RYEY – Chapter 27 The Fight

The next morning, just as the sky began to brighten, everyone at the educated youth spot got up. While most gathered by the well to wash up, Xiaoping and Xiaoqin went to the kitchen to prepare both breakfast and lunch.

Since the autumn harvest had to be rushed, starting from today no one would be able to come back for lunch. Families who could send food would do so, while those without would have to bring their own.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the gate of the educated youth spot. Jiang Guangrong hurried over to open it, guessing that it must be that rascal coming to deliver the betrothal gifts.

“Er—no, Li Huan, please, please come in…”

“Mom, Cheng Qiao lives here. Let’s go inside.”

“Yes, let’s.”

Hearing the voices, Cheng Qiao was already standing in the courtyard, with Han Chunmei and Zhang Yuefang by her side. They all watched as Li Huan walked in, arms full of large bundles.

“Girl, yesterday I asked Aunt Wang to bring up the marriage proposal. She said you agreed, so today I’m here to deliver the betrothal gifts. I was thinking of holding the wedding after the grain distribution. How about that?”

“Auntie, I’ll follow your arrangements.”

“Eh, Comrade Cheng, this is the bride price my brother prepared for you—a bicycle!”

Li Le pushed in a bicycle, and on its back seat were also items meant for Cheng Qiao’s dowry.

Cheng Qiao’s heart skipped a beat. Wasn’t that bicycle borrowed? How did it suddenly become a betrothal gift? But now wasn’t the time to ask—she would have to wait until she was alone with Li Huan.

Qian Longkun was already nodding inside. This Li Huan seemed to be sincere about marrying Cheng Qiao. Two hundred yuan in cash was no small sum, and now he had even added a valuable bicycle.

Han Chunmei and the others stayed quiet. Yesterday, Aunt Wang hadn’t mentioned cloth, rice, pork—or a bicycle. No wonder they had been dissatisfied.

“Cheng Qiao, your face is already scarred. How can you accept so many things from the Li family? Don’t tell me you used some shameless trick?”

Although Xu Laidi was glad that Cheng Qiao was marrying that rascal, seeing him bring out so many betrothal gifts made her unbearably jealous.

Wait—how could a poor rascal possibly afford a bicycle? Could it be stolen? No…probably borrowed. Thinking of this, Xu Laidi puffed out her flat chest, preparing to mock Cheng Qiao further.

But Cheng Qiao had reached her limit. There was no need to endure anymore. Xu Laidi had repeatedly tried to ruin her reputation—if she didn’t beat her into a pig’s head, she wouldn’t be surnamed Cheng.

She turned and slapped Xu Laidi’s sallow face hard—once, then again, her palm stinging from the force.

Caught off guard, Xu Laidi was stunned by the two slaps before Cheng Qiao grabbed her hair and yanked it down with all her might—front first, then back.

Xu Laidi wasn’t one to take it lying down. Enduring the pain, she clawed at Cheng Qiao’s face, several times nearly tearing off the bandage on her forehead. Li Huan grew anxious, dropped the bundles, and was about to rush in to help.

Han Chunmei and Zhang Yuefang also prepared to intervene, but before they could move, a figure darted in like the wind. A firewood stick swung down hard on Xu Laidi’s back and buttocks.

“Lele…”

Mother Li screamed in fright. Village women fighting was common enough, but young girls almost never fought—it left a reputation for being too fierce and unruly.

Only then did Cheng Qiao see clearly—the one helping her was Li Huan’s younger sister, Li Le. She quickly pulled Li Le behind her, snatched the stick from her hands, and rained blows down on Xu Laidi without pause.

“Ahh…Cheng Qiao, you lunatic! Ahh…I was wrong, stop hitting me! Ahh…it hurts, I’m dying! Help, someone, murder!”

The educated youths had never seen Cheng Qiao like this before. Even since her rebirth, this was the first time she had been so emotional. Li Le’s appearance had reminded her of her past life.

In her previous life, Li Le had been truly good to her—always sneaking her food and even helping raise her child. But after her child was drowned, Li Le, consumed by guilt, became somewhat simple-minded.

Later she married the most honest man in the village, Chen Dazhu. Cheng Qiao had thought he would treat her kindly, but in the end, Li Le died under his violence. Indirectly, Xu Laidi was the culprit who caused Li Le’s tragic end. Today, at least, she could collect some interest on Li Le’s behalf. Otherwise, she would feel unworthy of such a kind girl.

Mother Li, watching Cheng Qiao fiercely beating Xu Laidi, nodded in satisfaction. In Xiangyang Village, a woman who was too soft would only be bullied.

When she saw Cheng Qiao shielding Li Le, her smile deepened. A little sister-in-law protecting her sister-in-law, a sister-in-law protecting her little sister-in-law—such a daughter-in-law would surely bring harmony and prosperity to the household.

At last, Cheng Qiao stopped. Xu Laidi, battered all over, now looked at her in terror. This lunatic—what had possessed her to change so much, to become so violent?

“Auntie, I’ve received your betrothal gifts. But since there are thieves at the educated youth spot, it’s unsafe to leave things here. Please take them back and only bring them again the day before the wedding.”

As she spoke, Cheng Qiao glanced at Chai Jianmin and Xu Laidi. Mother Li instantly understood, smiling as she nodded. Li Huan, however, shook his head. The betrothal gifts weren’t just theirs—her dowry was here too.

“Cheng Qiao, there’s no reason to take back betrothal gifts once they’re given. Leave everything here. Let Lele help you count and register them. If anything’s missing by the wedding day, we’ll report it to the police.”

Chai Jianmin was furious, but since they hadn’t named him directly, he could only endure it. Xu Laidi shrank back—she had indeed thought about stealing something, but after Li Huan’s words, she didn’t dare act.

“Second Brother, why don’t we go to Uncle Niu’s and buy a big wooden chest? We can lock everything inside with a heavy padlock,” Li Le suggested, her eyes brightening.

Uncle Niu wasn’t only a cattle herder but also an excellent carpenter. In his spare time, he often made chests, kang tables, and wooden basins to trade for grain or money.

“Lele is so smart. I’ll go buy one right now. Cheng Qiao, lend me the bicycle—I’ll return it soon.”

Li Huan smiled, already planning to ask Uncle Niu to make a large wooden chest painted bright red. When the dowry was carried out on the wedding day, not only would it look festive, but it would also bring Cheng Qiao face.

“Wait, Li Huan—chests are part of the bride’s dowry. What’s it look like if a man goes to order one?” Cheng Qiao hurriedly called after him, blushing.

The male educated youths like Jiang Guangrong were dumbfounded. Cheng Qiao’s shy demeanor now seemed completely at odds with her ferocity just moments ago. They hadn’t recovered from the contrast.

The female educated youths like Han Chunmei also stared in a daze. It felt like they were dreaming. Cheng Qiao wasn’t even married yet—how could she be so domineering? But somehow, this was exactly the Cheng Qiao they liked.