Chapter 9

Jia Xueli had already planned it all out—she and Ye Qing would go to college together and then get married. But now, Ye Qing wasn’t going back anymore. What was the point of her going back alone?

“It was originally decided that Comrade Ye Qing would take the spot, but he himself refused to go to college,” the village chief said.

As soon as he spoke, all the educated youth turned to look at Jia Xueli. Everyone knew about her relationship with Ye Qing, even though the two had never officially announced it.

Jia Xueli couldn’t believe it. They had clearly agreed to go back together. Ye Qing met her gaze and said,

“Xueli, you should go back by yourself. I have a better choice now.”

“A better choice?”

Jia Xueli was in disbelief. It seemed that Wu Anfei’s warning had been right—there was something wrong with Ye Qing.

Ye Qing remained silent, and Jia Xueli understood. In that moment, she made her decision.

“Village chief, I’m willing to give up my spot. I don’t want to go back either.”

Since she had made up her mind, there was nothing the village chief could do. In the end, the spots were given to Xia Yubing and Xu Zhixing.

Ye Qing didn’t say a single word all day, and Jia Xueli stayed alone in her room. When Xia Yubing was about to leave, she specifically came to thank Jia Xueli for giving up her place.

Jia Xueli said there was no need to thank her—she truly had no intention of going back to the city.

For three days, the atmosphere at the educated youth camp was tense because of Jia Xueli and Ye Qing.

On the fifth day, they finally found out what Ye Qing’s “better choice” was.

A woman had come to pick him up. Ye Qing, who was usually indifferent, now seemed unexpectedly gentle around her. Jia Xueli couldn’t just let this go.

“Ye Qing, who is she?”

“Her name is Liu Xiulan. We got married two days ago and received our marriage certificate.”

Jia Xueli felt like a complete joke. She had been waiting for Ye Qing’s apology, but instead, he had already gotten married.

And why did this woman seem so familiar? Some of the educated youth recognized her.

“Isn’t she Liu Shengjun’s wife? Ye Qing, you actually got together with her?”

Ye Qing remained silent, which was as good as admitting it.

When he learned about the university spot for workers, farmers, and soldiers, he hadn’t been happy at all. He didn’t want to go to college—who knew how long it would take before he could make money that way?

When he heard that Liu Xiulan was looking for a man, he approached her. She promised she could buy him a job, and Ye Qing figured that was much better than wasting time in school. So, he agreed and got married immediately.

People say that couples who sleep in the same bed become similar over time. Liu Xiulan was no simple woman—she liked to “keep” men, and the only reason she chose Ye Qing was because he was obedient.

Since everything was clear now, Jia Xueli didn’t bother entangling herself any further. Liu Xiulan proudly took Ye Qing’s hand and left.

Everyone was shocked. Ye Qing had really turned out to be this kind of person—proving once again that you can never truly know someone.

—-

As the New Year approached, the educated youth were allowed to return home to visit their families. However, Gu Nian decided to stay. Her parents were here, so she could celebrate with them.

That day, the village was preparing to slaughter a pig for the New Year. This meant everyone would get a share of the meat, and the excitement was palpable.

Even Jia Xueli, who had been keeping to herself, came out to get her portion.

Gu Nian wasn’t obsessed with eating meat, so even though she only got a pound of lean meat, she didn’t mind.

Ji Yunchen and He Yirou also came to get their share. Ever since they started living together, Ji Yunchen had grown increasingly annoyed with He Yirou—not only did she snore in her sleep, but she also had a habit of not washing her feet.

Now, he had to share his precious portion of meat with her. He couldn’t have been more unwilling.

Shen Yuling, who was also in line for the meat, noticed Ji Yunchen’s scowl. She quietly placed a hand on her belly, an idea forming in her mind.

If Ji Yunchen disliked He Yirou so much, she could definitely use that to her advantage.

