursed Xie Chengjun from head to toe no less than a hundred times.

Walking ahead of her, Xie Chengjun was also frowning as he surveyed this so-called “Peaceful Village.”

A few dilapidated adobe houses were scattered sparsely across the mountain hollow like candles guttering in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.

Was this… where he would strive for his future?

He was equally puzzled.

Given his qualifications, he shouldn’t have been assigned to this notoriously impoverished village in the county.

Where had things gone wrong?

Unbeknownst to him, his high-ranking father in Beijing had smashed a cup upon learning of his “self-willed” decision to volunteer for rural work.

In his fury, he immediately called the provincial admissions office.

His message was brief:

“My son Xie Chengjun must go to the harshest place to undergo the most profound tempering.”

Thus, Xie Chengjun “got his wish” and arrived at Peaceful Village.

You have ambition, don’t you?

You want to prove yourself?

Then go and be properly tempered!

As the new educated youths slumped in exhaustion, sighing at the village’s dismal state, a figure holding a kerosene lamp hurried out from the village.

Several veteran educated youths already lived there.

Their leader was Xiang Hongxing, a twenty-five-year-old male comrade known for his warm-hearted, good-natured personality.

Having been notified that new comrades would arrive today, he estimated Village Chief Li Dasha should have brought them back by afternoon.

So he had waited at the village entrance since early.

But after waiting left and right until sunset with no sign of them, he had returned to the “Educated Youth Compound” where the youths lived to grab a quick meal.

But with worries weighing on his mind, he found no appetite for the meal.

Putting down his bowl and chopsticks, he hurried back to the village entrance to continue waiting.

This wait lasted until nearly nine o’clock in the evening.

The night wind in the mountains was bitingly cold. He kept rubbing his hands together and blowing warm breath into his palms.

Finally, a speck of firelight appeared on the dark, seemingly endless mountain path.

A torch!

Xiang Hongxing’s spirits lifted instantly. He immediately guessed that the village chief had brought them back!

He quickly picked up his lantern and strode forward to meet them.

“Is Village Chief Li back?”

His resonant voice, filled with warmth, carried far through the silent night.

To the educated youths who had nearly reached the brink of despair, this voice was nothing short of heavenly.

Village Chief Li Dasha grinned, revealing a set of large yellow teeth, and called out loudly, “Comrade Xiang! We’ve finally found you!”

Xiang Hongxing’s gaze moved past the village chief and settled on the group of exhausted young people behind him.

Seeing the two female comrades weeping uncontrollably, nearly collapsing to the ground, and the red-eyed male comrades beside them struggling to hold back tears, Xiang Hongxing’s heart sank.

He understood all too well.

He understood this complex mix of emotions—from hope to despair, then glimpsing a faint glimmer of light at the edge of hopelessness.

Two years ago, he had gone through the same ordeal.

Without a word, he rushed forward in quick strides and firmly took the luggage from Wang Fang and Liu Li’s hands.

The two female comrades were so exhausted they couldn’t even utter a word of thanks. The moment their luggage was taken, their legs gave way, and they were supported by the male comrades beside them.

Xiang Hongxing’s eyes then fell upon Xu Jingjing.

This female comrade’s face was as pale as paper, yet she had bitten her lips until they were crimson. Fine beads of cold sweat covered her forehead—clearly, she was forcing herself to endure.

A resilient one, he thought, making a mental note, and his tone softened further.

“Comrade, let me take your luggage too? You look utterly exhausted.”

Xu Jingjing’s heart leaped with joy. She was ready to hand over the damned baggage immediately.

But the words that came out were unexpectedly reserved and polite.

“No need, comrade. I… I can still manage.”

She thought that, following common courtesy, the other party would surely insist again, and then she could “reluctantly” agree.

To her surprise, Xiang Hongxing actually nodded in approval.

“Alright! Our female comrades of the new era truly have awareness and perseverance!”

He laughed heartily, “Then let’s hurry back to the educated youth compound. We’ve kept dinner warm for you in the pot!”

With that, he picked up the lantern, carried the two large bags, and turned to lead the way.

The expression on Xu Jingjing’s face instantly froze.

???

She was just being polite!

Really, just being polite!

What was wrong with this man? Could he not understand the subtleties of human speech?!

Every step felt like walking on knives. The luggage in her hands weighed a ton, almost crushing her shoulders.

Fortunately, Xie Chengjun had recovered somewhat by then.

He had noticed Xu Jingjing’s momentary astonishment and her struggle to endure the pain.

He walked up to her, his voice filled with undeniable concern.

“Let me take it.”

Since their destination was just ahead, he could bear it a little longer.

As he spoke, he reached out and took the heaviest canvas bag from her shoulder.

At that moment, Xu Jingjing wished she could hand over everything to him.

Yet on her face, she had to force out just the right amount of shyness and hesitation.

“This… this is really too much…”

Her voice was soft and gentle, carrying a faint tremble.