“Su Ying, you’re bullying Xiao Min again.”
Su Ying rolled her eyes. This guy wasn’t just brainless he was completely lovesick.
What on earth was he talking about?
Jiang Xiaofei strode forward and stood Song Min behind him, shielding her as if Su Ying were about to devour her. Su Ying was still sitting on the ridge of the field; she looked up at his overprotective display and found it faintly ridiculous.
Truly, two people who share the same bed turn out exactly the same.
“Jiang Xiaofei did your mother suffer from malnutrition when she gave birth to you, and it squashed your brains out? Are you blind? Which eye of yours saw me bullying her? There are so many people right here watching what exactly did I do?”
Su Ying was furious. She shoved the sweet potato she was holding into Lin Yan’s arms, sprang to her feet, and rolled up her sleeves, ready to fight at a moment’s notice.
Jiang Xiaofei stared in astonishment. Had some unclean spirit possessed this girl lately? Before, whenever she saw him, she’d keep her head down, say nothing, and blush bright red. Now… this version of her was actually far easier on the eyes.
Still even if this was just to get his attention, he wouldn’t spare her a second glance. His heart belonged only to Song Min.
Jiang Xiaofei lifted his chin, haughty and condescending: “Let me make this clear no matter what you do, I will never like you. Xiao Min and I are getting married at the end of the month.”
“Oh, I’d love to know then if you’re getting married at the end of the month, why is she still coming to me, saying she’d give you up so I could have you?”
Jiang Xiaofei looked at Song Min in shock but his expression softened instantly. This had to be that hussy Su Ying lying. His Xiao Min was so kind, so fond of him how could she ever offer him up to someone else?
Song Min shook her head at Jiang Xiaofei, eyes wide with hurt, helplessness, and sorrow.
“My Xiao Min would never do such a thing,” Jiang Xiaofei snapped. “I’m warning you if you bully her again, next time I’ll make you pay.”
Su Ying wasn’t scared. She stepped forward, chin raised: “Go on then strangle me right now. Look at you so pathetic, as if anyone would miss you. Get lost! You’re not the one giving warnings here I am. If either of you comes looking for trouble from now on, I’ll slap you senseless. Did I make myself too easy to get along with before, so you thought I was a pushover? We’ll see how things go from here.”
Not far away, Shazhu saw Jiang Xiaofei picking on Su Ying again and came running over with his hoe. He was simple, honest, and loyal he’d step up when it mattered. He was much taller and broader than Jiang Xiaofei, who immediately shrank back.
Village Chief Jiang saw a fight brewing and shouted through his loudspeaker: “What’s going on here? If you’ve rested enough, get back to work do you want to lose your work points?”
Jiang Xiaofei shot Su Ying and Shazhu a venomous look, then pulled Song Min away.
Someone nearby muttered: “That Educated Youth Song has some nerve carrying on with someone else and still acting so righteous.”
“Exactly. Always pulling that long face, looking frail and half-dead like she’s the only one who matters.”
Su Ying said nothing about them. Shazhu was worried he knew that pair wouldn’t let things lie.
“Yingzi, don’t be afraid. Brother Zhu will look after you.”
Su Ying smiled gratefully. “Thank you.”
Shazhu grinned sheepishly. Worried that being seen too close to her would start more gossip, he went back to his work.
Su Ying sat down, took out an egg from her bag, peeled it, broke it in half, and held it out to Lin Yan.
“Here good times and hard times together. This half is yours. If you don’t eat it, you’re not my best friend.”
Lin Yan wouldn’t dream of refusing; she took it and popped it straight into her mouth.
Meanwhile, Lu Dongsheng had left the hospital, gone home to shower, and changed into a military-green uniform. He phoned the Political Commissar, who picked up right away.
“Hello? Who’s speaking?”
“Commissar Wang, this is Lu Dongsheng.”
“Dongsheng? Aren’t you on home leave? Why are you calling at this hour?”
Lu Dongsheng hesitated to bring up the marriage request but he knew if he didn’t speak now, Su Ying would stay trapped in that household suffering. Who knew what might change before he returned to file the formal application? Plans could shift overnight. Better to say it now.
“Commissar, there’s something I’d like to discuss.”
“Well? Out with it this isn’t like you, dragging your feet.”
“During this trip, I’ve met a girl. I’d like to submit a verbal marriage application over the phone would that be acceptable?”
Commissar Wang laughed out loud.
“What did you say? You want to get married? Has the sun risen in the west? Good for you consider it approved verbally. Just fill out the paperwork when you’re back.”
“Thank you. I’ll bring her with me when I return.”
“Very well.”
The officers all thought highly of Lu Dongsheng; one had even offered his daughter’s hand though clearly that was off the table now. Commissar Wang had a son, already married, and a daughter still in high school; he hoped to find a decent, steady young man for her one day.
Hanging up, Lu Dongsheng couldn’t stop smiling he pictured the two of them standing before the leaders, pledging their vows. He grabbed his clothes, mounted his bicycle, and stopped at the supply and marketing cooperative after a moment’s hesitation, he bought two jin of sweet crumbly pastries and one jin of White Rabbit cream candies. She looked so pale and undernourished; low blood sugar was a risk having a candy to suck on when dizzy would help. He’d lived frugally all these years saving for someone to share his life with and now he’d found her. The matchmaker said her stepmother had already given consent; surely it couldn’t hurt to pay a visit.
When the noon work bell rang, Tian Cuifen hurried home ahead of Su Fugui. Su Ying’s arms felt ready to fall off from exhaustion; Lin Yan carried her hoe and watched Tian Cuifen’s retreating back.
“Your stepmother usually drags her feet why’s she in such a rush today?”
“Su Xiuxiu’s having an abortion at the commune clinic. She’s desperate to get back.”
Lin Yan clicked her tongue. “Disgraceful.”
Wang Liang, walking a short distance behind, was also feeling uneasy. He’d noticed Su Xiuxiu’s belly growing what if she really was pregnant and tried to pin it on him? He caught up, forcing a smile.
“Su Ying, why didn’t your sister come to work today? Is she unwell?”
Su Ying’s eyes twinkled knowingly.
“She’s not been well her belly’s getting bigger and bigger. I don’t know what’s wrong with her.”
Wang Liang’s face dropped. Neither of them was any good one seeking pleasure, the other hoping to climb the social ladder. Su Ying could hardly wait to see it: when their own interests were at stake… would they turn on each other like fighting dogs?