Chapter 100: Educated Youth Who Abandoned His Wife and Child – 31

But why did that female comrade’s father lie to him?

He even said that his own daughter had poor grades and that taking the National College Entrance Examination was just nonsense.

For a moment, he couldn’t help but overthink it, and conspiracy theories started swirling in his mind.

He then gave Brigade Leader Su a meaningful look. Could this man still be stuck in the old feudal ways, thinking that women shouldn’t be educated?

Was that why he tried every possible way to stop this female comrade from registering?

Tsk tsk tsk, and he’s a brigade leader too—how did someone with such backward thinking get elected?

The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. He gave a light cough and said to Brigade Leader Su, “Comrade, I must say a few words to you. You’re a brigade leader—you can’t keep holding onto such outdated ideas. This is a new era. Women should be independent and self-reliant. Of course they have the right to study and better themselves.”

Brigade Leader Su: “……”

He could hear it loud and clear—Director Li was throwing shade at him, right? Right?!

How could he explain it so that Director Li would believe him? It really wasn’t that he didn’t want Mingyue to go to College!

He honestly didn’t even know when his daughter became so scholarly…

“No, I swear I’ve never had that kind of thought. This is the kind of blessing that makes the ancestors’ graves smoke with fortune! How could I possibly think something so ridiculous?”

Brigade Leader Su rushed to explain, not even stopping to think. “My daughter only graduated from junior high before. Who would’ve thought she’d actually get into college?”

“Really?” Director Li still looked doubtful.

“Really!” Brigade Leader Su’s eyes were firm, as if he had summoned every ounce of conviction he had in his life.

After finally placating the still-skeptical Director Li, he turned his head and ground out through clenched teeth: “I. Want. An. Ex. Pla. Na. Tion!”

Sensing danger, Su Mingyue instantly shoved Shen Xiuyan forward and then looked up at the sky, pretending none of it concerned her.

Shen Xiuyan rubbed his nose. That’s truly my wife—when trouble hits, every bird for itself, huh.

He looked innocent. “I told you, didn’t I? That Mingyue had a good shot at college. You just didn’t believe it.”

Seeing the growing storm on Brigade Leader Su’s face, he quickly went on the offensive.

“Besides, we studied together for over a year. You knew that. Mingyue worked so hard—why would you still think she had bad grades? I’m just saying, maybe you need to reflect on yourself. You don’t even believe in your own daughter!”

At that, Su Mingyue perked up. She popped her little head out from behind Shen Xiuyan and chimed in, “Yeah, reflect on yourself!”

Brigade Leader Su: “……”

He was utterly speechless, overwhelmed on all sides.

Director Li had been watching all this and finally understood—so the brigade leader really didn’t know his daughter’s usual academic performance…

Is there really such an unreliable father in the world???

Perhaps sensing his awkwardness, Director Li stood up and said, “I’ll take a walk around the village. You all go on talking, take your time…”

A village cadre jumped in, “Come, I’ll show you around.”

Brigade Leader Su: “……”

Good grief. He’d forgotten there were two outsiders here.

Director Li was fine, but that blabbermouth Old Niutou—this humiliating incident would probably be all over the team by tomorrow.

Sob.

His daughter got into college, and yet he felt too ashamed to face anyone. Who else had it this rough?
Out in the fields, Liu Yanyun wiped the sweat off her forehead.

Where was the father of her child? Didn’t he say he was just going home for a drink of water and then coming back?

Don’t tell her he was slacking off again!

Just as she was wondering how to give Brigade Leader Su a lecture when he showed up, she heard an incredulous voice beside her.

“Yanyun, your family’s had such big news—why haven’t you gone home yet?”

Liu Yanyun looked puzzled. “What happened at my house?”

“Ah?” The person was surprised. “You don’t know? Shen Xiuyan and Mingyue both got into college!”

“What!!” Liu Yanyun jumped to her feet and bolted, not even bothering to pick up the hoe at her feet.

The onlooker shouted after her, “Yanyun, your hoe!”

Another person pulled them back. “Forget it. Let her go. I’ll return the hoe later.”

“Alright,” the first person laughed. “Such a big event, and she’s the last one to know.”

“Exactly. The news is all over the village.”

“Of course. Those two got into such prestigious College. Can you imagine how smart Shen Xiuyan must be?”

“He’s definitely not like us. Didn’t he even tutor his wife into college?”

“Seriously! Who would’ve thought he’d take a village girl and help her get into such a top university? She’ll be making at least dozens of yuan a month once she’s out!”

“Dozens? That’s nothing! I heard Shen Xiuyan gets a subsidy for college. It’s this much every month.” She held up her fingers to show.

“Hiss—what kind of luck does the Su family have? They really hit the jackpot.”

“And now that Mingyue got into college, she can move to the city too. Otherwise, the paperwork to move would’ve been a nightmare.”

“Ugh, makes me mad. Why didn’t Shen Xiuyan fall for my daughter instead? Then we’d be the ones with this good fortune.”

“Haha! You’re dreaming. He didn’t even go for Huaizi—you think he’d go for your girl?”

“True enough…”

Behind a tree, Huaizi was eavesdropping. She stomped her foot in frustration.

She cursed Su Mingyue every day—so why was Su Mingyue only getting better and better?

Going to college…

Moving to the city…

These were things she didn’t even dare to dream about.
Director Li stayed the night, and the next day, he eagerly brought the two fully-packed youths to the train station bound for City B.

It was Su Mingyue’s first time traveling far. On the swaying train, everything was new and exciting to her.

She was like a little bird newly let out of a cage, chirping non-stop to Shen Xiuyan.

Shen Xiuyan listened with a gentle smile, showing no sign of impatience.

The girl sitting across from them watched them with eyes full of envy.

Eventually, Su Mingyue got tired of talking. Her little mouth finally stopped. Shen Xiuyan, ever considerate, picked up the tea mug from the table and handed it to her.

Su Mingyue took a big gulp and rubbed her belly. “Xiuyan-ge, are you hungry?”

Shen Xiuyan wasn’t really hungry, but he could tell that his wife was—and was too shy to say so.

So he quickly nodded. “Now that you mention it, I do feel a bit hungry. Why don’t we eat?”

“Okay!”

Shen Xiuyan got up and took down the bundle from the overhead rack. He pulled out some flatbreads that his mother-in-law had packed and placed them on the table.

Then he picked up the tea mug again. “Wait here, I’ll go get some water.”

“Okay.” Su Mingyue nodded sweetly.

Once he left, the girl who had been watching them finally spoke up.

“That’s your husband, right? He’s so good to you.”

So handsome, caring, and patient too. He was exactly the kind of man she dreamed of marrying.

Su Mingyue blushed and nodded.

The girl wasn’t shy at all. Seeing she got a response, she grinned and extended her hand. “I’m Zhang Chunfang. I’m heading to City B for college too.”

Su Mingyue’s eyes lit up. “What a coincidence—we’re going to City B for college too!”

“Really?” Zhang Chunfang feigned excitement—she’d already overheard it earlier, otherwise she wouldn’t have spoken up. “Which College are you going to?”

Su Mingyue smiled shyly. “Q University.”

Zhang Chunfang grew even more excited, a hint of calculation flashing through her eyes. “What a coincidence—we really are fated. I’m also heading to Q University to register.”

Perhaps it was because they were going to the same College, or maybe it was due to Zhang Chunfang’s deliberate friendliness, but the two of them gradually struck up a lively conversation.

By the time Shen Xiuyan returned, they were still chatting nonstop.

With a puzzled expression, Shen Xiuyan set down the enamel tea mug and the takeout food she’d brought back.