Chapter 88: To Make a Name for Oneself and Become a Pillar of Support

“You have a clear understanding of yourself. That’s good.”

Jiang Nian patted his shoulder. “Haven’t you always wanted to achieve something to show your dad? This is a good opportunity. Many people would kill for it. Cherish it. Hardworking people are always lucky.”

“Well, if you put it that way, I won’t be polite?” Li Rui said playfully.

Jiang Nian snorted and teased, “Go for it. Make a name for yourself. I’m waiting for you to make a name for yourself and become a pillar of support for me.”

“I wouldn’t mind, but I have a feeling that it’s not clear who’s the pillar of support for whom.” Li Rui didn’t know why he had this thought. The other person seemed like a delicate and fragile woman, but she made him feel like she was very capable. She had a sense of being in control of everything, even though she didn’t seem to care.

They didn’t finish the whole roasted sheep. They tore off a large piece and wrapped it up for Li Rui to take away.

This time, he was smarter. He didn’t tell anyone about the college recommendation except Jiang Nian. He kept it to himself until the procedures were finalized, and then he started dealing with the ducks.

It was truly a case of “planting flowers to get no flowers, but planting willows to get shade.”

It’s just that dealing with those ducks was a bit of a hassle.

The breeding policy in Bali Village wasn’t based on per capita, but rather on the principle of “more work, more gain.” Half of the produce was turned over to the government, and the rest belonged to the individual.

Raising chickens and ducks also required grain, so people didn’t raise many. The ducks he bought were half-grown ducks, intended for breeding next year. Selling them now, after all this time and effort, would actually cost him a lot of money.

Li Rui used a few duck eggs as payment to ask a villager to help him catch the ducks and take them to the slaughterhouse.

The two of them were running around like crazy, and they were covered in duck droppings.

Before they finished catching them, they saw Niu Aixiang running towards them from afar, with a bright smile on her face.

“Li Rui…” She didn’t come in. She waved to him with her hand. “Come out for a minute.”

To be honest, Niu Aixiang wasn’t very pretty, but her chubby, round face, bright, watery eyes, and constant smile made her a rather likable and cheerful-looking person.

Now, she was a bit of an eyesore.

The bright, watery-eyed girl had somehow turned into a peasant woman. It was hard to say what she was trying to do.

Li Rui’s smile disappeared. He walked over. “What?”

“I heard you were recommended to go to college. Congratulations. I’m so happy for you.” She had been feeling guilty about the school incident. Now that Li Rui had this opportunity, she could finally feel at ease.

“Thank you. If there’s nothing else, I’ll get back to work.”

He didn’t need her to be happy for him. He would be grateful to heaven if she didn’t stab him in the back.

You really can’t judge people by their appearance.

Back on the train, he had thought Niu Aixiang was a good person to get along with when he first saw her. She was indeed cheerful and outgoing.

But he didn’t expect that he would treat her as a friend, but she would stab him in the back.

On the other hand, Jiang Nian, who was so beautiful that it was unbelievable, always gave him a sense of distance, but she was more worthy of friendship. He didn’t have to worry about being stabbed in the back.

Li Rui remained cold, and Niu Aixiang felt a little embarrassed.

She glanced at the greenhouse. It was a mess, with ducks tied up all over the place, quacking loudly.

“Do you need help?”

“No, I’m busy. Do whatever you want.” Li Rui said as he went back.

Niu Aixiang realized that their friendship had vanished the moment she chose to help Zhao Heiping.

She went to Zhao Heiping, feeling dejected. She saw him waiting for her at the door. “When did they recommend Li Rui to go to college? Did you know about it all along?”

No wonder the village head had been hesitant about the house, but suddenly agreed to give it to him. It turned out that Li Rui had a better opportunity.

“I just found out when I got the notice. You know, Li Rui has been estranged from me ever since that incident.” Niu Aixiang said. “Heiping, you’ve already taken Li Rui’s position as principal. He got the college recommendation through his own hard work. As educated youths who came here together, even if we can’t be friends anymore, we should be happy for him. Can’t you… Can’t you be like this? It makes me feel so strange. I really… I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore. How did we become like this?”

Zhao Heiping was very upset at the moment and didn’t have the mood to comfort her.

“You think I’m strange? Who’s responsible for making you feel this way?” Zhao Heiping said, then realized what he had said and quickly tried to make amends. “Aixiang, I’m already like this. If you can’t even understand me, what’s the point of me living? Do you think I want to fight and grab? Do you think I feel good about taking things from others? I’m also very distressed, but I can’t help it. Do you know how I feel when I think about my parents suffering?”

A barrage of questions left Niu Aixiang speechless.

He was pitiful, and Li Rui was wronged. What about her?

What had she done wrong?

When they decided to go to the countryside, they had planned that as long as they were together, they wouldn’t be afraid of hardship. She thought that going to the countryside would allow her to escape her parents’ control. Zhao Heiping had also broken off their engagement. It was her chance to be by his side. They would definitely live a happy and beautiful life.

But now, she didn’t feel happy. She was even suffering every day.

Niu Aixiang couldn’t help but wonder, why? Why was it like this now?

Zhao Heiping was indeed a shrewd person. When Niu Aixiang fell into self-doubt and self-pity, he gave her gentle comfort, soothing her troubled mind.

He had used this trick many times before, and it always worked.

…

Ye Zhiqiu changed Song Yanbai’s dressing and took the things out.

A few days had passed, and he was feeling much better. He couldn’t move his injured arm much, but he could basically take care of himself and could get out of bed.

“Dr. Jiang, I feel much better. My head doesn’t hurt anymore these past two days. When can we start the treatment to recover my memory?”

Having a blank mind made him feel uneasy.

“Anytime. But we need to apply for some herbs. It depends on whether they approve it.”

Since Director Yan had said it, she might as well take advantage of it. It would save her from having to pay for it herself and avoid being criticized.

“Okay, thank you.” Song Yanbai said.

Zhang Er’s voice came from outside. “Dr. Jiang, Director Yan is here.”

With Song Yanbai staying here, Yan Jin had a reason to come every day.

But Jiang Nian still didn’t want to be involved with him.

Yan Jin appeared at the door. “Dr. Jiang, Yanbai, how are you?”

Song Yanbai could sense Yan Jin’s intentions. He glanced at Jiang Nian and replied, “Dr. Jiang is a skilled doctor. I’m much better now. Director Yan doesn’t need to come see me every day.”