Wild Child at 18: He Daniuniu Charges into the 1970s

He Daniuniu was famous in the tough-girl crowd for being able to scarf down eight steamed buns in one meal.

In her nineteen years, she had learned only three things: how to fight, how to eat, and how to fight anyone who wouldn’t give in.

One day, a heavy old bicycle ran her over.

When she opened her eyes again, she had transmigrated into a rural sent-down youth in the 1970s who shared her name.

Good grief, why did everyone in this era talk in such roundabout ways?

She usually didn’t go looking for trouble, but if anyone provoked her, they’d better hit their knees fast.

In the neighboring village, a fake innocent flower played the victim every day to win sympathy and even stole her spot on the list to return to the city.

He Daniuniu hoisted her hoe and marched over. “I hear you’re trying to mess with me?”

The fake innocent flower burst into tears, looking as delicate as a pear blossom in the rain.

Later, He Daniuniu discovered that this godforsaken place had arranged child betrothals, and her match was a cold-faced, high-ranking official’s son.

The first time they met, she had just finished a fight. Her face was covered in dust, and she was holding half a chicken leg she hadn’t finished gnawing on.

“You’re He Daniuniu?” The man frowned.

She wiped her mouth. “You’re my man?”

The man said, “...I don’t agree.”

He Daniuniu said, “Oh. Then I’ll eat first.”

Later...

The high-ranking official’s son learned to squat by the village entrance and eat from the communal pot. Beneath his shirt, he got a crooked tattoo that read: “Daniuniu’s exclusive property.”

Someone asked He Daniuniu, “Didn’t your man disagree at first?”

He Daniuniu thought about it. “He said I was too strong and he was afraid I’d tear down his family’s house.”

“What about now?”

“Now? He can’t wait for me to tear it down. He says he’ll build a bigger one, so I can scarf down two more bowls.”

She met strength with strength and weakness with weakness. The one thing that never changed: she was always eating.