On June 22nd, the second day after Luo Chen returned to his hometown, something happened in Luxian Village.
It was supposed to be a big deal, but it was really just that the educated youth had gone with the son of a peasant family. It was supposed to be a small matter, but the two of them were being indecent in broad daylight when they were caught red-handed by Granny Wang, who was carrying manure.
Granny Wang was strong and had an unusually loud voice. She grabbed two panicked heads from the bushes and her shout summoned the entire production team.
Everyone works themselves to the bone, but when it comes to gossip about other people's lives, they become incredibly eager to share it.
The brigade leader's family, who had just been involved in an incident, had to step in to take charge. Pan Yinhua and Chang Youxin slowly walked over, and Aunt Wang shouted, "Brigade leader, brigade leader, I was looking for two melon seedlings that were moving in the field. They did something bad in broad daylight."
Chang Youde, who was following behind Chang Youxin, twitched his eyelids. When he saw the man whose hair was being held tightly by Granny Wang and who was only wearing a tattered pair of shorts, he immediately blushed and felt flustered.
The one who was caught was none other than Chang Youde's second son, Chang Zichun.
"Aunt Wang, it's me. Please let go."
Aunt Wang suddenly seemed to have grown ears, and said in feigned surprise, "Oh my, Zichun, it's you! I didn't recognize you at first."
Chang Zichun was both angry and ashamed. He had just finished explaining who he was, but Granny Wang was pretending not to hear him.
Everyone gathered around, but Granny Wang released the two of them and retreated into the crowd, acting as if it were none of her business.
Chang Youxin stared at the two men lying on the ground, his face ashen.
"Zichun, what's going on?"
They were all from the Chang family. The eldest son, Chang Youxin, and his family were all honest and dutiful, while the second son, Chang Youde, was the complete opposite.
Chang Zichun was a notorious hooligan in Luxian Village. If it weren't for his uncle being the brigade leader, he would have been beaten to death long ago.
Chang Zichun tugged at his underwear, his thin face showing a hint of anxiety: "I'm innocent, Uncle! I... I haven't done anything yet!"
Wang Ting, who was standing to the side, shuddered and shrank back.
Chang Youxin kicked him angrily: "What nonsense are you talking about?"
Chang Zichun said awkwardly, "Really, I really didn't do anything."
Chang Zichun felt even more wronged than Dou E. Before he and this educated youth Wang Ting could do anything, Aunt Wang suddenly appeared out of nowhere and silently attacked his hair, grabbing him tightly like a radish. Unfortunately, he was thin and weak, and was no match for Aunt Wang.
Receiving his father's angry glare, Chang Zichun pouted impatiently.
Chang Youxin asked Wang Ting in a serious voice, "Comrade Wang Ting, do you know what you've done?"
Aside from her clothes being a bit disheveled, Wang Ting was otherwise alright. However, whenever Xin asked her a question, she would start sobbing, causing the villagers who were watching the commotion to whisper among themselves.
"Seeing the educated youth crying so pitifully, I'm afraid they were forced into it, right?"
"That scoundrel Chang Zichun might be bullying people."
There were also those who spoke up for Chang Youde's family: "Pah, look at that educated youth, she's so thin and short, how could Chang Zichun possibly be interested in her?"
Chang Youxin frowned: "Stop arguing."
The crowd quieted down, and Chang Zichun defended himself: "I didn't bully her, this comrade seduced me herself."
Wang Ting trembled and cried even harder. Chang Zichun grabbed her and said, "Don't cry. Explain yourself. Did you come to me on your own initiative?"
Everyone listened intently, but Wang Ting could only cry and couldn't utter a single word.
Chang Zichun got impatient: "No, say something! What are you crying for, you old woman? If you cry again, believe me, I'll beat you to death."
These words were really bullying. But the educated youth were a group, and they had a certain team spirit. So one of them stood up and said, "You comrade, you made a mistake and you still dare to speak ill of us? Do you think we educated youth are easy to bully? Brigade leader, village secretary, you have to stand up for us educated youth."
Once this personal issue escalates to a collective level, it becomes very difficult to handle. There is often a sense of frustration and resentment towards Wang Ting and Chang Zichun for doing such despicable things.
The shadow of Shen Cuiping still looms over the Chang family, and this incident is like pointing fingers at Chang Youxin and making fun of him again.
Before he could speak, Chang Youde suddenly said, "These two kids are really impatient. They've already found partners, what's the rush?"
Chang Zichun glared at him, about to deny it, but Chang Youde kicked him and gave him a warning glare.
He shut up and stopped talking.
In the end, Wang Ting and Chang Zichun chose a recent auspicious day to hold their wedding.
Because of Wang Ting and Chang Zichun's wedding, Xu Yan and the others had a free day the next day and accompanied Wang Ting to the city to buy things.
Xu Yan took this opportunity to go home.
