Chapter 23: The Plan

The cool summer evening breeze brushed over the skin, soothing the restless heat in the heart.

The sounds of insects chirping and frogs croaking blended together into a continuous chorus, yet it never felt noisy.

Just as nightfall was settling in, Grandma Bai and Tang Wan stepped outside.

The village was lively as if it were New Year’s—usually quiet nights suddenly burst into bustle.

From afar, one could hear children playing and laughing, adults chatting casually, and even some elderly folks arguing nearby.

In this kind of atmosphere, everyone seemed a little different than usual; the excitement stirred by the environment kept everyone in a heightened state.

The movie hadn’t started yet; the projectionist was busy beside his machine, but the clearing around him was already packed with people.

Especially the young people—they were very interested in the projector.

Curious about how so many images could be played from such a small device, they all stared intently at the projectionist’s movements, trying to figure it out.

Even younger children were more lively.

Taking advantage of their small size, they darted through the crowd, jumping and bouncing, endlessly asking when the movie would begin.

When Tang Wan and Grandma Bai arrived, they spotted Qin Zheng immediately.

His tall figure was nearly unique in the village, and the quietness around him formed a stark contrast with the lively atmosphere elsewhere.

He obviously noticed Grandma Bai as well and waved at them.

Tang Wan’s mind was preoccupied with Zhong Ling’s plan for today. Knowing Dongzi’s seat reservation wasn’t enough, she told Grandma Bai directly that she wanted to go to Luo Ying’s side.

Grandma Bai didn’t think much of it; it was normal for young people to cluster together at movies.

Tang Wan saw Grandma Bai reach Qin Zheng. Qin Zheng looked toward her direction and said something to Grandma Bai—probably asking why she didn’t come over.

Tang Wan didn’t know what Grandma Bai replied. Qin Zheng looked at her for a long moment before averting his gaze.

They sat down, and soon the movie started.

The film carried a strong sense of the era and immediately drew everyone’s attention; the crowd fell silent at once.

Those who couldn’t get seats chose to stand on higher ground by the roadside or even climbed trees to watch.

Tang Wan found an inconspicuous corner at the edge to stand.

She remembered the plot from the book: today, Zhong Ling would pretend to lure the male supporting character aside for a private talk, feigning interest in him so that he would be unable to forget her afterward. Then she would lead the scumbag’s wife in the village to discover this, causing the male supporting character to lose his chance at the Worker-Peasant University.

However, this scene was witnessed by the male lead, Zhao Dong, who mistakenly thought Zhong Ling liked the male youth and began distancing himself from her.

In the book, Zhong Ling quickly resolved this misunderstanding by directly confronting Zhao Dong and explaining that it was the scumbag pestering her.

Later, when Zhong Ling exposed the scumbag’s love poems, it further confirmed her words were true—that the harassment came solely from him.

Tang Wan planned to make it so that this misunderstanding between Zhong Ling and Zhao Dong would not be easily resolved.

She even intended to turn this matter into a thorn in the male lead’s heart.

Although Tang Wan had no interest in the male lead herself, after what Zhong Ling did to her, there was no way she would let Zhong Ling achieve her goals so easily.

Tang Wan recalled the original description in the book.

At about one-third into the movie, Zhong Ling would excuse herself to go to the restroom, then meet the scumbag near a small dirt mound in the western woods, where they would talk—and be seen by Zhao Dong, who was on his way home to fetch water for his younger sister.

By the time Tang Wan arrived, she more or less knew where that spot was.

But her target was not Zhong Ling—it was Zhao Dong.

There was no way to get at Zhong Ling, but Zhao Dong was different.

Tang Wan stood outside the crowd, watching Zhong Ling’s movements.

Zhong Ling was wearing a color that made it easy for Tang Wan to distinguish her from the others—even in the moonlight, she was clearly visible.

When the movie had been playing for about forty minutes, Zhong Ling stood up.

Tang Wan watched as Zhong Ling carefully wove through the crowd, then spoke to the scumbag standing on the edge.

As a youth from another brigade, the scumbag had obviously arrived late. Perhaps holding the airs of a city person, he didn’t reserve a seat with his wife but simply stood at the side, giving Zhong Ling the chance she needed.

Everyone’s attention was on the movie, so nobody noticed the two quietly meeting.

As they walked west, Tang Wan quietly left her spot and followed them from behind.

The events unfolded much as described in the book.

Zhong Ling and the scumbag had known each other before going to the countryside, so they had things to talk about.

Tang Wan estimated where Zhao Dong would appear and moved forward a bit.

Soon, Zhao Dong appeared on the small path.

Calling it a path was generous—it was more like a shortcut made by children playing, but following it saved some trouble.

Tang Wan walked toward Zhao Dong, looking nervous and flustered.

Her anxious expression caught Zhao Dong’s attention.

“Tang Zhiqing, what are you doing here? Is something wrong?” Zhao Dong’s voice was cheerful. Fortunately, Tang Wan had chosen to keep a distance from Zhong Ling and the scumbag, so her voice didn’t alert them.

“N-no, nothing,” Tang Wan seemed frightened by Zhao Dong.

Her delicate face showed panic; no man could just leave her alone in such a state.

Sure enough, Zhao Dong spoke again: “You look unwell—did something happen?” He tried to lead Tang Wan in the direction she had come from.

“No! We better not go that way,” Tang Wan quickly grabbed Zhao Dong’s sleeve.

Her pale hand held on tightly, and Zhao Dong stopped.

“You can tell me anything; don’t be afraid,” Zhao Dong said gently, trying to comfort her.

“If you don’t speak up, I’ll go check myself,” Zhao Dong said, feigning a stern face.

As the male lead in the story, Zhao Dong was of fine character. The more Tang Wan stayed silent, the more he believed she was being bullied.

“Nothing. Sister Zhong Ling had to meet someone today and got ready early. I was worried she might be bullied if alone, so I waited for her here. I didn’t expect to run into you on this path, so I got a bit nervous,” Tang Wan said calmly. With her frightened expression, it was hard not to believe her.