The next day, Shen Jingyao was awakened by Xu Aili.
The veteran Educated Youth at the Educated Youth Point had all gone to work, leaving the entire place completely silent.
Sitting on the kang, Shen Jingyao stretched lazily. After a night’s rest, her fatigue had completely vanished, though the kang was a bit hard to sleep on.
She got off the kang, took out the new shirt her mother had made for her from the trunk and changed into it, also swapping her pants.
The clothes she wore on the train had developed an odor, so she left them on the trunk, planning to wash them later.
Carrying her enamel mug and towel, she went outside to wash up.
Her appetite wasn’t great in the morning, so she took out two pieces of the Taosu her mother had bought and ate them. Seizing the moment when no one was in the room, she poured herself a little milk to drink.
Biscuits with milk made up her breakfast, and after eating, her stomach felt full.
With her meal finished, it was time to get down to business. She still didn’t have a basin and needed to find a way to buy one; otherwise, she wouldn’t have an excuse to enter the Space for a bath.
Additionally, she wanted to build a small house for herself, and for that, she had to seek approval from the Brigade Leader.
At that moment, outside, Zhou Muyan stood at the gate of the Educated Youth Point, pushing the bicycle he had borrowed from the Dui Bu.
He had gotten up early and told his father that he needed to take half a day off and borrow the brigade’s bicycle.
As for what he was going to do, he didn’t offer a single extra word.
Zhou Youlin became even more convinced that his son had found a girl from outside, but what could he do? It was his own son—could he really refuse the time off?
Besides, the third son usually earned Work Points diligently, so taking half a day off wasn’t a big deal.
“Alright, I’ll grant you half a day today, but this can’t become a habit. It’s the critical time for the autumn harvest now—every man, woman, and child in the village is out in the fields. If you take time off often, people will talk.”
“Moreover, you’re a Xiao Dui Zhang. You can’t give anyone grounds for criticism, understand?” Zhou Youlin said with a stern expression, lecturing him.
Zhou Muyan knew his father was right. “I understand, Dad. It’s just for today.”
He had noticed yesterday that Yao Yao hadn’t brought much luggage and would surely need to acquire some things. He couldn’t rest easy without checking on her.
“Alright, go ahead.”
Zhou Muyan’s sharply defined, handsome face immediately broke into a bright, cheerful smile as he said clearly, “Thank you, Dad.” With that, he headed off to the Dui Bu.
Zhou Youlin’s aged face wore a clear smile. This kid.
The villagers had all gone to work in the fields at six o’clock, so the roads were empty. He pushed the bicycle to the outside of the Educated Youth Point and waited there for an hour.
When he heard voices inside, he appeared at the gate.
Chen Weiguo, seeing him standing outside the courtyard, hurried over to greet him. “Comrade Zhou, what brings you here?”
Zhou Muyan stood expressionless and said, “My father asked me to run an errand in the county town. Since you’ve just arrived, he told me to check if any of you need anything brought back.”
In truth, he had no desire to fetch things for them—this was solely for Yao Yao’s benefit.
Chen Weiguo was deeply moved. “The Brigade Leader is truly a good man! Comrade Zhou, please wait a moment. I’ll ask the others.”
Shen Jingyao, hearing their conversation from inside the room, immediately rushed out.
She smiled at Zhou Muyan with evident joy and sweetness, and he returned a gentle smile.
The next second, his smile vanished as Chen Weidong, Feng Tianzhu, and Xu Aili emerged.
Seeing his expression change, Shen Jingyao lowered her head and smiled. Why did she feel like they were having a secret affair?
Chen Weiguo and Feng Tianzhu had brought relatively complete luggage, so there was nothing they needed to bring.
Shen Jingyao opened her sparkling big eyes and looked at Zhou Muyan with a pitiful expression, saying, “Comrade Zhou, could I trouble you to take me to the county town? I want to call home to let them know I’m safe. They repeatedly emphasized that I should report my safety after arriving.”
