Chapter 11

“It’s fine. With the explanation you gave me today, I’ll know how to handle them. Besides, not every household in this village sides with them,” said Aunt Xu.

Hearing this, Lu Lanlan felt relieved.

—-

In Town

Xu Xiangdong parked the tractor, arranged a return time with the others, and made sure the villagers brought along the new educated youths before letting everyone disperse.

“Uncle!”

A child ran out from a nearby shop, excitedly hugging Xu Xiangdong’s leg.

“Huzi, good boy,” Xu Xiangdong said, patting his head.

“Uncle, go do your shopping. I’ll watch the tractor for you,” Huzi grinned.

Xu Xiangdong squatted down and chuckled, “Alright, then I’ll have to trouble you.”

“No trouble at all.”

Fu Chunian glanced at the seven- or eight-year-old child and asked, “Is he reliable?”

“Yes, every time I drive the tractor to town, Huzi helps me keep an eye on it,” Xu Xiangdong replied.

Back when he was on leave from the army visiting home, he had saved Huzi once.

When he retired and brought the tractor to town for the first time, he realized that Huzi’s mother worked as a shop assistant nearby.

Since then, Huzi had always watched the tractor for him from the shop, and in return, Xu Xiangdong would buy him little treats.

Seeing how confident Xu Xiangdong was, Fu Chunian said no more and followed him to do some shopping.

Afterward, they stopped by the post office to send a letter to Lu Lanlan.

By the time they returned, many villagers were already gathered around the tractor.

When they saw Fu Chunian and Xu Xiangdong carrying loads of goods, someone spoke up sourly.

“Xiangdong, did you strike it rich? Buying so much stuff?”

Fu Chunian glanced at the speaker—a woman whose face was full of sarcasm and bitterness.

“The stuff is mine. Xiangdong was just helping me carry it since I couldn’t manage it all,” Fu Chunian replied.

“Oh, so it’s the educated youth’s. I was wondering if Xiangdong had forgotten how to live frugally, buying so much meat and snacks.”

The implication was clear—Fu Chunian was wasteful.

Xu Xiangdong knew this woman was notorious in the village for her sharp tongue and explained, “These are for both Fu and Lu, since Lu couldn’t come because of motion sickness.”

“Even for two people, that’s way too much meat. This could feed my whole family for half a year!”

Fu Chunian glanced at the others. Some villagers had also bought meat, and he had only purchased slightly more than them.

Realizing the woman was deliberately picking a fight, Xu Xiangdong was about to speak up when Fu Chunian suddenly said, “This much meat would last your family half a year? Auntie, you must be amazing at managing your household. Your family must be the best off in the whole village, right?”

Hearing this, the surrounding villagers covered their mouths, stifling laughter.

The woman’s family wasn’t the poorest in the village, but they were only slightly better off than widows and elderly bachelors. Among regular families, they were definitely the poorest.

“You—”

Fu Chunian’s single remark left the woman speechless.

Xu Xiangdong smirked and then asked, “Is everyone back? If so, let’s head home.”

The villagers looked around, checking if their seatmates from the trip to town had returned.

“Xiangdong, the educated youth Gu hasn’t come back yet.”

“Anyone else?” Xu Xiangdong asked.

“No, I think it’s just her.”

Hearing this, Xu Xiangdong frowned. “Why is she alone? Wasn’t she supposed to go with someone?”

The woman assigned to accompany Gu Yu spoke up, “She said she was going to buy seeds, and I thought it was nearby, so I just gave her directions and didn’t go with her.”

“How long has it been?” The seed store was indeed nearby and didn’t require any turns.

“More than half an hour.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Xiangdong immediately put down his bags and rushed toward the seed store.

Several male educated youths followed him.

Fu Chunian didn’t join the search. He quietly sorted through his belongings.

The sharp-tongued woman saw this and sneered, “Fu, an educated youth from your own place is missing, and you’re not even worried? Look at the other male educated youths—they all went to help search. I heard Gu and Lu don’t get along. Seems like that’s true.”

Someone nearby couldn’t stand it and said, “Fu just arrived here—he doesn’t know the way.”

Fu Chunian glanced at the person who defended him and gave a small smile, which was returned.

But the bitter woman wasn’t willing to drop it yet. “I heard that Gu was spreading rumors about Lu and Xu Jianguo flirting in the hospital. But now, just a day later, Gu is already dating Fu. Who’s the one switching partners quickly here? Or was Gu slandering Lu?”

“That was a misunderstanding. Xu Jianguo and Gu have already explained it,” someone interjected.

“So, Gu was slandering Lu? I also heard that Gu has never liked Lu. Fu, you’re Lu’s boyfriend—are you just going to let someone smear your girlfriend’s name like that?”

Fu Chunian turned to look at the woman. “All the people involved have already clarified that it was a misunderstanding. I believe those who understand reason won’t bring it up again. But you’re bringing it up now—is that because you’re trying to stir up trouble and destroy the unity among the people?”

He threw a heavy accusation at her.

“I’m not! Don’t falsely accuse me!” The woman panicked. “I was just talking!”

Then she hurriedly walked to the other side of the vehicle, not daring to argue further.

Fu Chunian glanced at her but didn’t say more.

Not long after, Xu Xiangdong returned with a grim expression, followed by Gu Yu, whose eyes were red from crying.

Soon after, the other searchers also came back.

“Gu, where did you go?” a woman asked.

“I got lost,” Xu Xiangdong answered for her, his face still dark. “Get in. We’re leaving.”

Hearing this, everyone climbed into the vehicle, and no one asked Gu Yu any more questions.

As soon as they sat down, a woman beside Gu Yu comforted her.

Gu Yu stole a glance at Xu Xiangdong’s back and then lowered her head.

—-

Back in the Village

Once they arrived, Xu Xiangdong called out to Fu Chunian, “Wait a moment, I’ll return the tractor first. Then I’ll help carry your stuff.”

Fu Chunian had bought too much and couldn’t carry it all alone.

“No need, Comrade Xu. We’ll help him,” the other educated youths said as they each took a bit of the load.

Seeing this, Xu Xiangdong glanced at Gu Yu before driving off.

Back at the educated youth dormitory, Fu Chunian handed out sunflower seeds to those who had helped him carry things.

After sorting his things, he checked the time—it was time to cook lunch.

Grabbing some meat and vegetables, he headed to the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Gu Yu locked herself in her room and cried.

She hadn’t just gotten lost. She had been dragged into an alley and nearly assaulted, only to be saved at the last moment by Xu Xiangdong.

Hearing the others returning outside, she hurriedly wiped her tears away.

She couldn’t let Lu Lanlan see her like this. More importantly, she couldn’t let Lu Lanlan know what had happened.

If Lu found out, she would surely spread the story as revenge.