Before she knew it, more than half a month had passed since going to the countryside. In the past few days, Hu Jiaojiao discovered that people in the village actually caught cicada nymphs. She had loved eating them in her previous life. Ever since she found out, she went out every day to collect them. After catching them, she would put them in her apartment space and soak them in saltwater inside a glass jar—just like her grandmother used to store them. When it was time to eat, she would simply pan-fry them. They were delicious.
Many villagers collected cicada nymphs—big or small, they were all meat. Most of the educated youths found them disgusting, so only Hu Jiaojiao went. From time to time, she would trade some with village children, giving them orange candies in exchange.
While collecting cicadas, she also gathered firewood to bring back. Today, however, she felt like someone was following her. But since she wasn’t the only one out collecting, she wasn’t sure. Feeling uneasy, she didn’t go far and soon headed back to the educated youth compound with her firewood and cicadas. As she got closer, the footsteps behind her became more obvious.
She didn’t turn around. After entering the courtyard and setting down her firewood, another bundle suddenly appeared beside hers.
“Jiaojiao, you can use this firewood for now. I’ll go gather more later,” said Li Gang, standing beside her, his dark face trying to look charming as he touched his head.
“Are you sick? Since when do you get to call me ‘Jiaojiao’? Trying to act like a hooligan?” Hu Jiaojiao snapped back without hesitation. What, did he think she was easy to bully just because she was alone, small, and usually quiet? Probably fancied that she was capable and wouldn’t be a burden.
She kicked the pile of firewood and continued sharply, “You think I’m someone you can dream about? Can you even afford an 888 bride price? Do you have the ‘three rounds and one sound’? A toad dreaming of eating swan meat!”
Li Gang flushed red. He had thought Hu Jiaojiao was soft and easy to handle. “Hu… Hu Zhiqing, I didn’t mean that. I just saw you alone and wanted to help—nothing else.”
“Everyone come take a look!” Hu Jiaojiao shouted, calling the others out to watch. “Li Gang said he’s just helping me because I’m weak, no improper intentions at all! Be my witnesses—this firewood is something he gave willingly. Just this once. Next time, I won’t accept it—I don’t want misunderstandings delaying my chances of finding a partner!”
Li Gang stepped back, suppressing his anger. Inside, he fumed: Let’s see if you can ever get married. But outwardly he forced a smile. “I was just being kind, nothing else,” he said before quickly retreating to his room.
The male youths dispersed, while the female youths lingered. Lu Yu wanted to say something but hesitated.
“Since he helped you with firewood, why not just get together with him?” came a sarcastic voice—it was Li Aihua.
“If you like him, you go ahead! Go throw yourself at him! You think one bundle of firewood can buy me?” Hu Jiaojiao shot back coldly. “Li Aihua, you’d better watch your mouth.”
Seeing her expression, Li Aihua fell silent and left.
Su Yi patted Hu Jiaojiao’s shoulder. “Don’t be afraid, we’re here,” she said before going back inside. Zhang Yan didn’t say anything, just looked thoughtful and returned to her room.
Hu Jiaojiao stored the firewood, went back to her room, locked the door, and entered her apartment space. She took a satisfying bath and lay on her big bed, thinking about what happened.
Li Gang definitely hadn’t just started thinking this way today. He was probably trying to win her over with small favors first, then pressure her with gossip later. Trying to bully me? No way.
She turned over. Whatever comes, I’ll deal with it.
That day, Aunt Li (nicknamed “Big Mouth Li”) was acting strangely. She didn’t rush Hu Jiaojiao to work faster and kept glancing at her.
After many looks, Hu Jiaojiao grew impatient. “Aunt Li, if you have something to say, just say it. I’ll answer everything.”
“What ‘answer everything’? I don’t understand that,” Aunt Li said bluntly. “Have you heard the rumors in the village? They say you want 888 as a bride price and the ‘three rounds and one sound.’”
“Not quite,” Hu Jiaojiao replied seriously. “I also want to eat white rice every meal, have meat every three days, and once I marry, I won’t work in the fields anymore.”
“What?! White rice every meal? Meat every three days? Why don’t you just go to heaven?” Aunt Li exclaimed.
“That’s not all. I’m not in good health—I need medicine every month, drink brown sugar water regularly, and malted milk would be nice too. As for laundry and cooking, I don’t want to do any of it.”
“Are you made of gold or silver? Such high demands!” Aunt Li scoffed.
“I’m serious. If anyone asks, just tell them that,” Hu Jiaojiao said, slipping her a few fruit candies.
Aunt Li wasn’t stupid—she understood Hu Jiaojiao was deliberately raising her standards to avoid trouble. But people’s hearts were unpredictable.
Sure enough, in the following days, everyone in the village talked about Hu Jiaojiao’s “conditions.” Wherever she went, people whispered: Have you heard? That girl wants this and that…
Even those hoping to get something for nothing began backing off.
Hu Jiaojiao didn’t care. She just worried some people might still persist, so she avoided going out alone and always brought someone along. Meanwhile, she continued working leisurely, even slacking off a bit, enjoying herself.
Most of the villagers who had been eyeing her gave up, though some remained observant.
Li Gang also quieted down—because one night, when he went to the latrine, someone threw a sack over him and beat him badly. The most obvious result: both his eyes were bruised black the next day.
He had no idea who did it. He suspected Hu Jiaojiao, but seeing her small frame, he dismissed the thought.
In truth, he was right—it was her.
Taking advantage of the night and her hidden apartment space, she had ambushed him, thrown a sack over his head, punched him twice, then beat him with a stick before slipping away into the darkness. Only after he limped back to his room did she quietly return to hers.
What Hu Jiaojiao didn’t know was that someone had seen her returning—Cheng Chen had spotted her silhouette from his window.
He couldn’t help but twitch his lips slightly. What a vindictive person.
But he didn’t say anything—pretending he knew nothing at all.