Qu Xiaoli was in charge of watching the cotton bags, while Du Fengying was overseeing the cotton being processed.
The cotton being processed now is coming out slightly yellow.
Everyone gathered around. "Li Cunshan, where did you get these cotton seeds? It’s not right for you to eat alone. We’re all part of the sa community."
"It’s easy for you to say, but I have no obligation to share what’s mine."
The group couldn’t argue with Li Cunshan. They thought about going back to their village leaders to negotiate; even getting enough seeds to plant one acre would be great, as it could lead to a large crop next year.
Everyone had their own plans; they all had their eyes on the cotton seeds.
At five o’clock, they finally finished processing all the cotton, weighing in at a total of 270 pounds.
Wow, what kind of yield is this? Li Cunshan was amazed. He carefully loaded the cotton seeds onto the truck.
"Cun Shan, are you interested in trading for cottonseed oil? Others are exchanging four pounds for one pound; how about we offer you two pounds for one pound?"
"I’m not that greedy—it’s honestly next year’s seeds."
The cotton processing fee was fifteen cents per pound, totaling forty dollars and fifty cents for 270 pounds.
Du Fengying handed over four banknotes and one one-dollar bill, and received fifty cents in change, which she hurriedly tucked into her pocket before getting into the car.
Li Cunshan had been anxious since earlier, as if afraid soone might snatch the goods from him. He was relieved he ca himself; otherwise, those shaless people might have taken them.
He pondered that soone might contact Yun Gui, but he wasn’t going to give those seeds away lightly.
The three of them remained tense until they left the village area, finally relaxing.
"Brother Cunshan, are you sure you calculated correctly? Just one acre produced 270 pounds of cotton! What an incredible yield. If we planted 100 acres, we’d be wealthy."
"Do you think anyone miscalculated? There’s a few hundred pounds of cotton seeds here as well. Initially, I thought I might trade the lower-quality seeds for oil, but now I’m reluctant to part with them.
When I go back, I’ll talk to Yun Gui about compensating Teacher Jiang with oil; we shouldn’t use their resources for free."
Du Fengying was so excited she forgot her hunger. Once they returned ho, she realized she hadn’t eaten, and quickly took out so snacks. "Captain, here’s a snack to tide you over. Sister-in-law and I will share a pack."
"No need, I’m not hungry."
Qu Xiaoli chuckled. "Brother Cunshan, you’re so excited you don’t even feel hungry, right?"
"Absolutely. Just thinking about the possibility of growing such high-yield cotton next year keeps going without food for three days."
"Captain, you should eat a little; those cotton seeds will definitely be planted next year."
"No need; don’t waste such good things."
"Why say it’s a waste?"
Despite Du Fengying’s persuasion, Li Cunshan still wouldn’t eat.
"Sister-in-law, if the Captain won’t eat, we will." She said, trying to open the snack pack.
However, Qu Xiaoli stopped her. "I’m not eating either."
Seeing their firm attitude, Du Fengying put the snacks away again.
They arrived ho past seven. Jiang Xinyu had been anxious, but realized that since Li Cunshan was with them, nothing would go wrong.
Hearing a knock at the door, she quickly ran out to open it.
"Finally ho."
"Hehe, nothing to worry about. We were with you, rest assured." Qu Xiaoli said with a smile.
"Teacher Jiang, this cotton is indeed high-yield, 270 pounds per acre!" Li Cunshan said excitedly.
Jiang Xinyu paused, she hadn’t expected such a yield. Although there were plenty of cotton bolls, she estimated maybe 200 pounds at most; it was an unexpected surprise.
After a few trips, they brought all the cotton inside.
"Teacher Jiang, I’ll take these cotton seeds back and lock them up; I won’t give them to anyone. But don’t worry, the team will compensate you."
"Okay, when Old Wei, the Captain, cos back, he’ll bring new cotton seeds."
"That’s wonderful, but these seeds shouldn’t be given out casually—we must plant more cotton next year. Well, take care."
"Yes, Teacher Jiang, I’m heading back too."
"Wait, I have so stead buns made tonight; take them ho. You’ve helped all day, how can I let you leave empty-handed?"
In the end, they couldn’t refuse and each took ten buns back ho.
"Sister Du, hurry up and wash up; let’s eat."
"I’m really hungry; I didn’t even feel it while we were processing the cotton—too tense. But on the way back, they wouldn’t eat anything." Du Fengying said, taking out two packs of snacks.
"Let’s eat then."
Du Fengying indeed was hungry, devouring stead buns with stir-fried cabbage in large bites.
Jiang Xinyu only had a bowl of sorghum porridge.
"Sister Du, why were you so tense?"
"Xiao Jiang, you don’t know; luckily the Captain was with us. Today, there were several people from different villages all wanting our cotton seeds."
"Really?"
"Absolutely, the Captain sent them away with just a few words. If I went alone, I couldn’t have protected them.
Initially, they wanted so; after realizing the high yield, they contemplated grabbing them."
Jiang Xinyu sighed; so isolated. These seeds are basically standard from the textile factory.
"Xiao Jiang, with so much cotton, I think soone will definitely co to buy it."
"Let’s keep 100 pounds for ourselves and sell the rest. Don’t refuse anyone who cos to buy, but our family needs enough first.
"So many people want to get married in the village this year; cotton will be in short supply.
Many will co to purchase—how much should we sell per pound?"
"Two dollars a pound would be appropriate."
"Okay, I know now. If anyone cos to buy while you’re not ho, I’ll know the price."
After finishing dinner, Du Fengying insisted on working "I ate too much; need to do sothing or I won’t be able to sleep."
The next day was exam day, and Jiang Xinyu was present. She wanted to hand out prizes to the children.
Each child received a pencil and an eraser as gifts from Jiang Xinyu. So kids from extrely poor families wrote on paper for the first ti, carefully as if afraid the pencil might break.
The exam papers were copied by Wu Jiucheng and seven others, not Jiang Xinyu.
With only math and Chinese, the exam finished in two hours.
Wu Jiucheng collected the papers and told the children to co back two days later.
Li Yungui was nearby, imdiately arranging for people to partition three classrooms. Every household sent strong laborers, with children studying there, they worked diligently.
"Teachers, may I grade the papers?"
"No need, you have your little ones to take care of.
Xiao Jiang, we’d like to buy so cotton from you; our cotton clothes aren’t warm enough."
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