Chapter 60: “caught”
Soon, the villagers saw such a scene.
A brand new ladies’ bicycle weaved slowly on the dirt roads of the countryside.
On the train.
Behind the beautiful woman, like a poster girl, sat two adorable boys who looked exactly alike. Both pairs of eyes sparkled with smiles, mouths stretched wide, revealing pearly white teeth, and pure happiness.
Under the scorching sun, this scene was too heartwarming, causing passersby to involuntarily cast their gazes upon them.
The educated youths had just finished work and also stopped one after another, looking at the one adult and two children on the new bicycle.
Unsure what they were thinking, their expressions were stunned, and they couldn’t snap out of it for a long time.
They too had once lived so leisurely and contentedly, only needing to study well, besides looking forward to the twice-a-month meat-eating days, and thinking about when they could get a job to support themselves, they had no other worries.
Unlike now, they had almost forgotten life in the city!
Several female educated youths remembered that their families hadn’t written back in a long time, clearly having abandoned them, their eyes filled with sorrow and grief.
The male educated youths thought of the endless work every day, and the pent-up frustration, annoyance, and oppression in their hearts cracked open instantly like a frozen river surface, with countless ice cones surging upwards, almost piercing their last shred of reason.
Why!
Why do they have to live this kind of life!
Seeing that even a villager lived better than them, the educated youths were full of indignation, their resentment so heavy it could scare away mosquitoes for ten miles.
“Educated Youth Song.” A deliberately soft and gentle female voice drifted over.
Several male educated youths snapped back to reality, took a deep breath, and emerged from their negative emotions.
They exchanged glances subtly, secretly exchanging winks.
Tsk tsk.
Good looks are popular.
Educated Youth Song had only been here for a short while, and these village girls were flocking to him one after another, bringing food, drinks, and some even seemed willing to wash their underwear and socks for him.
Educated Youth Song’s clear eyes flashed a hint of displeasure, and he looked coldly at the person speaking, “Is there something you need?”
Seeing his expressionless, handsome face, Gu Xing’er’s face showed embarrassment, but her heart seethed with anger.
What was wrong with her that she couldn’t warm his heart for so long.
Her crush definitely had no problems; any problems were with others.
Gu Xing’er cast a hostile glance at the other male educated youths, marking them down fiercely, then smiled at Educated Youth Song again.
“Educated Youth Song, the double harvest rush is tiring. I see you’ve lost weight. I brought you an egg, it’s still warm. Eat it quickly.” She directly reached out and stuffed the egg into Educated Youth Song’s hand, wearing a shy smile, as if the young man in front of her was her boyfriend.
But.
Who didn’t know that Educated Youth Song had been in the countryside for less than half a month, and they had only met a few times.
Educated Youth Song valued his reputation and didn’t want any entanglements with a country bumpkin. He took a few steps back, his brows slightly furrowed.
“The double harvest rush is tiring for everyone. If you have this heart, why not give the egg to your parents to supplement their health.”
Don’t seek validation from me.
He was determined to return to the city and had no interest in settling down in the brigade.
Gu Xing’er lowered her eyes and sneered repeatedly.
For those old geezers? Pfft!
Better to feed it to dogs than to them!
Those old geezers kicked me out of the house, and they still want my eggs? Go eat shit!
“They don’t care for my eggs,” she said sarcastically.
Educated Youth Song’s brows furrowed even tighter. He increasingly felt he had to stay away from this girl; she was too cold-hearted and ungrateful.
As far as he knew, few girls in Fengshou Brigade even finished primary school. Gu Xing’er was educated up to junior high, indicating she wasn’t neglected by her family, yet she still seemed to harbor resentment towards her parents.
Must not get too close.
Educated Youth Song mentally gave her a four-character evaluation, bolded and underlined, and no longer looked at her, returning to the educated youth point with the other educated youths.
Gu Xing’er wanted to chase after him but was met with mockery from a female educated youth who was interested in Educated Youth Song.
