Chapter 262 Chased for Debts
Within a few days, Gong Suo'er was no longer in the village. No one knew she had left, nor that she had married with just a single bundle.
Wang Zhenli, who had been staying in the hospital, returned to the educated youth point, her face ashen. It wasn't that her injuries hadn't healed, but rather that her daily expenses during her hospital stay had depleted almost all her money.
Although she still owed money to people at the educated youth point, she had no idea how she would ever repay them. What made Wang Zhenli feel most indignant was that upon her return to the educated youth point, not a single person inquired about her, as if she were invisible.
"Wang Zhenli, since you're back, let's get things clear."
Liu Dandan leaned against the doorframe, her arms crossed.
Wang Zhenli knew that Liu Dandan was the most difficult person to deal with in the educated youth point, so she didn't dare to lose her temper at this moment.
"What is it?"
Liu Dandan looked at Wang Zhenli's submissive demeanor with contempt. This woman was only brave when bullying the weak.
"You can't work right now. I want to know how you plan to repay our money?"
When money was mentioned, only Zhao Zhenzhen among those present remained indifferent. The others who had lent money perked up their ears. After all, ten yuan was not a small sum.
"Exactly, ten yuan. It's already good if we don't owe the team money throughout the year. Wang Zhenli, where do you plan to find money to pay us back?"
Gao Jiaojiao spoke up. She had money, but she was never generous, her generosity only extending to herself.
Wang Zhenli cursed Gao Jiaojiao inwardly. She had worked hard as a follower every day, only to have people show no consideration.
However, it was impossible for her to repay the money now, as she was about to run out of food and needed money to buy some to sustain herself.
"I don't have much money on me right now. Can you wait until my leg is healed? When I can work, I will work hard and try to repay everyone's money as quickly as possible."
"What? You borrowed a total of one hundred yuan from everyone, and the medical expenses weren't your responsibility. You stayed in the hospital for a few days and spent a hundred yuan? Who are you trying to fool!"
Liu Dandan's voice became sharp. She didn't believe for a moment that Wang Zhenli had no money.
Wang Zhenli glared fiercely at Zhao Zhenzhen. The fact that her medical expenses were covered by the educated youth office was known only to Zhao Zhenzhen. It was obvious that Zhao Zhenzhen had leaked the information, clearly not wanting her to have an easy time.
In this regard, she had indeed misunderstood Zhao Zhenzhen. Not only had Zhao Zhenzhen not mentioned the medical expenses, but she hadn't told anyone in the educated youth point about her demanding back the ten yuan.
"What are you glaring at me for? I didn't say anything. The village head said it. Don't blame everything on me."
After speaking, Zhao Zhenzhen glanced around. The male educated youths felt awkward entering the girls' room, but they were all standing at the doorway, able to hear everything being said inside. Since she was trying to be kind and was still being blamed, she decided not to be a good person anymore.
"I'm not involved in Wang Zhenli's repayment of money. She already returned the money she borrowed from me at the hospital. After all, she wanted to take advantage, but I didn't give her the chance."
Upon hearing that Zhao Zhenzhen had already gotten her money back, Liu Dandan and the others became even more unwilling.
"Wang Zhenli, hurry up and return the money. I won't wait another minute. Don't make me take action."
Wang Zhenli now truly hated Zhao Zhenzhen. This was trying to starve her to death.
"You, Zhao Zhenzhen, I really didn't expect you to be this kind of person."
Zhao Zhenzhen looked at her as if she were an idiot.
"Heh, I didn't expect you to be this kind of person either. Wanting to take advantage, wanting me to take care of you for free, and even wanting me to take care of you without earning work points. Your nerve is truly astounding. I've simply woken up and cut my losses in time."
The male educated youths standing outside the door looked displeased. They had lent money out of urgency at the time, and now not a single one of them regretted it.
Especially He Weimin, who was about to get married. He didn't have much money to begin with, and now he couldn't get back ten yuan. If his Sui'er found out, she would definitely beat him.
He Weimin shivered all over. This wouldn't do. He was determined to get his money back.
"Wang Zhenli, return my money first. I'm getting married and building a house soon, and I need money for many things. If you don't return it to me, I'll find the village head to reason with him, or have the village head deduct ten yuan from your work points."
Wang Zhenli tightly clutched the blanket. These people were all pressuring her, even using the village head to threaten her.
"I need money too. Hurry up and return it."
"Exactly. I don't even have ten yuan left in my pocket now. How can someone hold onto money and not return it?"
The chorus of accusations pushed Wang Zhenli to the brink of collapse. Her eyes turned red with hatred for these people.
"Alright, I'll return it. I'll return it now."
Wang Zhenli took out a wad of money from her pocket. She had only spent less than ten yuan during her hospital stay, so she hadn't spent the money borrowed from everyone. But now, after returning the money, she truly had nothing left.
After Wang Zhenli repaid the money, she was left with only eleven yuan and three mao, without a single coupon. How would she survive?
Wang Zhenli looked at the money in her hand, then at her leg, and then up at everyone in the educated youth point who was indifferent to her. She hated them, and she would never let these people have an easy time.
Gao Jiaojiao no longer dared to be as arrogant. After Zhao Zhenzhen returned from the hospital, she stopped cooking for her. Now, Wang Zhenli was incapacitated, and Gao Jiaojiao was at a loss when facing the stove every day. She also couldn't bring herself to eat with everyone else.
Gao Jiaojiao thought of the village aunties and quickly shook her head. These people only bullied the educated youths. If she partnered with them, she would surely be taken advantage of. Touching her stomach, which had already begun to feel a little hungry, she realized she couldn't indulge her willfulness any longer.
Gao Jiaojiao braced herself and timidly walked up to Zhao Zhenzhen.
"Zhenzhen, I was bad-tempered before. I promise I won't lose my temper again. Can you still cook for me? I won't let you do it for free. I'll give you a two-mao labor fee every day, okay?"
Zhao Zhenzhen truly didn't want to be a follower anymore, but she was tempted by the prospect of earning six yuan per month. In half a year, that would be thirty-six yuan, enough for her to buy more food.
Now that Gao Jiaojiao was begging her, and she would be paid for her work, it was no longer like being a follower before. At least she had her dignity.
"Alright, you have to pay monthly, and I'll only be responsible for cooking. I won't wash the pots and bowls for you."
Gao Jiaojiao felt resentful. Was she trying to raise her prices? But she was already exhausted from working in the fields every day and didn't want to do chores after returning. Besides, washing a large pot was really tiring.
"Then I'll pay an extra one mao per day. Can you wash the pots and bowls for me too?"
Zhao Zhenzhen felt happy. Now, not only did she regain her dignity, but she also wouldn't be working for free.
"Fine, from now on, I'll be responsible for washing your pots and bowls and cooking for you every day. Don't ask me for anything else."
Nine yuan a month was enough. She just wanted to survive in the countryside without starving. If she could exchange some labor for it, she wasn't greedy.