Trouble at the Educated Youth Point
“Educated Youth Li.”
Xiangshui appeared at the entrance of the educated youth point wearing a floral blouse, her arms wrapped tightly around something clearly hidden in her embrace.
Seeing her, Li Guangrong’s eyes lit up—this fool had come to bring him food again. Free stuff, might as well take it.
It was just that her face was too dark for his liking, not as pretty as the female educated youths. Still, Xiangshui had a good figure, curvy in all the right places, clearly built for childbearing. At the thought, his mind began to wander.
Li Guangrong hurried over. Passing by the production team leader, he saw no objection and pulled Xiangshui into a nearby grove.
He wore a look of disdain. “Didn’t I tell you not to come to the educated youth point to look for me? What if others misunderstand?”
Xiangshui looked aggrieved. “Educated Youth Li, it’s all my fault. I just wanted to bring you something to eat.”
As she spoke, she pulled out a packet of still-warm pig’s head meat from her embrace, its aroma immediately wafting into their nostrils.
Li Guangrong grabbed Xiangshui’s hand. “Don’t overthink it. I’m just worried others might see and it would affect your reputation. After all, you’re not married yet, a young woman. I don’t want village gossip to hurt you.”
Tears welled up in Xiangshui’s eyes, moved. So Educated Youth Li was only thinking of her well-being. She knew she hadn’t misjudged him.
Xiangshui handed over the pig’s head meat. Li Guangrong snatched it and began wolfing it down.
In no time, the entire packet was gone.
Li Guangrong wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, his eyes roaming freely over Xiangshui’s figure. Then, on impulse, he pulled her into an embrace.
Xiangshui stiffened like a startled rabbit—this was the first time in her life a strange man had held her.
“Educated Youth Li… what… what are you doing?”
Li Guangrong tightened his grip. Xiangshui trembled all over.
She mumbled, “Educated Youth Li… why… why are you pressing a dagger against me?”
Li Guangrong flushed bright red. Remembering the production team leader at the entrance, he quickly released her.
“Xiangshui, what dagger? You’re overthinking it.”
Hearing his words, Xiangshui still looked puzzled.
Li Guangrong closed his eyes briefly, masking the desire in them. Today wasn’t the right time.
He said, “You should go back now. There’s still work at the educated youth point. We’ll meet again in a few days.”
Listening to Li Guangrong, Xiangshui’s heart raced. Blushing, she left.
…
“Educated Youth Jiang.”
Hearing the voice, Jiang Taohua turned around.
Yan Jinghong’s dark eyes were as captivating as ink.
“What is it?”
Yan Jinghong chuckled lightly, a hint of teasing in his tone. “Don’t forget what you promised me.”
Jiang Taohua rolled her eyes at him. “I know.”
This Yan Jinghong had been smiling like a sly fox since morning—who was he trying to seduce?
Hmph! It wasn’t like she’d go back on her word. Was it necessary to resort to such charms?
Dog of a man!
…
Shen Zhou went to the commune, first sending a telegram home to say he’d lost the money and asking for more to be sent. Only after finishing that did he go to the public security bureau to report the incident.
Bored, Jiang Taohua squatted by the doorway counting ants on the ground. By the time she reached the one thousand and fifth ant, Shen Zhou arrived belatedly with two public security officers.
The production team leader quickly went to greet them, exchanging pleasantries with the officers.
Five hundred yuan was a huge sum in those days, and the public security bureau took it seriously.
The production team leader wore a worried expression.
“Comrades, what should we do? We’ll cooperate as much as possible.”
The male lead Shen Zhou suddenly spoke up: “Comrade police officer, my money can be easily identified because I made marks on it.”
“To find out who stole it, have everyone take out all their ten-yuan bills and show them to me.”
Yang Hongbing muttered discontentedly: “Why should we show you our money? We didn’t steal anything.”
Shen Zhou shut him down with one sentence: “If you don’t dare to let me see, it means you have a guilty conscience.”
Ma Chao said: “Alright then, we’ll all cooperate with you. But if you don’t find it and wrongly accuse us, you’ll have to bow and apologize to everyone.”
“Deal!”
Shen Zhou agreed immediately, certain the money was at the educated youth point.
But after a thorough search, the results were a blatant slap in the face.
They searched the wardrobes and clothing pockets of both male and female educated youths, and checked every ten-yuan bill on their persons. Yet the marked 500 yuan seemed to have vanished into thin air.
As time passed, Shen Zhou’s expression grew increasingly grim.
“Impossible! How could it not be found?!”
The two police officers had also done their best. After more than two hours of fruitless searching, it ended with Shen Zhou bowing and apologizing.
After the police left, the production team leader checked the time—it was already half past eleven. He waved his hand and said: “Hurry up and make lunch. Work continues in the afternoon.”
Shen Zhou had been beaten up for no reason and lost 500 yuan. Looking utterly dejected, he turned and went into his room.
…
“Educated Youth Bai!!”
“Haha, what a coincidence! We meet again.”
Just as Bai Jinchuan was about to enter the courtyard, he spotted the village’s Fat Girl.
His head immediately started throbbing, and he thought to himself, “Oh no.” He quickly turned to go into the courtyard, but Fat Girl was faster. She grabbed his arm in an instant.
“Educated Youth Bai, why are you running? Are you shy when you see me?”
Bai Jinchuan’s expression gradually cracked: “Get lost! Stay away from me!”
Fat Girl paid no mind and shamelessly pressed closer.
“Don’t be like that, Educated Youth Bai. Someone once said, ‘Don’t go against a woman’s will.’ What you’re doing is immoral.”
Bai Jinchuan was utterly bewildered. Was that phrase supposed to be used like this?
Hiding in the shadows to watch the show, Jiang Taohua and Wen Shunu peeked out curiously.
“Taohua, I told you there’d be a good show. This is absolutely hilarious.”
The fire of gossip burned fiercely in Jiang Taohua’s eyes. She tossed a milk candy into her mouth, her eyes shining brightly.