Chapter 23

Gu Dahai backed down a step.
“How about this—forty. Dongdong is only two months old, he still needs his mother. Otherwise, Shanshan, why don’t you just come back home with me?”

He couldn’t have his wife run off and end up with neither money nor a wife.

Chen Jiefang looked troubled, then said,
“Alright then. But you and Shanshan have to finalize the divorce tomorrow.”

At last, he had won the beauty’s hand. Whoever had helped him from the shadows, he didn’t know.

Song Wanyue didn’t miss the look on Chen Jiefang’s face. Clearly, the drug’s effects had long worn off, yet he still dragged Zhou Shanshan into his arms for quite some time—surely enjoying himself.

Suddenly, it struck her: if Zhou Shanshan and Chen Jiefang married, wouldn’t she move back into the educated youth dormitory? Wouldn’t that be shooting herself in the foot?

But if she didn’t push the two of them together quickly, she worried Yang Liu might end up being schemed against.

Of course—no mission ever came without difficulty.

Soon, the educated youth spot was abuzz with gossip.

Song Wanyue turned to glance at Yang Liu, whose face was expressionless.
“Yang Liu, you’re not sad anymore? Looking at Chen Jiefang doesn’t stir anything now?”

Yang Liu drew her gaze away from him.
“I’m sad, but there are no more tears. Forget it. I’m going to university. There are plenty of men in college.”

“That’s the spirit. Yang Liu, think about it—the capital, with so many universities. Whichever you get into, there’ll be countless boys. You’re only eighteen, no rush.”

For now, focusing on studying was the only sensible path.

Zhang Youlin spoke up,
“Everyone disperse. Don’t go around blabbing.”

But gossip was impossible to stop. Being captain was far more exhausting than being an accountant.

On the way back, Yang Liu walked in silence, lost in thought, only half-listening to the chatter around her.

The male educated youths strode ahead quickly.

Li Jiaojiao whispered,
“Wanyue, Liu, did you see what happened just now? When we got there, they were already fighting. But… what does a man’s thing look like down there? I’ve never seen one in my whole life.”

Yang Liu’s voice rang clear,
“A man’s thing down there—”

Before she could finish, Li Jiaojiao rushed over to cover her mouth.
“Why are you saying that so loud! Keep it down, I still need my face! You’ll be the death of me. I wanted to comfort you after your heartbreak, but forget it.”

Her heart nearly gave out from fright.

Song Wanyue patted Yang Liu’s shoulder.
“Yang Liu, that wasn’t very discreet. Girls shouldn’t talk like that so loudly. Just because the guys walked ahead doesn’t mean it’s safe to say anything.”

She herself was still shaken.

Yang Liu came back to herself.
“Sorry. I just answered without thinking. Honestly, Wanyue and I didn’t see clearly—it was too dark. Just two pale shapes tangled together from afar, and we only heard a few sounds.”

“Jiaojiao, there’s nothing interesting about a man’s thing. Don’t you have little kids at home? You should’ve seen already, right?”

Li Jiaojiao’s face turned crimson.
“Sure, but a man and a little boy are different! I was just curious, that’s all. Hahaha.”

County town, post and telecommunications office.

Song Wanyue stared at the large package before her. She gave it a lift—it weighed at least ten catties.

It had to be review materials her parents sent.

But it was far too heavy. She’d just leave it here and come back when it was time to return home.

These past few days, she’d been sneaking extra meals inside her space with Liu Liu. Her body wasn’t so starved anymore.

Still, the state-run restaurant’s dishes had to be tried—the spicy ones were really good here.

Whenever they came into town, both the educated youths and villagers wore their best clothes.

Song Wanyue wore a white dress with a light jacket over it, fresh and youthful.

Not far away, Jiang Ze was chatting with a few strangers. When their eyes met, the two exchanged a smile.

Had his family finally come for him?

