Over the next few days, nothing unexpected happened.
Everyone became dusty and travel-worn. Ye Qinglan bathed inside her space, but she deliberately didn’t wash her hair. Otherwise, it would look too unusual.
The boys, on the other hand, washed their hair with cold water. Since the weather was hot, it dried naturally in the breeze.
“Attention, passengers. We are about to arrive at the final station. Please check all your luggage carefully and make sure you leave nothing behind.”
The announcement repeated several times over the loudspeaker.
Ye Qinglan and Tan Siyu had just come back from the restroom. Hearing the announcement, they hurried back to their compartment, quickly packed their belongings, and squeezed off the train with the crowd once it came to a complete stop.
Ye Qinglan didn’t have much luggage. Tan Siyu had the boys helping her, so the group moved quickly.
At the station exit, many people were waiting. Some held signs with the words Educated Youths written on them.
“Those assigned to Chaoyang Commune, please wait here. We’ll begin roll call shortly to verify everyone’s identity before departure,” said a man who looked like a local official.
Ye Qinglan spotted Ye Bailian.
Several young men were gathered around her, which she found rather amusing.
Soon, no more passengers came out of the station, and the man began calling names.
“Zhang Jianshe, Gao Zhiguo, Ma Haifeng, Xu Guoping, Li Na, Han Fang, Zhao Lu—you are assigned to Team One of Chaoyang Commune.”
“Zhu Guohua, Ran Xiangrong, Cao Aijun, Xu Yan, Zhao Weimin, Tan Siyu, Ye Qinglan, and Ye Bailian—you are assigned to Team Two of Chaoyang Commune.”
…
“I’m the production team leader of Team Two. Everyone, follow me.”
A burly middle-aged man spoke.
Outside, a tractor was waiting.
Two men stood beside it. One of them was exceptionally handsome. At a glance, anyone could tell he was a soldier. Dressed in military uniform, he stood with perfect posture.
“Beihan, how long will you be staying this time?” the team leader asked.
“Uncle, I have a month’s leave this time.”
After answering, Zhou Beihan glanced at Ye Qinglan.
His superior had given him leave specifically to settle down and get married.
The moment Zhou Beihan saw Ye Qinglan, it was love at first sight.
The young woman was beautiful and stood out effortlessly among the crowd.
He had never seriously considered marriage before.
Now, for the first time, he wanted it.
Ye Qinglan secretly glanced at Zhou Beihan.
He was extremely handsome and exactly her type.
If the opportunity came, she wouldn’t mind developing a relationship with him.
Of course, Zhou Beihan noticed her sneaking glances at him.
The corners of his lips lifted slightly.
He restrained himself.
He couldn’t scare her away.
“Oh, right. My name is Zhou Jianguo, and this is my nephew, Zhou Beihan.”
After introducing them, he told everyone to climb onto the tractor.
Zhou Beihan climbed aboard first to help load the luggage.
The boys climbed up by themselves.
The girls needed someone to pull them up.
Ye Bailian immediately set her sights on Zhou Beihan.
She walked over and reached out her hand, hoping he would help her.
Instead, he stepped back and pulled someone else up.
Ye Qinglan burst into laughter when she saw it.
Zhou Beihan then reached out toward Ye Qinglan.
She happily placed her hand in his.
Her hand was soft, fair, and delicate.
Ye Bailian watched the scene with fury.
Ye Qinglan deliberately made a funny face at her.
Seeing that, Zhou Beihan thought she looked absolutely adorable.
“Sister, I thought you didn’t like country people,” Ye Bailian deliberately stirred up trouble.
“Ye Bailian, is there something wrong with your brain?
“We came to the countryside to help build rural communities. Our household registrations have already been transferred here, which means we’re country people now.
“Do you really think I’d look down on myself?”
Ye Qinglan replied impatiently.
“Well said, young lady,” the team leader said with a smile.
“My name is Ye Qinglan.
“She’s my stepsister, born from my father’s affair.
“My mother died during childbirth after being driven into despair by my stepmother.
