If Sun Linglong had known what was going through Wen Ruocheng’s mind, she likely would not have been able to stick to her principles—the thought was simply too nauseating.
Upon returning to Taohua Village, Sun Linglong grabbed her basket and hurriedly climbed off the ox cart. Wen Ruocheng’s gaze followed her intensely, as if to say, "I know you're shy."
"Brother Ruocheng, let’s get off the cart too."
Ji Wenrou suppressed the anger rising within her. Only when she saw Wen Ruocheng’s gaze finally shift to her did she manage to calm down a little. "Yanyan must be getting anxious waiting for us."
Wen Ruocheng, too, remembered Wen Yan. They had managed to eat at the State-run Restaurant, but he had no idea if Wen Yan had eaten anything at all. Before leaving, they had entrusted Wen Yan to the care of Wang Zhiping.
The two walked briskly toward the Educated Youth Point.
"Get lost! You little brat, you’re just a stray pup with no one to raise you!"
"Clear out! This is our spot, get lost!"
Wen Yan was suddenly shoved hard by a young boy, sending him crashing to the ground. Sharp stones on the ground cut into his palms, drawing thin trickles of blood. The pain made him burst into loud, wailing sobs.
"I’m not a kid without a family! You’re lying! I’ll beat you to death!"
"When my brother gets back, he definitely won't let you off!"
Wen Yan’s eyes were bloodshot. He let the tears fall, making no effort to hide the malice in his gaze. He stared fixedly at the leader of the group of children, wishing he could lunge forward and sink his teeth into the boy’s neck.
"What are you looking at? Did I say anything wrong?"
"That’s right, Tiedan didn't say anything wrong!"
"You still dare to glare at me?" Tiedan was furious. He was a head taller than Wen Yan, and his temper flared. He charged forward and began to grapple with Wen Yan.
Wen Yan was no rabbit, either. He grabbed a handful of Tiedan’s hair with one hand and bit down hard on the boy’s ear.
"Ah!"
Tiedan yelped in pain, a look of ferocity flashing in his eyes as he swung a hand and slapped Wen Yan hard across the face.
"Waaaah!"
"What do you think you’re doing?!"
Wen Ruocheng happened to witness the scene just then. He was instantly incensed, roaring as he charged toward Tiedan and shoved him away with all his might.
"Oof!"
Tiedan curled into a ball on the ground, the pain leaving him unable to move for a moment. The other children retreated in fear. Ignoring them, Wen Ruocheng scooped up Wen Yan and checked him over carefully.
A clear palm print stood out on Wen Yan’s fair cheek, and the clothes that had been clean that morning were now torn and disheveled.
Ji Wenrou also ran over in a panicked hurry, crouching down to cup Wen Yan’s face. "My poor Yanyan."
Unable to hold back any longer, Wen Yan buried his face in Ji Wenrou’s chest and sobbed uncontrollably. "Waaah, Sister Wenrou, they said I’m a stray pup that no one wants. They’re bullying me."
Wen Ruocheng lost his composure; his eyes were red, and he looked like a crazed beast. "Who said that?"
The children huddled together, trembling, too scared to speak.
Tiedan had recovered slightly and crawled up from the ground, still stubborn. "It’s true! My grandma said so—he was only brought to Taohua Village because nobody wanted him!"
Wen Ruocheng froze, and then a wave of monstrous fury surged within him. So this was what these country bumpkins thought? How dared they look down on him? How dared they?!
Perhaps frightened by the murderous look in Wen Ruocheng’s eyes, Tiedan began to wail loudly. He scrambled to his feet and ran toward his home, crying as he went, "Grandma! Someone’s bullying me!"
Ji Wenrou inspected Wen Yan’s injuries. Fortunately, only the mark on his face looked alarming; he had no serious injuries elsewhere.
Wen Yan leaned against Ji Wenrou, acting sweet and docile. "Brother, I don’t want to stay here. They all bully me." On his innocent, cute face was a look of pity, and his clear eyes betrayed a hint of fear.
Wen Ruocheng gritted his teeth. "Be good, Yanyan. I’ll find a way for us to leave."
At these words, Wen Yan finally revealed a smile. He looked up and cast a quick glance at Ji Wenrou. "Sister Wenrou, let’s go home."
Ji Wenrou agreed, picked up Wen Yan, and followed by Wen Ruocheng, the three of them stepped into the Educated Youth Point.
"Yanyan, your brother bought you red-braised pork. Are you happy?"
"Happy!"
A child’s emotions come and go quickly; he was easily coaxed by a bowl of red-braised pork.
When the three entered the room, it was empty. Wen Ruocheng frowned. "Yanyan, where is Uncle Wang? Is he not at the Educated Youth Point?"
Wen Yan held the red-braised pork, sniffing the faint, lingering aroma, his mouth looking as if it were watering. He quickly wiped his chin. "Uncle Wang went out and hasn't come back yet."
It was already twelve o'clock; why hadn't he returned?
"Have you eaten yet?"
Wen Yan shook his head pitifully. "Brother, Yanyan is hungry."
Fortunately, Wen Ruocheng had packed a portion of red-braised pork and had also bought three meat buns. Ji Wenrou brought in a basin of water to wash Wen Yan up carefully before leading him to the table to sit down. She opened the aluminum lunch box containing the pork and pushed it toward him.
"Yanyan, eat up."
Wen Yan was truly hungry. He ate ravenously, alternating between the pork and the meat buns, looking completely satisfied. But as a child, he was full after one bun and half the bowl of pork.
"Oh? Is that red-braised pork?"
As soon as Li Hongmei walked into the room, she smelled the scent of meat. She walked straight to the table and couldn't help but reach out to grab a piece.
Ji Wenrou’s hand was quick; she covered the lunch box and tucked away the remaining meat buns.
"What do you think you’re doing?" Li Hongmei was furious—she had been on the verge of getting a piece.
Ji Wenrou’s eyes turned red, but her expression remained firm. "Hongmei, we bought this for Yanyan. He’s just a child and needs to build up his strength."
Li Hongmei pursed her lips. Who was she trying to fool? When Ji Wenrou opened her mouth, the smell of meat was clearly on her breath. She had gone out and eaten her fill without bringing anything back for the comrades she lived with. What a selfish, narrow-minded person.
"Li Hongmei, why are you bullying Comrade Ji Wenrou again?" He Jiawang walked in, looking at Li Hongmei with unconcealed disgust. "You’re a grown adult; you’re going to steal food from a child?"
"He Jiawang, none of your damn business! Do you live by the sea that you have to stick your nose into everything? Why do you keep flapping your gums?" Li Hongmei couldn't stand his attitude and retorted immediately.
"You!" He Jiawang trembled with rage. How could such a sharp-tongued woman exist?
"Hongmei, you can say whatever you want about me, but Comrade He Jiawang is innocent. You shouldn't take your anger out on others." Ji Wenrou’s words made He Jiawang even more moved, strengthening his resolve to protect her from Li Hongmei’s abuse.
"Li Hongmei, this isn't the place for your nonsense! Comrade Ji and the others paid for this meat themselves. You don't have the right to grab it just because they won't give it to you. And this was specifically bought for a child—doesn't your conscience hurt, stealing food from a kid?"
"What’s going on? Why is it so noisy?" Wang Zhiping, exhausted from a morning of work, heard the commotion from the Educated Youth Point while he was still some distance away. His face darkened instantly. These educated youths were really good at creating trouble for him!