Chapter 11: The Ruthless Man

Hey, what are you doing over there?

Jiang Xinyue shouted and sprinted forward, with Jiang Manyue close behind.

Jiang Mingyue didn’t run but quickened her pace slightly.

Zhao Hongying, standing by the roadside, was absentmindedly pulling at something in front of her and didn’t react immediately to the noise.

When she finally looked up, she noticed a handful of rice ears broken at her feet.

Zhao Hongying… What are you doing? Did our millet provoke you?”

Qianjin Village and Hongxing Village were close together, with some fields adjacent to each other. Second Aunt Jiang belonged to the Zhao family in Hongxing Village, meaning Zhao Hongying was also Aunt Jiang’s niece.

Jiang Xinyue had a negative impression of the Zhao family due to Aunt Jiang’s behavior. This sentiment extended to her classmates, including Zhao Hongying.

Zhao Hongying snapped back to reality and quickly released her grip, “Um, Jiang Xinyue, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it…”

Zhao Hongying was two years older than Jiang Mingyue and was reportedly being courted by someone from town.

Judging by her attire today, she was likely out on a date.

Jiang Xinyue didn’t care whether Zhao Hongying had damaged her rice intentionally or not; she just wanted compensation.

Jiang Xinyue, don’t go too far. How much are these few bunches of grain worth?”

The lack of value is not a reason for you to waste food,” Jiang Mingyue interjected, her fair face displaying subtle disapproval.

Jiang Mingyue? Are you really kicked out of the Dong family?” Zhao Hongying asked, surprised.

Jiang Mingyue glanced at her, then bent down to pick up the rice ears at her feet, tying them with straw and placing them in Zhao Hongying’s hands.

You can either pay me two yuan now, or I’ll go ask your parents for it.”

No, Jiang Mingyue, I already said I didn’t mean it… I was just thinking about my partner…”

Zhao Hongying was hesitant to part with two yuan, as it wasn’t easy to earn.

Okay, then I’ll make the trip to your village, but the price will go up if I do.”

Jiang Mingyue ignored Zhao Hongying’s protests.

Zhao Hongying grew enraged, “Jiang Mingyue, you were just kicked out a few days after getting married. Why are you acting so arrogant?”

What did you say?” Jiang Xinyue stepped forward, grabbing Zhao Hongying’s collar. “Do you want to fight?”

Jiang Xinyue!” Zhao Hongying looked nervous.

Jiang Xinyue was a bit wild, having no brothers in the family. She had grown up rough and could be intimidating when provoked.

Just then, the sound of bicycle bells rang out nearby.

Zhao Hongying’s face lit up.

Jiang Mingyue raised her eyes and saw a man dressed in a gray shirt and black polyester pants.

He had a very short haircut, tanned skin, a strong build, and sharp features that made him seem formidable at first glance.

Jiang Mingyue briefly glanced at him before looking away.

The man approached.

Xinyue, let go of her first,” he said.

Jiang Xinyue huffed but eventually released her grip.

Zhao Hongying, pulling at her clothes, turned to the man and complained, Brother Dong, you arrived just in time. I was almost beaten when you weren’t here.”

Zhao Hongying’s tone was exaggerated, which made it sound almost comical.

Jiang Xinyue lowered her voice, “Sister, the bad luck brought by the Dong family hasn’t gone away yet.”

She alluded to the fact that it was unfortunate to encounter Gu Dongqing.

Jiang Mingyue couldn’t help but smile at her sister’s comment and patted her hand to signal her to stop talking nonsense.

She then looked at Zhao Hongying, “We didn’t beat you, so don’t make unjust accusations.”

I almost got beaten,” Zhao Hongying retorted, emboldened by Gu Dongqing’s presence. “If my partner hadn’t come, you would have attacked me.”

Gu Dongqing, standing next to them, didn’t change his expression. His slightly raised eyebrows gave him an unruly appearance, making it hard to read his thoughts.

There was a voice in Jiang Mingyue’s mind warning her that this man was not someone to be trifled with, so she should keep her distance.

For now, she just wanted her rice money back.

Comrade Gu is Comrade Zhao’s partner?” she asked, looking up.

Gu Dongqing’s thin lips curved slightly. “Is there something wrong?”

Comrade Zhao Hongying picked our rice, but she doesn’t want to compensate,” Jiang Mingyue said.

It’s just a little bit of rice, not enough to fill the gaps between teeth. Are you extorting two yuan from me?” Gu Dongqing replied dismissively.

Zhao Hongying was unwilling to pay.

Gu Dongqing crossed his arms and casually said, “I didn’t expect the gap between your teeth to be so big.”

Brother Dong?” Zhao Hongying flushed with embarrassment.

Jiang Xinyue struggled to suppress her laughter, realizing that despite his intimidating appearance, the man had a sense of humor.

Jiang Mingyue maintained her composure, not laughing like her sister. Instead, she looked at Gu Dongqing and asked, “So, as her partner, do you want to help her pay back the money?”

Gu Dongqing’s interest piqued, and he pondered why Dong Chengcai would let Jiang Mingyue go. If she was his wife, he would never let her leave.

Gu Dongqing?” Jiang Mingyue frowned, feeling a bit annoyed.

Brother Dong!” Zhao Hongying was also displeased.

Why was her partner paying more attention to Jiang Mingyue? She reached out to tug at Gu Dongqing’s sleeve, but he sidestepped her.

He gazed at Jiang Mingyue with intrigue. “When did it become a rule that the blind date should shoulder the responsibility for compensation?”

I didn’t get married, and I still have to pay her two yuan. Isn’t that like losing money to my grandma’s family?”

“Really?”

He spoke with a teasing tone, still looking at Jiang Mingyue.

Feeling a bit flustered, she avoided his gaze. “Then Zhao Hongying should pay.”

Zhao Hongying was taken aback. Wasn’t she and Gu Dongqing meant for each other?

Brother Dong, what’s going on?” she asked, confused.

Gu Dongqing replied, “It’s okay, I just didn’t like you on the blind date.”

Why? Didn’t my mother say you were very satisfied with me? Brother Dong, I…

“I don’t like people of bad quality.”

Gu Dongqing interrupted her.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hongying quickly pulled out two yuan from her pocket and handed it to Jiang Mingyue.

Jiang Mingyue accepted the money without hesitation.

As for the rice ears picked by Zhao Hongying, they naturally belonged to her.

“New moon, full moon, let’s get back to work.”

After resolving the dispute with Zhao Hongying, they had no reason to linger.

Whether Gu Dongqing and Zhao Hongying could get along was no longer their concern.

Jiang Xinyue was curious, but Jiang Mingyue didn’t want her to stay and eavesdrop. She sensed that Zhao Hongying’s plan to marry Gu Dongqing was likely to fail, and to avoid unnecessary resentment, she needed to move on.

They entered their field, which was right by the roadside, and could still hear the conversation between Gu Dongqing and Zhao Hongying.

Brother Dong, I gave the money to them, and I…

Well, this only proves that you are a normal person.

“Ah?”

Zhao Hongying felt aggrieved, tears welling in her eyes, “Brother Dong…”

Don’t act like I’m bullying you. I’ve only met you once on a blind date, and we’re not familiar with each other.