RIRW – Chapter 68

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Although Zuo Dan was very curious about who Shen Yiming’s vicious dog was, Shen Yiming kept his mouth shut about it. He refused to tell her until the dog was fully trained.

Alright, some things had to remain a secret. Zuo Dan didn’t push any further, not wanting to seem overly inquisitive. She believed her mind was sharp enough and decided to let things unfold over time. However, she was still very curious. According to his grandmother, Wei Guohua was serving as a deputy minister in a provincial department. Although the department he oversaw wasn’t exactly a powerful one, his rank was still quite high. Shen Yiming’s current status was a far cry from Wei Guohua’s, and she couldn’t help but wonder how he planned to deal with the situation.

Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming had only returned to visit their family. Zuo Dan was still the accountant for her team and couldn’t stay out too long. Although Shen Yiming was no longer considered a “sent-down youth” from Zuojiatun, there were still matters to be handled before he could leave. Once everything was sorted, he would be returning to the provincial military district’s newspaper.

After breakfast, Zuo Dan suggested going out for a walk. They had booked a bus at 10 a.m., so they still had time.

Once they stepped outside, Zuo Dan asked Shen Yiming to take her to the provincial high school.

“What do you want to do there?” Shen Yiming asked while riding his bicycle.

“Of course, I’m doing a good deed. I’m leaving soon, and who knows when I’ll be back, so I have to leave people with something to remember me by.” Zuo Dan smiled cheerfully.

Shen Yiming stopped his bike near the high school. Zuo Dan didn’t want him to follow her inside, worried that he might be a hindrance.

“Wait for me. I’ll be back once I’m done.” She said, then walked off. Shen Yiming stood by the bicycle, watching her cross the street and approach the school gate. She spoke briefly with the security guard, and then the guard went off to call someone. Soon, two people from the Wei family appeared.

Shen Yiming smiled when he saw this. He crossed his arms and looked up at the sky.

Meanwhile, Zuo Dan had already started talking to Wei Xiaohong and Wei Xiaojun. When they saw her, they didn’t initially want to talk to her. However, after hearing what Zuo Dan had to say, they hesitated.

“Honestly, no matter what, Yiming is still a Shen, and everything he inherits comes from the Shen family. All these years, he’s never taken a single grain of rice from your Wei family. But you, your sister, she doesn’t even have the Wei family name. And now, not only does she take up the quota, but she’ll also take a share of your family’s dowry. That’s something you’ll lose out on in the future. I don’t really want to interfere, but you know, in rural areas, we value kinship. I’m Yiming’s partner, so I have to look out for you two. I can’t let you suffer.” Zuo Dan spoke with the innocent demeanor of a simple village woman.

Wei Xiaohong and Wei Xiaojun were moved by her words. They had never thought about these things before, but now that they considered it, it made sense. Why was it that, even though they were both children of the Wei family, Shen Yiming hadn’t grown up with them? Why was it that Wei Jingren, their older sister, had been treated so well? If she weren’t around, everything in the house would belong to them. There would be no need for the quota to go to her.

Zuo Dan sighed, “I’m about to leave, and I can’t help but worry about you two. You should be more careful. Your mother definitely favors your older sister. Her real father is her first husband, and she surely loves her biological child more. The reason she’s kind to you two is to fool your father. If not, why would your sister, a child without a father, be living better than you two? Isn’t it because your mother favors her more?”

Wei Xiaohong pouted, “So what can we do? My dad said yesterday that he wants me and Xiaojun to go to the countryside.”

Wei Xiaojun looked angry.

Zuo Dan said, “What can you do? Unless your sister goes to the countryside… Forget it, I won’t say anymore. I have to go back to my hometown. You two better figure it out yourselves.” Without waiting for their response, she casually walked off, as if she didn’t care whether they believed her words.

When Shen Yiming saw her walking back, he smiled and got on his bike. “All done?”

