RYEY – Chapter 97 The Most Honest Man

When she boarded the train, she didn’t know that her mother had reported Cheng Liguo; she still thought Cheng Liguo had found out that they had deceived Cheng Qiao and deliberately made her suffer here.

“Cheng Liguo, you really are biased! When Cheng Qiao went to the countryside, you gave her five hundred yuan and various vouchers. But when I went, you didn’t give me a single thing, and I even called you ‘Dad’ for six years. Ugh!”

Wang Qin angrily tossed her luggage onto the bed, pieced together from a few wooden planks, and took out the wallet she had made to start counting her money. She needed to hire someone to fix the woodshed, which would require spending money.

The educated youth allowance had given her two hundred yuan, her mother gave her another two hundred, and she had previously swindled about three hundred yuan from Cheng Qiao. But she had been reckless with her spending; now she had only about five hundred yuan left.

She was a little short on vouchers, but her mother had already bought most of what she needed in Huizhou. There were plenty of things, too many to carry herself, and her mother said she would mail the rest later.

Oh no, she had switched her educated youth allowance. Her mother probably didn’t know yet. What if those things were sent to the far northwest? No, she had to write her a letter.

Wang Qin rummaged through her luggage for paper and pen and started writing, including the local address. Then she hurried out to ask someone where the post office was.

Zhang Yuefang happened to be going out to collect firewood. Seeing Wang Qin stop her to ask for directions to the post office, she snorted coldly and sarcastically told her it was in the county town, more than an hour away.

Hearing that the post office was in the county town, at least an hour away on foot, Wang Qin felt disappointed. So far! Fine, she’d go tomorrow. Today, she would first find someone to repair the woodshed and build a kang (heated brick bed); otherwise, winter would be unbearable.

Who could she get to do this? Right, Cheng Qiao, or Xu Laidi—either her sister or her friend—both would definitely help.

“Han Chunmei, right? Is my sister Cheng Qiao here?”

Han Chunmei was just about to go to the toilet when Wang Qin stopped her. Upon hearing she wanted to see Cheng Qiao, her face darkened. These past few days, the village had been buzzing about how Cheng Qiao’s stepmother and stepsister were trying to sabotage her.

“Cheng Qiao is married and doesn’t live here.”

“Ah, married to whom?”

“To the worst rascal in Xiangyang Village.”

Wang Qin’s heart leapt, but thinking she was Cheng Qiao’s older sister, she quickly restrained her expression. She wanted to investigate further, but Han Chunmei had already noticed the brief flicker of surprise in her eyes.

Sure enough, the stepmother and stepsister were not good people. She quickly walked past Wang Qin, unwilling to discuss such matters while holding in her bodily needs.

Wang Qin was stunned. Why had she left before she even finished speaking? Looking around, the courtyard was quiet; it seemed that most educated youth were nowhere to be seen. Where had everyone gone?

A cough came from the male dormitory. Curiosity piqued, Wang Qin hurried over and saw a man half-leaning against the wall on the bunk, coughing continuously.

“Do you want some water?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Wang Qin stepped into the male dormitory, saw a hot water flask on the table, and quickly grabbed a cup to pour water for Chai Jianmin.

Her eyes quickly scanned him. He was under a thick, brand-new quilt, and his complexion looked good—he seemed to be in decent conditions.

“Why aren’t you getting up?”

“My leg is broken, so I’m recuperating.”

“What a pity. Will it affect your work points?”

“No, the village even awarded me points. I got injured serving the public.”

Ah, so Cheng Liguo, her stepfather, had also been injured and retired, and had received plenty of money from the authorities. This man must be similar, Wang Qin’s heart stirred.

After drinking the hot water, Chai Jianmin indeed looked much better. He glanced at Wang Qin and, seeing that she bore no resemblance to Cheng Qiao, realized they weren’t related by blood.

“You are Cheng Qiao’s sister.”

“Yes. How is my sister doing now?”

“Not very well. I heard she was sent to the hospital. If you want to see her, you can go to the county hospital or visit Xu Laidi. She’s married too—married to the most honest man in our village, Chen Dazhu, living near the small grove at the village entrance.”

Wang Qin’s eyes lit up. She had been looking for Xu Laidi. She thanked him quickly and headed to the woodshed. After not seeing someone for a long time, it was customary to at least give a polite gesture when asking for help.

Chai Jianmin watched Wang Qin’s back, squinted, and then closed his eyes, seemingly deep in thought.

After searching through her luggage, Wang Qin finally bit the bullet and took out half a catty (about 250g) of brown sugar. That would be enough; she couldn’t afford to give more.

Guided by memory, she arrived at the small grove. Indeed, there was a courtyard ahead, though it looked quite simple. It seemed Xu Laidi’s husband was honest but probably poor.

Half a catty of brown sugar was sufficient; more would be a waste. Wang Qin approached lightly and knocked on the door.

“Who are you?”

“Hello, is Xu Laidi here? I’m a good friend from Huizhou and came to the countryside, so I wanted to see her.”

The door creaked open. Chen Dazhu’s eyes fixed on Wang Qin. Though this young girl wasn’t as pretty as Cheng Qiao, her skin was smooth and delicate, far more appealing than Xu Laidi.

“Xu Laidi just woke up. Come in.”

Wang Qin frowned slightly. What time is it, and she’s only just waking up? That male educated youth was right—Xu Laidi’s husband really was the most honest man in the village, or else why would he tolerate her so much?

“Xu Laidi, someone from your hometown is here to see you.”

Chen Dazhu pushed open the room door and called out to the lump curled under the quilt. The lump moved, revealing a messy-haired, pale-faced woman.

Wang Qin stared at the familiar yet strange face in shock. Xu Laidi, though not conventionally beautiful, had the demeanor of a city girl.

How had she changed so much in less than a year? Then what about Cheng Qiao? She had heard that Cheng Qiao’s husband was even worse than Xu Laidi’s.

Thinking of this, Wang Qin smiled. She glanced at the cool, indifferent Xu Laidi, unsure whether to step in or back away—awkward tension filled the room.

Chen Dazhu took it all in, turned to leave, but his eyes couldn’t help lingering on Wang Qin’s figure, his mind beginning to wander.

“Why did you come to the countryside?”

Xu Laidi’s throat was hoarse. She never imagined a man could become so perverse when enraged. Now, apart from her face, there was almost nothing attractive about her body.

“Why are you still in bed? No wonder people at the educated youth site said your husband is the most honest man in the village.”