The Female General Dominates All After Transmigration-Chapter 40: Return Journey and Learning to Ride
Ling Chengyan stopped along with Zhang Hanchao, listening calmly.
"I’ve looked into Ling Chengyan’s family situation a bit. Taking care of two kids alone makes joining the army unrealistic. So, I’ve proactively suggested to the county leaders that we find a more suitable job for Comrade Ling Chengyan, and they agreed with me."
Zhang Hanchao laughed heartily, saying, "Haha, I’m not saying that our farming brothers contribute less; it’s just that other work might suit Comrade Ling Chengyan better. As for the exact position, it’s not decided yet, but you should know where you stand. Focus on preparing for the district competition; if you win the championship again, it will help with your job placement."
Ling Chengyan, of course, knew that working in the county town was better than laboring in the village. She readily agreed and thanked the leaders for valuing her before bidding goodbye to Zhang Hanchao and joining the Taiping Commune’s team to return on the tractor.
Xu Dong patted the bicycle in the box, smiling, "Comrade Ling Chengyan, this bicycle is specially approved by Director Huang. It’s a genuine high-quality Hai City model, and our county only gets a few of these each year."
Ling Chengyan didn’t quite understand, interpreting it as ’authentic,’ much like Hangzhou silk or Songjiang fabric.
Zhang Yuyan also returned to the commune on the tractor, standing on either side of Ling Chengyan with Li Huaihua, filled with envy.
Ah, a bicycle. Costing at least over a hundred, not to mention needing a bike ticket and an industrial coupon. Members find it hard enough to save money, and those tickets and coupons are nowhere to be found.
All these restrictions made bicycles a desired yet unattainable luxury for the members. At most, there were two or three in a large brigade.
Zhang Yuyan quietly asked, "Yan, do you know how to ride a bicycle?"
Ling Chengyan’s eyebrows moved slightly, and she sincerely shook her head.
Zhang Yuyan immediately said, "You shouldn’t use a new bike to learn; it would hurt if it got scratched!"
Xu Dong chuckled, saying, "If Comrade Ling Chengyan wants to learn how to ride a bike, it’s easy. The commune has two bikes; just come to the commune when you have time."
Squad Leader Wu Xiangyang laughed heartily, "I think with Ling Chengyan’s talent for learning, she’ll master it quickly — probably just a morning."
Everyone else chimed in with agreement, while Zhang Yuyan was a bit embarrassed.
Ling Chengyan looked back at her and Li Huaihua, smiling, "It’s late today; why don’t you come to my place for the night?" 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
Both lived quite far from the commune, over ten miles, and traveling alone at night wasn’t safe.
Zhang Yuyan hesitated a bit, but Li Huaihua said, "Let’s go to the commune first..."
Ling Chengyan: "Okay."
As the three talked, the tractor chugged to the commune, and from a distance, they saw several people waiting at the gate of the commune courtyard, alongside mules and donkey carts, with a few even arriving by bicycle.
Ling Chengyan immediately spotted the tall and lanky Wang Lianqi.
Before getting off, Zhang Wanxiang shouted to Wang Lianqi, "Brother, Brother, Sister Yan won three first places, a Three-time Champion!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Lianqi joyfully jumped up, "Really?"
Wu Qingyun laughed, "Really, you should’ve seen her hitting all tens in shooting. Sister Yan is amazing."
Saying this, the two didn’t wait for the tractor to stop and eagerly jumped off to tell Wang Lianqi about the competition.
Upon learning that Zhang Wanxiang and Wu Qingyun also made it into the top three and all three would participate in the large district competition, Wang Lianqi was overjoyed, grinning from ear to ear.
Wu Xiangyang and Xu Dong also disembarked.
Wu Xiangyang pointed at Wang Lianqi, jokingly scolding, "Look at him, smiling like a bear that’s eaten honey droppings!"
Xu Dong just laughed without replying. Wang Lianqi came over to greet the two leaders and naturally discussed their opinions on dealing with those from Longsheng Village.
Zhang Wanxiang and Wu Qingyun diligently unloaded Ling Chengyan’s bicycle and radio from the tractor and loaded them onto the mule cart Wang Lianqi brought.
Someone also came to pick up Li Huaihua, a young man in his twenties riding a bicycle.
Zhang Yuyan nudged Ling Chengyan, smiling softly, "Look quickly, that’s Huaihua’s fiancé. They’re getting married this winter."
Ling Chengyan had noticed earlier; he was a decent and earnest young man. Riding a bicycle over ten miles to pick up Li Huaihua, it showed he valued his fiancée greatly.
Li Huaihua shyly bid farewell to Ling Chengyan and followed her fiancé.
As it was getting late, Wang Lianqi was preparing to say goodbye.
However, Xu Dong offered a bicycle, stopping Ling Chengyan: "Didn’t you say you wanted to learn how to ride? Why not try now before it gets too late?"
The commune’s communal bicycle, often used for trips, appeared quite aged but had all its parts intact.
Ling Chengyan looked back at Wang Lianqi, seeking his opinion.
Wang Lianqi smiled, "You might as well learn here."
Hearing this, Zhang Wanxiang immediately rushed over, took the bike from Xu Dong, attempted to ride it, but the handlebars wobbled, and he nearly fell over with the bike. Luckily, Wu Qingyun quickly grabbed him.
Having a background in horse riding, Ling Chengyan previously thought it similar, but only when she held the handlebars did she realize that this cold, lifeless metal contraption was an entirely different beast from a living, breathing horse.
Fortunately, with her agility, when she couldn’t control the bike, she decisively abandoned it and jumped away, the bike falling on the ground while she remained unscathed.
After dropping it three or four times, Ling Chengyan finally managed to ride the bicycle, albeit wobbly.
"See, I told you Ling Chengyan learns quickly!" Wu Xiangyang watched with arms folded, enjoying the spectacle.
"Indeed, she learns fast." Xu Dong agreed with a smile, then his face turned more serious, whispering, "Those from Longsheng Village need to be dealt with quickly. I’ve heard many refugees from the south have arrived, and we need a meeting tomorrow with the directors of security and militia leaders from each brigade to strengthen patrols and ensure the members’ safety."
Wu Xiangyang nodded and sighed, "Two provinces sharing a border, droughts nine out of ten years. People can’t eat, they have to flee and beg... alas, the old and young, truly heartbreaking."
Talking as they were, Ling Chengyan had already stabilized, making a large circle and returning steadily.
Zhang Wanxiang and Wu Qingyun ran behind her, panting heavily, and Zhang Wanxiang didn’t forget to compliment Wang Lianqi, "Sister Yan is incredible; she learned so quickly."
Ling Chengyan parked the bicycle, and Xu Dong stepped forward with a smile, "Won’t you practice a few more laps?"
Ling Chengyan smiled rarely and said, "I’ve learned how; I’ll practice slowly back home. Thank you, Captain, and thank you, Commissar. We’re heading back."
Riding the mule cart away from the commune, Zhang Wanxiang and Wu Qingyun recounted the county competition to Wang Lianqi along the way.
Ling Chengyan and Zhang Yuyan sat in the cart. Ling Chengyan quietly asked, "Why don’t you stay at my place for the night?"
Zhang Yuyan lived in the same direction as Nanli Village but was nearly ten miles further.
Zhang Yuyan shook her head, "I said I was going to my aunt’s, but I didn’t say I’d be staying..."
It seems she couldn’t stay.
Ling Chengyan didn’t push it, readily saying, "Alright, I’ll see you off then."
