Chapter 89: She Would Never Let Him Off Easily

The next morning, at dawn.

Liu Yan’er stepped out of the house, her eyes ringed with dark circles. After the unpleasant commotion at home last night, she hadn’t slept well at all. She didn’t want to stay there—it was too stifling.

As she walked, her feet unconsciously led her toward the wooden cabin at the back of the hill. She didn’t know why, but even though she’d only known Sister Dou for a few days, she felt an inexplicable warmth from her. Whenever something troubled her, she wanted to confide in her.

All the farm work was done, and today was a holiday, so Sister Dou should be at home. Halfway there, Liu Yan’er encountered a figure on the path.

“Yan’er, what a coincidence! Where are you off to?” Chen Guang appeared delighted, as though they’d just run into each other by chance.

“I’m going to see Lin, the educated youth,” Liu Yan’er replied, cold and a bit irritable. They’d only met twice—since when were they so familiar? Ever since Sister Dou had told her about Chen Guang’s character a few days ago, she’d taken a disliking to him.

Chen Guang was a bit baffled by her impatience. This wasn’t how he’d expected things to go. Just days ago, she’d been shy and bashful when they met; now, she’d suddenly changed. Still, some girls liked to play coy.

He didn’t dwell on it and said directly, “Yan’er, the county performing troupe is putting on a show in town at noon today—do you want to go? It’ll be lively.”

The county performing troupe? Liu Yan’er’s eyes lit up at that. She’d loved watching performances since childhood, always seeking out the bustle wherever there was an event. With her mood so gloomy these past days, going to town might be a good way to clear her mind.

“I’ll think about it. Thank you for letting me know,” she said. If she went, she’d go with Sister Dou—anyone else was out of the question.

Chen Guang smiled, “Don’t worry, several of us from the educated youth dormitory are going together—you’ll have company on the road.”

“Oh, then I’ll tell Sister Dou and have her come too,” Liu Yan’er responded.

Chen Guang’s face stiffened. He really didn’t want that crazy Lin Dou to join them. But he couldn’t refuse, lest Yan’er be displeased.

“Alright, let’s meet at the village entrance in a bit, okay?” he said.

Liu Yan’er nodded, “Alright.”

...

At the wooden cabin beyond the hill.

Lin Dou was chopping wood at the gate. Busy as she was, a clear voice rang out.

“Sister Dou! I’m here again!” Liu Yan’er ran up from afar, smiling brightly. Seeing the dark circles beneath her eyes, Lin Dou raised an eyebrow, “You didn’t sleep well again last night?”

A simple question brought tears to Liu Yan’er’s eyes. The girl’s mouth quivered, and without warning, tears began to flow. Large drops rolled down her cheeks, making her look utterly pitiful.

“What’s wrong? You look like a little crying kitten,” Lin Dou quickly pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped away her tears.

Treated so gently, the girl burst out in louder sobs, burying her head on Lin Dou’s shoulder as if all her grievances had finally found an outlet. She wept with abandon.

Even as her ears grew numb from the crying, Lin Dou didn’t push her away. She genuinely liked this innocent, adorable girl. Though they’d only known each other for a few days, it felt as though they’d been friends for years.

Truth be told, Liu Yan’er was the second friend she’d made in this era. The first, of course, was Zhou Qinglang, who had already left. She wondered how his eyes were now. In the letter he’d sent, he’d said his blindness was only temporary.

Meanwhile, on the vast grasslands.

Inside a Mongolian yurt, Zhou Qinglang was warming himself by the fire when he suddenly sneezed several times. His good friend, Xiao Kaile, chuckled, “Boss, is someone thinking about you?”

Zhou Qinglang glanced at the mutton soup by his side, the pungent aroma wafting to his nose. Lowering his dark eyes, he muttered with a sigh, “Perhaps I’m the one thinking of her…”

...

“Achoo! Achoo!” Lin Dou sneezed a few times for no apparent reason.

Liu Yan’er, who’d been crying loudly, immediately stopped and asked anxiously, “Sister Dou, are you alright? Did you catch a cold? Quick, drink some hot water!”

She deftly took an enamel cup from the cupboard, poured hot tea, and handed it over.

Lin Dou was both amused and exasperated. The girl acted as if she were at home.

“Thank you,” Lin Dou took a sip, then looked up at her, “Now, tell me, what happened?”

Liu Yan’er sniffled and began pouring out her grievances in a torrent.

Half an hour later.

Having heard her story, Lin Dou couldn’t help but burst out, “What kind of people are your sister-in-law’s family? They take advantage wherever they can, blinded by greed. And your brother—if I had a son like that, always favoring his wife over his family, I’d have thrown him out ages ago!”

Liu Yan’er’s eyes sparkled, “Sister Dou, I wish you were my mother.”

“Pfft!” Lin Dou spat out her hot water in surprise.

She’d only been making a comparison, but the girl took it seriously.

“Sister Dou, I was just joking…” Liu Yan’er scratched her head, embarrassed, “My mother’s actually pretty good to me. She already refused my sister-in-law, so I guess things are alright now.”

“Let’s hope so,” Lin Dou was less optimistic. With a sister-in-law as shrewd as hers, she doubted the trouble would end so easily. The brigade leader’s family was in for some drama.

“Oh, right! When I came to find you just now, I ran into that educated youth Chen Guang I mentioned before!” Liu Yan’er suddenly remembered and hurried to tell her.

Lin Dou frowned, “You mean, he invited you to see the performing troupe in town?”

Chen Guang, that scoundrel, seemed to have his sights set on Liu Yan’er. He just wouldn’t give up; even after nearly half a year in the countryside, he still wanted to find shortcuts.

“Yes, he said there’d be several other educated youths, so we’d have company,” Liu Yan’er shook Lin Dou’s arm, pleading, “Sister Dou, please come with me—we’ve never gone to town together!”

“Alright, I’ll come,” Lin Dou agreed.

Even if Liu Yan’er hadn’t come today, she’d planned to visit the town’s supply and marketing cooperative herself. Some things needed to be acquired aboveboard; she couldn’t always rely on her space.

After tidying up the house, Lin Dou and Liu Yan’er set out. Soon, they reached the village entrance.

Chen Guang saw them and hurried over with a smile, “You’re here—let’s be on our way.”

Lin Dou glanced behind him and raised an eyebrow, “Where are the others?”

Chen Guang’s expression didn’t change, “They said they’d come later and meet us in town. Let’s go ahead.”

Lin Dou smiled, “Alright, let’s go then.”

She was curious to see what medicine Chen Guang was selling in his gourd. If he dared to lay a hand on Liu Yan’er, she would certainly not let him off lightly!