Chapter 140: A Head-On Blow

After the girls inside the room chattered among themselves for a while, Hao Hongmin and the others set off for the educated youth compound first.

The Yun sisters needed to wash the bowls and tidy up Han Li's place before heading over.

As for Han Li, after finishing his meal, he ran off to find Zhang Xiangjun, feeling that he simply had to thank him for bringing him back the day before.

At that moment, Zhang Xiangjun was bitterly scrubbing a wok—the harsh reality of not being in a relationship.

Han Li used to be in the exact same boat, having to cook every single meal, scrub the wok, and wash the dishes himself, whether he felt like it or not.

However, all of that became a thing of the past the moment he announced his relationship with Yun Yingying. He no longer had to do any of those chores, and even his house and courtyard were kept cleaner and tidier than before.

Han Li first thanked Zhang Xiangjun, and before the other could even say "think nothing of it," he began to poke fun at him.

With a wry smile, Zhang Xiangjun said, "My friend, do you think I need to envy you? I've actually been betrothed back home for a long time. She's a grade below me. Unless some extraordinary opportunity allows her to stay in the city, she'll be sent down to Shanghe Village through connections next year."

Han Li asked in surprise, "You're actually in an arranged childhood betretrothal? Why didn't you ever mention it before?"

"Is there anything special to talk about regarding this? Besides, you never asked me."

Han Li: "Right, what on earth was the situation last night?"

Zhang Xiangjun: "What else could it be? People are always compliant after eating your food. In the end, aside from you getting completely plastered, everyone else agreed to cast their votes for Sun Yong."

Just as the two of them were chatting while sitting on the heated brick bed, Sun Yong walked in from outside.

"Hahahaha, it's even better that you're both here. Everyone needs to lend me a hand later on."

Han Li: "Captain Sun has more than enough seniority, and you're also the leader among our educated youths. I reckon this quota is definitely yours."

Sun Yong let out a couple of laughs upon hearing this, then turned to Han Li and said, "While I believe everyone's eyes are discerning, those female comrades might lean a bit more toward Jiang Xiaoli in their hearts. Comrade Han, can you help me do some work with your partner and her sister?"

Han Li thought to himself, I knew you were waiting right here. A bitter smile appeared on his face as he said, "Captain Sun, I can only promise to do my best on this matter; I have no absolute certainty that I can persuade the two sisters."

Sun Yong: "Come on, a big man like you can't possibly let them call the shots, can you?"

Han Li: "Captain Sun, we're only dating right now. How inappropriate would it be to forcefully boss her around? But don't you worry, once we get married in the future, I will definitely be the one who has the final say at home."

A herd of ten thousand alpacas stampeded across Sun Yong's mind, and he cursed inwardly, What does you being the final say in the future have to do with me? I need your help right now!

"Hehe, then Comrade Han just needs to do your best. As true, upright men, how can we ever let ourselves be suppressed by women?"

"Right, right, what you said is so true, Captain Sun. I'll go talk to Yun Yingying right away."

Sun Yong then found an excuse to go lobby the others. At this moment, Zhang Xiangjun chuckled from the side and said, "You do lack a bit of authority as the man of the house, but it's not too late to change now, otherwise your days ahead won't be easy."

Han Li: "Hehe, my level is something you'll never be able to catch up to. While you're still stuck on the horizon, my friend has already started soaring through the skies."

"Soaring in your dreams, you mean?"

The two of them exchanged playful banter back and forth on the brick bed until someone from the educated youth compound came to call everyone for a gathering.

When they arrived at the compound, the people inside were already standing in several distinct groups.

Standing next to Sun Yong were Xiong Xianjin, Zhou Guoan, and others, while Jiang Xiaoli was flanked by Qi Ruying, Yuan Hongying, and others.

Jiang Xiaoli, however, looked positively radiant today; her charm seemed to have increased by several notches out of nowhere.

