The Bullet Comments That Saved My Life

When the educated youth station caught fire, Zhou Weiguo, ignoring everyone's attempts to stop him, rushed into the flames like a madman to save me.

Just as I was moved by his bravery, I suddenly saw bullet comments floating before my eyes.

[How despicable! The male lead is seriously ill himself. To avoid burdening his pregnant first love, he deliberately set the fire and pretended to save her, just to use the life-saving debt to make the female lead willingly stay! Vile!]

[Poor female lead, after marriage she not only has to care for the scumbag, but the money she earns is also secretly sent by the scumbag to his first love in college!]

[The first love snatched her spot, secretly gave birth to a child, went to college, and found a good job. Tsk tsk, truly a tragedy!]

I looked at Bai Zhenzhu, whom I had already dragged to the door, and let go of my hand.

Chapter 1

[The female lead's life is truly tragic. After marriage, she not only has to care for the scumbag, but her earned money is also secretly sent by the scumbag to his first love in college.]

[Yes, yes! She not only supports the male lead's family but also puts the first love through college. A whole group of people are sucking her dry. After finally serving the male lead until he's about to die, he sets another fire to burn himself and the female lead to death, just to leave the house to his son! Tsk tsk.]

Seeing that Zhou Weiguo was about to rush in, I let go, stepped back a few paces, and hid under the bed while covering my mouth and nose.

"Lihua? Lihua?"

I saw Zhou Weiguo rush in and look around for me. Not finding me, he hesitated about whether to leave, but tripped and nearly fell.

"Lihua, I finally found you. Huh? Xue? Xue, wake up, Xue!"

Zhou Weiguo panicked, holding Bai Zhenzhu as he rushed out.

I struggled to crawl out from under the bed. Just as I was about to rush out, the overhead beam, having lost its support, crashed straight down.

I hugged my head and pressed tightly against the wall.

[Sister, quick! Back up! Back up! The window in the back has burned through and fallen out. Climb out through the window! Quick!]

[Yes, yes! The window is low. Just climb up and you're out! Quick!]

[Quick, quick! This way you can avoid the fate of being entangled with the scumbag. Sister, you can do it!]

I bit my lip and decided to trust the bullet comments, turning around to head back.

The fire behind was much more intense than in front. If it weren't for my trust in the bullet comments, I would never have turned back into the sea of flames.

I choked until I could barely keep my eyes open, but thankfully I finally saw where the bullet comments said the window was.

Sure enough, the wooden window had already fallen out. Without hesitation, I rushed forward, grabbed the window edge, jumped, and rolled out of the educated youth station.

I rushed to the riverside and quickly washed my face clean.

Chapter 2

Combining the bullet comments, I pieced together my life story.

I am a character in a book, just fated to be trapped by schemes, while Zhou Weiguo and Bai Zhenzhu are already involved.

Because Zhou Weiguo was ill, he couldn't bear to burden Bai Zhenzhu, so they designed to trap me here, while Bai Zhenzhu took my spot to go to college.

I was trapped here for a lifetime, burdened by the life-saving debt, caring for Zhou Weiguo. The money I earned was not only sent to Bai Zhenzhu for college but also supported their child.

In my thirties, Zhou Weiguo became terminally ill. To keep the house for his son, he set another fire that burned me to death.

This is my life.

My hands, washing my face, suddenly paused.

So, all those times he helped me before—were they all part of his design?

Because he had helped me twice, I had some goodwill toward him. Today, he was using that goodwill to scheme against me again.

If not for the bullet comments warning me, I might have actually stayed to care for Zhou Weiguo because of today's life-saving debt, and eventually married him!

I narrowed my eyes and quickly finished washing my face.

I ran up the mountain to gather firewood, then rushed back toward the educated youth station.

Words come from Zhou Weiguo's mouth—I was afraid that although he didn't actually save me, he might twist the story to involve me.

Public opinion is a powerful thing. I absolutely cannot, as those bullet comments said, be entangled by so-called gratitude for a lifetime.

Chapter 3

By the time I ran back to the educated youth station carrying firewood, breathless, Zhou Weiguo's loud voice indeed rang out.

"It's fine, my injuries don't matter. As long as Lihua is safe."

