Sorry, My Beloved Is The Motherland - Chapter 3 - Delivering a Baby Is Better Than Dating

Winters on the grasslands were extremely dull.

The harsh weather forced everyone to stay indoors, making even the smallest bit of gossip the highlight of everyone’s day. If you were well-informed and could vividly recount the story of how Mother Erwa from the east side of the village had a fling with the party secretary before she got married, you could earn yourself the fluffiest roasted potato in the house.

As for roasted sweet potatoes? Those were a luxury! They were only available during village-wide meetings.

The “love and hate” among the educated youths was the main gossip topic for the Tula Gaqi production brigade.

The big news of Ning Fu suddenly becoming cold towards Gao Han spread like wildfire, reaching the ears of all the educated youths and villagers.

Who didn’t know that the pretty female educated youth was dead set on getting together with Gao Han? How did she suddenly change her mind?!

Aunt Ma sat cross-legged on the kang, with freshly boiled potatoes and a steaming mug of milk tea in front of her. She took a big gulp, licked her lips in satisfaction, and only then, under the eager and gossip-hungry gazes of the neighboring women, began to speak—

“The moment I saw Ning Fu that day, I knew something was off!” Aunt Ma said mysteriously. “I originally thought she’d be so heartbroken that she wouldn’t be able to eat for a few days!”

“How do I know? That Gao boy and Huixue girl were up late at night, not sleeping, watching the moon and stars behind my livestock shed. I knew then, hey, they were a couple! Ning Fu always considered herself Gao’s girlfriend, so she must have been upset!”

“But who would have thought, at the crack of dawn, she was out working in the fields, and when she came back to report, she was full of energy, like a completely different person! If you ask me, it wasn’t like when Mother Erwa got dumped by the party secretary back in the day! Instead, it was more like…”

For the first time, Aunt Ma, known for her sharp tongue, found herself at a loss for words. She drew out her tone to keep everyone in suspense, “It was more like…”

She suddenly slapped her thigh, startling everyone, “It was more like she drank celestial wind and dew, her whole spirit and energy completely transformed!”

T/N: “Celestial wind and dew” (仙风饮仙露) is a poetic expression that refers to something divine or otherworldly that rejuvenates and revitalizes a person. In this context, it suggests that Ning Fu’s transformation was so remarkable and profound that it seemed as if she had been nourished by something magical or heavenly, completely renewing her spirit and energy. This phrase is often used to describe an extraordinary change in someone’s demeanor or vitality, implying a kind of ethereal or miraculous influence.

Someone interjected, “Stop talking nonsense. That Ning girl doesn’t seem like someone who can handle things clearly. Have you heard? Our station is sending a girl to the livestock station, and it was Gao Han who pushed her into it!”

In the original story, Gao Han indeed did this and felt guilty about it, which led him to show a bit of kindness to the persistently devoted Ning Fu, causing misunderstandings and grievances for Liang Huixue.

Ning Fu, once again, becomes the catalyst for the male and female leads to first suffer and then sweetly reconcile, shining brightly given even the slightest bit of sunlight.

However, this time, Gao Han’s shameful little schemes were ruthlessly exposed, not even leaving him a fig leaf to cover his shame.

Aunt Ma disdainfully said, “You didn’t see it with your own eyes! What is Ning Fu like? And what about Gao Han?!” She gestured with her hands, “Little Gao had at least three huge blisters on his mouth, tsk, it was so aggravating to look at! The way he was chasing after Ning Fu to talk, oh, it really made him look pitiful!”

At this moment, the “pitiful” Gao Han was busy apologizing and making amends to Liang Huixue.

The beautiful female educated youth, with tears in her eyes, cried, “I don’t want to hear it, I don’t want to hear it, I don’t want to hear it! That book was copied by Ning Fu for you, and you used it to deceive me! Everyone knows that the review materials I’ve been using are Ning Fu’s. How am I supposed to face anyone now? You never had me in your heart!”

Gao Han felt bitter inside and out—giving his lover a token of affection that was “borrowed” and now being asked to return it, he couldn’t even lift his head!

While Gao Han and Liang Huixue were caught in their storm of sorrow and bitterness, the sound of drums and gongs came from outside.

The two of them looked at each other, neither saying a word.

They both knew what was happening outside.

The educated youths of the station were bidding farewell to Ning Fu. The livestock station was far from the village, requiring a special supply cart to reach it. Ning Fu was the first educated youth from the entire station to go to such a harsh place, so it was only fitting to hold a small farewell ceremony.

The lively atmosphere outside contrasted sharply with the silent tension inside the room. Both Gao Han and Liang Huixue felt that in all their lives, nothing had been more frustrating or painful than this moment.

“The secretary is here!”

“Hello, Secretary!”

