Chapter 34: Educated Youth × Hooligan 4

“Did you really find it?” Chu Wannian flipped through the physics textbook with bright eyes. There were even a few exercise books.

“Of course. Didn’t even check who I am,” Gu Yin said, raising his head confidently.

“How did the sales go?” Chu Wannian tidied the books and went to the kitchen to light the fire and make something for Gu Yin to eat.

“Great. Everything was sold out. A few people didn’t even get to buy anything.” Gu Yin had brought thirty meat buns, fifty sugar cakes, and sixty steamed buns. He earned 7.9 yuan. After deducting costs, he still made about half as profit.

“Oh, right. The lady who bought ginseng last time asked me to stew a chicken for her and offered five yuan. I thought the price was fair, so I accepted. Later, I’ll go to the mountains to catch a wild chicken.”

Taking advantage of the time while Chu Wannian was cooking, Gu Yin began kneading dough.

“It’s too late to go there; it’s unsafe. Why don’t you buy a chicken from Uncle Wu at the foot of the mountain instead?”

Chu Wannian frowned. The mountain was always unpredictable and dangerous, especially at night.

“It’s fine. I won’t go far inside.”

Gu Yin grabbed a small knife, slung the basket over his back, and prepared to leave.

That night, Chu Wannian felt restless. She couldn’t concentrate on studying or fall asleep. She could only sit on the small stool in the courtyard with her clothes draped around her, waiting for Gu Yin.

Gu Yin entered the mountain cautiously in the dark. Although visibility was poor, he had his “cheat tool” — once he stood still, the wild chickens and rabbits charged at him. After catching two wild chickens, he didn’t linger and headed back down the mountain directly.

After descending, Gu Yin came to the little river where he had rescued Chu Wannian last time. Suddenly, he had an idea. He placed the wild chickens aside and used the basket to scoop fish. The river was full of fish — every scoop caught four fish.

Satisfied, Gu Yin grabbed the chickens and hurried home. When he opened the door, he saw Chu Wannian sitting on the small stool, dozing off a bit. He smiled, set down his things, washed his hands, and approached the slightly dazed Chu Wannian.

“You’re back?” Chu Wannian’s voice was soft, which melted Gu Yin’s heart.

“Why are you sleeping here?” Gu Yin lifted her up. Chu Wannian wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head against his ear. “Waiting for you.”

Gu Yin’s heart blossomed with joy. He wanted nothing more than to devour Chu Wannian completely, but then remembered the wild game he hadn’t prepared yet. He sighed silently — a mature man had to exercise restraint!

After coaxing Chu Wannian to sleep, Gu Yin quietly got out of bed, prepared the wild chickens and fish, and stored the leftover chicken in the cellar.

He cut the chicken into small pieces, blanched them in boiling water to remove blood, washed the red dates and goji berries, and sliced ginger. After cleaning the chicken pieces again, he put them in a pot with water covering the meat, added the prepared ingredients, boiled over high heat, then simmered on low for two hours. Finally, he added a bit of salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.

Once done, Gu Yin smelled the aroma filling the air and swallowed hard. He put the portion for the lady into a bowl, leaving the rest for Chu Wannian to nourish her body.

She had fallen into the water earlier and hadn’t rested properly. She was still weak and could only bear a few tantrums before breaking down. For his lifelong happiness, Gu Yin had to work hard to help her recover.

Gu Yin placed the fermented dough food on the steamer basket, so they could start steaming first thing in the morning. After everything was done, he finally relaxed and went to his room to sleep with his wife.

The next day, Gu Yin woke early again and gently comforted the struggling-to-open-eyes Chu Wannian, “I stewed chicken soup. Remember to heat it before you drink it after you wake up.”

Chu Wannian obediently nodded, hugged Gu Yin, and acted coquettish for a while before letting him leave. Gu Yin took the same small path. This time, to avoid spilling the chicken soup, he was extra careful. He arrived at the black market a little later than the day before. Instead of setting up his stall, he sat down to rest.

“Little brother.” The lady came over quickly, looking very happy. The buns and sugar cakes she bought yesterday were highly praised. Her son had eaten several.

“Sis, here’s your chicken soup.” Gu Yin handed over the bowl. The lady had brought her own container, and they exchanged the food.

“Give me ten more meat buns and ten sugar cakes.”

“Sure thing.” Gu Yin quickly packed the food. The lady handed him 6.5 yuan. Seeing she was a regular, Gu Yin gave her an extra five steamed buns.

“Come again next time!” Gu Yin greeted warmly.