“It’s too far from here to the county town. If I walk, I might not get back until dark.”
Chen Weiguo, being warm-hearted and unable to bear seeing Shen Jingyao’s pitiful look, chimed in, “Yes, Comrade Zhou, why not do her a favor and let Educated Youth Shen ride on your bicycle? It’s dangerous for a girl to be on the road alone.”
Zhou Muyan’s lips twitched. Yao Yao was really getting more and more impressive.
On the surface, he pretended to be very troubled, but in his heart, he was overjoyed.
“Alright then, I’ll give you a ride, but you mustn’t delay my errands.”
Shen Jingyao’s eyes lit up, and she was very excited: “Comrade Zhou, don’t worry, I definitely won’t delay you.”
“Let’s go then.”
“Okay, I’ll go grab my bag.” Shen Jingyao went to her room and brought the green bag.
As she walked out, Xu Aili stopped her: “Educated Youth Shen, could I trouble you to buy a thermos for me? I’ll give you the money and coupons.”
Since it was a small favor, Shen Jingyao didn’t refuse. “Sure.”
“Thank you.” Xu Aili immediately took out the money and coupons and handed them to her.
After leaving the Educated Youth Point, the way the two looked at each other could practically spark.
Zhou Muyan chuckled softly and said, “Yao Yao, you’re so clever.”
Shen Jingyao lifted her small chin. “Of course.” She quickly walked ahead.
On the village road, she didn’t get on the bicycle’s rear seat, afraid that others might see and spread gossip. After all, she had just arrived in the countryside, and rumors in this era were terrifying.
Once they left the village, Shen Jingyao immediately got on the rear seat, tightly wrapping her arms around Zhou Muyan’s waist, her soft cheek nestling affectionately against his back.
“A Yan, I missed you so much.” Her voice carried a slight sob.
Zhou Muyan’s heart ached terribly upon hearing this. He rode the bicycle into the weeds by the side of the road, where they couldn’t be seen from the main road.
He parked the bicycle, lifted Shen Jingyao from the rear seat, and held her tightly in his arms.
He whispered softly, “Yao Yao, I missed you. I missed you so much it felt like my heart was breaking.”
Shen Jingyao wrapped her arms around his waist, burying herself in his embrace to breathe in the scent she adored. Her tone was sweet and tender: “A Yan~”
After holding each other quietly for a while, Zhou Muyan reached out and lifted her delicate chin. His deep eyes were brewing with intensity.
He lowered his head and pressed against her soft, sweet lips, his nostrils filled with the familiar fragrance he adored.
This feeling was long overdue—he had yearned for it countless times.
No longer satisfied with a mere taste, he began to conquer and plunder, pouring all the longing of the past five years into this one kiss.
Shen Jingyao wrapped her arms around his neck, lifting her head and responding with all her strength to his deep, invasive kiss. A tear silently traced the corner of her eye.
Their breaths mingled between lips and teeth, their panting overlapping, accompanied by soft moans and gasps.
After what felt like an eternity, Zhou Muyan’s eyes and brows were filled with satisfaction, a smile curling at the corners of his lips. He gently patted Shen Jingyao’s back, helping her catch her breath.
His deep, magnetic voice came from above her head, tinged with amusement: “What’s this? Has Yao Yao regressed? It seems we’ll need more practice from now on.”
Shen Jingyao’s red lips were slightly swollen, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She threw a light punch at him, her tone coquettish: “You’re just a bad person, always bullying me.”
“Yao Yao, this doesn’t count as bullying. The real bullying hasn’t even started yet.” Zhou Muyan said with a roguish grin.
Shen Jingyao’s face flushed crimson instantly. Back in modern times, she and A Yan had already been living together – everything that should or shouldn’t have happened between them had already happened.
She turned her face against his chest to the other side and let out a soft “Hmph.”