"Lihua..."

My heart tightened. I pushed through the crowd and rushed in.

But I saw Zhou Weiguo holding the still unconscious Bai Zhenzhu. Though he looked at Bai Zhenzhu, the words coming from his mouth were about rushing into the fire to save me.

My heart turned cold as I hurriedly said:

"Wow, Comrade Zhou, did you save Educated Youth Bai? You're truly amazing!"

When Zhou Weiguo saw me, his eyes showed confusion—he probably thought I was still inside and hadn't come out.

How was I coming in from outside instead?

He opened his mouth.

I continued:

"Comrade Zhou, what's wrong with Educated Youth Bai? Oh! She's unconscious!

"Quick, everyone, lend a hand! Get Educated Youth Bai to the hospital! Quick!"

The bullet comments said Bai Zhenzhu was secretly pregnant at this moment. Sending her to the hospital would expose this.

This way, her pregnancy couldn't be hidden.

When Zhou Weiguo heard that Bai Zhenzhu needed to be taken to the hospital, his face showed panic.

"No, no, there's no need..."

I pushed Zhou Weiguo aside and had everyone lift Bai Zhenzhu.

"Oh my! This is a life we're talking about!"

"If something happens to Educated Youth Bai here, none of us can escape responsibility!"

The watching villagers thought this made sense.

Soon someone went to the brigade to borrow a tractor. Everyone urgently lifted Bai Zhenzhu onto the tractor.

Zhou Weiguo couldn't stop them. Just as he was about to follow, I grabbed him.

"Comrade Zhou, look, you're injured. Quick, get it bandaged first."

I held Zhou Weiguo tightly, my nails almost digging into the flesh of his arm.

Zhou Weiguo gasped in pain and paused.

The tractor didn't wait for him, rumbling straight toward the city.

"Hey! Wait, wait!!"

I watched Zhou Weiguo chase it for a long distance before finally stopping, exhausted.

"Lihua, how could you..."

"Comrade Zhou, you should call me Educated Youth Wen! If you call me that, people who don't know might think we have an improper relationship!"

Chapter 4

Zhou Weiguo paused and sighed.

"Lihua? Are you angry that I saved Xue?

"I was going to rush in to save you! I looked for you for a long time. Look, I'm injured!"

Zhou Weiguo pitifully raised his arm, revealing the burn wound.

I smiled faintly: "Comrade Zhou, that's not right. You clearly rushed in to save Educated Youth Bai."

"You were also injured saving her. How can you expect me to be grateful? That's not right!"

"You..."

Zhou Weiguo choked: "No, I really did it for you..."

[Hahaha, too funny, this male lead.]

[Sister is really clever, so clever.]

[Oh sister, quick! That supporting character has woken up. She's afraid her pregnancy will be exposed and is making a scene to have people take her back! Quick, chase after her!]

[You must expose her pregnancy! This way, her character is questionable, and it will be impossible for her to replace you for further education! Quick, sister!]

I paused, then grabbed Zhou Weiguo's sleeve and ran forward: "Oh no! I just saw some blood on Educated Youth Bai's pants. Could she be hurt?"

"Quick, quick! Let's chase after and see!"

"What?"

"Why didn't you say earlier! If something happens to Xue, I'll hold you responsible!"

Zhou Weiguo's face turned pale.

When he heard this, he shook off my hand and rushed forward.

Soon he left me far behind.

I watched Zhou Weiguo quickly disappear from sight, then leisurely walked toward the city.

Chapter 5

Qing Mountain Village is a small village.

The entire village only has three educated youth sent down: me, Zhou Weiguo, and Bai Zhenzhu.

Usually, just the three of us live at the educated youth station, and we eat together.

A few days ago, the brigade leader said Qing Mountain Village had one spot for an educated youth to go to the city for study. With universities not recruiting students, if we could go to university under this name, we would graduate with a university diploma.

This was a huge opportunity.

Originally, I didn't pay much mind to this, but unexpectedly, the brigade leader specifically chose me.

The brigade leader said Zhou Weiguo had been absent-minded since arriving, not putting his heart into farm work at all.