Zuo Dan hopped onto the backseat of the bike. “It was as easy as pie. I figured it out yesterday. They’re just spoiled kids, not as clever as their mother or sister, and they’re selfish. I just planted a seed in their minds. Let their family stir up some trouble for a while.”

With just a few words, she could make this family’s life chaotic. She didn’t mind the trouble at all.

Zuo Dan wasn’t someone who liked to cause trouble, but the things the Wei family was doing were so disgusting that she couldn’t help but stand up for herself. If it weren’t for the Wei family sending Shen Yiming away to the countryside, she wouldn’t have been continuously tricked by that old fox. The anger she had endured because of Shen Yiming had to be repaid to the Wei family.

After having a quick meal at home, the two of them packed their bags and set off.

Grandmother knew that Shen Yiming would be coming back in a few days and didn’t feel much sadness about him leaving. What made her feel reluctant was Zuo Dan.

Though they hadn’t spent much time together, Zuo Dan was the kind of child who was easy to like, and it was no surprise that the elders would miss her. Grandmother really liked this smart child. Thinking back, Shen Yiming’s mother had also been a smart child, doing well at her job and even more successful than Wei Guohua at the time. The only mistake she made was marrying a fool like Wei Guohua. Grandmother often thought that if only she had chosen a more intelligent son-in-law, even though her daughter wasn’t around anymore, her grandson wouldn’t have had to suffer so much when he was young. A child born under difficult circumstances with poor health — how foolish it was to believe in such nonsense.

Grandmother personally saw Zuo Dan and Shen Yiming off to the bus station, her eyes red as she said, “Dandan, if you ever have time, remember to write to your grandmother. I can read and write. Don’t worry, once Yiming returns, I’ll make sure to keep a close eye on him and not let him associate with other comrades. Even if you don’t miss him at home, don’t forget your grandmother.”

Hearing the emotional words from the elderly woman, Zuo Dan could only reply, “Don’t worry, Grandma, I’ll definitely write. And I’ll come back to visit you when I have time.”

“You’re such a good and filial child. I haven’t misjudged you,” Grandmother said, reaching out to give Zuo Dan a hug.

“I’ve never seen Teacher Zhao so upset. It’s so touching,” Song Gang, surprisingly, was wiping away tears as well, which left Zuo Dan almost speechless.

Where did Shen Yiming find such a sincere friend?

Even after they boarded the bus, Grandmother and Song Gang stayed outside, waving at them as they left. Watching this, Zuo Dan felt her heart stirred, a little emotional.

After the bus started moving, Zuo Dan looked at Shen Yiming and said, “Shen Yiming, I won’t be this sad when I send you back to the city.”

Shen Yiming seemed to be a bit fragile from the farewell just now. Looking at Zuo Dan, there was a hint of reluctance in his eyes. He reached out and tightly grasped her hand.

He whispered, “Zuo Dan, when we return to the village, I’ll teach you how to say New Year’s blessings.”

“…”

Back in the Wei family’s compound in the provincial capital, after school, Wei Xiaojun and Wei Xiaohong started causing a ruckus at home. They were both upset about Du Juan leaving Wei Jingren in the city. They refused to eat and just followed Du Juan out of spite.

Before, they had a decent relationship with Wei Jingren, after all, she was their only older sister, and she had always looked after them. They had subconsciously viewed Wei Jingren as their biological sister, with no difference. But after Zuo Dan had analyzed everything so carefully, they started to overthink things. No matter how close Wei Jingren was to them, she wasn’t their biological sister. Strictly speaking, Wei Jingren didn’t even share the Wei family name. So why should she take the quota to stay in the city, a benefit meant for Wei family children?

Spoiled children don’t often think about high-minded ideas like mutual respect among family members. If something belongs to them, they feel entitled to it.

Wei Jingren didn’t expect her younger siblings to suddenly change their attitude toward her. They no longer respected her as their older sister and began showing her disdain, even questioning why she was staying in the city.

Faced with their questions, Wei Jingren couldn’t find the words to respond and could only lower her head and cry. This was something Du Juan had taught her — just cry when something happens, and her new father would shower her with love.

