Chapter 185
Jiang Yexun fell silent, declining to respond. Big Gao was already accustomed to his temperament, so he didn’t say anything. When Su Xiaoxiao returned with the things she had casually picked, Jiang Yexun nodded to Big Gao and said, “We’ll take our leave now.”
“Go ahead, I’ll keep what you said in mind,” Big Gao cheerfully replied.
They left the courtyard and rode back to the post office. This time, they retrieved all their belongings—five cotton coats sent by her brother, along with some money and tickets. Her parents had also sent a variety of snacks from Shanghai, including Su Xiaoxiao’s favorite peach pastries. Additionally, even though they were aware their daughter had received a 3,000 yuan reward for submitting a prescription, they sent her an extra fifty yuan along with various tickets.
After carefully reading through the letters written by her parents, Su Xiaoxiao earnestly stowed them away in her bag. Observing her, Jiang Yexun felt she must be yearning to see her parents. He said, “The New Year is at the end of January, but the train service will be suspended in early January. The lottery for tickets will likely happen in about two weeks. Let’s wait a little longer, and we’ll go back together.”
After Su Xiaoxiao married him, she would no longer be considered an educated youth but a member of their production team. Visiting her family would become much more convenient once they got an introduction letter. At that time, he could frequently take the little educated youth to visit her parents.
They first went to Jiang Xinyue’s house to deliver two military coats, then folded the clothes they had washed in the washing machine the previous day. After having lunch, they rode their bicycles back to the Hong Feng Production Team.
Previously, Jiang Yexun’s bicycle was stored at Zhang Tiewa’s house, but now that Su Xiaoxiao’s house was completed, naturally, it was kept at her place. Before heading home, they specifically delivered two military coats to Tao Junlan and Qian Siyu.
Aunt Guo said that the adjacent courtyard had been unusually quiet all day, without any quarrels or disturbances. There hadn’t even been anyone coming over to discuss anything unnecessary. This made Aunt Guo feel quite odd, as if the neighbors were keeping some unpleasant matters to themselves.
“Mom, don’t overthink it. The more they do, the sooner they’ll meet their end,” Jiang Yexun said while putting away the preserved items on the shelf into a dustpan.
At most, within these two or three days, something big might happen in the adjacent courtyard. There was no need for them to focus on it at the moment to avoid being sprayed with trouble.
“I’m just worried they’ll act recklessly and bully Xiaoxiao again,” Aunt Guo said, furrowing her brow as she voiced her concern.
“With Brother Yexun and Mom around, I’m not afraid of them,” Su Xiaoxiao immediately straightened her petite frame, speaking confidently.
“Right, with us here, you have nothing to fear.”
Seeing her cute yet fragile appearance, Aunt Guo became even more determined to protect this girl, raised with endless love and care, from being bullied just because she married her son.
However, as Su Xiaoxiao was aware, having been absent from field work for quite some time, Team Leader Jiang naturally had to arrange her work immediately upon her return. So, when they were about to go to bed that night, Team Leader Jiang specially came over to knock on the door, informing Su Xiaoxiao that she would need to start cultivating the fields early the next day. Before leaving, he also made sure Jiang Yexun was informed.
“You and your mom were away for a whole month. It was your two older brothers and their wives who alternated to cultivate the fields. Now that you’ve returned, you also need to share the tasks at home,” Team Leader Jiang scowled, looking at Jiang Yexun with displeasure.
“Alright,” Jiang Yexun lightly responded. He never refused the evenly distributed tasks at home. It was just moving a few rocks for a couple of days, nothing particularly serious.
After saying this, he tried to close the door. However, Team Leader Jiang struggled and managed to keep it from shutting completely.
“What exactly are you and your mom up to? Even though you and Educated Youth Su are engaged, you’re not married yet. Living together like this, it might lead to rumors,” he rebuked in a hushed tone.
“Three rooms, one per person. Whoever thinks there’s an issue, let them report it to the disciplinary office. I’m willing to face their questioning. What about your second son?” Jiang Yexun sarcastically retorted.
“You… How could I have a son as muddled as you? A harmonious family wasn’t enough, and you had to make a mess of things,” Team Leader Jiang furiously lashed out again.
Worried that the commotion might wake Su Xiaoxiao, Jiang Yexun exerted a bit of force and used the door to push Team Leader Jiang out. The startled Team Leader Jiang barely managed to maintain his balance and avoid falling.
Listening to the clear sound of the door locking and seeing the firmly closed door, Team Leader Jiang felt like he was going to explode with anger. But over the past couple of months, he hadn’t gained any advantage in the conflict and had become the subject of ridicule among the team members. So, he didn’t dare to create more trouble.
Jiang Yexun stood behind the door, and once he heard his father walking back to the neighboring courtyard, he turned to go back to his room. Unexpectedly, he noticed that the sent-down youth’s room was slightly ajar. A small and lovely face with sleepy eyes peered at him.
His restless heart instantly calmed down, softening significantly. He walked over and stroked Su Xiaoxiao’s head. The young girl, with half-open eyes, comfortably snuggled into his chest, then wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Brother Yexun, why did Team Leader Jiang come looking for us so late?” she asked.
“He wants us to cultivate the fields tomorrow,” Jiang Yexun answered softly.
Initially, Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t keep her eyes open and just wanted to take a good rest in the hardness of his chest. Even though she realized it was something she, as an educated youth, had to do, and she didn’t wish to be lazy, the mention of fieldwork drove all drowsiness away.
“Don’t worry. Cultivating the fields isn’t too tiring. We just need to collect five shoulder poles of stones each day. I’m skilled in it, so you can sit and rest while I do yours in the morning. Then, I’ll do mine in the afternoon,” Jiang Yexun kissed her forehead.
Initially in a semi-conscious state, Su Xiaoxiao’s guard immediately dropped after the intimate closeness of their skins. She softened and leaned into him.
Jiang Yexun hadn’t yet realized anything was amiss. Seeing her dressed lightly, he worried she might catch a cold in the chilly night and picked her up directly, heading back to the room with the bed.
As he was about to arrange the covers for the girl on the bed, Su Xiaoxiao, smelling fragrant and soft, unexpectedly hooked her arms around his neck and pulled him onto the bed.
“Don’t go! Stay and sleep with me,” she said.
Although Jiang Yexun intended to refuse, looking into the young girl’s eager and round eyes, he couldn’t resist the warm and fragrant allure of her plea.