The next day, Yao Sheng and Yao Hai set off with Yao Yunzhen and Yao Kemei.
Yao Sheng carried a bag of food ration in his hand—this was Yao Yunzhen’s portion.
As for Yao Kemei’s share, she had to carry it herself, as Yao Hai wouldn’t help her.
Originally, Yao Jigen was supposed to come along, but he was too mischievous and difficult to discipline. Tan Guihua, worried about adding to her daughter’s burden, stopped him from joining.
Because of this, Yao Hai found everything about Yao Kemei irritating, let alone taking care of her.
Yao Kemei didn’t mind; she was too preoccupied with her own frustrations.
She had waited outside for most of the previous night but never saw Li Yunqi emerge from the Educated Youth Center.
Even though she had written the letter so explicitly, and that despicable man Li Yunqi was clearly interested in Yao Yunzhen, why hadn’t he shown up?
Yes, Miao Cuilan’s guess was correct—she was the one who had written the letter.
Her plan was to lure Yao Yunzhen out once Li Yunqi appeared.
With Yao Yunzhen’s stunning, troublemaking looks, any man who saw her would be captivated.
Once the two had consummated their relationship, Yao Yunzhen would have no choice but to marry Li Yunqi.
As for the original marriage arrangement on Yao Yunzhen, it would naturally transfer to her.
In her previous life, that marriage arrangement had given Yao Yunzhen a comfortable life; this time, it should be her turn.
Yao Kemei had envisioned it all perfectly, but who knew Li Yunqi wouldn’t come!
All her careful scheming had been in vain.
Unaware that Li Yunqi had been beaten so badly he couldn’t get out of bed, she simply thought the man was utterly useless.
After being beaten, Li Yunqi had stayed in bed. When other Educated Youth asked him what happened, he refused to say, so they left him alone and didn’t spread the word, which kept the incident from getting out.
Anyuan County was over thirty kilometers from Baiyang Brigade, so the group had to first go to town to catch a bus to the county.
Fortunately, they started early, and the distance from Baiyang Brigade to town wasn’t far, so they arrived in the county just after eight o’clock.
After dropping off Yao Yunzhen and the other at Yao Liuzhi’s home, Yao Sheng and his brother gave a few brief instructions before hurriedly leaving with their brother-in-law Yu Chunlai.
Jobs were scarce nowadays, and even temporary positions like theirs—which only lasted a few months each year—were highly sought after. They couldn’t afford to be late.
Yu Chunlai, like Yao Sheng and his brother, worked at the brick and tile factory and held a minor leadership role, which was how he managed to secure two temporary positions for the Yao family.
However, due to insufficient connections, these temporary jobs were only available for a few months each year.
Yao Liuzhi also had a formal job—she worked at a biscuit factory. Since the biscuit factory was closer to the Yu family home, Yao Liuzhi didn’t need to rush and could leave a bit later.
Yao Liuzhi was delighted to see Yao Yunzhen and quickly greeted them, “Zhenzhen and little sister are here! Come inside quickly—Auntie will make you some malted milk extract.”
Yao Yunzhen smiled cheerfully, “Thank you, Auntie.”
Yao Kemei curled her lip.
Brown-noser.
“Hey, no need to thank me.”
Yao Liuzhi prepared a cup of malted milk extract for each of them.
“Have you eaten yet?”
“We’ve already eaten, Auntie.”
“Then have some snacks.”
Yao Liuzhi also brought out biscuits and candies, placing them on the table and urging the two to help themselves.
“Auntie, don’t trouble yourself. I’ve been here so many times—you don’t need to be so polite.”
Yao Yunzhen didn’t stand on ceremony and picked up a biscuit to munch on.
Yao Liuzhi chuckled, “Not that many times, less than once a month. I often ask your dad to bring you over, but he always makes excuses.”
By the end of her sentence, there was a hint of complaint in her tone.
Heaven knew how much she missed this fragrant, soft, and beautiful niece of hers. It was just a pity that her eldest brother guarded her so closely and rarely brought her out.
Yao Yunzhen defended Yao Hai, “My dad is just worried about troubling you too much.”
“What trouble could there be? I’d welcome you anytime.”
Yao Liuzhi checked the time, then reached into her pocket and gave each of them fifty cents and a food coupon.
“If you get bored, you can wander around nearby. If you’re hungry, go to the State-run Restaurant to buy something to eat. It’s a pity Xiao Feng and Xiao Wen are at school, otherwise I’d have them accompany you.”
Yu Feng and Yu Wen were Yao Liuzhi’s two sons, one 15 years old and in high school, the other 13 and in middle school.
“Alright, it’s about time. I’ll head to work now. If you two go out, remember to take the keys and be careful.”
“Got it, Auntie. Take care.”
Yao Liuzhi hurried off in her usual brisk manner.
Throughout this, Yao Kemei watched coldly. As soon as Yao Liuzhi left, she turned and went out herself.
She planned to change her name first, then check out the black market to see what she could do to earn money.
In this lifetime, she hadn’t been to the county much, but in her previous life, she had visited often—even going to the black market multiple times to buy meat for Li Yunqi. So now, Yao Kemei felt no fear, only confidence.
Yao Yunzhen couldn’t be bothered with where Yao Kemei was going. She was currently enjoying her snacks too much.
She didn’t get to come to the county often, and the snacks she bought last time had long been finished. Recently, she’d been eating porridge every day, and her mouth felt utterly bland.
She didn’t just crave snacks—she wanted meat too.
At the thought of meat, the biscuits in her hand suddenly lost their appeal.
She patted her pocket and, without much hesitation, stood up and headed out.
The compensation money Li Yunqi had given her wasn’t taken by Miao Cuilan or Yao Sheng; they let her keep it herself.
In their view, their daughter had truly been frightened, and this money was a form of comfort to help her feel better and less afraid.
So now, Yao Yunzhen was a little rich woman.
Having never been this wealthy before, Yao Yunzhen decided to treat herself to a meal at the State-run Restaurant to improve her life.
She wasn’t worried about not being able to finish the food. Although they had eaten in the morning, it was only porridge, and the journey to the county had worked up her appetite.
Yao Yunzhen found her way familiarly to the State-run Restaurant and ordered a portion of braised pork and a bowl of rice.
She would have liked to order more, but the meat coupon she had was just enough for one serving of braised pork.
This meat coupon had been secretly slipped to her by her father that morning.
The service at the State-run Restaurant wasn’t great, but it was efficient. Yao Yunzhen soon received her meal.
Carrying her bowl, she didn’t hesitate and headed straight for a corner, sitting with her back to the other customers.
Fortunately, it was already working hours, so there weren’t many people eating at the State-run Restaurant. Yao Yunzhen managed to have a table to herself.
The other customers could only see her back or her profile.
But a beauty is beautiful from any angle.
Someone sitting to Yao Yunzhen’s side happened to glance up and was immediately stunned.
Her profile was smooth and graceful, her nose delicate and straight, her lips tender and appealing…
She exuded a captivating charm from every angle.
In the slightly noisy restaurant, she seemed to form her own scenery.
“Hey, why aren’t you eating? What are you looking at…”
Beside Yao Yunzhen, her tablemate noticed their companion staring blankly in a certain direction. Not knowing what they were looking at, the tablemate also curiously glanced over and instantly fell into a daze as well.
Yao Yunzhen’s heart fluttered with panic, unconsciously speeding up her eating pace.
Previously, her family members had always accompanied her here. During meals, they would sit on either side to shield her from view. This was her first time coming to eat alone.
Who would have thought that even with her back turned to the crowd, someone would still notice her.