The noisy voices of the educated youths outside drifted into the room. Gao Han and Liang Huixue exchanged glances— even the party secretary had come!

Gao Han couldn’t help but move to the window to listen. The Party Secretary was addressing the crowd, “From now on, Comrade Ning Fu will be the role model for all our educated youths! Voluntarily requesting to go to the most challenging place, what kind of spirit is this? This is the spirit of revolutionary optimism, this is the demeanor of our proletarian workers!” These were phrases he had learned from the radio, reciting them with a loud and grand voice.

T/N: /* A Party Secretary, or “书记” (shūjì) in Chinese, is a senior official within the Communist Party of China (CPC) who holds significant authority and responsibility at various levels of government and organizations. The role of a Party Secretary can vary depending on the context, but generally, they are responsible for the implementation of party policies, maintaining party discipline, and overseeing administrative functions.
In the context of a rural production brigade or a work unit, the Party Secretary would be the highest-ranking official, responsible for the political and organizational leadership of the group. They play a crucial role in decision-making processes, managing the day-to-day operations, and ensuring that the party’s directives are followed. The presence of the Party Secretary at an event, such as a farewell ceremony, signifies the importance of the occasion and the recognition of the individual’s contributions or significance.

Proletarian workers explanation:  The proletariat (/ˌproʊlɪˈtɛəriət/; from Latin proletarius ‘producing offspring’) is the social class of wage-earners, those members of a society whose only possession of significant economic value is their labor power (their capacity to work).  In the context of the story, the Party Secretary’s speech emphasizes the virtues and spirit of these workers, highlighting Ning Fu’s actions as exemplary of proletarian values. */

The educated youths responded with enthusiastic applause.

Gao Han felt his face burning and didn’t want to listen any longer.

But as fate would have it, the very thing he dreaded happened. The Party Secretary, noticing the shadows moving inside the house, called out loudly, “Who’s hiding inside in broad daylight? Come out, come out, and learn from our role model!”

Public humiliation, indeed. Hearing someone approaching to open the door, Gao Han had no choice but to step out himself. His lips sported three shiny, large blisters, a sight that startled the Party Secretary, who was in high spirits.

“What happened to you?!”

The Party Secretary’s gaze swept into the room, catching sight of Liang Huixue with her eyes red from crying.

He yanked Gao Han out, and the grip of a laborer’s hand was no different from an iron clamp, causing Gao Han’s arm to ache. The Party Secretary, angry, whispered sternly in his ear, “Don’t do anything shameful in broad daylight!”

Gao Han was stunned, and before he could react, the Party Secretary, seemingly embarrassed, waved his hand dismissively, “You… you should learn from Comrade Ning Fu!”

The stark contrast between the Party Secretary’s earlier beaming smile and his current look of disdain was unmistakable. Needless to say, the one left feeling dejected was Gao Han.

The Party Secretary had seen through it all. If Ning Fu were truly the kind of person who chased after Gao Han and engaged in improper relationships, would she have readily agreed to go to the most challenging place? Perhaps she was being ostracized. Seeing Gao Han and Liang Huixue hiding in the room, what more was there to understand?

The Party Secretary might not grasp the romantic entanglements among the educated youths, but he was well aware of incidents in the neighboring village where male and female educated youths had secret rendezvous at night, even resulting in pregnancies. Such disgraceful events could not happen under his watch!

Even though he had only five years of schooling, don’t think for a moment that he was a fool! He had grown up amidst revolutionary struggles, having participated in the children’s corps and delivered secret messages when he was young!

Countless eyes bore into Gao Han’s face, making him want to lower his head. Meanwhile, Ning Fu stood on the trailer, backpack slung over her shoulder, with the sun perfectly positioned behind her.

He vaguely heard someone stifle a laugh with a “pfft.”

Suddenly, Gao Han felt a wave of dizziness, and two streams of bright red blood slowly trickled from his nose.

The crowd waved goodbye to the trailer carrying Ning Fu. Although they still wanted to watch the drama unfold, they dispersed like birds and beasts due to the Party Secretary’s authority.

This dark-skinned Inner Mongolian man looked at Gao Han and Liang Huixue, sighing deeply, “Why waste time looking at stars and the moon when you could be doing something productive?”

T/N: /* Inner Mongolia, or “内蒙古” (Nèi Měnggǔ) in Chinese, is an autonomous region in northern China. It is home to a significant population of ethnic Mongolians, as well as Han Chinese and other ethnic groups. The term “Inner Mongolian” refers to people who are from or reside in this region.

Inner Mongolia is known for its vast grasslands, deserts, and rich cultural heritage, including traditional Mongolian customs, language, and festivals. The region has a unique blend of Mongolian and Chinese influences, which is reflected in its architecture, cuisine, and way of life. */

He also planned to reprimand Aunt Ma later for always gossiping about trivial matters. A simple courtship had become known to everyone at the station.

