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In 1991, the spring wind swept across the barren land of Xihai Gu in Ningxia, carrying yellow sand.

Ma Defu and Zhang Shucheng pushed their bicycles, struggling to move forward on the rugged mountain road.

A bedding roll was tied to the back rack of the bicycle, swaying constantly with the bumps.

"Thank goodness! Hang in there a little longer, we'll be at Yongquan Village soon." Zhang Shucheng wiped the dust off his face, his voice hoarse.

The director of the relocation office was in his early forties, with dark skin and wrinkles around his eyes that were studded with sand that couldn't be washed away.

Ma Defu nodded, his throat parched.

He had just graduated from agricultural school and was temporarily transferred to the relocation office. Unexpectedly, his first task was to bring back seven fleeing migrant households.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look up into the distance...

At the horizon where the gray-yellow sky meets the earth, a few low mud-brick houses can be vaguely seen; that is his hometown, Yongquan Village.

"Director Zhang, don't worry, my father is the acting village head. With his help, those families will definitely go back," Ma Defu said, though he wasn't entirely sure.

He knew the villagers too well; their ancestors had guarded this barren land for generations, preferring to starve rather than leave.

Zhang Shucheng sighed: "Xiao Ma, you graduated from agricultural school, you should understand the significance of relocation and resettlement. Although life is tough there now in Yuquanying, there's the Yellow River and flat land. As long as we can get through these first few years..."

“I understand,” Ma Defu interrupted, not wanting to hear any more of these official statements.

He had studied geography at an agricultural school and knew that the relocation sites planned by the government did have development potential, but right now there was nothing but Gobi Desert and barren land, not even a single tree. Who would want to go there?

The two walked in silence for a while, then Zhang Shucheng suddenly asked, "By the way, what kind of person was your father, Ma Hanshui?"

Ma Defu paused for a moment: "My father... is very capable and has a lot of influence in the village, but sometimes he is too concerned with personal relationships."

Zhang Shucheng nodded thoughtfully.

Just then, the sound of bells came from afar, and a figure riding a donkey appeared on the mountain road.

"Hey, isn't that..." Ma Defu squinted, and when he saw who it was, his expression changed immediately.

A girl in a red jacket sat on a donkey, her black braids hanging down in front of her chest, swaying gently with the donkey's steps.

When she saw Ma Defu, she was clearly stunned and instinctively pulled on the reins.

"Splash?" Ma Defu's voice was strained.

Li Shuihua lowered her head, her fingers twisting the reins: "Brother Defu...you're back?"

Zhang Shucheng sensed that the atmosphere was not right, and wisely pushed his bicycle forward a few steps: "Xiao Ma, you two chat, I'll go to the village and wait for you."

"it is good!"

After Zhang Shucheng had walked away, Ma Defu finally managed to ask with difficulty, "I heard... you're getting married?"

Shuihua gave a soft "hmm," her eyes fixed on the donkey's ears: "The sixth day of next month."

"Is it... that kid from the Su family?" Ma Defu's voice was hoarse. "I heard that his family has five water cellars and two donkeys..."

“It’s three people.” Shuihua suddenly looked up, a stubborn glint in her eyes. “Two of them were taken away because of the An family’s matter.”

Ma Defu felt a tightness in his chest.

He and Shuihua grew up together, learning to read and write together under Teacher Bai's tutelage, and they once made a promise that after he graduated from agricultural school, they would...

But now, she is to marry a complete stranger, all for a few water cellars and a donkey.

"Shuihua, are you willing to accept this?" Ma Defu stepped forward. "You're so smart, if it weren't for your father..."

“Brother Defu!” Shuihua interrupted him, her voice soft but firm. “Let’s not talk about the past. Brother Ning… he’s been very good to me and promised to let me continue my studies.”

Ma Defu was struck dumb.

Reading books—that was their promise from back then!
He once vowed to take Shuihua out of the mountains and let her see the outside world.

Now, that promise has been fulfilled by another man.

"I... I wish you happiness." These were the only words Ma Defu could manage to utter in the end.

Shuihua glanced at him, her complex expression breaking Ma Defu's heart.

Then she gently shook the reins, and the donkey strode past her.

Ma Defu stood there, listening to the sound of donkey hooves gradually fade into the distance until it disappeared into the sandstorm.

He took a deep breath, wiped his face, and then realized that his palms were wet.

……

When Ma Defu and Zhang Shucheng entered Ma Hanshui's courtyard, it was already getting dark.

