I Can Support You

Shen Jianan raised his hoe and charged viciously at the Educated Youth who would not stop arguing. Li Jiaojiao was so frightened that she hurriedly leaped aside, her face deathly pale as she stared at him with trembling lips. Gu Yu and the others swiftly crowded around to restrain him.

"Jianan, don't be impulsive!"

"Shen! Stop right now!"

"Ahhh! Help!!"

Jiang Hongmei, meanwhile, panicked and braced herself on the ground with both hands, scrambling backward until she pressed against the ridge. Crying, she shouted, "Quick, quick, hold him back!!"

But unexpectedly, upon hearing everyone's cries, the youth not only failed to stop but moved even faster. He rushed before her and roared ferociously, "Watch me smash you to death!"

Everyone's faces changed. Just as they thought Jiang Hongmei was about to have her head smashed open, the hoe he had raised high suddenly came crashing down beside Lu Xiaoyue, who stood to her left.

Bang—

A clod of earth shattered at the blow, along with the Black Rat Snake that had crawled onto it, severed cleanly in two. Everyone present was left frozen by the sudden turn of events.

They stared blankly at the two twisting, struggling halves of the snake beside Lu Xiaoyue's feet. It took them a long while to realize that Shen Jianan had not been trying to hit anyone—he had been saving someone.

For a moment, their feelings were complicated. They thought that while the youth's tongue might be rather sharp, he had a kind heart when it truly mattered. Unlike Jiang Hongmei, who looked as though she treated everyone well but was really a sweet-mouthed, dagger-hearted white lotus.

Shen Jianan neither knew nor cared about their thoughts. He was currently panting hard, frantically calling out to that voice in his mind, wanting to confirm whether it had truly vanished.

"Hey! Are you still there?"

[...]

"Say something, coward?"

[...]

"Still breathing? Dead yet?"

[...]

Shen Jianan's eyes shifted slightly, and the heart that had been hanging high gradually settled. It seemed that the other party had truly disappeared along with that "buzzing" sound. Only... he did not know whether it was temporary or permanent.

But no matter what, this was good news. For the time being, neither he nor Gu Yu would suffer any further interference. As long as they hurried and got the new plot moving, that voice would not be able to do anything to them.

At that thought, he finally relaxed a little. He pulled his thoughts back and looked at everyone, only to find them surrounding him and calling out nonstop. Guilt immediately filled him, and he hurriedly spoke.

"I-I'm fine."

Seeing that he had finally come to his senses, Gu Yu breathed a sigh of relief. He reached out as if to steady him and asked, "Are you feeling unwell? Everyone was calling you, but you didn't react."

"Yeah! Shen."

Zhao Gang frowned, constantly looking the youth over. "You looked like a fool just now. I thought that snake had scared you stupid."

The corner of Shen Jianan's mouth twitched. He gave him a dry laugh and made up an excuse. "No. I didn't eat enough this morning. When I saw that snake, I got too nervous and rushed over too fiercely. I made such a commotion that I got a little dizzy."

Hearing this, Lu Xiaoyue hurriedly pulled half a sweet potato from her pocket and offered it to him with both hands. "Shen, have this. Thank you for saving me just now."

Then, with a sincere expression, she bowed to him before straightening up and saying, "When we were at the Educated Youth Station, I not only targeted you, but I also said a lot of bad things about you.

"I'm sorry. From now on, I'll make sure to correct myself. I won't gossip about people behind their backs anymore, whether it's you or anyone else."

Shen Jianan showed nothing on his face, but an idea suddenly occurred to him—one that could kill two birds with one stone, change both his and Gu Yu's fates, and keep them from worrying about being punished by the system.

He looked at Lu Xiaoyue, a faint smile curling his lips. "I did things wrong before too. As long as we talk it out, it's fine. We all came to the countryside to contribute to the country, so let's just get along well from now on."

"Mm!"

Seeing how magnanimous he was, Lu Xiaoyue's favorable impression of him grew another degree. She immediately pushed the sweet potato closer to him and said with an embarrassed smile, "This is an apology gift. It's a little shabby, but it comes from the heart."

"Alright, thank you."

Shen Jianan accepted it readily and slipped it into his pocket. Lu Xiaoyue was not displeased by this. She merely stepped aside to pick up her hoe, calling to her companions to continue working.

After that commotion, nobody had the mood to keep arguing with Jiang Hongmei. After all, they had all gone hungry before and knew that work points mattered more than quarrels.

Seeing the Educated Youth being so conscientious, the anger Zhao Gang and Zhao Hongjun had felt because of Jiang Hongmei lessened considerably. But when they saw her still sitting in the field and sobbing, their expressions turned ugly again. "What are you still sitting there like an idiot for? Do you want to keep delaying everyone from earning work points?"

Jiang Hongmei felt utterly wronged. She could not understand it at all. How had everyone changed in just one day? They no longer understood her or took her side; every last one of them was targeting her. A wave of sorrow suddenly welled up within her.

"I..."