Everyone earned eight work points per day. Zhou Weiguo constantly slacked off, hoping to return to the city, so naturally, he dragged his feet on work.

Getting four work points a day would be burning incense in celebration.

And Bai Zhenzhu was even more excessive. Since arriving, she always claimed this or that hurt, and the brigade leader had no choice but to endure it silently.

Only I, after arriving, worked tirelessly, even teaching the village women how to make city-style pickled vegetables and identify medicinal herbs.

The villagers could secretly sell some and earn some income.

It was a great help to the village, so the brigade leader used all his connections to help me secure this spot.

It was around this time that I mysteriously fell into the river once—Zhou Weiguo saved me.

Another time, a poisonous snake suddenly appeared in my room—Zhou Weiguo found it and captured it.

Plus his daily care for me and his handsome looks, I couldn't help developing some special feelings for him.

Until now.

A few days ago, he went to the city and, upon returning, designed today's fire.

It was only after seeing the bullet comments that I learned he had actually been diagnosed with a disease called "ALS" during this city trip. I heard it gradually causes loss of limb function, eventually leaving one bedridden.

To avoid burdening Bai Zhenzhu, and to fulfill Bai Zhenzhu's wish to replace me for university studies, Zhou Weiguo designed today's fire.

First, to find a free caregiver.

Second, so I could earn money to help support Bai Zhenzhu and their child!

What a vicious heart!

Just thinking about these things made me shiver all over.

Chapter 6

The village where I was sent down is not far from the city. On the road, I saw a villager driving an ox cart and hitched a ride.

Approaching the city, I saw Zhou Weiguo running until he nearly collapsed. I waved my hand.

"Comrade Zhou, keep it up!"

"Up ahead, Educated Bai is waiting for you to rescue her!"

"Wait, wait for me! Give me a ride!"

I quickly urged the villager: "Uncle, lives are at stake! Please hurry!"

The villager, who had been about to stop, "cracked" his whip on the old ox's back.

The ox cart flew forward like the wind.

In the flying dust, I saw Zhou Weiguo finally collapse and sit on the ground.

Chapter 7

[Sister, quick! They're right at the entrance. Bai Zhenzhu is making a scene to leave!]

[Quick, quick! They're already on the tractor. Quick!]

I flew forward, running while ruthlessly picking up a sharp stone by the roadside and cutting my palm.

"Oh! Why are you leaving?"

"Educated Youth Bai, are you alright?"

"Educated Youth Wen, you're here? Quick, quick! Educated Bai is making a scene to go back! Quick, persuade her!"

I supported Bai Zhenzhu, my right hand gently sliding over her pants. When I felt it was enough, I pulled my hand back.

"Oh! Educated Bai, what's wrong with your pants?"

"Everyone, look! What's this? Why so much blood?!!"

Everyone looked where I pointed and indeed saw a large bloodstain on Bai Zhenzhu's pants.

Bai Zhenzhu's face changed: "I, I, I'm fine, I'm fine. I want to go back!"

"Let me go back, quick!!"

A blunt-spoken village woman said:

"This, so much blood, could it be..."

Everyone looked at each other. Although they didn't speak, they all showed meaningful expressions.

"You? What do you mean? I told you I'm fine! Let me go! Quick!!"

I sneered inwardly.

Finally getting to the hospital—how could you leave so easily?

I glanced left and right, saw a doctor and nurse approaching, and screamed.

"Ah! Help! Help! This female comrade is covered in blood! Quick, quick, save her!"

The doctor and nurse, hearing this, rushed over without hesitation.

The villagers, also afraid that something might really be wrong with Bai Zhenzhu, even as she resisted, still helped carry her down and pushed her into the hospital.

I saw the finally arriving Zhou Weiguo and couldn't help but laugh.

Chapter 8

But I never expected that when people become shameless, they are truly invincible.

Because my palm had bled a lot, after seeing Bai Zhenzhu being wheeled away, I went to the hospital restroom to wash my hands.

When I came out, after asking about Bai Zhenzhu's room, I went to find it.

But just as I was about to enter, I heard Bai Zhenzhu's anxious voice.

"Brother Zhou, what should I do? What should I do?

"The doctors already suspect my pregnancy! What on earth should I do?"

