Chapter 15

Song Wanyue said coldly:

“I’m a person too, a living person. If it had been me lying with Gu Dahai and the villagers caught us in the act, you know very well what would have happened to me.

Either I’d be forced to marry Gu Dahai, or I’d accuse him of being a hooligan. But if Gu’s father was still the brigade leader, would he stand by and watch his son be sentenced to death? Of course not. He’d cling to me and never let go. You all know where my family lives in the capital, you’d send people to cause trouble there, betting I’d compromise, isn’t that right?

In this era, if a girl loses her virginity before marriage, her reputation is ruined. Her whole family would be implicated, buried under gossip until they couldn’t breathe.

So, I say, Zhou Shanshan, you’re really vicious. I’ve treated you with all my heart since we were young, and this is how you repay me. Are you jealous of me? Do you hate me for what I have?”

This explanation made sense.

Zhou Shanshan seemed struck by the words. “I, I…”

Song Wanyue: “I know what’s in your heart. And now you understand mine. That means we can’t be friends anymore. From now on, if you see me, stay far away, lest your bad luck rub off on me. Look at you—barely married into the Gu family and already Gu’s father has lost his post as brigade leader. Well, no more talk. I’m hungry, time to go home and make myself something to eat.”

But Gu’s father wasn’t innocent either—carrying on with a widow and even having two illegitimate children. And for Zhou Lanhua to live in the Yang family’s house with children of another surname—utterly shameless.

But those were still Gu’s father’s children.

In her previous life, what had Gu’s father called the original host? Oh right—“a hen that doesn’t lay eggs, useless in the family.”

Once Gu Dahai became successful, Gu’s father’s temper grew worse. He forced the original host to shoulder all the household chores.

Whenever she showed the slightest displeasure, Gu Dahai would beat and scold her. And the rest of the Gu family? They all felt free to bully her too.

All the while, they had secretly given her birth control medicine.

No doubt it was Zhou Shanshan whispering in Gu Dahai’s ear—afraid that if she bore a son, her life in the Gu family would improve.

To watch her childhood friend be tricked, set up, and humiliated like that—Zhou Shanshan must have been gloating inside.

As the sun set, Zhou Shanshan stared at Song Wanyue’s departing figure, unable to shake it from her mind.

It really felt like she had lost this friend.

Yes, who could accept betrayal from someone they trusted—especially when it came in the form of such a cruel scheme to ruin their reputation?

Song Wanyue touched her growling stomach and sighed. Ah, how she longed for meat.

According to her memory, she had only eaten meat twice this month, both times at the state-owned restaurant.

The last time was ten days ago.

She did a quick calculation of her savings—perhaps she should buy a few old hens and make chicken soup in her space.

At the moment, the villagers were all out working in the fields, except for Grandma Xie and Grandma Gao. She’d also need to bring them some money.

Song Wanyue stood outside the Xie family’s courtyard, lost in thought.

If she could return to the city after the college entrance exams, she’d have her family back.

Inside, Xie Guihua was busy embroidering a wedding dress. Her granddaughter was about to get married, and since the girl’s mother wasn’t skilled enough, it fell to her.

“Juanzi, look at this lotus I embroidered—how does it look? Want to learn a bit more from me?”

She wasn’t boasting—her embroidery skills had been passed down from her grandmother, who was a professional embroiderer. Anyone in the family with talent could learn.

And she had learned the best.

Zhu Wenjuan said happily: “Comrade Song, come in and sit! Grandma, look, Comrade Song is here.”

She herself was terrified of learning embroidery. She had tried when she was ten, but pricked her fingers so painfully that she gave up. Better to work in the fields than suffer through that.

Xie Guihua looked up and saw Song Wanyue standing at the door, and greeted her warmly: “Comrade Song, come in, sit! Keep Wenjuan company, she’s been stuck at home preparing for her wedding and is bored stiff.”

