Chapter 34: Beautiful Shen Xingchen

Mai Xiangdong didn’t want to escalate the situation, so he simply gave a verbal reprimand to Meng Guilan and the other villagers who had been gossiping.

Zhao Xue also played the role of a “sensible” peacemaker, advising Lin Ranran to calm down.

Finally, Mai Xiangdong instructed Mai Hongcai to give up his seat for Zhao Xue and Lin Ranran.

Since girl are often slim, they could still sit together if they squeezed in.

Mai Hongcai, who had been watching the scene unfold, was suddenly called out. He subconsciously asked, “What should I do?”

“You can sit in the aisle, or you can walk back it’s up to you!”

Mai Xiangdong glared at his nephew, displeased. He blamed him for lacking foresight at such a time and asking all sorts of questions.

Had Mai Juncai not been responsible for driving the tractor, he wouldn’t have asked Mai Hongcai to give up his seat.

Eventually, Zhao Xue sat next to Mai Sui, with Lin Ranran sitting beside her, and Meng Guilan sat on the other side.

The two sides had just argued, and both were more irritated than the other, with neither wanting to speak to the other.

Mai Hongcai sat on the rice bags in the aisle.

Mai Xiangdong arranged for four new educated youths to board the bus and asked Mai Hongcai to help carry the luggage.

Once everything was in place, Mai Xiangdong sat directly in the front driver’s seat, squeezing in next to his son, Mai Juncai.

The tractor started, and the group began to drive towards Lianhua Village.

Perhaps because of the recent unpleasantness, the villagers, who usually loved to chat, fell silent.

The newly arrived educated youth appeared somewhat embarrassed and, fatigued from the long journey, didn’t say a word.

Mai Sui, who had been admiring the beautiful scenery of the mountains and rivers along the way, suddenly felt several pairs of eyes focused on her.

Mai Sui sensed an odd interest and turned sharply, meeting Shen Xingchen’s gaze.

Shen Xingchen, caught in the act of peeking, turned pale, a suspicious blush creeping across his cheeks.

Then, he began coughing uncontrollably, with his neck and ears turning bright red.

In fact, Mai Sui had noticed Shen Xingchen the moment he boarded the vehicle.

The reason was simple: the man was just too beautiful.

Mai Sui used the word “beautiful” to describe Shen Xingchen, a grown man, instead of “handsome” because of her habit as a superior.

It’s similar to praising a vase for being beautiful, but you wouldn’t call a vase handsome.

The man was a bit thin and had a sickly complexion, but his features were extraordinarily delicate, especially his peach blossom eyes.

The corners of his eyes were slightly upturned, like a garden full of spring colors in March, sparkling and bright.

But at that moment, the eyes looked tired and fragile, as though they might break if touched.

With that look and expression, it truly made one want to hold and cherish him fiercely.

As a big boss, Mai Sui also had her male favorites, more than one, which she would occasionally show off to assert her authority.

After all, if everyone else has it but she doesn’t, it would feel cheap.

However, it was all for show. Mai Sui had never actually “played with real guns and swords.”

First, they were busy fighting for territory and killing every day, leaving little free time.

Second, it might be because the other person’s appearance didn’t fully align with her preferences there was always something missing.

Had it been someone else, maybe she would have had the time.

It’s a pity this world doesn’t allow keeping male concubines.

Alas…

When Chen Chien saw Shen Xingchen coughing violently, he immediately patted him on the back to help him breathe more easily.

Song Hewei, sitting on the other side, handed over a kettle. “Brother Xingchen, drink some water.”

Shen Xingchen raised his hand and pushed the kettle back. “Ahem… No need.”

Seeing this, Chen Chien could only offer his own kettle.

This time, Shen Xingchen didn’t hesitate and drank all the water from Chen Chien’s kettle.

When Song Hewei saw this, she pursed her lips, feeling aggrieved.

She, Shen Xingchen, and Chen Chien had grown up together in the same compound.