"It's fine, it's fine. I've already sent them away. Rest assured!"

"How can I be assured! In a moment, they'll know for sure. When they know, the brigade will know! Where will I have the face to be? Forget being pointed at everywhere, but university... university is hopeless!"

I heard Zhou Weiguo busy comforting her:

"It's fine, I've already thought of everything!"

"Wen Lihua is here too! In a moment, I'll beg her. Using the life-saving debt, I'll ask her to take responsibility for your pregnancy. You'll definitely be fine. Trust me!"

"Impossible! How could she agree to that? She's not a fool!"

"If, if she's unwilling, I'll say, I'll say I've long had relations with her! Don't you forget I deliberately went to her room twice before? I even made sure two villagers saw. At that time, the villagers will definitely look down on her. She won't be able to explain herself even with a mouthful of words!"

"Rest assured, I will definitely let you go to university, and she will definitely stay. I guarantee!"

I saw Zhou Weiguo come out and quickly hid to the side.

Then I watched Zhou Weiguo walk toward the doctor's office.

When the doctor saw him enter, he picked up a pen and asked: "What's the patient's name?"

I saw Zhou Weiguo pause, then said softly:

"Lihua. Wen Lihua!"

I leaned against the door, my expression cold.

Chapter 9

[Damn! What is this! This is clearly starting to scheme against our female lead!]

[What's going on with this person? So disgusting! Everyone, quick, think of a way to expose this disgusting man's calculations!]

[I'm really, so angry! Although I like watching tragic stories, seeing such a tasteless man really makes me want to puke!]

[Sister, quick! Those villagers sent away by the scumbag are back. Quick, go back to the hospital room and expose this! Quick!]

My heart trembled. I pulled my gaze from the bullet comments and turned to run toward the hospital room.

Just as I reached the door, I heard Bai Zhenzhu's gentle voice.

"It's fine. It was just the fire. Comrade Zhou, in his rush to save Educated Youth Wen, didn't see me. My thigh was crushed and started bleeding. I didn't even notice it myself."

"Sorry to trouble you for sending me here. Thank you so much."

Listening to Bai Zhenzhu still trying to establish that Zhou Weiguo was my lifesaver, I sneered and stepped back a few paces.

If you're not righteous, don't blame me for being unrighteous.

I put on a nervous expression and quickened my pace, rushing into the room.

As soon as I saw Bai Zhenzhu, I asked with concern:

"Educated Youth Bai, the doctor says you're pregnant?!!

"Oh no! What should we do? You were just bleeding. What did the doctor say? Can the baby be saved?"

My words made the noisy room instantly fall silent.

Bai Zhenzhu's face suddenly turned deathly pale.

"You, what are you!! Say it again!!

"What, what pregnancy? When did I get pregnant?

"The doctor said it was, it was my thigh that was crushed and started bleeding! You, don't slander me with false accusations!!"

I looked at her in astonishment.

The villagers' gazes moved back and forth between Bai Zhenzhu and me several times. Some people's expressions became meaningful.

Others tried to laugh it off.

"Um, um, perhaps Educated Wen heard wrong? Right? Ah, haha."

Others looked at Bai Zhenzhu disdainfully.

"Educated Bai! We all know what kind of person Educated Wen is."

"If she hadn't really heard the doctor say you're pregnant, she definitely wouldn't speak carelessly."

"By the way, some people did say you and Comrade Zhou are quite close. This child... couldn't it be Comrade Zhou's?"

In the entire brigade, there were only three educated youth: me, Zhou Weiguo, and Bai Zhenzhu.

The villagers had little entertainment, so they naturally paid extra attention to the three of us.

But this attention wasn't malicious.

They just thought the educated youth from the city were cultured, plus their curiosity about the city, so they paid more attention.

"What, getting close to me? What are you talking about?"

Zhou Weiguo, holding medical records, suddenly walked in and asked curiously.

When Bai Zhenzhu saw Zhou Weiguo, tears suddenly streamed down her face.

"Brother Zhou, Brother Zhou, it's Wen Lihua! She's bullying me!

"She said this isn't an injury, it's pregnancy!! I, I really can't live on!

