Chapter 34: The Quota for Returning to the City

The educated youths were not fools; they understood Lin Xiang’s implication perfectly well. Even if Yang Lihua hadn’t been framed by Wen Siyuan’s malicious rumors, they would never have spread such things. Yang Lihua was just a young girl, and they couldn’t let her reputation be ruined. If they were to gossip, how would they be any different from a scumbag like Wen Siyuan? No, they would be even worse!

Having secured their promise, Lin Xiang breathed a sigh of relief. She walked straight over to Wen Siyuan and searched his pockets until she found a semi-new Hero brand fountain pen. "This pen was stolen, and it is time for it to be returned to its rightful owner." After retrieving the pen and exchanging a few words with the educated youths regarding the quotas for returning to the city, she took Yang Lihua home.

At the Lin household, Lin An had already returned and was working on the sweet potato starch that Lin Xiang hadn’t finished.

"Brother, leave that there. I’ll finish it later myself."

"It’s no trouble at all. You go play with your friend; I’ll handle this for you."

Lin Xiang needed to soothe Yang Lihua’s nerves, so she didn't insist. She led her into the room and made sure to close the door behind them. Knowing that Lin Yun was also in the house, Yang Lihua didn't dare to cry as unrestrainedly as she had before, sobbing softly instead.

"How could Wen Siyuan... dare to say that I... I seduced him?" If Lin Xiang hadn't arrived in time, wouldn't she have been nailed to a pillar of shame?

Lin Xiang patted Yang Lihua on the shoulder. "It’s fortunate you woke up to his nature in time. But Wen Siyuan won’t be able to stir up trouble anymore. He can’t return to the city and is stuck in Lihua Brigade; there will be plenty of chances for us to give him a hard time in the future. Now, let’s talk about this pen."

Lin Xiang placed the pen on the table. "When I said he stole this, I really wasn't wronging him!"

"But he bought this pen himself at the supply and marketing cooperative! I even went with him when he bought it!"

Lin Xiang curled her lip. "He’s a loafer who can’t even earn full work points. Where do you think he got the money to buy a pen?" Even if the Wen family provided subsidies, in all the years he had been an educated youth, he had received hardly any letters from home, let alone money or vouchers.

Wen Siyuan was a natural-born scumbag who excelled at providing emotional support. He sweet-talked young girls until they were completely dazed. Aside from the original "Lin Xiang," many other girls had secretly brought him food, which was how he saved up enough money to buy the pen. Although he had purchased it, the money had essentially been "sponsored" by several girls in the Lihua Brigade, including "Lin Xiang" and Yang Lihua.

Since the day she arrived in this world, Lin Xiang had exposed Wen Siyuan’s true colors and reclaimed everything the original owner had subsidized him with over the years. She hadn't bothered with him since, as she didn't want to waste time or energy on a scumbag. However, today’s incident with Yang Lihua served as a warning. Wen Siyuan was rotten to the core; if he wasn't taught a lesson, there was no telling what kind of chaos he would cause later. Beyond jeopardizing the Lihua Brigade’s chances of being named an advanced collective, Lin Xiang feared that other girls might fall victim to his schemes. Not everyone could listen to her advice or possess the strength to fight back against him.

His true face had to be completely exposed!

"This pen is the most valuable thing he owns. Once he’s out of money and no one is bringing him food, he’ll have to work hard to earn his points. In a way, we’re forcing him to change for the better, so don’t have any psychological burden."

"Mhm!" Yang Lihua nodded heavily, her mood clearly brightening.

"Then what should we do with this pen?"

Lin Xiang thought for a moment and said, "I’ll find a way to trade it for money and distribute it among everyone."

That was a good plan, and Yang Lihua did not refuse. "Lin Xiang, thank you for today. If it weren't for you, I..."

"Oh, we’re all girls. Isn't it only natural for girls to help girls? If you really feel bad about it, just don’t make things difficult for me in the future."

Yang Lihua’s face flushed. "I haven't always made things difficult for you! I... I won't do it anymore."

Lin Yun was still outside working on the starch. Wanting to win some favor, Lin Xiang began to usher her guest out. "You’ve been through a lot today; go home and get some good rest."

"Then... I’ll head back. I’ll come see you tomorrow."

After seeing Yang Lihua out, Lin Xiang walked over to Lin Yun and took over the work. "Brother, go take a break. I’ll finish this."

"It’s fine. I’m stronger, and I can do it faster."

Pushed to the side, Lin Xiang had no choice but to return to her room, find paper and a pen, and sketch the images in her mind. It was a simplified design for a machine to make sweet potato starch. Knowing that Lin Yun had some carpentry skills, she took the drawing to him.

"Brother, take a look at this. Can you build this?"

After finishing his task, Lin Yun took the paper and stared at it for a long while before nodding. "As long as I have the right tools, I can do it."

"I’m going to town tomorrow to buy the parts at the hardware store. Brother, could you find some time to cut some wood and help me build this machine?"

Lin Yun glanced at her amidst his busy schedule. "The starch we made today is enough for the family to eat for a month. Why do you need this machine? Neither you nor Mom like sweet potato starch that much; we should make less."

"I have my own uses for it. You’ll know in a couple of days!" Lin Xiang intentionally kept him in suspense. "Brother, please help me?"

Lin Yun nodded. "Fine, I’ll build it for you."

"Brother, you’re the best!"

Lin Xiang provided plenty of emotional support, but she didn't stay idle; she helped Lin Yun with the remaining work. Soon, they had finished making more starch, waiting only for it to dry before they could take it to the market.

Meanwhile, at the brigade office, the team leader felt a headache coming on as he looked at the seventeen educated youths.

"Where on earth did you hear about the return-to-city quota?"

The youths certainly couldn't give up Lin Xiang and Yang Lihua, so they tacitly mentioned Wen Siyuan’s name.

The team leader huffed and puffed. "I knew it was him! Since he doesn't qualify to return to the city himself, he’s inciting all of you to come and pressure me?"

The youths stayed silent, but their expressions were firm, clearly signaling that they wanted that quota.

The team leader sighed. "The commune did indeed give our Lihua Brigade one quota. But there are eighteen of you in the youth point, and with only this one spot, we haven't reached a decision yet. Nothing is set in stone."

No decision meant they all still had a chance.