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On this day, the school had purposely granted a day off to celebrate. However, this didn’t concern the children much. Mingcheng took his younger siblings to the river to catch fish and shrimp, hoping to add something extra to the family meal. Chen Xu and his friends also joined in the fun, as the food at the collective farm wasn’t particularly appetizing, and they wanted to treat everyone to a delicious dish.
Since their arrival, Chen Xu and his friends had grown stronger compared to their initial frailty. Their once fair skin had now turned robust and tanned, resembling, in their own words, laboring people more closely.
The young group gathered the fish they caught, setting aside the tiny ones unfit for consumption to feed the poultry at Mingyuan’s home. They all enjoyed the afternoon sun by the riverbank.
Luo Ziqiao lay on the sandy embankment gazing at the cloudless azure sky. “Ah, I wish I could go home now. At this time, my mother would be preparing food for winter. Every year, we make a lot of tomato paste during this period, but unfortunately, I never learned how to make it. Otherwise, we could enjoy it during winter.”
His words stirred a sense of homesickness among the previously cheerful brothers. Meanwhile, the young girls catching small shrimps with Wang Qian by the river shouted to the group on the shore, “Stop daydreaming! The first batch of people from the brigade haven’t even left yet. How could we return so soon? Let’s just stay here and wait for the opportunity to return to the city. But that Director Zhu, I think we need to be cautious. He’s not one to overlook things easily.”
Director Zhu, known as “Pighead Bull,” was well-known to Wang Qian and the group. He was the chubby man from the Revolutionary Committee in charge of the educated youth. Wang Qian didn’t have a favorable impression of him, sensing his lecherous gaze often directed at women’s chests and bottoms. She placed the small shrimps in her hand into a bowl and remarked, “Sister Zhao, I think you all should focus more on studying. If the college entrance exam is reinstated in the future, and you all pass, you won’t need to worry about that fat guy’s whims anymore.”
One of the female educated youth, Sun Yuming, interjected, “Ah, when will the college entrance exam be restored? There’s been no news yet. We do study at times, but it’s just to pass the time. We’ve encountered so many unfortunate events.”
Despite the despondent tone of the female educated youth, Wang Qian knew that the college entrance exam was set to be reinstated next year.
“Sisters, don’t speak like that. When you return to the city, the experiences you’ve had here may be a treasure for your entire lives. When you’re older and reminisce about this passionate time, it will be an invaluable story to share with your children and grandchildren. Now, make good use of your time and study diligently. The college entrance exam may be reinstated soon, and learning more will only benefit you,” Wang Qian advised.
Chen Xu added, “Listen to my sister’s advice. Being prepared is always wise. If the college entrance exam resumes as she says, missing this opportunity would be a regret. Don’t wait for that fat guy to grant you the permission to return to the city. Seize the moment. I’m studying hard now.”
Upon hearing these words, everyone began to contemplate the importance of studying diligently to avoid future regrets. As they followed Mingyuan and the others back home, Zhang Lan provided them with a bottle of soybean oil. Stewed fish without oil wouldn’t taste right, especially because these individuals had left home as teenagers and were still learning to cook, often unaware of the need to conserve oil. Even if they used Chen Xu’s share, it wouldn’t be enough for the group.
“We don’t know how to thank you enough. Since we arrived, we’ve enjoyed your hospitality. When we return to the city, we’ll treat you to a grand meal at Lao Mo’s Restaurant,” they expressed their gratitude.
Zhang Lan smiled gently, “Plan your lives well. Don’t end up struggling at the end of the month. By the way, gather some vegetables from the garden to take back. If anything is missing, let me know.”
Treating these individuals like children because they are not much older than Mingcheng, Zhang Lan, prepared her two children’s belongings and headed back to school that afternoon. Mingcheng and the others departed, leaving Wang Minglin, who hadn’t passed the high school entrance exam, to rush over, announcing urgent news, “Auntie, something has happened at our house. Uncle has already gone. Would you like to come and take a look?”
Unaware of the reason for the altercation, Zhang Lan quickly grabbed her nephew and asked for details.
“Auntie, it sounds like it’s about Younger Aunt. Dad and Third Uncle are arguing with Da Gu and his wife,” Wang Minglin explained.
Upon hearing that it was about Wang Zhi, Wang Qian had a bad feeling. If it had prompted even Wang Zhenhe, who rarely interfered in family matters, to get involved, it must be serious.
