Daylight of the next morning came faintly, carrying the fresh scent of spring grass.
Ruan Liuzheng packed all her belongings and stored them in her space.
She left the house carrying only an empty bag, pretending it was full.
The “gift” she left for Shen Rongrong.
She believed Shen Rongrong would soon feel the aftereffects.
Just after leaving, she ran into Aunt Xu at the alley entrance again.
The woman looked at her in surprise.
“Zhengzheng, where are you going?”
Ruan Liuzheng put on a tearful expression.
“Auntie, I… I’m going to the countryside.”
Aunt Xu froze. “The countryside? No, girl, didn’t you already have a job?”
Ruan Liuzheng’s tears fell even harder. “Auntie, I… I’m going to be late. I… I have to go first.”
Aunt Xu immediately began to imagine things.
The Shen family is inhuman!!!
Bullying her like this!!
Yesterday the girl had just fought with them, and today they’re already forcing her out of the house.
And it clearly wasn’t something arranged overnight—signing up to go to the countryside takes several days!
She quickly grabbed her little stool and melon seeds and went off to spread rumors.
In no time, eighteen versions of the story were circulating.
Ruan Liuzheng knew very well Aunt Xu’s “skills.”
Sometimes, this kind of bad reputation could make life worse than death.
She walked briskly to mail a letter.
Then she made a trip to the state cotton factory.
Qi Zhengtou was already waiting for her.
At the same time, another middle-aged woman was also eagerly waiting.
Before the discussion began, Qi Zhengtou pulled her aside to confirm again.
“Zheng? Are you sure you want to sell it? Once it’s sold, you won’t be able to take it back…”
Ruan Liuzheng’s eyes were red, but she still nodded firmly.
“Uncle Qi, I’ve made up my mind.”
Qi Zhengtou sighed. “Since that’s the case, this Comrade Sun is a clerk in our publicity department. Her daughter just graduated from high school and wants to buy a job.”
Comrade Sun said directly, “Comrade Ruan, we won’t waste words. We’re offering you 700 yuan, plus 30 industrial coupons, 30 chi of fabric coupons, and 5 jin of cotton.”
“Do you think that’s acceptable?”
Ruan Liuzheng was stunned.
This price and these rations far exceeded her expectations.
It was likely because of Qi Zhengtou’s influence that they were so generous.
Part of it was personal favor.
Ruan Liuzheng immediately showed joy and agreed without hesitation.
“No problem.”
After everything was handed over, Sun Guihua happily took the job certificate and left first.
Though slightly heartbroken, she had finally secured an iron rice bowl.
After she left, inside the office, Ruan Liuzheng gratefully bowed to Qi Zhengtou.
“Uncle Qi, thank you so much.”
Qi Zhengtou patted her shoulder with concern.
“Good girl, don’t say that. I understand everything. You must take care of yourself. If you need anything, write to me, send a telegram, or call.”
Finally, he handed her an envelope.
“This is a letter to Comrade Wu Jianguo, director of the publicity department at the Heihe state cotton factory. I’ve already called him. If you have any urgent matters, you can go to him for help.”
Ruan Liuzheng was deeply moved. She hadn’t expected Qi Zhengtou to plan so much for her.
After saying goodbye, Ruan Liuzheng went to the train station. The educated youth heading to the countryside had a special send-off ceremony.
Most others had people seeing them off.
Ruan Liuzheng, however, looked a bit out of place.
Not only because she was alone, but also because she was too striking.
The big red flower on her chest didn’t make her look gaudy; instead, it only enhanced her breathtaking beauty.
They finally understood what it meant to be “a beauty that outshines flowers.”
Some people secretly watched her while wiping away tears.
After a while, the train’s whistle sounded—wooing as it entered the station.
Ruan Liuzheng was the first to carry her large bag and climb onto the train.
The educated youth carriages were assigned, and so were the seats.
Everyone took their places according to the arrangement.
Once they were seated, the train slowly started moving.
Outside the window, people wiping their tears and running along gradually fell farther and farther away.
They were all people reluctant to say goodbye.
Ruan Liuzheng closed her eyes.
She comforted herself inwardly.
The past and everything before had scattered away; from this moment on, she would step onto a new path.
Others were heading to build the country, but she was heading toward survival.
It was bitter, yet not entirely bitter.
At least in this life, this body was healthy.
That alone could be considered a gain.
Life itself was precious.
The train rumbled forward with a steady clatter, and before long, Ruan Liuzheng fell into a light sleep.
Because the entire carriage was filled with educated youth, she wasn’t worried about human traffickers.
Many people looked at her and felt a bit frustrated—this female educated youth seemed a little carefree.
But she was truly beautiful.
From time to time, people would sneak glances at her.
Even when sleeping, beautiful people looked beautiful.
After a long while, Ruan Liuzheng woke up with a strong urge to urinate.
Frowning slightly, she leaned toward the female educated youth beside her and spoke softly.
“Comrade, I want to go to the restroom. Can you help me watch my luggage?”
The girl with two braided pigtails was dazzled by her smile and nodded in a daze.
Ruan Liuzheng gratefully bowed and headed toward the restroom with her small bag.
Her luck was decent—there was no one there.
But the moment she opened the door, she almost blinded herself.
It was really filthy.
She nearly threw up.
If she had a choice, she would rather hold it in.
But holding urine is bad for the kidneys, and anything harmful to the body must absolutely not be done.
However, she didn’t enter her space, because people in every era had sharp minds—someone might secretly be watching from somewhere.
So she remained extremely cautious. She absolutely could not risk being turned into a research specimen.
She could only pinch her nose and finish, and just as she opened the door—
Suddenly, a figure rushed forward and slammed her against the carriage wall.
A sharp pain made her eyes redden.
This body was delicate and tender; it was definitely going to bruise.
In the narrow space, her entire body was pressed against the man, her face buried in his chest. A strong masculine aura surrounded her.
Ruan Liuzheng couldn’t help but tremble slightly and raised her hand to push him away.
But his chest felt as hard as stone.
“Move aside,” she said.
Her voice was already soft and delicate, and now, whether from anger or urgency, it had turned slightly hoarse—like a tiny hook that tugged at one’s heart.
“Don’t move,” the man said in a low, magnetic voice, carrying a hint of coldness.
He only felt that the woman in his arms was too soft, like she had no bones at all.
Even her voice was boneless, making one feel an itch deep inside.
It made his body unconsciously tense.
Their breathing was almost touching; the atmosphere turned intensely ambiguous.
Finally, a rustling sound of footsteps faded away.
The man swiftly pushed Ruan Liuzheng away, as if she were poisonous.
He lowered his head and quickly said, “Sorry. On duty. I offended you.”
Before Ruan Liuzheng could even react, the man had already left.
All that remained was his tall, long-legged figure disappearing into the distance.
Good grief, what kind of person was that!
Just as she was about to curse him in frustration, she heard someone shout:
“Xie Jinghuai, come over here!”