Liu Moli felt that God was too cruel to her. First, she became Zhou Daniu's wife for no apparent reason, a peasant woman whom she used to despise the most. Then, the fact that Zhou Daniu beat his wife made Liu Moli devastated and she lost hope in life.
When Liu Moli was pregnant and waiting to give birth, Zhou Daniu was fine with her. But the changes at the educated youth settlement made her heart gnaw, bit by bit, like ants gnawing at her. Over the past six months, the educated youth from the settlement had begun to return to the city. What Liu Moli had heard before was correct: the policies regarding educated youth had been relaxed. To return to the city, those with connections sought help from their families, while those without took early retirement and had their children return to take over. In just six months, the number of educated youth at the settlement had dropped by a third. The remaining ones came from families without the necessary skills or from families with too many children to care for them.
Seeing the number of educated youth at the educated youth center dwindle day by day, Liu Moli's anger grew day by day. If she hadn't agreed to Zhou Zhigang's instigation, she might have already returned to the city. It was Zhou Zhigang who ruined her, who made her life so miserable.
Some people are like this. When they are unhappy, they never look for the reasons in themselves, but instead try every possible means to put the blame on others. Liu Moli didn't even think about it. If she hadn't been vain, if she hadn't had the intention to harm others, how could she have ended up like this?
A few days ago, people in Zhoujia Village were saying that Zhou Zhigang's family had received a sum of money, given by a "noble person" from Kyoto City. The Zhou family's two elders, two sons, and one daughter had already quarreled several times over this money. Liu Moli thought back to last year's events. Not to mention Zhou Zhigang's promise to bring her back to the city, he hadn't even given her the several hundred yuan he'd promised her. Liu Moli was unwilling to accept this. Why should she suffer in Zhou Daniu's family while Zhou Zhigang's family enjoyed a carefree life with the money? Liu Moli, holding her daughter, went to Zhou Zhigang's house and demanded a share of the money. Otherwise, Liu Moli would spread the news that the child was Zhou Zhigang's.
Of course, Zhou Zhigang refused. The Zhou family had completely fallen out over that money. Why should he give Liu Moli a share of the money he had worked so hard to get? Besides, Liu Moli didn't even know if her daughter was his. Even if she was, Zhou Zhigang himself had a daughter. Sharing money with Liu Moli for a little girl? No way!
Liu Moli was furious, but she couldn't do anything about Zhou Zhigang. Previously, Zhou Zhigang had been the village accountant, and Liu Moli could threaten him. But now, Zhou Zhigang had long since been stripped of his position as brigade accountant by Zhou Hongming. Without his position, Zhou Zhigang had no scruples. As a commoner, why should he be afraid of Liu Moli?
Liu Moli hadn't recovered from Zhou Zhigang's treasonous betrayal when, yesterday, Xu Xiaoyu, a educated youth from the educated youth camp, came to her house and sat for a while. Xu Xiaoyu told her that the higher-ups had announced that the national college entrance examination would resume in November. Regardless of whether you were an educated youth sent to the countryside, a worker, a farmer, or a student, and regardless of your family background, anyone who wished could register to take the exam.
In those days, the college entrance exam was a way out of farming. Passing university instantly converted one's rural household registration to urban, and upon graduation, the government guaranteed a job. University graduates immediately enjoyed cadre-level salaries and ranks, unlike those without a university education, who had to start as backbreaking laborers.
Liu Moli was certain she saw a blatant boast in Xu Xiaoyu's eyes. That's right! She was showing off!
Back when Liu Moli was at the educated youth camp, she was the dream girl of all the male educated youth. And He Xiaogang, the male educated youth Xu Xiaoyu liked, was also one of the people Liu Moli envied.
Before Xu Xiaoyu left, she deliberately said with regret, "What a shame! This time the policy clearly states that educated youth who get married and have children while in the countryside must return to where they got married after graduating from university for a job assignment. They can't stay in the city. Sister Jasmine, if it weren't for this, with your grades, you could definitely settle down in a big city. So, ah! One still has to rely on fate, not just good looks."
Xu Xiaoyu was a short, freckled girl who had often been teased by Liu Moli, who said her height dragged down the average height of women worldwide. Now, seeing Liu Moli's exasperated expression, Xu Xiaoyu suddenly felt fulfilled.
After Xu Xiaoyu left, Liu Moli was filled with jealousy and resentment. She desperately wanted to return to the city, but what happened? She ended up marrying in the rural village of Zhoujia Village, to an elderly bachelor who couldn't find a wife. Not only was his family incredibly poor, but he also beat his wife. Even more despairing for Liu Moli was the fact that even if she got into university, she wouldn't be able to leave this shabby place.
These past two days, Liu Moli felt like she was going crazy because of these things.
No, no! She can't just sit there and wait for death! She wants to leave here, she wants to be a city dweller again! Whoever blocks her way, she will... Liu Moli's eyes flashed with coldness.
When Zhou Yuanyuan and Qiuxiang walked into Qiuxiang's house, Zhao Qingshan was taking Zhou Qijia's pulse.
After a few minutes, Zhao Qingshan let go of Zhou Qiji's hand and sighed inwardly.
Judging from the pulse, the examination of Qingshan City Hospital was correct. Zhou Qijia had a very bad spine, and the qi and blood were stagnant when passing through there.
"How is it? Uncle Zhao, can the disease in his family really be cured?" Qiuxiang asked anxiously when she saw Zhao Qingshan was silent.
Zhao Qingshan raised his head and saw the hope in Qiuxiang and Zhou Qijia's eyes. He shook his head and said, "It's hard to tell right now. Let me check it carefully first."
"Uncle Zhao, it's okay. Just tell me the truth if there is anything. I can handle it." Zhou Qijiajia was not as optimistic as Qiuxiang. He felt a little uneasy from Zhao Qingshan's attitude.
"Young man, don't interrupt my thoughts." Zhao Qingshan waved his hand, signaling Zhou Qiji and his wife not to speak for the time being.
Zhou Qijia's condition had been examined in Qingshan City, indicating that many people already knew it was incurable. Zhao Qingshan needed to consider the risks Zhou Yuanyuan would face if she managed to cure him. If the risks were too great, Zhao Qingshan would rather forgo treatment. In Zhao Qingshan's heart, nothing was more important than Zhou Yuanyuan.
"Grandpa, can you let me review the pulse-taking skills you taught me?" Zhou Yuanyuan saw Zhao Qingshan was silent and knew that her grandfather was worried about her. Before coming, Zhou Yuanyuan had already told Zhao Qingshan that she could cure Zhou Qijia. Regardless, for Qiuxiang's sake, Zhou Yuanyuan's determination to save Zhou Qijia would not change.
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