Chapter 25: Looks Just Like a Toad

Ma Zhiming explained, "Wanwan, I’ve just been exhausted from work these past few days. Plus, you haven't brought me any food for half a month, so it’s only natural that I’ve lost weight. Besides, we’ve been dating in secret; it’s perfectly normal that no one knows."

Su Wanwan feigned shock. "What? I brought you food? Have you no shame? You look like a toad—what makes you think I could ever like you, let alone bring you food? When I went to work, I was always with my second brother. When would I have had the time to date you in secret? If you slander me again, I’m going to report you to the police."

Ma Zhiming’s eyes widened, his face flushing a deep, angry red. He looked ready to explode. How could he possibly look like a toad? He retorted furiously, "You are my girlfriend, whether you like it or not! I love you, you love me, and you even said you’d take me to meet your father."

As he finished speaking, he lunged forward, trying to grab Su Wanwan’s hand.

Su Wanwan kicked him squarely in the stomach. "You really are a toad—still croaking away, aren't you? If you try to slander me again, it won't just be a simple kick like this."

She gave his lower leg another kick before heading home. She had forgotten to take the side path, which was how she’d run into this piece of trash.

Ma Zhiming let out a muffled groan, clutching his abdomen. "You... you really have lost your mind, haven't you?" The old Wanwan had been gentle and would never have treated him like this.

Su Wanwan knew she couldn't go too far; she didn't want him framing her for medical expenses, and she hadn't yet recovered the original owner's money from this scumbag. Don't blame her for being petty—in this era, eighty yuan was a small fortune, more than some rural families could earn in a year. Besides, she was the type to settle scores; she had to vent her anger on behalf of the original owner’s family. Since he had essentially caused the original owner's death, there was no way she would let him get away with it. Thinking of the "pain powder" that would take effect tonight brought a cold sense of satisfaction. She already had a plan to get the money back from him.

Just then, Liu Caixia walked out and locked eyes with Ma Zhiming. Tears streamed down her face, and she covered her mouth and ran off.

Ma Zhiming’s heart skipped a beat. She must have seen them. Enduring the pain, he chased after her and grabbed her wrist.

"Listen to my explanation! Consider whether or not to forgive me after I’ve spoken." He dragged her by the wrist toward the woods behind the educated youth’s quarters.

Liu Caixia’s uncle was a worker at the steel mill; to Ma Zhiming, she still had some utility. Besides, she had a nice figure, and he was a normal man—how could he not be tempted? She brought him food from time to time, and he certainly wasn't going to turn that down.

Ma Zhiming explained, "You know my potential isn't in farming. I have to go back to the city to have a future. Soon, a few spots for returning to the city will open up. Su Wanwan’s father is the brigade leader, which is why I’ve been trying to use her."

"Everything I’ve done is for our future together. Do you really think I’d have eyes for a country girl like her? You’re the only one I love. Once I get back to the city, I’ll take you with me."

Liu Caixia wiped her tears, sobbing, "Really? But you just said you loved her."

Seeing her soften, Ma Zhiming gently wiped her eyes. "Silly girl, I only love you. If it weren't for our future, I wouldn't even look at that country girl. You know how hard it is to get a spot to return to the city."

"Think about it—you’re prettier than her and more educated. How could I possibly like her? It’s all for you. To get back to the city quickly, I have to say what people want to hear. I’d never let her take advantage of me; I belong only to you."

Thinking about how Ma Zhiming planned to take her to the city and his praise, Liu Caixia felt better. "Then you aren't allowed to like her."

Ma Zhiming nodded with a smile. "Fine, I only like you. We haven't been intimate in a while; let me have a kiss." He leaned in and kissed her.

Liu Caixia feigned shyness and gave him a gentle push. "You're terrible, what if someone sees?"

Ma Zhiming kissed her again. "How about we meet up tonight? I need to prove that I only love you."

Liu Caixia blushed and nodded. "Okay."

Back at the quarters, thinking of Ma Zhiming’s plan, she had an idea of her own. The brigade leader’s family had a younger son. Hadn't she seen him riding a bicycle and buying a huge slab of meat the other day? She could learn from Ma Zhiming and use him to secure benefits for herself.

Su Wanwan arrived home just as her family was heading out to the fields. She pulled out four candies, ate one, and popped one into the mouths of her father, mother, and second brother before they could refuse.

She didn't plan on telling them what had happened. Even if Ma Zhiming spread rumors that the original owner was his girlfriend, her family wouldn't believe him—the original owner had always been the well-behaved daughter of the house.

That afternoon, Su Wanwan worked on her manuscript. She knew there were many "forbidden" books in this era that one shouldn't be caught reading; being discovered could lead to anything from "thought education" to being sent away for hard labor. However, in a short time, most of these books would be republished. As long as she avoided sensitive topics of the era, she would be fine. She spent the whole afternoon brainstorming.

Near the time her family returned, she went to the kitchen to cook. They wouldn't be eating dinner at her grandfather’s place tonight, and since her parents knew they had to be there, they wouldn't have prepared anything. She took a fish out of her "space" and was surprised to find it had a preservation feature; the fish was as fresh as if it had just been caught. She hadn't stored much in the space before, so she hadn't realized this. To verify, she put a cup of hot water in to test it.

She went to start the stove. She had watched her mother and brother closely; it only took her two tries to get the fire going. Heh, it wasn't that hard.

For dinner, she made spicy braised fish, cucumber salad, and tomato egg soup, adding a few drops of spiritual spring water to the soup and the corn cakes. She divided the fish into two portions, put one in an aluminum container, placed it in a basket covered with a cloth, and took it to her room.

She sat down to write a note to Xie Beishen, thanking him for the editor’s address. He had been a huge help. She also had her own little motive; she had read in novels that to win a man’s heart, you must first win his stomach. Compared to the blackened dishes Lin Yu usually made, hers could be considered a heavenly delicacy.

She tucked the note into the basket and checked the time—her family would be home any minute.