Chapter 103

Feng Shishi was unwilling to give up, clinging to the last shred of hope in her heart.

Growing up together, she thought she still held a place in He Ting’s heart. However, seeing He Ting washing Lu Baiwei’s intimate garments shattered her last illusion.

She finally understood why Lu Jiaojiao had been so captivated.

If a man, especially someone as distinguished as He Ting—once the most admired young man in the compound—could do such things for a woman, how could any woman not be moved?

Her excuse of inviting He Ting to a wedding banquet was, in reality, an attempt to win him over. But now, utterly disheartened, Feng Shishi couldn’t bring herself to say another word. Looking defeated, she turned and headed toward the path leading to the Hongqi Brigade.

Reaching the Hongqi Brigade, finding Zhao Yongsen’s home was no challenge.

The matter between Zhao Yongsen and Liu Cuifang had shaken the entire brigade.

Zhao Yongsen had been detained by the commune, leaving Zhou Xiaohong drowning in regret for her greed and her son’s reckless attempt to pursue Liu Cuifang.

Not only had they gained nothing, but the situation had backfired. If her son was convicted of hooliganism, he could face the death penalty.

Initially, she had hoped for help from Party Secretary Yang, but his attempts to shield Zhao Yongsen resulted in his own punishment by the commune. He was removed from his position as brigade secretary.

The family had hit rock bottom. Zhou Xiaohong could only pray that Zhao Yongsen would serve time for his crime but escape execution.

At the eleventh hour, Liu Cuifang surprised everyone—not only did she decide not to press charges, but she also agreed to marry Zhao Yongsen.

Zhou Xiaohong didn’t fully understand why Liu Cuifang made such a decision, but if it meant her son could be released, she would gladly accept.

Her son was safe, and he was even marrying an educated woman from the capital. Zhou Xiaohong, filled with pride, sought to both flaunt her triumph and spite Tang Yunling’s aunt, Ye Hongmei. On the day of Zhao Yongsen and Liu Cuifang’s wedding, she lit several strings of firecrackers early in the morning.

As Feng Shishi approached the entrance to the Hongqi Brigade, the sound of firecrackers greeted her. She guessed that the house celebrating with firecrackers must belong to Zhao Yongsen.

Unbeknownst to her, Liu Cuifang’s presence had already mesmerized the young men of the Hongqi Brigade.

Even more so when the beautiful Feng Shishi appeared.

The brigade’s workers and the educated youth in the fields all craned their necks, their eyes fixed on her.

Among them, one particular pair of eyes roved over Feng Shishi’s graceful figure, almost as if tracing every inch of her body.

Sensing this lecherous gaze, Feng Shishi, relying on her intuition, turned toward the nearby field. She spotted a wiry man of medium height, seemingly honest in his demeanor, hoeing weeds in a sweet potato field.

Perhaps it was his unassuming appearance that misled her, so Feng Shishi approached him to ask for directions.

“Excuse me, big brother, could you tell me where Zhao Yongsen’s house is?”

“Big brother, could you tell me where Zhao Yongsen’s house is?”

The man didn’t respond immediately, so Feng Shishi added, “I’m a fellow educated youth from the neighboring Xiangyang Brigade, from the same place as Liu Cuifang. She’s getting married today, and I’m here to attend her wedding banquet.”

Hearing Liu Cuifang’s name, a flicker of wariness crossed the wiry man’s eyes.

After listening to her explanation, he seemed to relax and pointed toward the house where the firecrackers were going off.

“Over there!”

As expected, Liu Cuifang’s groom’s home was indeed the one with the firecrackers. Feng Shishi smiled politely at the man, gave him a wave, and walked away.

What she didn’t realize was that as she turned and headed toward Zhao Yongsen’s house, the man gripping the hoe fixed his greedy gaze on her departing figure. His eyes lingered on her slender waist and then wandered downward, fixating obsessively on her hips.

