Zhang Yunxi had an even worse day the next day, earning only two work points. The hand she had repaired with medicine split open again, revealing the flesh inside clearly.

The pain was so intense that even touching the peanut seedlings made her hiss in agony.

Zhao Rencheng, standing next to the accountant, saw her hand and remembered the meal they had shared last time. Feeling pity for her, he asked Zhao Mo to call her to the foot of the back mountain.

Neither Zhao Mo nor Zhang Yunxi trusted others easily.

But for some reason, they had an inexplicable trust in him. So, Zhang Yunxi went, “Brother Zhao, is there something you need?”

“I have an extra pair of gloves and a hat. I can lend them to you for a month for two mao. Do you want them?”

In a month, she, as an educated youth, would be able to go to town.

“Two mao?!”

Zhang Yunxi pursed her lips. She worked herself to the bone all day and only earned one mao. Two mao was like a fortune to her now.

“Forget it if you don’t want them,” Zhao Rencheng turned to leave.

“I want them, I want them,” Zhang Yunxi quickly called out to him, “I don’t have the money on me. Wait a moment, I’ll go get it for you.”

“Take them first. You can have Zhao Mo give me the money later,” Zhao Rencheng handed her the hat and gloves.

“Thank you,” Zhang Yunxi gingerly picked up the edges of the hat and gloves, trying not to let them touch the gruesome cracks on her palms.

Seeing her cautious movements, Zhao Rencheng felt a mix of pity and amusement, “Your hands are really going to suffer.”

“I know,” Zhang Yunxi sighed helplessly. Her hands were delicate and couldn’t withstand the rough stems of the crops.

Zhao Rencheng comforted her, “It’s okay. After they split open a few more times, they’ll develop calluses, and then you’ll be able to work more efficiently.”

Zhang Yunxi shuddered at the thought.

A few more times?!

“Can’t I switch to an easier job? Even if it means fewer work points, it’s fine.”

“No, you’re an educated youth. You’re not qualified to change jobs,” Zhao Rencheng said.

Zhang Yunxi was on the verge of tears, “I’m so miserable.”

Zhao Rencheng nodded, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Zhang Yunxi glared at him, “Are you laughing at me?!”

Zhao Rencheng coughed lightly, feeling a bit guilty, and said, “The peanuts will be done soon.”

“And after the peanuts?”

“Digging sweet potatoes, picking corn.”

“Ah!”

Zhang Yunxi was devastated.

The Zhao brigade had planted way too many crops.

She knew a good harvest was a good thing, but she couldn’t handle it.

“You graduated from high school. If you work hard and become a model worker, you can apply for a spot at a Worker-Peasant-Soldier University,” Zhao Rencheng said, thinking that this was what educated youths cared about most. With this carrot dangling in front of her, she might not feel so miserable.

“Worker-Peasant-Soldier University?” Zhang Yunxi murmured softly.

The Worker-Peasant-Soldier University was good, but after the college entrance exams were reinstated, it wasn’t as well-regarded. She still wanted to take the college entrance exams, but that was seven years away. She couldn’t endure seven years of suffering. No, she had to find a way, “Do you need teachers at your elementary school? I’m a high school graduate.”

“Educated youths are forbidden from taking on internal brigade work,” Zhao Rencheng said. This was normal; if the educated youths left, they would have to find new people, which was troublesome.

Zhang Yunxi wasn’t ready to give up, “Are there any other job openings?”

Zhao Rencheng: “No.”

Zhang Yunxi gave up, “Alright.”

“It’s getting late, you should go back,” Zhao Rencheng said, turning to head up the mountain.

Zhang Yunxi tossed the hat onto her head and carried the gloves as she walked back to the educated youth dormitory. Sigh, she needed to start earning money from writing soon. That way, she could have a reason not to participate in labor. Otherwise, if she stayed in the dormitory without working, Brigade Leader Zhao would surely kick her out to the educated youth office.

“Hey! Don’t you dare bother Educated Youth Wu anymore!” Zhao Erhua had heard from her mother yesterday that a male educated youth had arrived. His family had five formal employees, and his father was the director of a rubber factory. He could casually throw out several big unity, and her mother told her to get closer to Educated Youth Wu.

Zhao Erhua didn’t pay much attention to her mother’s words. She was the village belle, after all. Many young men liked her. How could she take the initiative? Men should like her first.

But today, she came to see Wu Donglin.

Wu Donglin’s face was fair and clean, unlike the rough old men in the brigade. His clothes were made of dacron, and he had a Hero pen clipped to the small pocket on his chest. He looked like a leader, and she was smitten at first sight!

As she passed by Wu Donglin, she overheard him talking to other educated youths, “My dad is already looking for a job for me. I’ll be able to go back soon. Don’t worry, brothers, I won’t forget you all when I go back.”

He could return to the city!

That was the key point Zhao Erhua caught.

Next, Zhao Erhua heard Wu Donglin say, “There are many people who like me—Zhang Yunxi, Zhang Yunxi’s cousin, and many others in the rubber factory. What can I do? I’m just too good. Don’t think that just because Zhang Yunxi said she doesn’t like me today, it’s true. Women are jealous creatures. I was nice to her cousin, and she got angry. Now she’s playing hard to get, trying to seduce me. If I just beckon, she’ll fall for me.”

So, the second key point Zhao Erhua picked up was that Zhang Yunxi, her cousin, and city girls all liked him!

She couldn’t do anything about the city girls.

The only one she could deal with was Zhang Yunxi!

Zhao Erhua glared fiercely at Zhang Yunxi, “I’m warning you, if I catch you talking to Educated Youth Wu again, I won’t let you off!”

Zhang Yunxi laughed, “If you really like a man and have confidence in yourself, you should focus on the relationship between the two of you, not target other girls.”

“What are you talking about? Are you scared? Let me tell you, don’t think being a city girl makes you special. I’m related to the brigade leader!” Zhao Erhua glared at her, “Educated Youth Wu is mine. You better tell your cousin to back off too, or she’ll end up heartbroken!”

If Zhang Yunxi dared to mess with the man she had her eyes on, she would definitely ruin Zhang Yunxi’s reputation in the Zhao brigade!

Zhang Yunxi: “You better get your head straight. Just because you like Wu Donglin doesn’t mean the whole world does. I have nothing to do with him and don’t like him. If you like him, you should make it clear to him and see if he cuts ties with my cousin. Who knows, he might write to my cousin proposing marriage one day, leaving you in the dark. By then, you’ll be played and left with nothing but a child.”

“No way, Educated Youth Wu isn’t like that. Don’t think I can’t see it—you like him!”

Although Zhao Erhua said that, she kept it in mind. She would discuss with her mother later on how to win over Wu Donglin. After all, he was a city guy with a house and a job, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely win in the end!”

Chin up, Zhao Erhua strutted off like a victorious hen.

Zhang Yunxi: “…”

She was truly speechless.