Chapter 10

“This won’t work. The issue is too minor to take action against Xu Xiangdong. And as for Fu Chunian, if we can avoid dragging him into this, we should. His family is quite powerful,” Father Xu said.

Upon hearing this, Xu Jianguo looked displeased.

“Jianguo, have you forgotten? Only in big cities do you find girls as pretty as Lu Lanlan. In the countryside, no matter how good-looking they are, the sun in the fields will tan them ugly,” Mother Xu said.

Yesterday, when Xu Jianguo found out that Lu Lanlan and Fu Chunian were dating, he made a scene at home. His mother told him that as long as he got into university, stayed in a big city, and found a good job, he would have plenty of beautiful girls to choose from.

Xu Jianguo had only met Lu Lanlan three times in total. He had no real feelings for her—he was just attracted to her looks. When he heard that big cities had plenty of girls like Lu Lanlan, he wasn’t upset anymore and focused on his studies for the entire morning.

But studying was never his strong suit. If it were, Father Xu would have sent him away for school long ago. After struggling for a morning, when he heard there was a chance his father could remain village chief, he immediately lost interest in university.

As long as his father remained the village chief, he wouldn’t have to suffer or toil. Even if he couldn’t marry someone as pretty as Lu Lanlan, he could still find a wife he found pleasing enough.

“Jianguo, you can’t be willful anymore. There’s a high chance I’ll step down as village chief next year, and after that, you’ll have to rely on yourself. This is the last chance I can give you to change your future. You must seize it,” Father Xu said sternly.

Mother Xu also urged, “That’s right, Jianguo. Think about it. If you go to university for a few years, graduate, and get assigned a job, you can marry a city girl. Even if Xu Xiangdong becomes the village chief, he’ll still be no match for you.

You only have to endure a few months of hard work. Once you’re in university, you can slack off all you want—we won’t care. Just make sure you get that diploma.

Think about it: if you don’t go to university and your father steps down next year, you’ll have to work in the fields. Facing the dirt and sun all day, getting tanned and rough, and marrying a wife just as dark and weathered—you’ll end up like everyone else in the village. Do you really want that? Are you willing to accept that kind of life?”

No. Absolutely not.

No one wanted to live like that, but studying was too painful.

After thinking for a moment, Xu Jianguo reluctantly said, “Dad, Mom, I understand. I’ll do my best.”

“Good.”

Seeing Xu Jianguo agree, both Father and Mother Xu smiled in relief.

“As for Lu Lanlan bringing gifts, we’ll just let it go, right?” Mother Xu asked after settling Xu Jianguo.

Father Xu shook his head. “Of course not. We need to make good use of this.”

—-

Lu Lanlan and Fu Chunian returned home to prepare dinner.

“I’m going to town tomorrow. Do you need anything?” Fu Chunian asked.

“I’ve already written everything down,” Lu Lanlan said, handing him a piece of paper. “Everything I need is listed here. Here’s the money and ration tickets.”

Fu Chunian glanced at the list but pushed the money and tickets back.

“We agreed—while we’re dating, all expenses are on me.”

“Huh? I thought you only meant food and drinks?” Lu Lanlan recalled their agreement.

“Nope. You should check the agreement—it says all expenses,” Fu Chunian said with a smile.

Lu Lanlan was doubtful. Had she really remembered it wrong? But she had sewn the agreement into her clothes, so taking it out to check was too much trouble.

“Fine, whatever you say. I’m not losing anything, anyway.”

Fu Chunian chuckled.

“Oh, also, could you mail this letter to my family?” Lu Lanlan handed him a letter she had written on her first day.

“Of course.”

—-

The next morning, Fu Chunian took a tractor to town while Lu Lanlan went to the fields to work.

While she was waiting in line to collect tools, an unfamiliar old woman approached her.

“Comrade Lu, I saw you delivering things to Third Aunt Xu’s house yesterday. Did she give you a hard time?”

“No,” Lu Lanlan shook her head. “Auntie has taught me a lot.”

“Lu, you might not know this, but she was supposed to guide you. It’s her duty. You don’t have to bring her gifts,” the old woman said.

Lu Lanlan glanced at the people around them. She didn’t understand this woman’s intentions, but she knew that giving gifts should never be openly discussed.

“It wasn’t a gift. You misunderstood. Third Aunt Xu has been very kind to me. My clothes had torn, and my hands are too blistered to hold a needle, so I asked her to help mend them,” Lu Lanlan explained, showing her palms.

Her hands were red and peeling, and any movement caused sharp pain.

“It was just clothes, not food? Be honest, Lu. Last night, Third Aunt Xu’s youngest son said you brought food to their house,” the woman pressed.

Lu Lanlan smiled. “Auntie, I’m not related to Third Aunt Xu. She helped mend my clothes, and since she has young children at home, I brought some sunflower seeds and candies for them. Isn’t that just good manners?

Or is it that in Xu Village, people don’t even say thank you when someone helps them?”

Lu Lanlan widened her eyes in mock surprise and looked around.

Someone in the crowd responded, “Of course we do! We Xu Village folks understand basic manners.”

“Exactly. I’ve only been here a few days, but I think the people in this village are wonderful. Don’t you agree, Auntie?” Lu Lanlan turned to the old woman.

The woman gave an awkward laugh. “Of course. We Xu Village folks are the best.”

Watching the woman slink away, Lu Lanlan decided she should warn Third Aunt Xu not to let anything slip.

The crowd dispersed since there was no drama to watch.

As the people cleared, Lu Lanlan spotted Third Aunt Xu standing outside the group.

“Auntie.”

Third Aunt Xu nodded at her.

Without saying more, they picked up their tools and went to the fields. Once there, Lu Lanlan asked, “Auntie, did you hear everything just now?”

Third Aunt Xu nodded.

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to cause you trouble,” Lu Lanlan apologized.

Third Aunt Xu sighed and looked at her.

Watching Lu Lanlan handle the situation earlier, she felt even more regretful—what a shame this girl couldn’t be her daughter-in-law.

“This isn’t your fault. You don’t know the village’s situation,” Third Aunt Xu said, then explained everything about Xu Xiangdong.

Lu Lanlan immediately understood. “So that woman earlier—she’s the village chief’s wife?”

“No. The village chief’s family is too smart to directly target Xiangdong. That woman is my neighbor. We have a long-standing feud over the road between our houses. Ever since Xiangdong returned, the village chief’s wife has been pulling her into their circle. They never openly talk, but she’s been getting easier tasks in the village,” Third Aunt Xu explained.

“Do you think they’ll let this matter drop?” Lu Lanlan asked.

She didn’t want to be the reason Xu Xiangdong lost his chance at being village chief.

Even though it wasn’t a high position, in a village, the chief held more authority than even the county officials.