Chapter 72: Educated Youth Who Abandoned His Wife and Child – 3

Just how many good things did the original host’s family send him?

Setting aside all those messy ration coupons, just this two hundred yuan alone was already a huge sum.

Probably not many households in this entire village could come up with that kind of money.

He inadvertently glanced at the wristwatch on his arm again.

Shen Xiuyan: “…”

Good grief, this wastrel!

He even spent money on a watch—just this watch alone must be worth a hundred yuan.

Tsk tsk tsk, although the original host came to the countryside in his brother’s place, it really wasn’t a loss at all.

But now all this money belonged to him. He couldn’t go on squandering like the original host did.

After all, he still had a wife to support in the future. Now that he had found Mingyue again, he couldn’t let her keep living a hard life.

Thinking that, he couldn’t help but feel proud.

Heh heh, in this lifetime, he had more money than Mingyue.

Finally, he didn’t have to live off a woman anymore.

Proud.

He finally stood tall again!

Shen “Stands Tall Now” Xiuyan quickly bundled up the money in his hand again.

Feeling that the original hiding place wasn’t secure enough, he found a safer spot to stash it.

And once that was done, his thoughts once again uncontrollably drifted to Mingyue.

After being apart for several hundred years, it was hard not to get emotional upon seeing her again.

He happily imagined their future life together in vivid detail.

The next day.

As soon as Shen Xiuyan got up, he eagerly ran off to work in the fields.

Not because he was hardworking—but because that’s where he could see Su Mingyue.

The Brigade Leader working in the fields was surprised to see Shen Xiuyan coming over. Usually, every time he fainted, didn’t he always need three to five days of rest before coming back?

What happened this time?

Did the sun rise in the west?

Though thinking this, he still walked over and asked with concern, “Comrade Shen, don’t push yourself if you’re not well. If you’re feeling unwell, go lie down. A few days won’t make a difference.”

After all, Shen Xiuyan had left quite the impression on everyone.

As soon as the Brigade Leader said this, a few people nearby also nodded in agreement.

Shen Xiuyan smiled and said, “No need, I feel much better now.”

While the Brigade Leader was nearby, Shen Xiuyan took the chance to size him up carefully.

And then he realized something…

Holy crap, wasn’t this his old father-in-law from before?!

Just a lot darker, and a lot skinnier—no wonder he hadn’t recognized him during their first meeting yesterday.

How nice…

Father-in-law was still Father-in-law. Shen Xiuyan couldn’t help but smile.

Su Dazhuang was a little startled by that smile. What a hardworking, enduring young man. His body might not be strong, but his resolve was something they should all learn from.

But learning was one thing—his duty as Brigade Leader was still to caution him. “Still, that won’t do. Your body’s already weak. You’ve barely rested a day, and you’re already back in the fields. What if you faint again?”

Shen Xiuyan caught a glimpse of Mingyue working hard nearby. After thinking for a moment, he decided he could head to the county Supply and Marketing Cooperative in the afternoon. He could buy some things to help her recover.

Look how skinny his wife was—like a poor little thing.

So he smiled and said, “Alright, I’ll just work for a bit. I’ll head back in the afternoon.”

“Ah, that’s more like it.” Su Dazhuang was satisfied and turned back to his work.

Once he left, Shen Xiuyan threw himself into labor.

Given the original host’s frail body, this could count as exercise.

If he stayed this weak, how would he protect his wife in the future?

The morning flew by, and soon it was almost lunchtime.

Shen Xiuyan wiped the sweat from his forehead, then pretended to be hard at work, gradually edging closer to Su Mingyue.

As he passed by her, he whispered, “Mingyue, I’m going to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative this afternoon. After you finish your work, come meet me at the back mountain. I’ll bring something nice for you.”

Su Mingyue was stunned at first, then shook her head.

Although Shen Xiuyan was a city educated youth and didn’t seem short on money, this was the first time he offered to buy her something.

Of course, she didn’t lack for anything. The thought alone was enough.

She looked around and, seeing no one watching, quietly replied, “You don’t need to bring me anything. Just buy what you need.”

Shen Xiuyan waved her off like he hadn’t heard, “I’m going now. Don’t forget to meet me at the back mountain this afternoon.”

Su Mingyue had just opened her mouth to stop him when suddenly the Brigade Leader’s voice called from behind, “Mingyue, what are you doing? Your mom says it’s time to go home for lunch.”

“Coming, Dad.” Su Mingyue jumped, quickly turning around to respond.

As the two walked home, Su Dazhuang asked curiously, “What were you talking about with Comrade Shen just now?”

Su Mingyue panicked. She thought no one had noticed them, but her dad had seen everything.

She quickly made up a little lie. “Comrade Shen was asking about some things related to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.”

Su Dazhuang didn’t find anything suspicious and just nodded in understanding.

But then he noticed his daughter’s sun-darkened face blushing bright red in the sunlight and teased, “Why are you blushing just because I mentioned Comrade Shen?”

Su Mingyue touched her face nervously and stammered, “It’s… the sunburn…”

Su Dazhuang laughed heartily. “I know what sunburn looks like. I’m just teasing you.”

Then suddenly something clicked. “Wait, no. Why are you so flustered?”

“Don’t tell me you’re like those other village girls, secretly crushing on Comrade Shen?!”

“That’s not a good match, listen to your father. Sure, he’s good-looking, but he’s weak as a chick, can’t even earn Work Points. How’s he going to support a family? You don’t marry a man just because he’s pretty—you need someone capable.”

“And look at him, with that pretty-boy face, attracting all sorts of butterflies. Could you even feel secure marrying someone like that?!”

“Dad! What nonsense are you saying?” Su Mingyue cut him off.

Though her dad’s words made sense, she didn’t hear a single thing he said—her heart was thumping wildly just from hearing the word “marry.”

Marriage, huh…

Could she really marry Brother Shen?

Su Dazhuang saw she was upset and realized he may have gone too far, so he tried to walk it back.

“You’re right—look at how dark you are, like a lump of coal. How could Comrade Shen possibly fancy you? There are so many pretty girls in the village, and loads of pretty city educated youth too. Unless he’s blind, he wouldn’t pick you.”

Su Mingyue: “…”

The more Su Dazhuang spoke, the more reasonable he felt his argument was.

Just his daughter having a crush meant nothing. Marriage required two willing hearts. No matter how much she liked him, it was just a dream.

With that thought, he was instantly reassured.

Su Dazhuang hummed a tune as he walked ahead, completely ignoring the look on Su Mingyue’s face behind him.

Su Mingyue followed guiltily behind her father’s back.

Although… what if… maybe…

Educated Youth Shen must really be blind—he actually likes her…

Though, admittedly, it was a little hard to believe…

Still, it was a relief that her father wasn’t pressing the issue any further. If he kept asking, she really wouldn’t know how to explain herself.

She let out a long breath and slowly followed behind the smugly triumphant Brigade Leader Su.

———————

In China, a Supply and Marketing Cooperative (供销合作社) is a state-backed rural organization that helps farmers by supplying agricultural goods (like seeds and fertilizer) and selling their produce. First established in the 1950s, they were key to the planned economy, declined after reforms, but have recently been revived to support rural development and modern agriculture.