Wu Dongling was utterly shocked by her discovery. Xing Dongyang was someone even the Educated Youth looked up to, and in the eyes of the village girls, he was like the sun in the sky—something you could only admire from afar.
She never dreamed of reaching beyond her station with Xing Dongyang. She simply couldn’t understand why someone like Wu Tong—a Jinx everyone despised, a lowly creature who worked covered in dust and grime—could receive Xing Dongyang’s favor. How could she obtain what even Dongling herself couldn’t achieve?
The seed of jealousy quietly sprouted, taking root in her heart from that moment on.
Because of this incident, Wu Dongling tormented the original host repeatedly. The original host, feeling guilty and fearing Wu Dongling would expose the matter, could only endure the humiliation in silence.
Wu Dongling grew increasingly aggressive, ultimately kicking her when she was down, attempting to completely destroy the original host.
Su Tong recalled that in the original host’s memories, she always believed only Wu Dongling knew about this matter. Proud and arrogant as she was, Wu Dongling would never tell outsiders that her own incompetent older sister was better than her.
But unexpectedly, Tian Qingrong claimed she knew too.
Knowing she had books to read, and now specially bringing two books today—what did it mean?
Did she also want to embody the spirit of friendship and mutual assistance like Xing Dongyang?
Seeing Su Tong remain silent all this while, Tian Qingrong grew anxious. She unconsciously glanced at the hospital room door, retrieved How the Steel Was Tempered from Su Tong’s hands, opened it, and said:
“Are you worried about encountering unfamiliar characters? Some words in these foreign classics can be quite obscure. How about I read it to you?”
Read to her? Was she genuinely here to keep her company?
Unfortunately, she had already glanced toward the hospital room door several times since entering. Was someone else coming?
Who was she hoping to coincidentally meet here?
Just as Tian Qingrong began reading the opening lines of the first chapter, a knock sounded on the hospital room door. A warm, deep male voice asked, “Excuse me, does Wu Tong stay in this ward?”
Tian Qingrong’s eyes lit up, and she immediately set down the book in her hands.
Sister Dong, lying bored on her hospital bed, had been wanting to strike up a conversation with Su Tong but couldn’t find an opening. Hearing the knock, she promptly responded loudly, “Yes, she stays here! Come on in!”
The hospital room door, left slightly ajar for doctors and nurses to come and go easily, was pushed open. A handsome, refined young man slipped inside, carrying a net bag of nutritional supplements.
Tian Qingrong had already stood up and greeted him sweetly, “Brother Dongyang, you’re here too!”
Xing Dongyang was quite surprised to see Tian Qingrong here. “Qingrong, what are you doing here?”
Tian Qingrong stepped forward to take the items from his hands, welcoming him in like a hostess. “Brother Dongyang, what do you mean? Why can’t I be here? I was just reading a novel to Wu Tong!”
Xing Dongyang looked pleasantly surprised. “So you and Wu Tong are this close! I never knew before!”
Xing Dongyang walked up to Su Tong’s hospital bed and gave her a big thumbs-up. “Young lady! Well done! Quietly accomplishing such a great feat—you’ve really brought honor to our village!”
Su Tong looked at the tall young man before her. In the original host’s brief life, this young man had been the only bright spot in her gloomy youth, carrying all her girlish dreams and fantasies.
Although the original host had barely exchanged more than a few words with him, the mere fact that he lent her books had been her motivation to keep living for a long time.
Every book he gave her, she had read earnestly. He had opened a window for her, letting her know that in this world, there was not only indifference and mockery, but also many beautiful things.
The kindness he showed her had become one of the few warm memories she held in this world.
Xing Dongyang sat down on the chair Tian Qingrong had offered, flashing Su Tong a broad smile.
“I went to the county to replace some tractor parts and took the opportunity to come see you. Secretary Wu knew I was coming today and insisted I send his regards! He couldn’t get away from the village, otherwise he would have come along! Secretary Wu said you should focus on recovering properly and not rush to leave the hospital!”
Xing Dongyang was a tractor driver for Yunshan Commune, which counted as skilled work. He didn’t have to do fieldwork but earned work points like other commune members, something many people envied greatly.
Back when drivers were selected openly through competitive examinations, candidates needed to understand driving, repairs, and regulations. After several tests, Xing Dongyang had ranked at the top.
Fortunately, Xing Dongyang was both responsible and warm-hearted, always willing to help anyone who needed a ride or assistance, so everyone held him in high regard.
“Brother Dongyang, please tell Secretary Wu not to worry about Wu Tong here—I’ll come keep her company often!”
Tian Qingrong naturally picked up the conversation while unpacking the items Xing Dongyang had brought and storing them in the small bedside cabinet.
Xing Dongyang looked relieved. “Qingrong, that’s wonderful! Before I left today, Secretary Wu was still worrying that Wu Tong’s family couldn’t be relied on and that she might have difficulty being here alone.”
Su Tong quietly leaned against the hospital bed, watching Tian Qingrong busily bustling about with practiced ease, acting like an older sister and responding so quickly she might as well have been Su Tong’s spokesperson.
Xing Dongyang turned his attention back to Su Tong. “Wu Tong, how are you feeling? Is your head still dizzy?”
Tian Qingrong opened her mouth to speak but realized it wasn’t appropriate for her to answer, so she closed it again and turned to Su Tong with a smile, saying:
“Brother Dongyang is asking you—don’t just stay silent!”
Then she turned back to Xing Dongyang, “Brother Dongyang, Wu Tong is shy. Let her take her time to speak.”
Su Tong found it amusing. Tian Qingrong was clearly trying to make a good impression in front of Xing Dongyang. Many of the Educated Youth girls admired him, and if this was out of affection for him, it was understandable.
But she didn’t need to go to such lengths, traveling all the way to the county—there were more opportunities in the village.
Although Tian Qingrong’s approach was somewhat presumptuous, as long as it wasn’t excessive, Su Tong didn’t plan to expose her…
After all, she was here to visit a patient, even if her sincerity was questionable.
Young love often led to actions that others might find hard to comprehend in front of one’s crush.
Xing Dongyang didn’t mind Su Tong’s silence. His eyes were full of encouragement. “It’s alright, Wu Tong! I stopped by the doctor’s office earlier, and he said you’re recovering well. Even if you feel dizzy occasionally, it’s normal. You’ll be fine after resting a bit longer.”
Su Tong smiled at Xing Dongyang. “Brother Xing, thank you for your concern! I’m feeling much better now, and my wound is healing well! Please also relay to Secretary Wu that I can take care of myself and he doesn’t need to worry.”
Xing Dongyang was somewhat taken aback, hardly believing his own eyes. He gazed at Su Tong before him—though her face remained as delicate as before, her eyes now held a serene composure. She met his gaze with a radiant smile and graceful poise, a far cry from the timid, cowering girl who used to dare not even lift her head in his presence.
His voice trembling slightly with emotion, Xing Dongyang exclaimed, “Wu Tong, you’ve truly astonished me! Do you realize this is the first time you’ve called me ‘Brother Xing,’ and the first time you’ve spoken to me at such length? I’m overjoyed for you!”
“You must continue just like this—bravely expressing your thoughts, refusing to be shackled by the constraints around you. Hold your head high, stand tall, and live as your true self!”