"I'm a decent girl from a good family, being described as... hmph hmph, I really can't live on, hmph hmph..."

Zhou Weiguo's face changed.

The hand holding the medical records tightened, but his eyes looked toward me.

"Educated Wen! You must be responsible for what you say!

"I just asked the doctor. The doctor said Educated Bai has a thigh injury! How could you spread such rumors?!!

"I never knew you were this kind of person!"

After speaking, he sighed.

"I know, you're interested in me.

"But today I rushed in to save people—really, it was for you that I went in.

"Saving Educated Bai was, was just incidental!

"Oh, I know. You must be unhappy because Educated Bai was carried out by me. Don't worry, I'll keep my distance from her in the future!"

Hearing Zhou Weiguo say this, most of the villagers hesitantly looked at me.

I knew what they meant—wondering if I had really heard wrong.

Or was I deliberately framing Bai Zhenzhu?

My face darkened.

I was about to curse loudly but forced myself to calm down.

Cursing now would be useless and would only make everyone think I was framing Bai Zhenzhu out of anger.

I paused and smiled.

"Comrade Zhou, I really don't know how to respond to that."

"You say you clearly saved Educated Bai, but strangely, you keep trying to pin this non-existent 'life-saving debt' on me."

I pretended to step back in fear, "Are you trying to scheme against me? I'm actually a bit scared."

Zhou Weiguo: ...

Bai Zhenzhu: ...

In the room, everyone looked at each other, once again casting meaningful glances at the two of them.

Indeed, when the educated youth station caught fire, I wasn't even in the room.

And Zhou Weiguo had saved Bai Zhenzhu, but in this short time, they had already said several times that Zhou Weiguo rushed in to save Wen Lihua.

Said enough times that even they subconsciously felt that Zhou Weiguo was my lifesaver.

Zhou Weiguo and Bai Zhenzhu saw the suddenly enlightened crowd and both gritted their teeth.

"Educated Wen, what are you talking about, haha."

Bai Zhenzhu laughed it off.

Zhou Weiguo also came to his senses. He glanced at me and suddenly said:

"Since Educated Bai is fine, let's go back."

Although it wasn't busy farming season.

Every household had plenty to do, so there wasn't much time to waste here.

But I couldn't just let them leave like this.

Once they left today, the medical records in Zhou Weiguo's hands would bear my name.

That would be a glaring weapon against me—no matter how many mouths I had, I couldn't explain myself.

I saw Zhou Weiguo place the medical records on the table and reach to help Bai Zhenzhu up. I suddenly walked over.

"Oh, what's this?"

My quick hands snatched the medical records and opened them.

"Oh? It really says pregnancy?"

My voice was quite loud, instantly causing Zhou Weiguo and Bai Zhenzhu to freeze on the spot.

Chapter 10

"What pregnancy?"

Someone crowded over.

Zhou Weiguo finally reacted and tried to snatch the medical records from me.

"What are you doing?! Give that to me!"

Of course, I wouldn't let him take the records. I dodged and retreated several steps.

"Oh? This really says pregnant? And it says 7 weeks!"

"7 weeks is just over a month!"

"Good, Educated Bai! You're clearly pregnant, yet you said your leg was crushed. You even said I framed you."

"And Comrade Zhou, you clearly knew Educated Bai was pregnant, but you said I admired you and was framing her."

"Ah, that's not right? Whose name is on this medical record? Wait wait wait, this doesn't seem right!"

Just as I was wondering how to prove the name on this medical record was indeed written incorrectly, bullet comments suddenly floated up again.

[Sister, quick! That doctor from before is in the next room!]

[Quick, drag him over! Let him prove the name on this is fake! Quick, quick!]

I ran out.

When I dragged the confused doctor over, Bai Zhenzhu stared at me, wishing she could eat me alive.

"Doctor, is this patient pregnant?"

Zhou Weiguo's face changed as he blocked Bai Zhenzhu: "Wen Lihua, what are you doing?!!"

I completely ignored him and looked at the doctor: "Doctor, she did have blood on her pants just now, so we sent her here."

I didn't mention that Bai Zhenzhu had been choked unconscious by smoke.

