Chapter 100 What to Do? (1/2)

After finishing her work in the mountains, Ruan Tang also carried a small basket on her back and strolled to the back mountain to cut pig feed the next day.

The late summer heat is intense; the sun beats down on your body, and beads of sweat roll down your neck, making you feel sticky and itchy.

The air was filled with the fishy smell of grass juice and the earthy smell, which kept getting into my nose.

Ruan Tang chose a spot under a big tree and had just cut two handfuls of tender grass when she heard the sound of grass being cut behind her.

Turning around, I saw Lin Xiangnan and Shen Yishan.

When Lin Xiangnan saw her, his bright eyes lit up instantly, and he ran over in a few steps, his forehead covered in sweat.

"Ruan Tang, you're here too!"

Ruan Tang smiled, her almond-shaped eyes curving like two little crescent moons: "I'm earning some work points for the family, since I'm just sitting around doing nothing anyway. What about you? You're quitting your job at the tofu shop?"

Lin Xiangnan plopped down next to her, scratched his head sheepishly, and looked completely dejected.

"Oh, don't even mention it! That tofu was even more delicate than tofu pudding. I'm heavy-handed, and it dented the moment I touched it. My aunt didn't say anything, but the look in her eyes... tsk, how could I possibly stay there?"

She lowered her voice, which was tinged with a hint of excitement.

"I was thinking of going to the weaving workshop, but they're rushing to finish their work and aren't hiring new people. So I'll just cut pig feed for now; I'll get the same work points anyway."

Ruan Tang's gaze swept lightly over the distance not far away.

Shen Yishan kept a straight face and silently cut grass, wielding the sickle quickly and ruthlessly, as if she had a grudge against the pig feed in the field.

Ruan Tang looked away without saying a word.

Lin Xiangnan glanced in the direction of her gaze, curled her lips in disdain, pulled Ruan Tang aside, and whispered something in a low voice.

"Ignore her! She's just jealous that you and Yan Zhiqing got your marriage certificate. She always has this long face, like everyone owes her eight hundred yuan!"

Ruan Tang knew exactly what was going on, but she didn't point it out. She just smiled with her eyes crinkled and changed the subject.

"I heard that your educated youth settlement is going to build new houses?"

Lin Xiangnan immediately perked up at the mention of this.

"That's right! The five of us chipped in and bought that dilapidated yard behind Aunt Fengxia's house! One hundred yuan, twenty yuan each!"

"There are five rooms in the courtyard, one for each person. A wall has been built in the middle. Shen Yishan and I live in the east courtyard, and the three men live in the west courtyard. The repairs and maintenance cost another eighty yuan, which will be deducted from the resettlement allowance. After we add furniture, the resettlement allowance will be almost gone. We can move in in a couple of days. Please come over for a housewarming dinner then!"

She paused, then leaned closer mysteriously.

“I heard from the brigade leader that they are making adobe bricks in the open space at the entrance of the village. After the autumn harvest, another batch of educated youth will come.”

Ruan Tang's heart stirred slightly.

"Things are getting chaotic in Beijing." Lin Xiangnan lowered his voice even further. "Shen Yishan received a letter from home a few days ago, and her face turned pale on the spot. She keeps saying that her mother can get her back to the city, but I think it's unlikely."

The mountains were quiet, and the sound carried away by the wind.

Shen Yishan abruptly stopped cutting the grass, stood up abruptly, rushed over in a few steps, and stared intently at Ruan Tang.

"Did Yan Yu's family agree to your marriage?" The voice was shrill and aggressive.

Ruan Tang slowly stood up and leisurely brushed the grass clippings off her hands.

She even tilted her head and tapped her fair cheek with her fingertip, looking completely innocent.

Why don't you agree?

"I heard from Gu Jinzhou that Yan Yu's family has a very powerful background!" Shen Yishan's face turned red with anger, and her voice rose several octaves. "His family would never agree to him marrying just anyone in the countryside!"

"oh."

Ruan Tang responded slowly and deliberately.

Her almond-shaped eyes, so clear they showed no emotion, spoke softly and gently.

"Didn't Gu Jinzhou tell you that?"

"Yan Yu is no longer a member of the Yan family."