Xu Xinghe nodded, and the unease in her heart gradually dissipated.

With Jiang Linchuan around, she felt much more at ease.

The two chatted for a while longer, agreeing on a solution for what to do next, before Xu Xinghe returned to the nursery.

As soon as she got back, she saw Wang Lili standing by the tools, arms crossed, a provocative smile on her face. "What? Did you go to your cousin to complain? Even if he wants to help you deal with me, it won't work. Don't think you're the only one with connections."

Xu Xinghe was stunned for a moment, not understanding what she meant.

Wang Lili had no acquaintances at the forest farm except for the new educated youth, so where did she get any powerful connections?

"You think I have no one to help me? Just wait, in the future at the forest farm, it's hard to say who will bully whom."

After she finished speaking, she stopped looking at Xu Xinghe, picked up her tools, and swaggered towards the planting area for the male educated youth.

She had already made up her mind: since Xu Xinghe had Jiang Linchuan protecting her, she would find Liu Hu to be her backer!

Since she had already been forced by Liu Hu and given her body, she might as well use this relationship to get Liu Hu to protect her. At least in the future, she wouldn't have to suffer from Xu Xinghe's temper at the forest farm, and she could get more work points and have a better life.

Wang Lili walked to the planting area for male educated youth.

Liu Hu leaned against a tree trunk and smoked, while several former educated youths gathered around him, chatting and laughing.

Seeing Wang Lili walk straight towards them, the laughter of the old educated youth stopped instantly, and they all stared at her with ambiguous eyes.

Last night someone saw Wang Lili running out of the woods crying, and today she came to find Liu Hu on her own initiative. It's easy to guess what's going on.

Liu Hu stubbed out his cigarette, a playful smile playing on his lips. Before she could even get close, he spoke first, "What brings you here? Aren't you working at the nursery? What are you doing here?"

Wang Lili walked quickly to him, deliberately lowered her head, and said in a slightly aggrieved tone, "Comrade Liu, I...I have something I want to tell you."

She could feel the gazes of the older educated youth around her, and her face flushed, but she still gritted her teeth and didn't leave. Liu Hu was her only support now, and she had to hold on to him.

Liu Hu took out a piece of fruit candy from his pocket, unwrapped it, and handed it to her. His tone was unusually gentle. "It's nothing, why are you so upset? Here, have some candy first, and we can talk slowly."

He had just gotten to know Wang Lili, and the novelty hadn't worn off yet. Plus, she was pretty and more attractive than the other women in the forest farm with their rough skin, so he treated her fairly politely.

Wang Lili took the candy, clutched it in her hand, looked up at Liu Hu, and her eyes instantly reddened. "Comrade Liu, Li Juan bullied me! This morning she slandered me and went to the deputy captain to complain, and in the end we both had our work points deducted. She even went to her cousin Li Guowei to complain, and I'm afraid... I'm afraid Li Guowei will hit me."

As she spoke, she deliberately feigned fear, hoping to gain Liu Hu's sympathy.

Upon hearing the name Li Guowei, Liu Hu's smile vanished instantly, and his expression darkened.

He hadn't forgotten the feeling of being stunned by Jiang Linchuan's punch yesterday, and now, just hearing that name made him grit his teeth in hatred. "Don't worry, he wouldn't dare! So what if he knows a little bit of martial arts? If he really wanted to fight, I have so many brothers here, would I let him bully you? With me here, no one will dare to touch you."

Hearing this, Wang Lili finally felt relieved, and a long-lost smile appeared on her face. "Thank you, Comrade Liu! I'm relieved to hear you say that."

She felt she hadn't chosen the wrong backer; with Liu Hu protecting her, she no longer needed to fear Xu Xinghe and Jiang Linchuan.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, go back to work. Don't let people laugh at you." Liu Hu waved his hand, his tone showing a hint of impatience.

He wasn't interested in Wang Lili's grievances; his gentleness just now was merely a result of novelty.

Wang Lili nodded, clutching the candy she hadn't eaten, and turned to walk back to the nursery with a satisfied expression.

Watching her retreating figure, the older educated youth immediately gathered around Liu Hu, winking and whispering, "Brother Hu, wow! When did you get together with Wang Lili? I remember you were still hung up on Li Juan before, what's with the change of heart?"

Liu Hu chuckled, pulled out another cigarette from his pocket, lit it, took a puff, and said contemptuously, "I may be interested, but Li Juan has Li Guowei protecting her, so she's untouchable. Wang Lili is practically offering herself up, so why not take advantage of her? Anyway, working at the forest farm every day is boring, so I might as well find someone to vent to and stop feeling so stifled."

His eyes were full of indifference. "I didn't take her seriously at all. She was just a tool to vent my desires. Once the novelty wears off, who cares who she is? If you want to keep an eye on her, you can come when I'm done playing with her."

The former educated youth burst into laughter upon hearing this.

"That's great!"

"That's settled then. If you ever get tired of it, Tiger, let me have it first. I'll sign up first!"

Liu Hu exhaled a smoke ring. "Alright, here you go. Alright, get to work. Even if you're working with me, you can't be too lazy. Call a few new educated youths over to help."