A twitch played at the corner of the man’s mouth as a strange, hungry smile crept across his face. To him, the beautiful Feng Shishi’s brief smile and wave felt like an invitation, as though she were interested in him. Blood rushed through his veins as his face contorted into an unsettling mix of excitement and desire.

Of course, Feng Shishi assumed it was just a normal exchange while asking for directions. Oblivious to the man’s reaction, she quickly followed the sound of the firecrackers and found Zhao Yongsen’s house.

In truth, there weren’t many guests at Zhao Yongsen’s house that day. Apart from a few relatives from Zhou Xiaohong’s side, not a single person from the brigade had come.

Even though Zhao Yongsen had been released by the commune, his public disgrace from being caught in the act was undeniable.

The villagers disapproved of his and Zhou Xiaohong’s conduct and wanted nothing to do with their family.

None of the educated youths from the Hongqi Brigade showed up either.

Liu Cuifang wasn’t particularly well-liked. Her pride in being from the capital and her sense of superiority alienated others, and the educated youth in the brigade had little to do with her.

Only one or two felt obligated to attend after her repeated invitations.

Feng Shishi’s arrival brought unexpected liveliness to Zhao Yongsen’s home.

Especially when she handed over a 20-yuan red envelope, leaving Zhou Xiaohong utterly stunned.

Zhou Xiaohong couldn’t help but think how wonderful it would have been if her son were marrying this young woman instead. Feng Shishi was not only stunningly beautiful but also incredibly generous.

Unlike Liu Cuifang, who had only ever given them a few pieces of candy and even refused to pay for furniture Zhao Yongsen helped make, Feng Shishi’s generosity was dazzling in comparison.

Regrettably, Zhao Yongsen was set to marry Liu Cuifang, and that couldn’t be changed.

Zhou Xiaohong’s heart was filled with regret, so she lavished Feng Shishi with enthusiasm. However, Feng Shishi responded only perfunctorily, offering polite but detached replies.

Zhou Xiaohong, full of regret, tried to be as warm and hospitable as possible toward Feng Shishi. However, Feng Shishi responded with only a few perfunctory words.

After the setbacks she had experienced with Shen Guixiang and others, Feng Shishi had learned to be cautious. She realized that not everyone who appeared friendly had pure intentions. Just because someone wore a smile didn’t mean they were sincere.

“Yongsen, you stay here with Cuifang and entertain Comrade Feng. I’ll step outside to check on the guests,” Zhou Xiaohong said.

Seeing that Feng Shishi wasn’t much for conversation, Zhou Xiaohong decided not to persist in her enthusiasm. Assuming Feng Shishi simply had a cold personality, she left her son to handle the guest while she went outside to tend to her relatives.

“Comrade Feng, my Cuifang often talks about you. She says you’re her best friend,” Zhao Yongsen said.

“Hmph!”

Feng Shishi shot Zhao Yongsen a frosty look.

How could she be kind to someone who had forced himself on her best friend?

Yes, Liu Cuifang had once saved her from Shen Guixiang and her son. In Feng Shishi’s heart, Liu Cuifang was now her closest sister, someone who had shown her genuine care.

Zhao Yongsen was baffled by her cold attitude.

“Comrade Feng, have I done something to offend you?”

“Shishi!”

Liu Cuifang, seated nearby, gave her a meaningful look, signaling her to let it go. After all, she had decided to build a life with Zhao Yongsen.

Reluctantly, Feng Shishi eased her harsh expression.

Still, for the sake of her friend, she decided to issue a warning.

Thinking about how well He Ting treated Lu Baiwei, she finally spoke:

“For the things you’ve done to Cuifang in the past, I’ll let it go because you’ll be spending the rest of your lives together.”

“But Cuifang is my best friend, and you must treat her well from now on.”

“She’s carrying your child now, so you have to take responsibility as a father. Don’t let her do heavy or exhausting work. She’s suffered a lot since her mother brought her to our compound. She’s endured cold stares and hardships. As her husband, you must cherish her.”

Liu Cuifang: “…”