Today is the day to resume work, and it's also the day that Jiang Xile and Ren Qi are on duty.
Having woken up half an hour earlier than usual, Jiang Xile is now able to work together with Ren Qi very well.
From starting the fire to picking vegetables, then washing, chopping, and kneading the dough, the two of them didn't waste a single moment.
After the meal, the group of educated youth went to the fields together. No matter how many frictions or entanglements there were within the group, in the eyes of the villagers, they were all a unit.
The crops planted in the fields today don't have as many pesticides and hormones as in later generations, so there are always endless weeds in the fields.
Jiang Xile was still assigned the task of weeding, while the strong laborers were all taken aside to cultivate the wasteland.
Weeding earns a maximum of seven work points, but clearing land can earn eight or ten work points, though it is extremely hard work.
Less than a third of the men in the educated youth settlement were willing to reclaim wasteland; the rest were just loafing around in the fields.
Earning seven work points is already quite an achievement for them.
Day after day, Jiang Xile spent this period going back and forth between the cowshed, the educated youth settlement, and the fields.
As a hunter, Jiang Xile has enough patience. She will not actively harm others, but if others want to harm her, they will have to accept her revenge.
In the past two days, Duan Nianzhen has become noticeably restless, frequently visiting the educated youth settlement and Li Hongwei's home.
Jiang Xile was secretly observing all of this, but to her surprise, Zhai Qiaoyun came to find her.
After dinner, Jiang Xile went for a walk along the river as usual. Just as she stepped out, she ran into Zhai Qiaoyun.
She thought that because of what had happened before, when she had been tricked instead of framed, Zhai Qiaoyun would no longer have anything to do with her. Unexpectedly, this person actually stopped her.
"Zhai Zhiqing, what do you mean by this?"
Jiang Xile frowned as she looked at the woman standing in front of her. Her dry hair, rough skin, and tattered clothes all indicated the kind of life she was living.
"I have something I want to talk to you about. Shall we find a suitable place to discuss it?"
Zhai Qiaoyun's face held a glimmer of hope, her voice tinged with pleading. Her hands, hanging limply at her sides, were clenched tightly, like a sinner awaiting judgment.
"Alright, I was just about to go for a walk by the river. If you don't mind, let's go there!"
Thinking of Duan Nianzhen and Li Hongwei's relationship, Jiang Xile felt a little soft-hearted towards Zhai Qiaoyun, though she couldn't say she sympathized with her.
"Okay, let's go to the river!"
For Zhai Qiaoyun, the riverbank didn't hold any good memories, as it was here that she lost her life, recalling her previous scheming against Jiang Xile.
Zhai Qiaoyun said with a face full of regret:
"Back then, I was immature. I was driven by love and hatred, and by jealousy. That's why I conspired with Li Hongwei to scheme against you."
It's been so long, and although you haven't said it, I know I owe you an apology. I'm sorry! I was wrong!
Although I have been punished, it was ultimately my fault. I don't expect you to forgive me; I just want to sincerely apologize to you.
Jiang Xile nodded.
"I received your apology. Now, tell me, you came to see me today for more than just an apology; there must be something else going on!"
Zhai Qiaoyun gripped the hem of her clothes tighter and tighter, hesitating for a long time before finally making up her mind.
"I know you're capable, but I still want to remind you to be careful of Duan Nianzhen. If she suggests a dinner party in the next couple of days, don't drink anything she offers."
Jiang Xile looked at Zhai Qiaoyun in surprise, not expecting her to come back and tell her the news.
"Do you know that if Li Hongwei finds out what you've been saying to me today, you're in for a world of trouble!"
"you....."
This time, it was Zhai Qiaoyun who was surprised. She didn't expect that Jiang Xile had already discovered the relationship between Li Hongwei and Duan Nianzhen.
When did you find out?
"Last time I happened to see the two of them going to the post office to pick up a package at the commune. On their way back, I also saw them going into the woods."
"So you already knew that? I was just being redundant!"
"You can't say that. I was actually quite surprised that you reminded me. But I have a question I'm curious about, and I wonder if you could answer it for me!"
"What question?"
"Given your personality, even if you had fallen into the water back then, you would have had to marry Li Hongwei for the sake of your reputation."
But surely you don't deserve to be treated like this after marriage? Aren't you bothered by Li Hongwei and Duan Nianzhen's affair?
You should know that I like Qiu Wenbin, right?
Hearing Zhai Qiaoyun's words, Jiang Xile nodded.
"I've heard about this. Was your scheme against me back then also because of Qiu Wenbin?"
"Yes, I noticed that his attitude towards you was very different from his attitude towards others, so on a whim, I went to cooperate with Li Hongwei. I just didn't expect to lose both my wife and my money."
"Then what?"
"After that incident, I knew that Qiu Wenbin and I were impossible."
Qiu Wenbin was also at the river that day, but when he saw me fall into the water and when Li Hongwei carried me away, he didn't react at all.
I knew then that everything I had done before was just wishful thinking. Anyway, it didn't matter who I married, since he wasn't the man I liked.
Similarly, I don't like him, and I don't care who he's with, what he's done, or what he's been through. I just never expected him to hit me!
Zhai Qiaoyun lifted her clothes, revealing the scars on her lower back.
He then continued:
"He not only beat me, but also threatened me with my parents, so I had no choice but to endure it."
Back when Duan Nianzhen hadn't yet fallen for him, I had warned her, but she didn't appreciate it and insisted on getting involved with Li Hongwei, so I just pretended she wasn't my friend anymore.
I overheard Li Hongwei and Duan Nianzhen plotting against you, and for some reason, I decided to tell you.
Perhaps, I saw this as a chance to get rid of Li Hongwei. Regardless of the outcome, I wanted to try, so I came.
"You're quite frank. If it were before, I probably wouldn't have helped you or listened to all your nonsense, but what I hate most is a man who hits a woman!"
Li Hongwei will learn his lesson, and I will not forgive Duan Nianzhen, his accomplice.
As for you, I can help you get rid of his harassment, but the extent to which I can do so will depend on your cooperation.
"Okay, I'll cooperate, I'm willing to cooperate with you!"
Zhai Qiaoyun was a little excited. She had already prepared herself to be rejected, but she didn't expect Jiang Xile to be willing to help her.
"Thank you, thank you!"
Seeing Zhai Qiaoyun like this, Jiang Xile sighed helplessly.
"You've already paid the price for your past mistakes. You have a long life ahead of you. I hope you can learn from your mistakes and not repeat them!"
"No, no, I will definitely be a good person from now on, and live an honest and upright life."
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