Chapter 30 : Returning the Property to Its Original Owner

“Han Yuecheng, say that again.” Shen Subai had just had his money stolen and was in a foul mood. When he heard the childhood nickname he had always hated, his face instantly turned pale.

“Hahaha! Slip of the tongue. Shen Subai, what are you doing in the countryside too?” Han Yuecheng had blurted out what was on his mind and quickly apologized.

“I came because I wanted to. Why ask so many questions?” Shen Subai hadn’t expected to run into these people here and looked up at the sky with a frustrated expression.

“Banghua, is he angry?” Han Yuecheng sensed the irritation in Shen Subai’s tone.

“He just had 1,500 yuan stolen. You two should cut him some slack,” Nangong Ruochen said with amusement, clearly enjoying the situation.

Shu Ruxue, noticing the tension between Shen Subai and the other three, stepped forward to help and said, “Brother Subai, let’s go check out the old house and see if there’s anything we can do.”

“Let’s go!” Shen Subai glared at the others and walked off toward the old house with Shu Ruxue, feeling like he was escaping.

“Boss, why are those two acting so close?” Han Yuecheng asked with suspicion. He remembered that this guy had been engaged since childhood.

“They’re an engaged couple,” Nangong Ruochen replied, glancing at the backs of the two as they walked away. His gaze darkened.

“No way, wasn’t that guy’s fiancée Comrade Shu Siying from our compound?” Han Yuecheng recalled that the female comrade was incredibly beautiful, but her judgment was questionable, she had fallen for Shen Subai, a hypocrite who didn’t know how to cherish her.

“Returning things to their rightful owner,” Nangong Ruochen said quietly.

“What do you mean?” Han Yuecheng didn’t quite understand.

“Boss, are you saying that Comrade Li is actually the Shu family’s daughter and Shu Chengzhi’s sister?” Chen Banghua suddenly remembered why Comrade Li had looked so familiar.

“Yes,” Nangong Ruochen confirmed with a nod.

“Oh my god, something so bizarre actually happened in our compound,” Han Yuecheng said in amazement. “I need a moment to process this.” Then he turned to Nangong Ruochen with Chen Banghua and said, “Boss, Banghua and I are heading to the river to cool off,” and the two of them left with clean clothes in hand.

Yun Siying, hearing the commotion outside, opened her eyes and looked out the window. The sky was already painted with red clouds. She got up, put on a white floral dress, laced up her white Warrior sneakers, and tied her hair into a high ponytail. She looked youthful and full of energy, bright, spirited, and lively.

She opened the door and saw Nangong Ruochen sitting under a tree, wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, army green pants, and matching army-green canvas shoes. He was seriously reading a book. Not far from him were two large winnowing baskets with her food drying in them.

A wave of warmth flowed into her heart. In her past life, no one had ever helped her so thoughtfully. An involuntary, heartfelt smile appeared on her face.

Nangong Ruochen was deeply focused on his book when he suddenly sensed a presence. He looked up, and his gaze was immediately drawn to Yun Siying’s genuine smile.

The corners of her lips lifted slightly into a sincere smile, no longer cold or perfunctory like before, but warm and heartfelt. Her eyes sparkled, radiating joy from deep within. Her smile bloomed like a spring flower, exuding a gentle charm that made people feel peaceful and happy.

Before, her smile might have been just a habitual expression, lacking much meaning or emotion. But now, her smile revealed sincerity and kindness, like a spring breeze that blows away the haze in people’s hearts. Such a smile made others want to get close to her and feel her warmth and compassion.

This kind of smile made Nangong Ruochen feel extremely comfortable and relaxed, as if all his troubles were gradually fading away. He quietly admired Yun Siying’s smile and savored the beauty of the moment.

His gentle voice sounded. “Did you rest well?”

“Yes, I did. I slept until evening, and the educated youth have all finished work,” Yun Siying said, a little embarrassed especially seeing Nangong Ruochen still watching over her drying food. “We are going to entertain the new educated youth tonight, so they all finished work early,” Nangong Ruochen explained softly and patiently.

“Do these need to be put away?” Yun Siying asked, looking at the corn and wheat in the winnowing basket.

“Yes, I’ll put them away right now, then take you to the old house for dinner.” Nangong Ruochen handed the book in his hand to Yun Siying. He quickly gathered the food into bags and carried them into her room.

Most of the educated youth were at the old house at that time some cooking, some washing clothes by the well, others chatting together. When they saw Yun Siying, their eyes were full of surprise.

But when they saw Nangong Ruochen’s gentle manner, the older educated youth nearby looked astonished, they had never seen such softness on Nangong’s face before.

Shu Ruxue knew all the older educated youth and soon started chatting with them. She also cooked alongside the female educated youth, who treated her very kindly.

When Nangong Ruochen took Yun Siying to the old house, they could still hear the sounds of busy activity and chatter in the kitchen. Li Zhengyang was the first to spot them and said, “Nangong , Comrade Yun, you’re here.”  

Nangong Ruochen simply nodded without saying more. Yun Siying smiled and nodded to greet everyone. Under Nangong Ruochen’s leadership, the two sat together on a long bench.

Noticing the green grass stains on the hands of the educated youth that wouldn’t wash off, Yun Siying frowned slightly. Then she looked at Nangong Ruochen’s hands. His slender yet strong hands were white and clean. She quietly asked, “Why aren’t your hands stained with grass like theirs?”

“Well! I wear gloves when I work in the fields, and I don’t work in the fields often.” Nangong Ruochen hadn’t expected the question, but seeing her delicate white hands, he immediately understood.

“How many work points can you earn in a day?” Yun Siying asked curiously. Judging by his tall and strong build, he should be able to earn a lot.

“Five or six work points a day when I work,” Nangong Ruochen answered a bit nervously. Since he wasn’t short of money, he took it easy while working.

“Is there any easier work in the team? You know, I’m not short of money, so I don’t have to work hard for work points,” Yun Siying said calmly, not caring if others thought she lacked a hardworking spirit.

“It’s easier to herd cattle or cut grass for pigs,” Nangong Ruochen said with a slight smirk.