Chapter 53

While Yu Xiaoyu was savoring the delicious dried meat, Meng Yinyin was not idle either.

She quickly took the opportunity to scan the girls’ dormitory, especially the bed she used to occupy. To her surprise, she discovered that someone else had taken her spot!

Meng Yinyin was stunned. She couldn’t help but feel anxious and quickly asked Yu Xiaoyu.

“Xiaoyu, has a new educated youth arrived at the educated youth point?”

“Ah? No.” Yu Xiaoyu replied, still enjoying the dried meat, completely unaware of the worry in Meng Yinyin’s eyes.

“Then… my bed…”

“Oh, your bed was taken by Lin Xiaoxia. The place where she used to sleep had a leak.”

Yu Xiaoyu wasn’t too pleased about the situation either.

The best solution would have been to send a male educated youth to fix the roof, but Lin Xiaoxia insisted that it was damp and uncomfortable, so she had to move into the bed that Meng Yinyin had previously used. Meng Yinyin’s registration was still at the educated youth point, so even if she wasn’t staying there anymore, the bed should have been reserved for her. However, considering that Meng Yinyin had already moved into a big house with Lu Chen, it was clear she wouldn’t be coming back to that small dormitory.

Still, Meng Yinyin hadn’t officially married Lu Chen yet, and the educated youth point was considered her “family home.” No matter what, they should’ve left her a spot.

After hearing this, Meng Yinyin wasn’t as angry as she had expected. As long as there was still a bed at the educated youth point, it didn’t matter whether it was the best spot or not; for now, she wasn’t going to make a fuss about it.

After finishing her explanation, Yu Xiaoyu was surprised that Meng Yinyin didn’t get upset.

Had staying at Lu Chen’s house for a while made her more tolerant?

If Meng Yinyin knew what Yu Xiaoyu was thinking, she would have jumped up and argued. It wasn’t that her temper had improved, but rather she just didn’t want to get worked up over such small matters!

No, she had always had such a good temper!

However, Meng Yinyin didn’t know what was going through Yu Xiaoyu’s mind. She was just pleased that there was still a bed available at the educated youth point.

Once Yu Xiaoyu finished the dried meat, it was almost time to go to work. Although she wanted to chat with Meng Yinyin more, she was part of a large group and had to quickly reunite with them.

Before leaving, Meng Yinyin told her to visit Lu Chen’s house at noon since he was away, and she would be there alone.

Yu Xiaoyu was surprised and wanted to ask more questions, but there was no time. She quickly said goodbye to Meng Yinyin and rushed off.

Yu Xiaoyu was among the last of the educated youth to leave the educated youth point. Once she left, Meng Yinyin also planned to leave but was taken aback when she saw someone walking toward her. It was Song Yue, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.

Seeing him suddenly, Meng Yinyin felt a chill down her spine, her skin crawling. The unsettling memories of Song Yue’s creepy behavior were still fresh in her mind, and she couldn’t bear to look at him now.

Fortunately, it was broad daylight, and there was some distance between them. As soon as she saw him, Meng Yinyin quickly turned and ran, not giving Song Yue a chance to speak.

Behind her, Song Yue stood still, his expression unreadable as he watched Meng Yinyin flee like a rabbit. A mysterious smile spread across his face.

So, Lu Chen would not be home for the time being.

…

Back home after leaving the educated youth point, Meng Yinyin thought her day would be like any other—eating, drinking, and napping. After all, Lu Chen was usually out working during the day and only returned for meals. When noon came, Yu Xiaoyu would also come over, so there would always be someone to keep her company.

Meng Yinyin couldn’t quite explain it, but the courtyard seemed unusually empty and desolate today. Gradually, she began to feel that her days were becoming dull.

Back in the city, although she didn’t do much work, she had family around and books to read, so she rarely felt idle.

However, life in the countryside was vastly different. It felt as though her days were reduced to nothing but eating and sleeping. Meng Yinyin was starting to feel sore from lying around all the time.

Still, when she thought of the backbreaking labor in the fields, she knew she wasn’t capable of handling it. But what about other kinds of work?

For example, teaching or working in an office?

Wait!

Speaking of teaching, Meng Yinyin suddenly remembered something!

In that dream she had, she had seen that the college entrance exams would soon be reinstated, followed by a series of reforms. That was when the male and female protagonists seized the opportunity—some pursued higher education, while others ventured into business, leading to brighter and more prosperous futures.

If the exams were to be reinstated, wouldn’t she be able to participate as well? Since she knew this news in advance, she would have plenty of time to prepare!

Counting on her fingers, Meng Yinyin realized the exams were happening this very year!

That was it—she could start studying right away!

With this newfound goal, Meng Yinyin felt a surge of joy. Even though she didn’t have any books at hand, it didn’t matter. She could start by making a plan.

The entire morning was spent devising various study schedules in her mind. She even began envisioning which university she wanted to attend.

Time passed quickly as she daydreamed. When noon arrived, there was a knock at the door. Meng Yinyin hurriedly got up, calling out, “Coming!” as she walked to the door.

When she opened it, sure enough, it was Yu Xiaoyu.

As Yu Xiaoyu entered the courtyard, despite having been here once before, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow, Yinyin, your place is huge!”

