Chapter 146: Female Educated Youth 16

Back at the communal dorm, everyone was curious about Ren Xin’s private meeting with the leadership. However, they were all somewhat intimidated by Ren Xin’s usual arrogance, so for a moment, no one dared to step forward and ask.

Because Fan Zhili was a naive do-gooder and easier to draw information from, she was the one surrounded and questioned.

“I don’t know either! I didn’t go in for the talk with her, and Ren Xin didn’t tell me anything.”

Feng Xue gave a cold laugh. “Looking at it this way, she clearly doesn’t consider you a real friend. She won’t tell you a thing. If you ask me, it’s all just one-sided wishful thinking on your part…”

Fan Zhili retorted excitedly, “Ren Xin isn’t like that! She is my good friend, and so are you all. We should all be friendly to each other…”

The group continued to bicker, refusing to back down. As Fan Zhili’s former close sisters, Feng Xue and Jiang Ran felt they had a responsibility to bring her back to the right path.

“Ren Xin is not an easy person to get along with. You’re so kindhearted that you’re going to get screwed over. When your parents left, they told us to look after you. We can’t let you sink into this quagmire…”

Fan Zhili had her own internal logic and didn’t listen to outside voices. If she believed Ren Xin was a good person, then she was going to hang out with her.

“You shouldn’t question my judgment in friends. Ren Xin is really great; you just haven’t spent enough time with her. She actually has a very soft heart. Anyway, I’m going to be friends with her no matter what.”

Ren Xin listened to the commotion outside. Hearing Fan Zhili’s simple-minded words and her earnest arguments on her behalf, she found it somewhat amusing.

How could this person be so adorable?

The matter regarding the canned goods was resolved quickly. Ren Xin was appointed as the Technical Consultant for Canning. She took a voluntary pay cut, with her only condition being that she could bring Fan Zhili along.

The Farm Manager indicated that this was no problem. After all, if that girl stayed behind to do manual labor, she wouldn’t be producing much anyway.

Fan Zhili asked in disbelief, “Is it really me? I don’t have to go cut rubber¹ anymore? I can work with you?”

Ren Xin nodded and asked casually, “Happy?”

Fan Zhili grinned so wide her teeth showed as she cackled with joy. “I’m so happy! If my parents knew I was doing so well for myself, they’d definitely faint from happiness. When they woke up, they’d say that even if they died right now, it would be worth it!”

Ren Xin: “…” Did she have to be that filial?

The job transfer for Ren Xin and Fan Zhili left everyone’s jaws on the floor. Refusing to accept it, they demanded an explanation.

Farm Manager Chen Aiguo was a former soldier. If he didn’t have some backbone and a few tricks up his sleeve, he wouldn’t be sitting in this position.

“I’m the one who arranged it. Do you have a problem with that? Ren Xin knows how to make canned goods; do you? She has the technique and the skill; do you? Aside from gathering together to cause trouble, what else can you lot do?”

Feng Xue, her face twisted with jealousy, questioned loudly, “Then what about Fan Zhili? She doesn’t know how to do anything!”

Fan Zhili looked at Feng Xue in disbelief. Weren’t they friends? When a good friend found a better opportunity, shouldn’t she be happy for her?

Feng Xue shifted her gaze uncomfortably but still stubbornly demanded an answer.

Chen Aiguo sneered. “Her? She’s just a tag-along. It was Comrade Ren Xin’s request. She lowered her own salary to give Fan Zili a spot.”

Book Spirit Number One: “This Farm Manager is so rude. He’s as thick-headed as a mule, calling a sweet girl like her ‘Zili’ (Self-Reliance).”

Ren Xin: “…”

For a moment, Fan Zhili didn’t know which part to be sad about. Ren Xin kindly offered some comfort. “You are perfectly welcome to be sad about all of it. All these blows are pretty much equally painful.”

Fan Zhili burst into tears with a loud wail.

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Translator’s Notes

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1. cut rubber: Refers to rubber tapping. During the Down to the Countryside Movement, many youth were sent to state farms in tropical regions like Yunnan or Hainan specifically for rubber production. ↩