The control group in the chronological text of Chapter 195 (11)
Zhao Jianguo felt he had at least one advantage.
That is family.
Although he has a younger brother, both his parents are alive and well; they are both factory workers.
Compared to Wan Changqing, whose father had passed away and mother had remarried, he was much better off. Moreover, Wan Changqing had never had a good relationship with his family; he was a good-for-nothing, and his family couldn't control him at all. They probably wanted to send him to the countryside a long time ago.
Therefore, when he saw that Changqing was also writing a letter home, he couldn't help but sneer in his heart.
"Wan Zhiqing, you actually write letters home? I remember you said before that you would never go to the countryside. Did your stepfather sign you up?"
He emphasized the words "stepfather" to make his point clear.
Changqing raised his head and glanced at Zhao Jianguo lightly.
"Comrade Jianguo, are you trying to sow discord within my family?"
Zhao Jianguo sneered, "Do you need to stir up trouble in your family? Everyone knows you didn't want to go to the countryside and had a huge fight with your family."
The other educated youth at the settlement also looked over.
Changqing laughed upon hearing this, and said frankly, "That's all in the past. I've now received re-education from the poor and lower-middle peasants and have long since realized my parents' good intentions. But Comrade Jianguo, you used to be very enthusiastic. What's wrong with you now? You don't even help Caiwei when she can't finish her work? How come your awareness has dropped?"
Zhao Jianguo's expression froze.
This is like bringing up the very thing you don't want to talk about.
He's still very weak and can't even do his own work properly, let alone help others.
and!
He hasn't integrated into the group yet, and he's become estranged from the other educated youth, so he doesn't feel comfortable asking others for help.
Why do you work so hard to do good deeds?
He realized that was stupid.
If it weren't for helping Li Caiwei carry her luggage, he wouldn't have been so exhausted. As a result, he was still very irritable and had a bad attitude when she took care of him in the hospital for two days. So, he was unwilling to help anymore.
Why aren't you helping?
He retorted with a cold face.
Changqing shrugged. "I have someone I like right now, so I need to avoid suspicion when helping girls with their work."
Zhao Jianguo was speechless.
Two days after he returned, he naturally learned that Changqing liked Su Hui, and the kid didn't hide it from him.
That reason is quite valid.
Changqing smiled and said, "So, Comrade Jianguo, your ideological awareness has obviously dropped. When we came, you still knew to help people carry their luggage. Now, after receiving re-education, you've become lazy. It seems that the re-education of the poor and lower-middle peasants is not enough."
Pfft.
One of the female educated youths couldn't help but laugh.
Zhao Jianguo's face flushed red.
How is he supposed to explain that?
Did you ask him to say he's physically incapable? A man can't say he's incapable!
He discovered that since returning from the hospital, he had never won against Wan Changqing. Every time he opened his mouth, he was filled with anger, and no one supported him anymore.
Frustrating!
This is so frustrating!
"Alright, alright, then keep writing letters and see if your family will send you anything again!"
He was also prone to making careless remarks and directly resorted to sarcasm.
Changqing suddenly stood up and slapped him across the face.
"Zhao Jianguo! Have I given you the time of yours? Do I need you to tell me what's going on in my family?"
With a snap.
Crisp and pleasant to the ear.
Zhao Jianguo's already flushed face turned even redder.
"Wan Changqing!"
He gritted his teeth and lunged forward.
But Yang Wei, who was standing nearby, grabbed him.
"Jianguo, calm down, calm down! Fighting won't solve anything!"
That's blatant favoritism.
Zhao Jianguo was furious.
“He started it!” he roared.
Yang Wei released his grip, his expression serious. "Wan Zhiqing writing home is his family matter. Comrade Jianguo, I'm not trying to criticize you, but as an outsider, it's best not to make casual comments. How about this, I'll have Wan Zhiqing apologize to you, and that'll be the end of it. Is that alright?"
Changqing said crisply, "Comrade Jianguo, I acted impulsively just now, I'm sorry."
