RYEY – Chapter 43 Lost to Ten Jin of Cornmeal

“How about over by the little grove? I’ll give you an acre of land there. But you’ll have to clear it yourself. I won’t charge you land rent.”

At first, Chen Dazhu disliked the little grove for being too remote. But the moment he heard it was free, he eagerly nodded. Clearing a plot? That was nothing. Just two days of work for one acre.

“Alright. Chief, please come over to my place tonight.”

“Mm. You’ve got your eye on that educated youth, Xu Laidi, haven’t you? Let me warn you—she’s no good bird. Don’t you dare marry just for the sake of splitting off the family. You’ll only be harming yourself.”

“I understand. But I accidentally hugged her. I ought to take responsibility, shouldn’t I?”

The village head snorted. A hoodlum starting a bad trend, that’s what this was. Such matters would have to be strictly managed in the future. Otherwise, if anyone could just hug a woman and she’d have to marry him, what would Xiangyang Village become?

Word that Chen Dazhu had split from his family spread throughout the village overnight. Xu Laidi grew anxious—she knew he would come looking for her soon.

What she needed most was a man to stand in front of her. But who could she turn to? At the educated youths’ spot, aside from Chai Jianmin who would talk to her occasionally, the other three men ignored her completely.

“Chai Jianmin, I want to ask you a favor.”

“What is it?”

“Could you pretend to be in a relationship with me?”

“You’re worried that Chen Dazhu will come after you now that he’s separated, aren’t you? I can be your partner, but not pretending. It has to be real—with marriage as the goal.”

“This… alright, let’s try it first.”

No matter what, Chai Jianmin looked far better than Chen Dazhu. No, not just decent-looking—he was proper. At least he was a man of some learning, unlike Chen Dazhu, who couldn’t even read.

A few days later, Chen Dazhu strode excitedly into the educated youths’ compound. Entering the courtyard, he saw Xu Laidi at the well, washing clothes, while Chai Jianmin worked the water wheel.

They were chatting and laughing. What’s more, Xu Laidi was washing men’s clothes—clearly Chai Jianmin’s.

Chen Dazhu’s heart sank, but his gaze toward Xu Laidi was as warm as a spring breeze. Smiling broadly, he walked over and handed her a sack.

“Comrade Xu, I heard your food rations are running short. Here’s ten jin of cornmeal for you. Take it.”

Xu Laidi’s hands froze mid-wash. She glanced at the bag in his hand, then snuck a look at Chai Jianmin, torn inside.

Since getting into a relationship with Chai Jianmin, she didn’t want to keep surviving on one meal a day. But whenever she tried to dip into his grain bag at night, Chai Jianmin refused.

He had even rebuked her in front of all the other educated youths, saying they were only dating and not married yet—how could she expect him to feed her?

Xu Laidi regretted her rashness. But the words were already spoken, and she had been the one to beg Chai Jianmin for the relationship. It was too late to take it back.

Just as she was at a loss, Chen Dazhu appeared—offering ten jin of cornmeal at once. Cornmeal! That was fine grain.

“T-this… I can’t possibly accept it.”

“What’s there to be embarrassed about? That day, to keep you from being run over, I had no choice but to hug you. But I’ll take responsibility. When you’re willing to marry me, I’ll provide for you.”

Chen Dazhu pounded his chest and declared loudly. His words made Xu Laidi’s heart flutter. She looked at him seriously—he wasn’t bad-looking, at least he didn’t stink of sweat.

Chai Jianmin’s face darkened. He gave Xu Laidi—who was staring dazedly at Chen Dazhu—a shove. Maybe he pushed too hard, but she toppled to the ground.

Chen Dazhu rushed forward, scooped her up in his arms—and his thoughts immediately strayed, imagining the two of them lying together on a kang.

“Chai Jianmin, are you crazy? Why’d you push me?”

Xu Laidi’s shout snapped Chen Dazhu out of his fantasies. He cursed her inwardly for ruining the moment, but his eyes turned cold as he looked at Chai Jianmin.

Chai Jianmin had only meant to jolt her awake, remind her that he was the real boyfriend. But he had shoved too hard. Meeting Chen Dazhu’s vicious gaze, a chill ran down his spine. In those eyes, he saw the same hooligan streak as before—but this time, with a glint of killing intent.

“Ah—!”

Sure enough, his premonition came true. Chen Dazhu unleashed all his pent-up anger and frustration as violence, landing his fists on Chai Jianmin.

Chai Jianmin clutched his right eye, stumbling back until he collapsed onto the ground. Xu Laidi, watching Chen Dazhu stand up for her, felt a strange swell of pride.

Her beady eyes darted toward the women’s dorm, where a few female educated youths stood watching. She lifted her chin slightly, as if to say, See? I’ve got someone backing me up too.

“Sister Laidi, is this my future brother-in-law?”

Cheng Qiao suddenly giggled. Her words left Xu Laidi at a loss for a reply.

Chen Dazhu, his attention diverted, stopped punching and turned to her with a grin. Fishing out two candies from his pocket, he offered them.

“Comrade Cheng, you’ll soon be Li Huan’s wife. That makes you my sister-in-law, so here’s something sweet for you.”

A wave of disgust rose in Cheng Qiao’s chest. She didn’t know if it was the baby inside rebelling or just her own reaction, but Chen Dazhu was simply revolting.

“I haven’t married Li Huan yet. Even if I do, I won’t be your sister-in-law. Li Huan is not your younger brother.” With that, she shut the dorm door firmly and bolted it.

Chen Dazhu withdrew his gaze regretfully, then pulled Xu Laidi away from the compound. After giving away so much cornmeal, he needed to recoup something in return.

He dragged her to the small grove near the village entrance. Xu Laidi’s heart skipped a beat at the sight, and she looked around anxiously.

But at this hour, everyone was busy shelling corn for the public grain quota. No one had time to wander about. And with Chen Dazhu’s strength from years of farm work, resisting was futile.

“Laidi, look. This is the acre the chief gave me. I’ll work here every day. Once I’ve cleared the land, I’ll build us a house. Then we’ll have a home together.”

Xu Laidi stared at the grove, at a loss for words. So far from the village, clearing land, building a house—all that required money.

Wait. If Chen Dazhu could split from his family, apply for a homestead, and plan to build a house for marriage, then he must have money.

“Chen Dazhu, how much bride price can you give me?”