Chapter 12 Mu Jingxun

Liu Yulan, clutching her swollen cheek, looked at Jiang Li in disbelief. This bitch dared to hit her?  She had only ever hit Jiang Li; she never expected to be hit back. “Jiang Li, you hit me?” Jiang Li found Liu Yulan’s question laughable.

“So what if I hit you? You were about to hit me.  You think you’re so great? I should just stand there and let you hit me?” The onlookers felt Jiang Li had gone too far, but they also said, “Yeah, didn’t you try to hit her first? You can hit others, but others can’t hit you back? This girl is unreasonable.” “If she were reasonable, would she let her fifteen-year-old brother go to the countryside in her place?” “Good for her.  She hit you for saying a few words. Your parents spoil you at home, but no one else has to.

” Liu Yulan was furious. Jiang Li had hit her and caused her to be mocked. She wouldn’t let Jiang Li get away with this. The Youth League office staff heard the commotion and came to investigate. After understanding the situation, they scolded Liu Yulan. “Your ideology has serious problems. You city intellectuals should respond to the country’s call and contribute to the countryside. If everyone is afraid of hardship, how will our country progress?” The staff then scolded Liu’s mother.

 “And you, as parents, should guide your children’s ideology. She’s an adult, not a child; you shouldn’t spoil her. City youths go to the countryside to answer the country’s call.  You shouldn’t let another family member go in her place. We’ll report this to your workplace.” Liu’s mother’s face turned pale. She had considered letting her son go instead, but now she changed her mind. Doing so would affect her and her husband’s jobs. She nodded at the staff and coaxed Liu Yulan. “Yulan, you see, Mom didn’t want you to stay, but there’s no other way. Don’t worry; I’ll send you money and coupons.

” Liu Yulan, though unwilling, had no choice. She glared at Jiang Li and boarded the train under the staff’s guidance.  Liu’s mother wanted to say more, but Liu Yulan ignored her and got on the train.  Liu’s mother sighed. The staff urged the young intellectuals to board the train. Jiang Li, carrying her two large packages, boarded the train.  People were amazed at her strength. Bai Ziyong whispered to Mu Jingxun, “Brother Xun, look at that female intellectual. She’s so strong. She’s amazing.” Mu Jingxun looked at Jiang Li.

He was intrigued by her. They boarded the train. Jiang Li carried her large packages and squeezed onto the train. The train was crowded and hot, and there were unpleasant smells: sweat, urine, and foot odor. Jiang Li blocked her sense of smell.

 She went to her seat and found an elderly woman sitting in her seat. Jiang Li said, “Excuse me, you’re in my seat.” The elderly woman ignored her and said, “So what? You’re young and can stand. I’m old and need to sit.” Jiang Li looked at the elderly woman; she had encountered another difficult person.  Jiang Li lifted the elderly woman and sat down in her seat.

The elderly woman was surprised.  The passengers were also surprised at Jiang Li’s strength.  The elderly woman yelled at Jiang Li, “You’re so ill-mannered! Don’t you know about respecting the elderly? I’ll teach you.

” She reached out to grab Jiang Li. Liu Yulan was gloating. Jiang Li was so annoying; she was in trouble now. She wouldn’t believe Jiang Li dared to hit an elderly woman.  But things didn’t go as Liu Yulan expected. Jiang Li sneered.

Was she too kind?  Before the elderly woman’s hand touched her, Jiang Li slapped the elderly woman’s hand.  “You can’t be unreasonable just because you’re old! You took my seat, and now you want to hit me?  I have every right to remove you!”