Chapter 11

The state-owned restaurant was on the other side of the supply and marketing cooperative, which meant that if they bought meat buns and returned to the tractor gathering point, they would have to pass by the supply and marketing cooperative again.

So, Li Linxi told them to stay under the tree and watch the items, while he went to buy the buns and would return quickly.

Jiang Manzhu and Xiaobei both nodded without objection. The main reason was that the sun was now high, and it was getting hotter. Jiang Manzhu didn't want to get any more sun.

She glanced at her skin and felt like she had gotten a shade darker. After all, she was still a young girl who cared about her appearance!

Luckily, Xiaobei had decent strength. He carried the woven bag and found a spot under a tree some distance away. The tree was surrounded by a circle of cement where they could sit down.

There were already two or three people sitting there waiting for someone. Jiang Manzhu had no desire to check out what the state-owned restaurant looked like.

She was only thinking: No wonder Grandma didn't want to come to town. The road was bumpy, and going back would be just as unpleasant. The weather was hot, and there was nothing fun to do. Even private sales weren't allowed.

Next time, I'm not coming out either—it's exhausting!

Oh, right, books!

Jiang Manzhu suddenly remembered this issue. She felt that Li Linxi had a great deal of prejudice against her, so she needed to have her own books.

What if, when the time comes and the college entrance exams resume, there's only one set of review books? Who would get to use them?

"Auntie, do you know where the scrap station is?" Jiang Manzhu asked the auntie sitting beside her. She needed to find some books herself—only the knowledge she personally owned couldn't be taken away.

"The scrap station? Just head that way, and you'll see it." The auntie pointed in a direction and enthusiastically explained, "What are you going to the scrap station for? There's not much good there. You just came from the supply and marketing cooperative? You look like a young educated person, aren't you?"

Jiang Manzhu smiled and thanked the auntie for her directions. As for her personal details, she didn't spill much but instead asked the auntie what she was doing sitting here. Was she not working? How enviable…

The auntie, amused, started chatting with her about family matters and gossip. By the time Li Linxi returned with the meat buns, he saw Jiang Manzhu happily chatting with a group of middle-aged women.

"Linxi, I want to go to the scrap station," Jiang Manzhu waved at him when she saw him approaching. Earlier, she hadn't gone because she was worried Li Linxi would return and not find her and Xiaobei.

"Okay." Silent Li Linxi reappeared, even overhearing the group of women asking if this handsome young man was her fiancé.

Jiang Manzhu didn't have time to gossip with them anymore. She needed to find books quickly. What if the tractor left, and she had to walk home?

Dragging Xiaobei along, Jiang Manzhu went to find the scrap station. Of course, Li Linxi wasn't going to leave his brother, so he followed along.

At this time, the scrap station wasn't crowded. The old man there let Jiang Manzhu search through the books but said she would have to pay for them.

Jiang Manzhu quickly found several books, but… they were especially heavy.

Immediately, she looked at a certain strong person.

Unfortunately, Li Linxi wasn't keen on helping with this. So, Jiang Manzhu pulled out some candy to bribe Xiaobei.

Xiaobei, seeing the candy, grinned from ear to ear and agreed right away. But before he could act, his brother had already picked up the bundle of books.

"What? Third Brother, why are you competing with me?" Xiaobei anxiously followed, thinking that his third brother's eagerness was because he wanted the two candies promised by his sister-in-law.

No way! Xiaobei couldn't let Third Brother take the candies.

"Here, take the candy." Seeing Xiaobei jumping up and down anxiously, Li Linxi coldly gave him a look but made no further comments.

If you don't raise a silly younger brother well, he could easily be tricked by some scheming women with just two candies, couldn't he?

Sure enough, when Xiaobei heard his third brother being so generous, he became even more excited. "Thanks, Third Brother."

With that, he put one candy in his mouth.

Then, he took out the other candy and offered it to his third brother.

Li Linxi didn't care for it. He wasn't tempted by the candy, and when his silly brother offered it, he simply said, "I don't like it. You can eat it yourself."

Xiaobei put the candy back in his pocket. "If Third Brother doesn't like it, I'll save it and give it to Mom."

Li Linxi made no comment. Soon, they arrived at the tractor spot where quite a few people were already waiting.

