When everyone heard that Xu Hong had demanded Tang Xue give up her spot to return to the city, only to insult her viciously when she refused, their expressions toward Xu Hong changed dramatically. Several of the young women who were close to Tang Xue even spoke up, voicing their outrage on her behalf.
Xu Hong, feeling both humiliated and furious, seemed to lose his composure. "Why are you all judging me? Am I wrong?" he retorted.
Pointing at Tang Xue, he shouted, "She's just a girl who was caught in bed, completely naked, with this deadbeat. Isn't that shameless? Isn't that immoral?"
"She's already planning to marry this loser, so why is she holding onto the return quota? What gives her the right—"
Before he could finish, Li Yi stepped forward and slapped him again, sending him straight to the ground.
Li Yi glared down at him and said, "Yes, I may have overstepped with Little Xue, but that's mostly my fault and has little to do with her. If anyone's vulgar and shameless, it's me, Li Yi. She is innocent!"
He then turned to Feng Kai and the rest of the educated youths, continuing, "Tang Xue has been with us in Nianzishan Brigade for three years now. You all know what kind of person she is—cheerful, kind, eager to help, diligent, respectful, and virtuous. She's like an angel who came down to earth."
"Before today, had anyone ever heard of her doing anything out of line? How could you link her to words like 'shameless' and 'immoral'?"
Hearing Li Yi's words, many people nodded in agreement.
They had all witnessed Tang Xue's growth from a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl to the young woman she was now. They knew her character well. And with her chance to return to the city so close, there was no reason she would be associating herself with someone like Li Yi unless it was out of her control.
Even if anyone was to blame in this situation, it was Li Yi, not Tang Xue. Xu Hong's actions in attacking a defenseless woman who had been wronged were despicable.
But Xu Hong seemed unwilling to back down. Clutching his sore cheek, he sneered, "She still got into bed with you, right? Isn't sleeping with someone before marriage shameful?"
"Shameful, my ass! If you don't know how to shut up, I'll tear that filthy mouth of yours right off!"
Li Yi fixed his eyes on Xu Hong and continued, "I heard you once tried to court Little Xue and got rejected. I think the reason you're throwing out all these venomous insults is because she would rather choose a so-called useless deadbeat like me over you. You're jealous!"
"I... I am not!"
"Don't deny it, don't make excuses. Explanations are just cover-ups, and everyone can see what's really going on!"
"Besides, Little Xue hasn't even decided if she's going to give up her spot to return to the city. She's only delaying it for now, so why should she give up her quota?"
Li Yi continued, "This isn't some steamed bun or sweet potato you can just hand over! Besides, there are over thirty male and female educated youths in the entire Nianzishan Brigade, with six or seven from Qin Province alone. Even if Little Xue decides to stay here, what makes you think that spot should go to you? Who do you think you are?"
Xu Hong was left speechless, his face shifting between shades of red and green, his chest heaving with frustration. The expressions of disdain and disgust on the faces of those around him only deepened as they looked at him. Not only had he insulted her, but he was also after her precious spot to return to the city!
No one understood the value of a city return spot better than they did. Ever since the state announced plans to arrange for educated youths to return home in batches two years ago, people had been fighting tooth and nail over these coveted spots. Bribes and gifts were common, and some women had even sacrificed their bodies to secure one.
Many had already married locally, but when the chance to return to the city came up, they left their families without hesitation—divorce proceedings at the county's civil affairs office had become a daily occurrence. Xu Hong, who had no familial ties with Tang Xue and was only a half-acquaintance from the same hometown, had no claim to her spot.
When she refused him, he hurled insults and even trashed her room, showing his poor character. No wonder Tang Xue would rather be with someone like Li Yi than him.
Listening to the murmurs outside, Li Yi knew he had already gained the upper hand in public opinion.
Then, Li Yi spoke up again, his tone firm, "I don't care how dark your heart is, but if I hear of you bothering my wife again, I swear you'll regret ever coming into this world!"
After making his threat, Li Yi looked at everyone around him with a steely gaze, saying, "If all goes well, I'll be marrying Tang Xue officially in a month, and we've already gotten engaged as of yesterday. We're together, fair and square. Let Xu Hong serve as an example for anyone who dares to gossip behind our backs!"
Swept by Li Yi's piercing gaze, the crowd felt a chill that made the hairs on their arms stand up.
Ignoring everyone, Li Yi turned and headed for the door. As he passed Tang Xue, he took her hand without a second thought and led her out.
Tang Xue and Li Na were still in shock at Li Yi's performance. Setting aside his strong fighting skills, the words he used to defend Tang Xue were enough to astonish anyone.
The old Li Yi was known for his brash and domineering behavior, rarely able to articulate his thoughts well. When faced with problems, he'd rely on his fists, often turning situations in which he had reason on his side into ones where he was in the wrong.
But today was different. He had not only defended Tang Xue's honor but also left Xu Hong utterly speechless.
Throughout the whole exchange, he demonstrated strength alongside a logical, well-reasoned argument, as if he had become an entirely different person.
So, when Li Yi pulled them back to the women's dormitory, both Tang Xue and Li Na were still in a daze.
Li Yi knew his behavior today might have caught them off guard, but he didn't say much about it.
Once back in the dormitory, he cleaned up the broken jars and containers, then reminded his third sister to stay at the dorm for the next few days. Only after that did he set off back home with the mule cart.
When he arrived home, it was only around five o'clock, still early, and his parents hadn't returned yet.
First, Li Yi carried the bag of flour into the house and hid the money in a safe spot.
Then he gathered some fresh grass to feed the mule before quickly leaving home again.