A round, plump man carrying a big package—it had to be Jiang Chaoyang. His eyes and nose resembled Jiang Wenqiang, while his lips looked a lot like Wang Zhaodi’s.

Yang Liu suggested they go eat braised fish and dumplings at the state-run restaurant, but Song Wanyue wanted spicy rabbit instead. So the group hurried off together.

“Come on, everyone, or there won’t be any meat left. It’s already ten o’clock. By the way, who was that with Jiang Ze just now, Wanyue? Do you know him?” Yang Liu asked curiously.

Song Wanyue shook her head.
“No idea. Let’s hurry. I’ve got review notes—if you want, two or three of you can copy a set.”

The Jiang family’s news would spread soon enough without her saying a word.

Li Jiaojiao urged,
“Go, go, go! After eating, let’s buy some things before heading back. I want some clam oil for my hands—they’re so rough.”

The group pooled money for braised fish, spicy rabbit, and extra bowls of rice, skipping the dumplings. This would be their only county trip this month; the rest of the time they’d stay in the village to study.

While everyone was shopping at the supply and marketing cooperative, Song Wanyue slipped away and brought Liu Liu back.

“Liu Liu, aren’t you happy? No more hiding—you can openly watch the fun now. By the way, how long can you stay with me?”

Curled lazily in her arms, Liu Liu replied,
“Until your death. So, Song Wanyue, take care of yourself—live to a normal old age. Only when you die will I look for another host.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll guard my little life carefully. Missions are actually interesting—earning money and virtue at the same time. But tell me, where does your money even come from?”

Liu Liu gave her a disdainful look.
“Of course, it’s through trade. You don’t actually earn much yourself. The things you buy are specially sourced—just use them. We’d never do anything to disrupt society.

Besides, didn’t you notice? Everything in the shop is limited in stock. Each item has a cap. If you want more, you have to file an application.”

Song Wanyue blinked.
“I did notice the ‘Limit: 10’ note. Didn’t think much of it. I just figured I should enjoy the space’s perks now. Later, when surveillance cameras are everywhere, I won’t dare use it much. I don’t want to end up being studied.”

With the poor lodging and hygiene at the educated youth spot, she felt incredibly lucky to have drawn the space.

But later—she’d never use it openly again, nor tell her children.

When Song Wanyue carried Liu Liu back, everyone had already finished shopping.

Yang Liu asked,
“Wanyue, do you want to raise a dog? It’s so well-behaved.”

Song Wanyue nodded.
“Yeah, I do. It’s been following me—it’s fate. I named it Liu Liu.”

At dinner, the educated youths received wedding candies from Chen Jiefang and Zhou Shanshan.

Apparently, right after Zhou Shanshan divorced Gu Dahai, Chen Jiefang dragged her straight to register their marriage. The staff had found it rather amusing.

Chen Jiefang, beaming with joy, said,
“Here, have some sweets! Tomorrow noon, we’ll hold a little banquet—just two tables. Everyone come and share a drink!”

Wang Dabing led the applause.
“Great, congratulations! We’ll be there. Yang Tao, Liu Jun, Wanyue—don’t just stand there, take one. Everyone, sit down.”

He couldn’t handle the awkward atmosphere alone.

Song Wanyue couldn’t bring herself to smile. She was the matchmaker, the red thread of fate—but now Zhou Shanshan was moving back into the educated youth dormitory. She felt no joy at all.

Earning money was hard; swallowing humiliation was harder.

Liu Liu comforted her,
“Wanyue, your second mission reward just came through—breaking up Yang Liu and Chen Jiefang. They’re impossible now. You got thirty yuan and ten merit points. Keep at it—merit points will help you get a good reincarnation in your next life.”

Song Wanyue gave a wry laugh.
“So that’s why it’s called a fate-altering system. Changing others’ fates, and mine too, huh?”

Another life… Well, for the sake of being born into a good family next time, she’d definitely work hard.

“It’s just frustrating, though—having my enemy right in front of me.”