Chapter 33 The Deceived Girl in the 1970s: Fake vs. Real Daughter Story (33)

Xiaoxiao watched as Feng Qingqing, through this recent incident, successfully transformed her public image.

She could only say, ‘Impressive.’ A true white lotus. Was this growth? Or had she just been holding back before? If she had been like this from the start, she might’ve been much harder to deal with.

But Xiaoxiao didn’t mind—so long as Feng Qingqing didn’t bother her, it was all fine. Everyone had their own way of living and handling things. If others didn’t provoke her, she wasn’t the type to interfere.

Besides, she still wanted to sit back and enjoy the drama. She was curious how things would end.

If Feng Qingqing couldn’t marry Wang Jianjun, life in the village would probably become very difficult for her. After all, nothing hurt more than rumours. Without a strong heart, the only escape might be death.

Still, none of them were good people—so she was content to just watch the show.

Back home, Xiaoxiao began cooking. She made stewed pig trotters, steamed pork with rice flour, and braised pork with preserved vegetables—long-cooking, flavourful dishes that stored well. It was the perfect opportunity to make a bunch.

She actually wanted to make some sausages, fried pork bites, and meatballs too—but she didn’t have enough meat. Once again, she found herself envying those female transmigrators who gained super strength and could go hunting wild boars.

She didn’t even want that much. Just a strength pill or gene booster would do—just enough to achieve “meat freedom”. That was her only dream now.

As a self-confessed carnivore—though one who used to be picky, refusing even the best fatty cuts of pork—she now drooled at just the smell of fat. How far she’d fallen!

Sigh. Her old self had been so pretentious. Meat was a gift from the heavens—how could she have thrown half of it away? Maybe that’s why the universe sent her here—to teach her a lesson in appreciation.

So much regret…

That evening, some of the other sent-down youths came by to invite her to join them for New Year’s. After thinking it over, Xiaoxiao agreed.

Although she didn’t get along with a few of them, humans were social creatures. In the eyes of the villagers, all the educated youth were one group. And on New Year’s, every group was expected to gather as a family.

Most importantly, her main adversary, Wang Meiling, had gone home to visit her family. Several other older educated youth had also returned home for the holiday.

So the ones left at the educated youth housing were mostly this year’s newcomers and a few old-timers from Beijing.

Xiaoxiao generously brought a meat dish. Others brought things sent from home, and together they had a great meal.

It was New Year’s, after all—no one wanted to cause trouble over personal grudges.

“Ah, if only we could eat like this every day,” Zheng Jun sighed.

Ma Jun rolled his eyes. “Who wouldn’t want that?”

Lu Chuan added, “I wonder when we’ll get to go back to the city.” Even if they couldn’t eat meat every day back home, at least every few days they could.

At the mention of returning to the city, everyone fell silent.

Who didn’t want to go back? But how many had actually managed it? In all these years, there had only been more people sent down—hardly any went back.

Sensing the mood drop, Wei Jingchuan quickly changed the subject. “Do you think there’ll be more educated youth sent here next year?”

Long Lingling groaned, “Then our dorm will be even more crowded. “Where are we supposed to fit them?”

The more people, the more conflict. Every group of new arrivals caused a fresh round of drama.

Wang Xiuxiu asked Xiaoxiao, “Xiaoxiao, what’s it like living outside?”

If it was possible, she wanted to move out too.

Xiaoxiao replied, “It’s great. No drama, no scheming. You know my personality—I can’t stand being taken advantage of or holding back. If I lived at the educated youth spot, we’d probably be fighting every day.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, making Xiaoxiao roll her eyes.

It was one thing for her to make fun of herself, but it was another for everyone else to chime in so enthusiastically. Why did it feel so irritating?

She glared at them playfully and continued eating. No way was she going to let them get her food. She brought a big bowl of meat—she was going to get her share!

Seeing her dig in, the others sped up their chopstick pace too.

But Li Wenli turned to Feng Qingqing with a smirk, clearly enjoying the discomfort. “Qingqing, how are you planning to deal with your situation? Did the Wang family give you any explanation? I think you’d better fight for justice while you can. I heard Wang Jianjun’s going back to the army after New Year’s, and he’s taking Zhang Jiabei with him. Once they’re gone, people will only talk about you, and you’ll have no chance to explain yourself.”

Li Wenli admitted she was being petty as she wanted to see Feng Qingqing fall. But her warning was also genuine. Since they all lived in the same compound, people would link their reputations. She didn’t want to be dragged down by association.

If not for that, she wouldn’t have bothered giving a heads-up.

But she was confident Feng Qingqing would try to marry someone fast and leave. That way, it wouldn’t be her problem anymore.

Plus, thinking about how Feng Qingqing had once scorned so many sons of powerful families in the capital, only to end up with a peasant soldier, made Li Wenli very happy. Let’s see how proud she could be now.

Sure, Wang Jianjun was a military man and even a company commander—but he was still a muddy-footed peasant. Compared to her former suitors? Not even close.

Besides, the selfish Feng family wouldn’t help Wang Jianjun if there was no benefit. And they had no military connections—he was on his own.

If Wang Jianjun didn’t rise in rank, Feng Qingqing would definitely regret it. She might even seek a divorce.

As long as Feng Qingqing ended up miserable, Li Wenli would be delighted.

Feng Qingqing could see right through Li Wenli’s malicious expression and was even more contemptuous inside.

No wonder she’d always looked down on her. What—did Li Wenli think marrying Wang Jianjun gave her the upper hand?

What a joke.

Even if she married him, so what? If Wang Jianjun stayed stuck at the bottom, she could always leave. With her family background and looks, she could easily remarry someone better.

This was just a temporary strategy.

Li Wenli, seeing her silent, pressed again. “Qingqing, seriously, what are you planning to do?”