Seeing the Li family had bought so many things, some villagers curiously asked, "What did you buy? Why so much stuff?"

"And you bought books? As expected of a scholar like Linxi—always eager to learn."

"Uh… yes, yes." Seeing that Li Linxi wasn't answering, Jiang Manzhu awkwardly smiled and nodded, "Our Linxi…"

"Later, everyone carries their own stuff," Li Linxi cut in coldly, without context.

Immediately, Jiang Manzhu understood what he meant. "Aunties, what did you buy? Gosh, it's so hot. Why haven't the others come back yet?"

Although her topic shift was a bit stiff, the aunties were also waiting under the hot sun. They grumbled, "Exactly, it's always so slow. Making others wait so long… if I didn't have to come buy [xxx], I wouldn't come to town at all."

Once this topic was raised, they began to complain endlessly.

"Yeah, it's ridiculous. Why do we have to wait for them? It's such a shameless thing to do!"

Jiang Manzhu had merely intended to change the topic, but now she had unintentionally sparked a criticism session. She went silent. You all talk; I won't get involved.

She laughed awkwardly.

She knew who they were talking about—those educated youths, right? They had to go pick up packages, visit the supply and marketing cooperative, and even stop by the state-owned restaurant for a good meal…

No wonder they were slow!

However, Jiang Manzhu didn't dare say anything while the aunties were complaining. She didn't want the fire to turn toward her.

She glanced at Li Linxi beside her, who had already put the books down. Jiang Manzhu grew worried. Was he planning to stop helping her?

When the group of educated youths finally arrived, Yuan Fengxin spotted Jiang Manzhu in the crowd right away. Her face was eye-catching.

However, when he saw her glance frequently at the third son of the Li family, Yuan Fengxin's expression darkened.

What was Jiang Manzhu doing? Who was she looking at? What's so good about Li's third son? Had she fallen for him? Was that why she was ignoring him???

Even though Yuan Fengxin planned to use Jiang Manzhu and then dump her once they returned to the city, under the influence of the times and his upbringing, he still believed Jiang Manzhu belonged to him.

In his mind, her current behavior was a betrayal.

No one noticed Yuan Fengxin's subtle change in demeanor, as he wasn't staring at her continuously. The tractor started, and everyone quickly climbed on board.

No way, the sun has shifted west, and the tractor that was in the shade earlier this morning is now baking under the sun. No one wants to sit there anymore.

It's scorching! Sitting down burns my butt, and if I don't sit, I have to hold onto the metal bars, which burns my hands…

"No wonder Mom and so many of the other women don't like going to town," Jiang Manzhu couldn't help but mutter. Her memories of the original owner were more like watching a TV drama, only becoming "emotionally involved" when she really dug into them.

So now, Jiang Manzhu was at a loss for what to do while standing there. If only she had brought a handkerchief when she left home—it was burning hot.

Li Linxi watched Jiang Manzhu squirm like a worm, unable to sit or stand, and he felt disgusted and embarrassed. "What are you doing?"

"This tractor is way too hot. If I had known earlier…" she said, glancing at Li Linxi beside her and then at Xiaobei. She asked, "Xiaobei, do you feel it's hot?"

"Nope." Though still a teenager at fifteen, he was mentally mature and worked hard in the fields. How could he be afraid of a little sunburn? He was an amazing Xiaobei, after all.

As he spoke, he mimicked Jiang Manzhu's usual dominant manner and grabbed the metal bars with his hand. I'm the kind of comrade who can endure hardships.

"Xiaobei, you're amazing," she praised, hoping he'd help cool things down.

While they were discussing this, Li Linxi already knew that Jiang Manzhu had tricked his little brother again.

"Here," Li Linxi, for the sake of his foolish little brother, compromised once again and offered Jiang Manzhu the cooler spot.

Jiang Manzhu accepted it with a smile. It wasn't exactly cool, but at least it wasn't burning anymore—just a bit warm.

The tractor chugged along toward the village with a "tut-tut-tut" sound. Li Linxi moved himself and his brother away from Jiang Manzhu to avoid her trickery again.

Li Linxi's retreat opened up an opportunity for Yuan Fengxin.

As everyone had bought things, the compartment was packed, and the people were slightly squeezed together.

