Chapter 60: Caught

Soon, the villagers saw this scene.

A brand-new ladies’ bicycle slowly glided along the rural dirt road.

On the bike.

Behind the beautiful, poster-like woman sat two identical little boys, their eyes sparkling with smiles, mouths wide open to reveal white teeth, pure joy.

Under the blazing sun, this scene was so heartwarming that passersby couldn’t help but glance their way.

The educated youths had just finished work and paused, staring at the trio on the new bicycle.

Some fell into thought, stunned, unable to snap out of it.

They too had once been this carefree—only needing to attend school, longing for meat once every two months, wondering when they’d land a job to support themselves, nothing else to trouble them.

How different now—they’d nearly forgotten city life!

Several female educated youths remembered their families hadn’t written in ages, clearly abandoned them; their eyes grew mournful and bitter.

The male educated youths thought of their endless labor, their pent-up resentment, irritation, and oppression cracking open like a frozen river, icy spikes surging upward, nearly piercing their last shred of sanity.

Why?

Why did they have to live like this?

Seeing a villager live better than them, the educated youths seethed with bitterness; their resentment was so thick it could sterilize every mosquito within ten li.

“Song Qian.” A deliberately soft, sweet female voice came.

The male educated youths snapped back, took deep breaths, and shook off their dark moods.

They exchanged glances, subtly winking and gesturing.

Tsk tsk.

Good looks really do attract attention.

Song Qian had only been here a short while, yet village girls kept coming to him—bringing food, offering drinks, some even wanting to wash his underwear and socks.

Song Qian’s clear eyes flickered with displeasure; he looked coldly at the speaker. “What do you want?”

Seeing his expressionless, handsome face, Gu Xing’er flushed with embarrassment, yet seethed inside.

What was wrong with her? Why couldn’t she warm his heart after all this time?

Her beloved couldn’t possibly be at fault—the problem must lie with others.

Gu Xing’er shot hostile glances at the other male educated youths, silently marking them down, then turned back to Song Qian with a bright smile.

“Song Qian, the double harvest is exhausting—I see you’ve lost weight. I brought you an egg, still warm. Eat it quick.” She shoved the egg into his hand, her face flushed with shy affection, as if he were her sweetheart.

But.

Everyone knew Song Qian had only been sent down for less than half a month—they’d barely seen each other.

Song Qian valued his reputation and didn’t want any entanglement with village girls; he stepped back a few paces, frowning slightly.

“The double harvest is hard on everyone. If you care so much, take the egg to your parents—help them regain their strength.”

Don’t seek attention from me.

He was determined to return to the city; he had zero interest in settling down in the brigade.

Gu Xing’er lowered her eyes, sneering.

Give it to those old bastards? Pfft!

I’d rather feed it to dogs than them!

Those old bastards threw me out of the house—now they want my eggs? Go eat shit!

“They don’t even want my eggs,” she said sarcastically.

Song Qian’s brow tightened further; he felt even more strongly that he must keep his distance from this girl—she was too cold, too heartless.

As far as he knew, few girls in Fengshou Brigade had finished elementary school, yet Gu Xing’er had been sent to junior high—clearly not mistreated at home—yet she acted as if she harbored deep resentment toward her parents.

Not someone to be trusted.

Song Qian mentally labeled her with four bold, red-lettered words, turned away, and walked back to the educated youths’ quarters with the others.

Gu Xing’er tried to follow, but was mocked by the female educated youths who fancied Song Qian.

“Can’t you be a little ashamed? If I remember right, you haven’t graduated yet—before graduation you’re already chasing men? Is that what your parents taught you?”

“Song Qian is from Haicheng—he’ll return to the city someday. He’ll never date a village girl. Put that nonsense to rest—you’re just embarrassing yourself,” said the pretty female educated youth, arms crossed, sneering as she crushed Gu Xing’er underfoot.

Gu Xing’er was no one to endure humiliation.

She was the kind who’d even hurt her own sister-in-law.

Without a word, she stepped forward and slapped the girl twice, instantly swelling her face.

The other female educated youths froze.

After five full seconds, they snapped back, huddling to shield the beaten girl while screaming, “The villagers are beating educated youths!”

Her voice was shrill enough to pierce the skull.

Villagers rushed out, saw the girl’s face swollen like a steamed bun, and gasped.

“Xing’er, did you hit her?” someone asked.

Gu Xing’er stuck out her waist, brazenly declaring, “Yes, I hit her—so what? She had it coming!”

“So what if I’m from the countryside? I didn’t eat your family’s grain. If you open your mouth again, I’ll rip it off.”

She was determined to become a city person—even if she had to ruin others to do it.

Song Qian was the one she’d chosen; anyone who stood in her way was her enemy!

Blocking someone’s path to fortune was like killing their parents. Preventing her from becoming a city person was worse than killing her parents—it demanded punishment!

“This is unjust!” the beaten girl cried, clutching her face, wanting to fight back but too proud to be seen as uncultured—so she only sobbed, pitifully.

The unmarried village youths couldn’t help feeling pity for her, glancing disapprovingly at Gu Xing’er.

