Chapter 13

A couple with a seven or eight-year-old child stood awkwardly at the gate. When they saw Ruan Mingfu, their eyes lit up, and they quickly approached her with the child.

“Educated Youth Ruan.”

“You’re here? How’s Zhuzi doing?” Ruan Mingfu asked, still surprised. “I heard he was doing well when he was admitted, but then he had a high fever that wouldn’t go down. His parents have been at the hospital, leaving only his grandmother and younger siblings at home.”

They must have been quite distressed.

“He was discharged today,” Zhuzi’s mother said, leading the child forward. “The doctor said he’s almost fully recovered.”

Ruan Mingfu understood now.

They had probably come to thank her because Zhuzi had just been discharged from the hospital today.

Looking at Zhuzi, Ruan Mingfu noticed he had lost quite a bit of weight. It seemed he had suffered a lot during his hospital stay.

She patted Zhuzi’s head and smiled, “So, are you going to play in the river again next time?”

“He dares!” Zhuzi’s mother’s face darkened before Zhuzi could respond. “He hasn’t learned his lesson this time. If he dares to go again, I’ll break his legs!”

Zhuzi’s father also nodded, “I’ll take care of it.”

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

She couldn’t help but look at Zhuzi with great affection, only to see the little boy’s face still showing signs of fear.

It seemed that the near-drowning incident had scared him.

Ruan Mingfu knew that after Zhuzi’s incident, there had been a wave of child-beating in the village. During that time, she often heard the tender cries of children.

“Educated Youth Ruan, thank you so much.”

Zhuzi’s mother looked visibly relieved and full of gratitude as she looked at Ruan Mingfu. Her heart moved, and she even tried to kneel with Zhuzi.

“You’ve already thanked me before,” Ruan Mingfu quickly pulled her up. “It was just a small effort. It’s really not a big deal.”

“That won’t do!”

Zhuzi’s mother shoved a package into Ruan Mingfu’s arms. “This is a life-saving favor, we can’t be ungrateful. This is our small token of appreciation, and you must accept it.”

The package was tightly wrapped and surprisingly heavy, almost causing Ruan Mingfu to drop it.

But she wasn’t planning to accept it.

Ruan Mingfu had everything she needed and had even recently received lambskin from a plastic friend. Aside from the Zhou family, she couldn’t find anyone with more wealth than her family.

Looking at the family’s faded clothes, patched over and over, and their difficult life, with Zhuzi’s medical expenses pulling them thin, she felt they needed it more.

“I appreciate your gratitude, but please take the items back.”

Zhuzi’s mother grew anxious. “This isn’t acceptable, Ruan Mingfu. You have to accept this gift.”

“Exactly.”

Zhuzi’s father, not very good with words, merely nodded in agreement with Zhuzi’s mother.

“Really unnecessary,” Ruan Mingfu said, struggling against Zhuzi’s mother’s strength, nearly falling over. “I don’t lack anything, and Zhuzi just got out of the hospital. This should be saved for him to regain his health.”

Zhuzi’s mother’s attitude softened.

But she soon became firm again. “We’ll make sure he recovers properly, but you must accept this.”

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

“Educated Youth Ruan, this is our heartfelt gesture. Please don’t refuse.”

Zhuzi’s father also hurriedly spoke up.

“Well then, I’ll accept it,” Ruan Mingfu said, disliking the back-and-forth. If necessary, she could always make up for it later.

Zhuzi’s mother took Zhuzi’s hand. “Zhuzi, thank your sister quickly.”

“Thank you, sister,”

Zhuzi’s small face was still pale but showed understanding.

Ruan Mingfu liked obedient children the most, so she reached out to pat Zhuzi’s head.

“You’re so good.”

Zhuzi’s big eyes blinked at Ruan Mingfu. “Sister, you’re so beautiful. When I grow up, can I marry you?”

Ruan Mingfu’s smile turned into a giggle.

The other young people around couldn’t help but chuckle at this.

Zhuzi’s mother laughed and scolded, “You little rascal, how old are you? What do you know about marriage?”

“I’m not too young,” Zhuzi said seriously. “Marriage is like you and Dad. You sleep together every night. I also want to be with my beautiful sister every day.”

Zhuzi’s mother’s face reddened.

Zhuzi’s father quickly covered his son’s mouth and threatened, “You little rascal, I’ll deal with you when we get home!”

Ruan Mingfu laughed and patted his head. “Alright, I’ll wait until you grow up.”

“That’s great!”

Zhuzi’s eyes lit up, and he jumped up excitedly.

“You little rascal!” Zhuzi’s mother then got back to the main topic. “Educated Youth Ruan, please come to our house for a meal tomorrow.”

“This is our village’s custom,” she seemed to anticipate Ruan Mingfu’s refusal and hurriedly continued, “If we don’t accept help from our fellow villagers, who knows what others might say about us.”

Ruan Mingfu thought for a moment. “Alright, I’ll come.”

Zhuzi’s mother’s smile grew even wider.

*

On the other side, Lin Yujiao carried a lunchbox to deliver the meal.

She had deliberately worn her prettiest dress for this occasion. Her hair was meticulously styled, and she had even used her sister-in-law’s precious snow flower cream on her face. However, thinking about her sister-in-law’s pained expression made Lin Yujiao feel a bit uncomfortable.

