Several days had passed since the rumors started, and Lin Qian had received the compensation from Wang Qiang's family. Although Lin Qian still had several thousand yuan in savings, who would complain about having too much money? Thinking about the bargain she found at the scrap yard last time, Lin Qian decided to take the day off tomorrow to go to the city. She also needed to buy some household items.
That night, Lin Qian was lying in bed, thinking about her plans to go to the city the next day, when suddenly the voice of 003 rang in her mind.
"Host, host, buy me some delicious food! The braised pork you bought last time was really good. I also want to eat steamed egg cake and cookies," 003 said impatiently.
Lin Qian responded in her mind: "You little glutton, all you ever do is eat."
003 said coquettishly, "Oh, host, I just love to eat, so please say yes."
Lin Qian smiled helplessly and said, "Okay, I'll buy it for you at the state-run restaurant tomorrow."
003 cheered excitedly, "Great! Host is the best! And don't forget, host!"
Lin Qian said, "I understand, don't worry."
003 started fantasizing about food again: "Wow, just thinking about eating sponge cake and cookies tomorrow makes me so happy!"
Lin Qian laughed and said, "Look at your pathetic self."
003 didn't take it to heart: "How can this be considered unambitious? Delicious food is one of life's greatest pleasures!"
Lin Qian shook her head and said, "Okay, then you can look forward to tomorrow's delicious food."
003 said with satisfaction, "Yay, I can't wait!"
These past few days, Su Yao had been trying every possible way to please Zhao Yu. That day, she approached Zhao Yu again.
Su Yao looked at Zhao Yu with a pleading expression, her eyes filled with expectation, and said softly, "Brother Zhao Yu, please don't be angry with me anymore, okay?"
Zhao Yu frowned, his eyes revealing a complex mix of emotions—helplessness, annoyance, and hesitation. He sighed and said, "Su Yao, I'll try my best. But what you did before really disappointed me."
Su Yao quickly nodded, squeezing out a few tears, and feigned remorse, saying, "Brother Zhao Yu, I know I was wrong, I really will change. Please believe me?"
Zhao Yu looked at her, remained silent for a while, and said, "Lin Qian, you should apologize properly, after all, you caused her so much trouble. Tomorrow we'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some gifts for Lin Qian as an apology."
Su Yao looked at Zhao Yu with tears in her eyes, a hint of reluctance flashing in her eyes, but she still said, "Okay, Brother Zhao Yu, I'll listen to you."
Looking at Su Yao, Zhao Yu felt a pang of pity, but thinking of what she had done, he hardened his heart and said, "This time you must sincerely apologize and not try any more tricks."
Su Yao quickly assured him, "Brother Zhao Yu, don't worry, I will definitely do my best."
Zhao Yu said helplessly, "I hope you can keep your word."
Su Yao said obediently, "I definitely will, Brother Zhao Yu."
The next morning, Zhao Yu and Su Yao set off from the educated youth settlement, intending to take an oxcart to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy a gift to apologize to Lin Qian. On their way to the oxcart, they met Lin Qian.
The moment Zhao Yu saw Lin Qian, an awkward expression immediately appeared on his face, with a hint of guilt and unease in his eyes. He forced a smile and greeted her somewhat unnaturally, "Good morning, Lin Qian."
Lin Qian was walking calmly when she saw Zhao Yu and Su Yao, a hint of surprise and slight dislike flashed in her eyes. She frowned slightly and replied in a cold tone, "Good morning."
Seeing Lin Qian's cold attitude, Zhao Yu felt even more embarrassed. He scratched his head, trying to ease the atmosphere, and said, "Lin Qian, um... what happened before was our fault. We just wanted to go to the supply and marketing cooperative today to pick out some gifts for you as an apology." After saying that, he carefully observed Lin Qian's expression.
Lin Qian listened without any change in expression, and simply said, "It's unnecessary. I don't want to waste any more time on these things."
At this moment, Su Yao stepped forward, her eyes red and tears welling up in them. She said with a wronged expression, "Sister Lin Qian, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. Please forgive me this time."
Lin Qian glanced at Su Yao, her eyes filled with disgust, and said coldly, "Su Yao, I don't accept your apology. What you did can't be resolved with just an apology."
Su Yao sobbed, "Sister Lin Qian, I know I was very wrong. I will definitely change in the future. Please give me another chance."
Lin Qian didn't want to hear Su Yao's explanation anymore. She turned around and prepared to leave, saying as she walked, "I don't want to have anything to do with you anymore. Don't bother me again."
Zhao Yu watched Lin Qian's departing figure, sighed helplessly, and said to Su Yao, "See? This is all the trouble you caused."
Su Yao lowered her head and said softly, "I know I was wrong, Brother Zhao Yu. Let's hurry up and go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy gifts. Maybe Sister Lin Qian will change her mind after seeing our sincerity."
Zhao Yu nodded and continued walking with Su Yao toward the oxcart.
When Lin Qian heard the two say they were going to buy her a gift as an apology, she couldn't help but sneer inwardly and began communicating with 003 in her mind.
Lin Qian: "003, do you think they're being sincere?"
003: "Host, it's hard to say, but judging from their expressions, maybe they're trying to salvage something."
Lin Qian: "Hmph, I'm not so easily forgiving them."
003: "Host, let's see how they perform first."
In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the large tree at the center of the village's Bagua (Eight Trigrams) formation, where people were already waiting on the oxcart. For a moment, everyone fell silent upon seeing Lin Qian. Their eyes darted back and forth between Lin Qian, Zhao Yu, and Su Yao, filled with inquiry and curiosity.
Ignoring the stares of the crowd, Lin Qian walked straight to a corner of the oxcart and sat down. It was a relatively quiet spot, and she didn't want to be disturbed by too much attention.
The oxcart slowly started moving, heading towards the city. On the way, the crowd subtly glanced at Lin Qian, Zhao Yu, and Su Yao. Their eyes were filled with speculation and discussion, and occasionally a few people would whisper amongst themselves.
Lin Qian and 003 continued their conversation in their minds.
Lin Qian: "The way these people look at me is really uncomfortable."
003: "Host, don't mind them, they just love to gossip."
Lin Qian: "Sigh, I hope this trip to the city will go smoothly."
003: "Don't worry, host, it definitely will."
Meanwhile, Zhao Yu and Su Yao, sitting at the other end of the oxcart, also felt the strange looks from the crowd and appeared somewhat uncomfortable.
And so, the oxcart, carrying everyone, headed toward the city in a slightly awkward atmosphere.
Upon arriving in the city, Lin Qian went straight to the scrap yard without hesitation, as if Zhao Yu and Su Yao behind her didn't exist at all. Her steps were firm, without the slightest hesitation.
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