Chapter 47 Healing
Zhou Xiye had lost interest in continuing the conversation with his father, so he said goodbye and hung up the phone.
I stood in the office for a while to calm myself down before going out.
Political Commissar Li Zhiguo stood at the door and had obviously overheard Zhou Xiye's conversation with his father. He felt somewhat guilty: "Xiye, your father is only doing this for your own good. After all, you're already twenty-eight, and marriage is indeed a very important matter. Although the Jiang family is going through some trouble right now, in the long run, it will help you get promoted."
Zhou Xiye frowned: "I don't need any help, and I don't want a marriage where we don't understand each other."
Li Zhiguo was somewhat embarrassed. Although he was Zhou Xiye's superior, he listened to Zhou Xiye's father and signed and stamped the marriage application without Zhou Xiye's consent: "Xiye, marriage also requires adjustment. You can get to know each other slowly after marriage."
Zhou Xiye said coldly, "No need. If you find Jiang Zhizhi, tell her that I don't agree to this marriage."
After finishing speaking, he straightened his hat, saluted Li Zhiguo, and turned to leave.
Li Zhiguo had no temper at all; in this matter, he was the one who wronged Zhou Xiye.
Moreover, he had recently heard rumors about Jiang Zhizhi, such as her malicious intentions and chaotic behavior... Such a girl is indeed not good enough for Zhou Xiye.
He's in a real bind right now, all those lousy things he's done!
Zhou Xiye stayed at the city guesthouse for one night and headed back before dawn the next day.
We arrived at Qingquan Village at dawn. As we passed by the river, we unexpectedly saw Jiang Zhizhi again, sitting alone by the river washing clothes, pounding them with a wooden mallet in one hand.
Zhou Xiye unconsciously stepped on the brakes and stopped by the roadside to look at it for a while.
He didn't know why, but every time he saw Jiang Zhizhi, he felt an indescribable sense of beauty.
My gloomy mood seemed to vanish the moment I saw Jiang Zhizhi.
Moreover, Jiang Zhizhi possesses a kind of strength, a resilience hidden beneath her languidness, a simple yet optimistic spirit, and a pure and open heart.
Zhou Xiye sat for a while, watching Jiang Zhizhi silently pounding clothes, the sound of the pounding particularly loud in the early morning.
Each knock seemed to strike her heart.
Without thinking, he pushed open the car door and got out, picking up a bag of chicken cakes and a bag of peach shortbread that he had bought at the supply and marketing cooperative the night before from the back seat.
He carried it and walked towards Jiang Zhizhi.
Jiang Zhizhi only noticed him when he was right in front of her, and looked up in surprise at Zhou Xiye, who had appeared so early in the morning.
He probably didn't get a good night's rest, as the bruises on his face are quite severe, and there are new stubble sprouting around his chin. He looks a little颓废 (颓废 is a difficult word to translate directly, but it implies a sense of listlessness, decadence, or apathy) and has a wild sexiness!
Jiang Zhizhi secretly swallowed: "Captain Zhou? Why are you here so early?"
Zhou Xiye sat down on a rock near her: "You're up early too, why are you up so early to do laundry?"
Jiang Zhizhi sighed: "I might have to go to the city with Secretary Dong tomorrow, so I'm packing my clothes now so we can go together tomorrow."
Zhou Xiye was somewhat surprised: "Why go to the city? Hasn't construction already started?"
Jiang Zhizhi frowned: "There is no electricity in the village, and some parts require welding. There can't be any leaks, otherwise the pressure won't be reached. We were supposed to go today, but today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Secretary Dong said to go after the festival."
Zhou Xiye nodded and casually placed the peach shortbread and sponge cake next to Jiang Zhizhi: "Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. You can take this back and eat it. I don't like the sweets that the troupe gives out. You young girls should like them."
Jiang Zhizhi chuckled: "Captain Zhou, the way you put it makes me sound like a child. I'll be twenty after the New Year."
Noticing Zhou Xiye's bad mood, and glancing at the peach shortbread beside her, Jiang Zhizhi asked with concern, "Are you in a bad mood?"
Zhou Xiye looked up at her. The girl's eyebrows were curved, and she had a faint smile on her face. The concern in her eyes was genuine. His heart softened a little: "When you ran away from the wedding, did you think about the consequences? Would your parents be sad? Would they be disappointed?"
Jiang Zhizhi felt guilty for a second, then remained calm and composed, saying confidently, "They didn't even consider whether I wanted to or not, so why should I worry about whether they'll be disappointed? I'm just their child, not their possession. I'm an independent thinker, and I can take full responsibility for my own life."
"Besides, arranged marriages are unacceptable; it's gambling with one's entire life's luck. I think they should reflect on this, rather than me worrying about whether they'll be disappointed."
A smile unconsciously appeared in Zhou Xiye's eyes. Looking at Jiang Zhizhi, who was speaking with a lively tone and making vivid expressions, the last bit of annoyance in his heart completely disappeared.
He checked the time, stood up, and said, "I'm going back now. Be careful by yourself by the river."
Jiang Zhizhi hadn't even reacted yet when she said all that. Why did this person suddenly leave?
However, knowing that Zhou Xiye was busy, he waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, it's broad daylight now, it's very safe here."
Jiang Zhizhi watched Zhou Xiye drive away in his Jeep, kicking up dust all the way. She scratched her head and wondered to herself, "Why did Zhou Xiye suddenly ask me about my idea of running away from the wedding?"
I couldn't figure it out, so I simply stopped thinking about it.
Keep doing the laundry!
After washing the clothes, I looked at the sponge cake and peach shortbread on the ground and decided to give half of them to Yang Fengmei, since it was Mid-Autumn Festival today.
I wish I could buy a fish!
...
The educated youth settlement also received some holiday gifts today, and everyone was more united than ever before, preparing food and drinks together. After eating, we went to the threshing ground to watch a movie.
In the end, Sun Xiaoyue returned because she couldn't get any money or deliver anything to the camp on the mountain. Her explanation was that her money and food coupons had been stolen.
She cried inside the house for quite a while.
Jiang Donghua and Chen Shuangyan kept comforting and coaxing Sun Xiaoyue.
Those educated youth who disapproved of Sun Xiaoyue and her group's behavior knew exactly what was going on.
But I'm too lazy to pursue it; I'll deal with it after the Mid-Autumn Festival.
...
Because of the Mid-Autumn Festival, there is a half-day off in the afternoon, so everyone can stay home and prepare food for the festival.
Despite the scarcity of resources and poor living conditions, they placed great importance on this festival.
Because this is the only day we can have a good meal.
Those from well-off families can even buy some meat to eat.
Yang Fengmei bought a pork carcass, first rendering the lard, then using the pork cracklings to make dumplings. She planned to splurge a little more and cook two dishes to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival properly.
Jiang Zhizhi helped Yang Fengmei chop the dumpling filling.
Yang Fengmei was very happy: "Mom, all year round I look forward to the Mid-Autumn Festival and the New Year. Only at these times can we eat some meat."
Jiang Zhizhi was also happy and vigorously chopped the oil residue on the cutting board.
While Yang Fengmei was kneading the dough, the village loudspeaker came on, and for once, she splurged on batteries to play the news broadcast.
Amidst the crackling static from the loudspeaker, the clear and articulate voice of the female announcer rang out.
Yang Fengmei was pleased to hear this: "You city people have such pleasant voices."
As Jiang Zhizhi listened, her expression changed: "Auntie, is that Uncle playing the radio? We need to stop it right away!"
He threw down the cleaver and ran towards the gate.
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