None of them ever yield to me.

From Chang'an Fang's perspective, he had observed that the more economically developed a region was, the more open-minded its society tended to be. Conversely, the poorer the area, the more conservative its social atmosphere became. The persistence of certain traditional ideas even led, to some extent, to distortions when compared to modern values.

For example, if Mo Shen were to visit Chang'an Fang's home alone, many would almost certainly gossip about it, saying things like "early romance" or "he's brought home a girlfriend," even though he wasn't capable of such things yet.

As for men playing cards and drinking, many people frowned upon it—not because of the act itself, but because it led to poverty. If you gambled and drank but your family was well-off, it wasn't considered blameworthy. When Lu Jun Fang and Qiao Qiao Chen lost more than eight thousand overnight, most people discussed it with an attitude of "look how wealthy their family is," rather than "how could this couple gamble?"

Chang'an Fang regretted that he personally could not change this state of affairs. To prevent Mo Shen's visit from being misinterpreted as early romance or lack of self-respect, he decided to invite more classmates.

Since those living in the countryside were busy at this time, he mainly focused on classmates from the town.

Returning to the living room, Chang'an Fang pulled a notebook from his school bag and went to the phone. He found Yu Chen's number and dialed.

Yu Chen's parents seemed to be doing business out of town, so he usually ate at school and should be free during the holidays.

"Hello?" Yu Chen answered, the television audible in the background.

"Yu Chen, it's Chang'an Fang."

"Class leader, what's up? Anything I can do?"

The other spoke as if ready to follow instructions, making Chang'an Fang a bit embarrassed. "Well, my family will be harvesting corn in a couple of days. I wanted to ask if you're free to help out. There's not much work. Mainly, it's boring during the holidays, so I thought we'd gather some classmates to hang out."

"Sure, I'm bored anyway. Which day?"

"It should be the day after tomorrow or the day after that. I'll call you again when it's decided."

The phone was on the nightstand in Lu Jun Fang and Cong Rong's room, but both were cooking in the kitchen, so Chang'an Fang wasn't sure of the exact day.

"Okay."

"Do you have numbers for any other boys in our class? Anyone bored can come and play. I'll invite a few girls too."

"I know Ma Jun and Di Wu's numbers. I'll ask them, and they probably know others."

"Great, call me back later and let me know how many people."

"Got it."

Chang'an Fang hung up, thought for a moment, found Rain Wei Wang's number, and dialed.

"Hello?" A middle-aged woman's voice answered.

"Auntie, hello, is this Rain Wei Wang's home?"

"Yes, it is. Who's speaking?"

"Auntie, I'm Chang'an Fang, Rain Wei Wang's class leader. I need to talk to her."

"All right, wait a moment."

After twenty or thirty seconds, Rain Wei Wang's voice came through: "Hello, class leader, what do you need?"

"It's like this. The holidays are boring, so I want to organize a class gathering. Do you have time?"

"Huh?" Rain Wei Wang sounded surprised. "Is everyone going?"

"That's not possible. It's the busy farming season, and those from the countryside are tied up at home. I'm mainly asking town classmates if they're available and interested."

Rain Wei Wang said, "I can go. Where are we meeting?"

"At my house."

"Huh?"

"Think about it. Going out in town costs money, and I don't know what else we could do. Anyway, you're always in town, probably haven't spent much time in the countryside. I'll let you experience farm life."

"And help your family out at the same time?"

"Not really, the boys will do the work."

Rain Wei Wang couldn't help laughing, "So it's still helping your family?"

"We'll provide meals. With so many people, there won't be much work. Mainly, I haven't seen you all in days and I miss you."

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"All right, I'll go, okay? You're so sentimental."

Rain Wei Wang spoke with a hint of playful annoyance, then asked, "Who else is going?"

"I've only informed Mo Shen and Yu Chen. They'll call others if they have their numbers. If you're free, help ask around too?"

"Sure, but is your house far?"

"A bit over ten li, at most half an hour by bike."

"Okay, I'll call around and get back to you."

"Good, the day after tomorrow or the day after that."

Chang'an Fang hung up and heard Changming Fang, who was watching TV, call out, "Brother."

"Hmm?" Chang'an Fang turned. Changming Fang pulled a disgusted face, "You're so mushy when you talk!"

"You want a beating, huh?" Chang'an Fang ignored him, went back to dialing, "Hey, which number did I dial last?"

He had to start over, but finally got through. Mo Shen answered, "What's up?"

Chang'an Fang asked quietly, "Did you tell your grandparents?"

"No, you haven't even said the date yet."

"Oh, I thought you coming alone wouldn't help much, and my mom wouldn't cook a meal for nothing. So I invited a few classmates too, so we can help out."

Mo Shen, already very familiar with him, knew he was teasing but still grumbled, "You don't want me, huh? Then I won't go."

"Don't! I told them you're coming, so they'll come. If you don't, no one else will."

"You said I was just eating and not helping!"

"If you don't come, there won't even be anyone to eat."

"Hmph!"

She was easy to appease and didn't hold a grudge, then asked, "Who else did you invite?"

"I only remember a few numbers, so I called Yu Chen and Rain Wei Wang. Who else should I invite?"

