Chapter 37: Defeating Magic with Magic

He wanted to call out to Song Yue to wait, but then he remembered what had happened last night and gave up.

“Forget it.”

He watched as Song Yue walked away, feeling a little stifled. Turning around, he impatiently urged the three people still brushing their teeth,

“Hurry up, will you?”

…

At the village entrance, a bullock cart was parked.

An elderly man wearing a hat held a cattle-driving whip in his hand and sat on a stone nearby.

A few elderly women were already seated on the cart.

When they saw Song Yue approaching, their eyes lit up, and they began sizing her up.

Song Yue walked over, greeted the old man, and handed over the round-trip fare—ten cents.

After paying, she headed for the cart.

The four old women exchanged glances and made exaggerated facial expressions.

One of them smiled and greeted Song Yue, “Oh my, where did this pretty young girl come from? We’ve never seen you before!”

Song Yue didn’t respond. Another woman chimed in, “A new educated youth sent down to the countryside? I heard a few more arrived yesterday afternoon.”

The first woman scooted over, making space. “Come, pretty girl, sit here. There’s a spot next to me.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

Song Yue first expressed her thanks, then added, “But there’s plenty of space. I’ll just sit anywhere.”

When village aunties are overly enthusiastic upon first meeting you, it’s usually not a good sign.

It’s best to keep your distance.

Song Yue chose a seat at the farthest end from the four women, one that wouldn’t be too bumpy.

The woman was stunned. “…”

Seeing that she had failed to draw Song Yue closer, she quickly changed the topic, “Pretty girl, what’s your name? What are you going to the commune for?”

Song Yue replied, “Got something to do.”

The woman frowned, clearly displeased that she couldn’t get more information.

“Now, aren’t you a cheeky little thing, trying to fool your auntie?”

Song Yue feigned surprise. “Oh no, Auntie, you saw right through me?”

The woman was completely dumbfounded. “…”

Another woman laughed and teased, “Auntie Chen, just save your energy. Stop pestering the girl.”

Auntie Chen, having just been shut down, widened her eyes in annoyance.

“Oh, like I don’t know what you’re thinking, Auntie Li. You’re trying to set her up with your—”

The old man driving the cart walked over. “Talking about this nonsense in front of the new educated youth? You old hens don’t have any shame, do you?”

The women immediately fell silent.

Saying such things in front of a new educated youth—how embarrassing!

Seeing that they had quieted down, the old man climbed onto his seat. “Alright, hold on tight, we’re leaving!”

Auntie Chen grumbled, “The cart isn’t even full yet! Why are you in such a rush?”

Just as the cart was about to depart, Lin He and the others arrived.

Lin He called out loudly, “Hey! Uncle, wait!”

“Uncle, hold up!”

The four women were stunned when they saw the four young people running over.

Oh my goodness!

The new batch of educated youths this time… why are they all so good-looking?

The four of them ran over, panting heavily.

The old man reminded them, “Pay first, then board. Five cents for a one-way trip, ten cents round-trip.”

Lin He glanced at Song Yue. “Song Yue, did you pay for a round trip or just one way?”

“Round trip.”

“I’ll do the same.” Lin He took out thirty cents and pointed at Li Xinyue and Zhao Zirui. “Three people, I’m covering theirs too.”

Liu Wei, who had come along, looked a little awkward… but still paid for a round trip.

Seeing that Lin He was not only handsome but also generous, the four women’s eyes sparkled with interest.

Lin He and the others climbed onto the cart.

Auntie Chen, who had questioned Song Yue earlier, couldn’t help herself again.

“Young man, you’re quite good-looking! Do you have a—”

The old man driving the cart was helpless. These village women were all chatterboxes.

Lin He interrupted with a smile, “Auntie, are you trying to introduce me to someone?”

Auntie Chen asked, “You don’t have a partner?”

“Exactly! That’s why I’m asking you.”

Auntie Chen beamed, while the other three women were filled with regret for not speaking up first.

She smiled brightly. “Oh, what a coincidence! There are plenty of girls in our village. Young man, what’s your name? I can introduce you to someone. If you two hit it off, you can start dating!”

Lin He readily agreed. “Dating is fine. I only have one condition—no marriage.”

Auntie Chen was stunned and immediately scowled. “What’s the point of dating if you’re not going to get married?”

The other three women also frowned.

Lin He shrugged nonchalantly.

“What does dating have to do with marriage? Auntie, weren’t you talking about introductions? Introductions don’t mean marriage.”

“Anyway, that’s my condition. I’ll date, but I won’t marry. Even if there’s a child, I’ll pack up and run back to the city. I won’t take responsibility for anything.”

“I’ll disappear completely. No one will ever find me.”

Song Yue: “…” This guy really dared to say that.

The four women: “…” So he’s just a scumbag.

Li Xinyue and Zhao Zirui: We don’t know this person.

The old man driving the cart: Smart kid.

Seeing the women’s faces darken, Lin He grinned and asked,

“Aunties, do you have anyone suitable to introduce me to?”

The four women immediately turned their heads to admire the scenery, ignoring him.

Even Song Yue and the others on the cart didn’t feel like acknowledging him anymore.

As expected, these new educated youths were all trouble.

Lin He continued, “Aunties, why aren’t you talking anymore?”

The women: “…”

The old man seized the moment. “Alright, young man, sit tight. We’re leaving.”

Crack!

The whip snapped.

The cart started moving.

After an hour of swaying and bumping along, they arrived at the commune.

The old man reminded them to come back after lunch—once the cart was full, he’d head back.

Everyone responded and went off to handle their own errands.

Song Yue first went to the state-run cafeteria for breakfast and borrowed a table to write a letter to Yang Duo.

With that in mind—

She split up from Lin He and the others, heading in a different direction.

Liu Wei noticed her leaving, but the other three didn’t.

She chose not to mention it.

Meanwhile, Lin He was getting scolded.

“Lin He, how can you say things like that? That was basically being a hooligan!” Li Xinyue fumed.

Lin He rolled his eyes. “Fine, let them introduce someone to you instead.”

Li Xinyue huffed, “I have Zirui! I don’t need an introduction!”

Lin He raised an eyebrow. “Oh? But what if someone forces you?”

Li Xinyue stopped in her tracks. “What do you mean?”

All three of them turned to stare at Lin He.

Lin He glanced at her outfit.

“It’s obvious. Figure it out yourself. Also, stop wearing those fancy skirts. Buy some plain clothes and wear them instead.”

“Right now, everything about you screams: I have money, I look good, come rob me!“

“You too,” he said, looking at Zhao Zirui.

Zhao Zirui frowned. “Lin He, do you know something?”

“Not much,” Lin He said casually. “Just that a girl from a nearby village came down here, and right after she arrived, her family got a letter saying she’d gone missing.”

“And here, ‘missing’ doesn’t mean dead—it means no one knows if she’s alive or dead. Maybe she was sold off to some old man deep in the mountains.”

“Just imagine a mouth full of yellow, rotting teeth coming close to you…”

Lin He suddenly leaned in close to Zhao Zirui, grinning.

“Heh heh…”