Chapter 17 The Laziest Man in the Countryside

That evening, He Xianglan saw Li Decheng preparing to leave and got up to ask, "Where are you going?"

Li Decheng: "I made an appointment with Pearl."

"Wait, I'll go with you." He Xianglan casually threw on a piece of clothing, and before leaving, she dug out a package from under a clay pot in the corner.

Li Decheng was taken aback for a moment but didn't say anything more.

The two tiptoed out; it felt chilly outside because of the rain.

Fortunately, the moon was very bright tonight, and the two of them could see the path clearly.

In addition, the sounds of insects and bullfrogs in the fields are very noisy, so the chances of being discovered are very, very small unless you are using a flashlight.

The two left early, trying to get as close as possible to the educated youth settlement, so that Pearl wouldn't have to walk too long.

Seeing the approaching shadowy figure hiding in the dark ditch, Pearl assumed it was someone else walking at night and prepared to get up again after they left.

She hadn't expected there to be anyone outside today, so she decided to turn back the way she came. She'd already agreed with her father to wait a maximum of half an hour; if he didn't see her, she'd go home.

But unexpectedly, she seemed to hear her mother's voice.

After they got closer and confirmed it was him, he called out softly, "Mom and Dad."

"Oh dear, what are you doing hiding here?" He Xianglan exclaimed in surprise.

Li Decheng pulled his daughter up: "People used to say that now that the crops have been harvested, no one patrols the fields anymore."

The moonlight was bright, and He Xianglan could see her daughter's expression. She touched her trouser legs and found that they were soaked when she hid in the ditch.

"Isn't it cold? I'll have your dad come looking for you later."

“No need, I just saw someone coming, and I thought everyone else was getting ready to go back to the educated youth settlement.” Li Zhenzhu looked at her mother.

"Mom, you should cut your hair."

He Xianglan smiled when she heard her daughter's sobbing, and said indifferently, "Anyway, I'm already starting to get gray hair, so I might as well cut it."

"You acted impulsively today. You should stay away from situations like this in the future."

Because of her daughter's filial piety, He Xianglan put it another way: "Look, your father and I are doing much better now that you're in the village. If you were arrested, not only would you suffer, but no one would bring us anything in the future."

"Don't you think so?"

"I understand." Li Zhenzhu forced a smile. No child could bear to see their parents humiliated.

"Pearl." He Xianglan knew this wasn't the time for pleasantries, so she took her hand and handed her the item. "You're a grown woman now, and it's not easy for your father and me to help you much."

"Since you've come to this village as an educated youth, you should be prepared that you might never be able to go back."

He Xianglan held her hand tightly, while Li Decheng stood nearby keeping watch.

“Mom, I understand, I don’t regret it.” Li Zhenzhu’s voice was resolute: “As long as I can stay by your side and protect you, I will not regret it.”

He Xianglan patted her hair: "Good child."

“The village secretary’s youngest son is a good man. I heard from your father that he knows about your relationship with us, but he didn’t expose us. Since you two are both interested, you should talk things out.”

Li Zhenzhu didn't expect her mother to say these things: "Mom, what are you saying?"

“I’m telling you something serious!” He Xianglan told her not to interrupt her: “He has a good family background and is smart. Even if we are exposed in the future, his status can protect you.”

“He’s reached a certain age now and will soon be getting married. His father is a village official, his mother is capable, and his sisters-in-law get along well. This kind of man is very sought after in the countryside.”

"He used to have trouble finding a partner because of his health, but now that he's getting better, people are starting to pay attention to him."

"Strive for it when you should."

He Xianglan patted her hand: "These things are what give you confidence."

Li Zhenzhu didn't know that her mother had come to say these things, but thankfully it was nighttime and she couldn't see her mother's flushed face.

"These things you gave me..."

“We still have some there. Your father and I hid some on our bodies and a lot in other places. If we have the chance to go back, we will keep them for you and your husband.”

"Mom~"

"Alright." He Xianglan urged her to go back, seeing that she had said enough. The longer she stayed outside, the more suspicious it would become. "Go back."

"Your dad and I will take good care of ourselves, so don't come to see us anytime soon."

The couple quietly escorted her back to the educated youth settlement, and waited outside for a long time after she went inside.

The couple left only after confirming that everything was alright.

"You want the village secretary's youngest son to be your son-in-law?" Li Decheng asked her.

He Xianglan sighed as she walked under the moonlight: "What's the point of wanting it? I just want Pearl to try and get it."

"She can only be protected if she marries into the village party secretary's family."

"Old Li, my heart skipped a beat when I saw my daughter rushing up today. I don't want her to end up like us. I can't bear to think about that kind of scene."

"She's so young, her fate will only be worse than ours."

"So if she can marry that Ji Huaizhi, I can rest easy."

When Li Zhenzhu returned to the dormitory, everyone was fast asleep.

Everyone was tired, and you could still hear them snoring.

When He Yingying got to her seat, she turned over and her vague thoughts were that she was finally back. If someone saw her like this, she wouldn't be able to explain herself.

~

After Ji Huaizhi made a few appearances in the village, many people did ask Wang Xiuju about what Ji Huaizhi knew, but everyone remained in a wait-and-see state.

After all, he hasn't figured out his narcolepsy yet.

Wang Xiuju explained to everyone every day that Huaizhi's condition was getting better and better, and he was sleeping less than before.

At first, people were somewhat convinced.

But to everyone's surprise, Ji Huaizhi didn't go out, and everyone thought he must be sleeping at home.

If you're in good shape, why don't you come out and work to earn work points?

Wang Xiuju was still puzzled.

Why were people arranging marriages for my son before, but now everyone's gone silent?

When she asked the matchmakers, she learned that they didn't believe Huaizhi was good at all.

Just because he didn't wander around the village.

The main reason is probably that the youngest son wasn't seen doing any work. Nobody wants a man who doesn't work, so everyone was too diligent at that time.

But there's no other way; if you're not diligent, you won't have food to eat.

Wang Xiuju started to worry again.

We can't even get full work points for working in the fields anymore.

Seeing her aunt's expression, Li Zhenzhu put a few hard candies into her pocket: "Auntie, what's wrong?"

"I'm worried about what to do with my youngest son. He still hasn't found a wife, and it's keeping me up at night." Wang Xiuju sighed, leaning on her hoe.

Li Zhenzhu's lips twitched: "Didn't you say this morning that you were sleeping quite well because it's been raining and cool lately?"

Wang Xiuju choked: "You brat, I'm saying this to prove that I think this matter is worrying."

"It's not that I didn't sleep well."