Yao Daqiang’s hands trembled: “Th-this won’t do, quickly go search.”
A group of people immediately sprang into action.
However, after searching the entire village, they still couldn’t find any trace of Yao Meimei.
Looking at the anxious Yao family, Xie Jingyue said:
“Since she can’t be found in the village, she must be hiding outside. It’s fine, I’ll go back and gather people to search together.”
Xie Jingyue didn’t feel angry at all.
It was good that she ran away.
Without an introduction letter, the other party couldn’t go anywhere. Xie Jingyue wasn’t worried about not being able to find her.
On the contrary, this counted as fleeing from justice, which would only lead to heavier sentencing.
Since she had harmed Comrade Zhenzhen like this, he didn’t want her punishment to be too light.
Now it was perfect – no need to worry anymore.
Whether she was truly fleeing from justice or not, this would be the only possible outcome.
Xie Jingyue suddenly realized that he too was someone who would show favoritism.
Instead of feeling self-disgusted about this, he secretly rejoiced in his heart.
He had successfully helped Comrade Zhenzhen – did this mean their relationship had become a bit closer, less distant?
Yao Yunzhen looked at the unhurried, calm-faced Xie Jingyue and couldn’t help but urge:
“You must find Yao Meimei.”
If she really managed to escape, Yao Yunzhen would be furious to death, and wouldn’t even enjoy her meals anymore.
Xie Jingyue looked at Yao Yunzhen and said solemnly: “Comrade Zhenzhen, don’t worry, I will definitely catch her.”
Finally, today he finally got to speak with Comrade Zhenzhen.
Xie Jingyue felt elated in his heart, with traces of pleasure visible in his eyes.
“That’s good then.”
Yao Yunzhen still trusted Xie Jingyue and had a very good impression of him.
Every time they met, he had helped her.
“Wait for my good news.”
Xie Jingyue took a deep look at Yao Yunzhen before bidding farewell and leaving.
After he left, the Yao family returned home with complicated feelings.
They needed time to process what would happen to Yao Meimei.
How had this child become like this?
The Yao family couldn’t figure it out no matter how much they thought about it.
Just as they had entered the house and sat down, Yang Erni came back noisily.
“Guess what I just saw?”
The elderly couple was feeling sad and didn’t want to deal with this annoying woman.
Yao Yunzhen, however, was in high spirits and was willing to ask: “What did you see?”
“Educated Youth Li broke his leg while chopping firewood in the back mountain!”
Miao Cuilan was also in good spirits. With the venomous snake dealt with, she no longer had to live in fear, so she couldn’t help but gossip too.
“How did he fall?”
“I heard he didn’t watch his step, tripped, fell down the slope, and directly broke one leg.”
Miao Cuilan said: “These educated youths from the city just can’t handle things – they can even break a leg while chopping firewood.”
Little did she know that this wasn’t an accident at all, but the result of Yao Meimei’s deliberate planning.
Since Lu Yikang had taken a liking to Yao Yunzhen, Li Yunqi was no longer useful.
Remembering the suffering she endured in her previous life, Yao Meimei developed a desire for revenge.
First break one leg, then break one of his arms, then make him abandoned by all and destitute…
Unfortunately, she had only implemented the beginning of the plan before she lost the opportunity to continue.
Yao Yunzhen asked: “Does that mean he can’t work anymore?”
“It takes a hundred days to recover from broken bones, I’m afraid he can’t.”
Yao Yunzhen felt somewhat regretful.
This person had only been carrying manure for a few days before breaking his leg.
“For others, breaking a leg is suffering, but for Educated Youth Li, it’s a blessing. No need to work, with money in hand, and he’s willing to spend it freely. Tsk tsk, what a heavenly life.”
Thinking of the money she had returned, Yang Erni still felt so heartbroken she could barely breathe.
Yao Yunzhen noticed and couldn’t help asking, “Auntie, did others know when you returned the money?”
“They knew. When I arrived, Educated Youth Li had just been carried back. Those educated youths were gathered around his bed, and many villagers had come too.”
Normally, Yang Erni would have stayed to watch the commotion, but this was about returning money. She was afraid if she lingered even a moment longer, she wouldn’t be able to part with it. So she directly shoved the money into Educated Youth Li’s hand and left.
Yao Yunzhen and Miao Cuilan exchanged glances, both forming the same suspicion.
That educated youth had no one to rely on and now had a broken leg. With so many people knowing he had a large sum of money, he probably wouldn’t be able to keep it safe.
Yao Yunzhen felt somewhat gleeful, happy to see Li Yunqi meet with misfortune.
Sure enough, that very night, the Educated Youth Center was in an uproar, reporting a theft.
Educated Youth Li’s two hundred yuan had been stolen, and somehow, his other leg was broken too.
Neighbors scrambled out of bed to watch the spectacle—ahem, to help.
Yang Erni and Miao Cuilan quickly followed along.
How could they miss out in such a situation?
Yao Yunzhen wanted to go too, but considering the pitch darkness and chaos, she decided against it.
After about half an hour, the villagers returned.
Instead of going inside, they stood at their doorsteps chattering away.
My, how lively the village had been lately!
First, some official’s son took a fancy to the village’s lazy girl, then an educated youth broke his leg and lost his money.
Yao Yunzhen darted to Miao Cuilan’s side and tugged her sleeve.
“Mom, did he really lose the money?”
“Indeed! Two hundred yuan, all gone, not a cent left.”
Someone chimed in:
“I heard not just the money was stolen, but all his nice clothes were taken too.”
“That thief was ruthless, took every valuable thing.”
“With so many educated youths there, no one noticed?”
An auntie said meaningfully: “They all claimed they were sleeping soundly.”
Li Yunqi put on an act for outsiders, but he couldn’t maintain it forever. Over time, the other educated youths weren’t fools—they eventually saw his true colors.
Plus, he often secretly belittled and looked down on others, so the educated youths didn’t much like him.
Now knowing he had such a large sum of money made them even more resentful.
“What about his leg? With both legs broken now, he can’t manage without money.”
“Have his family send more then. Educated Youth Li’s family is well-off—they could give him two hundred yuan to spend, surely they can provide more.”
Little did they know this was the Li family’s last bit of money.
Because of Yang Erni’s extortion and threat to report him for misconduct—and Li Yunqi indeed had a shady past that couldn’t withstand investigation—he gritted his teeth and agreed to marry Yao Meimei, even being forced to provide the betrothal gifts in advance.
Where could the Li family get such a large sum? But for their precious son, they had to manage somehow.
They hastily married off their two daughters. Because it was rushed, the betrothal gifts they received weren’t high, falling far short of the two hundred yuan needed.
Having been constantly subsidizing their son, the Li family had no savings and had no choice but to borrow from neighbors, relatives, and friends.
They managed to scrape together 200 yuan in small amounts and sent it all to Li Yunqi.
After that, the Li family had to begin their life of repaying debts, with no more money left to squeeze out for him.
Yet his broken leg required funds precisely at this time…
“Hey, why did your family borrow a large sum of money from Educated Youth Li?”
Someone looked at Miao Cuilan.
Miao Cuilan spoke vaguely: “It’s probably because of that incident the other day, thinking whether money could…”
Both her children were still unmarried, so Yao Meimei’s matter couldn’t be mentioned.
The others immediately understood and didn’t ask further, turning back to continue their conversation.