After all, He Yirou had ruined her life—because of her, Shen Yuling had been forced to marry Er Lai and suffered endlessly. Now that she was pregnant, she finally had some power in the household. The hardships she had endured… He Yirou would taste them soon enough.

Meanwhile, He Yirou was growing desperate. She and Ji Yunchen were running out of food. If she wanted to survive, she needed to get Gu Nian’s system as soon as possible.

—-

The next day was New Year’s Eve, but the village was buzzing with another big event—Jiang Dashan’s son, Jiang Huaijing, had returned from serving in the military.

The villagers had nothing but praise for Jiang Huaijing. As soon as he arrived, the female educated youth became restless.

If they could marry Jiang Huaijing, they could move to the military base with him!

Gu Nian, however, wasn’t interested. She was busy stockpiling food for the holiday. That night, her parents and two professors were coming over for dinner.

She prepared four meat dishes—braised pork, braised ribs, Sichuan-style boiled pork slices, and stir-fried chili pork.

After a whole year without much meat, they had to eat well for the New Year. Worried that it wouldn’t be enough, she also made 300 pork and scallion dumplings.

While she was making dumplings, Jiangsu Su arrived, shouting loudly,

“Gu Nian, I want to treat you to a meal and ask you something!”

Gu Nian and Jiangsu Su had built a friendship after hunting together in the mountains last time.

“No need to treat me, just tell me what’s up,” Gu Nian said.

“Well… Xu Xing and I have been dating for a while now. My parents are inviting him over for dinner tomorrow, and I want you to come and help me judge him.”

Xu Xing was an experienced educated youth, introduced to Jiangsu Su by a matchmaker. He had told her he didn’t mind her weight, saying that all women were beautiful in their own way.

This had deeply moved Jiangsu Su, so she agreed to give it a try. However, Gu Nian didn’t know him very well.

“Your whole family will be there—why do you need my opinion?”

“No, you have to come! We’re about the same age, and you’re a girl—you understand me better!”

For all her tough demeanor, Jiangsu Su could be incredibly persuasive when she acted cute. In the end, Gu Nian couldn’t resist and agreed.

That evening, her parents and the two professors came over for dinner. They were grateful to Gu Nian—without her, they wouldn’t have known how to survive.

After dinner, since Gu Nian lived alone, they didn’t stay the night. But before they left, she packed lots of food for them.

—-

The next day, Gu Nian brought two jars of fruit preserves to Jiang Dashan’s house and knocked on the door.

A tall man in a military uniform answered. Gu Nian guessed that this was Jiang Huaijing.

“Hello, Brother Jiang. I’m looking for Jiangsu Su.”

Jiang Huaijing studied her. The cold weather had forced her to bury half her face in her scarf, but her exposed skin was so fair it seemed to glow.

“Hello, please come in.”

At noon, Xu Xing arrived. Jiang Dashan and his wife welcomed him warmly.

Throughout the meal, Xu Xing made a great impression on everyone, especially Jiangsu Su.

But Gu Nian had once seen Xu Xing mercilessly beat a dog just because it barked at him. The contrast between his current gentle demeanor and his past behavior unsettled her.

After lunch, Jiangsu Su walked Xu Xing back to the educated youth station. Meanwhile, Gu Nian debated whether to warn the Jiang family.

In the end, she decided to tell Jiang Huaijing.

“Brother Jiang, be careful. Xu Xing may not be who he seems.”

Jiang Huaijing frowned, deep in thought.

“Thank you, Comrade Gu. I’ll look into it.”

As Gu Nian left, Jiang Dashan’s wife turned to her son.

“Son, what do you think of Comrade Gu?”

“Mom, not this again. I told you, I’m not looking for a wife.”

“How can that be? You’re already 28! If you don’t marry soon, no one will want you! We’ve introduced so many girls, but you—what kind of woman are you even looking for? A goddess like Gu Nian?”

“Yes. I want someone like Gu Nian.”

“…Son, are you out of your mind?”