Unfortunately, today, Wei Guohua was eating at the work unit’s cafeteria and hadn’t come home. Apart from Du Juan, no one cared about her.

Du Juan said, “You two shouldn’t go too far. I’ll find a way to handle the matter of staying in the city.”

Unfortunately, the two children didn’t believe it. They even specifically went to ask the teacher. Only one child from a family can stay in the city. Both of them thought the quota should belong to them.

Wei Xiaohong pouted and said, “Only if you cry can you stay in the city.”

“Exactly, the cuckoo’s chicks are the smartest,” Wei Xiaojun muttered. He had remembered that saying for a long time.

Du Juan, who had been sulking, became enraged when she heard Wei Xiaojun’s words. She immediately walked over and slapped him. “Try saying that again!”

Wei Xiaojun, who had never been slapped like that before, was furious, his eyes turning red. “You’re biased, you’re so biased!” After shouting, he ran off.

Wei Xiaohong, seeing this, also huffed heavily and followed him.

When Du Juan saw them run off, she was so angry that she clutched her chest. Wei Jingren hurried over to support her.

Zuo Dan had no idea that the trap she set would work so quickly. The bumpy ride had made her start feeling carsick again, dizzy and faint.

Shen Yiming, who had apparently learned something, said that pinching the webbing between the thumb and index finger could relieve motion sickness. He had been doing that for her throughout the journey. If it hadn’t made her feel a little better, she might have thought Shen Yiming was deliberately taking revenge on her.

Finally, when they arrived in the provincial capital, they quickly switched to another vehicle to head back to Dahe Commune.

By the time they arrived at the town, it was already dark.

No one knew they were coming back today, so naturally, no one was there to pick them up. In the past, they always had a car, but now they had to walk back.

Fortunately, they didn’t have too many things with them. Besides the clothes Zuo Dan had brought for herself, the only other things were gifts for the Zuo family. Shen Yiming had left his luggage in the provincial capital. Everything was in one bag, which Shen Yiming carried. Zuo Dan walked empty-handed, feeling a little weary. Anyone who had been in a car for seven or eight hours on bumpy roads would be exhausted.

Looking at the long road ahead, Zuo Dan sighed deeply, “Shen Yiming, do you know, when I used to return from the county town with my uncle, he would always carry me back. He said, even though he wasn’t strong, he couldn’t let his niece suffer. I miss my uncle so much.”

Shen Yiming: …

Slinging the bag over his shoulder, Shen Yiming crouched down in front of Zuo Dan, resigned to his fate.

Zuo Dan was shocked. “Shen Yiming, what are you doing? How can I let you carry me? You’ve had a hard time too.”

Shen Yiming turned around and smiled at her. “Comrade Zuo Dan, are you sure you want to keep being polite?”

Without further ado, Zuo Dan laid down on Shen Yiming’s back, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Well, since Comrade Yiming is being so polite, I can’t disappoint you.”

Although Shen Yiming’s physique couldn’t be called muscular, he was tall and lean with muscle. Carrying Zuo Dan, a girl around 1.6 meters tall, was effortless for him.

Whenever they encountered someone on the road, Zuo Dan would shout, “I don’t think my foot’s broken, but I should go back to the village and have someone take a look.”

Oh, her foot was injured, no wonder she needed someone to carry her.

Passersby weren’t surprised.

“Shen Yiming, are you tired? If it’s too much for you, just say so, don’t push yourself.”

“…”

“Shen Yiming, I have a feeling the road ahead won’t be too long. Hang in there. If it gets too much, just tell me.”

“…”

“Zuo Dan, if you speak again, I’ll throw you into the cornfield,” Shen Yiming said through gritted teeth.

Zuo Dan immediately stopped talking. Unable to speak, she just looked at the sky. She remembered long ago, when she was still a naive young girl, she had once imagined a tall, handsome prince carrying her across the world. She never thought it would come true. The only regret was that the person carrying her was Shen Yiming, this black-hearted guy. Sigh, she could only make do with it. As she relaxed, Zuo Dan began to feel her eyelids getting heavy. Because she had been so tired earlier, she soon drifted off into a light nap.