“My father and stepmother had an affair that caused both my mother and unborn sibling to die.
“Later, someone reported them, and now they’ve been sent to labor reform in the Northwest.”
As she finished speaking, she took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
“Waaah… Sister… How could you tell everyone? How am I supposed to live after this?”
Ye Bailian had never expected Ye Qinglan to expose everything.
The young men around her immediately backed away.
Whatever favorable impression they had vanished instantly.
No one wanted to get entangled with her.
If they did, returning to the city in the future would become even more difficult.
“Wasn’t everything I said the truth?
“How do you still have the nerve to cry?”
Ye Qinglan asked, a mischievous smile appearing on her face.
Zhou Beihan found the young woman incredibly entertaining.
He felt life with her would surely be happy.
When he got home, he would talk to his mother.
He was certain she would like Ye Qinglan.
“Waaah…”
Ye Bailian cried even harder.
“Let’s go. We’re heading back to the village.”
The team leader disliked Ye Bailian but was very pleased with Ye Qinglan.
Watching his nephew’s eyes, he noticed they hadn’t left Ye Qinglan for even a second.
It looked like something good was about to happen.
As expected, experience spoke louder.
The team leader could tell at a glance that his nephew had completely fallen for the girl.
The young man driving the tractor was Zhou Kai, the team leader’s youngest son.
He looked energetic and capable.
Once the tractor started moving, everyone sat down.
Zhou Beihan sat directly across from Ye Qinglan.
He was the type of man who pursued what he wanted.
“Comrade Ye, do you have someone you’re seeing?” Zhou Beihan asked, blushing.
“No. I just graduated from high school.”
Ye Qinglan’s heart was racing as well.
“I’m twenty-three years old.
“I’m currently a battalion commander.
“Once we’re married, you can come live with me at the military base.
“I’d like to date you.”
Zhou Beihan always fought for what he wanted.
“I’m eighteen years old and just graduated from high school.
“I don’t have any family left.
“If we get married one day, will you treat me well?”
Ye Qinglan didn’t want to miss the chance to be with this man.
“I will.
“I swear I’ll treat you well for the rest of my life.”
Zhou Beihan was a man who always kept his word.
“I’ll agree to date you.
“But I don’t want to get married until two years from now.”
Ye Qinglan planned to marry when she turned twenty.
“That’s fine.
“I also need to return to my unit to submit my marriage application and apply for military housing.
“Can we get engaged first?”
Zhou Beihan was afraid someone else might steal her away.
“I don’t have any objections.
“But will your parents agree?”
Ye Qinglan couldn’t help thinking about the relationship between a daughter-in-law and her in-laws.
“As long as I’m willing to marry, they won’t object.”
Zhou Beihan answered with complete confidence.
Hearing all this, Ye Bailian cried even louder.
Everyone looked confused.
Only Ye Qinglan knew exactly why.
“Little Sister, save your crying for when your mother dies.
“It’s a bit too early to be mourning now.”
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone on the tractor burst into laughter.
The team leader liked Ye Qinglan’s sharp tongue.
A girl like her wouldn’t be easily bullied.
Besides, she looked perfect standing next to his nephew.
“Sister, you’re so vicious!”
Ye Bailian’s eyes were swollen from crying.
“Am I really more vicious than you?
“You secretly signed me up to be sent to the countryside.
“You tried to steal my job.
“You even wanted to kill me.
“You and your mother are the truly vicious ones.
“I almost died.
“So tell me—who’s the real villain here?”
The people riding the tractor were stunned.
Zhou Beihan felt even more heartbroken for the young woman.
He shot Ye Bailian with a fierce glare.
Frightened, she hugged her head and didn’t dare say another word.
Ye Bailian couldn’t refute anything.
Everything Ye Qinglan had said was true.
Even so, she still believed she had done nothing wrong.
After all, every person looked out for themselves.
At that moment, the tractor drove into the village.
It stopped in front of the educated youth residence, making it easier for everyone to unload their luggage.