"What do you mean, 'I'?"

Seeing her shed crocodile tears again, Zhao Hongjun snapped irritably, "You caused all of today's trouble. I'm telling you now: if you don't work properly from here on out and keep pestering Educated Youth Gu, I'll report your situation to the higher-ups."

Hearing that, Jiang Hongmei felt even worse. But she also knew that, for now, an arm could not twist a thigh, so she could only swallow all her grievances hard. "I-I understand."

Everyone was somewhat surprised at how cooperative she was. Usually, she was the one with the most grand principles and the greatest love of sophistry. But on second thought, they knew she had just angered the masses. If she still refused to behave, her days ahead would only grow harder.

Gu Yu cast her a cold glance. Knowing that after this incident, she would not come pester him again for the time being, he grabbed Shen Jianan and left. "Work."

"Oh, alright!"

The youth hurriedly picked up his hoe and followed behind him, asking as they walked, "Brother Gu, we wasted so much time today. Can we still earn full work points?"

Gu Yu nodded. "Don't worry, there's still time!"

After thinking about it, he turned back and looked at him. "Even if there isn't, I can support you."

After saying that, he released the youth's hand amid Shen Jianan's stunned gaze, strode straight ahead, and began working with all his strength.

Shen Jianan stood there blankly for a moment. For some reason, his cheeks reddened slightly. He quickly lowered his head, went to the other side, and began hoeing weeds as well.

Seeing how hardworking the two were, the villagers felt a sense of urgency. Without needing Zhao Hongjun to urge them, they scattered and got to work with vigor.

After all, there would always be time to watch a spectacle, but if they failed to earn work points, they would go hungry. For a while, only Jiang Hongmei remained sitting on the ground, staring wide-eyed at Zhao Gang and Zhao Hongjun while the two men were left with headaches and speechless frustration.

"Miss, are you still not getting up? Can't you see everyone is working? Are you trying to get special treatment?"

"No, no."

The moment Jiang Hongmei heard Zhao Gang trying to pin a label on her, she hurriedly stood up. Still unwilling, she glanced toward Gu Yu, only for a figure to block her view. She immediately met Zhao Hongjun's sharp eyes and shuddered in fright.

She quickly turned away, scrambling up the field ridge on all fours before silently returning to the plot assigned to her and lowering her head to weed. Only then did Zhao Gang and Zhao Hongjun withdraw their gazes. They looked at each other, then clasped their hands behind their backs and headed to their respective work areas.

The fields soon returned to their busy scene. Everyone worked hard for a while until it was time to clock out. Those who knew each other left in groups, shouldering their farm tools and chatting as they walked. The day's exhaustion gradually vanished amid laughter and conversation.

The instant the whistle blew, Gu Yu and Shen Jianan shot off like smoke. Anyone who did not know better would have thought they were hurrying off to be reincarnated! But for the first time, Jiang Hongmei understood plainly that the two of them were avoiding her. An indescribable resentment rose in her heart.

She straightened her back and stepped onto the ridge, looking at the people approaching in the distance. A flash of viciousness appeared in her eyes, only to disappear quickly, replaced by a look full of grievance and sorrow.

Zhao Jianguo came laughing and joking from the edge of the hollow with his childhood friends Zhao Daqiang and Zhao Changjiang, as well as several close villagers. Then he saw Jiang Hongmei standing on the ridge like a red-eyed rabbit, looking at him pitifully.

"Jianguo..."

That single call wound through countless turns. Zhao Jianguo's heart softened at once. He cursed himself for being cheap, yet he still could not stop himself from taking several steps forward. Standing below the ridge, he looked up at her. "What is it?"

When Jiang Hongmei heard him ask so gently, her eyes instantly grew hot. The mist rising in them made her beautiful almond-shaped eyes shine even brighter. The tear that fell along her cheek reflected brilliant colors in the sunlight before landing squarely in Zhao Jianguo's outstretched palm.

Pat!

The tiny sound rang out between them. Zhao Jianguo's heart, which had not been entirely firm or cold to begin with, melted into water in an instant. Looking at her, his gaze gradually turned infatuated. "What did you want to say?"

Jiang Hongmei's cheeks reddened slightly. "I want to..."

"What do you mean, 'you want to'!?"

Before she could finish, Zhao Daqiang rushed out and pointed at her as he cursed, "Don't you already have a fiancé? Why are you still pestering my brother? Do you really think you're some heavenly fairy and the whole world revolves around you?

"I'm telling you, Uncle Qiancheng is already looking for a match for Jianguo. Don't come pester him again, in case some girl gets ideas when she sees you. Do you hear me?"

His rapid-fire torrent of words left Jiang Hongmei thoroughly dazed. She froze where she stood, then looked at Zhao Jianguo in disbelief. "I-is what he said true?"

Zhao Jianguo's throat tightened. "Yes."

"Why?"

Jiang Hongmei's questioning words burst out. "Didn't you say that you would only marry someone you liked and would never enter into a blind marriage?"

"So what?"