Hearing the slight snoring from behind, Shen Yiming curved his lips into a smile. His pace slowed down.

When Zuo Dan woke up, they had already reached her home. She hadn’t expected that Shen Yiming would actually carry her all the way back.

It was rare; Shen Yiming had actually been serious for once. Zuo Dan almost felt touched by this first time.

They knocked on the door, and soon, Zuo Dacheng opened it. He was so happy to see them return. But Shen Yiming just delivered the things and didn’t stay long at the Zuo family home, saying he didn’t want to disturb their rest. Zuo Dan looked at his tired back, feeling a bit guilty. Shen Yiming must have really been exhausted this time.

Once Shen Yiming left, Li Hui pulled Zuo Dan aside to ask about the Shen family, mainly about how they treated Zuo Dan.

Zuo Dan couldn’t lie about how good her grandmother had been, so she honestly told them about how she had been treated when she visited the Shen family. Li Hui and Zuo Dacheng were very pleased. Shen Yiming had already scored a perfect 100 in their hearts, and now he earned an additional ten points. They weren’t worried about him becoming arrogant.

When Shen Yiming returned to the Zuo village, everyone knew he was no longer an intellectual youth. His return was likely because of Zuo Dan, so he stayed for a few extra days.

After returning, Shen Yiming didn’t need to work in the fields. He spent his days with Zuo Dan, helping her organize the old account books and straighten out the work.

The day before Shen Yiming was to leave, he brought some books to the office to find Zuo Dan.

“These are the books I studied before. You’re self-studying high school courses, right? Study well,” he said.

Zuo Dan glanced at them. The books were neatly organized, and there were notes all over them. It was rare for a boy to take such detailed notes. She didn’t know why, but looking at these books, she felt a little sad. She hadn’t noticed before, but now she was starting to feel the sting of parting.

Shen Yiming said seriously, “Zuo Dan, you have to study well. If you do, you’ll have a chance to go to the city later.” He knew Zuo Dan would never be content staying idle at home. When she went to the city, he would have to find a way to arrange work for her.

“Mm-hmm, I’ll remember,” Zuo Dan nodded. She was preparing to become a top student and attend a prestigious school.

Shen Yiming tugged on her braid, lowering his voice. “Zuo Dan, do you remember the New Year’s blessing I told you about before? I’m worried that when I leave, I won’t get a chance to say it to you this year. So I’ll say it now.”

“…” Here we go again! Zuo Dan glared at him.

“Zuo Dan, I love you,” Shen Yiming said, looking directly at her.

Zuo Dan was stunned and didn’t respond, looking as though she didn’t understand. Those words—she remembered them. She just pretended to be clueless, playing dumb, acting like she didn’t get it…

Shen Yiming bent down. “Zuo Dan, I know you understood. You’re so smart, how could you not understand? I know you always think I’m unreliable, but I’ve really kept you in my heart.”

Zuo Dan: … What is he trying to do all of a sudden?

“Shen Yiming, why are you suddenly being so dramatic? I’ve got goosebumps all over,” Zuo Dan said, rubbing her arms.

Shen Yiming looked worried. “Tomorrow, there’ll definitely be a lot of people to send me off. There are some things I can’t say. But I’m afraid that after I leave, you, this ungrateful little person, will forget about me. Zuo Dan, I love you. Remember this and don’t forget. I’m waiting for the day when you can say that to me too.”

Zuo Dan nervously swallowed. What should she say? She couldn’t say anything. This guy was trying to charm her before he left.

After thinking for a moment, she decided not to make it too easy for him, so she tugged on Shen Yiming’s clothes. “Come on, come on, I’ll say it to you.”

Shen Yiming lowered his head.

Zuo Dan opened her mouth and bit him on the lips! Take that for being all sentimental and trying to charm me!