No wonder she was the village’s biggest troublemaker—she really went all out.

“I’m reporting this to the Public Security Bureau!”

Gu Er’s wife arrived upon hearing the news, and the moment she heard the girl with the swollen face declare she’d report to the police, her head spun—her mind felt like a mudslide.

She didn’t want to deal with Gu Xing’er.

She’d rather eat shit than deal with her.

But Gu Xing’er was living under her roof—she couldn’t ignore it.

Gu Er’s wife suppressed the urge to slap Gu Xing’er, took a deep breath, glared at her with fire in her eyes, and snapped, “Xing’er, apologize.”

“Why should I apologize? She started it—I only slapped her lightly.” Gu Xing’er glared defiantly at the female educated youth, her malice fully exposed.

Gu Er’s wife didn’t want a convict in her family ruining its reputation; her tone hardened: “If you don’t apologize, you’re moving out.”

“Fine, I’ll move out—I don’t care.” Gu Xing’er didn’t care at all.

After all, the educated youths’ quarters still had an empty room—she could move in, get closer to Song Qian, and take advantage of proximity. Wasn’t that better?

The brigade wouldn’t let her be homeless.

“Fine, fine, fine!” Gu Er’s wife was furious. “You’ve gotten bold—you move out, right now!”

Gu Xing’er didn’t care.

She turned to the brigade chief. “Chief, I want to move into the educated youths’ quarters.”

The statement left the brigade chief utterly stunned.

Before he could speak, the female educated youths all objected.

“No!”

“Gu Xing’er hits people randomly and brutally—we won’t live in the same courtyard as her.”

“The educated youths’ quarters are for educated youths—she can’t live here. I oppose it.”

…

Several female educated youths firmly refused.

The brigade chief also refused. “Gu Xing’er, why are you always sticking your nose in? The brigade will never let you live in the educated youths’ quarters—give up this idea!”

“You’re wrong to hit someone—pay for her medical bills and apologize, or if the educated youths report this to the police, you’ll bear the consequences.”

Gu Xing’er wouldn’t bow. She ignored the brigade chief, scoffed dismissively, and sprinted off.

The brigade chief hadn’t expected her to be so defiant—he nearly fainted from rage. “Fine.”

With that, he said nothing more for Gu Xing’er, turned on his heel, and left.

Gu Er’s wife was so furious she rolled her eyes.

Those who knew her gave her sympathetic glances.

“Are you really letting Gu Xing’er move out?” said the woman in the blue patched shirt. “I heard Chenghuai’s family is building a new house—Dacai’s mother is bringing all four kids back to the old homestead. If Gu Xing’er goes back…”

The Gu family never had peace.

“My sister-in-law is as sharp as a monkey—she’d never let this troublemaker in!” Gu Er’s wife pinched her philtrum hard to keep from fainting.

“Then what will she do?”

“What can she do?” Gu Er’s wife’s face burned with anger. “Let her do whatever she wants! I said it—Gu Xing’er must leave, or my family can’t live in peace.”

With that, she hurried home.

In the corner, Su Yuxian stood with arms crossed, clicking her tongue. She thought she and Gu Xing’er were alike—both single-mindedly chasing a better life, yet always blocked by others.

Thinking of Lu Mu and Lu Xiaomei, who kept picking fights with her, her eyes flashed cold.

The old witch and her burden had gone to the county—wonder if they’d bring back anything good.

Su Yuxian had paid the price of covering her whole body to eavesdrop… and learned of Lu Baozhen’s strangeness.

There really was a ghostly thing inside her—it could help her obtain anything she wanted.

Her instincts were right—Lu Baozhen was unnatural, not like a child at all.

But after learning the truth, Su Yuxian wasn’t afraid—she actually hoped the girl would make good use of that strange thing: get money, get ration coupons, get grain, and better yet, score a women’s bicycle, a sewing machine, and oh, also get a radio.

Thinking this, she grew even more eager for Lu’s mother and Lu Baozhen to return quickly!

She had completely forgotten that before they left, she had bitterly cursed the grandmother and granddaughter to die out there!

Imagining what Lu Baozhen might bring back, Su Yuxian lost all interest in the spectacle, brushed the dust off her clothes, and walked away slowly.

At the same time, Gu Er’s wife returned home, called her daughter-in-law to pack up Gu Xing’er’s belongings, dump them at the door, and bolt it shut.

Gu Laoyezi, frantic and furious, gripped the doorframe and screamed.

“What is this? What is this? I’m not dead yet, and you dare throw Xing’er out? Why don’t you throw me out too?”

Gu Er’s wife had a heart full of bitterness with nowhere to vent.

“Mother, use some sense,” said the usually fiery woman, her eyes weary. “Xing’er does nothing around the house—not even her underwear; she makes her pregnant cousin-in-law wash it. Who is she, a junior? She’s a patriarch! If I don’t kick her out, the whole family will fall apart!”

Besides,

Gu Er’s wife had already heard rumors about Xing’er chasing after the male sent-down youth.

Today, she actually beat up a female sent-down youth over him!