Ma Hanshui was squatting on the doorstep smoking a pipe when he saw his son and leader arrive. He quickly got up to greet them.

"Director Zhang! You must be tired from your journey!" Ma Hanshui warmly shook Zhang Shucheng's hand, then turned and called into the house, "Wife, quickly pour some tea!"

Ma Defu felt uneasy looking at his father's solicitous manner.

He knew that his father valued face the most, and now that seven households had run back from the village, it was as if they had slapped the village chief in the face.

After entering the room and taking a seat, Zhang Shucheng got straight to the point: "Director Ma, the main reason I came back this time is about those seven immigrant households. County Chief Yang attaches great importance to this and has demanded that we persuade them to go back."

Ma Hanshui's smile froze: "Director Zhang, this can't be rushed. Those people came back saying that the sandstorms at Yuquanying are so fierce that they can't open their eyes, there's no water, no electricity, and not even a place to shelter from the wind and rain..."

“It’s just a temporary difficulty!” Zhang Shucheng raised his voice. “The government is drilling wells and connecting electricity, and they’ll also build schools and clinics in the future. If they come back now, it’s like giving up a great opportunity!”

Ma Hanshui chuckled as he poured tea for Zhang Shucheng, but his eyes kept glancing at his son.

Ma Defu knew his father was asking him for help, but this time he had to stand on the government's side.

“Dad, Director Zhang is right. Relocation is a good opportunity to escape poverty, and we need to help those families understand the situation.”

Ma Hanshui glared at his son, then turned to Zhang Shucheng with a fawning smile: "Director Zhang, how about this, I'll take you to visit each household tomorrow, and we can work on it slowly?"

Zhang Shucheng frowned: "County Chief Yang gave us a tight schedule. It would be best to hold a village meeting tomorrow to explain the policies clearly in one go."

"This..." Ma Hanshui looked troubled. "Those troublemakers, Li Dayou and his gang, are spreading rumors about Diaozhuang everywhere in the village. Now that we're holding a meeting, I'm afraid..."

Ma Defu suddenly interrupted, "Dad, we must hold a meeting! I heard County Chief Yang criticize Director Zhang with my own ears. If this matter is not handled well, Director Zhang will be held responsible, and I will not be able to stay in Diaozhuang Office!"

There was silence in the house.

Ma Hanshui stared at his son, his eyes filled with both surprise and anger.

Finally, he sighed heavily: "Fine, I'll do as the leader says. There will be a big meeting tomorrow!"

In the dead of night, Ma Defu tossed and turned on the kang (a heated brick bed), unable to sleep.

I could hear Zhang Shucheng snoring from next door, but my father was nowhere to be found.

He got up and went into the yard, where he found his father squatting under the jujube tree, smoking silently.

“Father…” Ma Defu walked over.

Ma Hanshui didn't even look up: "You think you're all grown up now? You're embarrassing your father in front of the leaders."

“That’s not what I meant.” Ma Defu squatted down next to his father. “But relocation is a national policy, and our village cadres must take the lead in supporting it.”

Ma Hanshui sneered: "National policy? Do you know why Li Dayou and the others ran back? A sandstorm over there blew up all the newly built shacks, and three sheep were buried alive! Would you have run if you were in their shoes?"

Ma Defu remained silent.

He recalled his agricultural school teacher saying that the annual precipitation in the Xihai Gu region is less than 300 millimeters, while the evaporation rate is ten times that of the precipitation, making the ecological environment extremely fragile.

The relocation of villagers to new villages was, in reality, a last resort.

“Dad, we have to move, no matter how hard it is. Look at our village, it suffers from drought nine out of ten years. Girls are willing to get married just for a water cellar... How much longer will we have to live like this?”

Ma Hanshui stopped talking and just took a deep drag on his cigarette.

In the darkness, the fire in the pipe flickered on and off.

"You know Shuihua is getting married, right?" Ma Hanshui suddenly asked.

Ma Defu stiffened: "Hmm."

"Uncomfortable?"

"...kind of."

Ma Hanshui sighed, "Kid! There are some things in this world that you can't change just because you're right. Shuihua has a hard life, but the Su family boy seems reliable, better than An Yongfu."

Ma Defu did not respond.

He looked up at the starry sky and remembered the nights he and Shuihua would lie on the haystacks and watch the stars when he was a child.

At that time, they believed that the future held endless possibilities.

