Chapter 11: Undercurrents Surge

As she said this, seeing her father's face filled with worry, Kang Li struck while the iron was hot, "Besides, once I go to North City, I'll need to take care of the three little ones. Just think about it, having to work and take care of children at the same time. Even for a physically strong female comrade, she would probably be exhausted after a whole day."

"You can't wear yourself out. Otherwise, your dad and mom would be heartbroken."

That statement came out of Captain Kang's mouth without thinking.

Kang Li nodded seriously, "Yeah, I know my own body better than anyone. So, I don't want you and mom to worry, I don't want my brothers to be concerned about me. That's why I thought about talking to Director Wu to see if there's a way to transfer my job to my younger brother, so that a good, steady job doesn't slip through our family's fingers."

"You're so considerate!"

Captain Kang was visibly moved.

"It's just a small matter, dad, don't think of me as someone so great."

Blinking her eyes, Kang Li playfully stuck her tongue out.

"You!"

He smiled to himself, understanding that his darling daughter was just trying to cheer him up to relieve his guilt.

With a mischievous smile, Kang Li then became serious and said, "Dad, you, mom, and my brothers have spoiled and protected me since I was born, afraid that I would suffer the slightest injustice or harm. I know all this. As your beloved daughter, and as my brothers' sister, I believe I should also treat all of you very well!"

"You girl, your dad, your mom, and your big brother have always been good to you, but we never expected anything in return," he said.

As he spoke, Captain Kang swung his leg over the bike seat, "Sit tight, we're heading back."

Kang Li responded with an "Mm."

Afterward, Captain Kang put some force into his right foot and rode several meters away.

"Dad, being your daughter, being my brothers' sister, I feel so happy!"

Sitting on the back seat of the bicycle, Kang Li swung her small legs and her expressive fox-like eyes were filled with smiles. She felt relaxed and joyful at that moment.

To be honest, Kang Li hadn't expected that coming to the Commune to talk to Director Wu would go so smoothly without her having to say much.

...

Aoli Village.

Xu Chunxia, carrying a basket of pigweed on her back, was walking from the foot of the mountain to the village when she came across Zhou Weimin and Educated Youth Su from the Youth Educated Institute standing by the roadside, seemingly in conversation. Noticing them, Xu Chunxia cast a jealous glance towards Educated Youth Su.

However, that look was fleeting.

"Brother Weimin, what are you and Educated Youth Su doing here?"

With a shy smile, Xu Chunxia tugged at the corner of her mouth and greeted Zhou Weimin.

Zhou Weimin didn't answer. He asked casually, "Have you been cutting pigweed?" The question was actually quite redundant, for it was obvious to anyone with eyes that Xu Chunxia was carrying a full basket of pigweed on her back.

Yet, he still asked such an unnecessary question, which showed just how indifferent he was towards Xu Chunxia.

"Mm," Xu Chunxia nodded lightly and said, "I wonder if Li Bao has woken up. Do you want to go and see her, Brother Weimin?"

Zhou Weimin asked, "Are you going?"

"Li Bao is my friend, of course I'm going to see her." Xu Chunxia's eyes filled with guilt and self-blame as she spoke, "Besides, if it hadn't been for... if it weren't for me... Li Bao wouldn't have... "

She deliberately did not finish her sentence, but Xu Chunxia knew Zhou Weimin understood what she meant.

At that, Zhou Weimin instantly felt uneasy. He cleared his throat twice and offered Xu Chunxia an apologetic smile, "It was my fault, it's got nothing to do with you, Chunxia. It just so happens that Qingqing and I were just discussing going to visit Li Bao. If you're going too, let's go together."

As Zhou Weimin finished speaking, the female educated youth beside him smiled and greeted Xu Chunxia, "Hello."

However, Xu Chunxia did not acknowledge her.

"Alright, Brother Weimin," Xu Chunxia replied, her cheeks slightly flushed with joy.