As Su Fu walked down the mountain, it was just when the morning work shift ended — the gong rang loudly clang clang.
“Su-Su!”
Only one person called her that — Li Mingyu, the educated youth sent to the countryside last year.
The two had previously been involved in some unspoken transactions, so Su Fu was always polite toward her client.
“Li-Li, someone targeting you again?”
Li Mingyu looked annoyed.“I don’t understand. There are so many educated youths who came down together — why do they only pick on me?”
Su Fu thought: Because you look rich, naive, and easy to bully — who else would they target?
“Don’t be afraid. Su Fufu will escort and protect you.”
Li Mingyu was very touched. The luckiest thing since coming to the countryside was meeting Su Fu.
“It’s that educated youth from the same batch as me — tall like a bamboo pole, tiny eyes, wears glasses.”
“He actually told people I used to be his girlfriend, and I came to the countryside because we had a lovers’ quarrel!”
Li Mingyu was truly angry. They were from the same city but had never known each other before.
If village kids hadn’t told her today, she would still be kept in the dark.
Su Fu understood.“Does he often start conversations with you, and after you scold him he shakes his head and smiles helplessly?”
Li Mingyu nodded rapidly.“Yes! I’ve never seen someone so shameless!”
Seeing her face red with anger, Su Fu became more serious.
After all, the money she invested in Wang Mazi was earned from this girl.
“Do you want to handle it yourself or should I step in?Self-service: ten yuan.Me doing it: five yuan.”
Li Mingyu looked moved — last year Su Fu would ask fifty or a hundred.
Now that they were familiar, she cut the price tenfold!
“Su-Su… can I really do it myself?”
She lacked confidence — she cried after just a few arguing sentences and had no presence.
Su Fu sighed and patted her shoulder earnestly.
“Li-Li, you have to learn to grow. I can’t help you forever.”
Li Mingyu’s heart tightened.“You found a job?”
Su Fu shook her head.“I’m getting married.”
Better to tell her early so the big client would be mentally prepared.
Seeing Li Mingyu frown, she added:
“If something happens you can’t solve later, go find Wang Mazi.”
Li Mingyu’s eyes filled with tears.“Su-Su… do you think I shouldn’t have come to the countryside?”
Su Fu comforted her.“Going or not wasn’t your choice. Work hard and try to return to the city soon.”
Tears fell one by one.“I could decide. You know my family is well-off.”
Su Fu: “?? Then why suffer here?”
Cannot understand. Cannot respect. Extremely jealous!!!
Li Mingyu didn’t answer on the road. She pulled Su Fu into a small grove, sat on a clean patch of ground.
“My family arranged a marriage since childhood. I heard that person is sickly, does nothing all day — clothes handed to him, food brought to his mouth.
I don’t want to marry someone like that.
I want someone with the same ideals, to contribute to the vast world — so I secretly went to the countryside.
My parents were furious. This year I’ve lived off my brothers’ support.”
Su Fu’s eyes turned red.
So many lucky people — why not me too!!!Blind heavens!!!
“Su-Su? What’s wrong?” Li Mingyu shook her hand gently.
Su Fu wiped imaginary tears.“Nothing. Continue.”
Li Mingyu propped her chin.
“But I didn’t expect rural life to be so hard, and I didn’t find anyone like-minded.
My brother wants me to apologize and go back to marry obediently — but I don’t want to.”
She looked at Su Fu.
“Su-Su, can you understand me?”
Su Fu could not.
She dreamed of someone paving her road so she wouldn’t have to struggle.
Maybe if her parents were alive, she would understand.
“Honestly, I’m jealous of you.”
Li Mingyu sighed.“Many people say that. Did I do something wrong?”
Her once delicate hands were now full of calluses.
Her skin had darkened, her clothes no longer bright.
Su Fu didn’t know how to respond.
“You’re not exactly wrong… at least you gained something, right?”
(Still jealous…)
Li Mingyu brightened.“I did! I’m not picky about food anymore, and I gained you as a friend!”
She held Su Fu’s hand, brows tightening as if making a decision.
“Su-Su — come back to the city with me and help me deal with my arranged fiancé!”
Su Fu: “?? Sis, don’t joke.”
Li Mingyu firmly said:
“Two hundred yuan. Deal?”
Su Fu:“DEAL!!”
Not doing it would be stupid — two hundred yuan was nearly a year’s wage for a worker!
Anyone refusing would be an idiot!!
Su Fu looked at her like a reborn parent.
“Li-Li, you’re amazing~”
Li Mingyu waved her hand.“You don’t need to persuade my parents. Just make that sickly guy cancel the engagement himself.”
“He doesn’t really want to marry me either, but he’s lazy — with me around he avoids trouble, so he keeps dragging it out.”
Su Fu asked,“You never met him?”
Li Mingyu:“Only when we were kids. I remember he had very pale skin… delicate like a weak willow. Prettier than me.”
Su Fu examined her — red lips, white teeth, pitifully charming.
Prettier than her? How pretty would that be?
Curious but professional, she asked carefully:
“What if you meet him and actually click?”
Li Mingyu blushed slightly.
“I don’t like pale types. Have you seen The Red Detachment of Women? I like the Hong Changqing type.”
Su Fu had seen it — Hong Changqing definitely wasn’t delicate.
“Still, look first. If you fall for him, I charge half.”
Li Mingyu was pleased — Su Su always worked cautiously.
“Deal. Now come to town with me to make a call — and eat something good. My treat!”
Su Fu’s heart bloomed.
“Let’s go!!”
They followed proper procedure and first went to ask leave from team leader Li Youcai.
Seeing Li Mingyu hanging around Su Fu again, Li Youcai’s eyelid twitched.
He wanted to warn her — but couldn’t badmouth someone in front of them.
“Educated Youth Li… you…”