Chapter 22: Exclusive Errand Service

“I’m just stating the facts! Your mindset is completely wrong. You really think I wouldn’t dare to say it? If it weren’t for my brother Gangzi trying to please Jian Zhiqing, what are you even worth?”

“You… how can you say that about me?” Xia Tiantian gritted her teeth and asked. She thought she was decent-looking, but this country bumpkin clearly had no taste.

“My brother Gangzi gave you the best things in our house, and instead of being grateful, you complain. I’m being very polite just by not hitting you.”

The enthusiastic young man spoke loudly, stepping forward to snatch the items from Qu Chenggang’s hands. “Come on, Gangzi, let’s go. You’re too capable to waste your efforts on ungrateful people.”

“………”

Qu Chenggang wanted to deny it, but when he looked at Jian Yueshi—who had remained silent the entire time—he couldn’t find the words.

The truth was, he had treated Jian Yueshi well because she was beautiful. He gave her a long look, then turned and walked away.

One instance of “hot face meeting a cold ass” was enough!

Xiao Zhiyu, seeing Qu Chenggang turn to leave, hurried after him. “Comrade Qu, can I ride your bike to town to buy some daily necessities?”

“This young comrade, my name’s Zhong Qingfeng. I can take you. You’re good-looking and polite, so I’ll charge you just one dime—it’s the same as a bull cart, but smoother.”

Zhong Qingfeng said warmly. His family had been rural gentry since the Qing Dynasty, making him sharper than most village kids.

He didn’t toil in the fields but secretly ran errands for city intellectual youth and people sent to farms, earning a little pocket money.

Although he earned more than the villagers, they weren’t jealous because he was savvy about manners.

Whenever he saw village children, he’d give them a piece of candy, telling them it had been saved carefully.

The simple villagers wouldn’t lower themselves to run errands—they thought it was degrading. They even warned their children never to follow Zhong Qingfeng’s “dishonorable” example.

Thus, he became the village’s exclusive errand boy. Though he didn’t make a fortune, at least he didn’t have to farm hard and still had enough food and clothing.

“One dime isn’t much. Comrade Zhong, can you take the two of us to town? We’ll pay you two dimes.” Xiao Zhiyu took the glasses-wearing young man forward and asked.

“Sure! My brother Gangzi has a bike. Let’s deliver these things first, then come back for you.” Zhong Qingfeng said happily.

“Comrade Qu, can you take me and Tiantian…” Jian Yueshi began, but Zhong Qingfeng cut her off.

“No, I already promised Xiao Zhiqing I’d take the two of them. One bike only fits one person. My brother Gangzi will take him.” Zhong Qingfeng pointed to the glasses-wearing young man.

Seeing Jian Yueshi on the verge of tears, Qu Chenggang said reluctantly, “Qingfeng, ask Chengyuan to take him. I’ll take Jian Zhiqing.”

“Alright then!” Zhong Qingfeng looked at Qu Chenggang deeply. This so-called “brother” he had called for years had no backbone.

He hung the goods on the bike handle and sped off toward Qu Chenggang’s home without looking back.

Xia Tiantian, seeing the annoying Zhong Qingfeng leave, turned and noticed Wen Lin carrying a mud-colored plastic bucket. “Wen Lin, where did you get that bucket?”

“Why should I tell you? If you want one, buy it in town later. Hmph… not sure if they even sell plastic buckets out here in the sticks.”

“Wen Lin, your mindset is problematic, looking down on—”

Wen Lin cut her off bluntly, “Don’t eat things recklessly. Don’t say things recklessly either. Didn’t your parents teach you anything?”

Wen Lin wasn’t afraid of Xia Tiantian. They all grew up in the same courtyard. Xia Tiantian lived in a tenement building, while Wen Lin’s family was comparable to Jian Yueshi’s, though Jian Yueshi had a stepmother and step-siblings, while Wen Lin had her biological parents and five brothers.

Jian Yueshi went to the countryside reluctantly, but Wen Lin did it to satisfy her curiosity and experience rural life.

“Wen Lin, you wouldn’t tell me that bucket is from the city, would you?” Jian Yueshi mocked.

She had always been insanely jealous of Wen Lin.

“Hehe, you guessed right! Not only did I bring a bucket, I also brought brand-new bedding, a porcelain washbasin, and a kettle.”

Wen Lin lied smoothly, her face calm. She actually had a big backpack full of clothes and shoes, including four pairs of boots. Her sisters-in-law had given her warm clothes and boots for the cold Northwest, so she packed a full bag.

“What’s there to be proud of? We’ll just buy ours in town.” Xia Tiantian said, noticing Jian Yueshi’s furious expression.

“This beautiful sister is quite forward-thinking. I didn’t bring any supplies at all—such a mistake,” Xiao Zhiyu said enviously.

Wen Lin agreed, “Ugh! I was so dumb! Those things are heavy. Buying them in town will be much easier.”

“Ding-ling-ling…” Zhong Qingfeng pedaled his bike like it was taking off, catching Wen Lin’s words as soon as he set foot on the ground.

“Comrade, your bucket is so pretty! There’s nothing like it in our town. If you want one, you have to go to Qing City.”

“Comrade, do you know if there’s a well nearby?” Wen Lin asked with a smile.

“It’s a bit far. My brother Yuan hasn’t arrived yet, so I can fetch the water for you,” Zhong Qingfeng said enthusiastically.

As a skilled errand boy, he was especially eager to help a well-dressed Wen Lin.

“Oh, that’s too kind of you!” Wen Lin said, sliding the bucket forward.

“No problem. You came far from home, so it’s only right to help with anything you need—even fetching water.”

Seeing Zhong Qingfeng fawn over Wen Lin, Xia Tiantian sneered, “Some people talk nicely but charge for taking someone to town.”

“Xia Tiantian, look at you. He works hard taking you to town—charging a little labor fee is only fair,” Wen Lin said, flicking her tongue. She wasn’t short on money. “Comrade, bring me two buckets of water, and I’ll give you a dime.”

“That’s not proper!” Zhong Qingfeng said, but quickly grabbed the buckets and ran off wildly.

“Wen Lin, how can you spoil him like this? What if he demands money every time he helps?” Xia Tiantian cried.

“Then just give it!” Wen Lin said nonchalantly. Money was no object.

“Wen Lin’s right. When someone works, they should be rewarded,” the glasses-wearing young man said gently.

He thought Wen Lin was beautiful and wealthy, so he decided to court her instead.

“You all… side with outsiders, and it makes me furious! Shouldn’t we stick together?” Xia Tiantian stomped her foot angrily.

“Sister Xia, as long as you don’t say angry words, we are united!” Xiao Zhiyu said with wide, innocent eyes.

“Yes, as long as you don’t pick fights, we’re united,” the glasses-wearing youth said, flattering Wen Lin.