RYEY -Chapter 253 A Heart Seeking Death

“Qian Longkun, Zhao Xiaobao, since they are your younger sisters, I won’t say much. But right now, in the eyes of the villagers, we educated youths are as detested as pests.”

Everyone nodded heavily. People often say one rotten apple spoils the whole barrel, but in their case, three “rotten apples” had appeared in the youth settlement—it was almost unbelievable.

Gan Longxin and Zhao Xiaobei also felt unprecedented pressure. But under the eaves, people had to bow; they could do nothing except work hard.

Even so, not a single villager approached them—on the contrary, everyone kept their distance. Gan Longxin grew anxious and suggested going to see Cheng Qiao, but Zhao Xiaobei refused.

The truth was, when Zhao Guoliang went up the mountain to chop firewood, he couldn’t help but reveal his relationship with Cheng Qiao. Upon learning that Cheng Qiao was actually Zhao Min’s daughter, Zhao Xiaobao dared not go find her.

It is said money should be spent wisely, and familial and social ties are even more precious. Simple relationships should not be complicated; complicated matters must be simplified. Small matters need not be begged for; major ones depend on circumstances.

Although Qian Longkun had already helped relocate people from Xiangqian Village, without Li Huan’s signed approval, their younger sisters still could not enter Xiangyang Village. So, in reality, Cheng Qiao was already helping.

The first thing Zhao Xiaobao said to Zhao Xiaobei was: “If it’s nothing, don’t go to Cheng Qiao. If it’s something, definitely don’t go to her. She already has two kids and can’t handle herself.”

Zhao Xiaobei didn’t fully understand her twin brother’s meaning, but she always followed Zhao Xiaobao’s instructions. Since he said not to go, she didn’t.

Days passed quietly, until one night, Cuihua knocked on Cheng Qiao’s door in the dead of night. Only then did they realize Zhang Yuefang was on the verge of starving herself to death.

Cheng Qiao handed the child over to Li Huan and followed Cuihua to the Chen family. Zhang Yuefang’s door had been smashed open by Chen Weidang. Under the dim kerosene lamp, seeing Zhang Yuefang’s haggard face, Cheng Qiao could hardly believe her eyes.

“Auntie, quickly bring a bowl of warm water.”

Cuihua hurriedly brought a bowl. Cheng Qiao turned, replaced the water with well water from her space, and force-fed it to Zhang Yuefang.

Zhang Yuefang drifted into a drowsy sleep. She saw a mist ahead, and behind it, a deep gray city looming, half-hidden.

She felt curious—what place was this? She quickened her pace toward the mist, but no matter how she walked, the city seemed always distant, yet somehow close.

Just as she grew anxious, a spring of water entered her body. Her vision went black, and when she opened her eyes, she was back under the dim kerosene lamp, with Cheng Qiao’s beautiful eyes anxiously watching her.

“Cheng Qiao, how did you come here?”

Memories instantly returned. She realized her plan to starve herself had failed. Had she known this, she might as well have hanged herself with a belt.

“The world is so big, how can your heart be so small, so small it can’t even hold yourself?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, if you have the courage to starve yourself, why not the courage to live? Is there anything in this world more difficult than death?”

“I…”

“Auntie Cuihua, could you step out for a while? I want to speak to Yuefang privately.”

Cuihua was already scared out of her wits. She had never imagined Zhang Yuefang could be so extreme. Originally, she had only been looking out for Da Mao, but daily hardship could have been eased by living separately.

Unexpectedly, good intentions led to trouble. If Da Mao knew what she had done would push Zhang Yuefang to the brink of death, judging by his temper, he probably would never come back home again.

“Yuefang, has Da Mao changed his heart?”

With the door closed, Cheng Qiao asked.

Zhang Yuefang hesitated. She didn’t know if Da Mao would ever change, but for now, he hadn’t—though perhaps soon he might.

“Cheng Qiao, I suddenly regret marrying Da Mao. We have no spiritual resonance, and I have no ability to be a good wife.”

“What do you want to do?”

“I want to return to the city, but I can’t enter that home. I want to make it on my own, but I don’t have the ability. I feel like a child who hasn’t grown up, incapable of self-reliance.”

Cheng Qiao lowered her head. It was 1973—three more years until the college entrance exams. Should she hint at this to Zhang Yuefang? But what if she were suspected?

Finally, Cheng Qiao cleared her throat and whispered a few words in Zhang Yuefang’s ear. Zhang Yuefang’s eyes suddenly shone with dazzling light.

“Cheng Qiao, you… really?”

“I don’t know if it’s really true. My father just told me this.”

Sorry, Dad. I have to “sell” you. After all, it’s just hearsay; the truth will reveal itself in a few years.

“Cheng Qiao, I want a divorce. I want to return to the youth settlement.”

“Are you sure you want a divorce? Life here is better than at the youth settlement; at least no one disturbs you.”

“But…”

Zhang Yuefang could not finish her sentence. Proposing a divorce now would anger the villagers and make her life harder.

But if she stayed here—working by day, studying by night—and if Da Mao had an affair at school, she could then use it as a reason to request a divorce.

Having considered her retreat plan, Zhang Yuefang brushed aside her previous desire to die. She rubbed her stomach, feeling empty, and blushed.

Cheng Qiao brought a basket containing sponge cakes, egg rolls, and a jar of malted milk. Seeing these, Zhang Yuefang hugged Cheng Qiao instinctively.

“Cheng Qiao, I will make sure to be a kind person from now on.”

Cheng Qiao nodded. When she had just been reborn, she was relatively weak. Without Han Chunmei and Zhang Yuefang, she probably could not have dealt with Xu Laidi and Chai Jianmin on her own.

So, because Han Chunmei and Zhang Yuefang had extended a hand of kindness to her in the past, she would also offer a lifeline when they reached despair.

After eating some snacks, Zhang Yuefang drank another bowl of well water. Her spirits were much better, and she felt guilty toward Cuihua for the trouble she had caused. Her mother-in-law had even sweetened the water.

Cheng Qiao had no idea Cuihua took credit for the well water, but even if she knew, she would nod in agreement. Auntie Cuihua wasn’t a bad person—just impatient.

Two days later, Zhang Yuefang’s complexion had mostly recovered. She approached Cuihua and Chen Weidang, apologizing for her narrow-minded thinking and promising to work diligently in the fields.

Chen Weidang’s favorite trait was admitting mistakes. Zhang Yuefang’s apology clearly improved his mood, and he even began to consider assigning her as the village’s scorekeeper.