Sorry, My Beloved Is The Motherland - Chapter 2 - Dating Is Not As Good As Collecting Debts

Chapter 2: “Dating is not as good as collecting debts”

“Gao Han, Gao Han, something bad has happened! Ning Fu is here to settle accounts with you!”

Several male-educated youths who were working at the station had just finished their shift and were squatting in the yard roasting corn to eat. Suddenly, someone rushed in from outside in a panic, their exaggerated tone filled with a sense of eager anticipation for the drama.

T/N: The term “male educated youths” refers to young men who were sent to rural areas during the Cultural Revolution in China (1966-1976) as part of the “Down to the Countryside Movement.” These youths, often referred to as “知青” (zhīqīng), were typically high school or college students from urban areas who were sent to work and live in the countryside to learn from the peasants and contribute to rural development. The movement aimed to bridge the gap between urban and rural life and to promote socialist values.

The young man named Gao Han showed a look of annoyance on his face. He said coldly, “I have a clear conscience. What could there be to ‘settle accounts’ for?”

But in the meantime, the corn in his hand had been scorched by the flames, and he hadn’t even noticed to turn it over.

Everyone else exchanged knowing smiles.

The educated youth who came to deliver the news teased him, “Come on, Gao Han, who doesn’t know you just got together with Xiao Liang? Do you think she will let it go so easily?”

Ning Fu’s pursuit of Gao Han was no secret among the entire station. In this era, expressing affection was a significant matter. Holding hands was almost equivalent to confirming an impending marriage, not to mention Ning Fu knitting gloves for Gao Han today and bringing him a bag of cookies tomorrow.

It was even said that she was preparing to hand-copy an entire set of high school textbooks for Gao Han!

Who didn’t know the value of textbooks? On this vast grassland where the entire winter was swept by blizzards, many educated youths still harbored dreams of returning to the city to continue their studies. A high school mathematics textbook was almost like a sacred text among the educated youths, and borrowing it for a single reading required the cost of a handful of fruit candies!

Even though Ning Fu often created “coincidental encounters” and clung to Gao Han every day, shamelessly hanging around the male educated youths’ dormitory, everyone still felt a mix of envy, jealousy, and resentment to some extent.

Not for any other reason, but because she had so much to offer.

And she was beautiful.

Unfortunately, Ning Fu only had eyes for Gao Han. And Gao Han, the most proud and ambitious among the male educated youths, only had eyes for his goddess, Liang Huixue.

Just a few days ago, he had been diligently writing poetry, and finally, Liang Huixue accepted his affection. She even gave him her handkerchief!

The other educated youths were also envious of him for receiving the favor of the two most beautiful “flowers” on the entire farm. Over the past few days, they had frequently teased Gao Han and were eagerly waiting to see Ning Fu’s reaction upon learning about this.

—She would undoubtedly cause a scene with Gao Han, hey!

Gao Han ignored the teasing of the educated youths, patted the dust off his hands, and stood up.

He had made up his mind!

Huixue was so delicate. Since he had decided to be with her, he must protect her well!

No matter how persistently Ning Fu entangled herself, he would resolutely reject her!

Yesterday, after receiving the handkerchief meticulously embroidered by Huixue, he was overjoyed the entire night. However, Huixue came to him again, worried that their relationship might hurt Ning Fu.

She was truly… too kind-hearted!

At that moment, Gao Han heard the news that the station was planning to transfer Liang Huixue to the livestock station.

That place was so harsh, and Huixue’s health was poor. How could she endure it?!

As soon as Gao Han heard this, a surge of passion rushed to his head. He decided to apply to the organization to be transferred to the livestock station along with Huixue! No matter how bitter and cold it was there, he wanted to be with the one he loved! (This line could be written into a poem for Huixue; she would surely be deeply moved.)

However, when he stood in the office of the station secretary, ready to voice his request, a more “rational” idea emerged from his poetry-filled mind.

—Why couldn’t Ning Fu replace Huixue in the livestock station?

So, this top student had a sudden inspiration and began to complain.

He claimed that Comrade Ning Fu’s persistent pursuit was seriously disrupting the order of the male educated youths’ dormitory, creating a negative impression among the educated youth team, bullying other female educated youths, and exhibiting petty bourgeois tendencies due to her pampered upbringing, among other things.