Meanwhile, Chu Wannian drank the carefully stewed chicken soup and felt warmth in her heart, but her good mood didn’t last long.

Like usual, she went to pick pigweed and shared sugar cakes with her protective good brothers and sisters. Everyone was happily eating and picking pigweed when an uninvited visitor arrived.

“Chu Wannian, come here.” Wang Li stormed over aggressively, with Zeng Lin holding her arm behind.

Chu Wannian frowned, crossed her arms, and looked at the two as they approached. Behind her stood a group of kids who looked like gangsters. “If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t shout.”

“You…” Wang Li was about to speak but was interrupted by Zeng Lin. “Wannian, I heard the village elementary school is hiring teachers? You didn’t come here just to hang out with these kids, did you?” Her voice was loud enough for all the kids to hear.

“What does that have to do with you? Zeng Lin, don’t think I don’t know — you pushed me into the river.”

Chu Wannian showed no mercy. She glanced at a few onlookers and deliberately raised her voice.

“Don’t say nonsense, Chu Educated Youth.” Zeng Lin became cautious and stopped pretending to be friendly. “Do you have proof? It was clearly an accident on your part. Don’t try to slander me.”

“Proof?” Chu Wannian smiled. She originally didn’t have any, but a couple of days ago, Gu Yin had given her a hairpin he found when rescuing her.

“Zeng Educated Youth had a red hairpin, right? We even saw it back then.”

“Could this be it?” Chu Wannian pulled out the hairpin. Zeng Lin’s face changed. She stammered, “That’s mine. Maybe you just happened to pick it up.”

“I found it by the river where I fell. Quite a coincidence, huh? You lost it there?”

“That Zeng Educated Youth is ruthless.”

“Yeah, looks so weak and gentle but can do such a thing.”

“Definitely jealousy. She’s not as pretty as Chu Educated Youth.”

“Chu Wannian, stop changing the subject!” Zeng Lin lunged to grab the hairpin, but Chu Wannian dodged.

“I wasn’t going to make a fuss, but you just wouldn’t let me be.”

Chu Wannian acted weak and pitiful, which made the onlookers feel sympathy.

“Chu Educated Youth is just too soft-hearted.”

“Yeah, she’s so nice, even gave my dog, Goudan, some sugar.”

“Right, Sister Wannian is under my protection. If you bully her, you’re disrespecting me.”

Goudan boldly stepped forward, pulling Chu Wannian to leave. “Sis, let’s go find my grandpa and have him sort this out.”

Goudan’s full name was Lin Jiajun, grandson of the team leader Lin Weiguo.

Upon hearing they were going to the team leader, Zeng Lin shrank her neck nervously. What now? Suddenly, she glanced at an indignant Wang Li beside her and had a thought.

“Zeng Lin, don’t be afraid. Can Chu Wannian really turn black into white? With her attitude, she must have bribed the team leader. Otherwise, how would she have gotten the news in advance?”

Wang Li raged on, unaware that she was about to be betrayed herself.

“Speak. What happened now?” Lin Weiguo was about to be driven crazy by these educated youth. They stirred up trouble every day, acting like experts on everything.

“Grandpa, this woman is the mastermind who pushed Sister Wan Ning into the river,” Dogdan immediately declared righteously.

“No, it wasn’t me,” Zeng Lin wiped her tears, hesitating to speak, her act extremely fake.

“Grandpa Lin, this red hairpin belongs to her.”

“Yes,” several kids chimed in one after another, explaining the situation.

“What do you have to say?” Lin Weiguo’s stern gaze swept over Zeng Lin.

“It’s not me, it’s…” Zeng Lin glanced meaningfully at Wang Li, “I lost my hairpin a long time ago. Li Li and I share a room, and I even…”

“Zeng Lin, what are you talking about?” Wang Li stared at her in disbelief. “I never took your things. Why are you slandering me?”

“Li Li, I’m sorry. I can’t protect you anymore,” Zeng Lin cried with tears streaming down her face.

“You took my hairpin before, and I didn’t say anything because we came here together. But I never thought you’d take advantage of Chu Zhiqing’s distraction to push her and deliberately leave my hairpin behind. I’m really disappointed in you!”

“…” Chu Wan Ning remained silent, watching the two fake friends tear each other apart.

“Zeng Lin, what do you mean? When did I take your things? When did I push Wan Ning? Explain yourself.”

Wang Li was not very bright or tactful, and her words made no logical sense. Naturally, she couldn’t out-argue the cunning Zeng Lin.

Finally, the irritated Lin Weiguo decided that neither of them would be allowed to participate in the primary school teacher selection.