It wasn’t a big deal, but Liang Huixue, oh! Such a good girl, how could she have such poor judgment!

The Party Secretary couldn’t stand it any longer. Before leaving, he quietly advised Liang Huixue, “Ask Aunt Ma to talk to you, and don’t mess around. It’s easy to catch some kind of disease!” He was worried Liang Huixue wouldn’t understand, so he pointedly glanced at Gao Han’s three large blisters as a hint.

After saying this, the Party Secretary left, clearly disappointed.

Gao Han hadn’t fully processed what had happened when he turned to meet the shocked and disgusted gaze of his beloved. He quickly whispered, “It’s not contagious, I just… I just got overheated…”

Liang Huixue looked at the person she had once given a handkerchief to.

Three shiny, white blisters stood out on his lips, with two streams of nosebleed dripping beside them.

She gagged, then slammed the door shut right in Gao Han’s face.

The vast grasslands stretched endlessly. The road to the livestock station was long; the trailer set off in the morning, passing several supply points, and wouldn’t reach the livestock station’s station until after 5 PM.

Ning Fu sat in the trailer bed and pulled out the hand-copied “High School Mathematics (Volume 1)” from her backpack.

To be honest, high school content wasn’t difficult for Ning Fu. After all, she had played the role of a top student in other supporting character worlds. However, as she reopened this hand-copied textbook, she felt an unprecedented clarity of thought. Concepts became interconnected, her thinking swift, as if all her neurons were activated, constructing a complete framework the moment she absorbed the knowledge.

The process of reading the book thoroughly and then distilling it became so straightforward and clear. Ning Fu even felt an unprecedented thirst for learning.

[Intelligence +10] Could it be this effective?

The system quickly provided her with an answer—

[During the Achieving Academic Excellence task phase, the host’s concentration is increased by 50%, memory is enhanced by 50%, and enthusiasm for learning is boosted by 50%. Cherish your youth and love studying. Please efficiently complete your learning tasks while ensuring production and fulfilling your primary duties!]

Ning Fu took a deep breath.

[What do I need to give in return?]

This system seemed to be of the strong-arm variety. She had exchanged for golden fingers in systems before—whitening pills, miraculous voice elixirs, and once, to win over a CEO who had become a vegetative state, she spent over 200,000 points on a vegetative consciousness communicator to play his white moonlight in his dreams.

All golden fingers came with a price.

[Work for the motherland for fifteen years.]

Ning Fu raised an eyebrow, [After I complete the task?]

[Yes.]

This was actually a paradox. Once her points reached 100, she could complete the task and leave the world. The system’s golden finger provided her with conveniences to speed up the process, yet it required her to stay in the already completed world for another 15 years.

But she didn’t mind.

She was even somewhat looking forward to it. What could she accomplish in those extra fifteen years?

“What are you doing, what are you doing? We’ve arrived. Do I need to invite you down?!”

Ning Fu’s thoughts were interrupted. She realized that the trailer had already stopped. A girl in her teens was standing next to a haystack taller than a person, glaring at her.

The girl who had just spoken sounded very impatient. She was dressed in a thick, earth-green cotton coat, old cotton shoes, and a worn cotton hat under which peeked two braids that looked like they hadn’t been washed in quite some time.

Ning Fu closed her book and jumped off the trailer. The girl grabbed her bedding roll and walked into the yurt, her arms looking strong and sturdy.

T/N: /* A yurt is a traditional portable, round tent covered with skins or felt, used as a dwelling by nomadic people in Central Asia, including Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and parts of China, such as Inner Mongolia. The structure of a yurt consists of a wooden frame made of lattice walls, roof poles, and a central support, all covered with felt or fabric. Yurts are designed to be easily dismantled and transported, making them ideal for the nomadic lifestyle.

In the context of the story, the yurt (毡房) serves as a living space for the characters in the livestock team, providing shelter and a communal living environment. */

“My name is Xu Cuicui. You’ll be living with me. The station said you’re under my supervision. Now, let’s set three ground rules—

First, you’re not allowed to go out on your own. Whatever I tell you to do, you do it.

Second, don’t touch the sheep and horses.

Third, when sleeping, don’t crowd over to my side.

Got it?”

Her attitude was quite clear. She didn’t like Ning Fu.

Xu Cuicui glared fiercely at this delicate-looking female educated youth, a city-bred young lady, hmph!

She curtly told Ning Fu to sort out her own things and then stormed out, making a racket.

Ning Fu had just unpacked half of her luggage when someone rushed into the yurt in a flurry, “Xu Daya, is Xu Daya here?”