Xu Nuo had just finished pouring the herbal water and was lying in bed preparing to catch up on her sleep.
A knock sounded on the door.
Xu Nuo's eyes lit up, and she ran outside in her slippers, muttering, "Weren't you not coming today?"
The door opened, and there stood Xu Yan, beaming with smiles.
Xu Nuo exclaimed in surprise, "Sister, you're back!"
Xu Yan handed her the snacks he had made that morning, put his arm around her shoulder and walked inside, saying with a smile, "Wang Ting is getting married. The brigade leader gave us a day off to accompany her to the city to buy things, so I came back to see you."
Xu Nuo stuck to him like a little rice cake, her sweet, soft voice full of surprise: "Wang Ting? That educated youth who didn't like to wash her hair?"
Xu Yan was taken aback by the title, then chuckled and said, "Yes, she's dating... the captain's nephew."
When Chang Youxin's family was mentioned, Xu Nuo's smile faded slightly, and she gave a small "Oh".
Xu Yan took out a letter from his pocket. It was wrapped in ordinary paper, and the outer wrapping was empty, with no writing on it.
Xu Yan handed the letter to Xu Nuo.
She took it: "What is it?"
Xu Yan glanced at her and said, "Chang Zicheng asked me to give this to you."
In the morning, Xu Yan ran into Chang Zicheng at the entrance of the educated youth dormitory. Chang Zicheng looked at Xu Yan with some hesitation, so Xu Yan took the initiative to ask, "Comrade Zicheng, is there something you need?"
Chang Zicheng nodded, took out a neatly folded letter, and said with a bitter voice, "Xu Zhiqing, could you please give this letter to Comrade Xu Nuo? I...I want to apologize to her."
Xu Yan immediately agreed.
She said, "Chang Zicheng said he wanted to apologize to you."
Xu Nuo placed the letter on the table with little interest and sighed, "Actually, he doesn't have anything to apologize for. He wasn't the one who did anything wrong. However, they actually did drown Shen Cuiping. I..."
I really didn't expect that.
When Li Xian told her about it, she couldn't believe it. She would have thought it was reasonable to drown someone in ancient times, but seven or eight years had passed, and under the spring breeze of reform and opening up, the production team dared to take a life.
Along with the surprise, there was also lingering fear.
If she hadn't handled things well and hadn't been able to clear her name, how would those people have treated her?
Xu Yan gently stroked Xu Nuo's hair and said tenderly, "Don't think about it anymore, it's all in the past."
"Hmm." Xu Nuo smiled, her fair face beaming. "How's your preparation for the college entrance exam going?"
When asked about this, Xu Yan said, "You don't know yet, do you? Luo Chen has already left Luxian Village."
Xu Nuo was taken aback: "He went back to his hometown?"
"Yes, he was the only one whose application was approved among all the educated youth this time. Lu Xueyun's application was rejected, and she cried for several nights because of it."
Xu Yan's voice gradually faded as Xu Nuo became lost in her own thoughts, her brows furrowed slightly.
In the original book, Xu Yan was not loved by Xu Jin'an and Xue Ping, and submitting his application was as if it were a waste of time. But this time, after Xu Yan submitted his application, Xu Nuo asked Xu Jin'an to make arrangements and sent several bottles of herbal tea. The other party readily agreed that there would be no problem.
But it still didn't work.
The plot hasn't changed.
Xu Nuo slumped her shoulders, looking somewhat unhappy, and sighed. Xu Yan chuckled and said, "It's alright, isn't there still the college entrance exam? We'll both get into Shanghai, and then we can be together again, right?"
"Mmm." Xu Nuo leaned her head back on the sofa chair. "You must do well on the exam."
While there was still time, Xu Yan asked Xu Nuo to give her a short test, so Xu Nuo took a piece of white paper and copied some test questions for her to do.
After she finished, Xu Nuo checked the answers and said with a smile, "Great, great, not many mistakes."
With Xu Yan's current level, as long as there are no unexpected problems with the exam, getting into university is definitely not a problem. However, if he wants to do well, he still needs to make a final push in these last few days.
Xu Nuo thought for a moment: "Why don't you ask the brigade leader for leave and focus on your studies for the rest of the time?"
Xu Yan also wanted to do that; otherwise, she would work during the day and be exhausted and sleepy at night, but...
"Will the battalion commander agree?"
Xu Nuo smiled gently, her big eyes sparkling: "Money makes the world go round, you can go to the supply and marketing cooperative and buy some snacks or gifts, then secretly go to the brigade leader's house and ask him for a favor."
That makes sense.
Xu Yan nodded, and the two smiled at each other.
Xu Yan was going back to Luxian Village with the other educated youth and couldn't stay for long. Xu Nuo hadn't gone to the supply and marketing cooperative to see Lin Xiaofeng for the past few days, so she went with her today.
