In the village, everyone was busy working.
“Ye Qiu, just in time to run into you! How’s it going with that thing from last time?” Li Hui sneaked over when no one was around.
“Ji Chen is the timid type, even more so than us girls. Did you manage to get anything from him?”
After hearing her, Ye Qiu smiled, “Li Hui?”
This Li Hui is full of scheming intentions yet pretends to be a good person in front of others. This is also the reason no one doubts her when she claims to be looking for someone to expose the relationship between the original owner and Ji Chen.
She and Ji Chen were both sent to the countryside as educated youth. Logically, they should look out for each other. However, their disparities blinded Li Hui; Ji Chen is the only son adored by his family. Whenever he needed something, it would be sent after a mention in letters, and he didn’t have to do much hard work, relying on gifts.
On the other hand, Li Hui’s family prioritizes sons over daughters, so they eagerly sent her to the countryside, only giving her some food at first, and after that, they didn’t send anything else. While others received food from home, she only ate rough fare.
Li Hui had a princess complex but no princess privileges, resenting anyone who was better off than her.
When they first arrived, the differences in their circumstances were not very apparent, but Ji Chen’s presence became undeniable.
He enjoyed luxuries while lounging around, never having to work.
It was infuriating.
If Li Hui did not work, she would have nothing to eat and no drinks.
If Ji Chen didn’t work, his family sent him supplies daily.
Her skin became darker from working in the fields than the village girls, who teased her about it.
Meanwhile, Ji Chen, pampered and well-cared for, truly fit the description of a young master from the city, as the villagers said.
As for the snacks Ji Chen occasionally gave out, that was merely charity!
Ye Qiu thought for a moment and frowned, “Didn’t you say his family is wealthy? Why are the things sent over all so shabby? Everything combined is barely worth five yuan.”
Upon hearing Ye Qiu’s ungrateful words, Li Hui suppressed her urge to hit her and forced a dry smile, “Five yuan is quite a lot. If you buy some candied fruit or other snacks with four more yuan, I can help you pass them to him and say some nice words about you. He’ll certainly see you in a new light.”
To buy the things she mentioned would cost one yuan; then, handing over the remaining four yuan to her, that was quite the plan, Ye Qiu sneered inwardly.
“Those seem to be things girls like to eat. And why would I give him four yuan when I can just give it to him myself? Li Hui, you wouldn’t be planning to pocket all the money for yourself, would you?” Ye Qiu asked suspiciously.
Li Hui: …
She indeed had that intention.
Li Hui feigned anger, “How could you think of me that way? If it weren’t for me brainstorming behind the scenes, do you think you would have made this progress on your own? Besides, if I wanted Ji Chen’s money, I could just be with him myself instead of needing you!”
“Alright then, I’ll swing by the educated youth spot and invite Ji Chen to come along to buy stuff. You just need to stand by and say nice things about me. At most… at most I’ll split a cent with you!” Ye Qiu pretended to be pained.
Aren’t all men in love fools? Why is Ye Qiu becoming more frugal now that she’s in a relationship?
Li Hui could only nod helplessly at Ye Qiu’s stingy attitude, realizing that her impatience had raised suspicions; she would have only needed to ask for two yuan if she had known.
The two walked at a distance, pretending to be unfamiliar with each other.
“Looks like there’s someone lying there!”
Li Hui shouted as she noticed someone collapsed by the side of the road and rushed over, her eyes brightening upon seeing the clothes he wore.
He was wearing a blue coat with a white collared shirt inside, and his shoes were a bit dusty from walking. He looked like a slightly affluent worker, at least a junior leader in a factory.
The two carried their respective intentions and brought him to the village clinic.
“Not a big deal. It’s just heatstroke. Drink some salty water and put on some ice packs, and it’ll be fine. That’ll be one yuan.”
Before Ye Qiu could pay, Li Hui pulled him outside the clinic, “Ye Qiu, I didn’t bring any money. Can you lend me one yuan?”
She emphasized the word “one yuan.”
This Ye Qiu, wanting her to help chase Ji Chen, didn’t even think to give a little benefit. She was initially considering paying Ye Qiu back later, but now she decided to treat that yuan as her labor fee.
Every time she approached Ye Qiu, it would be when no one was paying attention, knowing that even if Ye Qiu later claimed she owed her, no one would believe it.
A city educated youth from a wealthy family, how could she owe Ye Qiu money?
They hardly even knew each other!
Ye Qiu nodded at Li Hui’s words, and under her gaze, handed her the oldest one yuan note.
Li Hui watched Ye Qiu’s actions, her smile becoming more forced. But today, for some reason, Ye Qiu was harder to deceive. As long as she could get the one yuan, it was fine; if Ye Qiu didn’t give the money, she would have to take out her living expenses.
After getting the money, Li Hui’s face showed a slightly more genuine smile as she reluctantly handed over the money to Dr. Zhou, “Doctor, this is all I have, please take good care of him.”
Dr. Zhou, noticing Li Hui’s actions, couldn’t help but smile, “Don’t worry, he will wake up soon.”
Li Hui carefully selected a spot where she could hear the doctor talk.
“Thank you, comrade. You seemed to have something urgent to attend to, so hurry up; I’ll take care of him here. You’ve already helped me a lot by bringing him to the clinic. Thank you so much today.”
Ye Qiu watched as Li Hui pretended to be unfamiliar with her, “Delivering the blessed to the west, let’s wait here together, comrade.”
“Hehe, you’re really enthusiastic for someone meeting for the first time.”
The two sat like wooden dolls in the sickroom.
“Cough, cough.”
Li Hui saw the patient about to wake up and quickly stood up to change the towels, feigning shyness as she asked, “You… you’re awake?”
“Where is this?”
“This is the clinic in Liuyue Village. I saw you faint on the trail and called someone to help you here. I hope you don’t mind?”
“I’m grateful to you, comrade. My name is Jia Yongyuan. How should I address you?”