The 1960s: The Story of a Country Girl's Journey to the City

Yan Dafeng was the youngest daughter of Captain Yan of the Xihe Brigade; she had three older brothers. Captain Yan was the maternal uncle of Secretary Yan of the commune.

Secretary Yan and Bao Ya's uncle, Su Sanqiang, were comrades-in-arms. Although their relationship had taken several twists and turns, they were still acquainted.

During the three years of famine, only three villages in the commune did not have any people starve to death: Kaoshan Village, Nanshan Village, and Hexi Village.

Kaoshan Village has little land and a small population, and it is located next to the mountains to the north. More than half of the villagers are hunters. The village head organized the hunters to go up the mountain to hunt to supplement the food shortage. They ate communal meals until the famine ended.

Nanshan Village has the most arable land, but also the largest population. Su Daqiang never overreported the yield. Some people objected, and some even reported him to the commune, but the Su surname makes up the vast majority of the village's population, and they remained unmoved no matter what the higher-ups said.

Hexi Village is also a large village with a large population. They were able to survive the famine mainly because Captain Yan was shameless.

When the relief grain didn't arrive, he would go to the commune every day to cause trouble, and he would not eat for a day or two before going. He would faint upon seeing the leaders at the commune, especially when he saw his nephew, Secretary Yan.

Every time he went, even if he couldn't get relief grain, he would still manage to scavenge some food from the commune canteen. By going there so often, he managed to survive for three years. It's said that he's now developed a chronic illness; every time he goes to a meeting at the commune, he can't eat lunch the day before.

Secretary Yan was also quite shrewd. Knowing that his uncle was coming to the commune, he would buy breakfast early and wait at the gate, otherwise he would really faint in front of him.

Captain Yan had even publicly promised that after he passed away, he would have his most filial nephew, Secretary Yan, smash a basin for him.

"Dafeng, where's your dad?"

Yan Dafeng looks like a strong woman, but she is extremely simple-minded. She has three older brothers and is the youngest daughter of Captain Yan. She has been pampered by her family since childhood and doesn't use her brain much. Her family certainly wouldn't want her to come to such a far place alone.

"My dad, my dad fainted, waaaaah..."

When her father was mentioned, Yan Dafeng seemed to remember him and started wiping away tears again.

"It's alright, I'll just give him an injection."

Bao Ya said nonchalantly, and patted Yan Dafeng on the shoulder to reassure her.

Hearing her say this, Yan Dafeng stopped crying, nodded heavily, and had no doubt about Bao Ya's words.

The way the two communicated was quite unusual to everyone. The fierce female warrior who had been shouting for battle just moments before had instantly transformed into an innocent little girl.

Bao Ya was absolutely confident. They were all experienced traditional Chinese medicine doctors; they knew each other well. How could someone like Captain Yan, who had weathered many storms, faint and leave his precious daughter to risk her life alone outside?

"Sir, he's still unconscious. Should we take him to the hospital?"

The military doctor who came from the infirmary was covered in sweat. The old man's breathing and pulse were fine, and he had no injuries, but he just couldn't wake up. At this moment, the doctor began to seriously doubt his own medical skills.

"What are you waiting for? Get him to the hospital right now! Quick, get a few people here..."

Director Wen didn't have time to think at this point. At his age, if anything were to happen to him, he would have to take off his clothes and go home to farm.

Upon entering the office, one sees an old man lying on the sofa; it is none other than Captain Yan.

"He was unconscious for so long, why didn't you pinch his philtrum? Move aside, I'll do it!"

Bao Ya pushed aside the people in front of her and squatted down in front of Captain Yan. In the village, pinching the philtrum is usually enough to help someone who faints like this.

The military doctor almost laughed in anger when he looked at Bao Ya. Was he just joking about examining her for so long?

"Uncle Yan, it's me, Bao Ya. Can you hear me? I'm Su Daqiang's niece from Nanshan Brigade."

Bao Ya first introduced herself, and the old man understood what she meant and woke up on his own.

Upon hearing that the visitor was Bao Ya from Nanshan Brigade, Captain Yan's eyes twitched, but he did not open them.

"How about I get a needle, I'll prick him?"

Bao Ya pressed on, adding another sentence, which was meant to tell Captain Yan that he needed to wake up now.

As soon as she finished speaking, Captain Yan let out a long sigh of relief.

"Ouch..."

Captain Yan opened his eyes a crack, and only after seeing that the person in front of him was indeed Bao Ya did he slowly open his eyes wide.

He had a good impression of the child; he was a good boy who listened to his uncle. After all, the saying "mother's brother is the greatest" was a truth he had defended with his life.

"Would you like to sit up and rest for a bit?"

Bao Ya asked a question, and before he could respond, she gestured for Da Fen to help him up.

Seeing their interaction, Director Wen finally felt relieved. He waved for everyone to leave, leaving Bao Ya to chat with the father and daughter.

It turns out that the man Dafeng hit earlier was named Zhou Zhigang, Dafeng's fiancé. They got engaged five years ago, and after the engagement, Captain Yan arranged a spot for him to join the army.

Zhou Zhigang had performed well in the army and had just been promoted to deputy company commander this year. Battalion Commander Yan was urging the two of them to get married, but unexpectedly, they received a letter from Zhou Zhigang requesting that the engagement be called off. The father and daughter came to the army base yesterday.

"Uncle, you've made a terrible mistake. I just saw that man; he's not good enough for Dafeng. Didn't Aunt object back then?"

Old Man Yan thought for a moment, then sighed heavily. His wife had said before that since the Zhou family boy had been gone for so many years, their daughter might have been neglected. Now his daughter was twenty-one, wasn't she being neglected?

"Your aunt wasn't really keen on it at first..."

"See what I told you? Uncle, we're all acquaintances, so I won't beat around the bush. What are you really thinking? Do you still want Dafeng to marry him?"

Bao Ya knew without a doubt that the old man was reluctant to let his daughter marry the man surnamed Zhou, but she couldn't swallow her anger at letting him go like this.

Since Wang Xiao will be charged 100 yuan for this, we'll do the after-sales service as well.

"Of course I can't bear it. Our daughter is someone we've raised with our own hands. Why should he treat her like this?"

Having served as the brigade leader for over ten years, he had never suffered such humiliation. He shouldn't have discussed these things with Bao Ya, a young girl, but he was so angry he was confused, his mind was a mess, and there was no one else to talk to, so he could only confide in her.

"Uncle, actually we can do this..."

"What did you say?"

After calming down the Yan family father and daughter, Director Wen had someone take them to the cafeteria for a meal, and then turned around to find Bao Ya to find out what was going on.

"I said we could just find her another boyfriend, you guys have plenty of men around here. Uncle Yan said, under 28 years old, at least a company commander rank, and he can't be any less handsome than that guy surnamed Zhou."

Bao Ya rummaged through the food in her lunchbox while talking to Director Wen.

Today took too long, and there wasn't enough time to cook for the people at the hospital. Squad Leader Wu cooked for her and delivered it over. The meal she ate was paid for by Director Wen.

Director Wen silently calculated in his mind that there were very few unmarried men under the age of 28, and they had to be at least at the rank of company commander. He could count them on one hand.

Of these men, not a single one was willing to date Yan Dafeng. If it were just about looks, that would be one thing—the girl was just a bit overweight and a bit too tall.

But her strength is truly terrifying; who would dare marry a shrew?