Chapter 232 Zhi Zhi's Second Battle

Chapter 233 Zhi Zhi's Second Battle

The village chief's wife knew her younger son didn't understand her meaning, so she explained their family's situation.

Gong Wentao pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Originally, I wasn't planning to build a house here. I thought we'd go to the city in a few years to live; I have a house outside.

But now that the family is splitting up, let's build a new house. In the future, when we leave, we'll leave it to whoever we deem worthy.

Once the division is done and the house is built, you two elders will live in the new house with me. The rest can fend for themselves, and we won't have to worry about them anymore."

The village chief's wife felt so relieved. Her younger son was indeed filial, planning everything for them upon his return.

"Old man, did you hear that? Not only are we going to live in a new house soon, but we'll be living in the city too."

The village chief also grinned. He was only sixty, and if he took good care of himself, he could live for another decade or more. He would be the first elder in the Bai Rong Brigade to live in the city.

"Heard it, heard it. Once the family splits, I'll find someone to build the new house immediately."

For the first time in years, Gong Wentao felt genuine happiness. Hatred had blinded him to everything, even his parents.

"Father, Mother, wherever I go from now on, I'll take you with me. I will ensure you live a good life."

The family of three didn't leave the room until it was time for dinner. Zhang Yuan secretly peeked into the old lady's room, wondering what good things her younger uncle had given her.

Gong Er, seeing his wife's every move, was so angry he kicked her. What a disgrace.

The village chief's home was unusually lively, and so was the educated youth point. The second battle of the day was unfolding there.

Currently, eleven people lived at the educated youth point, six women and five men. The earliest arrivals had been living there for over two years, and the latest for at least one year.

Who among them didn't despise their situation upon arriving? Who didn't want to go home? But after the drought, their families in the city couldn't even feed themselves, let alone care for them in the countryside.

From their previous unity against outsiders, reality had scattered them like sand. Even with money sent from home, they couldn't buy grain, so they began to bicker, unwilling to let anyone else have even an extra bite.

It escalated from arguments and fights to eating separately. Since He Weimin got a girlfriend, the disputes at the educated youth point had decreased. With a girlfriend to help him manage, life was better.

The remaining four male educated youths were alright; they cooked for themselves. Everyone ate roughly the same amount, earned similar work points, and so fewer disputes arose.

However, the six female educated youths were not doing as well. Led by the wealthiest, Gao Jiaojiao, they had split into three groups. Because Gao Jiaojiao had money, she could supplement her earnings with cash when she couldn't earn enough work points, and her family also sent food.

So, two individuals, Zhao Zhenzhen and Wang Zhenli, who were willing to fawn over her, followed Gao Jiaojiao. These two families had poor conditions and they were not favored at home; being sent to the countryside was almost equivalent to being abandoned by their families. They were willing to do more chores for Gao Jiaojiao in exchange for some food.

Liu Dandan was considered the most capable among these female educated youths. Her family had limited resources but still subsidized her with five yuan each month, allowing her to eat about sixty to seventy percent full through her own efforts.

Shang Wenqi, who was closest to Liu Dandan, was quiet and introverted. She only worked diligently and only Liu Dandan was willing to protect her when she was bullied. Therefore, they cooked separately and lived relatively peacefully.

The only one excluded was Zhao Ling. She was a special case. She was unwilling to be a sycophant or to work hard. She only relied on her somewhat pretty face to coax men into helping her.

Zhao Ling's greatest wish was to find a devoted laborer who would work for her daily, buy her supplements like malted milk essence, and yet not marry her, as she looked down on country bumpkins.

She had been trying out men in the village, picking and choosing, and her reputation had soured throughout the entire brigade, yet she remained oblivious, causing the other educated youths to be disgraced along with her.

Today, Zhao Ling was beaten in the fields. She initially wanted to find a "sugar daddy" for a meal, but when she stood up, she realized that the "sugar daddies" who usually surrounded her were nowhere to be found. She could only return to the educated youth point with a bruised face.

Because she had no money, she didn't have her own pot for cooking separately. Usually, she would use the men's pot after they were done. But today, the men hadn't finished cooking when she returned, and seeing that no one was willing to let her have priority, she became furious.

"One by one, you have no sense of unity and mutual assistance. You only bully me in front of outsiders. I don't know if you're all dimwits."

Liu Dandan, who had just applied medicine to her face, had her hair stand on end upon hearing Zhao Ling's shrill scolding outside. She stood up and rushed out, and Shang Wenqi couldn't even hold her back.

"A slut like you dares to talk about unity and mutual assistance? Are you worthy?"

"You bitch, weren't you beaten enough just now? I'll fight you to your heart's content today. None of you are allowed to interfere."

Indeed, no one intervened, not even Shang Wenqi, because she knew Liu Dandan's fighting prowess.

Liu Dandan grabbed Zhao Ling's hair and slapped her twice.

"Wenqi, close the main door and bring me my foot-wiping towel."

"Okay, good."

Shang Wenqi quickly closed the door and went into the room to retrieve the foot-wiping towel from the washbasin.

Meanwhile, Gao Jiaojiao leaned against the doorway, eating biscuits and watching the commotion. She didn't forget to urge Zhao Zhenzhen to cook.

Zhao Ling's hair was pulled, and she was pinned to the ground. Liu Dandan straddled her stomach, and the screams and curses made Zhao Ling's face even more contorted.

Zhang Aiguo and Chen Mo were responsible for cooking today. They heard the commotion but didn't even look up. They had witnessed women fighting before and dared not intervene, as they might get hit themselves.

Liu Wei, sitting by the kitchen door, had once been interested in Zhao Ling. Although he later learned what kind of person Zhao Ling was, it didn't stop him from trying to take advantage of her.

As Liu Wei approached, Liu Dandan saw him. Before he could extend his hand, he was startled by Liu Dandan's glare.

Liu Dandan took the towel handed over by Shang Wenqi and, pinching Zhao Ling's mouth, shoved the towel in.

"Are you trying to interfere? If you stick your claws out, you'll be the next one I beat. I'll beat you next."

Zhao Ling looked at Liu Wei with her usual aggrieved expression, but she didn't realize her current appearance: a bird's nest-like hairstyle coupled with a swollen face. Her aggrieved look was completely ineffective.

"Tsk, Liu Wei, if you like her, hurry up and be her knight in shining armor. You can take down this troublemaker. Hahaha!"

Gao Jiaojiao patted her biscuit-crumb-covered hands, encouraging Liu Wei to make a move. She enjoyed people adding some excitement to her boring life.

"What's it to you, Gao Jiaojiao? Mind your own business. You think you're so great just because you roll your eyes all day? You have a little money and you don't know your place."

Gao Jiaojiao's words embarrassed Liu Wei. Even if he liked to take advantage, he wouldn't show any respect to this arrogant hen.

"Liu Wei, say that again. Who do you think you are to talk to me like that!"