"Now she wants to leave. Are you saying that if she leaves and the baby is lost, you can take responsibility for that?"

The doctor's heart tightened: "Nonsense! I already said she's newly pregnant, and the fetus's position isn't very stable yet. She needs to stay in the hospital for a few days.

"You want to leave?

"I'm telling you! If you don't listen to the doctor and leave, then the baby is lost, don't blame us!"

After speaking, the doctor angrily prepared to leave.

The villagers also looked at Bai Zhenzhu with disdain.

But how could I let the doctor leave so easily?

I grabbed the doctor and opened the medical records.

"Doctor, the name on here isn't right either! She's clearly Bai Zhenzhu. How did it become Wen Lihua?"

The doctor frowned, took it and glanced, his gaze falling on Zhou Weiguo as he said sternly: "Didn't you say the patient's name is Wen Lihua?"

"This..."

Now I didn't need to speak. Everyone in the room was speechless.

Even Zhou Weiguo became a quail, lowering his head, not daring to say a word.

I took a deep breath and secretly pinched myself.

"Fine! Zhou Weiguo, you harmed me!!"

I rushed forward, crying as I slapped Zhou Weiguo hard!

"Clearly, Bai Zhenzhu is pregnant! You said her thigh was injured!

"Clearly she's pregnant, but you deliberately told the doctor my name. What are you plotting?

"If I hadn't come today, or if I hadn't seen the medical records, would the pregnant one have become me tomorrow?

"And the shameless one would have been me?"

I nodded, looking enlightened, "I understand! You must be jealous that the brigade recommended me for study, so you wanted to frame me!

"I'm telling you, this isn't over!!"

After speaking, I wiped my tears and rushed out of the hospital.

"Hey, hey, Educated Wen, wait for me."

As soon as I went out, the villagers behind me shouted and chased after me.

"Oh! Educated Wen, don't be angry."

"We were all present for this. You should go to the brigade leader!"

"We can't want such black-hearted educated youth in our village. Too disgusting!"

"Yes, yes, why does today seem like watching a drama? It's dazzling to my eyes!"

"Hmph! If we hadn't come today, Educated Wen might have been bullied into what state!"

Everyone surrounded me, and we all got on the tractor.

Back in the village, I didn't even need to speak. Everyone chattered to the brigade leader about what had happened at the hospital today.

The more the brigade leader heard, the more shocked and amazed he became, and finally, his face turned black.

He looked at me and comforted: "Educated Wen! Don't worry. The recommendation spot is yours. No one can take it!"

He thought for a moment: "How about this. You go pack your things now. Tomorrow morning, I'll have brigade people escort you to the city. Since you're leaving anyway, better to leave early and avoid being constantly targeted!"

His face turned cold: "As for Comrade Zhou and Educated Bai, I still need to go to the commune about this. How to deal with them depends on what the commune says."

"Oh, captain! The educated youth station already burned down! Most things inside are probably gone! This, how will Educated Wen manage without bedding?"

Everyone finally came to their senses.

"It's fine, it's fine. The fire was in the main hall. The rooms should be mostly undamaged. I'll go back and check now."

After speaking, I ran toward the educated youth station.

Fortunately, the fire was extinguished in time. Except for the main hall, which burned severely, the rooms had no major damage.

Just blackened by smoke, so the walls had many dark spots.

I looked around to confirm no one was there, then pulled out a bundle of leaves from a crack in the earthen wall, containing various receipts and over a hundred yuan I had hidden.

After putting everything in my pockets, I began packing my room things.

Bedding could still be used for one more night. I didn't have many clothes of my own, so I packed them directly into boxes.

Other things—the journey was long, so I didn't plan to bring them.

But I never expected that Zhou Weiguo would knock on my door late that night.

Although there were only three educated youth in our village, men and women were still separated.

Zhou Weiguo was in the next courtyard, where Bai Zhenzhu and I lived.

Because I had been schemed against by Zhou Weiguo and Bai Zhenzhu at the hospital today, plus seeing the bullet comments about my originally tragic life.

I felt that any contact with Zhou Weiguo and Bai Zhenzhu could lead to trouble.

So I didn't answer. Instead, I grabbed a broom and stood guard by the door.