Zhao Jianguo was seething with anger.
She stormed off in a huff.
He wanted to see what this guy would get from writing home; he figured his family wouldn't even reply.
However, the result was completely different from what he had imagined.
A few days later.
Zhao Jianguo received money from home, but it wasn't enough to cover his debts. A letter from home said there was no extra money at the moment and he should hold off for a while.
This is normal. These days, everyone is struggling financially. In the past, Zhao Jianguo would have accepted it calmly. But now, he feels a little uncomfortable. After all, he was anxious to clear his debts in one go and start afresh with a lighter heart.
The subtle doubts in the letter in particular infuriated him.
In his letter, his father specifically mentioned that Wan Changqing from the next courtyard had also sent a letter home, and had even brought a lot of mountain produce with him, which made the family very proud.
Wan Changqing!
It's Wan Changqing again!
This kid actually has time to go and collect wild produce.
But I'm sick.
How can you blame him?
Zhao Jianguo was furious.
He had a vague feeling that something was wrong.
This shouldn't be happening.
She was clearly the one who was the "other people's child," while Wan Changqing, that fatherless guy, was self-destructive and always looked worse than her. So why did he suddenly act so strangely after going to the countryside?
He frowned.
It seems... yes, it all started when I helped Li Caiwei carry her luggage. Wan Changqing should have done the work, but he refused, which is why I was so tired, which is why I fell ill, which is why I'm in debt, and which is why things are so difficult now!
Both Wan Changqing and Li Caiwei are responsible!
Zhao Jianguo grew angrier the more he thought about it.
Just then, Changqing and several other educated youths returned from the commune. Changqing was carrying a large package containing items sent from his family. Li Caiwei was also with them, chatting and laughing.
Zhao Jianguo couldn't hold back any longer.
He suddenly stood up, stopped a group of people, and demanded that Li Caiwei and Changqing share the debts incurred during her hospitalization.
"You are responsible!"
Zhao Jianguo stiffened his neck and shouted loudly.
Upon hearing this, before Changqing could speak, Li Caiwei couldn't help but speak up.
"Zhao Jianguo, I took care of you when you were hospitalized. I haven't even asked you for your wages or work subsidies yet, and you want me to pay for your medical expenses? What does your illness have to do with me? If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have let you touch my suitcase!"
How come I never realized Zhao Jianguo was this kind of person before? I thought he was a kind-hearted young man, but I never expected his thinking to be even more backward than those rural aunties. He's really annoying.
Li Caiwei was really annoyed.
After returning from the hospital, she decided to cut ties with Zhao Jianguo; he was such a troublemaker.
Zhao Jianguo's forehead veins throbbed.
"You, you, if it weren't for you, how could I have ended up like this?!"
Li Caiwei snorted coldly, "I think Wan Zhiqing is right. Zhao Jianguo, you came to the countryside to receive re-education from poor and lower-middle peasants. It was a failure. Your ideological awareness is much lower than before. Don't talk to me anymore. I get annoyed just looking at you."
Zhao Jianguo was so angry that he stumbled.
That's the opposite.
That's the opposite.
Changqing laughed as well, “Zhao Jianguo, it seems your family didn’t send you any money? Or is the money they sent not enough to pay off your debts? It’s no big deal, we’re all in this together. Just so happens, my family sent me another ten-odd yuan. How about this, I won’t lend you any, I’ll donate five yuan to you, is that alright? I still have this much sense of community.”
After saying that, he actually took out five yuan from his pocket and stuffed it into Zhao Jianguo's hand.
Zhao Jianguo looked more uncomfortable than if he had eaten shit.
Donate it to him?
He's a proud man, when did he fall to this level?
"I don't want your donation! This is your responsibility!"
He roared.
Changqing immediately put the money away, his expression turning serious. "Comrade Jianguo, I disagree with what you're saying. How about we go to the brigade leader and get some justice?"
Zhao Jianguo immediately fell silent.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com