Ignoring her mother’s relentless questioning, Jiang Yun managed to slip out with the household registration book. She knew that if she revealed her intentions, her parents would never agree, so she decided to act first and explain later. Even if she incurred their wrath, she had no regrets; she felt a powerful premonition that this was their family’s one chance to turn their fortunes around, and she trusted that instinct.
Feng Qingqing observed the outcome, which differed from her previous life. A moment’s thought led her to realize it must be related to the spatial dimension. In her past life, Jiang Yun had already acquired the spatial dimension by this point, so naturally, she hadn't considered going to the countryside. But now, lacking the spatial dimension, Jiang Yun was desperate enough to volunteer for the countryside to get it. This actually made things much easier for Feng Qingqing.
The two walked to the neighborhood office in a harmony that would make any passerby assume they were a pair of close sisters. As they chatted along the way, Feng Qingqing thought of her own plans and said casually, "Yunyun, even though we’re going to the countryside together and will have each other, I heard a relative from the factory say that some ruffians in the rural areas specialize in bullying young girls. You’re so pretty; I really am a bit worried for you."
Feng Qingqing spoke with such feigned seriousness that Jiang Yun’s face paled, the reality of the problem sinking in. She realized she wouldn't have anyone in the countryside she could truly trust, and it would be highly inconvenient to do anything without her own people there. After a moment of contemplation, as if reaching a major decision, she turned to Feng Qingqing. "Cousin, what if we ask my second and third brothers to go with us? With them there, we won’t have to fear anything, don't you think?"
"This... but would your brothers agree? Have you asked them?"
"Oh, they dote on me so much, they’ll definitely be willing." Jiang Yun looked away, feeling a bit guilty.
Watching this, Feng Qingqing pursed her lips and replied vaguely, "Your brothers certainly do dote on you." She said nothing more. Since Jiang Yun was selfishly forcing her two brothers to go to the countryside for her own sake, it played right into Feng Qingqing’s hands, saving her a great deal of effort.
Before long, they arrived at the neighborhood office. The staff there were overjoyed to see people volunteering for the countryside. Hearing that four of them wanted to go, their eyes practically glowed—that was four quotas filled at once. Consequently, they didn't hesitate to grant the request for the four of them to be assigned to the same location. As the staff filled out the paperwork, Feng Qingqing asked where they were being sent. After checking the materials, the staff gave the location, and Feng Qingqing thought to herself that it was fortunately the same place she had been sent in her previous life.
The departure was set for three days later, and the office issued four sets of relocation subsidies. Feng Qingqing snatched up her portion with lightning speed. Jiang Yun’s eyes dimmed, but she said nothing; she couldn't afford to have a falling out with Feng Qingqing over a few dozen yuan. Besides, she now held three subsidies—a total of 240 yuan—a significant sum she intended to save for when she really needed it.
Holding her 80 yuan, Feng Qingqing decided she still needed to buy some supplies to show the public, just to avoid being targeted by others. While it wouldn't have any substantial impact on her, it was still a nuisance to deal with. The two decided to go their separate ways. After returning from the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, Feng Qingqing had a lunchbox, shoes, and various other inexpensive sundries, leaving her with little money left.
Before she even reached Feng Damei’s house, Feng Qingqing could hear her aunt’s loud voice from a distance. She immediately understood what had happened: Jiang Yun’s secret signing up of herself and her two brothers had been discovered. She couldn't help but think that Jiang Yun was truly spoiled; to make such a major decision on her own—she wondered how Jiang Yun would get through this.
Feng Qingqing decided to avoid the trouble. She walked to an empty corner, tucked her purchases into the spatial dimension, and went to the State-run Restaurant for a meal. Afterward, she strolled toward the factory to settle the matter of her house with Director Zhao, intending to reclaim it the day after she left for the countryside.
Director Zhao Xiaojuan was happy to see her, though she expressed helpless support for her insistence on going to the countryside. She told Feng Qingqing to write to her if she ran into any trouble and promised to help however she could. After leaving the factory, Feng Qingqing went to find her close school friend, Yu Huan, whose parents were a textile factory accountant and a driver. Being an only child, she lived a carefree, easy life, much like Feng Qingqing had before her parents passed. Feng Qingqing also wanted Yu Huan to help keep an eye on the Jiang family, since her mother worked in the same factory as Jiang Yong, who was a warehouse laborer.
The two girls hadn't seen each other in a while, and Yu Huan bombarded her with questions, clearly concerned about the major changes in her life. Seeing her friend's genuine care, Feng Qingqing finally revealed a heartfelt smile. She shared everything she could, especially about her Aunt Feng Damei’s family—their malicious intentions and her own subsequent arrangements.
Although Yu Huan was innocent, she wasn't foolish. She listened with indignation and a sense of vindication on Feng Qingqing's behalf. She was worried about her friend going to the countryside, but since it was already a done deal, they promised to keep in touch. Finally, Feng Qingqing asked Yu Huan to write to her if there were any developments with the Feng Damei family. Even though she was leaving, she knew the future of this era; she didn't intend to stay in the countryside forever, and she already had ideas about how to return.
They chatted until late before parting ways, agreeing to stay in contact. After they parted, Feng Qingqing knew the Jiang household would be too chaotic to cook, so she bought two large meat buns at the State-run Restaurant, using the meat coupons Yu Huan had kindly pressed into her hand, along with all the other rations she had on her.
When she finally returned to the Jiang home, the house was pitch black. Having already eaten, she crept into Jiang Yun’s room in the dark. Jiang Yun was lying on the only small bed. Seeing her return, she didn't say a word, just curled her lip and turned over. Feng Qingqing noticed, however, that Jiang Yun’s cheeks were slightly red and swollen.
It seemed that while Jiang Yun had suffered some consequences, the matter had passed. That was fine; she had no desire to deal with a household in turmoil for her final few days in the city.
Feng Qingqing’s guess was correct. As much as Feng Damei doted on Jiang Yun, she had been furious enough to slap her twice when she found out, even calling Jiang Yong home from work. Upon hearing the news, Jiang Yong’s face had been as dark as ink, and he had stared at his daughter with a chilling gaze that terrified her. Ultimately, Jiang Yun had pulled her father into their room and whispered the truth about her motivations and the dreams she had been having.
After listening, Jiang Yong gradually calmed down. He knew his daughter had always been lucky. Thinking over the possibility of her claims, he ultimately didn't oppose it; after all, she had already signed up. Jiang Yong reasoned that if what she said was true, having a few children go to the countryside was a small price to pay.
When he emerged, his attitude had completely shifted. He warned Feng Damei to stop causing a scene and declared that he would handle things. He also placated his two sons, promising that the family would find a way and would send supplies regularly. The two sons had no choice but to accept the inevitable. It was clear that in this household, it was always the outwardly quiet and stoic Jiang Yong who had the final word. That was why there was such an eerie, superficial calm in the house when Feng Qingqing returned.