Upon seeing Wang Zhiping return, Wen Ruocheng’s expression turned icy in an instant. His face tightened, and his brow was frozen in cold fury.
"Educated Youth Wang, you’ve returned just in time."
Wang Zhiping looked puzzled. What had he done to make Wen Ruocheng so angry?
Wen Ruocheng’s voice caused the two people who had been arguing to stop.
Wen Ruocheng pulled Yanyan over and shoved him gently in front of Wang Zhiping. "If you didn't want to watch the child, you could have just said so. I clearly entrusted him to your care this morning, yet when I returned, I found Yanyan being beaten by a group of village children. Is this how you look after a child?"
"Are you misunderstanding something?" Wang Zhiping asked, confused.
Before leaving, he had clearly told Yanyan not to go out and to just play at the Educated Youth Point. How had he ended up outside getting beaten by village kids? Still, Wang Zhiping acknowledged that his supervision had been lacking.
"I am at fault, but you just said a single sentence this morning and left before I even had a chance to decline," Wang Zhiping said, trying to keep his tone calm and reason with Wen Ruocheng. "We are all educated youths sent to the countryside; we all have to work to earn points. How could I possibly spend the whole morning watching your child? Besides, I told Yanyan repeatedly before I left not to step outside."
"So you just dumped Yanyan at the Educated Youth Point and ignored him?" Wen Ruocheng’s gaze turned even colder. "And to think you’re the team leader of the educated youths. Is this how you look after your fellow educated youths?"
Was he incapable of listening to reason?
Wang Zhiping had a point, but he couldn't have dragged the child out into the scorching sun, could he? Did Wen expect him to forfeit his work points for the day for a child who had nothing to do with him? Was he supposed to starve? The man was just spouting nonsense!
Wang Zhiping’s temper flared as well. "Educated Youth Wen, would you mind calming down and listening to me?" he said, still trying to explain his side. "It’s so hot today; I couldn't possibly take Yanyan out. What if he got heatstroke? You don't expect me to take a day off just to babysit Yanyan, do you? I’m not one of you new arrivals; I’ve been here for two years. I need those work points to eat."
"Furthermore, Yanyan isn't a one- or two-year-old toddler; he’s five! I told him over and over before I left not to leave the point, just to play in the courtyard. He agreed when I left, so I felt it was safe to go."
Wen Ruocheng frowned, his face darker than the bottom of a pot. "So you're saying it's all Yanyan's fault? He’s only a five-year-old child; what can he possibly understand? He was just bored at the Educated Youth Point and wanted to go out and play for a while. Are you suggesting Yanyan should be locked up in the point forever? As his temporary guardian, you should have kept a better watch over him."
Was this man incapable of understanding simple speech? Wang Zhiping had been working all morning and was exhausted; he just wanted a meal and some rest. Instead, he came home to a cold kitchen and verbal abuse. He had tried his best to restrain his temper, but the man before him was living entirely in his own world. It was infuriating.
Wang Zhiping raised his voice, unable to help himself. "So what if he’s five? Do you know what five-year-olds in this village are doing? They’re already out in the fields cutting grass! I told him time and again not to go out. He didn't listen—why are you blaming me? And another thing, why didn't you go find Li Hongmei or He Jiawang, who are off today? Don't you know us senior youths have to work? Just because I’m the team leader, does that mean I owe you something? The team leader’s job is to relay village business, not to babysit your child and take your abuse!"
"Is this the attitude you have as a team leader? I’ll have to ask the Brigade Leader how you even got this position if you’re so irresponsible! If anything happens to Yanyan, I won't let you off!" Wen Ruocheng threatened.
"Ha! That’s a joke! Educated Youth Wang is a team leader, not a nanny. You dump all your monsters and ghosts onto him—does he owe you something?"
Wu Meimei had just stepped into the Educated Youth Point and, hearing Wen Ruocheng’s interrogation, sneered. She looked at Yanyan, who was still sobbing, and cursed inwardly: *You brat, all you do is cause trouble!*
"What does this have to do with you? Is it your turn to speak? Why are you, a girl, meddling in men’s business?" Wen Ruocheng was frantic, feeling a surge of suppressed rage in his chest that made him deeply uncomfortable.
"Why can't I speak? Should I just let you all bully Comrade Wang? I couldn't stand it this morning, either—what kind of person are you? Dumping this brat on Comrade Wang while you go out to wine and dine. Tsk, and you still smell like meat. Have you no shame? Why didn't you bring some back for Comrade Wang? What? Trying to have your cake and eat it too?"
"You!" Wen Ruocheng’s eyes turned bloodshot. He looked like a mad bull, his fierce appearance giving Wu Meimei a real fright.
Ji Wenrou quickly stepped forward to intervene, patting Wen Ruocheng’s arm and shaking her head at him. She turned to Wang Zhiping with an apologetic smile. "I’m sorry, Comrade Wang. Brother Ruocheng just cares about Yanyan too much, which is why he lost his temper. I understand that you’ve done quite enough."
As Ji Wenrou looked at Wu Meimei, she gritted her teeth. *That bitch, what business is it of hers?* Seeing her expression, Wu Meimei opened her mouth, ready to retort.
"That's enough. From now on, don't ask me to help with the child; I don't have the time." Wang Zhiping snorted, turned on his heel, and walked into the kitchen. It was late, he hadn't even eaten lunch, and he was dizzy with anger.
Wu Meimei snorted as well and followed right behind him. That left Fang Ping, who was at a loss. She looked at the new arrivals, then back at the senior youth, and finally let out a sigh. *Forget it, not worth getting involved.*
Only the new educated youths remained in the main room of the Educated Youth Point. Ji Wenrou’s eyes reddened, and she wore an expression of grievance and innocence. "How could they say such things? We were just asking about the situation. We’re worried that Yanyan is hurt..."
He Jiawang, feeling a pang of heartache, hurried to comfort her. "Comrade Ji, this isn't your fault. The old educated youths are just cliquey and can't stand us new ones. I don't think Wang Zhiping is fit to be the team leader either; he’s completely irresponsible. Yanyan’s injury is entirely his fault, and yet he’s trying to shirk the blame!"
"Thank you, Comrade He." Ji Wenrou’s eyes revealed a sense of helplessness and fragility, but she pulled at the corners of her mouth, pretending to be strong. This made He Jiawang desperate to be at her beck and call.
*Idiots!* Li Hongmei watched the scene coldly. When no one was looking, she took a piece of meat with her fingers and popped it into her mouth to savor it. Still, the meat was delicious.
"Who hit my Tiedan? Come out here!"
"You bastards! Is my grandson someone you can just beat?"
"God damn it all! I got home and saw Tiedan covered in bruises, his face swollen out of shape—that’s when I found out these educated youths had actually hit someone!"
"What kind of people are you? To think you're educated youths—you won't even spare a child. Are you even human?"