The ever-proud Bei Xiao could no longer bear it. She stood up, hands on her hips, and yelled, "Don't you even look at what those people you're talking about look like? Besides yourselves, who would want them!"
These words were like adding fuel to the fire, instantly igniting the entire room.
"You little brat, you're so spoiled. What else do you have besides your spoiled princess attitude?" a middle-aged woman said disdainfully.
"Whether she's healthy or not is none of your concern." Xiang Wenshan stepped forward, blocking Bei Xiao's path and angrily rebuked, "We didn't come here to be pushovers! You insist on ruining our reputation, and now you won't even let us speak?!"
He then said to the brigade leader, "Brigade leader, you don't need to coerce them. Given their character, we would rather sleep under the open sky than step into their house!"
"That's right!"
The other educated youth stepped forward to support Xiang Wenshan and Bei Xiao, who voiced the sentiments of the educated youth team.
Even Jiang Yan had to unite with the educated youth team and face external threats together.
Helpless, the captain sent those who were unwilling and those who were just watching the commotion back to avoid a bigger conflict.
Only five families remain: Zhao Laoda, Zhao Laoer, myself, Party Secretary Liu, and Accountant Li.
Old Zhao was a kind and warm-hearted man. He had always sympathized with the plight of the educated youth. Even if the brigade leader hadn't said anything, he would have wanted to take in the male educated youth. As for why not the female educated youth, Jiang Yan's scheme to jump into the river last time had made him wary of even the smallest things.
But his wife, Yang Chunhua, was still determined to bring Xie Zhiqing home. With such a beautiful woman in front of her, she didn't believe that a grown man like Zhao Honghui would be completely unaffected.
Zhao Lao Er and Wang Qiu Fen were at the behest of their eldest son, Zhao Jianbin, to insist that Yang Shumei return home for the night. They were already aware of their eldest son's intentions and obsessions, and had long since tacitly agreed to it.
As for the remaining three families, regardless of whether the wives are willing or not, their husbands, as brigade cadres, have to set an example and cannot shirk their responsibilities.
The captain looked at the remaining people and sighed. Three of these five people were from cadre families. The ideological awareness of the community members was still not good enough.
He said, "You two should discuss this first, and it must be done voluntarily. In addition, the educated youth can also find other willing villagers. If there is really nowhere to stay, they can set up an empty room in this brigade headquarters."
As soon as she finished speaking, Aunt Tian walked directly to Yang Shumei's side and warmly took her hand.
"Yang Zhiqing, why don't you stay at our house? Xiaohu talks about you every day!"
Yang Shumei's family background was unusual; her husband told her about it as soon as she arrived in Qingshantun.
Now that they've encountered this trouble, it's the perfect time for her to help. No sooner had she looked than her husband smiled and nodded in agreement.
The other two wives also wanted to take Yang Zhiqing to live with them, but they didn't expect Aunt Tian to be the first to act, and they all showed their frustration on their faces.
Zhao Lao Er and Wang Qiu Fen were dumbfounded. They never imagined Yang Shu Mei would be so popular. Just how powerful was she?!
Seeing that his parents were so stunned that even poking their lower backs with their fingers didn't work, Zhao Hongbin was anxious and stepped forward to plead, saying urgently, "Yang Zhiqing, why don't you come to my house? Let's study and improve together."
Yang Shumei looked around, momentarily at a loss.
But being a girl with a sense of propriety, she decided to go with Aunt Tian.
Deep down, she didn't want to have too much contact with Zhao Jianbin's family.
Her future with Zhao Jianbin lies in the future, not in the present. Getting involved in his family will only bring her trouble.
Zhao Jianbin was dumbfounded. Weren't the two of them doing well? Why would she prefer to go to someone else's house rather than his?
Is it because he didn't rush over immediately this morning?
He had a few drinks with his dad yesterday and fell into a deep sleep, so he didn't hear anything from the brigade leader's house.
I never imagined that drinking a little alcohol would cause such a big problem. What should I do?
Yang Shumei glanced at the man who was jumping up and down, and since it wasn't the time to make arrangements, she had no choice but to go back with Aunt Tian to settle things.
Jiang Yan looked at Yang Chunhua, who hadn't chosen anyone, and a glimmer of hope rose in her heart. She put on a pitiful and weak appearance and looked at Zhao Laoda and his wife: "Uncle, Aunt, it was my fault for falling into the water before. I just liked it too much and couldn't help myself... Please forgive me, okay?"
This affected manner provoked Yang Chunhua to burst into a tirade: "Oh, oh, oh! Who are you trying to impress with this pathetic act! If Sister Tian hadn't stopped you, I would have torn your mouth apart long ago. How dare you be so shameless as to come to me begging for forgiveness? How could you even say that!"
Jiang Yan's face turned pale and red as she was scolded. She had thought that Jiang Yan would let the matter go because of her devotion, but she did not expect to suffer such humiliation.
She thought fiercely: With your shrewish ways, who would dare to step into your house? Let your precious son remain a bachelor for life!
Old Zhao tugged at his wife's sleeve: "So many people are watching, let's save face for the girl."
But Yang Chunhua had been holding it in for so long, and now that she finally had a chance to vent, she wasn't about to let it go.
For a moment, only her mocking curses could be heard in the brigade headquarters. Jiang Yan lowered her head and sobbed, as if she had suffered a great injustice.
Everyone present had already seen through her true colors and assumed she had brought it on herself, so they all stood by and watched.
The commotion didn't end until Li Weidong and the others returned.
Li Weidong and two other villagers took a minivan to Hongqi Commune, then transferred to an oxcart to return to Qingshan Village.
The three of them heard Yang Chunhua's cursing from afar. Li Weidong's heart skipped a beat, and he quickened his pace.
As soon as they entered the lobby, the three of them were pulled aside by the brigade leader and others to ask about Yu Wenbo's situation. Yang Chunhua then quieted down and listened attentively.
After they finished speaking, everyone present felt a pang of sorrow and fell silent.
For a moment, only Jiang Yan's sobs could be heard.
Li Weidong couldn't care less about her right now. With a tense expression, he said, "Captain, Yu Wenbo was injured by the house in the educated youth compound. I want to seek help from the commune and the educated youth office. We also need to contact his family as soon as possible."
The brigade leader nodded, instructing him and Secretary Liu to handle the matter after lunch. He himself went to find information on the educated youth and contacted Yu Wenbo's family through various phone calls.
Li Weidong turned and instructed Xiang Wenshan and He Wenyao to arrive at the county hospital before 4 p.m. to take over the shift. He also learned about the brigade headquarters' arrangements for the aftermath of the educated youth team's situation.
"Our grain has all been destroyed. During this period, can the brigade provide some grain subsidies?"
After a moment's thought, the captain said, "In this way, during the period of lodging, each person will receive a subsidy of one pound of coarse grain per day."
"Thank you, Captain. With these subsidies, may the two educated youth stay in one room?"
None of the families present objected; it was just a short-term stay. One person could stay in one room, and two people could stay in one room. Even if the food subsidy wasn't enough, their families wouldn't be short of money.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
