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Chapter 10
At that time, everyone had their own job, so there was no room for others to spare. Starting a business was out of the question.
Ruan Mingfu wandered around the county for half an hour but found nothing.
It seemed she had been too optimistic.
Finding a job these days was harder than climbing to the heavens.
She thought that getting a man might be easier than finding work.
Passing by a bookstore, Ruan Mingfu curiously went in. Just as she had imagined, the bookstore had very few books, mostly just quotes and similar items.
She flipped through a few pages and, disinterested, put the books back. Just as she was about to leave, she spotted some neatly arranged newspapers by the door.
Her eyes lit up.
How could she be so forgetful? If she couldn’t find a job, she could submit articles. She wasn’t planning to stay here forever. She had to prepare for the college entrance exams in a couple of years.
Ruan Mingfu bought a copy of the newspaper for one yuan, ignoring the curious looks from others, and walked out.
She had just reached an intersection when someone stopped her.
“Ruan Mingfu? Is that you?”
Ruan Mingfu turned to look at the speaker. The person, around her age, was fair and had long, black braids that hung down to her chest.
Most people from this era were thin and sickly. Someone like her, looking well-nourished, was a rarity.
“And you are?”
The person’s eyes showed a hint of confusion. “I’m Gu Yilin.”
Ruan Mingfu suddenly recognized her.
She was the original owner’s fake best friend.
“It’s been a year, and you still look the same.”
In the rural areas, people seemed to age quickly. Her neighbor’s older sister, who had been an educated youth, looked much older when she returned. Gu Yilin almost didn’t recognize her. Ruan Mingfu, on the other hand, had grown even more attractive.
Gu Yilin struggled to hide her jealousy.
“So, what brings you here?” People who were friends with Ruan Mingfu typically had good family backgrounds. Gu Yilin’s father worked at the supply and marketing cooperative, and her mother was in the arts troupe.
The original owner’s mother had been the director of the supply and marketing cooperative until she was sent down to the countryside. Gu Yilin’s father had then taken over the position.
Gu Yilin looked around, “This isn’t a good place to chat. Let’s go to the state-run restaurant. I’ll treat you!”
With an offer like that, Ruan Mingfu naturally accepted.
Gu Yilin was quite generous, immediately ordering, “One serving of braised pork, one serving of braised fish, and a… soup.”
It was the first time Ruan Mingfu had seen someone order so extravagantly.
The waiter kept reminding them not to waste food, and it seemed Gu Yilin was planning to order more.
“I’m glad I came here. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have run into you,” Gu Yilin led Ruan Mingfu to an empty table.
Ruan Mingfu’s parents had sent her away before they left, and because of the hurried departure, no one had informed her. She had no time to keep in touch with friends while working on the farm.
“So, how did you end up here?”
A hint of discomfort flashed in Gu Yilin’s eyes. “My mother wanted to introduce me to a match, but I refused, so I applied for a transfer here. And you?”
Given that her father was the director of the provincial supply and marketing cooperative, it would be easy for her to transfer back whenever she wanted.
“I don’t have much to say,” Ruan Mingfu thought for a moment before responding, “After my parents were reported, I’ve been working at the Hongxing Commune.”
Seeing her former friend in such a predicament made Gu Yilin feel a bit uneasy.
She had previously planned to mock Ruan Mingfu if she ever saw her, but now she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
“How are your parents?”
“We’re not in the same place, so I don’t know their current situation,” Ruan Mingfu answered honestly. The farm was stricter than the educated youth camp, and the original owner only sent the most tattered things, otherwise they would never have reached the hands of the two.
Gu Yilin felt she was too kind-hearted. Hearing about her fake best friend’s struggles, she actually felt a bit sorry for her.
“Don’t worry, you will be reunited sooner or later.”
Ruan Mingfu nodded.
“I need to tell you something, but you have to promise me not to get angry.”
Ruan Mingfu tried to recall in her mind but couldn’t figure it out, so she asked, “What’s the matter?”
“Lu Yan,” Gu Yilin hesitated to continue, as if the words were stuck in her throat, “…he…he…”
“Did he die?”
Gu Yilin was visibly irritated.
“He got married!”
Ruan Mingfu recalled from the original owner’s memories who this person was.
He was her fiancé?!
The original owner might not have cared, but Ruan Mingfu did. As Miss Ruan, she had her pride. Getting married without breaking off the engagement clearly showed a lack of respect for her.
“What a despicable traitor!”
“See? I knew you’d be angry,” Gu Yilin said with a look of resignation, “I expected this reaction.”
This dog of a man, she would definitely give him a piece of her mind when she returned.
Ruan Mingfu frowned and looked at her suspiciously, “Is there something else you haven’t told me?”
Gu Yilin awkwardly laughed, “He got married half a month after you went to the countryside…”
“These two were already involved while I was still around?!”
If it weren’t for Ruan Mingfu’s need to maintain her dignity, she would have lost her temper right then. Damn it, how could he do this to her?
Bastard!
Was the original owner turned into a cuckold?
This bastard, she wanted to crush him!
“Men are all no good!”
Gu Yilin’s eyes brightened: “That’s a great point. Men are really not worth much.”
Other people at the diners overheard and were stunned: “…”
*
After the dishes arrived, Ruan Mingfu began eating.
The state-run restaurant’s chef was quite skilled. The braised fish had no fishy smell at all. The soup next to it was also very delicious. Unfortunately, she didn’t eat fatty meat; otherwise, she would have liked to try the braised pork.
Seeing Ruan Mingfu’s gaze occasionally land on the braised pork, Gu Yilin looked at her with pity.
Poor thing, she couldn’t even imagine what kind of life she had been living in the countryside.
Recalling how she had wanted to mock Ruan Mingfu earlier, Gu Yilin almost slapped herself.
She decided to use her chopsticks to move most of the meat from the bowl to Ruan Mingfu’s plate.
Ruan Mingfu ate well and didn’t know why she was acting up. But she really didn’t like fatty meat.
“Eat it yourself; don’t worry about me,” Ruan Mingfu said, blocking the bowl with her hand, fearing she might act strangely again.
She decided never to dine with her again.
Seeing Ruan Mingfu’s reaction, Gu Yilin felt even worse.
She went to the window and ordered two more portions of braised pork to take away. As Gu Yilin’s friend, she had to make sure she ate her fill of meat.
…
When Ruan Mingfu was about to leave, Gu Yilin handed her a lot of things, even stuffing several large bills into her hands to make sure she had enough money. She also included the packed fatty meat.
“Mingfu, come to the supply and marketing cooperative if you need anything.”
Fearing that Ruan Mingfu might be too proud to accept, Gu Yilin repeatedly urged her.
Ruan Mingfu thought, “…”
She wasn’t deaf!
When Ruan Mingfu returned to the village, she found herself laden with bags, looking like she was moving house. Apart from the newspapers she bought, everything else was given to her by Gu Yilin.
But others didn’t know that. Seeing her with so many bags made them think she had struck it rich somewhere.
On the way back to the educated youth camp, Ruan Mingfu felt like she was a monkey being watched by tourists.
As soon as she entered the educated youth camp, she heard a warm voice.
“Educated Youth Ruan, you’re finally back.”
**
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Ayalee[Translator]
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