Go back to the past to plant trees

"I want to come back here again next time. Jinquan is so much fun."

At four o'clock in the afternoon, Zhao Jinsheng and his two companions left the camp. On the way back, Zhao Jinshui said excitedly.

"You're just trying to freeload here, aren't you! You ate the most at the table just now, while Brother Feng barely touched his chopsticks, and you kept picking at the fish."

Zheng Erqiang couldn't help but complain about his childhood friend. He also really liked that pot of fish, but after seeing Zhao Jinshui so rudely taking some, he felt embarrassed to pick up his chopsticks, afraid that he and his friends would ruin the whole pot of fish.

"Is it because the fish is delicious?" Zhao Jinshui scratched his head, looking honest and simple.

"I'll bring something next time I come. I'll bring some wild vegetables for Brother Feng, and I'll also go fishing next time and bring him two fish."

"Come on, you? If you dare to take it, see if your dad beats you up!" Zheng Erqiang didn't give him any face at all.

"I... I can leave it at Brother Jinsheng's house, as long as my dad doesn't find out."

As he spoke, Zhao Jinshui looked at Zhao Jinsheng and said, "Brother Jinsheng, can I bring the fish I caught to your house?"

Zhao Jinsheng nodded, "Okay, but you can't let your dad know, otherwise if he comes to ask for it back, I won't keep it for you."

"No, my dad won't know."

"Erqiang, when you get back, you can also try catching some fish when you have time. This pickled fish is quite delicious. You can make some for the family. Also, if you have time, go and play with Jinquan more often."

Zhao Jinsheng turned to Zheng Erqiang behind him and said.

Zhao Jinsheng had spoken with his father and knew Feng Cheng's importance, so he wanted Zheng Erqiang to get along well with Feng Cheng.

Although Zhao Jinsheng also wanted to be a worker, he knew that Zheng Erqiang needed this opportunity more than he did. Zheng Erqiang's family consisted of only him and his grandmother, living in two thatched houses. His grandmother was also ill. The family was not exactly poor and could hardly make ends meet. Let alone getting married and finding a wife, even surviving was a problem.

Although Zhao Jinsheng's family was also poor, it was much better than Zheng Erqiang's. Moreover, his father had told him that if the fourth son really became a worker, his parents would probably have to rely on him to support them in their old age. If he did, most of the family's possessions would go to him.

With his father holding the position of brigade leader, which might be passed down to him in the future, Zhao Jinsheng, though he also wanted to be a worker, was not, to be honest, too eager for the opportunity.

Zheng Erqiang is different. Unless he becomes a worker, his life will probably remain the same, and he will definitely be one of the bachelors in the village in the future.

Zheng Erqiang understood Zhao Jinsheng's words. Poor children learn to be independent early. Zheng Erqiang was not as immature as Zhao Jinshui and Zhao Jinquan. He was more mature and sensible than his peers.

"Brother Jinsheng, this isn't a good idea! What if Brother Feng doesn't welcome us?"

"What's wrong with that? I don't think Feng Cheng would mind if you went. If you go, it will be more lively at his place. He and Jin Quan are all alone on this dam, with no one to talk to. But next time you go, remember to bring something with you. Don't go empty-handed and just eat and drink for free."

"Okay, I'll go visit sometime when I have some free time."

"Brother Jinsheng, you didn't even call me, you just called Erqiang."

Hearing Zhao Jinsheng and Zheng Erqiang chatting, Zhao Jinshui, who was standing to the side, immediately became dissatisfied.

"You, you're so immature, what are you doing there? Just eating and drinking for free! You're not hard at work, but you're the most eager to eat."

Zhao Jinsheng glanced at him and said without any mercy.

Zhao Jinshui retorted, "I work very hard, okay? Besides, I can bring things with me!"

"Let's talk about it after you've prepared your things!"

"Hmph, I can deliver things too. Fourth Brother said they're going to spend the winter on the dam, and they'll definitely be short of firewood. I know where to get firewood, and I can help them get it," Zhao Jinshui said, tilting his head back with a smug look on his face.