Early the next morning, Ma Hanshui took a tin megaphone and started shouting throughout the village: "Attention all villagers! There will be a meeting at the threshing ground at 10:00 AM today! County leaders will be coming to talk about the relocation and resettlement policy. Every household must send someone!"

After shouting all the way home, Ma Hanshui's face was even more grim: "Defu, your brother is missing! His mother said he left a note saying he was going to Yinchuan to work!"

Before Ma Defu could react, Teacher Bai rushed over: "Call Shui Ge! My wheat seedlings are gone too! And Ga Wa and Shui Wang, I heard they went with De Bao!"

"Those little brats!" Ma Hanshui stomped his feet in anger. "Why did they have to pick this time of year!"

Soon, the parents of the children gathered at Ma Hanshui's house. The women were crying anxiously, while the men were clamoring to organize a search party.

Zhang Shucheng stood to one side, his brows furrowed...

The village meeting hadn't even started when this incident happened.

Ma Defu suddenly realized something: "Could they be going to find Shuihua? I saw Shuihua riding a donkey out of the village yesterday..."

Teacher Bai slapped her thigh suddenly: "Yes, yes, yes! Mai Miao has been going to Shui Hua to learn embroidery lately!"

Ma Hanshui made a quick decision: "Defu, you ride your bicycle along the railway towards Yinchuan! The rest of you, split up and search the nearby ravines! Director Zhang, is the meeting still going to proceed?"

Zhang Shucheng pondered for a moment: "Let's go! The children's matter is important, but the immigration work can't be delayed. Here's what we'll do: Director Ma, you take some people to find the children first, and Xiao Ma and I will go to the meeting."

Ma Hanshui hesitated for a moment, then nodded and hurriedly organized his men to leave.

Ma Defu was about to leave with his bicycle when he saw Shui Hua rushing over.

“Brother Defu!” Shuihua gasped for breath, “Maimiao and the others… they came to me, saying they wanted to go to Yinchuan to work together. I couldn’t dissuade them, so… I gave them some dry food and money…”

Ma Defu's heart tightened: "How long have they been walking? Which direction are they going?"

"They left before dawn, saying they were going to walk along the railway to Qingtongxia and then catch a bus to Yinchuan." Shuihua bit her lip. "I wanted to tell Uncle Ma, but they begged me to keep it a secret..."

Without saying a word, Ma Defu hopped on his bicycle and sped off.

Zhang Shucheng's voice came from behind: "Xiao Ma! What about the conference?"

"You go ahead and preside! I'll come back as soon as I catch the child!" Ma Defu shouted without turning his head.

"Alright."

……

The bicycle bumped along the rugged mountain road, and Ma Defu's heart was pounding with anxiety.

He thought of his younger brother, Debao, who was only sixteen, and Mai Miao, who was Teacher Bai's only daughter. What if something happened to these children...

And then there's Shuihua, who could have escaped with the children, but chose to stay and fulfill her marriage vows.

This realization left Ma Defu with mixed feelings.

In the distance, a train slowly passed by, its whistle blaring.

Ma Defu pedaled the bicycle with all his might, his shirt soaked with sweat.

He didn't know if he could catch up with those children who harbored dreams, nor what kind of future awaited them. Just as he didn't know where this relocation program, which changed the fate of Xihai Gu, would ultimately lead his hometown.

The wheels rolled on, kicking up a trail of dust.

In the spring of 1991, the wind in Yongquan Village was quietly changing direction.

……

As the sun sets, it turns the wheat field in Yongquan Village orange-red.

Ma Defu stood alone beside the haystack, his fingers unconsciously stroking a shriveled ear of wheat.

This is the stack of wheat that he and Shuihua built together last year. The wheat is still there, but the people are about to leave.

"Brother Defu, after you go to the agricultural school and learn some skills, come back and help our village get out of poverty, okay?" In my memory, Shuihua's voice was as clear as a bell. She always wore two braids and her eyes were as bright as the stars in the sky.

Ma Defu gripped the wheat stalks tightly, the awns piercing his palms, but the slight pain paled in comparison to the anguish in his heart.

He knew that Shuihua's wedding was scheduled for the sixth day of next month, and the Su family had already started digging the third water cellar.

“Three mouths…” Ma Defu gave a bitter laugh.

How ironic! His beloved girl was worth only three water cellars, a donkey, and five hundred dollars.

This number will be talked about in Yongquan Village for many years to come...