“Captain, it was Wang Li acting alone, not me!”

Zeng Lin was dissatisfied. Being a primary school teacher was so easy, unlike working in the fields every day. Her originally delicate hands were now covered in calluses. Besides, she betrayed a friend just so she wouldn’t get punished.

“Zeng Lin, I see who you really are now. Captain’s decision is right. If you want to blame me, you won’t have an easy time either,” Wang Li said, and the two started to fight.

Chu Wan Ning had no interest in watching their fight. She went outside to find a quiet place to take a deep breath. Although the punishment wasn’t severe enough for the two, at least her name was cleared, and she could let go of the burden and live peacefully with Gu Yin.

“Sister Wan Ning,” Zhaodi had always been good at reading the atmosphere. Seeing Chu Wan Ning quietly leave, she knew she must be upset.

“Zhaodi?” Chu Wan Ning patted the girl’s soft yellow hair. “Why did you come over?”

“Sister Wan Ning, please don’t be sad.” Zhaodi’s big eyes were filled with concern for Chu Wan Ning.

“Sister isn’t angry. By the way, Zhaodi, our village will have a primary school soon. Did your parents sign you up?”

Chu Wan Ning squatted down, feeling warm inside. Children are always innocent, and sometimes they touch your heart without realizing it.

Zhaodi shook her head, a bit aggrieved. “Mom says it’s useless for girls to study. She said I should start working in the fields for work points in a few years, and when I’m older, I can get married and bring a bride price.”

Chu Wan Ning frowned. She knew this situation was common in their village. She silently decided to talk to the team leader about it.

“Don’t be sad. Sister will do her best to help you, okay?”

“Thank you, Sister Wan Ning.”

“You’re welcome.”

That night, Gu Yin learned for the first time how proactive Chu Wan Ning could be. That kind of charm left him wanting more. After everything was over, the two held each other, calming their breaths.

“Did something big happen today?”

Gu Yin came home late and didn’t know what had happened. But the moment he arrived, he felt something different about Chu Wan Ning. It was as if the heavy mountain weighing on her heart had lifted.

“We just gave the bad people a simple punishment,” Chu Wan Ning said softly. “I suddenly feel relieved.”

“Zeng Lin?” Gu Yin licked his lips. That hairpin was the one he had specially given Chu Wan Ning. Some things, if not resolved by herself, would always leave her with regrets.

“Yeah. How can people’s hearts be so cruel?”

“It’s not their hearts that are cruel, but their black souls,” Gu Yin patted her shoulder. “There are bad people in this world no matter how many people there are.”

“You’re right. Anyway, it has nothing to do with me anymore. We’ll live happily together.”

“As my wife says.”

Their days were peaceful and happy. During this time, Chu Wan Ning even took Gu Yin to see Lin Weiguo once to discuss girls’ schooling.

Fortunately, Lin Weiguo was no fool. He knew the old idea of favoring boys over girls was outdated. Plus, any child who got into university would bring honor to Tianyu Village. So he ordered that all children over six must go to school regardless of gender. Kids who worked in the fields would earn no work points, and their parents’ points would be deducted as well.

After the order, those who had been planning to pretend to comply immediately changed their minds.

“I’ll go with you to the interview tomorrow,” Gu Yin said after returning home, not preparing for the next day’s work but planning to cheer for Chu Wan Ning.

“Okay, welcome to join my cheerleading team.”

“?” Gu Yin was puzzled. “A team? Can I become the team leader?”

“You have to negotiate with them,” she said, just then a group of kids with mushroom haircuts ran in, shouting, “Sister Wan Ning!”

“?” Gu Yin felt a bit out of touch.

“I promised to treat them to a meal. Go make something delicious,” Chu Wan Ning said and went to greet the children.

“Sister Wan Ning, my grandma told me to give you these sweet potatoes,” Dogdan said, holding a small basket.

“Our family’s homegrown potatoes, for you.”

“And I…”

Only Zhaodi and another girl shyly tugged at their sleeves. Seeing this, Chu Wan Ning went over and took each of their hands, leading them into the yard where a big table was set up. She let the children sit down and gave them sunflower seeds and candies.

“You guys eat first. Gu Yin will have dinner ready soon.”

“Sister Wan Ning, is Gu Yin your man?” Dogdan curiously pointed to Gu Yin busy in the kitchen.

Chu Wan Ning nodded but noticed Dogdan looked like he wanted to say something but held back.

“What is it?”

“I’m still not as strong as him,” Dogdan pouted.