“She went out. Is there something you need?” Ning Fu asked the sweaty young man who had burst in 

The newcomer was initially startled by the unfamiliar face, then taken aback by Ning Fu’s excessively beautiful appearance. After catching his breath, he hurriedly said, “Runa is about to give birth!”

It turned out that Xu Cuicui was the only health worker here, and everyone in the livestock station, whether with a minor ailment or a major illness, had to seek her help.

The young man looked around the yurt but didn’t see Xu Cuicui. He reached out and grabbed Ning Fu, “Oh, come with me to lend a hand!”

Ning Fu was pulled along, “I’m not a doctor!”

Her mouth filled with cold air as she spoke, but it seemed the young man didn’t hear her at all.

They ran until Ning Fu felt she could no longer feel her face. The young man finally pulled her into a small shed next to the sheep pen.

Yes, a sheep pen.

Ning Fu then realized who the “Runa” about to give birth was. She looked at the ewe lying on the straw-covered ground. Nearby was Xu Cuicui, who must have missed the young man who came to find her.

In the dimly lit room stood another tall young man with a dark face, his high nose barely visible, indicating he was likely a herdsman.

“How… how is it?” The young man who had run over with Ning Fu asked urgently, still catching his breath.

Xu Cuicui’s tone was grim, “It’s a difficult birth. The lamb is stuck, and Runa has no strength left.”

She didn’t have time to scold Ning Fu—who had already broken the first of the “three rules” by leaving the yurt without permission.

In this era, in such a remote and underdeveloped place like Tula Gaqi, rural barefoot doctors had just started using new methods for childbirth. Human mothers were still threatened by puerperal fever, let alone sheep.

This ewe named Runa was at risk of losing both her life and the lamb’s.

Xu Cuicui hung her head, feeling distressed. She hadn’t received much training; all the hygiene knowledge she had came from a few years of apprenticing with a barefoot doctor when she was young.

The ewe, Runa, was panting on the straw, her hooves no longer moving.

Suddenly, Ning Fu said, “Let me try.”

Before Xu Cuicui could react, Ning Fu had already knelt beside the ewe, pushing her aside.

T/N: Ewe is a female sheep,  particularly one that is fully mature and capable of breeding.

Since everyone was at a loss, they might as well let her try.

Having already observed the ewe’s condition, Ning Fu instructed, “Get me a pair of scissors!”

The young Mongolian man standing nearby moved quickly and soon returned with a large pair of scissors.

Xu Cuicui shouted, “What are you doing!” and reached out to grab the scissors.

Her strength was much greater than Ning Fu’s, and the sharp edge of the scissors stopped just half a centimeter from Ning Fu’s cheek.

The herdsman-like young man quickly restrained Xu Cuicui, taking the scissors from her hand and handing them to Ning Fu, silently indicating for her to continue.

“Are you crazy?!” Xu Cuicui yelled.

The strong young man behind her tightened his grip, fearing she might pounce and bite Ning Fu’s neck.

“Comrade Xu Cuicui, please be quiet and help me disinfect.” The girl’s voice was clear and carried a calmness that reassured those around her. Since human mothers could undergo an episiotomy, the same should be possible for sheep.

“Let her go,” Ning Fu said calmly, as if she hadn’t noticed the disapproving look on the herdsman youth’s face.

The herdsman youth hesitated for a moment but eventually released his grip as Ning Fu instructed. He stood warily behind Xu Cuicui, ready to restrain her at any moment.

Xu Cuicui’s eyes reddened with anger, and she cursed, “Chena, why are you siding with her?

But even she didn’t realize that she was obediently following Ning Fu’s instructions, her hands continuously disinfecting the scissors.

Five minutes later, the lamb was finally born.

The lamb was covered in mucus, its eyes still closed, and its curly, milky-white fur was tightly stuck to its body. It seemed to have no breath.

For a moment, none of the four people in the room spoke.

Ning Fu gritted her teeth and bent down.

She began performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the newborn lamb—it was likely just frozen and should still be alive.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

She focused entirely on the task.

Finally, after an unknown number of attempts, the lamb moved slightly as Ning Fu straightened up.

Xu Cuicui shouted in delight, “It moved, it moved! It’s still alive!” She and the other young man hurriedly fetched items to clean Runa and the lamb.

Ning Fu was exhausted, sitting on the ground and still somewhat dazed. She held the lamb in her arms, her front stained with filth, and her face dirty as well.

The twenty-year-old herdsman, Chena, stood at the doorway, staring blankly.

In the dark night, the girl, covered in dirt and holding the newborn lamb, was like the moon.

Links/images

episiotomy: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/episiotomy

Kang – The kang is a living and sleeping platform, a heated bed. https://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/home/3hkang.htm