Chapter 80 ☆ Loft (Part 1)

The village, with its mud walls and black tiles, green willows, and thick shades, was enveloped in the silence and heat of a summer afternoon, with cicadas chirping and occasional calls of chickens and ducks.

Everyone in the village had gone to the entrance to watch the commotion, while Cheng Yaoyao was dragged home by Xie Zhao. She complained angrily, “We haven’t seen the most exciting part yet! Cheng Nuonuo is so funny when she cries, saying all kinds of cheesy things. I wonder what Shen Yan’s reaction is now…”

“Do you care about Shen Yan’s reaction?” Xie Zhao, who had been silent all the way, suddenly asked.

“Shen Yan has not been…” Cheng Yaoyao’s danger radar finally went off, and she bit her tongue, saying firmly, “No!”

Xie Zhao walked forward expressionlessly, his long legs quickly putting distance between them. Cheng Yaoyao chased after him, panting, “Really not! I’m fed up with that scumbag. I just wanted to see the fun, and as for Lin Ranran, we still need to discuss how to handle her!”

Seeing Cheng Yaoyao panting and her face flushed from running, Xie Zhao slowed down and said, “The team leader and the branch secretary will handle it.”

Cheng Yaoyao noticed Xie Zhao’s indifferent attitude towards Lin Ranran’s situation. Was that why Lin Ranran hadn’t been fully exposed yet?

“What are you looking at me for?” Cheng Yaoyao was suddenly aware of Xie Zhao’s scrutiny and quickly covered her nose after he scratched it.

Cheng Yaoyao glared at Xie Zhao. “Hateful!”

Xie Zhao said, “Instead of worrying about others, it’s better to worry about yourself first.”

Cheng Yaoyao blinked innocently. “What do you mean?”

Cheng Yaoyao soon understood Xie Zhao’s meaning.

From lunch to the afternoon, Grandma Xie kept nagging for two hours: “I told you not to be impulsive. Why did Brother Zhao get into a fight? And Yaoyao, helping others is good, but you can’t get yourself involved. The villagers have such bad mouths. If you, a grown girl, get involved in this kind of thing, you’ll be gossiped about for a long time! What kind of rumors will they spread?”

Xie Fei looked at Cheng Yaoyao with sympathy but said nothing. Xie Zhao also remained silent, whittling wood on the side. Cheng Yaoyao listened to Grandma Xie’s lecture with her head down, her legs sore from standing.

Cheng Yaoyao had stood for a long time watching the commotion and now felt wronged as she stood listening to Grandma Xie’s lecture. She secretly shifted her weight to the other leg.

Xie Zhao finally spoke up, “Grandma, it’s time to study.”

For Grandma Xie, learning was more important than anything else. With a look of regret, Grandma Xie stopped talking. “Okay, go study. Don’t get involved in these things again!”

Cheng Yaoyao nodded vigorously as if pardoned and ran back to the house.

Xie Zhao followed her into the room, carrying a sliced watermelon. He saw Cheng Yaoyao lying on the bed and closed the door with his backhand. “Being lazy again.”

“Let me have a bite of the watermelon,” Cheng Yaoyao said with a hint of grievance. “I’ve never seen Grandma so fierce. I was scared to death.”

Xie Zhao handed her a piece of melon. “Eat it before it gets messy.”

Cheng Yaoyao reached out softly. “Pull me up.”

Xie Zhao took her hand and pulled gently. Cheng Yaoyao felt a strong force and was lifted up, ending up in his arms with her forehead hitting his chest.

“Hmm…” Cheng Yaoyao opened her mouth and the cold watermelon was stuffed in. She took a big bite, as if to vent her frustration. It was sweet and a bit sandy. “It’s sandy! How many watermelons are there at home?”

Top-quality watermelons from the village were usually shipped to the city. This year’s harvest was excellent, with each melon as round as a ball. Villagers could buy them at 1.5 cents per pound, and many bought dozens or even five or six. Watermelons were durable, and with proper storage, they could last until autumn. Eating watermelons while watching the Mid-Autumn Festival moon was a special treat in Tianshui Village.

Xie Zhao bought 30 watermelons this year and piled them at home. Grandma Xie had worried they wouldn’t finish them, but the family had to eat one every few days, and Cheng Yaoyao made watermelon juice, so they were consumed quickly.

