Chapter 17 She Really Doesn't Want to Rest

Zhao Zhuangshi's imminent refusal turned into: "Alright, I'll go."

Li Dahe's white eyes were about to roll up to the moon. He stepped forward and said to Lin Nianhe:

"Educated Youth Lin, indeed the Zhao Family doesn't have much money to compensate you. So, Zhao Zhuangshi gets eight points for cleaning the cattle pen for a day. I'll decide for you; rest for a few days to recover. During these days, the points earned by Zhao Zhuangshi will be compensated to you. What do you think?"

Widow Zhao: "But there's hardly any money..."

"Whether you like it or not! If not, we're going to report to the Public Security!" Yu Xiangqin pointed at her nose and scolded, "If you want your son to be punished by the law, continue crying out. We're ready to forego our leadership and cannot let the village suffer from such a menace!"

Wang Xue covered her chest in fright, her eyes seemingly brimming with tears: "Xiangqin is right, who doesn't have daughters or sisters? If we don't handle him now, we won't be able to sleep peacefully later!"

Miao Yulan stood by their side, the most inarticulate, just nodding along.

Their coordinated stance left Lin Nianhe somewhat bewildered.

Was this setting aside internal conflicts and uniting for now? Or was it a desperate situation where they had to interfere?

However, the other villagers didn't think so much. Hearing their words, they too felt leadership wasn't as significant anymore.

If we don't manage this scoundrel properly, whose daughter might be spoiled next? That would ruin her whole life!

Thinking this, their gaze towards Zhao Zhuangshi changed, wishing they could send him to the police station right now.

Seeing the crowd furious like wolves, Widow Zhao quickly changed her tone: "Compensate, compensate, compensate! I didn't say I wouldn't compensate! My son really took the wrong path, punishment is deserved!"

Her face showed pain as she softened her tone towards Lin Nianhe: "Well, Educated Youth Lin, how many days do you need to recover?"

Lin Nianhe patted his heart: "Who can be sure about sickness? I'm easily frightened, and what if I get scared again..."

Widow Zhao was truly about to cry this time!

The leader didn't specify a timeframe, and this missy wasn't saying either, what if she keeps hiding her illness, wouldn't her son keep working for free for her?

But she was helpless now, the villagers avoiding her like the plague, refusing even to make eye contact.

Widow Zhao wanted to say more, but Li Dahe made a final decision: "That settles it, Educated Youth Lin, if he harasses you again, we'll all settle the score together!"

Lin Nianhe replied: "Alright… Thank you all for deciding for me."

"Alright, alright, there's no need to be so polite. Here, you few girls also lend a hand, help Educated Youth Lin back to the house." Aunt Li stepped forward and called several female educated youths to help Lin Nianhe back to the house.

As the outside crowd gradually dispersed, Lin Nianhe took Aunt Li's hand and spoke softly: "Aunt Li, actually, I'm not seriously injured. It won't affect work tomorrow."

She didn't feel that a little candy and ten yuan would make the leader's family truly treat her as one of their own.

That's why she avoided putting Li Dahe in a difficult position by stepping forward herself, and why she needed to clarify her condition with Aunt Li in advance, to avoid future reproaches.

Aunt Li tucked her in, speaking tenderly: "Don't overexert yourself, look how pale your little face is, youngsters nowadays don't care much, but it all comes back when you're older… Just listen to your uncle, rest well at home for a few days, also teach that Zhao brat a lesson!"

Lin Nianhe subconsciously touched her face.

Her fingertips picked up a faint scent.

Was it... the skincare she applied before bed?

It indeed was quite pale!

She blinked, hiding her face in the blanket, and said in a mushy voice, "Thank you, Aunt Li."

Aunt Li, reminded of her own daughter Xiao Hehua by her demeanor, softened her voice even more: "Just rest well, I'm heading back too, call me if you need anything."

"Take care, Aunt Li." Lin Nianhe glanced at Wang Shumei.

Wang Shumei immediately offered her arm to Aunt Li: "Aunt Li, let me escort you."

"Stop going with me, you all rest well..."

Outside, the villagers walked in groups of three or five, all ears listening to Widow Zhao's nagging:

"Team leader, when is that girl going to recover? Give me an exact date! If she's bedridden for life, does my son have to work for her for nothing forever?"

Li Dahe's hair fluttered in the wind, his steps quickened unconsciously, eager to leave this frustrating place.

"It was just a scare, right? She had plenty of strength when she kicked me! I think it won't even delay her from working tomorrow..."

It was too dark, Widow Zhao couldn't see the expression on Li Dahe's face, still babbling on.

Li Dahe stopped, unable to bear it any longer, and said to Widow Zhao, "Don't you know you've taken advantage already?"

Widow Zhao's eyes bulged like a cow's eyes: "Me, taken advantage? What advantage have I taken?"

Li Dahe glared at her resentfully, gritting his teeth and said: "The young man who came to deliver things to Educated Youth Lin in the morning saw everything, didn't he? That young man is from the town's Public Security station, if Educated Youth Lin really wants to hold you accountable, Zhao Zhuangshi will be directly sentenced heavily, and you'll just wait to send him meals in prison!"

Widow Zhao stood frozen in place, her head buzzing.

What?

Educated Youth Lin knows someone from the Public Security?

She stood still for a long time, until Zhao Zhuangshi truly could not bear the pain anymore, and said mournfully: "Mom, let's go home, my whole body hurts."

"Hurt! You deserve to suffer!" Widow Zhao leaped up and started slapping Zhao Zhuangshi across the face, scolding, "You good-for-nothing always causing trouble! Why did you even climb that damned girl's wall..."

"Ouch! Mom! I know my mistake, stop hitting..."

Tonight, Ten Miles Team was unusually lively.

The people from the Educated Youth Corps didn't stay long at Lin Nianhe's place, they all left one after another without saying any unnecessary words after Aunt Li left.

Lin Nianhe waited until the lights in the front yard were off before she re-secured the door latch.

Then she looked in the mirror again, indeed, her face wrapped up in the whitening essence looked paler than usual.

It wasn't that she was deliberately being lazy, it was really just a coincidence.

The timing was perfect, she couldn't rest even if she wanted to!

Lin Nianhe pondered, resting for three days, making the Zhao Family pay 24 points would certainly hurt them enough.

Excess is as bad as deficiency; going too far would be no good for her either.

Making up her mind, Lin Nianhe was still too agitated to sleep.

She simply started flipping through books in the space.

The college entrance exams were going to be reinstated in two years, she needed to study hard.

She had bought a lot of books when she was stocking up, initially thinking of contributing to the continuation of civilization as much as she could, but she ended up being the first beneficiary.

Lin Nianhe had contacted the publishers directly when buying books, almost purchasing every available book on the market.

To ensure that the nation's children could have a happy learning experience, she not only bought various versions of textbooks, but also many, many, many exercise books.

To prevent students from lacking good teachers, she also downloaded 10Tb of online course videos, covering various subjects from primary school to university, everything available online she had.

Looking at the "Five-Year College Entrance Exam, Three-Year Simulation" on her pillow, Lin Nianhe's expression was complicated.

She didn't know how the nation's children's learning life was, but she knew—

Her preparation for exams, was complete.