Transmigration: Flirted with My Childhood Sweetheart
Chapter 376 - 375 The Young Village Tyrant

Chapter 376: Chapter 375 The Young Village Tyrant

If anyone felt the most guilt for Zhao Zhuangshi’s injury, it was definitely Yu Xiangqin.

He was injured trying to save her, and her heart ached even more than her own wounds.

Yu Xiangqin, covering her face with her hands, cried so hard that she could hardly breathe, her wails heart-wrenching, rivaling those of Widow Zhao.

While she was crying, Lin Nianhe lifted the quilt to examine her ankle, which got injured a second time.

It was her right foot that was hurt, with the ankle area bruised and swollen. Miao Hongqi had already rubbed some medicinal liquor on it, but Lin Nianhe blocked the view with her bag and took out a plaster specifically for bruises and sprains from her space and applied it on Yu Xiangqin.

After doing all this, she patted Yu Xiangqin gently, interrupting her crying: "Enough, stop crying. Think about some serious matters."

Yu Xiangqin, in fits and starts, cried even harder, her head aching all the more.

Yes, she had to think about some serious matters—Zhao Zhuangshi’s injuries would prevent him from being discharged from the hospital anytime soon, and Widow Zhao alone couldn’t possibly take care of him by herself.

She sniffled, shifted a bit, and lay down.

She needed to get well quickly. She needed to take care of him.

Closing her eyes, she just couldn’t fall asleep no matter what, tears sliding down from the corners of her eyes, wetting the pillow.

Wang Xue sighed lightly and poked Yu Xiangqin: "Xiangqin, I still have some money here, just tell me if you need it."

Miao Hongqi nodded too: "I have some as well."

Both of them thought, given Zhao Zhuangshi was so seriously injured, the medical expenses must be substantial, and Yu Xiangqin surely couldn’t afford it all.

Yu Xiangqin slowly opened her eyes, their gaze hollow as she stared at the ceiling beam: "How much money can buy a leg?"

Wang Xue and Miao Hongqi both fell silent, looking at each other, neither knowing how to respond to that remark.

Yu Xiangqin lay there blankly, like a wooden figure incapable of thought.

After a while, she suddenly spoke up:

"I’ll marry him."

"What?"

Zhao Zhuangshi looked at Yu Xiangqin with eyes full of shock: "You marry me? Are you crazy?"

Three days had passed since the accident, and Yu Xiangqin was finally able to get out of bed and walk slowly. The first thing she did was follow Wang Hong to the clinic and directly told Zhao Zhuangshi her thoughts.

As soon as she uttered these words, not only was Zhao Zhuangshi shocked, but both Widow Zhao and Wang Hong were also stunned.

Seeing Zhao Zhuangshi’s reaction, Yu Xiangqin originally felt very guilty, but when she heard him say she was crazy, her face stopped blushing, her heart stopped pounding, and instead her eyes widened: "What’s wrong with me? Where am I lacking? I can work, and I am an Educated Youth. Although I’m twenty-one, I’m still a year younger than you!"

Zhao Zhuangshi: "That’s why I say you’re crazy."

He knew his own reputation all too well; what decent family girl would dare to marry him!

Wang Hong, watching from the side, understood why Yu Xiangqin wanted to marry Zhao Zhuangshi, and she didn’t think it was a good idea, but she couldn’t find the words to dissuade her.

Widow Zhao, upon seeing Yu Xiangqin, was actually quite annoyed. Her son had become like this because of her; it was false to say she held no grudges. However, after hearing that she wanted to marry her son, she felt... rather embarrassed.

"You!" Yu Xiangqin clenched her fist, glaring at Zhao Zhuangshi.

For a young woman, it was already embarrassing enough to say such things to a man. He didn’t even have to accept, but to outright say she was crazy!

She, she...

Widow Zhao tugged at her mouth corners, wiped the sweat from her palms, stood up, and pulling Yu Xiangqin aside, said: "Well, Educated Youth Yu, come out, I need a few words with you."

Faced with her potential mother-in-law, Yu Xiangqin obediently followed her out of the ward, hobbling slowly.

