Chapter 14: Kang Yuzhu, the Novel’s Female Protagonist

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Mu Wanwan realized it only after the fact. But just as the thought crossed her mind, she immediately brushed it aside. What did the romantic development between the male and female leads have to do with her? She certainly wasn’t going to be a mere pawn. As for the feelings between the protagonists... if Fang Yinnian fell for someone else, she would divorce him on the spot! After the divorce, no one would have any control over her anymore. With that thought, Mu Wanwan couldn’t help but wonder—was there really such a good thing?!

“Fang—!” Mu Wanwan called out awkwardly but bumped straight into Fang Yinnian as she turned. Fang Yinnian quickly set down his things and wrapped an arm around her shoulders to prevent her from falling. “Be careful. Why are you so clumsy?” His voice was low and gentle, like a soothing breeze... making her ears tingle slightly.

Mu Wanwan shivered unexpectedly, withdrawing in excitement and took a step back, rubbing her ear. “What are you doing?!” she pouted and glared at Fang Yinnian fiercely. This girl even had the nerve to accuse the offender first!

Fang Yinnian smirked coldly. Seeing the little tuft of hair on her head bouncing like a disloyal pet, he pressed it down. Mu Wanwan let out a small howl, clutching her head and stepping back further, eyes warily fixed on him.

Fang Yinnian rubbed his temples. “I was about to ask you the same thing.” One moment she looked as if the sky was falling, the next she was inexplicably cheerful. Someone who didn’t know better might think she was possessed.

He had gained a new understanding of this mischievous little troublemaker. He could no longer treat her the way he had in the past two years—otherwise, she would surely turn the heavens upside down. With that in mind, Fang Yinnian cast a casual glance at Mu Wanwan. She felt that look was just like the stern stare of her marshal father who used to keep her in line, making her scalp tingle.

Mu Wanwan strategically took another step back, feeling it wasn’t enough, so she cautiously retreated once more. When she could retreat no further, she hid behind Dong Huiying.

Dong Huiying chuckled softly. “...You two really have a great relationship.”

Mu Wanwan blinked in confusion. How could she say that? Didn’t she see the male lead nearly biting someone just now?

“We just—”

“The arrived educated youth, quickly assemble! We’re leaving now.”

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“Is there anyone else from Hongguang Commune...?” Hearing the call from Hongguang Commune, Dong Huiying reluctantly hugged Mu Wanwan. “We’re off. Come find us to hang out when you have time.”

“Ah, oh, okay...” Mu Wanwan was still dazed, not quite processing it as she watched Dong Huiying and Jiang Guoqiang head toward the wooden sign reading Hongguang Commune.

Three educated youths had already gathered there. After Dong Huiying and Jiang Guoqiang arrived, someone verified the information. Once everyone was accounted for, the group began packing and preparing to leave.

“We should leave too.” Fang Yinnian picked up the bags and seeing Mu Wanwan still looking on, coaxed her like a child, “In a little while, I’ll take you to find them.”

“Mm, no backing out.”

“When have I ever backed out?”

“I don’t know about before, but who’s to say about the future...” Mu Wanwan carried on the accusation with a sly smile.

Meanwhile, at the sign-in desk of Hongguang Commune.

Vice Chairman Zheng Gang closed the registration book and called out, “Guoqiang, take the wooden sign and go start the tractor.”

“Got it, Dad.” Zheng Guoqiang tossed the last peanut into his mouth and casually grabbed the wooden sign standing on the ground.

Zheng Gang glanced at his youngest son. “Call me Chairman when you’re outside.”

“Understood, Chairman Comrade.”

Zheng Gang suddenly frowned. “Where’s your cousin?”

Zheng Guoqiang scanned around and spotted Kang Yuzhu near the public restroom. He pointed her out. “Isn’t she over there?”

Zheng Gang nodded and said, “Go call your cousin.” With that, he left ahead.

Zheng Guoqiang waved at his absent-minded cousin. “Cousin, we’re leaving now, come quickly!”

Kang Yuzhu blinked and called out, “Coming, coming.” Yet her gaze remained fixed on a certain spot.

Curious, Zheng Guoqiang thought it wasn’t urgent. Carrying the wooden sign, he jogged over. Following Kang Yuzhu’s gaze, he saw several educated youths standing by the Red Star Farm wooden sign.

“What are you looking at? What’s so interesting about the educated youth?” Zheng Guoqiang scoffed. “Didn’t your village split into two groups this time?”

“Cousin, do you know who that person is?” Kang Yuzhu pointed at Fang Yinnian, who was handing a pen to Mu Wanwan for signing.

But Zheng Guoqiang’s eyes were fixed only on Mu Wanwan, who was slightly turned, revealing a flawless half-profile like polished jade.

When Mu Wanwan wasn’t smiling or fooling around, she had a way of intimidating people—a kind of cold, ethereal beauty that seemed otherworldly.

At a glance, one might think she was a fairy descended to the mortal world.

Zheng Guoqiang sighed admiringly, “Truly beautiful! Do you know her?”

Kang Yuzhu slapped Zheng Guoqiang’s arm, jealous. “Who told you to look at girls? I’m asking you about—”

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Kang Yuzhu’s gaze hurriedly returned to Fang Yinnian. For some reason, from the moment she stepped out of the restroom and first saw this man, she was captivated by him.

It was as if he belonged to her by nature, a strong desire burning in her heart to know him and marry him—by any means necessary.

“I’m asking about that gentleman. Do you know him?”

“How could I know him?” Zheng Guoqiang shrugged and reluctantly withdrew his gaze, pulling Kang Yuzhu away. “Alright, stop looking.”

Whether intentional or not, he blocked her line of sight as they walked. “Yuzhu, I remember your uncle lately plans to arrange your betrothal, right? To Chen Yunfei, the squad leader of the Seventh Battalion at Red Star Farm.”

“You two families are supposed to hold the engagement ceremony next month, aren’t you?”

Kang Yuzhu’s brows instantly clouded with annoyance. “I—”

“Yuzhu.” Zheng Guoqiang interrupted, “You’re still young. You don’t know that a person can’t be judged by appearances alone.”

He glanced coldly toward Red Star Farm, lingering for two seconds on Fang Yinnian. “It’s not like before. Nowadays, those sent to the countryside are usually from families without means.”

“Yuzhu, you’ve been spoiled by your uncle, aunt, and all of us. We don’t want you to suffer.”

“Have you ever considered living the kind of life Kang Cuiping has?”

Kang Cuiping was the eldest daughter of Kang Shengli, the production team leader of Shuanghe Village, three years older than Kang Yuzhu. Before marriage, she and Kang Yuzhu were known as the twin golden flowers of Shuanghe Village.

Yet after marrying the educated youth Zhao Minghao, she not only had to do all the washing and cooking, manage the household, bear children, but also scrimp and save daily to send money back to her in-laws in Harbin.

Because her parents-in-law were elderly, in poor health, and the family had no money, they needed financial support.

Now at just twenty-three, Kang Cuiping looked decades older than her peers after enduring three years of hardship.

Thinking back to the Kang Cuiping she had seen recently, Kang Yuzhu’s face turned pale and she shivered.

She was terrified and shook her head.

She would never be as foolish as Kang Cuiping—refusing a good life to torment herself serving others.

Kang Yuzhu bit her lip and withdrew her gaze.

She thought to herself, just wait and see.

Someone so beautiful surely couldn’t come from such a wretched family.

Even if the family background was poor, she still had a fallback plan.

Just wait and see, just wait a little longer...