Chapter 110: Zhang Dagang’s Night

Several girls spotted Han Li under the tree from afar. Yang Xiuying asked with surprise, "Han Li, don’t you usually rush straight home after work? What’s going on today?"

Han Li replied, "We’re supposed to have dinner at the Youth Worker's Courtyard tonight. I’m just seeing what everyone plans to do."

He Mi, with a look of disdain, said, "I wasn’t keen on going at first, but it’s not good to lose face. I’ll just trade with some villagers for a few eggs to bring along."

He Mi’s attitude toward Wei Chunlan seemed a bit off, but it was all personal matters anyway.

Before Yang Xiuying could ask more, Hao Hongmin tugged at her and smiled, "Though she’s annoying and we don’t interact much, since we were all sent down together, we’re thinking the same as He Mi—just bring a few eggs to keep up appearances."

As Hao Hongmin spoke, the Yun sisters arrived.

"Everyone’s bringing eggs, so we’ll do the same," Yun Yingying said.

Yang Xiuying asked, "What about Han Li? What are you planning? Eggs too?"

Han Li chuckled, "Everyone knows I have plenty of wild produce from the mountains. I’ll bring some dried mushrooms for her."

"You’re just bringing mushrooms? Isn’t that a bit insincere?"

"Ancient people sent a goose’s feather from a thousand miles away. Bringing some mushrooms is already quite generous."

He Mi quickly chimed in, "Then I’ll bring some mushrooms too. After Wei Chunlan leaves, she might not get to eat them again."

Yang Xiuying thought that made some sense and looked toward Hao Hongmin.

But Hao Hongmin shook her head slightly, and Yang Xiuying held back what she was about to say.

Just as they neared the village entrance, Yun Yingying suddenly said, "Sister, you go trade for eggs with the others. I’ll help Han Li pick mushrooms so he doesn’t give away all the best ones."

Yun Jingjing was reluctant but couldn’t object at this moment.

"Alright, once we finish trading eggs, we’ll come to Han Li’s house to find you," He Mi said, seemingly catching something from their words. Her face darkened briefly before returning to normal.

As Yun Yingying followed Han Li inside, she was suddenly lifted into his arms.

As everyone knows, kissing is a way for couples to deepen their feelings.

It’s the most direct expression of affection between lovers.

Because kissing is so close, both can hear each other’s heartbeat.

While kissing Yun Yingying, Han Li’s hands searched for somewhere to hold on.

"Han Li, stop for a moment. My sister is coming over. She said we can talk alone but must keep some distance. If she sees this, she’ll scold me later."

Han Li said, "Sorry, but you can’t blame me. It’s your fault for suddenly growing into my heart. Being alone with you makes my heart race wildly. I only want to hold you tight."

"Really?"

"Of course. What I say is sworn by heaven and earth."

"But my sister..."

"We just won’t let her see."

Yun Yingying’s heart fluttered just then a voice called from outside.

"Han Li, are you in the room?"

"Cough, cough, I’m here."

"Yun Jingjing said we shouldn’t bring the same kind of mushrooms. She asked me to come help you pick."

Han Li gritted his teeth, saying, "Heh, well, I really appreciate her concern."

Yun Yingying smiled softly nearby. Since arriving, Qi Zhaodi hadn’t left and was busy picking good mushrooms for Han Li.

When leaving, she tried to take Yun Yingying with her, but Yun Yingying was reluctant.

Qi Zhaodi explained, "Your sister said male youths can arrive a little late, but the female youths need to get there early to help. After I finish picking mushrooms, I’ll take you with me."

Han Li said, "Alright, I’ll go with you guys. There’s nothing to do at home anyway."

Meanwhile, the Youth Worker’s Courtyard had already started to get lively. The youths brought some of their own provisions.

Everyone who could lend a hand was busy—chopping firewood, boiling water, slaughtering chickens, kneading dough.

No matter their old relationships, since Wei Chunlan was leaving tomorrow, everyone wanted to leave a good impression on the last day.

Of course, having a meat dish was most important. Compared to the chicken already slaughtered for Wei Chunlan, the temptation was even greater.

At the courtyard, once the chicken was stewed in the pot, everyone took turns saying blessings to Wei Chunlan.

Whether sincere or not, Han Li noticed Wei Chunlan seemed to enjoy this treatment.

