Gu Fuying was momentarily stunned when she heard Xu Ying’s words. She hesitated for a moment before speaking softly, “Wu Yu’s family isn’t doing well. He doesn’t have money to buy me new clothes or even skincare cream.”
Xu Ying raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Wait… does he say things like, ‘Yingying, my family’s in a tough spot right now. I’ve been sent to the countryside to support the cause, but I’ve never done hard labor before, so I can’t even earn enough work points. I can’t afford to buy you clothes or anything… but don’t worry, once I make it big, I’ll definitely make it up to you. Right now, I feel so guilty having you help me like this.’”
Xu Ying tilted her head, eyes glinting mischievously. “Isn’t that exactly what your boyfriend says?”
Gu Fuying’s cheeks flushed red. She looked embarrassed — after all, Xu Ying had hit the nail on the head.
Before Gu Fuying could speak, Xu Ying carried on without missing a beat. “That kind of sweet-talking scumbag says all that on purpose, you know — just to make you pity him so you’ll help him out. You’re telling me his family’s poor, and he has no money, no skills, no prospects… and you still think he’s your golden ticket to the future?”
She let out a soft snort. “A man like that — living off a woman, no ambition, no ability — you think he’ll suddenly turn rich one day? You’re dreaming. And even if you help him now, don’t think he’ll be grateful. Once his life improves, he might even resent you for having seen him at his lowest.
These types… they’re the extreme kind. When they snap, they might just bite the hand that fed them. Ah, I was really blind to have liked a man like that once!”
In the living room, Gu’s mother heard most of Xu Ying’s words. She couldn’t help but let out a laugh. What an interesting girl, she thought. Though she didn’t know if the “scumbag educated youth” Xu Ying mentioned was real, if it was true, this girl was quite pitiful herself.
Gu Fuying’s previously cheerful mood dimmed. She forced a smile, eyes downcast. “Yingying, I… I’m feeling a little tired. I think I’ll go lie down for a bit. You should head back now. When you come to work in the county the day after tomorrow, we’ll have a good chat after work.”
Xu Ying gave a sympathetic nod. They were both women who had been fooled by smooth-talking men.
As Xu Ying left, Gu’s mother hurried over with a bundle of food — all untouched and neatly packed. “Yingying, take this home. We can’t finish it all, and it’ll just go to waste otherwise. Don’t refuse now!”
Xu Ying had no choice but to smile and accept the generous gift before stepping out of the house.
Just as she closed the door behind her, she spotted Brother Xu leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed.
“Second Brother! Weren’t you going to see Sister Qiuye? Why are you back so soon?” Xu Ying ran over, excitement written all over her face.
Brother Xu straightened up as soon as he saw his little sister. But when his eyes fell on the net bag and lunch box in her hands, he asked dryly, “How was it over there? Did anyone give you trouble?”
“No, no! Second Brother, I have great news — I’m starting work at a state-owned hotel the day after tomorrow!” Xu Ying’s laughter was as crisp and sweet as a wind chime.
Brother Xu’s face brightened immediately. “Really? Little sister, you’re amazing!”
Xu Ying hopped onto the backseat of his bike, supporting herself on his shoulders. Then she leaned forward and asked curiously, “Brother, what happened? Why didn’t you go see Sister Qiuye? Why are you back so soon?”
Brother Xu’s expression turned awkward. He lifted his head slightly, gazing at the sky with a lost look. “Little sister… do you think I’m overreaching with Sister Qiuye?”
Xu Ying immediately understood. Ah, so the old fox, Accountant Xu, had given her second brother a round of “ideological education.”
Her guess was right. Brother Xu had happily gone to see Xu Qiuye but ran into Accountant Xu on the way. The old man wasted no time stabbing at his self-esteem with a well-aimed lecture.
“Shengcai,” he had said solemnly, “I know you’re a good lad, hardworking and earnest. But do you really think you and Qiuye are a good match? She’s working in the county, earning more than you every month, pampered by her mother and me all her life. She’s never done a day of hard farm work.
People say men can marry down, women should marry up. With your small income, you can barely get by yourself, let alone support Qiuye. It’s not that I look down on you — the gap between you two is just too big. But… if you can become a county teacher within a year, maybe I’d reconsider. If not, you two should stop seeing each other.”
Accountant Xu’s tone had been gentle, but every word hit like a brick.
Brother Xu felt crushed. He couldn’t deny it — he was far beneath Qiuye in every way. His heart, which had just begun to blossom with warmth, was now doused with cold water. The thought of breaking up with her made his chest ache.
But a county teacher? That was like reaching for the stars. He didn’t even dare to dream of it.
Xu Ying, however, was undeterred. “Second Brother, I believe in you! If we work hard, we can do it!”
Brother Xu gave a hollow laugh. “Little sister… you believe in me too much.”
“Second Brother, you’re smart! If you could pass the commune teacher’s exam, you can definitely handle the county’s. There’s no real difference between the two — it’s all about daring to try!” Xu Ying encouraged him with a bright grin.
And if it came to it… well, Aunt Gu was a county teacher herself. Surely, she’d help when the time came. But of course, that still depended on Brother Xu’s own efforts.
Brother Xu felt his spirits slowly lift. He remembered how he hadn’t believed he’d become a teacher back when he first took the commune exam — but here he was now. Maybe the county post wasn’t impossible after all.
“Second Brother,” Xu Ying tugged at his sleeve, “you still haven’t seen Sister Qiuye, have you? I need to stop by the supply and marketing cooperative anyway — why don’t you drop me off and go visit her?”
Brother Xu hesitated, his heart itching with longing. After a moment, he gave in and turned his bike toward the cooperative.
When they arrived, Xu Ying hopped off, running inside with a grin. She wanted to leave the two lovebirds some alone time.
Brother Xu, meanwhile, mustered his courage and went to find Xu Qiuye. When she saw him, her face lit up with surprise. “Shengcai! What are you doing here?”
He told her about coming to town, his chest puffing with pride as he mentioned his little sister’s new job at the state-owned hotel.
Xu Qiuye beamed, clapping her hands. “Yingying is incredible! I always said her cooking talent would be wasted anywhere else. From now on, if she ever needs anything here in the county, tell her to come find me.”
Brother Xu nodded, his face turning slightly red as he gazed at her. “I’ll let Yingying know. And… if you ever need anything, just have Yingying tell me. I’ll come to the county whenever I get time off.”
Meanwhile, Xu Ying made her way upstairs in the cooperative, eyeing the bicycles. She wanted to buy a women’s bike — the men’s ones were too tall for her to ride comfortably.
After all, she’d be commuting to the county every day now, and without a bicycle, it would be far too inconvenient.