“Zhaozhao, though we’ve never met, I’ve taken over your body. This is my gift of thanks—are you satisfied? Don’t worry, those in the countryside who bullied you won’t be forgotten. They’ll all receive the punishment they deserve.”
Whether it was just her imagination or not, after saying those words, Yu Zhaozhao suddenly felt a shiver run through her body—then everything relaxed.
She froze for a moment.
Then she smiled.
Early the next morning.
Mao Cuizhi got up to make breakfast as usual, but her mood seemed unusually good today.
Once that wretched girl left, Miaomiao’s chance to stay in the city would be secured. When the job was transferred, she could stay home and rest.
Thinking of this, Mao Cuizhi felt even happier.
In her good mood, she didn’t even mind calling Yu Zhaozhao to eat.
“Miaomiao, Tianbao, Zhaozhao—breakfast’s ready!”
The three of them came to the table.
“Mom! Where are the eggs? I want eggs!” Yu Tianbao pouted when he saw only coarse porridge and pickled vegetables on the table.
He was at an age where he needed nutrition for studying—how else was he supposed to get good grades?
“My good boy, we’re out of eggs at home. I’ll go buy some today and cook them for you tonight.”
“I don’t want that! I want them now!” Yu Tianbao was used to getting his way. Naturally, he was unhappy when he didn’t get what he wanted.
“Be good, eat first. You’ll be late for school otherwise. After I send your sister off, I’ll go buy eggs and cook you two tonight.”
“What sister is she?”
Yu Tianbao didn’t acknowledge Yu Zhaozhao as his sister at all. He rolled his eyes and reluctantly picked up his chopsticks.
Yu Miaomiao found her brother’s insult amusing and snickered on the side.
Mao Cuizhi pretended not to hear and continued eating.
Yu Zhaozhao didn’t take it to heart. She knew this family was about to face their retribution.
After breakfast, Mao Cuizhi didn’t even wash the dishes before urging Yu Zhaozhao to leave.
“Zhaozhao, you need to catch the train. Don’t be late. Pack your things—I’ll walk you out.”
Yu Zhaozhao slowly packed her quilt into her luggage. Though thin and worn, it was good enough to avoid attracting attention when she first arrived in the countryside.
“Got it. I’ll leave once I’m done packing.”
She deliberately slowed down, hoping the committee would show up.
“Alright, you pack. I’ll go grab money to buy Tianbao eggs.”
Money?
That wouldn’t do.
She had already taken all the money—if Mao Cuizhi discovered it now and caused a scene, it would ruin the fun.
“Auntie, I’m done packing. Let’s go first. You can buy eggs when you come back.”
“It won’t take long to get the money. Wait for me.” Mao Cuizhi didn’t want to make an extra trip.
“In that case… can you give me another five yuan? I might need money in the countryside. I’m afraid five yuan won’t be enough.”
“You silly child. Everything you need is already in your luggage. You’ll have a place to live and grain from the production team—what would you need money for? Let’s go quickly, or you’ll miss the train.”
Hearing this, Mao Cuizhi immediately abandoned the idea of going back for money. She grabbed one of the bags and walked out first.
The last time she gave Yu Zhaozhao five yuan had already pained her for a long time. Giving another five would be unbearable.
Following behind, Yu Zhaozhao smiled mockingly.
“Auntie, wait a moment—I’ll grab some water before we go.”
She quickly entered the kitchen and, with a sweep of her hand, stored the rice, flour, cooking oil, and cornmeal into her space.
Food would be important once she went to the countryside.
As for pots and pans—forget it.
Anything Yu Wangshan had used felt tainted to her.
The train station wasn’t far—about a twenty-minute walk. They arrived a little after 8:00.
The train wouldn’t depart until 11:00, and Mao Cuizhi had no intention of waiting there with her.
There was a designated meeting point for sent-down youth. Staff would check attendance before boarding and escort everyone onto the train together.
After confirming everything with the staff, Mao Cuizhi was satisfied that Yu Zhaozhao couldn’t run away and prepared to leave.
“Zhaozhao, I have things to do at home, so I’ll go now. Once you’re in the countryside, follow orders and work hard.”
“Alright. You can go.”
The sooner she left, the better—otherwise she might miss the committee and the youth office going to her house.
Satisfied with her attitude, Mao Cuizhi left happily.
Once she was completely out of sight, Yu Zhaozhao approached the staff member.
“Comrade, may I go buy some food to bring on the train? I’ll be back soon.”
The staff member looked at her suspiciously.
She hadn’t mentioned buying anything earlier, and now that her guardian had left, she suddenly wanted to go out—was she trying to run?
It wasn’t paranoia; cases like this had been happening often lately.
“Comrade, I really just want to buy something. How about this—I’ll leave my luggage here. Everything I own is inside.”
Yu Zhaozhao saw through his thoughts immediately and felt a bit speechless.
If she wanted to run, she would’ve done it long ago. Besides, without proper documents, she couldn’t get far anyway.
“Alright, but come back soon!”
Seeing the two bags on the ground, the staff member relented. Supplies were scarce, and judging by her clothes, she didn’t seem like someone who could afford to abandon her belongings.
“Thank you for watching my luggage.”
“No problem.”
Yu Zhaozhao nodded and left the station.
She first went to the supply cooperative to use the coupons she had taken from Mao Cuizhi. These weren’t valid nationwide and would be useless once she went to the countryside.
According to the coupons, she bought two jin of sponge cake, one jin of brown sugar, half a jin of White Rabbit milk candies, two boxes of matches, and two chi of cloth.
After leaving, she found a secluded spot, stored everything in her space, and headed toward Hu Li’s courtyard.
By her estimation, the committee should already be taking action. After all, when it came to confiscations, they were always the first to rush in.
Sure enough, when she arrived, the courtyard was already in chaos.
Hu Li sat on the ground, holding her child and crying, but the red armbands showed no sympathy.
“Please don’t take me away! My child is still young—he needs his mother!”
Yu Doudou cried along, his shrill voice piercing the air.
“We didn’t say your son can’t come. You can bring him with you.”
The man with the red armband spoke coldly. They had seen far worse scenes—how could they be moved by this mother and child?