For instance, as the tractor swayed along the bumpy road, Yuan Fengxin swayed over to their side.

Jiang Manzhu was speechless. What the hell are you doing over here? Do you know who I am?

And also, why does it seem like Yuan Fengxin is really in a hurry? He took the original owner's money and ran, but now… half a month has passed, why hasn't he fled yet?

Jiang Manzhu quickly pondered, taking a small step back and staring seriously at Yuan Fengxin. "Comrade Yuan, can you stand properly?"

"Comrade Jiang, the road is too bumpy. There's nothing I can do." Yuan Fengxin originally wanted to say something to her directly but suddenly remembered they were still on the tractor.

Damn it, he couldn't wait any longer. If he did, returning to the city would be impossible.

Jiang Manzhu felt like she was going to get bruises from the bumps. Damn it, Yuan Fengxin is doing this on purpose. What a scumbag!

She quickly switched places with the plump aunt next to her and hid on the other side.

Yuan Fengxin didn't notice this and was about to "accidentally" bump into her and whisper in her ear about meeting up later when he realized something was off.

"Hey, kid! Are you bumping into me on purpose to take advantage of me?" The plump aunt slapped Yuan Fengxin on the back, her square face filled with fiery anger. She knew it—being as attractive and well-rounded as she was, not even a young man could resist.

Yuan Fengxin: … Are you kidding me?!

"Let me tell you something—my son is about your age, so you better watch out, or my son will beat you up. He hits hard."

Young man, it's not that I'm not interested, but unfortunately, I have a husband, and my son is this big already. You won't win against them.

Hearing this almost made Yuan Fengxin explode in anger. Get a grip! Who the hell would be interested in you?

"Hahaha, Aunt Gou, you're at it again. Have some self-awareness, would you? The young man is probably interested in your daughter, trying to get close to you to build a connection," teased a few other aunts, laughing. Aunt Gou really had no shame, saying such things.

"Isn't it because Old Gou can't satisfy you anymore? If he knew what you just said, he'd definitely beat you to death!"

"Would he dare? Besides, this young man doesn't look like a good person. He's been bumping into us this whole time, and the Li family has already moved away."

Aunt Gou looked at Yuan Fengxin with disgust. Don't think she didn't notice what was going on. As for the "flirty" talk earlier, that's just how these aunts talked when they gathered—nothing off-limits.

"Interested in my daughter? No way! My daughter isn't marrying a 'sent-down youth.'" This was the sentiment of most parents in the village. These city kids couldn't carry anything on their shoulders or hands, unable to support a family.

More importantly, no one knew when they might leave the village and return to the city. If they left and never came back, it would ruin the family.

Of course, female 'sent-down youths' were slightly more acceptable. After all, men didn't value chastity as much and could remarry.

"Haha, true. So, when will your daughter find a match? Just yesterday, my nephew…" As the conversation shifted, they started discussing matchmaking, their favorite pastime.

Then, somehow, the conversation turned to Li Linxi.

"Linxi, didn't your mom say she was going to find you a wife the other day? What did the matchmaker say? Did she find someone?"

"Yeah, it's just you and your little brother left in the Li family. If you don't start a family soon, your mom will be anxious to have grandkids."

"Comrade Jiang, as the eldest sister-in-law in the Li family, shouldn't you pay attention to your brother-in-law's marriage? Isn't there a saying that an older sister-in-law is like a mother?" Upon saying this, the other aunts turned to Jiang Manzhu.

"Oh, speaking of which, Comrade Jiang, you just got married into the Li family, and the eldest Li brother passed away soon after. Now you're all alone—have you thought about finding someone new?" If she had, one of the aunts could introduce her to her brother, improving the family's genes.

Hearing these words, Jiang Manzhu instinctively glanced at Li Linxi. No way! I'm a woman who's going to ride the coattails of the male protagonist. If I leave the Li family, I won't have this comfortable life anymore, and I'd have to work the fields!

"I haven't thought about it. Linxi and Linbei are still young. The Li family can't do without me." Jiang Manzhu politely declined with a smile, thinking it made her sound like a super virtuous daughter-in-law.

Remember to spread the word for me, so I can guilt-trip the male lead later!

Li Linxi: ???