Song Wanyue smiled. “Sister Wenjuan, Grandma Xie, I came to thank you. Without you, Zhou Lanhua wouldn’t have confessed so quickly. Also, I’d like to buy an old hen from you, if you’re willing to part with one?”

At the moment, old hens were very valuable—eggs were worth seventy cents a jin, like a little bank in the chicken coop.

Most families only kept three hens at most.

Xie Guihua smiled kindly. “Juanzi, go pour some hot sugar water for Comrade Song—no, for Wanyue.”

“Okay!” Zhu Wenjuan nodded and went inside.

Song Wanyue slipped some money into Grandma Xie’s hand. “Grandma Xie, you’re too kind.”

“It’s not kindness—you’re an honored guest, bringing me money. If there’s ever another good opportunity like this, call me again. You want an old hen? That’s fine. But if you take it back to the educated youth spot, won’t others come shamelessly asking you for meat?”

Not all the educated youths were as easygoing as Song. Especially Yang Liu—loud-mouthed, quick to blurt out anything, and often quarreling with village girls and young wives.

Song Wanyue said: “I won’t eat it at the educated youth spot. I’ll roast it myself. Don’t worry, please just pick me a fat one.”

She still couldn’t get used to the food here—it was too bland. For lunch she had only eaten sweet potato porridge.

The food at the educated youth spot wasn’t much better. Whenever they had money, they preferred to eat at the state-owned restaurant. They only pooled money for meat on holidays. On ordinary days, eating meat once or twice a month was already considered good.

Some villagers didn’t get to eat meat even once a month.

In her past life, she had been a meat lover, her body needed nutrition, and she ate meat nearly every meal.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have had the energy for so much activity.

This time, she wanted to save up capital. Once private business was allowed, she planned to buy a shop, become a boss, keep selling snacks, and continue writing novels. When she had more money, she’d open an entertainment company—she wanted to be a screenwriter.

Xie Guihua nodded. “As long as you know what you’re doing. With so many people at the educated youth spot, it’s inevitable some have bad intentions. Even though I’m taking your money, I’m also taking a risk. Don’t forget, Gu Weimin has been brigade leader here for more than ten years.”

“I still bear grudges too. Back then, when the village chose tractor drivers, my younger son clearly had the skill. The village selected three people to train, all of whom passed. But when it came time for the vote, they chose Gu Dacheng—Gu Weimin’s nephew.

Looking at those who voted, I knew the truth. They had promised me before, then suddenly changed their minds. I know exactly why.

If Gu’s father hadn’t been brought down, what do you think would’ve happened to my family? I know all too well. But now that he’s fallen, I’ve finally let out that breath of anger.”

The knot she had carried for years was finally undone.

Song Wanyue’s eyes curved with a smile. “Grandma Xie, the college entrance exam has been restored. The days ahead will only get better. You’re in good health—you’ll live to see the day when people aren’t trapped in the countryside anymore, when everyone can travel and work freely.”

Just wait a few more years—it would all change.

Xie Guihua mused: “All right, since you’re from the capital, I’ll trust your words. So many powerful officials live there. To be honest, I’ve always wanted to see the capital myself, to know how wonderful it really is. My father joined the army and stayed in the capital, but during one battle, 130,000 men died. My father’s body was never found.”

After speaking, Xie Guihua got up, went to the chicken coop, and grabbed an old hen. She tied it with straw rope.

“Wanyue, just give me five yuan. It’s a little over five jin, but I’ll count it as five. One yuan per jin, no need to weigh it.”

Song Wanyue smiled and handed the money over.

“Perfect, thank you, Grandma Xie. I’ll eat well tonight. I’ll be off then. Oh, and please keep what I asked of you a secret.”

She had just over a month before returning to the city, and she still needed to review and prepare for the exam. She had to take care of her health.

Grandma Xie said: “All right. Ah, don’t leave yet, have some sugar water first—it’s already poured for you.”

At that, Song Wanyue sat down, drank the sugar water, chatted a little longer, and then left.