Chapter 16: The Deceived Girl in the 1970s: Fake vs. Real Daughter Story (Part 16)

The next morning at the work site, Xiaoxiao ran into that group again.

She had assumed they were done with her for good, but to her surprise, Feng Qingqing walked over once more.

Well then. With just that one move, all eyes turned toward them. Xiaoxiao was honestly impressed—this girl had to be wearing the female lead’s halo or something. Every little gesture somehow commanded a crowd.

She stood calmly, waiting to see what performance was coming this time.

Feng Qingqing looked sincerely apologetic. “I’m sorry, Comrade Ye Xiaoxiao. I was too impulsive yesterday and didn’t express myself clearly. That caused everyone to misunderstand and confront you. I truly apologize.”

She even gave a full bow.

Xiaoxiao sidestepped neatly out of the way.

Feng Qingqing looked heartbroken. “Comrade Ye Xiaoxiao, are you still mad at me? I understand if you don’t forgive me, but please don’t blame the others. It was all my fault.”

Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow. “You’re seriously here to apologize?”

Feng Qingqing nodded earnestly. “Yes. Brother Ze scolded me as soon as we got back. I know I was wrong.”

As she said that, she lowered her head shyly.

Xiaoxiao: …

What kind of performance is this? I’m not a man. I don’t go soft for tears—I squash delicate flowers without mercy.

If Feng Qingqing wanted to act, she wasn’t going to play along.

Seeing the team leader walking over, Xiaoxiao said, “If you’re really here to apologize, then I only have one request: stop purposely coming to bother me. Just stay away.”

Feng Qingqing looked like she was about to cry again. “Comrade Ye Xiaoxiao, can’t you find it in your heart to forgive me?”

Xiaoxiao didn’t reply. Instead, she turned to Lu Chuan. “Take your girl and go. Otherwise, when she starts crying again, she’ll accuse me of bullying her.”

And as if on cue—Feng Qingqing burst into tears.

Xiaoxiao: …

“Damn it,” she cursed internally. This is prophetic at this point.

Everyone else: … That timing… Is she psychic?!

Feng Qingqing sobbed, “Comrade Ye Xiaoxiao, how could you slander me like that? Brother Chuan and I just grew up together like siblings! There’s nothing else between us. I only see him as a big brother.”

Xiaoxiao nodded casually. “Mm-hmm. So, a big brother with emotional benefits, huh?”

“Hahaha! So he’s a ‘dear brother,’ huh? Well, I guess that’s technically still a brother,” someone in the crowd joked.

Laughter erupted. Some villagers nearby had overheard and couldn’t resist chiming in—they had also been watching the drama unfold yesterday.

Feng Qingqing panicked. “No! We’re not like that. Stop saying things like that!”

Lu Chuan looked devastated as he turned to her. “Qingqing, you know I’ve never seen you as a sister. I—

“Brother Chuan, don’t say that! I only see you as a brother. The one I like is Brother Ze!” Feng Qingqing cut him off before he could finish.

Lu Chuan’s expression was stunned as he turned toward Lu Ze. “Brother… You came here to steal Qingqing from me, didn’t you? Are you even my brother? You’ve known I liked her since we were kids, and you still went after her? That’s too much! You’re not my brother anymore!”

He yelled and ran off.

Lu Ze’s face was dark with frustration. What is wrong with Feng Qingqing? He’d turned her down a long time ago.

He wanted to go explain things to Lu Chuan. That was his younger brother, after all, and he didn’t want to fall out over a woman.

But Feng Qingqing stopped him. “Brother Ze, I like you. I’ve always liked you!”

Lu Ze frowned. “I’ve always seen you as a sister. And I knew Xiaochuan liked you; how could I possibly have feelings for you?”

“Then why were you always so nice to me?” Feng Qingqing demanded.

“I was looking out for Xiaochuan. You two were always together, and since he liked you, I looked after you a little too.”

“I don’t believe it! That’s not true!” She shouted and then took off running too.

In her mind, everything was Lu Chuan’s fault. If he hadn’t liked her, she and Lu Ze could’ve been together. She needed to go find Lu Chuan and clear things up.

The villagers who witnessed everything were more than satisfied with the drama. Even though it was nearly time to start work, they were energized by the morning gossip.

When the team leader and party secretary arrived, they saw the two people running away, and their faces turned grim.

Earlier, when the team leader had expressed concern over the new educated youths, the secretary hadn’t taken it seriously. “They all cause a fuss for the first couple of days. Give it ten days, maybe half a month, and they’ll settle down.”

But after hearing what had just happened, the secretary had to admit the team leader had been absolutely right.

“They left without permission. Ten work points deducted. Next time it’s twenty. The time after that, forty. We’ll deduct points progressively. And if you don’t have enough points by the end of the year? You’ll pay out of pocket.”

The team leader made the announcement coldly and immediately began assigning work.

Originally, the plan was to have the new educated youth pull weeds for a few days to ease into things.

But now?

“All of you—go dig peanuts.”

It didn’t sound hard, but after a full day, even standing straight would be difficult.

Xiaoxiao sighed. And once again, I’ve been dragged into their mess. I could’ve applied to go harvest instead.

By the end of the day, even though she took it slow and earned just four points, her back was aching.

That night, Xiaoxiao went to the team leader’s home.

“Uncle Team Leader, can you switch me to harvesting peanuts? I’m quick at it. I guarantee I can earn six to eight points a day.”

He frowned. “Are you sure?”

Peanut harvesting was usually slow-going. Most people only managed four or five points a day. It was typically assigned to the elderly or young kids.

Xiaoxiao nodded firmly. “You don’t believe me? Let me try tomorrow. If I can’t do it, just send me back to the fields the day after.”

The team leader puffed on his cigarette and smacked his lips. After a moment, he agreed.

Xiaoxiao went home gleefully, took a long, relaxing bath, and finally prepared for bed.

Meanwhile, back at the educated youth quarters, everyone was too exhausted to speak.

They all knew they’d been punished because of Lu Chuan and Feng Qingqing. And they were furious.

The two culprits looked aggrieved but didn’t dare say anything.

Even the other new educated youth, who had come down together, were quietly stewing. Especially Li Wenli and Zhang Yumei—they’d worked all day, and now they had to cook dinner?

And those two? Still lying in bed, not even considering helping?