Chapter 45

Xia Yunxuan said, “The educated youths don’t get a lot of work points, and they don’t have enough food, so they only eat thin porridge and wild vegetables.”

Gu Beihuai said, “Who told them to be afraid of hard work and always complain about not having enough food when it’s time to eat?”

“Xia Comrade, I’ll tell you, there’s a real pain in the neck at the educated youth point, that Feng Shuwen. She doesn’t like anyone. I don’t know how annoying she is. Everyone at the educated youth point hates her.”

Xia Yunxuan said, “People like that are just idiots. Why bother with her? Just do your own thing. The more you pay attention to her, the more she’ll get a kick out of it and feel a sense of accomplishment.”

“She’s a spoiled little miss who’s never experienced hardship. When she meets someone stronger than her, she’ll immediately back down.”

Xia Yunxuan said, “We still have some time before work. Do you two want to go back and rest?”

“Xiao Yichen said, “No need, I think someone will be delivering bricks soon.” Xia Yunxuan said with a smile, “You didn’t mention that, I almost forgot.”

“Xiao Yichen said, “Little girl, you use these first. The rest are ours. If it’s not enough, I’ll find a way to get more. Our house has to be comfortable.”

Xia Yunxuan said, “Since you’ve said so, then I’ll thank you in advance. But you have to tell me how much it costs. I can’t take it for free.”

Xiao Yichen thought, “I want to get you, why would I care about a little money?” But he still said, “We’ll talk about it later, little girl. Why are you in such a hurry?”

Xia Yunxuan said, “Of course I’m in a hurry. I always pay back what I owe. Otherwise, if you think I’m trying to take advantage of you, that wouldn’t be good.”

Xiao Yichen said, “What if I want you to take advantage of me? That’s not allowed either. Otherwise, your future husband will find out and make trouble. I don’t want to be caught in the crossfire.”

Just as Xiao Yichen was about to say something else, the village head shouted from outside, “Gu Zhiqing, Xiao Zhiqing, someone has brought bricks for you. Come out for a moment.”

“Gu Beihuai said, “Village Head, we’ll be right there.” The village head was thinking, “When did this little girl become so close to these two? They’re even eating together. Does one of them have something in mind for the little girl?”

He knew that these two were not ordinary people. Would they be interested in a girl from their village? He hoped it wouldn’t be just a fling. That would be trouble for the little girl.

There had been cases in the past where girls from the village had dated educated youths, but then the educated youths went back to the city and left their pregnant girlfriends behind. The girls couldn’t hold their heads up in the village. They were constantly gossiped about by the aunties who loved to spread rumors. “Look, this is the girl who was left behind by the educated youth and is now pregnant.”

The village head led Gu Beihuai and Xiao Yichen to the threshing ground. They saw a truckload of bricks. The driver said to Xiao Yichen when he saw him, “Yichen, these are the bricks you need. I brought them for you. If it’s not enough, come find me again.”

“Xiao Yichen said, “Zhao Uncle, thank you for your trouble.” “It’s my job. What’s the trouble? If you need anything, just come find me.”

“Yichen, are you getting used to life here in the countryside? With your family’s conditions, you could have stayed in the city. Why did you come here? You didn’t even tell me in advance. I could have helped you out.”

“Xiao Yichen said, “Uncle, I didn’t tell anyone when I came to the countryside. Uncle, so please don’t tell anyone that you saw me here.”

“You’ve always been stubborn. Did you fight with your dad again and that’s why you came out? When I see him, I’ll give him a good talking to. He needs to change his temper.”

“Uncle, don’t worry. I didn’t come out because I fought with my dad. I just felt like there was no need to stay at home, so I came out to see the world.”

“Actually, even if you didn’t say it, I know it’s mostly because of your sister-in-law. I don’t know what your brother is thinking. He’s always busy with his research and doesn’t care about anything at home. Your sister-in-law’s personality is really something else.”

“Uncle, let’s not talk about her. It’s best to avoid talking about people like that. I’ve come out now. I’d rather not see her. When I get a wife, I’ll immediately split the family. I don’t want to live with someone like that. It’s better to avoid each other.”

“What kind of girl are you looking for? There are so many girls in the courtyard. Do you have any favorites? Tell your Uncle.”

Xiao Yichen looked at Xia Yunxuan and said, “Uncle, I can’t tell you now. When I successfully chase her, I’ll be the first to tell you, okay?”

“Who have you got your eye on? With your family’s background, chasing a girl is easy. Uncle, you know I don’t care about that. I just want to choose someone I like, someone I can spend my life with.”

“You know those girls in the courtyard. They all put on airs and think they’re better than everyone else. They all want to climb the social ladder. There aren’t many good ones.”

“If I really marry someone like that, I’d rather stay single. You know those people in the courtyard. They’re always fighting and arguing over the smallest things.”

“Haha, Zhao Master said, “You’ve finally come to your senses, kid. Besides, with your family’s conditions, you don’t need to use your marriage for alliances.”

“Look at your older brother. He’s in an arranged marriage. You have to be careful. Don’t let some people with bad intentions in the village trick you. Otherwise, your grandfather won’t let you off the hook.”

“Xiao Yichen said, “Uncle, don’t worry. People who can trick me haven’t been born yet. If anyone has any bad intentions, we’ll see who’s better.”

“You have to be careful. Don’t cause any trouble. You know, with your family’s conditions, a lot of people are watching, waiting for you to make a mistake.”

“Uncle, of course I know. Don’t worry. I was just talking. It won’t happen. If it does happen, I’ll make sure no one finds out. I grew up in the courtyard after all.”

“If I really am that useless and my old man finds out, I’m not just going to be punished by kneeling in the ancestral hall and getting a bamboo beating. It’ll be worse.”

“Haha, you know how powerful the old man is. I thought you were fearless. Xiao Yichen said, “Grandpa’s old, we have to be patient with him.”

“You’re not afraid I’ll tell the old man? He’ll take care of you when you get back. Uncle, I believe you’re not a gossip.”

“Alright, you go ahead and get to work. I won’t bother you anymore. I’ll leave after the goods are unloaded. If you need anything, come find me.”

“Xiao Yichen said, “Uncle, take care. Thank you for your trouble.” “Why are you being so polite with me? It makes my nickname, “Little Tyrant,” seem a little inaccurate.”

“Uncle, do you want me to treat you like that? Haha, no need. I’m scared of you. You have a whole set of tricks for messing with people. I’d better leave. My life is precious.”