Xie Zhao watched Cheng Yaoyao nibbling on the watermelon like a squirrel. “There are still a lot left, enough for you to eat until autumn. If not, we can buy more.”

Cheng Yaoyao replied, “That’s enough. Besides watermelon, we also have cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and autumn melon. We’ll eat them in turn!”

Cheng Yaoyao looked up with a red face after biting into the watermelon until it was dented. Xie Zhao threw away the rind, walked to the washbasin to wash his hands, and used a wet towel to wipe her mouth. “Okay, we’ll eat them in turn.”

Cheng Yaoyao gazed up at Xie Zhao. He lowered his eyes, his handsome face no longer indifferent, as if he was handling something delicate, carefully wiping her mouth. Cheng Yaoyao suddenly threw herself into Xie Zhao’s arms and hugged him tightly.

Such a good Xie Zhao belongs to her alone!

“What’s wrong?” Xie Zhao’s warm hands gently stroked her hair. Looking at her like a pampered kitten, his tone softened. “Grandma isn’t really angry with you. Don’t be afraid.”

Cheng Yaoyao buried her face in his arms, feeling limp. “If… if you met someone else first, would you like that person?”

Xie Zhao asked, “What other people?”

“Just other people, like Lin Ranran. She doesn’t look down on you; she respects you and helps you everywhere,” Cheng Yaoyao said. “But I am fierce and willful, and I even scold you…”

Xie Zhao asked, puzzled, “Isn’t that what you’re doing now?”

“!!!” Cheng Yaoyao bit him hard until Xie Zhao begged for mercy before continuing, “Anyway, will you like someone else?”

Xie Zhao replied without hesitation, “No.”

“You answered so quickly. Have you ever thought about it seriously?” Cheng Yaoyao looked at him, dissatisfied.

Xie Zhao stared back with his deep eyes until Cheng Yaoyao’s gaze faltered. He held Cheng Yaoyao’s delicate cheek and said, “No need to think. Even if other girls respect and help me as you said, I would return that respect and help, but that’s not love.”

Xie Zhao lowered his head, rubbing his nose against Cheng Yaoyao’s, and murmured with a sigh, “I don’t want anyone else but you.”

Cheng Yaoyao, enchanted by his deep voice, offered her lips. Confident in Xie Zhao’s love, she believed in their bond without doubt.

The gardenias in the clear water gradually bloomed, their sweet fragrance filling the room.

Since Cheng Yaoyao clarified Lin Ranran’s situation publicly, rumors about her and Xie Zhao spread. Being young and living under the same roof, their relationship was confirmed. Unfortunately, Cheng Yaoyao stayed indoors, so the villagers’ gossip was all they could rely on.

In the afternoon, the room was bright and quiet, with a plate of watermelon on the table giving off a sweet aroma. Cheng Yaoyao dropped her book, lay on the table, and wailed, “It’s so boring——”

Zhang Xiaofeng and Han Yin, also interrupted, put down their books and asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

“I’m so bored staying at home all day,” Cheng Yaoyao complained, pressing her face against the table. “So boring!”

Han Yin said, “Amitabha^[1]is used to express a wish or longing for peace and tranquility. Han Yin is invoking this term to emphasize her desire for a more peaceful and less stressful life., I wish I could switch places with you and enjoy a peaceful life at home. We’re so tired these days, and it’s not easy for us to come here for a break.”

Cheng Yaoyao made a bitter face and said nothing. Han Yin and Zhang Xiaofeng exchanged wicked smiles. “Is it because Xie Zhao went to the city that you feel time is dragging?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Cheng Yaoyao said unhappily. “He went to the city without taking me with him. How annoying!”

Xie Zhao’s arm had recovered and he started helping the village transport goods to the city, leaving early and returning late. Xie Fei was studying behind closed doors, preparing for recruitment. Cheng Yaoyao, bored at home alone, was grateful for the company of Zhang Xiaofeng and Han Yin.

Hearing Cheng Yaoyao’s candid admission of her relationship with Xie Zhao, Han Yin’s expression grew complicated. She lowered her voice and asked, “Yaoyao, what do you think? Are you really with Xie Zhao?”

“Yes, we are in love,” Cheng Yaoyao admitted frankly.

Although Han Yin suspected this, she still gasped. “Yaoyao, he’s the landlord!”

