Chapter 15

Xie Yanzhao was stunned.

He felt as if something had lodged in his throat, rendering him speechless. He forced himself to stay calm, “I understand.”

Ruan Mingfu looked sharply at him.

What is that supposed to mean?

What do you mean by “I understand”?

What a scoundrel!

Hearing that she would no longer pursue him, this scoundrel might be secretly laughing, right?

Thinking this, Ruan Mingfu’s displeasure was clearly reflected on her face.

“Are you happy?”

Xie Yanzhao felt a chill down his back at her words.

He avoided the topic and reluctantly began discussing serious matters.

“I know you don’t want to marry… him,” Xie Yanzhao hesitated but used “him” instead, “I can help you.”

Ruan Mingfu looked at him with confusion, “How can you help? Can you help me leave here?”

“No.”

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

She was somewhat disappointed.

If she couldn’t leave, she was still at the mercy of Zhou Peng and his uncle.

The two of them stood talking at the gate of the educated youth camp. The man was tall, and the woman was petite and beautiful, and they looked strikingly harmonious together.

The other educated youths peered through the door frame, their eyes nearly turning red with envy.

“…Although I don’t want to admit it, these two seem quite well-matched.”

“How did Comrade Xie grow so tall…”

Some held different opinions.

“Although Educated Youth Ruan is pretty, she seems delicate and incapable of handling tasks. For daily life, one should find someone capable.”

“Indeed, after marriage, Educated Youth Ruan would rely on Comrade Xie for support.”

“Educated Youth Ruan is extravagant. I wonder if she can be supported…”

Xie Yanzhao turned to look at them, and the educated youths peering through the door frame were startled. They quickly shrank back, no longer daring to look.

The female educated youths patted their chests.

Oh my, Comrade Xie’s gaze is so fierce. Educated Youth Ruan is truly brave. They wouldn’t dare to approach him.

Xie Yanzhao’s eyes were dark and contained many things Ruan Mingfu couldn’t understand.

“There’s a vacancy at the Public Security Bureau…” Xie Yanzhao looked at Ruan Mingfu, who was as beautiful as a begonia, and found it hard to utter the remaining words, “It’s just washing and cutting vegetables in the cafeteria…”

Ruan Mingfu’s eyes widened.

What is he saying?

Where does he want her to go?

Xie Yanzhao felt somewhat guilty.

Looking at the delicate Ruan Mingfu, he quietly swallowed the rest of the sentence.

Working in the cafeteria required a lot of strength, and Ruan Mingfu would probably be despised. Although there weren’t many people at the Public Security Bureau, they were all big men, and the amount of food prepared was substantial.

Ruan Mingfu glared at him, “Is this your solution?”

She understood.

Although Xie Yanzhao was an officer in the army, he had nothing to do with the G committee. Besides, a strong dragon can’t suppress a local snake. The Zhou family had been working here for years, with an extensive network.

Things weren’t so simple.

“Forget it,” Ruan Mingfu sighed, “You should go back. I’ll figure out a solution myself.”

A breeze from somewhere disturbed Ruan Mingfu’s hair. She reached up to tuck the stray strands behind her ear, revealing her slender, fair neck.

Fragile yet beautiful.

Xie Yanzhao swallowed, “How about I… marry you?”

After saying this, he felt an unparalleled sense of relief.

Xie Yanzhao had developed a prejudice against Ruan Mingfu because of her earlier actions and had rejected her harshly several times. Yet, at this moment, he felt that spending a lifetime with her might not be so bad.

But Ruan Mingfu’s reaction was not what he expected.

She looked at Xie Yanzhao with confusion, checking if he was speaking seriously, and then frowned, “I don’t need your pity.”

Miss Ruan had her own pride and didn’t need others’ sympathy.

“Go back. I’m leaving.”

Before Xie Yanzhao could respond, Ruan Mingfu quickly walked back to the educated youth camp.

Xie Yanzhao frowned as he watched her leave, feeling a rare sense of frustration.

Holding the clothes, he was soon stopped by Xu Zhu, who had been waiting nearby.

“Brother, what did Educated YouthRuan give you?”

Xie Yanzhao looked at the clothes in his hand.

The clothes were clean and seemed to have been washed by Ruan Mingfu. Up close, they even had a faint fragrance. Holding the clothes in his big hands, his frown deepened.

Xu Zhu’s gaze followed Xie Yanzhao.

“Seriously?” Xu Zhu picked up the clothes, intending to inspect them, but was met with Xie Yanzhao’s hand slapping down on his. The sound was loud, and Xu Zhu, clutching his hand, glared at him. “Why did you hit me?”

Xie Yanzhao ignored him and walked straight into the room.

“Old Xie, don’t tell me that the item Educated Youth Ruan gave you is just this piece of clothing?”

“Mm,” Xie Yanzhao responded indifferently.

Xu Zhu found it hard to believe. “Didn’t she say anything to you, or did you talk to her?”

Xie Yanzhao placed the clothes down and then sat down.

“I did.”

Xu Zhu leaned in. “What did you say to her?”

Honestly, Xu Zhu had never put so much effort into finding a wife before.

Xie Yanzhao’s frown deepened. “I said let her marry me—”

“What?!”

A scream erupted, and Xu Zhu looked at him in disbelief. He sized up Xie Yanzhao several times. “Brother, have you lost your mind?”

“Stop talking nonsense,” Xie Yanzhao leaned back in his chair, exuding a rebellious air. “She refused.”

Xu Zhu clutched his chest.

He felt like he might be suffocated by Xie Yanzhao’s heavy breathing.

“Why?”

In his impression, Ruan Mingfu had always shown interest in Xie Yanzhao. It didn’t make sense that she would back off now that Xie Yanzhao had relented.

“Did you say something you shouldn’t have?”

Xie Yanzhao shot him a sideways glance.

“Not really…”

*

This situation was none of Ruan Mingfu’s concern, as she was currently feeling quite happy.

The letter she sent to the newspaper recently had received a response.

Her article had been accepted!

The letter from the newspaper included a remittance slip for fifteen yuan. But Ruan Mingfu felt very satisfied, as this was money she had earned herself, and it meant a lot to her.

Ruan Mingfu was reluctant to spend the fifteen yuan.

The envelope also contained a reply letter.

In essence, it said her article was accepted, and if she had any other manuscripts, she was welcome to send them to the newspaper.

“Educated Youth Ruan, you’re amazing!”

The people at the educated youth camp had just found out about Ruan Mingfu writing articles for the newspaper. The newspaper’s envelope was distinctive, with its full name on it, making it obvious without needing to open it.

The educated youths at the camp were even more envious.

Previously, they had said Ruan Mingfu was too delicate to do any work, and now she had proven that she could make money even without working.

It instantly put the people who had said those things yesterday in an awkward position.

Other educated youths were contemplative.

If a delicate lady like Ruan Mingfu could make money from articles, why couldn’t they?

The educated youths with plans in mind went inside and even skipped meals.

**

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