Zhao Jianguo raised his voice in retort. "You know perfectly well who I like!"

He gritted his teeth and murmured, his eyes reddening. "Since she isn't willing, why should I keep throwing myself at her and making a fool of myself?

"Besides, there's nothing bad about a blind marriage. As long as the girl is understanding and virtuous, and I..."

In a fit of pique, he turned his face away. His voice unconsciously softened, carrying a trace of sorrow amid his grievance. "As long as I don't have to keep pressing a warm face against a cold backside!"

"Jianguo..."

Jiang Hongmei's body trembled slightly, and his words made her chest tighten without her realizing it. She had never expected this educated man to say something like that. It was truly too disappointing.

"Are you sure you want to marry someone with no foundation of affection?"

Zhao Jianguo opened his mouth, but in the end, he said nothing. Yet to Jiang Hongmei, that was an admission. Irritation churned in her heart. She drew in a pained breath, held back the urge to cry, and forced out an ugly smile. "Since you've made up your mind, I won't try to persuade you. Let me wish you happiness in advance."

Before she could finish speaking, tears began to fall. She hurriedly covered her mouth and ran away crying. But because she was moving too quickly, she stepped into empty air and fell from the upper ridge into the field.

"Hongmei!" Seeing her putting on a brave front, Zhao Jianguo's heart ached terribly. He hurried over to help her up, completely forgetting about being matched with another girl.

When Jiang Hongmei heard him call out to her, perhaps because she felt wronged or for some other reason, she immediately threw back her head and wailed. Her voice was so loud that people five li away could probably hear it, causing everyone in the fields to turn and look.

As luck would have it, everyone saw Zhao Jianguo rush toward her without a thought for himself. After the two went back and forth for ages with that melodramatic exchange of "I'll carry you" and "I don't want you to carry me," he carefully carried her on his back and headed toward the Educated Youth Station with a blissful expression.

"Looks like the old Zhao family will be hosting a wedding feast before long."

Jiang Hong, Zhao Dayou's wife, wore a broad smile, though inwardly she sneered. Beside her, Liu Juan'er looked at the retreating figures, pursed her lips, and shook her head. "Not necessarily! Until they enter the bridal chamber, there can still be twists and turns."

Several other women joined in after hearing them. "Tsk! Still, the eldest son of the secretary's family really is devoted!"

"Isn't that so? I heard yesterday that Educated Youth Jiang personally admitted Gu Yu was her fiancé. It made Jianguo so angry at the time. How come those two hooked up again the moment he turned around?"

"Ah! If the secretary finds out, he'll probably be furious to death. His own son is rushing to pick up a discarded shoe—his face will be utterly lost throughout Red Flag Commune!"

"Li Chunlan, you shameless piece of trash! What nonsense are you spouting? Who's picking up discarded shoes, and who's losing face?"

Qin Fengying's shrill voice sounded from behind them, frightening the women into crying out and turning around. They saw her rushing furiously toward them, with the brigade secretary Zhao Qiancheng following behind her, his face dark.

Cold sweat instantly broke out on everyone's heads. They inwardly thought, It's over. They had provoked this couple—especially Zhao Qiancheng. Not only they themselves, but likely their husbands and even their entire families would have a hard time ahead.

Wasn't Cheng Hu from their village a cautionary example?

Apricot Blossom Village had two major surnames: Zhao and Cheng. Many years ago, the Cheng branch had kept the Zhao Household firmly beneath its heel.

But after the incident involving the Cheng landlord's family—the family that had hanged themselves in the Half-Mountain Courtyard where Gu Yu and the others lived—they gradually declined.

Because of that incident, the Cheng branch was often singled out and targeted. After all, the landlord family was more or less related to them. They had grievances they could not voice, and in those years, when the environment was bad, they could only tuck their tails between their legs to survive.

Later, Zhao Qiancheng became the secretary, and his elder brother Zhao Manjiang became the director of a production workshop at the textile mill. The Zhao family gradually rose to prominence. With the earth-shaking reversal in status, the Cheng branch had even less room to survive.

Zhao Qiancheng was always finding excuses to deduct the Cheng branch's grain and work points. The same went for assigning jobs—wherever the work was hardest, that was where he sent them.

And because Cheng Hu was too forthright, repeatedly talking back in public to defend his clansmen, Zhao Qiancheng came to hate him.

During grain collection several years ago, it was Cheng Hu's turn to stand night watch. Someone pulled a sack over his head and beat him badly, smashing his left kneecap to pieces.

His father, Cheng Zhongmin, somehow got hold of a medicinal prescription and insisted on going into the mountains to gather herbs to treat his leg. But he never returned. When the villagers found him, he had already hanged himself from a tree.

The state of his corpse was so abnormal that even a fool would have known something was wrong. After all, no one who hanged himself would have two obvious ligature marks around his neck.

One ran vertically upward, while the other ran straight backward from the middle of his neck. This second mark was deep and wide, and some unknown object had cut through the flesh, with blood staining half his neck red.