Just as Hu Qiugui was about to say something more, Cheng Airong immediately grabbed her and slapped her across the face.
“Shut up! Can’t you see you’ve made Mother this upset? Get back to the house and reflect on yourself!”
He then turned to his father, “Father, I’ll go discipline her now. Please don’t be angry, you and Mother. If you fall ill from this, it would be my failing as a son.”
With that, he glanced at Tan Yandong and dragged Hu Qiugui back to their room.
Seeing the matter end so abruptly, the third branch could only turn and go back to their own room as well.
Only Old Man Cheng, the eldest branch’s father and two sons, Cheng Baole, and Tan Yandong remained. Zhang Xiu had already clutched her chest, complaining of pain, and had Feng Taohua help her inside.
Cheng Aiwen felt resentful toward Tan Yandong for causing such unrest in the household. However, thinking about what Tan Yandong had just said, he swallowed his anger.
He simply patted Tan Yandong on the shoulder and said directly, “I think we should hold your and Baole’s wedding in a few days. That way, this girl will stop crying in front of me.”
Tan Yandong’s eyelids flickered at these words, but he obediently nodded in agreement.
Seeing Tan Yandong nod, two blushes rose on Cheng Baole’s cheeks. She cast a shy glance at him, but inside, she was overjoyed.
Brother Yandong was finally hers!
…
“What did you say? Tian Baozhu rented a house from the village and moved into that rundown shack at the foot of the mountain?”
Ma Zhenzhen’s face was full of disbelief as she listened to Chen Jianshe.
But Chen Jianshe replied with an envious look, “What rundown shack? Tian Baozhu had the village help renovate it. They even rebuilt the collapsed parts.”
Liu Qiuhua felt a mix of hatred and jealousy upon hearing this.
“Who knows where she got the money to fix up the house? Probably the betrothal gift from that vagrant who saved her, I bet.”
Chen Jianshe scratched his head hesitantly. “But didn’t Tan Yandong say he was going to repay Tian Baozhu the money and ration tickets?”
“Tan Yandong only paid her back twenty yuan! Besides, she left our educated youth spot before he even repaid her. And you said yourself, she had that house fixed up, but could anyone live there? Who knows where she’s been staying these past few days.”
Liu Qiuhua snapped back irritably.
As soon as she finished speaking, the entire educated youth spot fell silent.
Liu Qiuhua thought everyone was targeting her and was about to start yelling when she saw Tan Yandong standing at the door with a gloomy expression.
Startled, she took several steps back, her guilty conscience preventing her from looking at him.
Tan Yandong had already endured a litany of disparaging remarks at Brigade Leader Cheng’s house. He hadn’t expected to return to the educated youth spot and hear Liu Qiuhua talking like this. Fury and resentment welled up inside him, but he took a deep breath and forced a strained smile as he addressed the group.
“In two days, Baole and I are getting married. Remember to come for the meal.”
If he had his way, he wouldn’t invite them at all.
But if he and Baole got married and no one showed up, he’d look unpopular and without support. Wouldn’t the Cheng family look down on him then?
Slowly exhaling, the expression on his face softened.
“Ah, Tan Yandong, are you really marrying the brigade leader’s daughter?” Ma Zhenzhen asked, her face full of shock.
After all, since Educated Youth Tan had arrived in the countryside, they had all gotten the impression that he came from a well-connected family.
He was good-looking and treated people gently.
Most importantly, they had all taken the college entrance exams this time. If they passed, they could go to university in the city.
This was something unimaginable just a few years ago, unless someone was seriously ill or their family arranged a job for them to return to the city.
Although the acceptance letters hadn’t arrived yet, and no one knew who among those who took the exam would pass, even if the chances were slim, it was still an opportunity!
Once Tan Yandong married Cheng Baole, he would truly be rooted in the countryside.
If he passed the exam, it would be difficult to go to university if the brigade leader’s family objected. And even if they let him go, how embarrassing would it be for an intellectual to have a rural wife?
However, Ma Zhenzhen only dared to think these thoughts and didn’t voice them. Everyone knew Tan Yandong was dating Cheng Baole. If she said such things in front of everyone and word got back to the brigade leader, she’d be in for trouble.
“Yes, Baole and I are truly becoming partners. Mainly, it’s to prevent any more schemes from cropping up.”
Tan Yandong explained smoothly, casually hinting at an explanation. He framed Tian Baozhu’s recent actions in a suggestive light.
Upon hearing this, the others had an epiphany. They had been wondering how Tian Baozhu, who had been so devoted to Tan Yandong since coming to the countryside, could change so suddenly. It seemed she had simply changed tactics, using the demand for repayment to pressure Tan Yandong into being with her.
….
Back at her house, Tian Baozhu suddenly sneezed several times. She rubbed her nose; she didn’t feel like she had a cold.
She couldn’t help but mutter to herself, wondering if someone was gossiping about her behind her back.
…
Xie Zhong had been distracted all day after going up the mountain.
Usually, he wouldn’t come down until nearly evening, but today he hastily caught two rabbits, cut some firewood, and descended early.
As he passed by Tian Baozhu’s house, he couldn’t help but pause, hesitating whether to knock.
Just as he lowered his head, unsure, the gate creaked open.
“I had a feeling someone was outside. Xiao Xie, why didn’t you call me when you came down?
Here, this is a thank-you gift for the pheasant you gave me yesterday.
Wild game in the mountains isn’t easy to catch. From now on, if you catch any, you should keep it for yourself!”
Tian Baozhu stuffed the wrapped buns directly into Xie Zhong’s hands, smiling sweetly.
Xie Zhong felt the still-warm temperature in his hands. Though wrapped in oil paper, he could faintly smell the aroma of the buns wafting from them, and he was momentarily stunned.
This was the first time someone had ever given him something.
Most people in the village, while not exactly bullying him, kept their distance and didn’t talk to him. Aside from Lin Laojiu and Xiaohe, he hardly spoke to anyone in the village either.
Uncle Liu looked out for him out of respect for his grandfather, but even then, Xie Zhong tried to keep conversation minimal to avoid giving others an excuse to attack Uncle Liu.
After all, his grandfather’s class status was considered a rich peasant. And he himself was the “son of a landlord’s dog.”
“I… I don’t want it.”
When Xie Zhong had addressed Secretary Liu earlier, Tian Baozhu hadn’t paid much attention. But this time, although his voice wasn’t loud, his words clearly reached her ears.
Oh my, she thought, not only was Xiao Xie good-looking, but his voice was also so pleasant—it felt like her ears were going to get pregnant.