Chapter 15

Lin Ru was the first to scream in fright. She had seen plenty of people in the countryside wearing red armbands arrest landlords for struggle sessions — nothing good ever came from them showing up at your door for no reason.

“Da Qiang!”
She instinctively leaned toward her husband.

Chi Junshu and Chi Junjie also turned to look at Chi Daqiang in unison.

Only Chi Bilian remained relatively calm. She even lifted her head to glance at Chi Daqiang — she had a feeling this wasn’t going to be simple.

The street office official stormed in, visibly angry.
“Chi Daqiang, what’s going on in your household? The train’s about to depart, and why are your sons, Chi Junshu and Chi Junjie, still at home?”

The two brothers looked at each other like a pair of startled quails.

When were they ever signed up to go to the countryside?

Lin Ru opened her mouth but couldn’t form words for a long while.

Chi Daqiang calmly said, “Junshu, Junjie, you two won’t be eating dinner at home tonight. Go with these comrades to the train station right now.”

Lin Ru finally exploded.
“Chi Daqiang, do you even know what you’re saying?! How can Junjie go to the countryside? He’s only in the second year of middle school! He’s your own son!”

Chi Daqiang replied, “He’s repeated the second year twice already. If he’s no good at school, then let him gain some experience in the countryside. When the time is right, he can return to the city.”

“Chi Daqiang, you heartless man!”

Lin Ru was heartbroken. She knew that return permits from the countryside were scarce. Very few educated youths made it back once sent away.

“Enough!”
Chi Daqiang stood up and slapped Lin Ru across the face.

Chi Bilian silently clenched her fists.

After hitting his wife, Chi Daqiang turned to the people at the door.
“Sorry to trouble you all. Please escort my two sons to the train station.”

Chi Junshu shouted angrily,
“Dad! You’re too cruel!”

“My sister was the only one who ever protected me. Now that she’s gone, this is how you treat me? You don’t deserve to be a father!”

Chi Daqiang was utterly indifferent. He was stone-hearted — no one could hurt him.

Chi Junjie sobbed loudly.
“Mom! I don’t want to go to the countryside!”

Lin Ru cried helplessly, nearly dropping to her knees.
“Da Qiang, if you’re really sending the boys away so suddenly, the family doesn’t even have anything packed. At least give them the 100 yuan settlement money that comes with going to the countryside!”

Chi Daqiang snapped,
“What doesn’t need money in this house right now? The whole family’s in chaos! You think I don’t feel bad sending the boys away?”

Then, as if his conscience suddenly kicked in, he pulled two large bills out of his pocket and handed one to each son.
“This money — use it sparingly. Once the family gets through this crisis, I’ll send more. As long as you work hard over there, you won’t go hungry.”

Chi Bilian smirked coldly. In her view, this was no different from selling his sons. If she hadn’t had a secure factory job and the chance to charm Zhou Zixiao, she would’ve been sold off to the countryside too.

They say true character shows in hardship. In her eyes, Chi Daqiang was just a selfish man to the bone.

After the two brothers were taken away, Lin Ru collapsed to the floor in tears.

Chi Bilian didn’t dare show weakness in front of Chi Daqiang either. She had to learn from his ruthless ways — make him believe they were alike.

No one in the Chi family comforted the crying Lin Ru.

Suddenly, Chi Daqiang said,
“Bilian, your arm injury hasn’t healed yet. Remember to find Zhou Zixiao tomorrow.”

Chi Bilian obediently nodded,
“Okay.”

On the train.

After going to the restroom and entering her space to eat dinner, Chi Yiyi returned to the train car — and was stunned.

What did she just see?

In the next carriage over, she actually saw those two dumb idiots — Chi Junshu and Chi Junjie.

Chi Yiyi figured that Chi Daqiang must’ve gotten desperate after being robbed into poverty and decided to “sell off” his two dumb sons. The 200-yuan settlement money for sending them to the countryside was no small temptation for Chi Daqiang.

Chi Yiyi suddenly felt a bit better. Apparently, Chi Daqiang’s cruelty and selfishness didn’t discriminate between his children.

She didn’t want to attract the two fools’ attention and risk them clinging to her for help, so she lowered her presence and quietly returned to her seat — only to find it occupied.

A fellow female educated youth had taken it. Originally, the girl had a seat of her own, but after boarding, she had traded her seat for money.

Chi Yiyi snapped,
“Li Yumei, get up!”

Li Yumei had not only thick skin but also terrible hygiene. Just looking at the greasy hair and flakes of dandruff on her scalp made Chi Yiyi want to vomit up the dinner she just ate.

Her seat was by the window and even had a little table in front. Li Yumei was now leaning on that table like she wasn’t going to move at all.

Chi Yiyi wasn’t going to tolerate it. She raised her voice.
“Li Yumei, don’t pretend anymore. You’re occupying my seat. If you don’t move, I’ll call the train police.”

The girl sitting opposite Chi Yiyi, Bai Jiaojiao, looked delicate and sweet like a little flower. She couldn’t help but defend Li Yumei.

“Comrade Chi, don’t be so harsh. Can’t you have some sympathy? Yumei isn’t feeling well. She only took your seat while you were in the restroom. Can’t you just let her stay a bit longer?”

Chi Yiyi coldly stared at her.
“Since Comrade Bai is so kind and soft-hearted, why don’t you give me your seat instead?”

After all, she had no desire to sit where Li Yumei’s dirty body had been.

Bai Jiaojiao blinked in disbelief.
“Why should I give up my seat?”

Chi Yiyi responded,
“Because you just told me to give up mine. Obviously, if you’re so righteous, then you should give yours to me.”

Bai Jiaojiao was stunned.
Was that how logic worked?

Chi Yiyi didn’t wait. She directly grabbed Bai Jiaojiao and lifted her from the seat before sitting down herself.

“Thanks, Comrade Bai, for giving up your seat.”

Bai Jiaojiao wore a white dress and dainty white shoes. It was obvious she came from a wealthy family, pampered and protected.

Some boys nearby wanted to help the “delicate beauty,” but none dared provoke Chi Yiyi — she was beautiful, but cold and dangerous.

Standing in the aisle, Bai Jiaojiao looked around helplessly.

Finally, the male educated youth sitting next to Chi Yiyi hesitated, then extended a hand to help.

“Comrade Bai, you can sit here.”

Bai Jiaojiao immediately responded with enthusiasm,
“Thank you, Comrade Cheng!”

“Y-you’re welcome…”
Cheng Yuan hadn’t expected her to accept so readily — he kind of hoped she’d at least pretend to hesitate.