Chapter Thirty-Six: Farce

This morning, Li Yamei, who hadn't been to the educated youth settlement for a long time, suddenly returned, saying that her child was about to turn one month old and she wanted to invite someone from the settlement to attend the baby's one-month celebration.

"Sister Fanghua already felt something was wrong. Aunt Yang's family is notorious for favoring sons over daughters, and Sister Yamei only gave birth to a daughter. How could they possibly be willing to spend money on a full-month celebration for their granddaughter?"

Although they didn't know why Li Yamei wanted them to attend the full moon celebration, the most malicious reason they could think of was that Li Yamei's in-laws wanted their dowry, and they were trying to find ways to make them spend money.

But she never expected that what they wanted was not just money, but also the girls who were sent to the countryside during the Cultural Revolution.

Perhaps because her eldest and second sons had both married through improper means, Aunt Yang wanted to repeat the same trick and find a wife for her third and fourth sons who were educated youth sent to the countryside.

As a result, the older educated youth guarded against them like thieves, and would not allow any of their family members to get close to them easily. That's why they called out their own new mothers who had not yet finished their postpartum confinement, asking them to find a way to invite the unmarried female educated youths from the educated youth settlement out.

"Am I stupid? I agreed to take her out because she took care of me when I was sick before, and I thought it wouldn't be a problem since we weren't far away."

Who knew that someone would be waiting on the road just to ambush her? Li Yamei even watched helplessly as Ma Sishui pulled her into the woods, without offering to help at all.

Gu Zuozuo glanced at Zhu Xiaoxiao, who was still sobbing and hiccuping, with a complicated expression. This woman was really unlucky and thoughtless.

Tired of hitting and scolding, Zhu Xiaoxiao stopped to rest, staring blankly at the still unconscious Ma Sishui, lost in thought.

...This is the dividing line where things have gone completely wrong...

Half an hour later, Gu Zuozuo, carrying three large bundles of firewood, led Zhu Xiaoxiao, who was also carrying a bundle of firewood, out of the mountains on the other side.

"Gu Zhiqing! Why didn't you say you were short of firewood? I could have sent my brat to help you!"

"Gu Zhiqing, would you like some of the kimchi I made? I'll have my daughter bring it over to you later!"

Along the way, Gu Zuozuo was constantly stopped by villagers who greeted and talked to her.

When someone talks to her, she stops and listens attentively. If someone wants to give her something, she politely refuses. If she can't refuse, she thanks them.

Gu Zuozuo deliberately led Zhu Xiaoxiao to all the gossipy gathering places in the village, and amidst the enthusiastic calls of "Gu the Educated Youth," he led Zhu Xiaoxiao back to the educated youth settlement.

On the other side.

As soon as Ma Sishui opened his eyes after waking up, he realized something was wrong.

His clothes were slashed to shreds, his hair was shaved off, and his body was itchy and painful, as if a thousand ants were gnawing at him.

With his mouth gagged, he couldn't speak and could only struggle in vain.

As evening fell, the sunset painted the sky with vibrant colors, and the aroma of food wafted from the educated youth settlement. The tantalizing scent of meat was particularly enticing, making everyone's stomachs rumble with hunger, almost unable to move.

"Sweetie, what delicious food did you make today? It smells so good!"

Meng Tian wiped the water off her hands and, as she turned to lift the pot lid, didn't forget to answer Li Fanghua's question.

"Is it still wild boar meat?" The meat seems different from yesterday's.

The meat still retains its fresh color, but it's not fishy at all. If you smell it carefully, you can even detect a hint of floral and fruity fragrance.