Chapter 15

At that moment, the gate of the Wei family’s courtyard opened.

Deng Zhilan came out and immediately saw Song Yitao and Wei Jinyue arguing fiercely, faces flushed and necks strained. It seemed like they had just fought—both of their faces bore fresh marks, red welts crisscrossing their skin.

Deng Zhilan walked over, took Wei Jinyue by the hand, and completely ignored Song Yitao.

The young girl followed her into the house, tears streaming down her face silently. She sobbed without making a sound, trying to hold it in, looking utterly pitiful.

Wei Yanzhen, who was about to close the courtyard gate, paused when Wei Jinyue suddenly remembered something and called out:

“Brother, don’t close the door yet. They want to try the face cream sister-in-law gave me.”

She wiped her tears, then went inside and came back out with the snow cream. Generously, she scooped out a big dollop and handed it to the girls who had come with her. One of them happened to be Luo Yisen’s younger sister.

“Here, Luo Sangsang. I’ll wrap it in oiled paper for you to take home. It really works.”

Deng Zhilan couldn’t help but chuckle. This little sister-in-law was really kind-hearted.

Wei Yanzhen, watching from the side, also found her adorably carefree. He shook his head with a helpless smile.

Once they saw the group of girls off, he asked, “Can I close the door now?”

Wei Jinyue nodded and pulled Deng Zhilan inside the house, where her tears started falling again.

Deng Zhilan didn’t say a word. She just took out some ointment and gently applied it to the scratches on the girl’s face.

Honestly, Song Yitao had gone quite hard on her!

Then again, maybe it was because Wei Jinyue had fought her back too fiercely, and Song Yitao had taken it out on her afterward.

“Tell me, what exactly happened between you two?”

After treating her wounds, Deng Zhilan pulled over a chair to sit. Wei Yanzhen also entered to listen.

“I was transplanting rice seedlings in the field, and during a break, I chatted with Luo Sangsang. We talked about the face cream sister-in-law gave me.”

“She wanted to try it, and since it was almost noon, I said I’d go home to fetch it. She and a few others came with me.”

“Just as we got close to home, we ran into Song Yitao.”

“She stopped me and asked if the cream you gave me was poisoned.”

As she spoke, the girl got up and hugged Deng Zhilan tightly.

“Sister-in-law, please don’t talk to Song Yitao anymore. Don’t leave my brother, okay?”

“You’re perfect just like this. Don’t go back to how you were before, alright?”

Deng Zhilan’s heart warmed. She gently patted the girl’s back and softly replied, “Okay. I promise—I won’t leave your brother, and I won’t deal with Song Yitao anymore.”

Wei Yanzhen, hearing this from the side, couldn’t help the smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His eyes filled with tenderness.

Wei Jinyue sniffled and continued:

“She called me ugly and dark, said that even face cream wouldn’t help. I was so mad that I fought her. Sister-in-law, was I too impulsive?”

Deng Zhilan shook her head with a smile. “Not at all.”

“But next time, when something like this happens, don’t fight right away. Come home and let your brother beat her up for you.”

Wei Yanzhen reached out and ruffled her hair. “She’s right. Next time, tell me. Don’t hurt yourself.”

Wei Jinyue nodded firmly. Though her cheeks were still streaked with tears, a smile broke through.

The little couple and Wei Jinyue sat together, the past grievances melting away. The girl no longer held resentment toward Deng Zhilan.

In fact, she quietly vowed to protect her sister-in-law from now on.

…

Over at the Luo family next door, Luo Yisen returned from the fields and happened to pass by a few girls from the transplanting team.

His younger sister, Luo Sangsang, was the first to report that Song Yitao had fought with Wei Jinyue and urged him—as the team leader—to deal with her and give her a talking-to.

When he got home, his son Luo Xiaojun also reported her.

So, Luo Yisen had no choice but to grab the first-aid kit. The situation needed cleaning up.

He walked to Song Yitao’s door and knocked. “Comrade Song, are you inside?”

Inside, Song Yitao was staring into a small mirror, looking at the scratches on her face—all clawed on by Wei Jinyue.

She was furious.

Being bullied by Deng Zhilan was one thing—she owed her. But getting attacked by Wei Jinyue? That was too much!

Then came Luo Yisen’s voice at the door.

She snapped, “Come in.”

Luo Yisen stepped in, frowning slightly when he saw the marks on her face. These women didn’t hold back—going straight for the face.

He pulled out iodine and cotton swabs. “Comrade Song, let me treat your wounds.”

She turned away with a cold snort. “Spare me your fake kindness.”

Luo Yisen wasn’t offended. Patiently, he said, “If you don’t treat it, it might get infected. You wouldn’t want to be disfigured, would you?”

Still, she wouldn’t cooperate, her eyes filled with rage and resentment.

He sighed. “Fighting is never the answer. We all live in the same commune. It’s better to get along.”

That only enraged her further. “She insulted me! Was I supposed to just take it? Why are you only blaming me?”

Luo Yisen spread his hands. “If there’s a conflict, bring it to someone to mediate. Fighting only makes things worse.”

“Try to calm down. I’ll speak to Comrade Wei too and make sure she understands her part in this.”

Hearing that, Song Yitao finally cooled down a bit. She took the cotton swab and began treating her wounds herself.

But with Luo Yisen standing there, her thoughts began to shift.

He was a widower, just had Luo Xiaojun at home, and seemed quite dependable and considerate—coming all the way over to check on her.

Not much worse than Wei Yanzhen, really.

If she could get close to Luo Yisen, life in the commune would definitely get easier—especially since no one knew when she’d be returning to the city.

And once she got back to the city? She could just dump him and find someone better. Who’d know what she did in the countryside anyway?

With thoughts swirling, the hostility on her face faded.

Clearing her throat, she intentionally softened her voice. “Team Leader, I was just in a bad mood earlier. Thank you for being so patient with me.”

Luo Yisen simply smiled, feeling nothing but annoyance. Trouble.

“It’s nothing. We’re all in this together.”

Song Yitao added, “Team Leader, I’m all alone here, no family. If anything comes up, could you help me out from time to time?”

He replied casually, “Of course. Just speak up if you need anything.”

After all, letting a woman live in his rickety woodshed was a bit rough on her.

Now that she saw an opening, Song Yitao’s mind began plotting again…

Before, she’d been sleeping in a place that smelled awful. Deng Zhilan had told her to bathe.

She wanted to bathe! But most people went to the river, and she had no way to bathe at home—no setup for it.

“Team Leader, could you heat up some water for me? And find a wooden tub? I’d really like to take a bath.”

Luo Yisen instantly regretted what he’d just said. He’d never seen anyone latch on this quickly.

But afraid she’d stir up more drama, he reluctantly nodded. “Alright, I’ll heat the water.”