Once she married into the Zhou family, no matter how expensive the snow flower cream was, she could use as much as she wanted. Besides, this jar was bought with her brother’s money.

Small-minded and unwilling to invest in advance—no wonder she was always poor!

Lin Yujiao carried the lunchbox and looked at the spacious and bright building ahead with a determined glint in her eye.

Zhou Peng’s uncle was the G Committee Director, so his future was undoubtedly bright. At a young age, he had already reached the position of deputy section chief.

Under the scrutinizing gaze of the security guard, Lin Yujiao pretended to shyly lower her head.

When Zhou Peng arrived, he saw this scene.

“What are you doing here?”

“Your mother sent me,” Lin Yujiao said, shaking the item in her hand.

Seeing that it was the usual lunchbox from home, Zhou Peng’s expression softened momentarily, but his gaze turned sharp as he directed it towards the security guard who was watching intently.

“Come with me.”

Once they left, the security guard let out a sigh of relief, and his curiosity about the situation faded.

Zhou Peng took Lin Yujiao to the cafeteria.

It was still early for lunch, and the cafeteria was empty. Zhou Peng found a corner and sat down. “Did my mother send you?”

Lin Yujiao raised an innocent-looking face.

“Brother Xiaopeng, what kind of conflict did you have with your mother?” She placed the lunchbox on the table and opened it while continuing, “Your mother has been ill and in pain all over.”

Zhou Peng paused.

Having been with his mother for more than twenty years, how could Zhou Peng truly ignore her well-being?

“Oh? What do you mean?”

Lin Yujiao’s eyes flashed as she handed over the soup from the bottom of the lunchbox.

“I noticed you haven’t been home recently. Your mother has been… Brother Xiaopeng, if I’m guessing wrong, don’t laugh at me.”

“I’ve had some conflicts with my mother recently.”

Zhou Peng was sharp and perceptive; it was easy to be seen through by him if you tried to put on an act.

Lin Yujiao tugged at the corner of her mouth, struggling to find the right words to say.

After a long moment, she finally organized her thoughts.

“…Brother Xiaopeng, you and your mother are family, so there shouldn’t be lingering grudges. It’s been so long since you’ve been home, and your mother is very worried. She knew I had business in the county and specially made soup for me to bring to you.”

Zhou Peng’s hand paused as he drank the soup.

“How is my mother?”

Lin Yujiao seemed genuinely there to persuade him to reconcile with Mother Zhou, her face showing a look of pleasant surprise.

“Your mother’s illness hasn’t improved. It’s been recurring, and she’s become quite frail… Brother Xiaopeng, if you have the time, you should go back and see her. Seeing you would surely make her feel better.”

Zhou Peng lowered his head. “I’ll think about it.”

Lin Yujiao’s eyes flickered.

She pouted and gave a soft hum.

“Your conflict with your mother, I know it’s all because of Ruan Mingfu…”

Zhou Peng suddenly looked up, glaring at her with a dark and turbulent expression. His gaze was not only angry but also filled with a hint of investigation and suspicion.

Under that sharp gaze, Lin Yujiao swallowed the words she was about to say.

Her face paled momentarily but quickly regained its composure.

Inside, she was seething with anger, wishing she could tear Ruan Mingfu apart.

The village’s gossip was right—Ruan Mingfu was indeed a seductress!

Zhou Peng’s intimidating gaze was so pressing that if Lin Yujiao hadn’t had that dream, she would have given herself away.

“Brother Xiaopeng, why are you looking at me like that,” Lin Yujiao tilted her head, reaching up to touch her face with a curious expression. “Is there something wrong?”

Zhou Peng finally averted his gaze, his tone cold. “Nothing.”

Seeing that she had managed to divert the conversation, Lin Yujiao let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Dealing with him was really tough!

“Brother Xiaopeng, this is where you’re wrong. Your mother is old, what if she gets seriously ill from the stress? If you have issues, you should discuss them with her. She cares about you the most.”

Zhou Peng reflected for a moment and nodded earnestly. “You’re right.”

His ongoing conflict with Zhou’s mother over marrying Ruan Mingfu had always been intense. Every discussion ended in an argument.

“Elders need to be coaxed,” Lin Yujiao gave Zhou Peng a meaningful look. “If you improve your attitude and speak more softly, your mother won’t stay angry. If necessary, give it some time; she will see your determination and eventually agree.”

Zhou Peng seemed thoughtful.

In his memory, Lin Yujiao had always been likable, even though he had been targeted by her as a child.

Lin Yujiao continued, “We’re the younger generation and should consider the elders’ feelings.”

Zhou Peng thought for a moment, his eyes brightening.

“Jiaojiao, you’re absolutely right!”

Lin Yujiao smiled, though her heart was filled with resentment.

He never acknowledged her properly before, but now she’s Jiaojiao?

Damn, men are truly unreliable!

“But don’t blame your mother,” Lin Yujiao bit her lip. “Ruan Mingfu’s reputation isn’t very good, and your mother must have some prejudices.”

Zhou Peng remained silent, his thoughts unknown.

Lin Yujiao quickly glanced at him. “And… recently, Ruan Mingfu has been following Comrade Xie around, which has led to rumors in the village…”

Zhou Peng looked up sharply, staring intensely at Lin Yujiao.

“What’s going on?”

**