Reborn to Bloom: A Second Chance at Youth

4

Her parents had made this decision so that their child wouldn't have to work the land for a living. They said they hoped a phoenix would emerge from their grass nest, but they hadn't thought that far ahead. But Olivia, with the memories of another life, was different. She wanted to use this as a starting point to soar higher and further, determined to provide her parents with a good life in the near future.

As the saying goes, don't be sick if you have something, and don't be broke if you don't have something. Their family was now facing a financial dilemma. How could they make money, so that their lives wouldn't be altered by her going to school? If all else failed, they could get a job as a tutor. They'd done a lot of tutoring before to buy a house, so they had plenty of experience. But they were too young to know if anyone would be willing to hire them. They'd take it one step at a time, and everything would work out. As long as they could take this one step, everything would be fine. With this in mind, Olivia spent her first night at home with a sense of security.

Olivia returned home peacefully, having skipped classes because she'd been told she was transferring schools. Mom had been busy contacting schools, while Dad was busy preparing for the harvest. Mom's distant cousin was the principal at No. 2 Middle School, so they had some clues. Word reached them that the principal had agreed to accept Olivia, but she had to pay a 700 yuan tuition fee and register after National Day. Mom and Dad agreed, so Mom had been preparing Olivia's school supplies: bedding, money, and daily necessities.

National Day was approaching quickly, and October, the so-called golden autumn, was also the busiest time of year for farmers. This year had been a bountiful harvest, and the faces of the entire village were beaming with joy. Mom and Dad were also busy harvesting, leaving early and returning late each day. Olivia, on the other hand, cooked and cleaned, her days filled with fulfillment.

Mom came home before noon that day, looking furious. Olivia asked, and she discovered there was a dispute between the neighboring farmers. The story went something like this: Mom and Dad went to harvest another plot of land today, but just as they were halfway through, the neighboring family came to harvest their own. It wouldn't have been a big deal, but the neighboring family had harvested two extra rows. That was unacceptable, considering they'd worked hard all year and only got this little crop in the autumn. So, the two families refused to give in, and the argument erupted in the field. Finally, Mom had no choice but to go home, get a ruler, and remeasure the land.

Just as Mom was about to leave, Olivia paused, thinking for a moment.

"Mom, don't worry. If you want to measure the land, don't you have to have a standard?"

"What standard?"

"Mom, you said we have so much land. What if that family refuses to acknowledge it? If we want to fundamentally solve the problem, why don't we go to the village accountant to check the accounts? And call the village party secretary, so they'll be convinced."

"You're right. If they refuse to acknowledge it, I'll have to make another trip, which is not only a waste of energy but also a waste of time. Okay, let's do it."

"Mom, I'll go with you. Today's meal is simple, so I'll have time to make it when I get back."

"Okay, you go with me. Help me keep track."

Mother and daughter quickly arrived at the village and explained the situation to the accountant. The accountant produced the account book. Oh, what a hassle! It turns out that land back then wasn't fixed for thirty years like it would be a decade or so later. Now, land changes almost every year. Those who die lose it, and those who are born receive it. Simply put, if someone in a family dies, their land allocation will be reclaimed before March. If a family has a newborn, the family will receive the newborn's land before March. Of course, if the death occurs after March 1st, the land allocation will not be reclaimed and will have to be drawn before March 1st of the following year. Similarly, if a newborn is born after March 1st, the land allocation will not be received until the following year. Furthermore, men between the ages of 18 and 50 will receive more land, as they are considered capable laborers. Any remaining land will be used as a discretionary plot, and the "Five Guarantees" households will draw lots. This means that the account book doesn't contain fixed numbers; rather, adjacent plots vary in size.

Olivia looked at the account book with her mother. Olivia's family's land, which was allocated to her father, was eight mu (approximately 1.7 mu), while the family in dispute with her family received six mu (approximately 1.4 mu) for the newborn. Olivia looked at the account book again. The village director arrived, and Olivia and her daughter, along with the village chief, took the account book and a ruler to their own fields. Once they reached the field, they measured along the edge of Olivia's other plot. Once they had measured enough (because the account book included not only the acres but also the length and width), they determined that the other family had taken more land than Olivia had claimed, and they had to compensate Olivia for the losses. The family disagreed, as neither wanted to lose what they had in hand.

"Why should we occupy your land? Maybe it's the family next door who's taking it."

The village chief's suggestion made sense, but out of caution, he still measured his family's land. His land wasn't very large, so this was a problem. He had to measure each piece of land, like dominoes, one by one, starting at the edge and moving on to each family.