Chapter 3: The Little Trickster of the Seventies (3)

This world tells the story of the heroine awakening and making a fortune. Li Xiangyang is the villain in this realm, dedicated to causing trouble for the protagonist’s group.

The information provided by 007 was sparse, possibly because the target of the strategy was the villain, so only details about him were given.

In the past, Li Xiangyang was known as a “brat,” despised due to his unfavorable background. Even after losing his family fortune in the chaos, his origins made the villagers hostile toward him.

Those years were harsh—he was constantly hungry and cold, pale and thin like a refugee. Though the villagers themselves barely got by, none were as downtrodden as he was.

His life improved mainly because he became the village’s sole tractor operator, a tractor he had secured through official channels. At the moment everyone learned the team had a tractor, the villagers cheered excitedly and grew friendlier toward him, as if past grievances had been nothing but a dream.

Who could know the immense effort he had poured into reaching this point?

His opposition to the protagonist’s group was simple: unrequited love for the heroine. She had once given him a steamed bun, making her an unattainable first love etched deeply in his heart, driving him to try and seize her by force.

Liu Suihui furrowed her brow upon reading these four words.

The person driving the tractor ahead looked thin; the wind blowing toward him lifted his clothes, revealing a lean waist with little flesh.

Honestly, driving a tractor wasn’t exactly charming, but there was a carefree air about him, as if he was doing something he loved, completely at ease.

If the heroine was his unattainable first love, then what was she to him?

When the earthquake struck, he shielded her beneath him, preventing the falling stones from hitting her. To calm her fear and offer hope, he confessed his feelings.

“If we survive, I want to give you a proper confession. I know you don’t like me controlling you, but this is the only way I can stay by your side. Don’t cry—I’m fine. We’ll both be fine.”

Although she knew this was just part of the story, and Li Xiangyang was merely a fragment of Qiao Yu’s soul, she still felt uneasy.

Who wouldn’t feel unsettled when the one who just confessed to you turns around and falls for someone else?

The tractor ride was rough, the countryside roads full of potholes, making her feel as if her entire body was being jolted numb.

Liu Suihui’s brow never relaxed; the tractor’s smell was unpleasant.

Everyone else seemed to have adapted well—except her and the six other educated youths.

“Let’s sing a song. We still have some time before we reach our destination,” someone suggested.

“Sure, what shall we sing?”

“I’ll lead; you just follow along…”

Soon, the atmosphere grew lively.

The songs were all uplifting, filled with a sense of the era and patriotism. Whether or not they were melodious, they stirred everyone’s blood.

Liu Suihui curled up in a corner, the rough ride making her feel terrible. She longed to get off the tractor and wished for her sports car.

She couldn’t understand how these people could remain so cheerful under such circumstances.

The sent-down youth had been in the countryside for a long time; everyone knew none had an easy life unless they came from powerful families—which, of course, wouldn’t be sent down in the first place.

With no prospect of returning to the city, possibly spending a lifetime in this harsh countryside, how did they maintain their spirits?

Even now, amid the dust and grime, how did they endure?

If not for her face covering, her hair would already be filthy.

No, as soon as she got off, she must take a bath today!

Unnoticed by her, the tractor driver casually glanced sideways at her, then quickly looked away.

She was quiet and independent, keeping to herself, solitary and somewhat pitiful.

But because her face was veiled, no one knew what she looked like—only that her voice was soft and sweet, like honey.

Such a person was not someone he could casually covet.

Li Xiangyang stared ahead, strangely longing for the moment she thanked him and handed him a few milk candies.

Those candies still lay in his pocket, untouched, waiting for the right moment to savor.

An hour passed before they finally arrived.

Hearing the tractor’s roar, many villagers ran over and gathered at the village entrance.

“Here they come! The new sent-down youth have arrived!”

“Why crowd like that? We’ve seen sent-down youth before.”

“Who cares about them? I want to see the tractor! The tractor’s way cooler than the youth!”

This batch had seven sent-down youth, and combined with the older ones, there were over thirty.

The tractor stopped at the village entrance, and the rest of the journey would be on foot.

Liu Suihui got off, her body aching from the bumpy ride. She almost lost her footing but was caught by a hand.

Turning to look, she met a cold, impassive face.

“Comrade, thank you.”

“Mm,” he replied curtly.

Others disembarked one by one, retrieving their luggage.

When it was Liu Suihui’s turn, she hesitated.

Having never done heavy labor before, and with her family treating her well these past days, she hadn’t been made to do any of the old chores.

These packages were all different sizes—she probably couldn’t carry them alone.

She turned, looking at Li Xiangyang pleadingly.

“Um, comrade, could you help me carry these packages to the sent-down youth’s quarters?”

Once again, she spoke in that soft, sweet voice.

In the North, men and women spoke bluntly, hardly ever sounding gentle.

At that moment, she was like a little white rabbit suddenly entering a wolf pack, making everyone instinctively hold their breath.

“Whose kid is this?”

“Little sister, you’re not even an adult! Sent down this young? Are your family crazy?”

“I—I’ll help you, little sister!”

“Get lost, I got this! I’m stronger!”

“I’ll do it! I’m stronger!”