Widow Zhao did not stop after stepping out the door, but continued to walk ahead.

Her mind was in turmoil, and her brain quickly ran through various things that had happened to Yu Xiangqin over the years.

The girl was indeed very capable and efficient in her work, clean, and could endure hardship. It was said that her parents were both workers, but with three younger brothers at home, she wasn’t taken very seriously. Plus, she had a sharp tongue, like a firecracker... This temperament of hers could surely keep a man in check.

Widow Zhao walked until the end of the corridor where there was no path left before she stopped.

Turning around, she saw Yu Xiangqin leaning against the wall, hobbling as she followed.

Seeing her like this, Widow Zhao couldn’t help but think about the future... Would her son also have to walk like this in the future... She felt a mixed feeling in her heart but still asked, "Your leg hasn’t healed yet?"

"It’s nothing, just sprained a bit," Yu Xiangqin answered indifferently, hobbling over to Widow Zhao and asked, "Auntie, what did you want to say?"

Widow Zhao looked at her with a complex expression, silent for a long while. She pulled Yu Xiangqin to sit on the bench and, staring at the white wall, said, "Saying I don’t blame you is just empty talk, and I know you want to marry Zhuangshi to repay him, but if... if his leg develops problems in the future... You, you’re a city girl, if you get married here, you won’t be able to go back to the city, I, I..."

"Educated Youth Yu, if you want to repay the favor, just take the money for the medicine. If you can’t afford it right away, take your time. You don’t need to... This is a lifelong matter, don’t delay yourself."

Facing an educated youth daughter-in-law who had come of her own accord, Widow Zhao’s heart was moved for three seconds.

But in an instant, she thought that the girl was only marrying her son to repay the life-saving debt. How long can such a sentiment last? In the future, when she sees other educated youths returning to the city, would she regret it? After regretting, wouldn’t she blame Zhao Zhuangshi?

Would that make for a bearable life?

Yu Xiangqin clenched the hem of her clothes and said in a low voice, "Auntie, this isn’t about the money. It’s because of me that he... It’s me who has wronged him, if I despised him, what kind of person would that make me?"

For the past three days, several girls from the Educated Youth Corps had advised her, both subtly and bluntly.

She had also thought a lot.

And the more she thought, the more determined she became.

Widow Zhao slowly withdrew her gaze, looking at her doubtfully, "Do you really want to marry him?"

"Mm."

Yu Xiangqin nodded, her face slightly reddened, "Actually, this isn’t the first time he’s helped me..."

"Not the first time? What do you mean?"

In the village school, several teachers were sweeping snow with brooms, and as they swept, they started gossiping.

Lin Nianhe, holding a broom nearly as tall as herself, took out a handful of sunflower seeds from her pocket and scattered them, looking keenly at Miao Hongqi, "Tiechui, tell us!"

Wang Xue was also a bit puzzled and asked, "Yeah, what’s this all about? How come I didn’t know?"

"You weren’t here yet," Miao Hongqi said while sweeping the snow, "That time really scared both of us..."

Yu Xiangqin and Miao Hongqi were part of the same group sent down to the countryside. Back then, there were only a few educated youths in Ten Miles Team, and they were the only two female educated youths.

Miao Hongqi was Miao Yulan back then, and Yu Xiangqin wasn’t as feisty as she is now.

Back then, it was even poorer.

Once, there was a theft at the Educated Youth Corps. Food was stolen, money was stolen, and even Yu Xiangqin’s torn red scarf was stolen.

Later, the scarf was found.

Yu Xiangqin found it when she went to town to send a letter.

The scarf was on the neck of another girl.

She was sure that girl had stolen their things. Without thinking, she rushed over and grabbed the girl’s braid, intending to drag her to the police station.

Then, as expected, Yu Xiangqin got beaten up by a group of the girl’s brothers.

Afterward, the young village bully found out that the family was from Victory Team, and went to their house with his brothers.

He snatched back the grain and recovered the money.

And the red scarf was once again worn around Yu Xiangqin’s neck.