Chapter Twenty-One: Just Live Your Own Life Well
She was too impulsive, really too impulsive. She had told herself countless times to be patient, but when she saw her sister's appearance, she still couldn't hold back.
Fortunately, I reacted quickly and pretended to be scared, otherwise I really wouldn't have gotten away with it today.
"Yuzhu, are you alright?"
“I’m fine. I just didn’t expect that the man would hit his own wife so hard. Did you see that? The woman’s nose was bleeding, and the child was crying in fear. The man still wouldn’t stop.”
Qiao Wangshu sighed and patted her back.
“Such things are common in the countryside, Yuzhu. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be so impulsive next time. We’ve only just arrived here and don’t know anything. If you get targeted, it will affect you. Think more before you act next time, okay?”
"Um!"
The story of the newly arrived educated youth getting into a fight with members of the Xiangyang production team on his first day of work quickly spread throughout the educated youth settlement and the village.
Because Shen Yuzhu didn't complain about being tired or overworked while working in the morning, Wang Liping decided to meddle in her affairs.
So after dinner that evening, she and Wang Jinxing held a meeting together.
"The topic of today's meeting is the fight between Comrade Shen Yuzhu and Comrade Zhang Li. Let's all share our thoughts on this egregious incident!"
Qiao Wangshu was the first to stand up.
“I don’t think Shen Zhiqing did anything wrong. Although we are newcomers, it is what outstanding young people should do to help those in need. Should we just stand by and watch? You should know that the woman who was beaten is also our compatriot!”
"I...I also think Shen Zhiqing...is...right, that Zhang Li beats his wife like she's going to die, what if something really happens?"
Lin Wanwan also stood up shakily. This was the first time she had dared to express her opinion so bravely, so she spoke haltingly and breathlessly, with her voice trembling nervously at the end.
Zhang Shujuan nodded, but before she could speak, Wang Yanhong tugged at her sleeve, and she shook her head.
Among the male educated youth, there were also many hot-blooded young men who could not bring themselves to throw punches at female comrades, nor could they stand by and watch.
Liu Shuai slammed his hand on the table and said, "Wang Zhiqing, Wang Zhiqing, you've been in Xiangyang Production Team for so many years. When you see someone being bullied, don't you feel anything at all?"
"I think Shen Zhiqing did a great job. I just wish I were here, otherwise I would have had a good showdown with that Zhang Li."
......
Wang Yanhong coughed twice, interrupted the discussion, and stood up with a confident air.
"Let me say a few words!"
“I think Comrade Shen acted a bit impulsively. It’s not wrong to help people, but we are all outsiders. What if we are targeted by the locals? In that case, everyone in our educated youth settlement will suffer. You know, our household registrations are all in the hands of the educated youth office and the commune. If something happens, we won’t get any benefit.”
After listening to her, Wang Liping nodded. Wang Jinxing didn't say anything, but he was equally full of praise.
Wang Yanhong seemed encouraged, smiled slightly, and was about to continue speaking when Shen Yuzhu suddenly stood up.
“I’m sorry, I acted impulsively today. I think Comrade Wang is right. There are many ways to help people, but I used the most extreme one. Perhaps because of my impulsiveness today, Zhang Li will beat his wife and children even more severely when he gets home. If that happens, my sin will be great.”
"That makes sense. When we come to the countryside to work, the most important thing is to get along well with the villagers. We've left our homes and come here to be unfamiliar with the place and the people. If we keep acting on our own temper, no one will support us. Also, I want to tell everyone that if you don't like something, don't do it. Every place has its own rules. If you don't understand anything and just rush in recklessly, you'll offend the wrong people, and you'll be the one who suffers in the end."
Shen Yuzhu quickly lowered her head, looking as if she had been taught a lesson.
Wang Liping's tone became somewhat harsh, and among the seated educated youth, apart from the older ones, most of the newer ones did not look too good.
Wang Jinxing knew that Wang Liping meant well, otherwise she wouldn't have said anything. After thinking about it, she explained it to everyone.
"The new educated youth might be confused as to why the villagers would tolerate Zhang Li so much, even though he beat his wife so badly. Well, it's a long story. Zhang Li's father was a militiaman in the commune in his early years. Later, he participated in the construction of a reservoir. For some reason, the reservoir gate was not closed properly, causing the water to flow downstream. His father was the first to jump in and close the gate, but unfortunately, he sacrificed his life. His father was a hero. Later, the commune and the county specially commended Zhang Li's family. Even now, they still receive a subsidy of five yuan a month. Because of this, Zhang Li has been the one who is taken care of by the whole village since he was a child."
Wang Jinxing sighed and continued, "His current wife, Ma Daya, isn't actually his first wife. His previous wife was beaten so badly that he couldn't stand it anymore and went to the county to report her. Zhang Li was detained in the commune for several days that time. The director of the Women's Federation arranged for them to divorce. This Ma Daya came from outside. Anyway, the situation is a bit complicated. They've been married for many years and have five children. They even gave away one of their daughters. These are all just rumors. Anyway, Comrade Wang is doing this for everyone's good. In the future, if you encounter something you can't decide, ask the old educated youth. Don't make trouble for yourselves. Just do your own thing, live your lives peacefully and smoothly."
The new educated youth's opinion of Zhang Li changed after hearing this, but not completely.
Shen Yuzhu reflected on her actions again. Before going to bed, she grabbed two large handfuls of candy. She gave one handful to Wang Jinxing, asking him to distribute them among the male educated youth. She gave one candy to each of the female educated youth, and gave the rest to Wang Liping.
"Sister Wang, thank you for what happened today. I acted impulsively, and I will definitely change in the future."
Wang Liping glanced at her hand and saw that it was White Rabbit milk candy. Her heart skipped a beat. She hadn't eaten such good candy in many years. Ever since she was sent to the countryside, her life had been like being soaked in bitter herbs. The educated youth settlement had welcomed batch after batch of female educated youth, but this was the first time someone had given her so much candy!
"I didn't do anything special. I was just giving you some advice as someone who's been there. It's only because you're all honest, hardworking, and don't cause trouble that I'm saying this. I'm just like everyone else; one is enough for me."
"No, just take what's yours, Sister Wang. It may not mean much to you, but it's very important to me. If you hadn't started this meeting today, I wouldn't even know when I offended someone. So I really have to thank you."
As she spoke, she pushed the candy back and squeezed Wang Liping's hand tightly.
Seeing her sincerity, the latter did not refuse any further.
Liang Manxiu, who was not far away, stared at Shen Yuzhu for a while with suspicion. Based on his understanding, he felt that today's events were not as simple as Shen Yuzhu had described.
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