Chapter 24

Argument

After finishing the morning work, Xia Wanyang nonchalantly returned to the youth station, and as soon as she entered the room, she overheard several people gathered around Fang Zhaodi talking.

“Xia Wanyang is really too much. She usually acts all high and mighty, but this time she even joined the village women in bullying Zhaodi.”

“Right, what’s the big deal? Just because of her high status? Jiao Jiao’s background isn’t any worse than hers. She also worked in the fields, but she didn’t act all superior like Xia Wanyang.”

“Who knows what she’s so proud of. No matter how high her background is, isn’t she just like us now, living in the countryside?”

“Those male youth aren’t enough for her, now even the village men are talking about her in private. She’s a fox spirit!”

Xia Wanyang entered with a smile, “Oh, I’m just here to see who’s talking about me!”

Li Jing and Wang Jing were both startled, but Xu Jiaojiao remained calm, “What about it? Fang Zhaodi just asked you to borrow a stool. If you didn’t want to lend it, fine, but why talk behind her back with the village women?”

Xia Wanyang seemed delighted, “So what? What are you going to do about it? I didn’t just say it in front of her; I said it behind her back too. If she doesn’t remember, I’ll carve it into her forehead!”

Li Jing avoided her gaze, “Xia Wanyang, you’ve really gone too far. You’ve been insulting Li Wenzhu, but at least that was in front of us, your own people. How could you bully one of us in front of outsiders?”

Xia Wanyang raised an eyebrow, “Oh? Why are you so upset about me insulting Li Wenzhu? Do you like him?”

“You… don’t talk nonsense. If that gets out, what will happen to my reputation?” Li Jing’s face turned bright red.

Xia Wanyang narrowed her eyes, like a sly cat, her eyes gleaming with mischief. She couldn’t understand it—Li Wenzhu had repeatedly given her disgusting looks in front of everyone, yet some people still ran after him. What were they after? His laziness? His greed? Or his shameless words?

“So what if I ruin your reputation by speaking the truth? But when he says ugly things to me, I’m not supposed to care about my reputation? What’s wrong with you? Can’t feel pain until it happens to you?” Xia Wanyang rolled her eyes and said.

Wang Jing stepped forward, protecting Fang Zhaodi and Li Jing, “Xia Wanyang, I speak bluntly, so don’t take it personally. I’ve been meaning to say this for a while now. You came to the countryside to re-educate with the poor peasants, not to participate in a beauty contest!

You sometimes change outfits three times a day. What is that if not trying to seduce someone? I don’t see you working very hard, but you dress up like a princess every day. You’re telling me Li Wenzhu doesn’t have thoughts about you? You even tried to seduce the groom at my sister’s wedding. What can’t you do?”

Xia Wanyang reached out with a condescending motion, “Shut up. You push me over and I bump my head, and I haven’t even taken that out on you, but you have the nerve to talk? You talk so much—what’s your point? Do you think I like changing clothes? I just like being clean. Are you like you, stinking up the place from two miles away?

Also, everyone else can see me change clothes without a problem. Why is it only you who has a problem? You should reflect on yourself.”

“You…”

Xia Wanyang took a step back, covering her nose, and continued, “As for your brother-in-law, with that big belly, I thought he was pregnant. His hair on top is thinner than your leg hair, and he’s shorter than a potato vine. Me, seducing him? I’d need to wash my eyes just from looking at him. You two treat him like a treasure, but really, you both are so filthy that you think everyone else is too, right?”

“And you two…”

Xia Wanyang pointed at Li Jing and Xu Jiaojiao, “Li Jing, if you want to throw yourself at him, I won’t stop you. But don’t treat me like some imaginary enemy. That weak, pale-faced boy makes my head hurt just thinking about him!

Xu Jiaojiao, something happened at home, didn’t it? You should focus on your own problems, not get involved with everyone else’s. Use your brain—don’t let yourself get used by others, or you’ll end up looking like a fool.”

Xu Jiaojiao was immediately angry upon hearing this, grabbing Xia Wanyang’s arm, “What did your dad say to you? What happened to my dad? Tell me!”

Xia Wanyang shrugged her off, “What my dad told me is none of your business! If you want to know about your dad, ask him yourself. Don’t come asking me!”

With that, she turned and left without looking back. Fang Zhaodi lay on the bed, too scared to speak a word. She had thought that by joining forces with others, she could suppress Xia Wanyang’s arrogance, but to her surprise, Xia Wanyang just got more excited and started scolding even more.

Xia Wanyang returned to her room, slipped into her space, chatted with the aunties in the morning, then came back out and scolded everyone again, cursing her out!

She chugged down three bottles of soda in one go and let out a loud burp before finally catching her breath. 

Having woken up late in the morning and sweated so much just now, she figured it was time to eat something. What should I eat? she wondered. Egg fried rice sounds perfect! Soft, fluffy white rice from her mother’s steaming pot, stir-fried with eggs, soy sauce, and sausages—it was a dish so delicious it could make a child cry. 

Pairing it with the leftovers from the previous meal, she polished off a big bowl in no time. “Burp. Looks like arguing takes a lot of energy!” 

Afterward, she went to the bathroom to rinse her mouth, only to catch a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Apart from having two grains of rice stuck around her mouth, there were toothpaste smudges, and her hair was a complete mess! 

*Oh no! What if Zhang Shiye saw me like this?* 

Xia Wanyang’s face turned as white as a sheet, biting her finger and stomping her foot in panic. *What should I do?* 

Glancing at the clock, she saw there were still ten minutes left before it was time to start work. She quickly washed her face again, tied her hair up high, and added a bright yellow butterfly-shaped bow. 

One more look in the mirror: perfect! 

She locked the door, humming a tune, completely ignoring the “disgusted looks” on a few faces she passed. Twirling her keychain, she cheerfully headed off to work. 

In front of the warehouse stood an old locust tree. Zhang Shiye was already waiting there. He wore a black short-sleeved shirt and blue pants, hands in his pockets, standing upright with a serious expression. His gaze was focused and deep. 

From afar, Xia Wanyang spotted Zhang Shiye. Her heart began to race as if it would leap out of her chest. Nervously, she straightened her clothes and hair. 

Then, she broke into a sweet smile, her eyes narrowing into crescent moons like a little fox brimming with happiness. She quickened her pace toward Zhang Shiye. 

When she reached him, he smiled back at her. That smile was warm and soothing, like a spring breeze. As their eyes met, both felt a moment of shy awkwardness. 

“You overslept this morning, didn’t you? Did you get to eat? Are you getting used to the food at your youth station?” he asked. 

Xia Wanyang glanced at what he was holding. “Is this for me?” 

“Yeah. You seemed like you were in a rush this morning. Didn’t get enough to eat, right?” 

In a rush this morning? In a rush this morning?! 

Oh crap. 

So he did see my mess this morning?!* 

“Haha, well, I was a little hungry,” Xia Wanyang replied with a forced laugh. 

“Thanks for the fabric you let my mom take home yesterday. For the rest of this month, I’ll bring you breakfast every morning. Deal?” Zhang Shiye said in a low, warm voice. 

Xia Wanyang nodded, dazed and dizzy. Does this mean I’ll have more chances to get closer to him?