Thinking of the gossip that would spread through the village, Gu Er’s wife nearly fainted.

No, Xing’er must go.

She couldn’t stand by and let her family’s reputation be ruined.

Gu Laoyezi knew Xing’er had been spoiled beyond reason—but she was the child she had raised herself, and soon to be married. She just wanted to let Xing’er enjoy a few peaceful days before marriage. Why couldn’t her second son’s wife understand?

“Xing’er is about to marry,” said Gu Laoyezi, rarely softening her tone—she’d eventually have to rely on her daughter-in-law for care in old age.

Gu Er’s wife didn’t budge. “She must move out.”

Gu Laoyezi shook a trembling finger at her. “You… you… you don’t even listen to me anymore!”

Catching sight of her beloved second son, she burst into tears. “Lao’er, look at your good wife!”

Lately, the household had been chaotic, and both son and daughter-in-law were resentful. Xing’er had been walking around every day with that insolent, everyone-owes-me expression—even Gu Ershu, who usually tolerated her well, was growing weary. Having this niece move out would only make him feel relieved.

“Xing’er really is out of line,” said Gu Ershu, siding with his wife.

Gu Laoyezi was stunned. “Lao’er!”

Gu Ershu, knowing his mother favored him over the niece, wore a wounded expression on his wrinkled face. “Mother, since Xing’er came, we’ve argued every day. I haven’t slept a wink at night. If this keeps up, your coffin might as well be mine.”

At this, Gu Laoyezi spat three times quickly, her eyes filled with sorrow. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Gu Ershu still played the filial son. “I didn’t want to burden you.”

The old woman’s gaze grew even more tender.

“Fine then. Xing’er is grown now. You’re just her uncle—let the eldest family handle her affairs.”

Gu Er’s wife exhaled in relief.

Finally, that household disruptor was gone!!

The several daughters-in-law of the second branch nearly wept.

The daughters-in-law of the second branch nearly burst into tears.

So terribly hard!

Gu Xing’er wasn’t even human.

She wasn’t even a proper little aunt, yet acted like one—she was clearly mentally ill.

Thinking of Huang Xiulan, Zhao Liuniang, and Lin Zhao, their eyes grew even more resentful.

They were living comfortably, while all the pressure fell on them.

The team leader had offered a solution, but Xing’er stubbornly refused to leave, thinking running away would solve everything—until the beaten female sent-down youth actually reported her to the Public Security Bureau.

When the officers arrived to arrest her, the sixteen-year-old girl, for the first time, knew what fear was—her face turned deathly pale, her head felt like it had been struck with a mallet, and she bolted.

When the police came to the village to arrest someone, the sixteen-year-old girl felt fear for the first time, turning pale as death, her head reeling as if struck by a mallet, and she spun around and ran.

Xing’er, panicked and desperate, ran into the pigpen. The skinny pigs inside were eating—when suddenly a two-legged creature appeared, they thought she was coming to steal their food and charged straight at her.

Gu Xing’er fled in panic into the pigpen, where the emaciated pigs were eating; unaware of the sudden appearance of a two-legged beast, they thought she had come to steal their food and charged straight at her.

Xing’er tripped and landed squarely in the feeding trough.

Seeing their food bowl smashed, the three pigs grew furious and kept charging at her relentlessly.

“Quick, help her!” Gu Mu cried out. After all, she was born from her own body—she couldn’t just watch her get trampled by pigs.

Gu Yuanshan and Gu Yucheng swiftly grabbed her and pulled her out.

In this era, pig-raising had no technique; the pigpen wasn’t cleaned in time, and the stench made your head spin.

At this moment, Xing’er was sitting in pig slop, her cloth shoes caked in pig dung, her body reeking of an unbearable odor.

After rescuing her, even though they knew she was their sister, the two brothers recoiled in disgust.

At that moment, the two officers stepped forward, expressionless. “We received a report that you assaulted someone without cause. Please come with us.”

Xing’er naturally didn’t surrender—she tried to run again, but the two officers blocked her path.

“Running won’t help,” said the young officer, his face stern with righteous authority.

Xing’er stamped her foot, screaming in despair. “Look at me now—still want to arrest me?!”

The officer was oddly humorous. He smiled slightly. “No choice. As officers, we must act on every report. Even if you fell into a vat of boiling oil, we’d have to fish you out with chopsticks and take you away.”

The policeman, also possessing a sense of humor, smiled faintly, “Then there’s nothing to be done—as police, we must respond to every report. Even if you fall into a vat of hot oil, we’ll have to fish you out with chopsticks and take you away.”

In the end, she was taken away.

The incident spread quickly through the entire team, becoming the biggest gossip.

On the other side,

Lin Zhao was riding with the two children when they met villagers. The younger boy’s eyes curled upward as he waved enthusiastically at everyone.

Lin Zhao was driving the two boys along the road when they met villagers; the second boy tilted his eyes upward, waving incessantly to greet everyone they passed.

“Auntie, eaten yet?”

“Grandma, my mom is taking me and my brother to visit my eldest aunt.”

“Auntie, my mother took me and my brother to my aunt’s place.”