Chapter 73: Educated Youth Who Abandoned His Wife and Child – 4

Shen Xiuyan finally made it to the entrance of the Supply and Marketing Cooperative and patted his legs—this distance was way too far.

But since there was no transportation in the village, visits to the Cooperative were usually on a set schedule.

At those times, donkey carts or horse-drawn carriages would pick people up together, but since it was still a long way off, he had no choice but to walk there himself.

Sitting at the entrance, he began to wonder if he should buy a bicycle.

After resting enough, he stood up and went in.

Inside was bustling with activity, and the variety of goods wasn’t bad. The small room held all sorts of essentials—clothes, food, housing, and transportation.

First, Shen Xiuyan ambitiously went to look at the bicycles.

Good grief—130 yuan.

Thinking of his total savings of just over 200 yuan, he could only regretfully give up.

Then, with resentment, he looked at the watch on his wrist.

Hmph! Tui! Why did the original host buy such a flashy and impractical thing?

Wouldn’t a bicycle have been much more useful?

He moved on to another counter, intending to check out the cosmetics of this era.

He hadn’t missed the way Mingyue longed to have fairer skin yesterday. A man who loves his wife should, of course, meet her needs.

As expected, cosmetics in this era were the usual few types. After scanning everything, the only one he recognized was Snow Cream.

Though it was just a small, unimpressive bottle, the price was a hefty five yuan.

But for his wife, that was a small matter.

As he pondered whether to buy anything else, the saleswoman thought he was hesitating.

Looking at the man before her, she could instantly tell he was a sent-down youth—and one who wasn’t short on money.

After all, that wristwatch was quite eye-catching.

Their county was remote and poor. Although the Snow Cream didn’t require a ration coupon, the price was too steep.

It had been sitting on the shelf for a long time without selling. To close this sale, she put on a smile and approached.

“You’re buying this Snow Cream for your wife, right? Let me tell you, this is the newest model from Capital City. We only got one bottle in the whole store. If you want it, you’d better act fast—once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

Shen Xiuyan was delighted by the word “wife” and nodded. “Alright, I’ll take this one. I’ll pay now.”

“Great!” The saleswoman beamed.

She knew it! Her sharp eyes never failed her—this guy definitely had money.

Sigh. Spending five yuan like it’s nothing. Not only rich but also thoughtful. She really envied his wife.

Shen Xiuyan took the Snow Cream and strolled around again. He didn’t see anything else he wanted, but as he passed the fried twisted dough sticks stand, the rich aroma was irresistible. He ended up buying two.

At five cents each, it was hard not to be tempted.

After leaving the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, he headed to the nearby state-run restaurant.

He had planned to buy some meat to cook later, but since it was inconvenient to cook at the educated youth compound, it was better to buy ready-made dishes.

There were very few people in the restaurant—just a few scattered patrons, likely officials out on business.

Understandable. In this era, people barely had enough to eat—who had spare money or ration coupons to eat at a state-run restaurant?

Shen Xiuyan focused on the small blackboard menu. The options were limited: white rice for two cents a bowl, vegetables for five cents, and braised pork for ten cents.

He hadn’t seen prices like this in a long time. If only he could bring money from another world, he’d be the richest man in Dragon Country.

He walked up to the counter and took out his lunchboxes. “Hi, I’d like two portions of braised pork to go.”

“Alright.” The worker quickly packed the food and handed it over.

Shen Xiuyan handed over the meat coupons and cash.

Holding the steaming lunchboxes, he rushed away, afraid that if he were late, Mingyue would be waiting too long.

In a quiet corner behind the mountain, Su Mingyue sat idly.

There was no one around. Listening to the birds in the woods, she was lost in thought.

What exactly was her relationship with Brother Shen now?

Though his words yesterday clearly showed that he liked her…

He still hadn’t formally proposed they start a relationship.

If someone saw the two of them like this without an official label, it could ruin her reputation…

And what her father said at lunch did make some sense.

There were plenty of pretty girls in the village, so why would such a refined and gentle man like Brother Shen choose her?

The more Su Mingyue thought about it, the less confident she felt.

“Mingyue, have you been waiting long?” Shen Xiuyan’s voice rang out through the quiet woods.

Su Mingyue snapped out of her messy thoughts. “No, just a little while.”

“That’s good.” Shen Xiuyan, still catching his breath from walking fast, calmed himself and sat down beside her.

Then, he took out the lunchbox and motioned for her to open it.

The delicious aroma hit like a wave. Su Mingyue couldn’t help but swallow.

Inside the lunchbox, the braised pork looked rich and enticing—she stared, momentarily stunned.

It was a generous portion—this must have cost a lot.

Shen Xiuyan handed her chopsticks. “Mingyue, eat it while it’s hot. I ran all the way back, so it’s still warm.”

Su Mingyue shook her head and returned the lunchbox. “I can’t eat this. It’s too precious.”

The last time she had meat was during New Year’s, so she knew exactly how rare it was—and wouldn’t eat it so easily.

Shen Xiuyan firmly picked up a piece of meat and stuffed it into her mouth. As if he hadn’t seen her swallowing earlier.

“Why are you being polite with me? What’s mine is yours.”

Hearing that, Su Mingyue’s face turned crimson. She quickly chewed and swallowed the meat in her mouth, then asked, “Why don’t I need to be polite with you? What are we, exactly?”

As she spoke, she nervously poked her fingers together.

Shen Xiuyan let out a soft laugh, lifted her chin, and looked into her eyes with a smile.

He said, word by word, “Comrade Su Mingyue, I, Shen Xiuyan, like you and want to date you with the intention of marriage.”

Hearing the words she had longed for, Su Mingyue’s cheeks turned bright red—it wasn’t just her imagination after all.

Brother Shen did like her!

Her father must have misjudged him—serves him right!

Shyness wasn’t her personality. Though she was still embarrassed, she took a deep breath and looked up at Shen Xiuyan.

“I’m willing.”

The two exchanged a smile under the dappled shade of the trees, as if they had just sealed an important agreement.

Now that the feelings were out in the open, Shen Xiuyan handed her the lunchbox. “Now can you eat it?”

Su Mingyue gently nodded.

In this era, if a couple dated without unexpected circumstances, they were essentially on the road to marriage.

After all, dating without marriage in mind was considered messing around.

Su Mingyue ate several pieces in a row, her mouth bursting with the rich flavor of the meat, her eyes closing in blissful satisfaction.