After he finished speaking, he saw the station secretary’s thoughtful expression.

Following that… he was distracted the entire afternoon until he heard the station broadcast calling Ning Fu.

The stone in his heart seemed to have settled, yet a new sense of unease seemed to arise.

This was the first time he had used such… such an unsavory method, almost as if driven by a ghostly impulse.

He kept telling himself over and over again, “This wasn’t your true intention!”

He didn’t deliberately want Ning Fu to suffer! Clearly, she was the one who started the entanglement, repeatedly causing trouble for Huixue. Everyone could no longer coexist peacefully!

Moreover, having her, someone born into a military family yet spoiled and pampered, go to a more challenging post to temper herself and elevate her character was for her own good!

After mentally preparing himself, that trace of guilt finally disappeared. Gao Han slightly raised his chin, “Xiao Ning, why are you coming to our dormitory again? This is really inappropriate.”

Ning Fu walked in amidst the varied expressions of the crowd.

Everyone still didn’t know that Ning Fu was going to be transferred to the livestock station; they just thought she had heard about Gao Han and Liang Huixue and had come to confront him. Someone even jeered, “Hey, Xiao Ning, Gao Han likes someone else now, why are you still coming around?”

There were also educated youths who usually had a good relationship with Gao Han and found Ning Fu’s constant entanglement really annoying. They directly spoke up for Gao Han, “Xiao Ning, you really shouldn’t do this anymore. It’s not good! Not only does it affect your own future, but it also affects Gao Han and Huixue’s relationship!”

“Exactly, what are you doing? Stop making mistakes.”

Ning Fu couldn’t be bothered to respond to them and went straight to Gao Han, saying, “I actually have something to discuss with you.”

Everyone perked up, thinking, “Here comes the main act.”

“I’ve finished copying the high school mathematics (Volume 2),” she said with a smile, looking not at all angry about the matter concerning Gao Han.

Gao Han was momentarily stunned upon hearing about the textbook.

His tone was stiff: “I told you, you don’t need to do this. Consider the book borrowed from you; I’ll return it after reading.”

His attitude was firm, and the boundaries were clear! Gao Han felt a bit proud of himself. Even if Ning Fu tried to make him compromise by giving him the hand-copied textbook, his love would always belong solely to Huixue!

His haughty indifference, however, revealed a hint of underlying tension, much like animals that try to scare off predators with bright colors and flared feathers.

Ning Fu blinked, looking genuinely surprised.

“I know. So, have you finished reading it?” Her expression was both sincere and innocent. “I’ve finished copying the second volume. Can you return the first volume to me? I’m going to the livestock station tomorrow, and it’s too troublesome to have the set split up.”

“Pfft…”

Someone couldn’t help but laugh, like air escaping from a balloon.

Gao Han clenched his molars tightly, causing his cheeks to bulge.

His face turned red, and he knew it. It felt as if his blood had suddenly lost control, rushing to his head and coloring his skin.

Clearly, it had always been Ning Fu who was deluding herself, trying to win his favor with various things, and being seen by everyone as someone who lacked self-respect! Why, then, was he the one being laughed at today?!

Why had she suddenly changed her demeanor?!

For a few seconds, Gao Han even wished time could reverse, making everyone around him disappear.

Ning Fu didn’t say much more. She stood confidently in the courtyard of the male educated youths, letting them scrutinize her. “I still need to go back and pack my luggage. Please bring it to me now.”

She had no interest in entangling with Gao Han.

In the past, playing the role of a slightly spoiled yet deeply infatuated little princess, making the pretentiously aloof male lead regret losing her affection, was Ning Fu’s specialty.

But since Gao Han couldn’t bring her any points, he was of no use to the pragmatically inclined Ning Fu.

Not only was he useless, but he was also somewhat of a hindrance.

Her love was for the motherland!

—Gao Han was far from being a rival in love with the motherland.

The handsome face of the young man opposite her turned from a liver color to a darker, almost blackened liver color, alternating between black and red. It was hard to tell whether he would die of anger or shame first.

He was a person who valued his reputation, always considered the top among the male-educated youths in Tula Gaqi.

But today…

Today, he had become a joke.

