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Although the village was small, you wouldn't run into someone if you didn't want to pay attention to them. Zheng Nanle's impression of Zhao Shu was still from that night when he tried to hug Zhang Yu and was beaten up by Xie Ronghua. It was also because of this that she discovered Xie Ronghua and Zhang Yu's affair.
Perhaps it was because rescuing a damsel in distress could trigger emotions, or perhaps it was because of past favors that made Zhang Yu less hesitant to speak to Xie Ronghua. The two gradually grew closer and eventually became openly acknowledged by the villagers.
Although they didn't publicize it, the villagers had already tacitly agreed that the two were dating, and Xie Ronghua had started taking Zhang Yu to Lu Guangbai's place for meals.
In short, in Zheng Nanle's memory, Zhao Shu was still that refined and gentle gentleman, no matter how despicable he was inside, his appearance was always magnificent.
But at this moment, Zhao Shu was thin, with sunken cheeks, prominent cheekbones, and a tired expression.
His prominent cheekbones ruined his scholarly air, making him appear harsh and cold. His dejected and sinister demeanor further tarnished his already tarnished appearance, making him lose all his former handsome and gentle charm.
Even if Zhao Shu were to wear a Zhongshan suit and carry books, pretending to be a melancholic and artistic young man, no fashionable young girl would fall for his tricks.
Anyone who sees him at this moment will not misjudge his cold and ruthless inner self.
The disguise is completely gone.
Zhang Yu glanced at Zhao Shu, then looked away with disgust as if she had seen something dirty. Zhao Shu noticed this, and his already gloomy face became even more somber. His dark eyes were like the clouds before a storm, pressing down with destructive violence.
Zheng Nanle narrowed his eyes slightly.
Zhao Shu felt a chill run down his spine. When he met Zheng Nanle's gaze, he involuntarily shrank back. In that one glance, he felt as if he were seeing a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. His heart trembled with fear, as if a long arrow formed from ice and snow had pierced his heart in an instant.
He lowered his head, avoiding Zheng Nanle's gaze, and dared not look at Zhang Yu again.
He felt a deep resentment in his heart.
Why is Zhang Yu so lucky? She was born into a wealthy and powerful family, never suffered any hardship growing up, and when she went to the countryside, she was protected by him on the surface and by Xie Ronghua on the surface. The friends she made were also not to be trifled with. Why is she so lucky?
After Zhang Yu and Xie Ronghua got together, he no longer had any love for her, only insane jealousy.
They envy her for doing nothing, yet all the good people and good things surround her, while all their scheming and plotting will only come to naught.
He refused.
I also resent the injustice of Heaven.
“Him,” Zhang Yu said, pursing her lips, “he probably got a shock when he went back.”
After the harvest season ended, Zhao Shu took leave to go home. When he returned, he quickly became thinner and looked sinister, like a venomous snake in the dark or a rat in the gutter, making him unpleasant to be around.
Zhang Yu was curious, so she wrote to her family to ask. She learned that Zhao Shu's younger brother had found a fiancée, and that the fiancée's family had used their connections to find her brother a temporary job. He would be promoted to a permanent position after working there for a year.
His younger brother's job was secured, and Zhao Shu asked his mother to give him the job and take him home, but his mother refused. She preferred that Zhao Shu suffer in the countryside rather than let go of the job.
Zhao Shu's defenses were completely breached.
Back in the countryside, he became self-destructive and half-dead. He neglected his appearance and even his work and tasks assigned to him by the educated youth were a complete mess.
The educated youth and villagers were good friends. Seeing that he was in a really bad mood, they helped him a lot. Unfortunately, Zhao Shu couldn't think straight, and his personality suddenly became unlikable.
Although he used to be a jerk in relationships, he was generally decent at dealing with people and people, and he was very approachable and friendly. To be honest, he wasn't bad at being around people. But now, he looks at people and things with a calculating glint in his eyes, and it's always uncomfortable to be around him.
The male educated youth who used to be on good terms with him are now distancing themselves from him without him even noticing.
Zheng Nanle said "Oh," and reminded Zhang Yu, "Be careful, don't get separated from others."
People with bad tempers are often extreme, and who knows what incomprehensible things they might do.
Zhang Yu's mouth dropped open. "No way, is he planning something bad?"
"Don't forget he tried to force himself on you last time," Zheng Nanle said. "What if he blames his misfortune on you and it goes against you?"
It's not worth breaking gold and jade for rubble.
"I understand." Zhang Yu kept Zheng Nanle's words in mind.
Wearing a big red flower, Xie Jianhua rode his bicycle around the village with Daya, who was also wearing a big red flower. They had returned to the Xie family home. In front of the portrait of the great man in the Xie family's living room, the two, dressed in red and wearing flowers, bowed and looked at each other, and swore an oath to the great man to become husband and wife, to support each other and grow old together.
After the oath-taking ceremony, the banquet officially began, with the Xie family and the village elders who came to help serving the dishes.
As soon as the stir-fried chicken was served, more than a dozen chopsticks were used at the same time. In just a few seconds, only chili peppers and ginger remained on the plate of chicken. Then a fish dish came over. The fish meat on one side was almost completely picked clean, leaving only the fish bones. When the fish was flipped over, the fish meat disappeared visibly as well.
Having not tasted meat for a long time, no one would be modest, and such a feast is only delicious when everyone is scrambling to eat.
