The 60s Island: The Daily Life of a Capitalist Young Lady with the Army - Chapter 108: You Must Never Say These Words to Anyone Again

Chapter 108: You Must Never Say These Words to Anyone Again

Xie Chengjun listened with a furrowed brow.

Fetch water? Chop firewood?

He had just arrived here a day ago, completely disoriented and unable to distinguish east from west. Where was he supposed to fetch water? Which mountain should he go to for firewood?

He detested these troublesome chores the most.

“Enough, stop talking.”

Xie Chengjun waved his hand impatiently, cutting off the other person’s words.

“Just convert the water fetching and firewood chopping into money. And this basin—how much does it cost? I’ll pay for it all together.”

“Anyway, my family has plenty of money. At worst, I’ll have my family send me more!”

Xie Chengjun’s words “I’ll have my family send me more” were like a red-hot iron rod violently thrust into a hornet’s nest.

Money.

It was always about money.

In this place where every penny was stretched to its limit, this word was most capable of striking a nerve.

The air in the courtyard seemed to freeze. Everyone’s anger, at that moment, was mixed with an indescribable mockery and… envy.

The dark-skinned lead educated youth stared fixedly at Xie Chengjun, as if trying to see through his self-righteous exterior to the spoiled bones hidden beneath.

After a long pause, he let out a cold laugh through gritted teeth.

“Fine.”

“What a ‘family with plenty of money’.”

He stopped arguing and no longer shouted in anger, but his gaze was colder than a blade.

“Water fee, firewood fee, basin fee—total one yuan and fifty cents. Buying a new basin also requires two Industrial Coupons.”

“Just give the money to Comrade Xiang!”

Having said this, he couldn’t even be bothered to look at Xie Chengjun again. He turned and waved to the crowd.

“Everyone disperse! Go back and get ready. We’ll have breakfast and then start work!”

The storm stirred up by a basin of foot-washing water was thus forcibly suppressed by one yuan and fifty cents.

But everyone knew this wasn’t over.

For Xu Jingjing, this land filled with sweat, mud, and unfamiliar faces meant her future life in the countryside was destined to be “colorful.”

And Xie Chengjun, who had caught her attention, was basically coming to this impoverished backwater to face his tribulations.

…

Meanwhile, a thousand miles away on Cloud Sky Island.

The sea breeze, carrying a slightly salty dampness, brushed against the window lattice and rustled the pages of a book.

Xu Xiangsi was leaning against a rattan chair by the window, engrossed in a medical book, living a life of indescribable comfort.

“Xiangsi! Sister Xiangsi!”

The voice arrived before the person.

Sister Yan, carrying a large sea bowl, hurried in through the courtyard gate, her face still bearing traces of unresolved anger.

“I just heard that those girls from the Arts Troupe came to give you trouble a couple of days ago?”

She thumped the bowl onto the table, and the rich aroma of Seafood Porridge instantly filled the air.

“What gives them the right?!”

Sister Yan planted her hands on her hips, her eyebrows shooting up.

“I heard it was because of Battalion Commander Long?”

“Pah!” She spat on the ground, grumbling curses. “Those worthless bunch, all of them with their noses in the air, looking down on everyone! Do they really think Battalion Commander Long would fancy any of them?!”

“Don’t they have anything better to do?!”

The more Sister Yan spoke, the angrier she became. She pulled Xu Xiangsi over to sit down and pushed the bowl of porridge in front of her.

“Here, eat the porridge. I know you love my Seafood Porridge.”

She looked at Xu Xiangsi and began murmuring with lingering concern, “Xiangsi, let me tell you, the current social climate is truly peculiar.”

“Especially some young people—I don’t know what’s gotten into them—they’re just too extreme.”

Her voice unconsciously dropped lower, carrying a hint of lingering fear.

“Over trivial matters, or simply because they take a dislike to someone, they’ll drag people out for criticism, struggle sessions, and public parades.”

