By the time Zhao Tian and Yun Hao returned, Meng Yunhan was close to running out of topics for small talk. She heaved a sigh of relief at their return.
Once they left the head of the village's house, Meng Yunhan asked quietly, "Did you hit him?" But if Zhao Tian had been hit, he would've reacted long ago, right? He couldn't possibly look the way he did if he had been assaulted, right?
Yun Hao glanced elsewhere and continued walking, "No." He didn't hit him to death.
Meng Yunhan was unaware of Yun Hao's added clarification, but nonetheless mumbled, "He tried to take advantage of me previously."
Yun Hao knew full well that if it weren't for Zhao Tian, he wouldn't have ended up marrying her.
"I'll discipline him next time," he concluded.
In these past few days, Meng Yunhan had grown accustomed Yun Hao's indifference.
If he could avoid speaking, he would. In reality, such a man was suitable for daily life. Although he appeared cold, he accomplished more than those who talked a lot.
He would cook breakfast with her, tidy up the room, organize the bedding. He was meticulous about everything.
"Okay." Meng Yunhan smiled radiantly.
The two continued their New Year's greetings.
"Isn't this little Yunhan? You got married and didn't come back to visit the educated youth site?"
Meng Yunhan looked at the woman in front of her, sorting through her memory. It seemed that this person didn't exist in her past.
"I've been a little busy these few days." Meng Yunhan politely responded, unable to recall the woman, but didn't want to make the situation awkward.
"Little Yunhan, is this your man?" The woman glanced at Yun Hao, whom she recognized. She didn't think highly of Meng Yunhan— all delicate and petite. As the youngest of the educated youths, everyone treated her exceptionally well. When the village school needed a teacher last year, people didn't expect Meng Yunhan to take the position.
No one knew when Meng Yunhan hooked up with this man. Otherwise, how could an educated youth like her, tainted as she was, have become a teacher? The woman, Wang Minfang, was very dissatisfied.
Minfang, a high school graduate, was still doing fieldwork while Yunhan, a middle school graduate, had become a teacher. How could she swallow this bitter pill?
"Yes, this is my man." Meng Yunhan formally introduced Yun Hao to Wang Minfang.
Upon hearing her say the last few words, there was a slight upward twist to Yun Hao's lips. It was barely noticeable. Yet if someone who was close to him noticed it, they would be surprised. When did their captain ever show any other expressions?
"Hello, I am Yunhan's friend, Wang Minfang." Wang Minfang knew Yun Hao was a cadre in the army.
Even though she detested Meng Yunhan, there was still social etiquette to observe. If only she could return to the city, that would be great.
She'd had enough of this place.
These days, there weren't many girls left in the educated youth station. Everyone else either returned to the city or got married.
She also wanted to return to the city, but without connections, it was exceedingly difficult to do so.
Upon hearing the name Wang Minfang, Meng Yunhan's memory flooded back instantly. She finally remembered.
Wang Minfang, the one who instigated her decision to force a miscarriage back then. The Yun family treated her poorly and Yun Hao always maintained a cold demeanor. She couldn't find a hint of warmth in the Yun family. She was young and naive then, thinking that returning to the city would free her from living under the scrutiny of the Yun family. She believed that returning to the city would improve her life, but was that really the case?