Chapter 11: The Educated Youth

“Grandpa, Grandma, this is enough. Wanwan and I can go in by ourselves,” Fang Yinnian said, not wanting the two elderly to squeeze into the crowded train station with them.

This was the busiest time at the station, and the two old folks were fragile; no mishaps could be allowed.

“Let Grandma see you off a little more. Once you leave, who knows when you'll return,” Ru Xiuhua said, clutching Fang Yinnian’s hand tightly, her eyes moist with reluctance.

Mu Wanwan, dragging two suitcases, was about to leave when she noticed this scene. A flicker of confusion crossed her eyes.

She didn’t quite understand why such a small matter caused so much hesitation.

Just as Mu Wanwan was about to urge them forward, Fang Xun interjected, “Let Yinnian and Wanwan go.”

“Yinnian, take good care of Wanwan. Grandpa won’t let you stay away too long.”

Fang Yinnian nodded, “I understand, but Grandpa, there’s no need to rush. I want to let things unfold naturally.”

What did he mean by “letting things unfold naturally”?

Of course, it meant letting the rats in the gutter expose themselves first.

Fang Yinnian’s words were subtle. Fang Xun nodded and then, pulling his wife aside, tried to reassure her: “Don’t worry. Yinnian has the ability; once he’s sent to the countryside, he’ll be assigned a position.”

“Assigned? Does that mean…” Ru Xiuhua was about to ask when suddenly, from the nearby square, a song broke out—

“Blue, blue skies above, white clouds drifting by.”

“Charming Yangtze River banks, the lovely ancient city of Nanjing, my hometown.”

“Ah, the rainbow-like bridge spanning the Yangtze…”

Someone was singing the “Song of the Educated Youth.”

Following the music, they saw a banner not far into the square, faintly visible, reading “Welcome Educated Youth” or something similar. Beneath it stood a crowd, many young people dressed in imitation military uniforms and caps, singing loudly.

Mu Wanwan had never heard lyrics like these before—melancholy yet filled with yearning—and surprisingly, they sounded beautiful.

She stopped urging and placed her two suitcases on the railing, idly tapping her fingers on the handles.

While others were reluctant and weeping, she could divert her attention.

Fang Yinnian was the first to notice Mu Wanwan’s small movements. Her little gestures eased much of his sorrow.

He put down the bag he was holding and finally embraced Fang Xun and Ru Xiuhua. “We’re leaving now. Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of ourselves.”

“Grandpa, Grandma, I will also take good care of Fang Yinnian,” Mu Wanwan hummed the tune in her heart, adding the words half-heartedly.

Fang Yinnian was speechless.

As they passed by with their luggage, he glanced at her and said, “Let’s go, busybody.”

Mu Wanwan hurried after him, turning back to stare at Fang Yinnian. “How did you know I’m busy? Are you going to help me with the luggage…?”

The sunlight was dazzling, golden rays falling on two figures—one tall, one short—as if they themselves were glowing.

Tears in her eyes, Ru Xiuhua looked at the two beloved youngsters and gripped Fang Xun’s hand. “They… will always be alright, won’t they?”

Fang Xun replied, “Of course. I promise.”

* * *

Inside the train station.

“Why haven’t they arrived yet?” Dylan Ying threw down a plastic bag and stomped hard twice. “If they don’t show soon, I’m going to—”

“They’re here!” Diao Hong pointed toward the main entrance.

At the bustling train station entrance, two particularly striking figures appeared. One was tall and handsome; the man carried a sack in his left hand, a large bundle of quilts in his right, and wore a backpack.

Despite the disheveled appearance, it did nothing to diminish the man’s noble and elegant demeanor.

Although his back was toward the light, Diao Hong immediately recognized Fang Yinnian.

Next to Fang Yinnian was Mu Wanwan.

She held two suitcases—one red, one deep brown—like a matching pair.

Mu Wanwan was attractive, with a slender and graceful figure, an oval face, delicate eyebrows, finely shaped features, and a rosy complexion.

Carrying those suitcases, one might think she was going on a leisurely trip rather than heading to rural labor.

Neither Dylan Ying nor Diao Hong could hide their anger upon seeing Mu Wanwan so carefree, without a hint of sadness or worry.

How could she still be smiling?

“Is she really going to the countryside?” Dylan Ying pointed at Mu Wanwan. “Why is she so happy?”

“Is she crazy?”

“No way!” Dylan Ying stormed out. “I’m going to kill her. Being sent down and still so joyful—people might think I’m helping her.”

“Wait, wait, Lan Ying!” Diao Hong almost lost control of Dylan Ying.

Their raised voices and the scuffle between the two women quickly attracted the attention of those nearby.

Mu Wanwan immediately became the focus. Upon seeing Dylan Ying, she raised an eyebrow teasingly, like taunting a little dog.

“Fang Yinnian, the one who caught you red-handed is here.”

Fang Yinnian was speechless. Hearing Mu Wanwan’s words, a sense of resigned helplessness washed over him again.

He lowered his gaze toward the excited woman beside him and sighed, giving a command: “Turn left, go to registration.”

“Oh,” Mu Wanwan obediently followed.

Compared to dealing with enemies, she now wanted nothing more than to get to the countryside quickly and embrace nature.

With a quick glance, Mu Wanwan followed Fang Yinnian to the youth office registration desk. Seeing Dylan Ying struggling with Diao Hong, trying to go after Mu Wanwan, Dylan Ying froze.

“Did she… ignore me?”

“How dare she ignore me?! I’m going to—”

* * *

“Enough!” Diao Hong scolded loudly, embarrassed. Dylan Ying was startled, her eyes widening in shock.

“You dare yell at me too?”

Smack! Dylan Ying slapped her, unleashing all the pent-up anger and resentment she felt toward Mu Wanwan onto Diao Hong’s face.

Diao Hong’s face immediately swelled.

“Don’t think just because I let you stay by my side, you can forget you’re a country bumpkin.”

“Get lost!”

After venting with the slap, Dylan Ying left without looking back. Since Mu Wanwan was heading to the countryside, Dylan Ying planned to find Fang Wenbin and share the good news.

She would tell him that no one could stop them from being together anymore—they could get married.

Fang Wenbin would surely be overjoyed.

“Wow, how pitiful,” Mu Wanwan said as she put down her suitcase, watching Dylan Ying slap someone and walk away.

Though she said “pitiful,” Fang Yinnian didn’t detect any sympathy in her tone.

“Enough messing around. Come sign here,” Fang Yinnian said, not even glancing their way. He grabbed Mu Wanwan’s hand and pressed a pen into it.

“Where do I sign?”

“Here,” Fang Yinnian pointed to a spot in the registration book—right above was his own name.

After they signed, the youth office staff checked their information and handed each of them an envelope.

“The envelopes contain your assigned address details and subsidy money.”

Money?

Curious, Mu Wanwan opened the envelope and saw a thick stack of large denomination bills—about forty notes.

She blinked and excitedly exclaimed, “Wow, I can buy so many comic books with this!”

Fang Yinnian’s brow twitched fiercely. Before she fully reacted, he had already taken the envelope from her.

Mu Wanwan’s gaze followed the envelope as it moved. “What are you doing?”

“…I’ll keep this money for now.”

“Why?” Mu Wanwan jumped up, trying to grab it back, but Fang Yinnian raised his hand, keeping it out of reach.

“Because I’m your husband.”

Husbands take their wives’ money?

Were the people of Gulanxing really so heartless?!