Chapter 24

“No, it was my dad who told me to come find you,” said Zheng A’bao.

([In rural areas, people usually call their parents “Dad” and “Mom” using the traditional terms “Die” and “Niang”. Only city folks use “Baba” and “Mama”. Let’s keep that setting consistent in this novel.])

Chi Yiyi pointed at herself in surprise. “You came to find me? Why?”

“My name is Zheng A’bao. I’m the precious youngest daughter of the village party secretary from Hongqi Brigade. Don’t worry, Yiyi-jie, I’m a good person,” she said, introducing herself.

Just then, they heard the argument getting even louder. She quickly grabbed Chi Yiyi’s hand and urged, “Yiyi-jie, let’s go watch the commotion first!”

Chi Yiyi hadn’t expected this cheerful girl to be the daughter of the village party secretary — it was a stroke of luck! Happily, she followed Zheng A’bao to see what was happening.

Zheng A’bao explained that the woman yelling was named Wang Xiuqin, a notorious troublemaker in their village. She often bullied the educated youth, just to find a wife for her old son. But her son Lai Gou was not only ugly but also scheming — and picky about looks too. He wouldn’t even look at the plain girls among the educated youth.

This time, it seemed he had finally taken a liking to one.

When Chi Yiyi and Zheng A’bao arrived, they saw Bai Jiaojiao and Li Yumei squatting on the ground looking miserable, while Wang Xiuqin cursed them viciously.

Bai Jiaojiao was hugging her arms and crying nonstop.

Li Yumei appeared much calmer.

Wang Xiuqin knew her son fancied Bai Jiaojiao, so she targeted all her scolding at her.

“Bai Jiaojiao, you’re all pale and delicate-looking, but how can you be so shameless? You said you wanted to rent my house, then changed your mind after seeing it. You said you were curious about my dried sweet potatoes — I kindly offered you some, and you ate a whole handful! Do you know how precious food is these days? Yet you just ate and tried to leave — have you no shame?”

“Wuuu…”

Bai Jiaojiao’s crying grew louder, helpless and overwhelmed.

Even Chi Yiyi frowned as she listened — the old woman could twist nonsense into sounding completely reasonable. That was a talent in itself.

Zheng A’bao sighed. “Honestly, the most shameless person in the whole village is her. My dad will probably have to step in and deal with this mess.”

A kind-hearted bystander said, “A’bao, good thing you’re here. Go get your dad — these two girls are new educated youth, they look so pitiful.”

Zheng A’bao glanced at the person and replied, “I’m not going. You want him, you go.”

Then she turned and whispered to Chi Yiyi, “Yiyi-jie, be careful. That person’s no good either. Their son, Tiedan, also targets educated youth.”

Chi Yiyi shook her head. In her past life, she’d read many newspaper reports about female educated youth being mistreated after going to the countryside. She hadn’t expected the Hongqi Brigade to be full of such shady characters.

Zheng A’bao said, “But don’t worry, Yiyi-jie. With my family around, no one in this village will dare bully you.”

Chi Yiyi was puzzled. “Why?”

Zheng A’bao explained, “You really don’t know? Your next-door neighbor, Brother Gu Xuan, is a cadre in our commune. He told my dad personally to take good care of you. After a meeting at the commune today, my dad rushed home and told me to come invite you to live at our place. My mom is cleaning a room for you right now.”

Chi Yiyi wasn’t stupid. Gu Xuan had only just met her, yet went so far to help — his feelings were more than obvious.

Her emotions were complicated. She did admire a man’s looks and figure, but it still felt too fast to jump into a relationship this soon.

Zheng A’bao asked in a small voice, “Yiyi-jie, tell me honestly, are you and that neighbor of yours, Gu Xuan, dating?”

Chi Yiyi shook her head. “Not yet.”

Zheng A’bao smiled, “That’s so sweet. You’re not even dating yet and he already cares so much about you. He must be a really good man.”

Chi Yiyi thought to herself: When you like someone, you naturally treat them well — whether they’re good or bad.

Having lived two lives, she had become cautious about love at first sight.

Meanwhile, Wang Xiuqin was furious that Bai Jiaojiao didn’t fight back despite the scolding.

So she got straight to the point: “Fine. Marry my son Lai Gou and you can live in my house for free. I won’t even care about those dried sweet potatoes you ate.”

“No! I don’t want to!”

Terrified, Bai Jiaojiao stood up and tried to run.

“Run? Not a chance!”

Wang Xiuqin grabbed her wrist tightly.

But Li Yumei took the chance to escape.

Wang Xiuqin barked, “You even came to look at our house! If you refuse to be my daughter-in-law today, that just won’t do!”

Some villagers couldn’t stand it anymore. “Wang Xiuqin, have some conscience! Forcing a pretty young city girl to marry your old son — aren’t you worried he can’t handle her?”

Wang Xiuqin thumped her chest proudly. “My son may be 35, but he’s strong as an ox! There’s no girl he can’t handle!”

“Ah! Ah! Ah!”

Bai Jiaojiao screamed in panic.

Her brother had told her that going to the countryside would be like a vacation. She never imagined being forced to marry a much older man right away.

In desperation, she spotted someone familiar. She cried out, “Yiyi! Help me, please!”

Chi Yiyi was speechless.

Zheng A’bao commented, “Yiyi-jie, you know her? Don’t worry — my dad should be here soon. Tell your friend to pay up and this will be over.”

Bai Jiaojiao had heard that and quickly pulled out a handful of money. “Auntie, I was wrong. I apologize. I saw your house and ate your sweet potatoes. How about I give you two yuan?”

Wang Xiuqin’s eyes lit up. She snatched the money and ended up taking ten yuan instead.

“Alright, go on! You don’t like my son? Bad luck for you!”

Grinning, Wang Xiuqin turned and left. She knew to quit while she was ahead — if the village head showed up, she’d likely have to return some of the money.

Once Bai Jiaojiao was free, she bolted toward the educated youth housing.

Zheng A’bao tugged Chi Yiyi’s hand. “Yiyi-jie, come with me to our house. My mom should have the room ready.”

Just as Chi Yiyi was about to agree, an old woman’s hand suddenly reached out in front of her.