Free Web NovelChapter 441: Chapter 441: Scumbag
Yi Roujing and Anmin left the educated youth’s place and hadn’t gone far when they saw two people. Yi Roujing had met Ni Qingyan once before, and there was a man she’d never seen, but seeing how close they were, the one with delicate features must be Chen Youdao.
"Youdao, don’t worry. Even if you don’t get a spot to return to the city this time, next year will definitely be yours. Besides, there’s always the college entrance exam. If it doesn’t work out, you could study at university for two years. We could get married first, and I could go with you." Ni Qingyan’s cheeks were flushed, her words carrying the shyness proper for a young woman of her age.
Out of Ni Qingyan’s sight, Chen Youdao sneered, rolling his eyes, a hint of contempt flashing in them. Two years at university, really? Just as expected from a country bumpkin with no schooling. How easy does she think it is to get into university? And no legitimate university is just two years long. As expected, speaking with fools is a waste of words.
If it weren’t for the fact that Ni Qingyan’s father was the team leader of the production team, her elder brother was an army officer, her second brother a commune officer, and her second sister-in-law also had a proper job, would he lower himself to court her?
He thought the spot to return to the city was a sure thing. Who knew He Liansheng’s group would have such luck, that Tang Ruhong didn’t die, and the family vouching for them in Jing City was Ni Dahong’s, who shamelessly clung to the nobles there. Truly, man proposes, God disposes. Chen Youdao clenched his fist in anger.
"Youdao, Youdao—" Ni Qingyan called out twice before Chen Youdao came back to his senses, instantly changing his expression, looking slightly aggrieved yet enduring, gazing at Ni Qingyan with tender affection.
"Qingyan, I’m fine. It’s just that it will be tough on you. When I go to university, it’ll be tiring for you to follow me around. But I’ll give you all my university stipends, keeping only enough for food." Chen Youdao didn’t forget to pour on the charm.
"Youdao, you’re so good to me."
Yi Roujing and Anmin were some distance away from the pair. While they could see the interactions between them, they couldn’t hear what was being said. But seeing Ni Qingyan’s demeanour, they knew Chen Youdao had coaxed her into joy.
"Sister-in-law, why aren’t we leaving? Do you know those two?" Anmin had never met them.
"The granddaughter of Uncle Yan An’s grandfather, a cousin not three generations apart." Yi Roujing accurately explained the relationship.
"Yan An’s cousin?" Anmin was shocked. "This, this, if people see this, won’t it affect Yan An’s reputation?"
"They’re in a relationship."
"What, in a relationship?" Anmin’s eyes were about to bulge out, "Is Yan An’s cousin an idiot? How could that man like her? He looks sneaky and mean. Dating someone like that—her brain must be broken."
Yi Roujing suppressed a laugh, not forgetting to praise, "Maybe. After all, not many are as clever as our Anmin."
"Should we do something? Help Yan An’s cousin see reason?" Anmin eagerly asked, fists clenched and ready for action.
"No need. There’s a lid for every pot," Yi Roujing said calmly. "Besides, when the spot to return to the city doesn’t work out and the college entrance exam is missed, Yan An’s uncle’s family won’t let their daughter marry him. But looking at Chen’s methods, if Ni Qingyan is willing, it might still turn out well."
"What, that’s the scumbag Huang was talking about," Anmin was taken aback, then got angry; Yi Roujing took her aside to cool down.
"Tang is also foolish. Luckily he didn’t suffer any real loss, and his reputation stayed intact. Others don’t know about it, otherwise, tsk tsk..." Anmin shook her head.
"Sister-in-law, let’s go trade some tofu and peppers with the villagers so I can make tofu fish ball soup and spicy fish head tonight," Anmin suggested.
"Okay." They stopped along the way to ask which family in the village made tofu, and Yi Roujing and Anmin went looking.
Yi Roujing directly exchanged money, getting five pounds for fifty cents, and the family generously added a bunch of onions and garlic for free.
Anmin laughed, cradling a large wooden basin, saying she’d return it afterward.
"Ma’am, do you have any peppers?" Yi Roujing asked.
"Yes, yes." The lady’s eyes lit up. She quickly grabbed a pack of dried peppers and picked some fresh red ones. "These are dried from last year’s harvest, and these are fresh."
Yi Roujing liked what she saw and took them all, paying a dollar.
The lady was so happy she had her husband help with the delivery, "You girls can’t carry all that weight. We all know that farm, it’s not far. Take your time, I’ll have him take it over first."
A dollar and fifty cents richer, the man enthusiastically hoisted the bag over one shoulder, balancing the wooden basin at his waist, and quickly headed out.
"Mom, I’m heading out for a bit," said a young woman with two braids, holding a basket and greeting the lady as she went out.
"Why are you always running off whenever there’s a lull? Can’t you take a moment to look around...." The lady muttered under her breath.
"Ma’am, do you make osmanthus cakes here?" Yi Roujing asked, having caught the fragrance as the braided woman walked past with the basket.
"Yes, my eldest son is home from university break. Though he stays at school doing something with his teacher, I don’t quite get it, but he’s coming home today." The lady was delighted. "Normally I wouldn’t use up the flour and sugar, but today’s special."
"Could I buy a few pieces?" asked Yi Roujing, thinking of giving them to the younger ones to eat.
"They aren’t cheap, and I didn’t make many. I can sell you five pieces at most." The lady went to the kitchen herself, only to find two pieces missing and fumed — it must’ve been taken by her daughter. Eating was one thing, but she didn’t even say a word.
In the end, she sold Yi Roujing four pieces after some consideration, since there wouldn’t be enough left for her own family otherwise. Yi Roujing paid and then headed to the farm with Anmin.
"Smells really good, I’ll make some too when we’re back," Anmin said, smelling the osmanthus cake aroma. Yesterday, when Yi Roujing returned, she brought a jar of rice wine lees and half a bottle of pickled osmanthus flowers.
"Do we have sticky rice?" Yi Roujing asked with a soul-piercing question.
"Shall we ask the villagers?" Anmin suggested. It took them visiting three homes to finally buy some; sticky rice is not something a regular family would buy. This household had leftover from making zongzi for the Dragon Boat Festival this year, too frugal to eat until now.
On the way back to the farm, Anmin suddenly stopped Yi Roujing, "Isn’t that the scumbag with the young lady from earlier?"
In the secluded woods, the young woman was shyly watching Chen Youdao enjoy the osmanthus cake, and Chen Youdao sneakily touched her hand.
"How can someone be so disgusting?" Anmin was appalled, grabbed Yi Roujing, and went back to the lady’s house to tell her about Chen Youdao, emphasizing he was dating Ni Qingyan but was holding her daughter’s hand and enjoying her osmanthus cake.
The lady was furious, grabbing a thick stick, but was stopped by Yi Roujing, saying making a fuss wouldn’t be good for the girl’s reputation. The lady cooled down, saying she’d handle it, and the two returned to the farm after completing their mission.