"Lihua, are you asleep?

"Xue is fine. She's safely back. Lihua? Are you in there?

"Oh, Lihua, I know you must think Xue's baby is mine, but it's really not. I just pity her.

"And I don't know why my name is on that medical record. You must think it was me, right? Lihua, you've wronged me. My heart for you..."

I didn't continue listening. Instead, I opened the back window, quietly climbed out, and rushed to the brigade leader's house.

The brigade leader heard that Zhou Weiguo was trying to break down my door, cursed, and brought people angrily following me to the second-floor educated youth station.

At this moment, Zhou Weiguo still thought I was in the room.

"Lihua, really, my heart only has you, but, but Xue is really too pitiful.

"Her parents look down on her and are unwilling to find her a job in the city. That's why she had no choice but to come to the countryside! If, if you could give this study opportunity to her, then she can return to the city, and we, we can be together to our heart's content!

"Lihua, I know you're interested in me too. Don't you forget the two times I helped you? Lihua, I don't mean you should be grateful. I just, just like you too much. I want to spend my life with you.

"Lihua, come out. If you don't come out, I'll break down the door! It's so late. A man and woman alone. If I'm seen in your room, you won't be able to explain yourself with a mouth full of words. Lihua..."

I saw the brigade leader's face grow darker and darker. Before Zhou Weiguo could finish his words, he shouted sternly and led people rushing in.

"Zhou Weiguo! What are you doing?!!"

The brigade leader's words made Zhou Weiguo jump.

He turned his head and saw the black-faced brigade leader, his people, and me.

"Lihua? You, why are you outside?"

The captain snorted: "Outside? Waiting for you to threaten her indoors?"

"Zhou Weiguo, you usually look presentable, but behind people's backs, is this how you bully Educated Wen?"

"I heard you also made Educated Bai's pregnancy into Educated Wen's at the hospital today. Do you know I could send you to the police station for doing this?!"

The brigade leader wanted to say more but, seeing me still standing to the side, paused: "Take him away first. Lock him in the cow shed. I'll deal with him tomorrow!"

Zhou Weiguo was dragged out of the educated youth station by two people.

I looked at the tightly closed door across from me and snorted coldly.

Even though Zhou Weiguo had repeatedly taken the lead to plan for Bai Zhenzhu, even though Zhou Weiguo had been taken away by the captain to the cow shed, Bai Zhenzhu didn't say a word to explain or come out.

She let Zhou Weiguo bear everything alone.

I "slammed" the door shut.

But it didn't matter.

Bai Zhenzhu was already pregnant. As long as she had any shred of dignity, she and Zhou Weiguo would never be separated in this lifetime.

I slept soundly.

Chapter 11

Early the next morning, I boarded the village tractor heading to the city.

The train ticket had been bought for me in advance, and the village had already prepared all the certificates and materials for me to study in Beijing.

I watched the village where I had lived for three years gradually disappear, feeling only gratitude in my heart.

Although I had been forced to come to the countryside, the people here were truly, truly good.

Without the brigade leader's efforts, with universities not recruiting, I would have had no opportunity to step onto a university campus.

At the train station, the tractor turned around to leave.

I suddenly couldn't help but jogged a few steps, catching up to the driver.

"Uncle, please deliver a message for me!"

"What did you say?"

The tractor's engine noise was deafening.

The uncle couldn't hear what I was saying at all.

"I said, please deliver a message for me!

"I, Wen Lihua, I will come back again!"

"Daughter? What did you say? Speak louder!"

I smiled and waved: "You go back quickly!"

I picked up my luggage and left the mountains.

Heading toward an unknown future.

Epilogue (Zhou Weiguo's Perspective):

After that day, I was locked in the cow shed for four days.

On the fifth day, I was released.

When I came out, I rushed to the educated youth station, but Bai Zhenzhu told me Wen Lihua had already left.

And she said the brigade had already talked to her.

They asked if her child was mine. If yes, we had to marry.

If not, the pregnant Bai Zhenzhu would have to leave the village.

Bai Zhenzhu and I married.

But soon after our marriage, I gradually lost strength in my limbs.

I watched Bai Zhenzhu's belly grow day by day, but because of my illness, I couldn't help much, and my heart ached for her.

