"Comrade Liu Cuizhi, were you looking for me?"
He Tiantian wrung out the towel and wiped the water off her face and arms.
She casually flung the water from the enamel washbasin into the yard, hung the towel over the rim, set the basin on the ground, and walked slowly toward Liu Cuizhi.
"He, Educated Youth Heh, I already said last time, don't call me comrade, it feels too distant. We're all from the same production brigade, just call me by my name."
Enduring her shyness, Liu Cuizhi still voiced her thoughts.
She absolutely didn't want to be so distant from Brother Heh. First they'd call each other by name, and then, and then—
"Alright, Comrade Cuizhi!"
He Tiantian good‑naturedly went along with Liu Cuizhi's words, dropping the surname but still calling her comrade.
However, her tone was relaxed, even carrying a hint of joking.