"Come on, we know the places you know too!"

"By the way, didn't you say you wanted to go back and play Chinese chess? Have you memorized the pieces?"

Zhao Jinsheng didn't want to discuss this topic with him, so he took the opportunity to divert his attention.

Zhao Jinshui said, "Fourth Brother wrote me a piece of paper, and I can just follow it when I get back."

"Do you recognize all those characters? Don't make a mistake when you get back."

"I know them. I already knew them while we were playing chess."

Zhao Jinshui stopped studying before finishing elementary school, so he didn't know many characters, only a little more than the elderly people in the village. However, he just didn't like studying, not that he was stupid. In addition, he played a few rounds of Chinese chess very seriously, and he learned all the characters.

The three of them walked and chatted as they slowly made their way into the village.

Back at the brigade, Zhao Jinsheng went home and told his wife, then came to his father's place.

"dad!"

"came back."

Zhao Peide tapped his pipe and asked, "You went to see Lao Si today. How did it go? Is Lao Si doing alright there?"

Zhao Jinsheng sat down on the stool and replied, "It's pretty good. I heard from Lao Si that we can get a full meal there. They also go out to hunt some wild game from time to time. The vegetable garden has also grown, so there's no shortage of food. It's just that there are only two people there, so it's a bit boring."

"That college student was quite generous and easy to talk to. We brought two fish with us today, and he killed them and ate them with us."

Zhao Peide paused for a moment, then slowly said, "Since he seems like a good person, then we should visit him more often and try to build a relationship."

Zhao Jinsheng shook his head, disagreeing with his father's statement. "Dad, this is what I think. I'm not really suited to go there. Fourth Brother is already there. If I go there too often, people aren't stupid. They know what we're thinking and might have a problem with us. It might even implicate Fourth Brother."

"Also, if the fourth brother becomes a worker, and I'm lucky enough to become a worker too, the people in the team will be jealous. If there's a lot of gossip, it won't be easy for you to be the team leader."

Zhao Peide said nonchalantly, "As long as you're doing well, what does it matter what a few words of nonsense people say? Do you think I'm afraid of them?"

“Dad, we’re all fellow villagers, brothers and sisters. You were elected as the brigade leader by everyone. We can’t let people talk behind our backs.”

Zhao Peide fell silent. This is the countryside. You can live well, but you can't live better than me. The Zhao family is already very prominent in Shaquan Brigade. If Zhao Jinsheng becomes a worker, the villagers' jealousy will burn the Zhao family to death.

"You're right, but this is a bit unfair to you."

Zhao Jinsheng laughed and said, "I am the eldest, and I was born to suffer. Moreover, my family also contributed a lot of money when I married Xiuqin. I remember it all."

After a pause, Zhao Jinsheng continued, "I told Erqiang to make more trips over there when he has time. His family is poor, so it would be more suitable for him to go if there's an opportunity."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Peide frowned immediately: "What about Jinshui? Isn't he from your uncle's family?"

Zhao Jinsheng shook his head, "He's no good. He's just a kid who doesn't understand anything. If he goes there, others will have to take care of him. Erqiang is a bit more sensible."

"Moreover, Jinshui is a bit lazy and likes to play. He won't do any work unless you ask him to. This gives people a bad impression, so even if someone wants to hire someone, they won't want him. In fact, because of him, people won't have a good impression of our brigade either."

“You’re right,” Zhao Peide nodded, a look of satisfaction on his face. “You’ve thought things through more comprehensively than I have. In a few years, you’ll be better than your father. I’ll find a way to make you a team leader then. If there’s a chance later, you can take over my job. It’s okay if you can’t be a worker. Our Shaquan brigade may be poor, but our brigade leader isn’t too bad either.”

Zhao Jinsheng smiled and nodded. In this day and age, it's acceptable for sons to follow in their fathers' footsteps; don't you see that's how it is with those workers?