The supply and marketing cooperative was quite crowded today, not only with Wang Ting and her group of educated youth, but also with other guests. Lin Xiaofeng couldn't entertain them all, and her face showed some impatience.
But these days, goods are scarce, and people don't beg you to buy them; that's how assertive the salespeople are.
Lu Xueyun glanced at the enamel basin in Wang Ting's hand with some disdain: "This is really ugly."
Seeing that she looked like a complete idiot, Lin Xiaofeng rolled her eyes and said, "Take it or leave it."
Lu Xueyun's face darkened, but Wang Ting laughed nonchalantly, "It's alright, it's fine."
She was in an extremely good mood, clutching the fifteen yuan the Chang family had given her.
Although his reputation was ruined, the Chang family felt that Chang Zichun was in the wrong and felt guilty towards her, so they even paid for the things the woman wanted to buy.
Otherwise, Wang Ting would be dirt poor and wouldn't have the money to buy these porcelain basins, bed sheets, and the like.
Li Hong asked, "Wang Ting, have you made your choice yet?"
Wang Ting nodded, preparing to take out the money to give to Lin Xiaofeng, when she suddenly saw Lin Xiaofeng's sour face disappear and she smiled brightly: "Nuonuo."
Wang Ting and Lu Xueyun were both taken aback and turned their heads away.
It really was Xu Nuo.
Lu Xueyun gritted her teeth secretly.
Xu Nuo wore a beige long-sleeved dress today, with a belt tied around her waist. Her face was beautiful and her eyes sparkled.
Even her long hair was much more beautiful and black than others.
Ignoring the people waiting in line to pay, Lin Xiaofeng smiled at Xu Nuo and said, "Why are you here? I was thinking of visiting your house."
Xu Nuo stood to the side and said, "I happen to be free today."
She pointed to the others, indicating to Lin Xiaofeng, "You go ahead and get busy."
Lin Xiaofeng nodded, abandoning her slow and deliberate manner, and readily collected the ticket and settled the bill, afraid that Xu Nuo would wait too long.
Li Hong was the first to run over and talk to Xu Nuo, and some of the other educated youth followed, while others convulsed on the spot.
Fang Shoujing was the best-looking among the male educated youths, and he was also very refined. After thinking for a moment, he walked over to Xu Nuo and said, "Comrade Xu Nuo, it's been a long time."
Since the incident with Shen Cuiping, everyone has not seen Xu Nuo for a while.
Xu Nuo didn't really remember who this person was, but since the person had kindly come up to greet her, she smiled and said, "Hello, long time no see."
Li Hong said, "Nuonuo, the college entrance exam is coming soon, how are your preparations going?"
Xu Nuo smiled and said, "It's alright."
Li Hong had witnessed Xu Nuo's abilities and had great confidence in her: "With your excellent grades, getting into Shanghai University will definitely not be a problem."
Shanghai University?
Lu Xueyun snorted disdainfully and said to Wang Ting, "Wang Ting, you know I have an older sister, right? She got into Shanghai University last year. And my older cousin is also studying at Shanghai University. Shanghai University is really hard to get into. Ordinary people shouldn't even think about it."
As she spoke, she glanced at Xu Nuo and saw that Xu Nuo was staring straight at her, so she said, "Why are you looking at me? I didn't name anyone."
Xu Nuo shrugged: "I think you're just curious. Your sister and brother are both at Shanghai University, so what are you doing here?"
When her most hidden secret was brought up, Lu Xueyun was so angry that she couldn't speak.
She angrily said to Lin Xiaofeng, "I want a box of mosquito repellent."
Lin Xiaofeng said, "No."
"Of course there are! I saw several bottles there."
Lin Xiaofeng said lazily, "It was reserved by someone else."
She pointed to the people in line behind her, and they all stepped up on their own. Lu Xueyun stormed out.
Passing by Xu Nuo, seeing her surrounded by admirers, he scoffed inwardly.
He was just a country bumpkin from a small county town.
When she returned to Shanghai, Xu Nuo wasn't even worthy of carrying her shoes.
She wandered aimlessly down the street, her gaze pausing when it fell on a black figure in the crowd.
Was it him?
In her letter, Lu Xueyun's mother mentioned the Ke family and also mentioned that Ke Chongshan's grandson lived in Luxian Village and his name was Li Xian.
So it was him.
Although Lu Xueyun worked at the commune canteen, she rarely saw Li Xian. When she did run into him, she would just look up at him without giving him a proper look. But today, after observing him so closely, she found that he was very tall and incredibly handsome.
Lu Xueyun's heart was beating a little fast.
Perhaps sensing her gaze, Li Xian looked over sharply, startling Lu Xueyun so much that she almost screamed.
"you..."
She was about to confront him when Li Xian turned and left as if he didn't recognize her.
The tall figure merged into the crowd and quickly disappeared.
Frustrated that she was being ignored like this, Lu Xueyun stomped her foot in anger.
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