Chapter 6 Securing the House and Registering My Cousin for the Rural Assignment

Mingdai quietly followed until they reached the corner, then called out, “Sixth Brother Ma, Sixth Brother Ma.”

Hearing a young girl’s voice calling him, Ma Six stopped in his tracks and turned around with delight, only to be disappointed when he saw it was Mingdai.

Just a scrawny firewood girl.

Ma Six crossed his arms, the anger in his eyes still lingering, and snapped, “Who are you? Why’re you calling me?”

Mingdai lowered her head and stepped forward. “I live in the compound next door. Sixth Brother Ma, are you looking to buy a house?”

At the mention of a house, Ma Six abandoned his intention to leave.

He eyed the skinny girl with suspicion. “You have a house?”

Mingdai simply recounted how, as an orphaned girl, she was being bullied by her uncle’s family, was about to be sent to the countryside, and her house was about to be seized.

Ma Six, for all his roguishness, was a man who valued loyalty.

At twenty-six, he was still unmarried—not for lack of trying, but because there were too many children at home, seven boys in total, with him the sixth, and his family simply didn’t have a house for him to get married.

Buying a house was out of the question—the prices were too high, and no one was willing to sell. Nowadays, everyone was desperate to move into the city; even if a house became available, he couldn’t outbid others.

Hearing the firewood girl’s story, he realized it was just the opportunity he needed!

With a house, Fangfang would definitely agree to marry him!

“Your uncle’s really a piece of work. So how are you planning to sell this house?”

These days, a good room started at three hundred at least; Mingdai’s place could fetch five hundred.

“My uncle won’t let this go easily—he’ll come looking for trouble. I have to warn you in advance.”

Ma Six waved a hand dismissively, sneering, “Let him come! I’m not afraid!”

Mingdai was very satisfied. “Four hundred for the house, that’s all I ask. Just teach them a lesson for me.”

Ma Six’s eyes lit up—four hundred! What a bargain!

“Alright, little sister, don’t worry. I’ll make sure your uncle’s family is taken care of!”

Mingdai nodded with a smile. “I’m leaving the morning after tomorrow, so it’d be best if we go to the Housing Management Office tomorrow.”

Ma Six wanted to settle things quickly, too. Who could understand the bitterness of a lifelong bachelor?

Mingdai was equally pleased—a villain needs another villain to handle them. She could hardly wait to see her uncle’s reaction when he learned she’d sold the house.

So the two agreed to meet at the Housing Management Office first thing the next morning.

After they parted, Mingdai wandered leisurely along the river embankment, gazing at the city—so strange, yet so familiar—feeling everything was wonderfully new.

She was truly about to start a new life.

“Hey! Girl, come down right now—don’t do anything foolish!”

Lost in her thoughts, Mingdai was yanked down from the embankment by an elderly lady wearing a red armband.

“You young people, what can be so troubling at your age? Always thinking of ending it all. I’m not done living yet!”

Only then did Mingdai realize she’d been mistaken for someone about to jump into the river. She listened helplessly to the lecture, and in the end, was escorted home by the old lady.

As they entered, people from the compound gathered around once more.

The old lady recounted how heroically she’d saved a suicidal girl from the riverbank.

The neighbors sighed and, in turn, explained Mingdai’s situation.

The old lady joined in the lamenting.

Amid the chorus of sighs, Mingdai slipped quietly back home.

Another night of sound sleep followed.

The next morning, Mingdai set out early.

She arrived at the Housing Management Office before anyone else; the doors were still closed.

Finding a spot sheltered from the wind, she quietly took out a piece of coconut bread and nibbled on it. After finishing, she sipped a bottle of milk hidden in her sleeve.

When she was done, Ma Six had arrived.

Seeing him looking around outside, Mingdai called out to him.

Ma Six shivered as he came over. The morning wind was still chilly, and his cotton jacket was thin. He opened with chattering teeth, “You’re here early, little sister!”