“Can you have some self-respect? If I remember correctly, you haven’t graduated yet, have you? You’re chasing men before graduation. Is this how your parents taught you?”
“Educated Youth Song is from Haicheng and will return to the city in the future. He would never date a country person. Give up your thoughts, you embarrassing thing.” The delicate-looking female educated youth crossed her arms and sneered, stepping on Gu Xing’er and grinding her foot a few times.
How could Gu Xing’er be someone who took insults lying down.
This was a fiery tempered woman who dared to hurt her own sister-in-law.
Without a word, she slapped the female educated youth twice, directly swelling her face.
The other female educated youths were stunned.
After a full five seconds of reaction, they snapped back to reality, quickly huddled together to protect the beaten educated youth, and simultaneously shouted, “Someone from the brigade is hitting an educated youth—”
The sound was sharp enough to pierce the skull.
Villagers rushed out, and upon seeing the swollen face of the female educated youth, which looked like a steamed bun, they asked,
“Xing’er, did you hit her?” someone asked.
Gu Xing’er put her hands on her hips and arrogantly said, “Yes, I did. So what? Who told her to be so foul-mouthed!”
“So what if I’m from the countryside? I’m not eating your family’s food, and if you’re so foul-mouthed again, I’ll rip your mouth open.”
She was determined to become a city person, no matter the means.
Educated Youth Song was someone she had her sights on. Anyone who obstructed her was her enemy!
To block someone’s fortune is like killing their parents. Preventing her from becoming a city person was more unforgivable than killing her parents, and she deserved to be taught a lesson!
“There’s no justice!” the beaten female educated youth cried, covering her face. She wanted to fight back but considered herself cultured and didn’t want to be a spectacle, so she could only cry, making her appear pitiful.
The unmarried young men in the village couldn’t help but feel pity and looked disapprovingly at Gu Xing’er.
As expected of the biggest troublemaker in the village, she really knows how to hit hard.
“I’m going to report this to the Public Security!”
When Gu Er Shen heard the news and ran over, she immediately heard the female educated youth, whose face was swollen like a risen steamed bun, say she was going to report it to the Public Security. Her head buzzed, and her spirit suffered a landslide.
She didn’t want to deal with Gu Xing’er.
She would rather eat shit than deal with her.
But Gu Xing’er was living at her house, so she had no choice but to get involved.
Gu Er Shen suppressed the urge to slap Gu Xing’er, took a deep breath, stared at her with fiery eyes, and said sternly, “Xing’er, apologize.”
“Why should I apologize? She spoke ill of me first, so hitting her was light.” Gu Xing’er looked at the female educated youth provocatively, her malice unmasked.
Gu Er Shen didn’t want to have a reform-through-labor convict in her family, which would affect their reputation. She intensified her tone, “If you don’t apologize, then move out.”
“If I have to move out, then I will. As if I care.” Gu Xing’er was completely unfazed.
After all, there was still an empty room in the educated youth point. She could move in there, getting closer to Educated Youth Song, and strike while the iron was hot, wouldn’t that be better?
The brigade wouldn’t let her have nowhere to live.
“Fine, fine, fine.” Gu Er Shen was furious. “You’ve grown bold. Move out, move out immediately!”
Gu Xing’er was indifferent.
She turned to the Brigade Leader and said, “Brigade Leader, I want to move into the educated youth point.”
This statement completely stunned the Brigade Leader.
Before he could speak, the female educated youths objected.
“No way!”
“Gu Xing’er resorts to violence at the slightest provocation and is so vicious. We don’t want to live in the same yard as her.”
“The educated youth point is for educated youths to live in. She cannot live here. I object.”
…
Several female educated youths firmly expressed their opposition.
The Brigade Leader also disagreed, “Gu Xing’er, why are you everywhere? The brigade will not allow you to live in the educated youth point. Give up this idea!”
“Hitting someone is wrong. Pay the medical expenses and apologize to the person. Otherwise, if the educated youth reports to the Public Security, you will bear the consequences.”