Hearing Yu Xiaoyu refer to it as her home, Meng Yinyin’s expression became slightly uneasy.

Yu Xiaoyu noticed but assumed she was just shy.

“Oh, come on! You and Lu Chen are practically married already. Why so shy?”

Meng Yinyin instinctively responded, “Xiaoyu, I don’t think Lu Chen and I can stay together.”

“What?!”

Yu Xiaoyu let out a startled scream, quickly asking, “What happened? Did Lu Chen mistreat you or bully you?”

The only explanation she could think of was that Lu Chen must have done something wrong. Otherwise, why would Meng Yinyin say such a thing? After all, Meng Yinyin had gone to great lengths to be with Lu Chen.

Meng Yinyin shook her head but couldn’t elaborate further. The truth about her dream was simply too far-fetched. She didn’t dare bring it up, fearing it might be linked to “Four Olds^[1]The “Four Olds” (四旧) in Chinese culture refer to old ideas, old culture, old customs, and old habits. During the Cultural Revolution, they were targeted for elimination to promote … Continue reading” which could spell trouble.

So, she stuck to a single explanation.

“Anyway, he’s not the person I thought he was. I don’t think we’re a good match.”

Although Lu Chen hadn’t done the things she saw in her dream yet, it didn’t mean he wouldn’t become that person in the future. If she didn’t escape early, she might never get the chance to leave!

What a mess!

Yu Xiaoyu was completely stunned. She wanted to dig deeper but stopped when she saw the confusion on Meng Yinyin’s face.

Fine, even Meng Yinyin hadn’t figured it out yet.

With this in mind, Yu Xiaoyu became more convinced that the two were just having a minor spat. She offered her advice.

“Why don’t you wait until he comes back in a few days and have a proper talk? Use this time to sort out your thoughts. Honestly, most things can be resolved if you talk it out.”

Though Yu Xiaoyu had never been in a relationship, she believed in the principle: talk it out if you can, and if you can’t, then end it!

Even though Yu Xiaoyu’s suggestions weren’t particularly helpful, their chat managed to lift Meng Yinyin’s spirits a bit.

Afterward, the two headed to the kitchen to cook. One tended the fire while the other prepared the food. For a while, it felt like their old teamwork at the Educated Youth point.

It was a rare moment of ease. Watching Yu Xiaoyu, her hair messy, wielding a spatula at the stove while sharing the brigade’s latest gossip, Meng Yinyin hesitated before casually asking, “By the way, Xiaoyu, do you still have your high school textbooks?”

“Huh? High school textbooks? They’re at home. Why? Do you need them?”

Like Meng Yinyin, Yu Xiaoyu had only graduated from high school shortly before being sent to the countryside. Her books were still at home, as she hadn’t brought them along since the college entrance exams had been canceled.

Meng Yinyin’s books had also been well-preserved at home, but during the chaos following her parents’ accident, people ransacked her house, and her books were taken and burned as firewood.

Feeling a bit frustrated, she explained to Yu Xiaoyu, “I think those books are quite interesting. If you have the time, you should read them more.”

That was all she could hint at. She couldn’t exactly tell her she’d had a dream about the exams being reinstated.

Unfortunately, Yu Xiaoyu let out a dramatic groan.

“After working in the fields all day, all I want is to lie down and sleep. Where would I find the time to read? But you, staying home all day, might enjoy them. I’ll be going to town in a few days to send a letter to my parents. I can ask them to send the books over next time.”

After thinking it over, Meng Yinyin decided not to refuse.

For one, she couldn’t get the books herself. And if the books did arrive, she could even rope Yu Xiaoyu into studying with her. Who knows, maybe they’d both end up in university!

Thus, the matter with the books was resolved. While chatting, the two quickly finished cooking. Unfortunately, Yu Xiaoyu’s cooking skills were only slightly better than Meng Yinyin’s—barely edible but far from delicious.

After getting used to Lu Chen’s cooking, Meng Yinyin found the meal difficult to stomach.

Yu Xiaoyu noticed her discomfort and teased, “If you really break up with Lu Chen, I wonder how you’ll survive at the Educated Youth point. The cooking skills there are no better than mine!”

Meng Yinyin’s hand stiffened as she held her chopsticks. She pouted and gave Yu Xiaoyu a playful glare.

“I’ve eaten worse before!”

But as the saying goes, it’s easy to adapt to luxury but hard to return to frugality.

After this meal, Meng Yinyin’s urgency to return to the Educated Youth point lessened even further.

During lunch, Meng Yinyin mentioned her idea of inviting Yu Xiaoyu to stay at her place for the next few days to keep her company. Yu Xiaoyu happily agreed. Since there was still some time left during the lunch break, she decided to head back to the Educated Youth point to pack a couple of outfits so she wouldn’t have to return later in the afternoon.

Meng Yinyin had no objections and even offered to do the dishes after Yu Xiaoyu left.

Not long after, while washing dishes, she heard the sound of the courtyard door creaking open. Assuming it was Yu Xiaoyu, she didn’t think much of it and was about to ask why she had returned so quickly when an unfamiliar male voice came from outside.

“Excuse me, is anyone home?”