Look! How valuable the Li family's girl is!

"May you be blessed!"

His father's voice came from afar. Ma Defu quickly wiped his face and stuffed the wheat ears into his pocket.

Ma Hanshui walked over carrying a shovel, his trousers covered in mud: "I've been looking for you for ages! Director Zhang said he's going to Li Dayou's house tomorrow to do some work, and he wants you to get ready."

"Understood." Ma Defu's voice was dry.

Ma Hanshui squinted at his son and asked, "Still thinking about Shuihua?"

"No." Ma Defu turned his face away.

"Hmph! You're my son, you know exactly what you're doing." Ma Hanshui slammed the shovel on the ground. "Give up on this idea now! They've already given the betrothal gifts and set the wedding date. It's no use regretting it now!"

Ma Defu turned around abruptly: "Dad! Shuihua is only nineteen! She's educated, she can do accounts, she could have had a much brighter future! All because her father coveted those few water cellars..."

"So what?" Ma Hanshui interrupted him. "Aren't all the girls in Xihai Gu like this? Do you think they're all like city girls, falling in love and strolling under the moon? It's a miracle they're even alive!"

“But this is a marriage of convenience! The People’s Republic of China has been established for so many years, and they’re still doing this kind of thing!” Ma Defu’s voice trembled. “If only you had agreed to let Shuihua take the high school entrance exam back then…”

Ma Hanshui's face darkened: "Bullshit! What does it have to do with me if her father doesn't agree? Besides, you think you're so great just because you got into an agricultural school? With a monthly salary of forty-two yuan and fifty cents, how are you going to support her? The Su family boy can give her three water cellars and a donkey, what can you give her?"

Every word felt like a knife stabbing into Ma Defu's heart.

He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

Yes! What does he have?
A recent graduate from an agricultural school, a temporary clerk on loan, even his bicycle was provided by the government.

“Defu, listen to your father’s advice.” Ma Hanshui’s tone softened. “What you need to do now is to do a good job with the immigration work and make a good impression on the leaders. Once you get a permanent position, I’ll ask someone to help you find a better one.”

Ma Defu did not answer and walked straight to the village entrance.

He needs some peace and quiet, and he needs to get away from these suffocating words.

Under the old locust tree at the village entrance, several elderly people were enjoying the cool shade.

Ma Defu wanted to take a detour, but he overheard them talking amongst themselves.

"The Su family really went all out this time; I heard that the water cellar they dug is huge and deep..."

"Old Li got a good deal. With his gambling addiction, how could his daughter fetch such a price..."

"To be honest, Shuihua is a really good girl, hardworking and sensible, it's a pity..."

Ma Defu quickened his pace, almost running.

He didn't understand why everyone thought it was normal.
Why doesn't anyone think about the impact of the water splash?

She is not an object; she should not be traded like this!
Unbeknownst to him, he had arrived at the west end of the village.

There's a newly dug pit here, with piles of blue bricks and cement next to it...

The Su family is digging a water cellar.

Ma Defu stood at the edge of the pit, looking at the section that had already been built, and felt a tightness in his chest.

This is the price of buying away the splash: a few cold brick walls.

"Brother Defu?"

The familiar voice sent a shiver down Ma Defu's spine.

He slowly turned around and saw Shuihua standing not far away, holding a bamboo basket in her hand.

She was wearing a faded blue cotton dress, her hair simply tied back, and she looked much thinner than I remembered.

"You... came to see the water cellar?" Shuihua asked softly, her eyes darting around.

Ma Defu wanted to say something, but his throat felt like it was blocked by something.

He could only nod.

Shuihua took a few steps closer, but didn't look at the water cellar: "Brother Ning said that after we get married, he'll teach me how to keep accounts and help him manage the brick kiln's ledgers..."

“Pretty good,” Ma Defu managed to squeeze out. He noticed a barely perceptible smile on Shui Hua’s lips when she called him “Brother Ning.”

This discovery was heartbreaking for him.

"Any news about Debao and the others?" Shuihua changed the subject.

"Not yet." Ma Defu took a deep breath. "I'm going to catch up with them tomorrow."

Shuihua nodded: "Maimiao is very sensible and will take good care of them."

She hesitated for a moment, then took a cloth bag from the basket. "These are the pancakes I made. Take them with you on the way."

Ma Defu took the hand, and when his fingertips accidentally touched the water, both of them flinched as if they had been burned.

