Chapter 2 Anger

At that time, Nan's parents were frequently called out for criticism and struggle sessions, and everyone avoided the Nan family like the plague.

At that time, Nan Zhiyi felt a chill in her heart when she heard Zhou Zhengping's words, and now, looking back, she finds it even more ironic.

Waiting for his parents' approval? That's probably a matter for the next life.

She's destined to lose this job; given her family background, she'll never find another one…

Is she really going to go to the countryside...?

"Hey, isn't this our Teacher Nan? What happened? Did you get kicked out of the school?"

A sharp voice suddenly rang out, filled with undisguised malice.

Nan Zhiyi raised her head.

She crossed her arms over her chest and held her chin high.

Several young women with equally mocking expressions followed behind her.

A young woman looked Nan Zhiyi up and down, her faded work clothes scrutinized: "Tsk tsk, didn't you used to dress like a butterfly? Now you look like an old woman? Well, the capitalist's daughter's stinking money has been confiscated, what's with the airs?"

“Exactly!” another girl chimed in. “Why don’t you take a piss and look at yourself in the mirror? You’re the daughter of a stinking intellectual, your class background is rotten to the core! You should just go to the countryside and be sent there to work! Maybe with your face, you can hook up with a production team leader, that would be considered climbing the social ladder!”

A barrage of foul language came crashing down on him.

She didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble; right now, she couldn't afford to offend anyone.

Nan Zhiyi turned sideways, trying to squeeze past.

Wang Lili took a step forward, blocking the way even more tightly. "What? Did I touch a nerve? You used to rely on your family's money to bewitch Zhou Zhengping. How many men in the compound were chasing after you?"

Now, face reality, Miss! All that money and airs your parents had are gone! You're just waiting to go out into the world and make a name for yourself! My dad said you're number one on the list!

Nan Zhiyi felt a ringing in her ears and clenched her fists.

"Get out of the way."

"Get out of the way?" Wang Lili laughed exaggeratedly, her laughter sharp and piercing. "Nan Zhiyi, do you think you're still the young lady you used to be? You're nothing but a stinking bastard now!"

She suddenly raised her hand, the movement so fast it created a gust of wind.

"Smack!"

A slap landed hard on Nan Zhiyi's face. A burning pain exploded, and half of her cheek went numb.

She didn't raise her hand to cover her face, nor did she look at Wang Lili's face, which was flushed with excitement from the violence.

Her gaze was fixed on the ground, on a tiny crack in the concrete of the sidewalk.

She told herself to endure it.

Things are different now; she can no longer hand knives to anyone, and she can no longer implicate anyone.

Even anger is a luxury.

"Wang Lili! What's wrong with you?!"

Zhou Anping rushed over like a gust of wind and shoved Wang Lili away, who was about to attack again.

She stood in front of Nan Zhiyi, glaring at Wang Lili with eyes blazing with fury: "Hitting someone in broad daylight? Just because your father is in the Revolutionary Committee, you think you can act with impunity?!"

Enraged, Wang Lili retorted sharply, "Zhou Anping? What kind of hero are you playing here? What, does the Zhou family want to get their hands on the sleazy stench of a capitalist's daughter?"

"Watch your mouth!" Zhou Anping retorted, raising his voice even higher. "Hitting someone is wrong! I saw it, so I had to intervene!"

"Mind your own business? Is that any of your concern?"

Wang Lili sneered, and her two companions behind her echoed her laughter.

She glanced disdainfully at Nan Zhiyi, who was being protected by Zhou Anping, and then looked at the furious Zhou Anping, her eyes like she was watching a farce.

"Zhou Anping, you've got guts. But I advise you to save your energy. She's definitely going to lose her job, and she can't escape being sent to the countryside! That's a done deal!"

She raised her chin, in a triumphant gesture: "My dad set the tone himself! Nobody can change it!"

She gave Nan Zhiyi one last glare, then turned and left arrogantly with her followers.

"Zhiyi, how are you?" Zhou Anping immediately turned around, cupped Nan Zhiyi's face, and checked her over.

The clear five-finger mark had become red and swollen, standing out starkly against the pale skin.

"That bastard! He hit so hard!" Zhou Anping's voice trembled with anger.

Nan Zhiyi gently brushed Zhou Anping's hand away, her movements somewhat stiff. "Anping, thank you, I'm fine."

"You call this nothing?" Zhou Anping's eyes were red as he grabbed her wrist, which was so thin it was painful to look at.

"Come on! Come home with me! Let's go find my brother! He'll definitely have a solution!"

She grabbed Nan Zhiyi and tried to leave.

Nan Zhiyi stood rooted to the spot.

Looking into Zhou Anping's worried eyes, she slowly shook her head, her voice soft: "Anping, forget it. The engagement is off. Your mother came to cancel it herself."

Zhou Anping stamped his foot in frustration, tightening his grip even more. "My brother absolutely refused! He had a huge fight with my mom and was locked in the house! I had to sneak out!"

She leaned closer, lowered her voice, and spoke with an anxious eagerness to share a secret, "You know what? Fifth Brother! He came to my house last night. He stood at the door, and his face... was so cold it could freeze you. He just asked my brother one question..."

Zhou Anping lowered his voice even further, tinged with a lingering fear, "He asked my brother, 'Zhou Zhengping, can you really protect her?' That look in his eyes... my brother was behind the door, and he couldn't even speak..."

Gu Xiao... Fifth Brother.

A cold, handsome profile flashed through Nan Zhiyi's mind, with deep-set eyes and a gaze that always seemed to scrutinize her.

How could he...? She immediately dismissed the thought.

This has nothing to do with her anymore.

She is now like a clay idol, barely able to save herself.

"Anping, thank you. Really."

She took a deep breath, trying to force a reassuring smile, but her lips were too heavy to lift.

"Really, it's not necessary. Your brother... has his own difficulties. Don't make things difficult for him."

Zhou Anping tightened his grip, half-dragging and half-pulling her forward.

"No, my brother is going crazy with worry! He must have a way! Let's all think together! There'll be a solution! What are you going to do all this on your own? Let's go!"

Nan Zhiyi struggled twice, but couldn't break free.

The little girl was surprisingly strong, with a kind of reckless, brute force.

“Anping, really no need…” Nan Zhiyi’s voice was hoarse, and her steps were unsteady.

"No! You have to go!" Zhou Anping said without turning his head, his tone resolute. "My brother is waiting! How can you go alone?"

As Nan Zhiyi watched the gray walls of the military compound draw ever closer, she finally gave up struggling.

That's enough.

If I really have to go to the countryside, even if it takes years, I'll still be able to see Zhou Zhengping one more time.

Consider this...farewell.

Entering the compound, it felt both familiar and strange.

Neat and uniform Soviet-style red brick buildings, bare holly hedges.