"Didn't call Ke Wang?"

"I thought she wouldn't be free."

"I'll ask her."

Chang'an Fang advised, "She lives far from town, and getting to my place is even farther."

"It's fine, I'll go with Uncle to pick her up."

"Everyone's biking, only you two in a car—special treatment, huh?"

"I'll bring Ke Wang to my place first, then we'll bike together to your house. That should work, right?"

"Why do you insist on inviting her?"

"I'm closest to her."

"All right."

Chang'an Fang didn't argue further, "You know how to tell your grandparents, right?"

"I do, I'm not stupid."

"I'll hang up now, in case someone else calls back."

"Bye."

Chang'an Fang hung up and went to the kitchen to ask his parents about the corn harvest date. As he approached, he heard Lu Jun Fang speaking in a low voice:

"I clearly heard him say, 'I miss you!'"

Cong Rong replied, "Then ask him later."

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Lu Jun Fang said, "How do I ask? You ask, you talk to him more."

Chang'an Fang recalled it was probably said to Rain Wei Wang, but his father's selective hearing was impressive—he'd dropped the "all" from "I miss you all," changing the meaning completely.

"Dad, could you eavesdrop properly next time?" Chang'an Fang walked in, smiling, "I said 'I miss you all,' to my classmates, not to any one person."

Lu Jun Fang was tending the fire, "I wasn't eavesdropping, I went to get something for your mom. Ask your mom if that's true."

Chang'an Fang didn't bother with that, "By the way, when are we harvesting corn? I invited classmates to help."

Lu Jun Fang said, "Why invite classmates? I haven't left yet, we don't need help."

Chang'an Fang explained, "They're not really coming to work. They're from town, probably haven't seen this before, so I want them to experience it. A few boys can help, we'll just provide lunch."

Lu Jun Fang said, "It's fine to play, but don't ask them to help."

Chang'an Fang laughed, "It's not contradictory. Helping is playing to them, anyway, more people makes it fun."

Lu Jun Fang glanced at Cong Rong, who said, "Let them come, just provide lunch."

Lu Jun Fang said, "Fine, whenever you decide, Dad will cook for you."

After dinner, Chang'an Fang received replies. First was Mo Shen; somehow she convinced Ke Wang to go along with her convoluted plan.

Next was Yu Chen, who contacted several classmates. Four confirmed, three were uncertain.

Rain Wei Wang was later, confirming three: herself, Mo Shen, and Ke Wang, with five others not yet certain.

The next day was sunny. Chang'an Fang accompanied his parents to the fields. The once lush corn leaves had yellowed, and Lu Jun Fang picked one, peeling back layer after layer to reveal plump kernels.

"It's ready for harvesting," Lu Jun Fang turned to Cong Rong, hesitated, and added, "Why not harvest tomorrow? Chang'an's classmates are coming, and there's a market, so it's convenient to buy groceries."

Tomorrow was the seventh of September, the day of the Ma Family Creek market.

Chang'an Fang said, "Doesn't matter, they're not coming just to eat. Anything will do."

"Don't worry, you're the class leader, right? Would Dad let you lose face?" Lu Jun Fang waved flamboyantly, settling it. "Tomorrow it is."

Cong Rong worried her parents might be busy today, so she decided to check. In the past, Lu Jun Fang would sneak off to play cards whenever his wife wasn't looking, but perhaps because he was about to leave for work, today he was uncharacteristically enthusiastic, organizing everyone to go to the storage shed as soon as they returned.

Lu Jun Fang drove the three-wheeler, taking the family to Grandma's. The two old folks weren't home, so they went to the cornfield and found them hidden among the stalks, harvesting.

Lu Jun Fang and Cong Rong helped, but didn't let the three siblings join. Chang'an Fang ignored that and dove in, picked a few ears, and soon found he could barely see his parents.

Corn leaves made his skin itch. Chang'an Fang braced himself for hardship but was fearful, so he moved awkwardly. Even Changming Fang, who joined later, was faster than him.

"Big brother, you're so clumsy!" Yanran Fang, outside the corn stalks, complained. After a while, seeing Changming Fang surpass their big brother, she hesitated, then said, "Big brother, I'll help you!"

She was small, and grabbed a corn cob, tugging hard but couldn't pull it off.

Chang'an Fang watched without helping. When his little sister's face was red from exertion without success, he finally walked over, snapped it off, and asked, "Still think I'm clumsy?"

Yanran Fang pouted and glared at him for two seconds, then turned to Changming Fang, "Second brother, I'll help you, not big brother!"

Changming Fang didn't even turn around, "Don't come over! I don't want your help. You'll only mess things up; I'm faster alone!"

The little girl, feeling rejected, stood there, looked at her second brother's back, then at her big brother, who was clearly enjoying her misfortune, and seemed a bit aggrieved.

Chang'an Fang suppressed his laughter, "All right, come help big brother. I don't mind."

She looked at him, then pursed her lips, darted out of the corn and shouted, "Mom! Dad! Grandma! Grandpa! Big brother and second brother won't let me help!"

Cong Rong, working nearby, turned and asked, "Why won't they let you help again?"

Yanran Fang, feeling wronged, said, "They won't let me help!"

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