"Thank you," Ma Defu said softly. "Take care."

Shuihua hummed in agreement, turned to leave, then stopped: "Brother Defu, will things really get better in Diaozhuang?"

Ma Defu paused for a moment, then nodded firmly: "Yes! The government is drilling wells and connecting electricity, and will also build schools and hospitals in the future. Although it's tough now, the future is bright..."

"That's good." Shuihua interrupted him, revealing a faint smile. "I believe you can definitely lead everyone to a better life."

After saying that, she quickly left, her figure appearing particularly slender in the setting sun.

Ma Defu stood there, looking at the pancake in his hand, and suddenly felt incredibly lonely.

……

As night fell, Ma Defu found himself at Teacher Bai's house, almost as if possessed.

Teacher Bai was one of the few literate people in the village, and he was also the mentor who taught him and Shuihua to read back then.

"I knew you'd come," said Ms. Bai, who was grading homework without looking up. "Have a seat! There's tea in the pot."

Ma Defu sat down silently and poured himself a cup of tea.

The tea had gone cold and tasted bitter and astringent.

"Did you see any splashes of water?" Teacher Bai asked.

"Ah."

"What did you say?"

“She didn’t say anything.” Ma Defu stared at his teacup. “She made me a pancake.”

Teacher Bai finally put down his pen, took off his reading glasses, and rubbed his eyes: "Defu! Do you know why I valued you and Shuihua so much back then?"

Ma Defu shook his head.

“Because you two are the smartest children in the village.” Teacher Bai sighed. “If Shuihua could continue her studies, her achievements would be no less than yours. What a pity…”

Ma Defu clenched his fist: "Teacher Bai, do you think I should...?"

“No, you shouldn’t.” Teacher Bai seemed to know what he was going to ask. “Shuihua has already made her choice, and you should respect her decision.”

"But that was forced!"

"Really?" Teacher Bai looked at him meaningfully. "You really think Shuihua was forced? Don't you know how stubborn that girl is? If she really didn't want to, not even ten donkeys could pull her."

Ma Defu was struck dumb.

Yes! Shuihua has never been one to passively accept things as they are.

During that year of drought, she would rather go hungry than not share her food rations with the neighbor's children; her father wouldn't let her go to school, so she secretly followed Teacher Bai to learn...

“De Fu, actually, that kid Su Ning is not simple.” Teacher Bai continued, “The day he came to propose marriage, he specifically asked me what kind of books Shui Hua liked to read. After the marriage, he said he would teach her bookkeeping and that he would send her to the county to study accounting in the future.”

Ma Defu felt a tightness in his chest.

These were things he was supposed to do for Shuihua...

“Defu, you think you love Shuihua, but actually you love the version of yourself that can take her out of the mountains.” Teacher Bai hit the nail on the head. “Now someone has fulfilled that promise for you, and you can’t accept it.”

"Moreover, Suning understands Shuihua better than you do. He knows what Shuihua really needs, and the things he does make Shuihua feel respected."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Ma Defu's head.

He opened his mouth, but couldn't find a rebuttal.

After leaving Teacher Bai's house, Ma Defu climbed the loess slope behind the village alone.

The night breeze was cool, dispelling some of the heat.

In the distance, lights were on in the Su family's courtyard, and shadowy figures could be vaguely seen moving about.

Further away lies the vast Gobi Desert, the direction of Diaozhuang, the place where he will strive in the future.

Ma Defu took the shriveled ear of wheat out of his pocket, looked at it for a long time, and then tossed it into the wind.

The ears of wheat traced an arc in the air before disappearing into the night.

Tomorrow, he's going to find Debao and the others to complete the immigration process and start a new life.

As for the splash...

He will keep a corner for her in his heart, but he will no longer let this feeling hinder his progress.

The moonlight spilled across the Loess Plateau, casting long, long shadows of loneliness.

For the first time, 22-year-old Ma Defu realized that growing up could be so painful.

In fact, Su Ning naturally knew that the male protagonist Ma Defu and Li Shuihua were childhood sweethearts and first loves, but she didn't care about it.

The quality of a good woman like Li Shuihua is that she is loyal to her husband and would not do anything foolish like reminiscing about her first love.

Even when An Yongfu was paralyzed on one side, Li Shuihua remained devoted and had no regrets.

There was no improper conduct between them and Ma Defu, otherwise Suning wouldn't have snatched him away right away.

...(End of chapter)