After settling Zhao Mo’s living arrangements, Zhang Yunxi unapologetically took two sweet potatoes from their home. It was agreed that she would come to eat, so she couldn’t go on an empty stomach.

Under Yuan Guixiang’s murderous gaze, she leisurely walked away.

“You’re something else!” On the road, Deng Damei gave her a thumbs up.

She had initially thought the beautiful new educated youth was the gentle and soft type, but it turned out she was fiercer than the village shrews—brave and resourceful.

Zhang Yunxi shyly replied, “It’s my fault for taking the kitchen knife without permission. I will report it to you next time.”

Deng Damei’s jaw dropped. “There’s going to be a next time?!”

Zhang Yunxi shrugged and chuckled lightly. “Who knows?”

Deng Damei was impressed.

But remembering that Zhang Yunxi was going to town the next day, she added, “Can you check if there’s any black yarn? I don’t have thick socks for winter.”

“Sure.”

Zhang Yunxi was happy to help with such small matters.

The next day, before the sky was fully bright, Zhang Yunxi packed up and left. She had agreed with Zhao Mo the day before to set off at six in the morning, as it would take three hours to get to town!

They needed to go early and return early.

Zhang Yunxi brought money with her and found Zhao Mo waiting at the door. “Why are you here so early?”

Zhao Mo was too embarrassed to say she didn’t know what six o’clock was, so she had gotten up as soon as the sky began to lighten.

Last night, she had a proper bed and slept well.

Although her father and stepmother scolded her, they didn’t hit her!

She was so happy that she felt like she was smiling in her sleep, because when she woke up this morning, the corners of her mouth were turned up!

“I just got here.”

“Alright.”

Zhao Mo had always been punctual, so Zhang Yunxi didn’t dwell on it and took her hand as they walked toward town.

The road to town was long and winding, but there were no forks. Zhang Yunxi had walked it once yesterday and remembered it well.

From her military green satchel, Zhang Yunxi pulled out two sweet potatoes, handing one to Zhao Mo and keeping one for herself. “I just warmed these up. Have one to fill your stomach. When we get to town, we’ll eat something good at the state-run restaurant.”

“State-run restaurant?”

Zhao Mo had heard about it from Er Gouzi. He said it was a place only for those with formal jobs in town, and going in once would cost about one yuan. He had clamored to go in and eat meat, but ended up getting a beating from his father instead.

“Yeah, I have meat coupons and grain coupons. Today, we’ll order a portion of braised pork and eat it with white rice. It’ll definitely be delicious.” Zhang Yunxi swallowed her saliva.

It had been a long time since she had meat, and she was craving it.

The original owner of this body hadn’t eaten well either—what a miserable life. Not only was she schemed against by her uncle, but the man she liked also swindled her out of her money!

The original owner’s parents had left her over one hundred yuan.

And a job.

But the job was given to her cousin the very next day, sparing her from being sent to the countryside.

And the money? One hundred yuan was swindled by that scoundrel!

Now, including the educated youth settlement allowance, she only had eighty-two yuan left.

Zhang Yunxi couldn’t let the scoundrel off the hook. While waiting for the Educated Youth Office to open, she anonymously reported him for staying in the city without a job!

The scoundrel had five siblings.

He was the youngest.

His father was the director of a rubber factory and had already arranged a job for him, but the timing didn’t align.

The job would start after the educated youth were sent to the countryside, so he had no choice but to stay with rural relatives for a few days. Once the educated youth were sent down, he would return to the factory and start working.

Nothing would happen to him.

But how could Zhang Yunxi let him off? If he didn’t go to the countryside, she’d make sure he did!

That scoundrel not only swindled the original owner out of her money but was also involved with her cousin!

The original owner, overwhelmed by the harsh realities and with no one to turn to, simply couldn’t take it anymore.

A sharp glint flashed in Zhang Yunxi’s eyes.

Zhao Mo had no idea her aunt had so many thoughts in just a few seconds. She was excited. “Are we really eating meat?”

“Yes~” Zhang Yunxi nodded.

Zhao Mo was thrilled. She had forgotten what meat tasted like. She raised her little face and smiled brightly at her. “Auntie, you’re so good to me.”

Zhang Yunxi lovingly ruffled her soft hair. “It’s what I should do.”

In the past, you were even better to me than I am to you now.

The buildings in town weren’t much different from those in the village, to Zhang Yunxi, there were just more red-brick houses and a few multi-story buildings.

Zhao Mo’s eyes widened. The houses were so tall!

1, 2, 3, 4…

Wow, five stories!

The town was indeed the town—so bustling. No wonder everyone liked it here.

“Zhao Mo, I want to buy a newspaper. Can we go to the post office first?”

“Okay!” Zhao Mo had no objections.

She also wanted to see what the post office looked like.

Zhang Yunxi wanted to buy a newspaper mainly to see what kind of articles were being published. She wanted to earn money through writing. Otherwise, relying on the work points from the brigade, even if she worked herself to death, she wouldn’t be able to provide a good life for herself and Zhao Mo.

At the post office, as Zhang Yunxi was selecting a newspaper, someone tapped her on the shoulder. Frowning, she turned around and saw a familiar yet unfamiliar face. Her lips curled up for a split second before her eyes widened in surprise. “Why are you here?”

“I heard you were sent to the countryside, so I came too. How could you abandon me!” Wu Donglin gazed at her with deep affection. He had always thought Zhang Yunxi was beautiful but lacked soul—just a pretty face. But just now, as he walked out of the train station and saw Zhang Yunxi approaching gracefully, his heart raced uncontrollably.

Zhang Yunxi sneered inwardly. Idiot.

Outwardly, she looked shocked and even took a step back in fear. Zhang Yunxi steeled herself and pinched her thigh hard, bringing tears to her eyes. Biting her lip, she looked at him with a teary expression. “Comrade Wu, don’t say that. There’s nothing between us. Now, I have nothing left…”

“What are you talking about? What could I possibly want from you!” Wu Donglin moved closer. How could Zhang Yunxi be so beautiful now? The redness at the corners of her eyes made him want to possess her completely.

“I have no money left…”

Zhang Yunxi said bluntly, “I gave you one hundred yuan back then. Now, all I have left is the educated youth settlement allowance. And now, it’s not just me—I have my niece to take care of too.”

Whoa—

The post office staff watching the drama were shocked.

They were watching purely because Zhang Yunxi was beautiful, Wu Donglin was carrying a lot of luggage, and they had heard him say he came to the countryside for her!

But it turned out this pretty boy had swindled money from the beautiful girl. What kind of person was he? He looked refined, but who would have thought he was such a scoundrel.

Indeed, you can’t judge a book by its cover!

Wu Donglin’s face turned red. He hadn’t expected Zhang Yunxi to say such a thing in public. “I… I didn’t take your money!”

“You said you needed one hundred yuan to find a job, and I happened to have it, so you took it.” Zhang Yunxi lowered her eyes and murmured, “I really have no money now. Please go.”

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Wu Donglin felt the weight of their disdain and said awkwardly, “Don’t talk nonsense.”

“I’m not.”

Tears fell from Zhang Yunxi’s eyes, making her look both tragically beautiful and pitiful, full of grievance.

Just then, Zhao Rencheng, who had come to mail a letter, saw Zhang Yunxi pinch her thigh, his expression twisting for a moment.