Chapter 21 The Deceived Girl in the 1970s: Fake vs. Real Daughter Story (21)

Not long after, Zhang Yumei also moved out of the educated youth dormitory. No one knew exactly how she convinced the team leader’s family, but she managed to rent the shared room of the team leader’s two youngest sons. It was located in the center of the village, just a few steps from Xiaoxiao’s house—separated only by the drying yard.

Plus, living right next to the team leader’s home meant there was no need to worry about safety. Clearly, she had a brain—just temporarily clouded by love before. Now that her head was clear, she was acting smart again.

Back at the educated youth point, after Zhang Yumei left, all the kitchen duties fell to Li Wenli. Out in the fields, Feng Qingqing often expected her to help with her share of the work too.

Of course, Feng Qingqing never directly asked. She just dropped hints. If Li Wenli pretended not to understand, she’d write a letter to her own family, who would then pressure Li Wenli’s parents to talk some sense into her.

Even when Li Wenli tried to resist or express her dissatisfaction, Lu Chuan would always stand up for Feng Qingqing.

Once, Li Wenli even went to Lu Ze, hoping he’d help her refuse.

But why should Lu Ze help her?

He looked at Li Wenli, standing in front of him with eyes full of grievance and desperate hope, and said coldly, “If you don’t want to do Feng Qingqing’s share, then say no to her directly. Don’t come to me—I can’t help you.”

Li Wenli grew frantic. “You can help! Just one word from you, and she’ll back off!”

Lu Ze frowned. “And why would I do that? Lu Chuan is my brother. He likes Feng Qingqing. Who do you think I’m going to side with?”

Li Wenli cried, “Why won’t you help me?” We grew up together! You used to speak up for me—why are you pretending not to see anything now?”

Lu Ze paused, then said flatly, “Because I don’t want to get caught up in misunderstandings anymore. If you don’t want to help Feng Qingqing, just refuse. You live so far from home now—your family can’t control you.”

Rejected outright, Li Wenli began to break down. “How can they not control me? If I don’t do what she wants, she’ll tattle to her parents, and they’ll cut me off completely. What am I supposed to do? People like you, born into comfort—you’ll never understand how hard it is for the rest of us! I thought you were different, but you’re just like Lu Chuan.”

Lu Ze was silent for a moment, then said, “Maybe I am.”

He turned to leave, but before he could take a step, Li Wenli suddenly threw her arms around him and shouted, “If you leave, I’ll scream and say you tried to take advantage of me!”

A cold voice rang out behind them.

“What are you doing?”

“Let go of Brother Ze!”

They both turned in shock to see Lu Chuan and Feng Qingqing standing there.

Feng Qingqing’s face contorted as she saw Li Wenli still clinging to Lu Ze. “What are you doing, Li Wenli? Let go of Brother Ze! Do you even realize what you’re doing?”

Lu Chuan scowled. “Brother, why is she hugging you? Are you two seeing each other?”

If they were, then maybe Qingqing would finally give up on Lu Ze.

Lu Ze angrily shoved Li Wenli aside and snapped at Lu Chuan, “What nonsense are you spouting?!”

Li Wenli stumbled and fell to the ground. Seeing Feng Qingqing’s wounded expression, a perverse sense of satisfaction surged in her chest.

She looked up at Feng Qingqing and declared, “That’s right! You didn’t mishear—we are seeing each other!”

Lu Ze barked, “Li Wenli! What nonsense are you spouting?!”

Feng Qingqing lost it. “You bitch! How dare you slander Brother Ze like that?! As if he’d ever fall for someone like you—he’s mine!”

With that, she lunged at Li Wenli, and the two started brawling.

Li Wenli, already at her wit’s end, fought back viciously. She had only one thought—if Feng Qingqing was miserable, she’d be happy.

So the two girls clawed at each other while the brothers each tried to intervene. But before long, it turned into an all-out scuffle—four people entangled, shrieking and flailing.

The commotion was so loud, even the older educated youth came to see what was going on.

Staring at the chaotic pile of limbs, most were dumbfounded. Weren’t these four supposed to be close allies?

Wang Meiling snorted and said with glee to Long Lingling and Liu Lili, “I knew something was weird about that group. Was just wondering when the drama would start—didn’t expect it this fast.”

Long Lingling tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to lower her voice.

Wang Meiling scoffed, “If they’ve got the guts to act like that, why be afraid of gossip? Look at them—always circling around Feng Qingqing like she’s some queen bee. Now what? She’s the one getting slapped silly. Did you see her face? Bet it’s going to scar!”

Liu Lili muttered, “Isn’t that a bit much…?”

Meanwhile, Zhou Weiguo stood nearby, his face as dark as thunder. But he couldn’t scold his girlfriend—as Wang Meiling would blow up and give everyone a better show.

Still, just because he couldn’t yell at her didn’t mean he couldn’t be mad at someone else.

“Hey, what are you standing around for?!” He barked at the male educated youth. “Break them up already!”

Li Wenli screamed, “Anyone who touches me is a pervert!”

Feng Qingqing shrieked, “Don’t touch me either! I swear I’ll beat that slut to death today!”

Li Wenli shouted, “You spoiled capitalist brat! You think just because your father’s my father’s superior, you can bully me?! I’m done taking it!”

Feng Qingqing screamed back, “You’re the spoiled brat! You slut! You’re the one throwing yourself at Brother Ze—who’s bullying who?!”

No one wanted to intervene. Honestly, most were just happy to watch the chaos.

And wasn’t it obvious that Feng Qingqing was going too far? She had torn Li Wenli’s collar. That couldn’t be accidental.

Meanwhile, Lu Ze was still being blocked by Lu Chuan. He didn’t want to hurt his brother, but Lu Chuan wasn’t holding back at all.

To make things worse, both girls kept pulling at him during the fight—one moment grabbing his arm, the next yanking his sleeve. He felt like he was fighting off three people alone.

Especially Li Wenli. She didn’t hold back at all. It was like she was determined to get tangled up with him—he swore his pants were seconds away from being ripped clean off.

Lu Ze was going to lose his mind. How many times had he regretted coming to the countryside?

Seeing everyone laughing at them, he finally snapped and roared, “Enough!” Are you done yet?!”

Li Wenli whimpered, “Brother Ze, don’t be mad. I’ll stop. It’s all Feng Qingqing’s fault. She can’t stand seeing us together.”

Feng Qingqing shrieked, “You slut! Brother Ze is mine! Stop dreaming! He’d never want you!”

Lu Chuan looked heartbroken. “Qingqing, do you really have no feelings for me at all?”

Feng Qingqing gave him a sorrowful look. “Brother Chuan, you know I’ve always loved Brother Ze. I’m sorry. I can’t return your feelings. Maybe in the next life. But in this one, my heart already belongs to him. Please… let us be together. If you truly love someone, shouldn’t you want them to be happy?”

Her words were earnest, heartfelt… And her face, scratched and swollen, made it hard to take seriously.

Lu Chuan, crushed, turned to his brother and declared, “Brother, since Qingqing loves you, and you love her, I’ll step aside. I’ll let you have her. But you have to promise me you’ll treat her well. If you don’t… I’ll take her back.”

He looked solemn, awaiting Lu Ze’s answer.

And then—

Li Wenli shouted, “I like Brother Ze too! And he likes me! We’re already dating—why should she get him just because she wants him?!”