Turning to Zhang Lan, she said, “Mom, pretend you don’t know about this. Stay at home. My brother and I will go check it out. It likely won’t end well. It’s best you steer clear of their household.”
“Minglin, let’s go and see what’s happening. Let’s witness who can outdo whom. I’m curious to see the outcome when Uncle intervenes,” Wang Qian expressed.
As long as her husband was fine, Zhang Lan wasn’t worried. “Qianqian, just observe from a distance when you two go. Understand the situation, but it’s best to have your dad handle it. He will understand your maternal family’s matters well,” she advised.
Wang Qian admired her mother’s insightful advice. Wang Zhenhe had never been clear-headed at the Wangs’, often meddling where he shouldn’t. Given the matriarch’s astuteness, why involve him now? Clearly, the situation was complex.
The siblings, accompanied by Wang Minglin, strolled leisurely towards the old yard. From a distance, they could already hear the sounds of crying and shouting from their house.
Upon entering the yard, Wang Qian and the others witnessed Zhu Qiyu beating two girls with a broom, while Wang Zhenhai stood nearby, engaged in a heated argument.
Wang Zhi’s appearance this time was notably different from before. Her hair was styled, and her clothes were vibrant. It was through Uncle’s words that Wang Qian learned Wang Zhi had secretly married, without official registration. No wonder their grandmother was so upset. Wang Zhi had broken new ground with a secret marriage. None of the others knew; they had quietly tied the knot.
Ma Fenqing held his son, watching the spectacle with a sense of schadenfreude, choosing not to intervene. Wang Zhenguo stood between the altercation, preventing their grandmother from exerting herself.
Wang Qian observed her father, standing in the yard with a somber expression, feeling incredulous about Wang Zhi’s and Wang Mei’s actions. Wang Mei had practically sold out Wang Zhi, who seemed to be under some mysterious influence, obeying Wang Mei’s every command.
“Mom, please stop hitting. I didn’t mean to hide this from you. Elder sister claimed she had already informed you and that you had agreed. That’s why I acted this way. If you don’t believe me, ask Wang Mei,” Wang Zhi pleaded.
The blows from the broom on Wang Zhi, clad in only a single layer, were excruciating. She had never experienced such harsh punishment before. In her desperation, she remembered Wang Mei’s words, which gave her the courage to face the situation, despite her fear.
Zhu Qiyu, tears streaming down her face, now had only this precious daughter left. She had hoped to find a good match for her daughter, but now she was marrying a divorced man. The last man had not met her approval, but given his excellent conditions, she had hesitantly agreed. She never thought he was a suitable match for her daughter. To her surprise, her daughter had made the decision without consulting her.
Zhu Qiyu halted her actions, staring at her eldest daughter sternly. “Wang Mei, when did you tell me about this? You deceitful creature, deceiving even your own sister. Are you even human? You’re pushing your sister into the fire. How could I have given birth to such an ungrateful creature? Planning against your own sister. Are you even human?”
The matriarch collapsed on the ground, wailing loudly. At this moment, Wang Zhi realized her own sister had deceived her. Enraged, she lunged at Wang Mei. “You deceitful Wang Mei! I called you my sister for all these years, and yet you dared to deceive me. Today, I’ll confront you.”
The sisters engaged in a fierce struggle in the yard, prompting Wang Deshan to watch the drama unfold through tear-filled eyes. His daughter was getting married, and as a father, he hadn’t even properly prepared a dowry for her. He had allowed his eldest daughter sold off her youngest without a second thought.
“Stop this immediately! All of you, come inside and talk properly. Don’t you care about what others might say,” Wang Deshan wiped away a tear, ushering everyone inside. Zhu Qiyu, tearful, rose from the ground and slapped Wang Mei, exclaiming, “You fool, get inside. We haven’t settled our matters yet.”
Wang Qian and her siblings stood beneath the window, listening to the conversation inside as it wasn’t convenient to join.
Once inside, Wang Mei knelt before the elderly lady, “Mom, I had no choice. Why do you think I deceived my sister? Instead of questioning her actions, sleeping with someone else, what could I do? If she ended up pregnant, our family’s reputation would have been ruined. I had to act this way, urging them to marry quickly. Your son-in-law even wanted to meet you, but I prevented him. I just wanted to handle the situation discreetly.”