“Isn’t it all settled now?” Cheng Yaoyao said nonchalantly. “His grandfather never oppressed the peasants. There are witnesses.”

Han Yin said, “Okay, let’s not talk about his background. But he’s from the countryside, and you’re from Shanghai. If you marry him, you’ll have to settle in the countryside and can never go back! Your child will also have a rural hukou. Yaoyao, you have a good family background and your father has connections. He could bring you back sooner or later! You can’t just sacrifice your whole life for a bit of ease!”

Han Yin said earnestly, and Cheng Yaoyao couldn’t help laughing. “Do you think I’m with Xie Zhao just to have him do work for me?”

Labor in the countryside is incredibly hard: carrying manure, applying fertilizer, hauling water, and transplanting rice seedlings. Even men accustomed to farm work are exhausted by it, let alone delicate city girls.

Smart female educated youth choose to marry city dwellers. These women are well-educated, fairer, and more generous than girls from smaller places, and many people vie for them. Marrying the sons of town officials not only provides access to commercial grain but also uses their connections to secure stable jobs. Several female educated youth in Lin’an have taken this path, but not everyone is so fortunate.

To get help with their work, many female educated youth have had to get along with young men from the village. Even in poor areas, some women became involved with farmers just to make a living.

Cheng Yaoyao’s pampered nature is well-known, and Han Yin knows that Xie Zhao helps Cheng Yaoyao with work, so it’s understandable that she might think this way.

Han Yin said, “Don’t be angry; I’m doing this for your own good. Xie Zhao is handsome and treats you well, but if I asked you to stay in the countryside for the rest of your life, would you really be willing? Wouldn’t you regret it in the future?”

Cheng Yaoyao smiled. “I understand. Don’t worry, I won’t regret it.”

Han Yin said angrily, “Zhang Xiaofeng, tell her; she’s being stubborn!”

Zhang Xiaofeng, who had been silent, finally spoke. “I have no opinion on this matter for three reasons.”

“You really like to talk in official language,” Han Yin said, holding up her chin. “Tell me, tell me.”

Zhang Xiaofeng said, “First, Xie Zhao’s character is well-known, and he is also very handsome. Since Yaoyao has been with him for so long, it’s natural for her to develop feelings for him. Second, Yaoyao is an adult, and we trust her judgment and ability to take responsibility for her actions. Third…”

Cheng Yaoyao became curious. “What’s the third reason?”

Zhang Xiaofeng smiled and said, “Third, it’s time for you to study. I’ll give you a few questions now!”

Cheng Yaoyao and Han Yin groaned and scrambled through their books. “Why is there another quiz?”

Zhang Xiaofeng opened her book full of notes, wrote a few questions, and added the third point in her mind: Looking at Xie Zhao’s notes, it’s clear he isn’t someone who plans to live in the countryside forever. If Cheng Yaoyao stays with him, she might not suffer any loss.

On the way to work, a group of young people, carrying hoes, walked toward the fields, chatting and laughing. Shen Yan, an educated youth from the city with a good appearance and gentle demeanor, could make the girl next to him beam with joy with just a few words.

As they turned a corner, a person suddenly appeared. “Ah Yan.”

Everyone glanced at Shen Yan with curiosity. Cheng Nuonuo had publicly embraced Shen Yan and cried, making their relationship known, but Shen Yan had recently ignored Cheng Nuonuo. He went to work and returned home daily, while Cheng Nuonuo persistently tried to block him.

Today, Cheng Nuonuo wore a pink blouse similar to one Cheng Yaoyao often wore. However, without Cheng Yaoyao’s beauty and complexion, the pink made her skin appear darker and thinner. Her braids were dry and sparse. She looked up at Shen Yan with her usual pitiful eyes.

Shen Yan noticed her dull eyes and rough skin, wondering why he had ever thought she was so charming.

The odd looks from everyone made Shen Yan uncomfortable. He had abandoned Cheng Yaoyao for Cheng Nuonuo, and he knew others had ridiculed him for it. Seeing Cheng Nuonuo appear in this state made him even more displeased.

Shen Yan told the others, “You go ahead.”

Though curious, the others left. Two girls glared at Cheng Nuonuo as they walked away, clearly unimpressed by her nerve to flirt with Shen Yan.

Once they were alone, Shen Yan said, “Didn’t I tell you not to come to me again?”