T/N: “Tula Gaqi” (图拉嘎旗) appears to be a fictional or specific place name within the context of the story. In Chinese, “旗” (qí) often refers to a banner or flag, but in the context of place names, especially in Inner Mongolia, it can refer to an administrative division similar to a county. “图拉嘎” (Tula Gaqi) could be a made-up name or a specific location within the story’s setting. If it’s a real place, it would likely be a small administrative region or township.

Gao Han stood there stiffly, his upper and lower teeth seemingly locked together. After a long moment, he finally spoke, “The book… the book isn’t with me.”

The girl frowned, yet even the coarse gray-blue work clothes couldn’t hide her beauty.

There seemed to be a subtle transformation about her, like a once overly loud and restless flower finally blooming quietly, making people suddenly realize how beautiful her colors were.

With a gracious smile, she said amidst the incredulous gazes of the crowd, “Then, please retrieve it for me.” Ning Fu spread her hands, “A good borrower returns, making future borrowing easier.”

She glanced at Gao Han, “Also, thank you for recommending me to the livestock station.”

With that, Ning Fu turned and left.

The onlookers finally realized that something significant seemed to be happening.

Someone asked, “Is she really going to the livestock station? She’s not chasing you anymore?” “Ning Fu said you recommended her to the livestock station, what’s going on?” “Wasn’t it supposed to be you and Xiao Liang going to the livestock station?”

For the first time, Gao Han experienced what it meant to be “at a loss for words.”

A fellow educated youth, who had a good relationship with him, helped disperse the crowd of onlookers. Just as Gao Han was casting a grateful glance, he heard the youth quietly ask, “That mathematics textbook, is it really not with you?”

Gao Han choked up.

After a long while, he finally managed to say, “I… I lent it to Huixue.”

Huixue was ambitious and always wanted to return to the city to take the college entrance exam. How could he stand by and watch his beloved be troubled for lack of a textbook? But now… the entire male educated youths’ dormitory knew that the textbook was “borrowed” from Ning Fu by Gao Han. He had to return the book no matter what.

When he gave the book to Huixue, he hadn’t mentioned that it was copied by Ning Fu, nor had he said… that it was borrowed.

Ning Fu’s smile before she left was so beautiful, yet it seemed to overflow with unspoken mockery and disdain, as if it were right in front of him. Gao Han shook his head vigorously, feeling a wave of dizziness, his eyes reddening with suppressed emotion.

What to do?

What to do?!

Ning Fu didn’t care how Gao Han, trapped in his predicament, endured that difficult night or how he returned the hand-copied textbook the next day with a large blister on his lip.

She diligently finished digging up the last basket of potatoes and heard the pleasant system notification sound, indicating that points had been credited.

[Current Points: 25/100]

The points she could earn from being transferred to the livestock station were just these. But Ning Fu already had a general direction in mind. A new kind of passion arose within her, different from the countless romantic strategy worlds she had traversed before.

What is a pure heart?

It is to love the country, serve the people, be loyal and brave, honest and diligent.

In the past, she was adept at making others fall in love with her. Now, her strategy was to cultivate a pure heart.

After delivering the potatoes to the production office, Aunt Ma, the most gossipy and talkative middle-aged woman in their village, grabbed Ning Fu.

“Xiao Ning, are you really not with Gao Han anymore?”

Ning Fu smiled and corrected her, “We were never together. I just don’t want to like him anymore.”

Aunt Ma leaned in mysteriously, “So, have you set your sights on someone else?”

Ning Fu’s gaze lowered slightly, passing over the middle-aged woman’s hands, which looked as old as if they belonged to someone in their sixties or seventies, over the dirt-covered, unevenly sized potatoes, and over the low, earthen houses behind Aunt Ma.

Her voice was soft but firm.

“I have many other things to do.”

[Ding—

Achievement unlocked: Vast World, Great Opportunities.

Achievement Description: Young people, with hearts set on the world, do not be entangled in love; go and build the motherland!

Achievement Reward: Intelligence +10

Backpack unlocked, currently obtained task item: Hand-copied High School Mathematics Textbook (Complete Set)]

[Would you like to start the first stage task—Achieving Academic Excellence?]

Link for more on male and female-educated youths 

https://www.asianstudies.org/publications/eaa/archives/from-red-guards-to-thinking-individuals-chinas-youth-in-the-cultural-revolution/