Mingdai smiled. Luckily, she was wearing thermal underwear and a down jacket beneath her clothes, or she’d be freezing too.

Ma Six sniffled. “The doors will open soon. Have you had breakfast? If not, your brother will treat you!”

Mingdai shook her head with a smile. “I’ve already eaten, Sixth Brother Ma.”

Ma Six didn’t stand on ceremony. He lifted the hem of his jacket and pulled out a cloth pouch from his waistband; inside was a wad of cash.

Thank goodness he didn’t keep it in his underwear!

“Here, little sister, count it—four hundred, all there!”

Mingdai took the money and, with her back to the wind, counted it carefully.

Ma Six grinned, not hurrying her.

Exactly four hundred, not a cent short. Mingdai tucked it safely into her bag, then quietly transferred it to her secret space, and took out a key.

“This is my house key, but I suggest you change the lock. I can’t be sure my uncle’s family doesn’t have a copy.”

Ma Six took it with a grin. “Don’t worry, little sister.”

Seeing he was prepared, Mingdai said no more. They waited a bit longer, then the office opened for business.

Half an hour later, they exited, both smiling.

“Sixth Brother Ma, I’m leaving early tomorrow morning. You can take the house right away—everything’s packed up.”

Ma Six nodded with satisfaction. He’d already made discreet inquiries and found her story checked out—no need to worry about being cheated.

They parted ways. Mingdai set out to handle one final matter.

Relying on her memory, she found her way to the Youth Resettlement Office.

The train for the countryside would depart the next day, but they were still one person short.

Director Qi, in charge of the rural dispatch, was so anxious his lips were blistered. If no one else showed up, he’d have to go door-to-door to round people up.

“Hello, Comrade.”

A delicate female voice rang out. Director Qi looked up to see a timid, yellow-haired girl gazing at him.

He brightened. “Here to sign up for rural service?”

Mingdai smiled. “I’ve already registered. I just wanted to ask if I could change my assigned location.”

Director Qi’s face fell, his tone cooling. “Once it’s set, it can’t be changed.”

Mingdai didn’t get upset; she continued calmly, “My family signed me up for a commune near the capital, but I’d rather go to the northern province and make a real contribution. Is it possible to switch?”

Near the capital? Director Qi’s eyes darted. There was indeed someone from the northern province wanting to switch closer.

“It’s not impossible, but someone needs to be willing to swap with you.”

Mingdai smiled. “Director, is it still possible to sign up? My cousin was supposed to go but forgot to register. I’m here to sign up for him.”

Director Qi’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really?!”

Mingdai nodded. “You can check—Ming family from Liuer Alley. They have two children, one twenty, one eighteen, and neither has gone to the countryside yet.”

Director Qi dug through a stack of records and finally confirmed it was true.

Only, the name already on the list was Mingdai.

He looked at the girl before him, sensing something was amiss.

But what did it matter to him?

That household should have sent someone to the countryside, anyway.

It was as if someone had delivered a pillow just as he was about to fall asleep—he was still missing one spot!

Though she hadn’t brought the household registry, the circumstances were special—special cases called for special measures.

Completing the assignment was what mattered most!

He cleared his throat, his expression warming as he looked at Mingdai.

“Ming Yaozu, right? Which rural destination?”

Mingdai considered. “The far northwest. My cousin is highly motivated.”

Director Qi’s lips twitched; the girl had a dark little heart, but filling a northwest quota was just what he needed.

“That settles it, then. I’ll transfer Mingdai to the Red Flag Commune in the northern province—someone wanted to swap back here.”

Mingdai smiled with satisfaction.

As she was leaving, she added, “Director, if anyone asks who signed Ming Yaozu up, would you please say it was Ming Yan-hong?”

Director Qi, grateful she’d helped him solve a problem, agreed.

Besides, he had no intention of notifying them today—he’d just go and collect the person himself tomorrow, to avoid any complications.