How could Gu Xing’er bow her head? She ignored the Brigade Leader, scoffed indifferently, and ran away quickly.
The Brigade Leader did not expect her to be so disobedient, and he almost fell over in anger, “Very good.”
With that, he no longer spoke for Gu Xing’er and left with a flick of his sleeve.
Gu Er Shen rolled her eyes in anger.
Those who were familiar with her cast sympathetic glances.
“Do you really plan to let Gu Xing’er move out?” the woman in the blue patched top asked. “I heard that Cheng Huai’s family is building a new house, and Da Zai’s mother is taking her four children back to the old house to live. If Gu Xing’er goes back…”
When would the Gu family ever be quiet.
“My sister-in-law is as cunning as a monkey. How could she possibly let that scourge Gu Xing’er into the house!” Gu Er Shen pinched the philtrum of her nose hard to prevent herself from fainting.
“Then what about her?”
“What about her?” Gu Er Shen’s face was full of anger, and she sneered. “Whatever! I said Gu Xing’er must move out, or my family won’t be able to live in peace.”
With that, she hurried home.
In the corner, Su Yuxian stood with her arms crossed, making a tutting sound. She mused that she and Gu Xing’er were quite similar, both desperately wanting a better life, but unfortunately, there were always people blocking their way.
Thinking of Lu Mu and Lu Xiaomei, who constantly picked on her, a cold glint flashed in her eyes.
The old hag took her baggage to the county. I wonder if she can get some good things.
Su Yuxian, at the cost of her entire body covered in bumps, eavesdropped… and learned about the strangeness of Lu Baozhen.
There was indeed something evil inside her body, something that could help her get whatever she desired, no matter what.
As expected, her intuition was not wrong. Lu Baozhen was unnaturally wicked for a child.
However, after learning the truth, Su Yuxian was not afraid. Instead, she hoped that she would make good use of that strange thing, to get money, tickets, grain, and preferably a ladies’ bicycle and a sewing machine. Oh, and get a radio too.
Thinking this, she longed for Lu Mu and Lu Baozhen to return quickly!
Completely forgetting that before they left, she had fiercely cursed the grandmother and granddaughter to die outside!
Imagining the things Lu Baozhen might bring back, Su Yuxian lost interest in watching the commotion, brushed off the dust from her clothes, and slowly left.
Meanwhile, Gu Er Shen returned home, called her daughter-in-law, packed Gu Xing’er’s things, threw them out the door, and shut the door.
Old Mrs. Gu was both anxious and angry, leaning against the doorframe and cursing.
“What is this, what is this? This old woman isn’t dead yet, and you dare to drive Xing’er away. Why don’t you drive me out of the house too.”
Gu Er Shen had a heart full of sorrow with nowhere to express it.
“Mother, please be reasonable.” The usually fiery woman’s eyes were tired. “Gu Xing’er does nothing at home. She even makes her pregnant cousin-in-law wash her underwear. This is not a junior, this is an ancestor. If I don’t drive her out, the family will fall apart!”
Moreover.
She had heard rumors before about Gu Xing’er pestering the male educated youths.
Today, she actually beat up a female educated youth for a male educated youth!
Gu Er Shen thought of the gossip that would spread throughout the village and wished she could faint.
No, Gu Xing’er must leave.
She couldn’t stand by and watch her family’s reputation be damaged.
Old Mrs. Gu also knew that Xing’er was spoiled beyond measure by her, but that was the child she raised. She was also about to get married, and she just wanted Xing’er to have a few comfortable days before she got married. Why couldn’t her second daughter-in-law understand?
“Xing’er is about to get married.” Ultimately, she had to rely on her daughter-in-law for elder care. Old Mrs. Gu said softly for the first time.
Gu Er Shen did not back down, still insisting, “She must move out.”
Old Mrs. Gu pointed her finger at her, “You… you… you don’t even listen to my words anymore!”
