Chapter 955: Chapter 828: Rebellious Youth

"The place you’re going is too far, I’ve never been there. Let me tell you about where I stayed for over ten years. You often ask me why I’m so afraid of the cold?"

"Besides my poor constitution, it’s really the shadow those years left in my heart. The fierce northern wind in the dead of winter could sweep me away on my own."

Wen Zhixian chuckled while covering his mouth.

Zhou Jiao also laughed indifferently, "From October onwards, the heavy snow starts falling. At first, the wind feels like blades, but you can endure it. Later on, it gets unbearable, really numb from the cold. When you return to the heated bed, the sensation is both cold and itchy, and many times you’d get chills."

"In the past, we could hibernate like cats in winter, but not anymore. Besides being cold, we were hungry. Two meals a day of boiled cabbage with some cornmeal sprinkled on top. Even if you go out to work, the most you can get is a couple more cornbread."

"One year, many strong laborers in the village couldn’t bear the hunger anymore. They heard that working on the dam could make you full, and in half a month, you could save fifteen cornbreads."

"Those who could move went. After twenty days, a few people managed to support one person back to the village, and the women who stayed at home cried when they saw it."

"Do you know why they cried?" Zhou Jiao saw him shake his head and smiled, "Besides a leg frozen to disability, the other two had bandages full of frozen blood on their hands."

"Because it was so cold, the ground was as frozen as stone. The blisters on their hands cracked, and once the blood came out, it was frozen before it could drip down. When digging again, the wounds reopened, repeatedly, with the bandages turning black with dried blood but showing more fresh blood stains."

"Despite such work, they were reluctant to give it up. Sending back a disabled one, they turned around and went back to continue. I was very curious and asked."

"The two told me that this was the easier work. Once spring arrived, the farm work in the team was more exhausting. Compared to the busy periods on the farm, they preferred to work on the dam, at least they wouldn’t starve."

Zhou Jiao glanced at the silent youngster, just not believing he wasn’t scared.

"Oh, by the way, I heard the Beidahuang area is even colder. Besides bringing more coats, remember to bring good medicine. Big development is happening there, a vast tract of deserted land is waiting for you. Apart from the brief three months of summer and autumn, you have to work hard in the dead of winter."

"Better bring a few more blankets. Since many people are going at once, you’ll definitely live in thatched mud huts. If there’s no heated bed inside, you could really freeze to death. No, maybe you’ll live in those thatched huts that topple with one gust of wind. Looks like you’ll need to bring a tent."

"Sis..." Wen Zhixian dragged out his voice, looking at her with grief.

Zhou Jiao raised her eyebrows and asked in surprise, "What’s wrong? Should I take a look at what can be packed at home and bring it all to you?"

"You just don’t want me to go!"

"How is that possible? You’re more accomplished than your sister."

The youngster "hmph"ed and turned his head.

Zhou Jiao just wanted to slap him awake from his silly thoughts. She sighed and continued, "Xiao Xian, I’m not exaggerating, the conditions over there are definitely tougher than I said."

"But my teacher said over there you can knock down deer with a stick and scoop fish with a ladle."

"Then your teacher must not have mentioned the wolf packs, right?"

Wen Zhixian looked at her, then lowered his head and said, "A few of us classmates have agreed, I can’t be the deserter."

Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but tease him, "You don’t want to go to university, right?"

"Sis..."

Zhou Jiao quickly raised her hand to interrupt, "Enough! If you call me so strangely again, I’ll hit you, believe it or not?"

Wen Zhixian laughed happily.

"You fool! For the country and society, you can make a contribution anywhere, why do you have to run so far beyond your means? You’ve studied for so many years, has it all gone to the dog’s belly? What does ’A wise man knows when to act’ mean?"

"Still agreed? Young man! Wait until the day they leave to see for yourself." Zhou Jiao stood up, slapped his head, couldn’t bear it anymore! Took a lot of her effort.

Wen Zhixian rubbed his head and saw her about to leave, "Sis, where are you going?"

Zhou Jiao waved behind her, "I’m going to ask Aunt to serve you a bowl of noodles, hurry and take a bath, clean yourself up."

Wen Zhixian sniffed himself, disdainfully curled his lip.

As Zhou Jiao walked out of the room to instruct Aunt, Cheng Ruzhu energetically dashed into the kitchen. See... all spoiled!

"Jiao Jiao, only you have a way. I knew these three rascals would listen to you."

"That’s not something I dare take credit for." Zhou Jiao smiled and shook her head, "Little Aunt, it’s better to send him to work early. There are opportunities to further study even when working."

Cheng Ruzhu was scared enough by her eldest son this time, quickly nodding, "We’ll send him in the next couple of days." Thinking about it, she asked worriedly, "Do you think he might use a delaying tactic to sneak away?"

"That’s why I’m saying hurry up and arrange his work." Zhou Jiao was also concerned that this youngster might be incited by classmates and run away on his own, "In the next couple of days, take a leave and bring him to my aunt’s husband."

Cheng Ruzhu understood the importance of this, "I’ll leave tomorrow, is there anything you need me to bring?"

Zhou Jiao shook her head, "No need. Just tell my dad I’m doing well."

"Isn’t anyone bullying you at work?"

Zhou Jiao shook her head. Recently, she was busy tabulating data, attending several meetings with the chiefs, no one with any sense would dare to provoke her.

"I wonder how Xiao Wu is doing?"

Zhou Jiao smiled. Although her husband couldn’t leave the campus, he always wrote letters when he had the chance, occasionally sending messages through others. Judging by this, he was thriving.

After Wen Zhixian had his noodles, Zhou Jiao saw it was getting late. Taking advantage of Cheng Ruzhu’s outing, she pulled him to the main house to say goodbye to Mr. Wen and his wife, seeing the now-behaved youngster.

She patted his shoulder, "If you really want to play in the Northeast, wait for me to take you when me and your brother-in-law go back home. Don’t sneak away, or you’ll be in trouble if I catch you."

Wen Zhixian smiled and nodded, "Sis, after all, you’re the only one in the family, might as well stay here."

"No, it’s too far to work tomorrow." Zhou Jiao paused her raised step, "Xiao Xian, remember you’re the eldest grandson of this family, the oldest of the three brothers."

Wen Zhixian blushed and nodded earnestly, "Sis, I understand what you mean."

"You troublemaker! Go quickly to accompany Grandpa and them."

Wen Zhixian watched her ride away until she was out of sight before returning to the main house.

In the bedroom, Mr. Wen watched his eldest grandson enter with a smile, "Sent your sister off? Did Zhou have any instructions for you?"

Wen Zhixian grinned, snuck over to Grandpa’s side, "My sister told me to remember I’m the eldest grandson of this family, the oldest of the three brothers."

Mr. Wen soothingly stroked his grandson’s head, "You haven’t yet grasped the deeper meaning of her words. What she said to you is truly valuable advice. In the future, when faced with challenges, recite this phrase to yourself, it’ll help you mature."