Han Li sat nearby chatting with Sun Yong and others about common topics.

No one mentioned the excess quota, so though the atmosphere was a bit stiff, at least there were no awkward silences.

Yun Yingying was kept close by her sister, sitting with the other girls around Wei Chunlan, chatting.

The farewell dinner that night was modest. There was only one chicken in the pot, so each person got two or three small pieces.

The rest was vegetables, and everyone had three corn cakes.

Han Li didn’t know if others were full, but he certainly wasn’t.

Perhaps it was due to his large amount of physical activity. As he thought about what to eat once home, he noticed several people adding hot water to their bowls when the food was half eaten.

This refilled the bowl but diluted the taste.

They called it broth, saying you have to drink the soup when eating chicken because all the nutrients are in the soup.

Everyone made the best of the situation, finding joy in adversity.

Under their influence, even Han Li added water and drank a bowl of so-called broth.

It did fill his stomach, but not satisfy hunger—after a trip to the toilet, it was all gone.

After eating, everyone left the courtyard together. Not far from the door, Yang Xiuying complained.

"Hongmin, we should have brought mushrooms like everyone else. Look, Wei Chunlan collected all the eggs and didn’t spare a single one."

Hao Hongmin replied, "Once the gifts are given, it’s none of our business. How she uses them is her own affair. It’s not worth quarreling over."

"If this happens again next time, we’ll bring dried mushrooms, too. Look, Han Li and He Mi are smarter—they must have thought of this."

Han Li turned around and said, "Don’t spread rumors. As youths sent down together, not going would be inappropriate. I don’t want to get too involved with Wei Chunlan, so bringing mushrooms was just my way of showing attitude. There’s none of the messy scheming you imagine."

He Mi nodded, agreeing with Han Li.

"But..."

Hao Hongmin pulled Yang Xiuying aside again, saying, "Everyone has their own choice. There’s no ‘but’."

By then, they had reached their doorstep and naturally parted ways.

Han Li wanted to invite the Yun sisters over to chat, but Yun Jingjing greeted them briefly, then took her sister home.

Only Han Li and He Mi remained. Han Li suddenly remembered something and said to He Mi.

"Oh right, didn’t you say you’d have Qi Zhaodi live with you? It’s best to have her move in soon. The village will be getting another group of youths soon, so moving now is better than later."

"Yeah, I’ll tell her tomorrow. Well, I’ll head back first."

"Alright, rest early."

Meanwhile, Zhang Dagang’s home situation was far from good.

His wife kept asking why, after returning from the commune yesterday, he had to work in the fields today.

Was there something going on? Had he been stripped of his accountant position?

Women’s intuition, especially from a wife sharing a bed for years, was sharp.

Zhang Dagang was frustrated by her questions and spent the whole day worrying about how to explain it to their clan.

If he couldn’t find a good excuse, the clan would definitely cause trouble.

If they stirred up trouble, the village head Zhao Shengli and team leader Liang Ziqiang would have to intervene.

Then their family wouldn’t be able to hold their heads high in the village, and their children couldn’t speak of good in-laws.

So, he ignored his wife’s words, lost his temper, and stormed out.

Once outside, he realized he had no suitable reason, so he squatted by the river smoking.

He deeply regretted it. If there were a regret pill in the world, he would sell everything to buy one.

Seeing her husband like this, Zhang Dagang’s wife became more certain something was wrong.

She had overheard too many strange things today, things that had never happened before.

So she went out to find Village Head Zhao. When he wasn’t home, she went to Team Leader Liang’s.

Neither were there. She couldn’t find Zhang Dagang either.

She comforted herself that the three must be drinking together.

They had often done so before, sometimes all night, so there was no need to worry.

As for her husband working in the fields today, it was probably a whim.

Even so, she tossed and turned on the kang bed, unable to sleep, feeling uneasy.

She eventually drifted off, waking only when the village bell rang.

Reaching for the lamp, she was startled to find Zhang Dagang squatting on the floor.

His eyes bloodshot, clearly sleepless all night.

"What’s wrong? Did you drink too much last night?"

He didn’t respond, so she quickly put on clothes and shoes to help him.

That’s when she sensed something was seriously wrong.

Thanks to: Illusion, Missing You for the 1500 points tip.

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(End of chapter)