Later, Bai Zhenzhu gave birth to a son for me.

When the child was two, I was completely paralyzed. Even speaking became unclear.

We saw many doctors, but they all said they couldn't find the cause.

These past few years, Bai Zhenzhu had to care for the child and me. Her temper grew worse and worse.

Without any of the gentleness of before marriage.

Finally, when I soiled myself again, she collapsed, smashing the basin at me.

"I've had enough of you!!

"Do you know you ruined my life?!!

"I saw your medical records. Why did you know you were sick but still married me? Was it intentional?"

By now, my tongue was stiff—I couldn't speak clearly.

Even shaking my head was impossible.

I wanted to say, no, I didn't want to burden you.

I wanted Wen Lihua to stay.

I wanted to say, I really wanted to see you have a good life, but at that time, given the situation, if Bai Zhenzhu didn't marry me, she would have no way to survive.

"Speak! Are you dead? Why did you harm me?!!

"Did you know early on that you would be like this, so you deliberately got me pregnant, deliberately married me, made me care for you for life? Speak!!!"

It's not, really not.

In desperation, I vaguely and intermittently told her about how I had schemed against Wen Lihua, just to let her go to school.

Who knew Bai Zhenzhu just laughed:

"Don't put on such a devoted act! You're disgusting!

"If you really loved me, when Wen Lihua left, you could have let me go instead of choosing to marry me, making me care for you for life!

"You're just a selfish thing. You schemed against Wen Lihua, and you schemed against me!!"

After that, Bai Zhenzhu never said a kind word to me.

When unhappy, a slap across my face, even a kick to my body became common.

I knew she wanted to leave, but couldn't bear to abandon the child.

I was afraid too—afraid she would really leave me, and I would truly starve to death.

Like this, another two years passed.

These two years, Bai Zhenzhu became involved with a widower in the village.

Every night, they would lock me in my room.

And she herself would make noise with that widower.

I hate!

I wish I could kill her!

But I couldn't even muster the strength to speak.

I thought of death many times, but even death became my luxury.

One day, I suddenly heard people say that the village was going to build a primary school!

This was wonderful news. I glanced at my son rolling dirty on the ground.

I thought, with a school in the village, my child could study too, right?

Finally, when the school was completed, everyone went to see the excitement.

Bai Zhenzhu was in a good mood that day and rarely agreed to put me on a cart, willing to pull me to see the excitement.

The primary school was built so well! It was a two-story brick building.

More than ten classrooms upstairs and downstairs!!

"Ah! Educated Wen is back!!!"

"Quick! It's Educated Wen who paid for our school! Quick, let's find Educated Wen!"

"Oh, don't call her Educated Wen anymore. Now she's our principal here. We should call her Principal!"

"Yes, yes..."

I looked up and saw Wen Lihua surrounded by people walking toward the school.

Wen Lihua seemed changed, yet unchanged.

Still so young, but had become so beautiful.

"Slap!" My face burned painfully.

I wanted to make a sound, but couldn't speak a single word.

The cart was forcefully turned around, and I nearly fell to the ground.

"Hmph! What are you looking at? A toad wanting to eat swan meat!!"

That night, I had a dream.

I seemed to dream of the day the educated youth station caught fire, and I really did save Wen Lihua.

Then she married me, managing household chores tirelessly.

She took good care of me. My body was always clean, never smelling strange like now, where even my son found me disgusting.

But why did I see myself secretly sending the money Wen Lihua worked so hard to earn to Bai Zhenzhu?

Bai Zhenzhu went to university and found a job.

But she never came back to see me once.

My son too—outwardly, nobody knew that child was mine.

But I was already a useless person. I had left behind a son, so I definitely had to plan for him.

I felt my body gradually failing, and finally, I set fire to kill both myself and Lihua.

I absolutely cannot let the family property fall into Wen Lihua's hands!!

I suddenly startled awake.

I stared blankly at the ceiling.

The me in my past life—how, how could I treat Lihua like that?

Clearly, she was so gentle and careful with me.

Clearly, she would rather suffer herself than let me have it hard.

But how did I...

How did I become so blind?

I hate it so much!

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