I Overhear Animals' Thoughts to Feed My Family

The bricks weren’t even fully unloaded when Farm Director Qian returned with the educated youths assigned to support Dragon King Pond. Originally, they had been dispatched because this was the poorest village in the county. But now, it had produced a remarkable talent in Zhao Wendong. Anyone with eyes could see the village was poised for great things. That four-character phrase of praise he’d received was enough to keep Dragon King Pond on the county’s radar, so withdrawing the youths was only logical.

Lin Zhiyin watched the young men and women of the educated youth team, loaded down with bags and bundles, an unreadable expression on her face. A month ago, she had been the target of their mockery and exclusion. Now, she was Zhao Wendong’s wife, while they had to slink back to the Youth Farm, leaving their quarters behind to become her marital home.

"Comrade Zhao Wendong, hello, hello! We didn’t take any of the equipment, just had them pack up all their personal things. Thank you to your village committee for all the support over the years. I’ll be taking them back on the truck in a bit!"

"Mm, thank you, Farm Director Qian."

"Don’t mention it, don’t mention it."

Old Qian practically bowed. But when he turned and saw Sun Zhiguo and the others, his temper flared.

"What are you gawking at? Get over here and help finish unloading these bricks! Utterly clueless, the lot of you!"

With bitter looks, the youths dropped their things to one side and started helping. Once the bricks were unloaded, they climbed into the dust-covered truck bed. As they watched Lin Zhiyin standing by Zhao Wendong’s side, a storm of complicated emotions churned within each of them.

They had once considered themselves heaven’s chosen, filled with a deep sense of superiority. They had come to the countryside to aid in its development. But who would have thought? They quickly learned they couldn’t outwork the farmers, much less compete in hunting in the mountains or fishing in the sea. And that wasn’t even mentioning the incredible honor Zhao Wendong had received—a personal commendation from the old master!

They used to think Lin Zhiyin was just some ugly, slovenly, and timid city girl. Now they knew that they were the real fools. She was actually beautiful and brilliant, and she had landed a capable man like Zhao Wendong. They recalled going hungry while she ate bean paste buns, and now, the dormitory they had all shared was about to become her marital home.

Li Juan sat in the truck bed, her eyes welling with tears as she gazed at Zhao Wendong. But he didn’t give her a single glance, his attention entirely on Lin Zhiyin. Heartbreak washed over her, and she found herself thinking about applying to return to the city. However, with the current push for rural development, getting permission to leave would be far more difficult than getting permission to come had been.

The four brick-laden trucks drove away one by one. This was only the first delivery; it would take at least two more trips to bring all twenty thousand bricks. The educated youths of Dragon King Pond left with them. Zhao Weiguo and the others were all smiles. Zhao Wendong had handled things beautifully. He gained two homes for his family, and the production team was relieved of feeding eight people. It was a joyous outcome for all involved. The only ones hurting were the educated youths.

"Time to move the grain! Weigh every sack before it goes into storage. Stop gathering around to watch! Everyone, stand back!"

Zhao Weiguo waved the crowd back. Zhao Lao Nian and a few others formed a line to keep people from getting too close. The remaining militiamen drank some water and took a short break before starting to move the grain. Third Master Zhao weighed and recorded each sack before it was moved into the storeroom. Seeing that Third Master Zhao was struggling with the math, Lin Zhiyin volunteered to help. Jin Xiuying joined her, and the two women made the calculations with speed and precision, working much more efficiently than the old man.

"Well now! Our Dragon King Pond hasn’t just gained two beautiful new wives. We’ve gained two educated wives who can read and count!"

Liu Yufen couldn’t help but marvel. Third Master Zhao and Zhao Weiguo glanced at each other and nodded without a word, both smiling warmly around the pipes clenched in their teeth as they watched Lin Zhiyin and Jin Xiuying help with the records.

Once the two thousand catties of grain were in the storeroom and the accounts all verified, a member of the village committee signed off on the delivery. Only then did Zhao Wendong take the remaining two hundred catties of grain home. After seeing Niu Yuesheng and Big Wang off, the very first thing Zhao Wendong did was whip out his marriage certificate to show off to his family.

"Quick, let me see."

Chen Yanmei was the first to snatch it, beaming with delight. She couldn’t read most of the characters, but she recognized her son’s name, Zhao Wendong. After examining his certificate, she looked at Zhao Wenwu’s. Then, gazing at her two daughters-in-law, each more beautiful than the other, Chen Yanmei felt her life was finally complete.

"This is just wonderful. I really thought I’d spend the rest of my life watching you two brothers stay single. I never imagined... SOB... I can die without any regrets now."

Chen Yanmei burst into tears as she spoke. Jin Xiuying and Lin Zhiyin rushed to comfort her, and before long, the mother-in-law and her two new daughters-in-law were chatting and laughing together, getting along wonderfully. Seeing this, Zhao Wendong, who had reached out to help, sheepishly pulled his hand back.

Lying on the kang bed, Zhao Dashan was filled with emotion as he watched his son. He patted Zhao Wendong’s thigh. ’His son’s progress these last few days has been staggering,’ he thought. ’But no matter what’s gotten into him, I just hope I can hold on a little longer, long enough to see the family’s life improve even more.’

"Son, you’ve done great. I’m proud of you."

Zhao Wendong snapped his head around, staring in disbelief at his father’s gentle smile. ’Is this really the same man I remember?’ he thought. ’The father who was always so demanding and never gave out praise?’ This current version of Zhao Dashan, so kind and vulnerable, felt like a stranger.

"Dad, you need to get well soon! This family still needs you in charge. I’m at my wit’s end here. All twenty thousand red bricks will arrive today, but what do we do next? I don’t know the first thing about building a house!"

Hearing Zhao Wendong’s lament, a peculiar light flashed in Zhao Dashan’s eyes. He sat bolt upright on the kang, leaning his injured leg against a stack of quilts. Slowly, he raised a hand toward Zhao Wendong and formed a ’V’ with his index and middle fingers.