Chapter 24: Spectating at the Educated Youth Quarters

After chatting for a while, Mu Xingjue and Su Yao headed back, not daring to stay too long for fear of being discovered. By the time they stepped out, a light drizzle had begun to fall.

"Not bad, Mu Xingjue, dreaming of taking a wife at such a young age," she teased, giving his waist a playful pinch.

Mu Xingjue didn't dare complain about the pain; instead, he wrapped his arms around Su Yao and begged for mercy. "Look, my dear, we are simply meant to be. I wanted to marry you when we were kids, and I still want to marry you now that we’re grown. We were destined for each other."

The two returned home laughing and bickering. Just as they arrived, the rain intensified. Su Yao looked at the downpour outside and asked, "I suppose we won't have to work in the fields tomorrow?"

"Mm, no need to work in the rain. We can sleep in, my dear."

Su Yao rolled her eyes at him and retreated into the room. Mu Xingjue followed her like a lovesick puppy, eagerly helping her out of her coat. Su Yao didn't put up a fuss; she enjoyed being pampered, and with someone to wait on her, she was more than happy to oblige.

They played and teased each other until nearly dawn before finally drifting off into a deep sleep. Poor Xu Xingyu, however, was not so lucky. Even though there was a room between them, the walls were paper-thin. Once he got up to use the restroom, he couldn't fall back asleep. Hearing the sounds drifting from next door, he felt a wave of heat wash over him, wishing he could run over and pull his own sweetheart into a similar intimate embrace.

By the time Su Yao and Mu Xingjue rose, it was already noon. Xu Xingyu and Ye Simin hadn't waited for them, having already boiled some dumplings to eat. With nothing to do that afternoon, Su Yao gathered the other three to study.

At the mention of studying, Xu Xingyu got a headache. "Educated Youth Su, we've already been sent to the countryside. Do we really need to keep studying? The sight of a book makes my head ache and makes me want to sleep."

"It's a must. Even though the 'Down to the Countryside' movement is proceeding steadily, what if the college entrance exams are restored in the next two or three years? If we get into university, we can leave this place. Surely you don't want to stay here for the rest of your life?"

Xu Xingyu shook his head repeatedly. "That's not it, it's just that we came to the countryside because..." He glanced at Mu Xingjue.

"Xingyu and I came to the countryside because of our grandparents," Mu Xingjue explained. "If they can't go back, we won't either. Yaoyao, our grandparents are getting on in years, and I’m worried about them."

"I know," Su Yao replied. "But have you considered what it would mean if the country actually restores the college entrance exams? It would mean the nation needs development and talent. After all these years of turmoil, talent is either rotting at home or has been sent down to various corners of the country."

"Before restoring the exams, the government will naturally rehabilitate them and allow their talents to be put to use. So, if that day comes, your grandparents will certainly be able to return before we do. Don't let yourselves be trapped here while they are already back."

Mu Xingjue and Xu Xingyu were both intelligent; they realized the logic in Su Yao's words. If the exams were truly restored, the country would need a massive influx of talent. Perhaps their grandparents really would return before them.

Once they understood, the two men no longer resisted studying. The four of them each focused on their own books until the sky grew dark.

After two days of rain, the third day finally cleared. Everyone returned to the fields to work. That evening, just as Su Yao finished cooking dinner, she heard a commotion coming from the front courtyard.

Su Yao pulled Ye Simin along to see what was happening. Upon reaching the Educated Youth Courtyard, they saw Yang Hui sitting on the ground clutching her face, while Li Zhaodi stood over her, looking smug. Su Yao wasn't very familiar with the people in the courtyard, aside from Yu Lu and Zeng Yue. She had no desire to interact with Yu Lu, who likely still feared her. Sure enough, as soon as Yu Lu spotted Su Yao, she shrank away, not daring to meet her gaze.

Su Yao scanned the area and found Zeng Yue, but she looked haggard—a stark contrast to when she had first arrived. Su Yao walked over and asked with concern, "What’s wrong? Are you alright?"

Zeng Yue's expression softened slightly when she saw Su Yao. She shook her head. "I'm fine, just annoyed by Tian Zhixue and Yu Lu. Why are you two here?"

"We heard the noise and came to check it out. What's going on?" Ye Simin asked, her eyes sparkling with gossip as she looked at Li Zhaodi and Yang Hui. She had heard from Xu Xingyu that Yang Hui had tried to drug Mu Xingjue to force his hand in marriage, only for Mu Xingjue to discover the plot and make her drink the drugged water herself. Serves her right.

Zeng Yue whispered, "Jiang Guo's mother came over to discuss the wedding, but she refuses to pay a dowry. She wants to hold two tables of wine for the relatives, but she wants Educated Youth Yang to pay for the banquet herself. Yang refused, demanding a twenty-yuan dowry and a bicycle, or she wouldn't marry him."

"Jiang Guo's mother blew up, calling Yang a 'damaged woman' who was already her son's, and said it was a pipe dream to ask for a dowry. She said not only would she not pay, but Yang would have to provide her own dowry. She even claimed her son could have married a better, wealthier girl."

"They started fighting after they couldn't reach an agreement. Yang just went to find the brigade leader, fearing things might escalate further."

"Good heavens," Ye Simin exclaimed. "That woman is shameless! Not paying a dowry is one thing, but expecting the bride to pay for the banquet? I’ve never seen such a ridiculous person."

Soon, Wu Hongtao arrived. Having heard the story from Yang on the way, he was clearly annoyed. Li Zhaodi was truly a handful.

"Speak up, what's going on?" Wu Hongtao asked with a stern face.

Seeing the brigade leader, Li Zhaodi dropped her haughty act and plopped onto the ground, slapping her thighs. "My life is so hard! My husband passed away early, and I raised these two children on my own."

"Of course I was happy about my son getting married, but my poor boy was plotted against! He could have married a rich, beautiful girl, but he was ruined by someone with a malicious heart." As she spoke, she shot a look at Su Yao, who was watching from the sidelines.

Ye Simin quickly stepped in front of Su Yao to shield her. Yaoyao was Mu Xingjue’s partner; she couldn't let anyone cast aspersions on her. As soon as Ye Simin moved, Mu Xingjue, who had followed closely behind, slid into the space beside Su Yao. "Yaoyao, why didn't you call me when you came over?"

"I came to watch the show. Why did you come?"

"I came to watch you."

Su Yao was speechless at the man's persistence and chose to ignore him.

She continued to listen as Li Zhaodi wailed, "Brigade leader, you must seek justice for my Jiang Guo! It was Educated Youth Yang who shamelessly insisted on sleeping with my son. Now that my son's reputation is ruined, he is willing to marry her. What’s wrong with asking her to contribute a little money?"

Hearing the old woman twist the truth, Yang Hui exploded in fury. "Pah! You old hag! With a son like yours, I’d want to sleep with him? Go take a look at yourself in a puddle!"

"You little harlot, you dare insult my son? I’ll beat you to death, you shameless thing!" With that, the two women began to brawl once more.