Chapter 20: To My Surprise, I Was Living in a Cave Dwelling

Ye Siran had no idea that her mother back home was cursing the heavens and her existence, nor that she was being chased and beaten by her stepfather every day. She was equally unaware of how deeply He Hongwen regretted losing her.

"Educated youths, you have arrived at your lodging," the village chief announced, jumping off the ox cart first and gesturing toward a row of cave dwellings.

"Village Chief, that is where we are staying?" Xia Tiantian’s voice was sharp with disbelief.

"Village Chief, those caves... are they for people to live in?" Xiao Zhiyu stared at the row of earthen caves, his mouth agape and his speech stuttering.

Ye Siran stepped off the cart, grabbed a bag in each hand, and looked in the direction the village chief was pointing. They were indeed cave dwellings—arched openings carved into a low slope—but they were habitable. In the future, many people would travel to the Northwest specifically to stay in such caves; Ye Siran had stayed in them before, though by then, the earthen walls had been reinforced with stone. It was clear these had been built by the villagers specifically for the arriving educated youths a few years prior, as the materials were locally sourced and inexpensive.

The twilight sun poured down like a golden waterfall, bathing the row of caves in warm light that filtered through the mottled entrance. The outer walls were rough and weathered, marked by the passage of wind and rain, with yellow soil seeping through the cracks. As a breeze brushed by, carrying the scent of earth, she couldn't help but think of the days of labor that lay ahead in the fields. "Village Chief, where should I stay?"

"Educated Youth Ye, those on the left are for the male youths, and the ones on the right are for the female youths. Two to a room, you may choose whichever you like." Village Chief Qu answered enthusiastically; he wanted to curry favor with Ye Siran, but he tried not to be too obvious about it.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Xia Tiantian pointed quickly toward the room closest to the male youths and said, "Shishi, how about we stay in that one?"

"Do as you please," Jian Yueshi replied coldly. In truth, she didn't like any of them, but she had no other choice. She was wearing a black-based dress with a small white floral print, complete with puff sleeves and a pleated skirt. It was obvious she had changed in the train station restroom before arriving, as the dress was perfectly crisp. With her delicate features, she stood beside Qu Chenggang’s bicycle, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear, looking quite beautiful.

Qu Chenggang swallowed hard, his rough voice sounding out, "Educated Youth Jian, if you aren't used to the cave dwellings, you are welcome to stay at our house." The more affluent local villagers lived in houses built of earthen bricks and covered with grey tiles. Most residents of Gaotang Village shared the surname Qu; Qu Chenggang was the eldest son of the village chief's younger brother. He was currently serving in the military and received a monthly salary. His family’s house, like the village chief's, was built of stone—not only grander, but also cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

"Brother Gangzi, wouldn't that be considered receiving special treatment?" Jian Yueshi declined tactfully. She looked down on Qu Chenggang, but she didn't want to offend him.

"It’s not special treatment. We have precedents of educated youths staying in villagers' homes. Uncle, isn't that right?"

"If Educated Youth Jian wishes to stay there, it is fine. The educated youths and the villagers are all one family!" Village Chief Qu said with a smile. He had wanted to invite Ye Siran to stay at his home as well, but he lacked his nephew's thick skin and couldn't bring himself to say it.

"We are here to support rural development; I don't like to receive special treatment. Tiantian, let's go in." Jian Yueshi disliked Qu Chenggang and naturally had no intention of going to his home. She left her luggage in his hands without any intention of carrying it herself, walking toward the caves on her own. Qu Chenggang followed behind, carrying her bags. He thought that not only was she beautiful, but she also had a kind heart—a pampered girl who refused special treatment was truly a rarity.

The two male youths had no choice, as they were the only ones in the group. They exchanged a look and tacitly walked toward the caves adjacent to Jian Yueshi and Xia Tiantian. The older male youth, who wore glasses and was in his early twenties, had been trying to strike up a conversation with Jian Yueshi the entire journey, so he naturally chose the cave closest to her. Xiao Zhiyu, on the other hand, was fond of Xia Tiantian’s lively and cheerful nature; she had even comforted him while they were on the ox cart.

"Educated Youth Ye, my name is Wen Lin. Can I share a room with you? Which one do you have your eye on?" Wen Lin, who had been quiet throughout the journey, asked with bright, lively eyes. Her long, black hair was braided into two plaits, which remained neat despite days of travel. She had a high bridge of the nose and a round, rosy face. She wore a small floral-print blouse with a white ruffled collar and black corduroy trousers. Dressed in leather shoes and patterned socks, she wore a natural, albeit slightly weary, smile. It was easy to tell she came from a well-off family.

"Sure. I’m Ye Siran. What do you think of that one?" Ye Siran asked, pointing to the last cave in the row.

"Educated Youth Ye, if you like it, I like it too," Wen Lin said with a smile, a flicker of pity crossing her heart. The girl was not only young but also thin and frail, and clearly timid—she had walked at the very back of the group and now chose the very last cave. She decided she would have to look after her in the future; the poor thing was just too pitiful!

"Since you've all made your choices, there is no need to work this afternoon. Get yourselves settled in," the village chief said loudly, watching the backs of the young youths.

"Thank you for your hard work, Village Chief. Please go attend to your business, we are going to head inside and unpack," Ye Siran thanked him politely.

"You are too kind, Educated Youth Ye. If you need anything, just come find me," Village Chief Qu instructed kindly.

"Thank you, Village Chief, we’re going in now," Wen Lin said with a smile. She turned to help Ye Siran carry a bag, but saw her pull it away. Feeling even more pity for how shy Ye Siran was, she encouraged her warmly, "Educated Youth Ye, let me help you carry one bag."

"I appreciate the gesture, but you won't be able to lift it." Ye Siran had a good first impression of Wen Lin, so she offered a brief explanation.

"You're thinner and smaller than I am, I don't believe you!" Wen Lin said, reaching for the snake-skin bag. Then, her already large eyes widened in shock. She was so curious that, even stuttering with surprise, she had to ask, "W-w-what on earth is inside this bag?"

"That bag has food, and this one has my quilt and clothes. They are all necessities."

"My goodness, Educated Youth Ye, your mother is so good to you!" Wen Lin exclaimed with envy. She continued, "My parents and siblings only gave me money and coupons because they were afraid I wouldn't be able to carry heavy things. My bag only has a change of clothes."

"You didn't bring a quilt?"

"No! My parents said I could just buy one when I got here."

As they spoke, they walked into the cave. It was completely empty, save for two wooden beds leaning against the wall.

"Siran—may I call you that? Your parents are so kind to you, providing a quilt and everything. What am I supposed to do?" Wen Lin asked, looking at the empty cave with a dejected face.

Before Ye Siran could answer, they heard Xia Tiantian’s panicked scream from two doors down: "There is absolutely nothing here! How are we supposed to live?"

"Educated Youth Xia, Educated Youth Jian, don't worry. I'll go home and bring you some necessities."