The Yun sisters, Hao Hongmei's group, and He Mi's group had gathered together, outnumbering the other two factions.

As for Li Hongxia and another qualified veteran educated youth, they looked as though they had been abandoned, standing all alone on the side.

The voting hadn't even begun yet, but the lines had already been clearly drawn. The arrival of Han Li and Zhang Xiangjun immediately drew everyone's gaze, with some eager to see which side the two of them would join.

The two of them exchanged a glance and walked over to the side near Sun Yong.

Seeing this, a smile crept onto Sun Yong's face, and he cast a somewhat smug look at Jiang Xiaoli.

However, he failed to notice a flash of mockery in Jiang Xiaoli's eyes, which looked at Sun Yong as if he were an utter fool.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Sun Yong stepped forward just a step ahead of Jiang Xiaoli.

He brought up the matter of the recruitment quota, naming the four educated youths who met the qualifications.

Finally, he sang his own praises to the high heavens, recounting how he had worked without a complaint until being appointed as the educated youth leader by the village branch, and how deeply he cherished unity among comrades. All these words ultimately culminated in a single plea: he hoped everyone would cast their ballot for him.

The moment Sun Yong finished speaking, Xiong Xianjin, standing beside them, took the lead in cheering and applauding.

Jiang Xiaoli then stepped forward unhurriedly, calmly recounting her own background in a speech very similar in substance to Sun Yong's. As soon as she finished, Qi Ruying, Yuan Hongying, and their group took the lead in cheering and applauding.

At this point, Li Hongxia and the other veteran educated youth wore expressions of bitter sorrow, and almost simultaneously announced their decision to withdraw.

Because the two of them had finally come to their senses. Looking at where everyone was standing and recalling the applause just moments ago, it explained everything—the two of them were simply making up the numbers for show.

Right now, let alone a single quota, they wouldn't even get a share if there were two. To say they weren't hurting inside would be a complete lie.

Yet, it would be even more humiliating to reach the bitter end and receive zero votes. Rather than suffering that fate, announcing their withdrawal right now was far better.

This way, they could preserve a shred of dignity and also leave a favorable impression on the educated youths present, hoping that bit of goodwill might come in handy the next time a quota opened up.

Both Sun Yong and Jiang Xiaoli offered half-hearted, hypocritical attempts to urge them to stay, but the two bitter youths refused the gesture with wry smiles.

Sun Yong: "In that case, let's invite everyone to begin voting. The village branch is still waiting for word, and I hope all comrades will cast your votes for me."

"Hold on, I still have something to say."

Jiang Xiaoli directly cut him off. Although Sun Yong was somewhat annoyed, he still had to let her finish.

"If you have something to say, spit it out quickly. Don't waste everyone's time here."

Jiang Xiaoli sneered and said, "Hehe, I heard that Captain Sun hosted a banquet for many of our comrades last night."

A bad premonition arose in Sun Yong's heart, but he put on a brave face and replied, "That's right, the autumn harvest is over, so what's wrong with treating everyone to some drinks to unwind?"

Jiang Xiaoli: "You, Sun Yong, have been in Shanghe Village for over three years, and I've never seen you treat anyone before. What are your real motives for choosing to host a treat right before the vote?"

"I just happened to have a bit more spare cash this year, is there something wrong with wanting to treat people?"

"Stop quibbling, Sun Yong. You aren't treating anyone at all; you're trying to win people over and corrupt the minds of our comrades here in Shanghe Village."

"Jiang Xiaoli, I'm warning you not to spout nonsense."

"Hehe, am I spouting nonsense? It's you who have a guilty conscience! How venomous are the intentions of someone like you? If everyone lets you lead them astray and this becomes a trend, comrades will resort to these kinds of tactics whenever issues arise in the future. What kind of atmosphere will that create in our Shanghe Village educated youth compound?"

Jiang Xiaoli's words instantly silenced the previously buzzing and noisy crowd.