Catching sight of her beloved second son out of the corner of her eye, she said with tears streaming down her face, “Lao Er, look at your good daughter-in-law!”
The family had been chaotic lately, and both son and daughter-in-law had grievances. Gu Xing’er also had a smug expression every day as if everyone owed her something. Even Gu Er Shu, who had considerable tolerance, was somewhat unbearable. The departure of this niece would only make him feel relieved.
“Xing’er is indeed unbearable.” Gu Er Shu sided with his wife.
Old Mrs. Gu was shocked, “Lao Er!”
Gu Er Shu knew that his mother cared more about him than his niece. His wrinkled face showed distress, “Mother, ever since Xing’er came, the family has been arguing every day. I can’t sleep at night. I think if this continues, your coffin will be used for me.”
Hearing this, Old Mrs. Gu quickly spat a few times and looked at her son with concern.
“Why didn’t you tell mother?”
Gu Er Shu did not forget to show filial piety, “I didn’t want mother to worry.”
The old lady’s gaze became even more tender.
“Forget it. Xing’er is grown up. You are only her second uncle. Her affairs should be handled by the eldest son’s family.”
Gu Er Shen breathed a sigh of relief.
Finally, they got rid of that troublemaker!
The daughters-in-law of the second branch almost cried out.
It was bitter.
So bitter!
Gu Xing’er was simply not human.
She wasn’t a proper sister-in-law, but she acted like one. She was seriously ill.
Thinking of Huang Xiulan, Zhao Liuniang, and Lin Zhao, the resentment in their eyes deepened.
They were comfortable, but the pressure was all on them.
The Brigade Leader offered a way out, but Gu Xing’er refused to leave, thinking she would be fine if she ran away. Who knew that the beaten female educated youth would actually report to the Public Security.
When the Public Security officers came to the village to arrest her, the sixteen-year-old girl experienced fear for the first time. Her face turned deathly pale, her head felt like it had been hit by a club, and she turned to run.
Two police officers chased after her.
Gu Xing’er, in her panic, ran into a pigsty. The skinny pigs in the pigsty were eating. Unexpectedly, a two-legged beast suddenly appeared. Thinking she was going to snatch their food, they rushed at her.
“Thump—!”
Gu Xing’er tripped and sat down in the feed trough.
The three pigs, seeing their food bowl smashed, were furious and continued to push at her desperately.
“Quick, save her,” Mother Gu shouted. After all, she was her own flesh and blood; she couldn’t just watch her be gored by pigs.
Gu Yuanshan and Gu Yucheng quickly pulled her out.
There were no special techniques for raising pigs at that time, and the pigsty was not cleaned promptly, making the smell so strong it made one dizzy.
At this moment, Gu Xing’er was covered in pig slop, her cloth shoes stained with pig feces, and she emitted a suffocating odor.
After the two brothers rescued her, even though they knew she was their sister, they recoiled in disgust.
At this time, two police officers stepped forward and said calmly, “We received a report that you assaulted someone without reason. Please come with us.”
Gu Xing’er naturally would not surrender. She wanted to run again but was blocked by the two police officers.
“Running is useless.” The young police officer’s righteous face was stern.
Gu Xing’er stomped her feet and said in despair, “I’m already like this, and you still want to arrest me!?”
The police officer was also humorous. He smiled slightly and said, “Well, there’s nothing we can do. As Public Security officers, we must handle any reports we receive. Even if you fell into a pot of oil, we would have to pick you out with chopsticks and take you away, let alone being gored by pigs in a pigsty.”
Gu Xing’er: “…” This is truly insane.
She was finally taken away.
This incident quickly spread throughout the entire brigade, becoming the biggest topic of conversation.
On the other side.
Lin Zhao was carrying the two boys on the road. She met some villagers. Er Zai’s eyes were upturned, and he waved incessantly, greeting everyone he saw.
“Grandpa, just got off work?”
“Auntie, have you eaten?”
“Grandma, my mother is taking my brother and me to my elder aunt’s house.”
