Zhan Chunlan caught a chill during her trip and fell ill upon returning home, spending several days in bed.
However, she felt that the illness was worthwhile—while lying in bed recuperating, she heard bits and pieces of news about her second sister, Zhan Chunyun, before she went to the countryside.
After registering, Zhan Chunyun hurriedly began preparing her luggage for going to the countryside. She even asked Zhan Chunlan, who was ill, to help her buy some in-demand items from Li Xiuxiu: a sturdy suitcase, a flashlight, two pairs of liberation shoes, and a lot of commonly used medicines—Tiger Balm, cold medicine, gentian violet, and mercurochrome. She even carefully rolled up the bandages and put them in her bag.
Zhan Chunlan lay in bed, listening to her second sister bustling around the room, muttering to herself, "The sheets and blankets are readily available at home and can be brought... but things like washbasins and thermos flasks are hard to carry, we'll buy them when we get there..."
Although she knew that Yang Yonghua's parents were preparing for Yang Yonghua's future, and that it would be easier for them to do so, Zhan Chunyun had no intention of taking advantage of them.
She had finally managed to change their opinion of her a little, but now any move she makes is scrutinized by her parents and those around her.
She can't afford to gamble!
She knew that Mr. and Mrs. Yang were investigating her recently. Although she was confident that there would be no problem, she was still on edge.
This unease manifests itself in the fact that she has been constantly talking to Zhan Chunlan lately, and the two sisters have chatted for almost as long as they have in the past year.
“They haven’t paid any attention to me all year, just watched me jump around and cause trouble like a monkey. Now I’m the only one in the whole family who’s gone to the countryside, and they still want my meager rural allowance? Dream on!” Zhan Chunyun said nonchalantly, but the way she folded clothes became heavier and heavier with each fold.
“Yang Yonghua chose to go to the countryside himself. No matter how much his parents investigate, they can’t change that fact.” She said this as if to her sister, or perhaps to reassure herself.
Turning her head, she saw Zhan Chunlan sitting calmly on the stool, just staring at her as she worked. Zhan Chunyun was immediately furious.
"Zhan Chunlan! Can't you lend a hand? If I weren't reluctant to buy a new quilt, believe me, I wouldn't have left you a single blanket!"
Zhan Chunlan was speechless: "You're wrong. It's because you can't bear to buy a new quilt that you came to steal my quilt."
"You!" Zhan Chunyun angrily threw down what she was holding, about to argue with her, but when she opened her mouth, she couldn't say a word. It seemed...it seemed...that she was right...
Zhan Chunlan couldn't stand her neurotic behavior: "Second sister, calm down. You didn't do anything, there's no need to be nervous!"
"Besides, you didn't do anything wrong. Yang Yonghua never liked his current life. Even without you, he would still have gone to the countryside. This is his fate!" Zhan Chunlan waved her hand in her heart: No, I'm just talking nonsense, just trying to comfort you. Don't take it seriously!
She paused, then suggested seriously, "I think you should have a serious talk with his parents. After all, you don't just want to bring him to the countryside. If you present your advantages, they'll thank you!"
Zhan Chunyun was taken aback: "Advantages? What advantages could I possibly have?"
Zhan Chunlan slapped her thigh: "Of course! Your hometown is in the countryside, and you know rural life like the back of your hand—that's a huge advantage for the Yang family!"
These words were like a ray of light, suddenly illuminating Zhan Chunyun's chaotic thoughts. She wasn't stupid to begin with, but recently she had been so preoccupied with the matter of going to the countryside that she had been so preoccupied with lamenting the unfairness of fate that she had ended up in a dead end. Now, her sister's words had brought her back to her senses.
Sure enough, that afternoon, Zhan Chunyun stood in front of Yang Shaohui and Ji Wenjun.
She straightened her back and said calmly, "Hello, uncles and aunts. I am Zhan Chunyun. I'm sure you've both heard of me."
Yang Shaohui and Ji Wenjun exchanged a glance and nodded.
"As you probably already know, I will be going to the countryside with Comrade Yang Yonghua," she continued.
The two nodded again, their expressions cautious.
“There are three sisters and one brother in my family. My eldest sister is getting married soon, and my younger sister and brother are still in school. I don’t have a job, so I have to go to the countryside!”
Upon hearing this, Yang Shaohui and Ji Wenjun were both taken aback—this explanation was different from what they had heard before. Wasn't she supposed to have signed up to go to the countryside with Yonghua?
Zhan Chunyun said sincerely, "My hometown is in the countryside, and I lived there for a few years when I was a child. I know how life is in the countryside, and I know how to make a good living there. Please rest assured that after we go to the countryside, I will take good care of Comrade Yang and do my best to help us adapt smoothly."
Yang Shaohui and Ji Wenjun nodded in agreement, their eyes showing approval.
Ji Wenjun finally came to her senses, stepped forward and took Zhan Chunyun's hand, her tone much warmer: "Good girl, thank you...you are a reliable and good girl."
“But you don’t need to take care of him too much,” Ji Wenjun said more seriously. “Since he insisted on going to the countryside, he should be prepared to endure hardship. You don’t need to take on too much for him.”
She patted Zhan Chunyun's hand and softened her voice: "You two are still young. If you can look after each other in an unfamiliar place, we'll feel at ease."
Feeling the warmth from her palm, Zhan Chunyun was momentarily dazed and replied softly, "I understand, Auntie."
“I also have to remind you,” Ji Wenjun said gently but with a hint of seriousness, “You two are still young. When you have to make a decision about something important, you must first talk to your parents and elders. Don’t make a hasty decision in the heat of the moment.”
Zhan Chunyun nodded obediently on the surface, but in her heart she was thinking: Does this mean... Yang Yonghua will have to write a letter to report every decision he makes in the future? But wasn't it precisely because he couldn't stand being controlled in every way that he insisted on leaving?
Seeing that she nodded but seemed somewhat unconvinced, Ji Wenjun sighed helplessly, "I've said the same things to Yonghua. You're both adults now, you should understand the reasons behind this."
Zhan Chunyun nodded immediately: "Understood!"
Actually, she was thinking to herself: Do cultured people always speak in such roundabout ways? Can't they just speak plainly? What if I misunderstand them? Don't blame me then!
“From childhood to adulthood, Yonghua has always had everything arranged for him by us.” Ji Wenjun’s tone was somewhat wistful. “Now that he’s gone to the countryside, he’ll have to make his own decisions from now on. You should also give him some advice, so that he doesn’t suddenly become willful and reckless without any constraints.”
“Okay!” Zhan Chunyun nodded again, and then added earnestly, “He is actually a very talented, idealistic and ambitious person. We are both high school students, and we will definitely work hard to make a name for ourselves in the countryside.”
Upon hearing this, Ji Wenjun gave a wry smile: "What we fear is that you are too ambitious... If only you didn't have so many lofty ideals and could stay peacefully by your parents' side, how wonderful that would be."
After a moment of silence, Zhan Chunyun solemnly promised, "Don't worry, after I go to the countryside, I will write to you frequently to keep you informed about Yang Yonghua's situation."
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