“Sure!”

Zhang Yunxi reluctantly agreed.

Her salary was only ten yuan, and buying a bag of malted milk powder cost her five yuan. Heaven knows how much it pained her.

“What else do you need?”

“Do you have any fabric scraps? Winter is coming soon, and I think I can make a lot of things with fabric scraps.” Zhang Yunxi noticed that many women in the village had a kind of divine longing for fabric scraps. She had also been influenced by the atmosphere and wanted some.

She was truly a follower of trends.

“I’ll ask, but I can’t guarantee there will be any.” Zhao Rencheng gave her a heads-up to avoid disappointment later.

“It’s fine if there aren’t any. Having the malted milk powder is enough.” Zhang Yunxi planned to buy the malted milk powder this time, hide it, and occasionally give some to Zhao Mo.

“Alright, I’ll walk you down the mountain.”

“Okay.”

Previously, Zhang Yunxi had been a bit afraid of going up and down the mountain at night. But with Zhao Rencheng accompanying her, she felt that the darkness of the countryside at night wasn’t scary at all. Instead, it gave her a sense of peace and tranquility, allowing her to appreciate the starry sky and the quiet serenity of nature.

Looking at this scene, Zhang Yunxi felt inspired to write. The rural night could serve as a way to lift the mysterious veil of the countryside for city dwellers.

She wondered when she would receive notification about her manuscript. She hoped to get paid so she could visit the provincial capital.

The provincial capital was by the sea, and she really wanted to see what the seaside was like in the 1970s.

Back in the dorm, Zhang Yunxi took advantage of her inspiration and quickly jotted down her thoughts before going to bed.

But her sleep wasn’t peaceful.

It felt like someone was arguing.

Zhang Yunxi was annoyed. “Who is it? It’s so early in the morning. Can’t they let people sleep?”

Deng Damei yawned as she got up. “It’s probably something happening in the village. I’ll go take a look.”

“Forget it. I’m already awake from the noise. Let’s go together.”

Zhang Yunxi grabbed her messy hair and went with Deng Damei to see who was causing such a ruckus before dawn.

It was autumn now, and there was a thick fog in the morning. The two of them carefully made their way forward.

The noise grew louder as they approached.

“Oh, heavens! Why is my life so bitter? I gave birth to him, raised him, and now he doesn’t care about us at all. They say raising a son is for old age, but what’s the use of this?!”

Mother Zhao slapped her thigh and wailed.

Father Zhao chimed in, “Everyone says you’re a good person, but what have you ever given to the family? Even the most unfilial person in the village provides for their parents. But you? You moved up the mountain and don’t care about us at all. Are you even human?!”

Zhang Yunxi blinked.

Moved up the mountain?

Wasn’t that Zhao Rencheng?

She couldn’t help but quicken her pace.

Deng Damei rolled her eyes. A “just friends” reaction to hearing something related to him? Moving so fast?

She glanced at Zhang Yunxi and said sarcastically, “Slow down.”

“Don’t bully me.” Zhang Yunxi clung to her arm and cooed.

Zhao Erhua, who was passing by, gagged.

Zhang Yunxi smiled at Deng Damei and said, “Damei, you’re so wonderful. No wonder people are jealous of our friendship.”

Zhao Erhua’s mouth dropped open.

Did she have no shame?

“Who would be jealous of someone like you?”

“Right, who?” Zhang Yunxi blinked her innocent, pure eyes in response.

Zhao Erhua stood on her tiptoes and looked down her nose at her. “Don’t think acting like this will make me afraid of you. I won’t be. Wu Zhiqing will always be mine.”

“Yes, you two are a match made in heaven. Please don’t harm society. Stay locked together forever.” Zhang Yunxi said expressionlessly.

“Oh, heavens! I’m so miserable! Can’t you see? How can a son be like this? If you’re awake, you should strike this kid dead with lightning!”

Mother Zhao’s curses sounded like a song.

This immediately drew Zhang Yunxi’s attention.

“I’m not arguing with you. Damei, let’s go, let’s go.”

Deng Damei glared fiercely at Zhao Erhua. What kind of person bullies her Yunxi? “You’re really out of your mind!”

“You!”

Zhao Erhua pointed at her, cursing furiously.

But Deng Damei and Zhang Yunxi had already walked away quickly and didn’t hear a thing.

It has to be said, gossip is the most captivating. Early in the morning, before dawn, crowds had gathered around Zhao Rencheng’s family, and more people were arriving.

Zhang Yunxi used all her strength to squeeze into the second row to see what was happening.

Mother Zhao was slapping her thigh.

Father Zhao was pointing at Zhao Rencheng and cursing.

As the protagonist of the whole incident, Zhao Rencheng didn’t show much emotion, but his stern expression alone was enough to intimidate.

Zhang Yunxi didn’t know much about many people in the brigade, but she had secretly asked Zhao Mo about Zhao Rencheng. She knew he had a tough childhood, and the fact that he turned out so normal was purely due to his strong mindset.

But she had also heard that Zhao’s parents usually acted as if Zhao Rencheng were dead, as if they didn’t have such a son. She didn’t know why they had suddenly come looking for him and were making such a scene.

Soon.

She found out the reason.

“You’d rather help your blind date than your own nephew, huh? You have a military recruitment quota, and you’re keeping it to yourself. Are you even human?!” Father Zhao was trembling with anger.

Back when Zhao Rencheng joined the military.

He had wanted Zhao Rencheng’s money!

But Zhao Rencheng was truly ruthless. Every time they asked for money, he would come home once, and after returning, he would beat his brother so badly that he couldn’t get out of bed for over a month.

He wanted to see who would outlast whom.

Later, they would cruelly demand money once a year. One year, he didn’t come back, but the second time he returned, he beat them so badly they couldn’t get out of bed for three months!

What kind of son is this?

Who would want him?!

Zhao Rencheng remained silent, rotating his wrist.

Father Zhao cursed him for being unfilial while retreating step by step. “If you dare lay a hand on me, the whole village will condemn you. I’m telling you now, if you don’t help your nephew out, I’ll remove you from the family registry.”

The onlookers were stunned.

Except for a few families who had fled to Zhao Village during the famine of the 1960s, everyone in Zhao Village shared the same ancestors. By doing this, Father Zhao was completely disregarding Zhao Rencheng as a person and denying him a place in Zhao Village.

While everyone was shocked.

Someone’s voice rang out, speaking rapidly, “If you drive out such an outstanding descendant, your ancestors will surely drag you down and scold you to death.”

The morning fog was hazy.

Everyone turned to look, but no one could see who it was.

Only Zhao Rencheng noticed Zhang Yunxi!

She was speaking up for him!!

Zhao Rencheng’s mood, which had been soured by his parents early in the morning, instantly improved.

In contrast, Father Zhao was so frightened he trembled, then shouted furiously, “Who is it? Who’s there? Show yourself!”

Zhao Rencheng: “Probably your ancestors.”

Zhang Yunxi almost couldn’t hold back her laughter.

Zhao Rencheng and the young men of the brigade were supposed to go up the mountain to cut wood today, so he really didn’t have the patience to waste more words on his father. He turned to leave.

There was also a hidden reason.

He didn’t really want Zhang Yunxi to witness his family’s drama.

Thud—

Mother Zhao’s knees suddenly gave way, and she knelt down.

This truly shocked everyone present.

Mother Zhao’s eyes were filled with tears, her voice choked with sobs. “Please, as your mother, I’m begging you. Can’t you help your nephew?”