The widowed Lin seemed oblivious to his distance and coldness, continuing, "But the one you saved was my nephew, not someone else's. Educated youth Qi, you're injured now and definitely can't work. To thank you, I'll cook for you every day."
Qi Chengyan said coldly, "No need."
"I must, or I won't feel at ease. How about I cook at home and bring it to you? We won't use your rations."
"No need."
Qi Chengyan didn't even look at her, supporting Song Jingtang as they walked, wishing to get away.
Perhaps it was favoritism, but when he looked at Cheng You, he found everything about her perfect. Her voice was melodious, like a lark's.
Even when she chattered in his ear, he was happy to listen, wanting to remember every word.
Song Jingtang saw his impatience and, fearing he would embarrass Widow Lin, explained, "Sister-in-law, really, no need. Cheng Yan was a soldier before, and he never takes a single cent from the people. It's a principle. If you truly send food, he'll be the one who feels uneasy."
His demeanor was refined, his features handsome, and his words were like a spring breeze, captivating Widow Lin for a moment.
All the male educated youths who came this time were so handsome.
Widow Lin blushed slightly and said, "Then so be it. Educated youth Qi, rest well. I'll visit you again another day."
Song Jingtang watched her leave with her nephew. Her full breasts and rounded hips made her look like a woman full of allure.
He clicked his tongue in amazement, "With that face that could freeze people to death, how do so many female comrades like you?"
And Cheng You, she was the belle of Wujing Village, and Zhou Wenxuan from the Zhou family in the next village had his eye on her.
She was young, with a lingering innocence, but her beauty was exquisite. Her skin, like a peeled egg, seemed to hold dew.
Song Jingtang had a pair of amorous peach blossom eyes. Young girls would blush if he looked at them for too long.
But Cheng You seemed to have no him in her eyes, no matter how he looked at her.
Sometimes he doubted his own charm.
Qi Chengyan glanced at him indifferently, "If you stir up trouble with the ladies here and take it back with you, your mother will cry her eyes out."
Song Jingtang chuckled, "Can your family agree to you and Cheng You?"
Qi Chengyan looked straight ahead and said calmly, "Whether they agree or not, it doesn't matter."
Song Jingtang knew he didn't want to talk about his family, so he said no more and helped him into the house.
Seeing Qi Chengyan fiddling with those small porcelain bottles again, Song Jingtang leaned against the door and said, "The stratagem of sacrificing oneself to win sympathy is the most effective. Take advantage of your injury now and make Cheng You forgive you."
Qi Chengyan glanced at him. With his upright and stern demeanor, he didn't seem like someone who would use such a tactic.
Song Jingtang raised his hands, "Alright, it was a terrible idea. You wouldn't be willing to trick your precious darling."
"Precious darling?" Sun Xiaowan squeezed in.
Song Jingtang rubbed his temples, "Miss, this is the dormitory for male educated youths. Can you pay attention to your behavior!"
Sun Xiaowan pouted, "I heard Brother Chengyan was injured, so I came to see."
Duan Liping stood at the door, not entering, but her face was also full of concern.
"Educated youth Qi, how is your injury?"
Song Jingtang replied, "It's fine. Uncle Li has bandaged it. It didn't hit the bone."
Duan Liping nodded, "That's good."
Sun Xiaowan glared at Song Jingtang, "Then hurry up and get some water for Brother Chengyan to wash up. Lying in bed like this must be uncomfortable."
Song Jingtang: "...So I'm his servant?"
"A philandering servant like you wouldn't be wanted by any family in the old society," Sun Xiaowan retorted.
Song Jingtang was about to say more, but Sun Xiaowan rushed out.
"I'm going to find Cheng You. Brother Chengyan is injured, she has to come and see him."
Duan Liping quickly followed, "Educated youth Qi's wound was bandaged by Uncle Li. Cheng You definitely knows. Why do you need to tell her?"
Sun Xiaowan said, "Then it's even more necessary for me to tell her. She hasn't come to see Brother Chengyan even though he's injured."
"Xiaowan, her and educated youth Qi's situation now isn't something we can easily interfere with."
They would resolve it themselves.
Sun Xiaowan tutted, "Aren't you silly? In their current state, when will they make up? They clearly like each other but won't take a step towards each other. Shouldn't we give them a push?"
Duan Liping smiled helplessly and let her have her way.
Sun Xiaowan thinking this way showed that she had truly let go of Qi Chengyan.
But in reality, even if they went, Cheng You had no intention of going.
"I know he's injured. He just needs to rest well. Going there wouldn't help."
Sun Xiaowan circled her, "How could it not help? If you went, Brother Chengyan's injury would be healed now."
Cheng You rolled her eyes at her, "Don't talk nonsense."
Even if she didn't go, plenty of others would go to see him.
"Cheng You, you're too heartless."
"Yes, I am heartless. Hurry up and leave. Wasn't today supposed to be the announcement of the worker-peasant-soldier university spots? Do you want to celebrate early?"
Sun Xiaowan almost forgot about it, "Then I'll go and see."
Finally, after sending her away, Cheng You breathed a sigh of relief.
But not long after, Sun Xiaowan returned in tears, saying she wasn't chosen, and instead, another person from the educated youth point was selected.
That male educated youth came from a poor family and hadn't even considered that he might return to the city.
This outcome was unexpected.
"This is too strange. Why don't you call your family and talk to them?"
It didn't make sense that they took the money but didn't fulfill the promise.
Sun Xiaowan cried heartbrokenly. She had anticipated this moment for so long, only for her hope to be shattered.
Cheng You couldn't bear to see her like this, "Don't cry yet. If it doesn't work out this time, we'll wait for the next one. There will always be a chance to return to the city in the future."
"It's not that easy! There are only a few spots, and everyone is competing for them. Perhaps next time, our Wujing Village won't have any spots at all."
Cheng You didn't know how to comfort her and felt a sense of melancholy herself.
It was so difficult for them, who were originally from the city, to return, let alone for someone like her who had to work so hard to get out.
As Sun Xiaowan cried, she suddenly stood up.
"No wonder Cheng Tao told me a few days ago that I wouldn't be selected. She must have known all along, and it was definitely her who made trouble! I'm going to settle the score with her!"
Duan Liping couldn't stop her and watched helplessly as Sun Xiaowan ran out.
Cheng You quickly shouted, "Follow her! Cheng Tao is pregnant now. If there's a conflict and someone gets hurt, it will be bad!"
The child in Cheng Tao's belly was Wang Hongxia's life. If anything happened, she would fight Sun Xiaowan to the death.
After thinking about it, Cheng You still felt uneasy and followed herself.
Sun Xiaowan would definitely be at a disadvantage against Cheng Tao.
By the time she arrived, Sun Xiaowan and Cheng Tao were already arguing, their confrontation escalating, and they were on the verge of fighting.
Before Cheng You could step forward, she saw Sun Xiaowan fly into a rage and truly slap Cheng Tao hard.