“Xu Qingning, these past two years, you’ve been going against Wenya at every turn. She’s good-tempered and doesn’t hold it against you, but you’ve been stubborn and going further and further down the wrong path.” Xiao Tingshen held Tang Wenya’s hand and said in a serious tone, “Someone like you should accept going to the countryside to do labor and be baptized by rural life.”

These days, he and Tang Wenya study together, actively reviewing their lessons in preparation for the college entrance examination.

We absolutely cannot let this trip to the countryside disrupt their plans.

Furthermore, Xu Qingning had feelings for him, so his words should have a deterrent effect on her; she used to obey him completely.

"Xiao Tingshen, stop trying to change the subject and talking about other things. You are the least qualified person to speak here." Xu Qingning looked at him disdainfully. "If you are a man, admit that Tang Wenya is pregnant with your child, and then go to the educated youth office to accept your punishment. I believe that the comrades in the educated youth office will handle this matter fairly and justly."

The policy of sending educated youth to the countryside in this era was not mandatory, but rather encouraged on a voluntary basis.

However, if one refuses to go to the countryside, one will also lose the opportunity to be given priority in job allocation and to be recommended to take the college entrance examination.

Jiang Yumei then tried her best to get Xu Qingning to go to the countryside in place of Tang Wenya, so that Tang Wenya could have time to take the college entrance exam.

A mother is a mother, she really knows how to play the game!

“Qingning, don’t make trouble. The person registered as a sent-down youth at the Youth Affairs Office is you. What does that have to do with your sister?” Jiang Yumei immediately interrupted Xu Qingning, fearing that Tang Wenya’s pregnancy would be exposed in front of the Youth Affairs Office and Xu Jianguo. “You don’t need to worry. You are already married and have a child. I believe the Youth Affairs Office will not punish you too severely.”

A fool like Xu Qingning doesn't go to university or work.

Even if they are punished, at most they will have to write a self-criticism, and it won't have any impact on them at all.

"Auntie, can't you understand human language?" Xu Qingning laughed in exasperation. "The problem is, Tang Wenya evaded going to the countryside, forged medical records, and is now pregnant and preparing for marriage. It seems you haven't mentioned a single word about her affairs!"

Why should she be punished?

If anyone should be punished, it should be Tang Wenya!

Yang Yuelan quietly took Xu Qingning's hand, feeling pity for her. Her daughter-in-law had a really tough time in this family.

"Qingning, I've always considered you my own sister." Tang Wenya's face flushed red as she bit her lip. "Why did you frame me like this?"

She didn't expect the educated youth office to come knocking on her door so quickly.

It must be that Xu Qingning and Zhao Jingyu threw a big wedding banquet, which alerted the educated youth office.

Xu Qingning is a troublemaker.

"No, I don't have a sister like you." Xu Qingning got angry when she saw her pitiful appearance. "You keep saying that I framed you. If you're so capable, show us your medical report. If you're not pregnant, I'm going to the countryside right now."

Shouldn't the female lead be upright, proper, and poised?

Why did she become so weak and delicate when it came to Tang Wenya, even less so than the supporting female character?

"Xu Qingning, don't push your luck." Xiao Tingshen was furious when he saw that Xu Qingning ignored his words. He warned her sternly, "Don't think that just because you're married you can do whatever you want. Zhao Jingyu has a job. If his family members aren't sensible, it will definitely affect him."

"Don't worry, my son isn't afraid of being affected." Seeing that the three of them had joined forces to deal with Xu Qingning, Yang Yuelan hurriedly said to the two cadres in the educated youth office, "Comrades, I have three sons. Two of them have already responded to the call to go to the countryside and have not returned to the city yet. My third son has only been back from the Northwest Farm for a few years."

“It’s not my turn to go to the countryside, my third daughter-in-law. If you keep pressuring her, I’ll report you to your superiors.”

“Auntie, we didn’t pressure her. We’re just here to investigate.” Officer Yang had already understood, but this wasn’t a matter for him to decide alone, and he couldn’t express his opinion now.

"Comrades, this is the situation in my family." Xu Jianguo's ears were ringing from the noise, and he felt very embarrassed being caught in the middle. "My eldest daughter is getting married next month, and my younger daughter is already married and pregnant. What do you suggest we do?"

Officer Yang and Officer Xu exchanged a glance.

Their family situation is so complicated...

The two exchanged opinions in hushed tones, and then Officer Yang said to Xu Jianguo, "Uncle Xu, we understand your family's situation, but we can't make a conclusion yet. We need to go back and discuss it further in a meeting."

"We'll give you an answer after we've discussed it." Officer Xu, who had been taking notes, closed his notebook and said to Xiao Tingshen, "Tingshen, no matter whose responsibility it is, I hope you can cooperate fully."

“That’s right, that’s right.” Xiao Tingshen nodded repeatedly. “We will definitely cooperate.”

The two got up to leave, and Xu Jianguo politely saw them to the door, saying, "Thank you for your help."

"Mom, let's go too." Xu Qingning couldn't stay in this house for another second.

"Qingning, do we really have to make such a fuss as a family?" Xu Jianguo looked at her with disappointment. "Can't we talk things out?"

She and Tang Wenya argued every time they met.

It's always the same.

“Dad, you and I are no longer family. You and them are the real family.” Xu Qingning turned to leave, but after a few steps, she stopped at the door and said on behalf of the original owner, “From the moment you forced me to have an abortion and go to the countryside, you were no longer my father.”

"I'm doing this all for your own good." Xu Jianguo never regretted his decision, only feeling that Xu Qingning was disobeying him. "You'll regret it sooner or later if you don't listen to your parents. You know better than I what kind of person Zhao Jingyu is. What kind of good life can you have if you follow him?"

"Whether I have a good life or not is none of your business." Xu Qingning grabbed Yang Yuelan's hand and left without looking back.

"Mom and Dad, Tingshen, what should we do?" Tang Wenya was on the verge of tears. "I don't want to go to the countryside..."

"Don't worry, I won't let you go to the countryside." Xiao Tingshen put his arm around her and comforted her. "Officer Xu is my friend. I'll go find him now and see how to handle this. If all else fails, I'll have my parents step in."

“Yes, I think you should get your marriage certificate as soon as possible,” Jiang Yumei said, seizing the opportunity. “Once you get the certificate, the people in the educated youth office won’t be able to do anything about it.”

Actually, she had wanted them to get their marriage certificate for a long time.

I just felt that the woman was being reserved and was too shy to speak up.

"Auntie, don't worry, I'll go back and talk to my parents about it, and try to get the marriage certificate with Wenya as soon as possible." Xiao Tingshen thought so too. Xu Qingning could get a marriage certificate to avoid being sent to the countryside, and so could Tang Wenya.

Tang Wenya was emotional and was about to say something when her chest churned and she couldn't help but gag.

Jiang Yumei immediately stepped forward to help her into the house, saying as they walked, "Do you have an upset stomach? Come inside and lie down."

Xu Jianguo looked at her suspiciously, and his heart sank when he thought of what Xu Qingning had said.

"Uncle Xu, I'll head back now." Xiao Tingshen felt awkward and didn't follow him into the house. "I... I'll go back and discuss it with my parents. I'll come see Wenya again tomorrow."