Chapter 84
Jiang Yexun’s prominent Adam’s apple bobbed as he gazed intensely at those puckered red lips. Leaning in, he fiercely grabbed the back of that fuzzy head and kissed her passionately. Their lips locked, caressing and intertwining. It wasn’t until the girl in his arms was nearly breathless that Jiang Yexun slightly pulled away.
He used his rough thumb to gently wipe the glistening moisture from the girl’s lips and muttered, “I’m leaving; rest well.”
“Mmm,” Su Xiaoxiao responded in a coy, trembling voice, forcing herself to make a sound.
However, the two of them still clung together affectionately, reluctant to part ways until the other educated youth came back and saw him off.
After the significant events that occurred last night, the educated youth dormitory was abuzz with discussions. Even those educated youths were eagerly chatting about it.
In the end, the conversation shifted to Dong Jiaxuan. Some people, taking advantage of the lights being off, ridiculed her as a “double adulteress,” causing her to fly into a rage.
If it weren’t for Su Xiaoxiao discovering that they had spiked the red sugar, and if Su Xiaoxiao weren’t so possessive, insisting on taking revenge even when she hadn’t been harmed, would Dong Jiaxuan have consumed that adulterated red sugar and ended up with another man last night?
Why were they blaming her?
If they wanted to blame someone, they should blame Su Xiaoxiao!
But Dong Jiaxuan could only silently refute these thoughts in her heart and dared not confront them.
Finally, she jumped down from the bed, shouting that they were falsely accusing her, and got into a fight with several people. The chaos lasted until past one o’clock in the morning.
However, the next morning, just before 6 a.m., Team Leader Jiang announced through the loudspeaker that they should all attend a public criticism session.
Su Xiaoxiao had planned to eat the noodles that Jiang Yexun had cooked, but she realized that no one in the educated youth dormitory was eating breakfast. Everyone wanted to watch the spectacle.
Fearing she wouldn’t find a good spot, she hurriedly urged Jiang Yexun to leave.
When they arrived at the threshing ground, Xiang Hongmei was lying on the ground like a dead dog. Her face had been slapped repeatedly, leaving it swollen and disfigured, making it unbearable to look at.
Despite both parties being at fault, the man had no injuries. He even stood by, mocking He Old He. However, Old He was cowardly and only glared at him, too afraid to take any action.
Team Leader Jiang, seeing that most people were present, declared loudly, “Last night, our village witnessed a severe breach of moral conduct. The actions of Xiang Hongmei and Lu Deqiu were extremely reprehensible. We will carry out a public criticism session for one year as punishment. I hope all comrades in the production team will take them as a warning and be vigilant, not letting such things tempt you.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a pile of rotten cabbage leaves was thrown at Xiang Hongmei on the stage.
Why didn’t anyone tell her to wear protection?
Su Xiaoxiao’s eyes widened, and she looked around only to discover that not only the people from the production team but also Tao Junlan and Qian Siyu had hidden cabbage leaves in their pockets.
Realizing her gaze, Qian Siyu gave her half of her cabbage leaves.
“Just a few days ago, Aunt Xiang gave you trouble. How about you let off some steam too?” Qian Siyu suggested.
As Su Xiaoxiao looked at the pitiful cabbage leaves, she felt disheartened. Would the effect of throwing these really be noticeable?
She wished she had brought a couple of eggs instead.
Seeing that Su Xiaoxiao was hesitating, Tao Junlan also shared half of her cabbage leaves with her. Although it was still too little, it was better than nothing.
Su Xiaoxiao used a little skill to propel her cabbage leaves over the heads of the others and aimed for the back of Xiang Hongmei’s head.
Once everyone had thrown what they had, they began to pick up rocks from the ground.
Su Xiaoxiao thought about joining in but noticed that Jiang Yexun had prepared a basket for her.
Looking into the basket, her eyes suddenly lit up. It was full of stones, all the size of half a quail egg. They would not kill anyone, but they could also cause considerable pain.
“You prepared this in advance? Wow… you’re so considerate!” Su Xiaoxiao whispered to Jiang Yexun, rubbing her arm against his in an affectionate manner.
“Let’s start. Otherwise, everyone will stop, and you won’t have a chance to throw,” Jiang Yexun reminded.
“Yexun, let’s do it together,” Su Xiaoxiao handed the basket to him.
Jiang Yexun didn’t refuse and picked up three rocks. He hurled them towards Xiang Hongmei on the stage with tremendous force. The woman, who had been crying quietly just moments ago, now screamed in agony.
When everyone had thrown their objects, they started picking up scissors to give Xiang Hongmei and Lu Deqiu a shorn head.
“Shameless wretches! You’ve disgraced our production team!”
The women criticized Xiang Hongmei while spitting at her. Su Xiaoxiao watched for a while, and the novelty soon wore off. She felt it was senseless and tugged at Jiang Yexun’s sleeve.
“Yexun, can we go now? We should leave early to reach the city by noon,” she whispered.
“Okay,” Jiang Yexun nodded.
Together, they returned to the educated youth dormitory, collected Su Xiaoxiao’s luggage, and loaded it onto a cart. Although the suitcase was large, Jiang Yexun easily carried it.
Su Xiaoxiao offered to help, but Jiang Yexun side-stepped her reaching hand and said, “You just stand to the side; it’s a piece of cake for me.”
“But I’ve put in so many things; it must be heavy,” Su Xiaoxiao insisted.
Seeing that she wasn’t giving up, he simply quickened his pace. Su Xiaoxiao hurried to catch up.
But the educated youth dormitory wasn’t that big, and by the time she reached Jiang Yexun, he had already placed the suitcase at the door.
After catching her breath, the girl approached him and her restless little hand began to brush against his arm.
“Wow, how can you be so strong?” Su Xiaoxiao curiously poked at the muscles on his arm, which were bulging even through his clothing.
“Your suitcase isn’t heavy,” Jiang Yexun said with a slightly delayed breath. Although he tried to ignore it, the extremely soft touch against his palm still ignited a strange sensation.
Thankfully, Uncle Wang, who had been arranged in advance, arrived at that moment with his ox cart.
Su Xiaoxiao was a bit embarrassed, looking at him and Uncle Wang, she sneaked glances at the latter several times.
Seeing that he wasn’t turning back, she felt more at ease.
“Be good, take a little nap. I’ll wake you when we’re about to reach the city,” Jiang Brother Yexunntly patted her as if coaxing a child to sleep.
Uncle Wang had driven the ox cart for so many years, taking countless newlyweds to the city, but he had never seen a couple with such a good relationship. However, he was sensible enough not to peek and make the young couple uncomfortable.
Su Xiaoxiao coiled her arms around Jiang Yexun’s sturdy waist and rested her head against his chest, cuddling up to him.
After letting out a deep yawn, she softly closed her eyes.