Ji Wenrou looked at Sun Linglong with a pitiful expression, her frame appearing frail and unsteady.
If this bitch refused, she would pretend to have low blood sugar so that Brother Ruocheng would see just how malicious this woman really was. If she agreed, then she wouldn’t be at a loss either. Ji Wenrou suppressed the calculating look in her eyes.
"I’m sorry, comrade, but I can’t give up my seat."
Ji Wenrou wore a look of triumph.
The next moment, Sun Linglong explained with a look of pure innocence, "All the aunts around here know that my family doesn't let me do any manual labor because I’ve been physically weak since I was a child. Plus, I didn't have breakfast this morning. I’m afraid I’ll faint if I don't sit down. I’m truly sorry."
*What?* That was her line!
Ji Wenrou felt like screaming, but Sun Linglong’s refusal was flawless. Gritting her teeth, she said, "I’m sorry. Your skin looks so healthy and glowing that I assumed you were in great shape and made an unreasonable request. I’m only asking because I have low blood sugar and wanted to sit and rest for a moment. I hope you can forgive me."
"It’s alright. Just try not to make such assumptions next time. You should always think before you act; it wouldn't be good to cause a big scene, don't you think?"
Ji Wenrou nodded through gritted teeth. Sun Linglong offered a faint smile.
"Comrade, my cousin didn't mean any harm. Please, forgive her."
Wen Ruocheng shifted into the angle that best displayed his handsome features. His tone was incredibly gentle, and his smile was humble and polite. He remembered what Wang Zhi ping had said last night: the captain’s daughter was the prettiest girl in the village. This must be her. As long as he could win her heart, why would he have to worry about a hard life in the countryside? Wen Ruocheng was confident; no one in this village was better-looking than him, and he didn't believe this village girl would be immune to his charm.
However, Sun Linglong only glanced at him dismissively. "It’s fine. The other comrade and I have already cleared things up."
She said nothing more. Wen Ruocheng wanted to strike up a conversation, but he didn't want to lose his pride by being the first to pursue it. Silence descended on the ox cart.
"Comrade educated youth, come squeeze in over here by me." Auntie Liu glared at Sun Linglong and invited Ji Wenrou to sit.
Ji Wenrou didn't refuse; she was genuinely exhausted. Enduring the faint, unpleasant odors of the people around her, she sat down next to Auntie Liu.
"This educated youth must be new, right? You’re so fair and delicate—much prettier than the girls in our village." As she spoke, Auntie Liu glanced sideways at Sun Linglong.
Ji Wenrou gave a gentle smile, her cheeks flushing with modesty. "Auntie, my name is Ji Wenrou. I just arrived in Taohua Village the day before yesterday. May I ask how to address you?"
"My, what a sweet talker! Just call me Auntie Liu." Auntie Liu took Ji Wenrou’s soft, delicate hand and sighed, "City folks really are different. Look at that fair, tender skin; it’s truly enviable."
Ji Wenrou felt a wave of repulsion and tried to pull her hand back.
"Unlike some people," Auntie Liu added with a pointed look, "who don't have the life of a city dweller but still try to act like one."
The ox cart fell silent.
"Comrade Ji, don't listen to what some people say. Claims of being sick are just excuses to avoid work. Because they think they have someone backing them, they look down on everyone else. Who in this village doesn't know about her poor reputation? You should stay away from her and avoid the bad luck she brings."
Auntie Liu’s words were practically a direct call-out. Ji Wenrou stopped resisting; after all, the enemy of her enemy was her friend. She took the opportunity to size Auntie Liu up. The older woman had a twisted expression, her upturned eyes filled with resentment and malice. Her face betrayed a selfish, shrewish nature—she didn't look like a good person at all. But, she would make a useful pawn.
Sun Linglong wasn't one to put up with such people. She turned to Auntie Zhang and spoke in a deliberately exaggerated tone.
"Auntie Zhang, let me tell you, some people are so full of themselves. They act like they know exactly who is sick and who isn't—if you didn't know better, you’d think they were a doctor from the health clinic."
"You!"
"Oh my, Auntie Liu, what’s wrong?" Sun Linglong asked, feigning concern. "I’m just chatting with Auntie Zhang. Why are you getting so angry?"
"Auntie Zhang, like I was saying, some people are truly bizarre. They’re always so eager to expose others’ flaws. I figure they’re just afraid the villagers will be bored, so they go out of their way to provide gossip."
"But honestly, I think people like that just have too much time on their hands. How others live their lives is none of their business. If they really want to be so 'fair and just,' they should sweep the dirt in front of their own doors first instead of constantly staring at other people's lives and wagging their tongues. Don't you agree, Auntie Zhang?"
Auntie Zhang smiled but said nothing. Auntie Liu was gasping for air. "Who are you calling a little bitch?"
Sun Linglong widened her eyes, feigning complete innocence. "Auntie Liu, what's wrong? I wasn't even talking about you. Why are you taking it so personally?"
"You little slut! You wretched girl! With a mouth that poisonous, why don't you just die?"
"Auntie Liu, I never realized you cared so much about me. Don't you worry—I’ll still be alive for decades even after you’re gone."
Auntie Liu trembled, feeling as though she couldn't catch her breath. Ji Wenrou looked at Sun Linglong with disapproval. "Comrade, how can you say such things? Auntie Liu is your elder. How can you curse her to die?"
"What? How can you just make things up?" Sun Linglong replied, annoyed. "I didn't curse anyone. That's feudal superstition!"
"I was merely stating a fact. Auntie Liu is over fifty, and I’m just a twenty-year-old girl. Doesn't that mean I’m naturally going to outlive her?"
"You..."
Hearing this, Ji Wenrou grew anxious. She couldn't afford to be associated with feudal superstition; this was a time of strict crackdowns. Feeling a lingering fear, she didn't dare argue with Sun Linglong any further. She bowed her head, looking aggrieved and pathetic, trying to draw pity.
Wen Ruocheng felt a pang of sympathy, but his legs were nearly cramping, and he had no energy left to deal with this farce. The ox cart grew quiet; the lively atmosphere was gone, and one could practically hear Ji Wenrou’s soft sobs.
Finally, the ox cart reached town. Auntie Liu and Ji Wenrou were sitting in the very back. Seeing others start to climb off, Ji Wenrou stood up to follow. At that moment, Wen Ruocheng stumbled, nearly losing his footing, and Ji Wenrou quickly reached out to support him, looking pained. "Brother Ruocheng, are you okay?"
Auntie Liu stood up as well. "Is this the young man's first time on an ox cart? It’s just a cramp; you'll be fine once you rest."
The three of them made their way to the edge of the cart, passing Sun Linglong. Auntie Zhang stood up as well, preparing to hoist her basket onto her back. Sun Linglong stood up quickly. "Auntie Zhang, let me help you lift that."
The basket took up a lot of space, and once Auntie Zhang hoisted it onto her back, the area on the cart became even more cramped.
"Auntie Zhang, is this your fruit candy that fell?"
Hearing this, Auntie Zhang turned to look. Not paying attention to her basket, she collided directly with Auntie Liu, who was just about to step off the cart. Auntie Liu lost her footing, her body pitching forward, causing Wen Ruocheng and Ji Wenrou in front of her to tumble off the cart as well.
The three of them fell into a messy heap. Sun Linglong’s lips curled into a faint, secret smile.
"Oh my, I’m so sorry! Are you all alright? I didn't notice you hadn't stepped off yet."