“I heard in the neighboring fishing village, some even secretly throw stones at people. What kind of madness is this!”

Xu Xiangsi’s hand, holding the spoon, paused slightly.

She looked up at Sister-in-Law Yan’s genuine worry and indignation, but her own heart remained clear and calm.

This was only the beginning.

It had just started—the coming years would only grow more frenzied.

Countless people would wield all sorts of seemingly noble justifications to vent personal grievances and retaliate against those they envied.

She gently blew on the porridge in her spoon and softly advised, “Sister-in-Law.”

“You must never say these things to anyone else from now on.”

Sister-in-Lan Yan was taken aback.

Xu Xiangsi looked at her, her gaze serious and sincere.

“In times like these, people’s hearts are hard to gauge. You might speak carelessly, but listeners may not take it lightly.”

“If someone were to seize on your words, it could mean serious trouble.”

Sister-in-Law Yan’s anger instantly vanished, as if doused by a bucket of cold water.

In its place, a warm current slowly rose from the depths of her heart.

She knew this girl was genuinely concerned for her: “Oh, I understand, I’ll be careful.”

Sister-in-Law Yan patted Xu Xiangsi’s hand, a simple, honest smile spreading across her face.

“It’s just that I feel such a connection with you.”

“These heartfelt words, I usually only share with you, and occasionally grumble to my Old Song. With outsiders, I keep my lips sealed!”

Xu Xiangsi brought the spoonful of porridge to her mouth. Warm and flavorful, it comforted both her stomach and her spirit.

She lifted her eyes to Sister-in-Law Yan, lowering her voice even further: “It’s fine to say them here with me.”

“My yard has no close neighbors front or back. It’s usually quiet here—no one bothers to come to this out-of-the-way corner.”

She paused, her eyes carrying a trace of undeniable gravity.

“But Sister-in-Law, even at home with Deputy Regiment Commander Song, you should still be cautious.”

“Walls have ears.”

Those last six words, though spoken lightly, landed on Sister-in-Law Yan’s heart like stones.

Her simple, honest smile vanished instantly, replaced by solemn seriousness.

Indeed.

In these times, who knew behind which wall might lurk ears eager to catch you in a misstep?

“Ah! I’ll remember that!”

Sister-in-Law Yan nodded heavily, her expression unprecedentedly earnest.

“Don’t worry, Xiangsi, I understand! I’ll definitely be more careful from now on!”

As soon as she finished speaking, a tall, straight-backed figure appeared at the courtyard gate.

Long Peiye, dressed in his military uniform with broad shoulders and long legs, strode in briskly, carrying the crisp scent of the sea breeze from outside.

Seeing Sister-in-Law Yan, the sternness in his brow and eyes softened instantly, even taking on a hint of helpless amusement.

“Sister-in-Law Yan, you’re here too.”

His gaze fell on the bowl of steaming Seafood Porridge on the table, and he deliberately remarked, “I was just thinking that today I must ask Sister-in-Law Yan to teach me her secret method of making Seafood Porridge.”

“That way, I won’t have to trouble you so often in the future.”

Upon hearing this, Sister-in-Law Yan immediately broke into a proud smile, her earlier seriousness vanishing without a trace.

“Oh, no way!” she declared, puffing out her chest playfully.

“If I teach you this skill, what excuse will I have left to come chat with our Xiangsi girl?”

Xu Xiangsi was also amused, her eyes crinkling into crescents: “Sister-in-Law, you can come visit anytime—no excuses needed.”

Sister-in-Law Yan felt a warmth in her heart. She glanced at Long Peiye, then at Xu Xiangsi, her smile deepening.

“Oh my, Battalion Commander Long is back now—I won’t stick around and interrupt you lovebirds from sharing sweet nothings.”

She briskly stood up, brushing off her pant legs: “I’m heading back now! You two chat!”

With that, she hurried off as decisively as she had arrived.