Zheng Nanle's chopsticks moved in a blur, managing to grab three bites before anyone else could, one each for himself, Lu Guangbai, and Zhang Yu. After that, the dish remained untouched.
She is a bit of a germaphobe.
Yeah, selective germaphobia.
I can accept familiar people not using separate chopsticks, but I cannot accept strangers not using separate chopsticks.
Halfway through the banquet, the bride and groom came out to toast. Xie Jianhua had dark skin, and his red outfit made him look even darker, like a glowing red charcoal. Zheng Nanle looked away, unable to bear to look at him.
Then look at Er Ya, hmm, she's very kind to her eyes.
Zheng Daya had spent many years studying and had never done any farm work. Her skin wasn't exactly snow-white or flawless, but it was fair with a yellowish tint. Her face was full of collagen, radiating youthful energy.
Young people with regular features can't be ugly. The bright red dress looks especially radiant on her. Plus, she's in high spirits because of the happy occasion, so her appearance is even better than usual.
"Wishing my elder sister and brother-in-law a long and happy marriage." Zheng Nanle raised her glass and toasted the two of them. The other educated youths at the table also stood up and said auspicious words.
Zheng Daya smiled broadly, looked at Zheng Nanle, and said earnestly, "Erya, you must be happy too."
As she spoke, she glanced at Lu Guangbai and downed her drink in one gulp.
After the toasts and the meal, the banquet came to an end. Zheng Nanle walked with the crowd and left the Xie family's courtyard. His gaze swept over and he noticed the slightly protruding belly of Zheng Hehua's former mother-in-law, Zhang Pandi, which surprised him.
No way, Xie Xiaosan actually got Zhang Pandi pregnant?
Was it because Xie Xiaosan wasn't picky about food that Zhang Pandi got pregnant, or was it just that one night that she hit the bullseye?
With the arrival of a child, Xie Xiaosan and Zhang Pandi's marriage became complicated.
Moreover, Zhang Pandi is not young anymore.
Zheng Nanle concealed the complex thoughts in her eyes and asked Lu Guangbai, "Dr. Lu, do you have any medicine to help older mothers recover?"
She only wanted Zhang Pandi to experience what Sister Hehua had gone through; she didn't intend to kill her.
When it comes to patients, Dr. Lu is cautious with his words and doesn't jump to conclusions easily. He asks, "How is your body as it is? Is the focus on preventing miscarriage or replenishing qi and blood? Should you use medicine or food to supplement your diet?"
Zheng Nanle thought for a moment and said, "Forget it, I won't make it up."
Dietary supplements weren't feasible, and as for medicinal supplements, Lu Guangbai was severely lacking in medicine, and he didn't know how to get her to take them.
Zheng Nanle gave up on his thoughts.
In the evening, as usual, I held hands with Lu Guangbai on our date. We walked under the moonlight, listened to the chirping of insects, and felt that the evening breeze was especially gentle.
Reaching the stack of rice, Zheng Nanle reached out and pushed Lu Guangbai onto it. He pressed down on Lu's neck, preparing to kiss him, but Lu's ears twitched, and Zheng Nanle pulled away.
Lu Guangbai was not satisfied with Zheng Nanle's evasiveness. With a slight exertion of his hands, he pulled Zheng Nanle's waist into Lu Guangbai's arms. He leaned down and met those lips that he could never get enough of kissing.
Zheng Nanle tried to avoid him, but Lu Guangbai's lips landed on her cheek.
Lu Guangbai bit her delicate, jade-like skin, his voice low, "Nanle got tired of me so quickly?"
Zheng Nanle slapped his chest. The chest had a thin layer of muscle, which felt soft and bouncy when hit, unlike before when it was all bone and would dig into your palm. It felt good. Zheng Nanle slapped him a couple more times. "Be normal."
"What's wrong with me? Why are you avoiding me?"
Lu Guangbai chased after Zheng Nanle's lips, his breath brushing against her cheek, his voice low and full of grievance, making Zheng Nanle think she had done something heinous.
Zheng Nanle rarely doubted herself, and she slapped Lu Guangbai again, "You're blinded by lust, aren't you? Didn't you hear anything?"
Lu Guangbai chuckled, "They're just adulterous lovers, just like us."
The rice stacks here are secluded and not far from the woods, so it's a popular spot for couples in the village to have affairs or date. Lu Guangbai is used to it. In the past, he would have wondered which couple was having an affair, but with his beloved in his arms, he had no interest in any of that.
"Something's not right." Zheng Nanle released her spiritual power, and after seeing what had happened, she was furious. She pushed Lu Guangbai aside and rushed over.
Seeing that Zheng Nanle's expression was off, Lu Guangbai didn't dare to bother her anymore and followed her.
The noise came from the grove. When Zheng Nanle ran over, a woman was leaning against a tree, her eyes glazed over, her clothes half open. A man was on top of her, his lips moving down her pale neck, his hands continuing to unbutton her clothes.
Zheng Nanle rushed over and kicked the man away.
The man was thrown backwards and crashed into a tree, then slid to the ground, crying out in pain. He didn't even bother to see who it was before trying to run away.
Zheng Nanle used his back to block Lu Guangbai's view, put the woman's clothes back on, and then caught up with the man in a few steps, kicking him to Lu Guangbai's feet.
The man rolled several times, then lay on his back and passed out.
By the moonlight, Lu Guangbai recognized the man.
Zhao Shu.
As for the woman, Lu Guangbai did not see her; she was hidden in the shadows of the woods, in a place where the moonlight could not penetrate.
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