Of course, “childhood sweethearts” was a term Song Hewei used for herself.

In truth, they just lived in the same compound and knew each other.

If this was considered childhood sweethearts, then she should have dozens or even hundreds of “childhood sweethearts.”

When Song Hewei heard that Shen Xingchen had signed up to go to the countryside, she also signed up without telling her family.

However, her family later found out about it.

Song Hewei’s father tried to pull strings to have her name removed from the list of educated youth, which ultimately caused her to miss the train that Shen Xingchen boarded.

But this didn’t stop Song Hewei.

She took a bus on her own.

It was a tough journey, but Song Hewei didn’t care. As long as she could be with Shen Xingchen, everything else was worth it.

However, Shen Xingchen didn’t feel the same way.

When he and Chen Chien saw Song Hewei at the gate of Hongqi Commune, they were shocked.

Shen Xingchen wasn’t moved by Song Hewei’s actions at all. Instead, he felt irritated and didn’t want to pay attention to her.

Seeing this, Chen Chien felt helpless.

He had once liked Song Hewei, but after realizing that she liked his good friend Shen Xingchen, he gave up.

Because he knew that compared to Shen Xingchen, he had no chance.

The reason Song Hewei pursued Shen Xingchen wasn’t just because she liked him.

More importantly, she knew that Shen Xingchen would one day become a national leader, with power, status, and wealth.

If she didn’t act now, she would miss her chance.

My mother married a man who abused her.

After marriage, she not only had multiple children, but she was also subjected to beatings. On one occasion, she was even beaten so badly that she suffered a miscarriage.

If she could go back in time, she would never let this tragedy happen again!

That’s right, Song Hewei was reborn.

She swore that this time, she would defy fate and change her destiny, ensuring she would never fall into such a situation again.

Not only that, she also planned to become the superior person!

Therefore, she must hold on to Shen Xingchen as her life-saving support.

However, as soon as she arrived in the countryside, she encountered a formidable opponent.

Song Hewei didn’t expect to find someone so attractive in the countryside.

The other person had bright eyes, white teeth, creamy skin, and an outstanding presence. Not only in the countryside, but even in their capital, there was no one with such beauty.

In their previous life, they lost contact once Shen Xingchen went to the countryside.

So, Song Hewei had no idea whether Shen Xingchen got married during his time there.

One day, when she returned to her mother’s house, she overheard her father chatting with several uncles in the compound.

During their conversation, they somehow started talking about Shen Xingchen, mentioning how great he had become.

However, they didn’t mention Shen Xingchen’s wife or children.

Song Hewei didn’t inquire at the time.

Now, thinking about it, she regretted not asking, as it could have allowed her to prepare herself better.

After getting on the tractor, Song Hewei couldn’t help but keep observing her rival, Mai Sui, either intentionally or unintentionally.

She wanted to gauge the other person’s background, but Mai Sui was always looking outside, so Song Hewei didn’t find a chance to speak to him.

When the other person finally turned his head, Song Hewei hurriedly spoke:

“Comrade, you’re an educated youth too, right? My name is Song Hewei. I’m 18 years old and from Beijing. What’s your name?”

When Song Hewei mentioned she was from Beijing, her tone was filled with pride.

This was the capital, a true big city!

Sure enough, as soon as Song Hewei said this, everyone in the vehicle turned to look at her.

Song Hewei was very pleased with the reactions. She wore a dignified and elegant smile, shaking off the disappointment from being rejected by Shen Xingchen earlier.

Before Mai Sui could respond, Zhao Xue, who was sitting nearby, spoke up first: “She’s not an educated youth, I am.”

What she meant was that Mai Sui wasn’t in the same group as them.

Then Zhao Xue introduced herself enthusiastically:

“My name is Zhao Xue. I came here a few years earlier than you. We’re comrades now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me anytime.”

Although Zhao Xue directed this to Song Hewei, her gaze kept drifting toward Shen Xingchen.

Indeed, beauty is captivating, no matter the gender.