"That five yuan was snatched away by Third Wu in the end." Meng Yingying said through gritted teeth.
"That's between you and your husband. Anyway, I gave you five yuan as bride price. If you want to leave, fine, but give the bride price back to me!" Wu's mother thrust her hand out towards Meng Yingying.
Meng Yingying had no money on her at all. Even the grain rations she was entitled to were in Wu's mother's hands. She was only saying this because she knew Meng Yingying couldn't produce the money.
"I'll pay this money for Comrade Meng." Song Nianchu, who had been standing silently in the corner, suddenly spoke up.
She took five yuan from her pocket, glanced at Wu's mother, and tossed it over lightly.
The five one-yuan notes fluttered down to land at Wu's mother's feet.
Wu's mother hadn't expected anyone to stand up for Meng Yingying, least of all Song Nianchu.
"What? Don't you want it? If not, I'll take it back myself." Song Nianchu said, starting to bend down to pick up the money.
Only then did Wu's mother snap out of it. She quickly squatted down, gathered up all the money, and stuffed it into her pocket.
"This is my money now!"
"Uncle Zhenggui, please bear witness as well. The bride price has been returned to them. From now on, Comrade Meng has no further connection with their family." Song Nianchu looked at Wu Zhenggui.
"Alright!" Wu Zhenggui nodded emphatically.
"Comrade Meng, go pack your things. We'll see you back to the educated youth dormitory." Song Nianchu then signaled to Meng Yingying.
Meng Yingying finally came to her senses. She dropped the kitchen knife in her hand and turned to go pack her belongings in the room.
She had very little; a single bag held everything.
All her valuables had already been stolen and sold by Third Wu. Now, all she had left were a few changes of clothes.
Wu's mother watched Meng Yingying, her heart still filled with resentment. But with Song Nianchu and Wu Zhenggui both there, clearly protecting Meng Yingying, she didn't dare say anything more. She could only watch helplessly as they left.
With Meng Yingying gone, the other villagers also dispersed to go back to sleep.
There were other educated youths living in the dormitory. Despite the huge commotion outside, there had been no movement from their rooms.
Most of these youths had been sent down to the countryside against their will. They felt no sense of belonging to the village, and village affairs had nothing to do with them.
Song Nianchu didn't hold anything against them. After all, they would all be returning to the cities soon.
Considering Meng Yingying's special circumstances, a separate room was arranged for her at the dormitory.
It was originally a woodshed, dark and damp, but Meng Yingying liked it.
She set her bag down to the side and looked up.
"Comrade Song, Village Head, you should both go back now. I can tidy up here myself."
"You don't even have a quilt. How will you sleep tonight? First, get the room in order. I'll go back and fetch you a couple of quilts." Song Nianchu said before turning to leave.
When she returned, she was carrying two quilts.
Meng Yingying had already prepared the bed, even laying down some clean straw.
Song Nianchu simply spread the quilts on top—one to lie on and one to cover with—a perfect fit.
"There, now you can finally sleep." Song Nianchu let out a long sigh of relief.
Meng Yingying looked at Song Nianchu, who had worked up a light sweat on her forehead. She took a handkerchief from her pocket and offered it.
"Wipe your brow."
Song Nianchu was taken aback.
"It's clean. Third Wu never touched it." Meng Yingying thought Song Nianchu was worried the handkerchief wasn't clean.
"I wasn't worried about that." Song Nianchu smiled, taking the handkerchief and wiping her forehead.
She hesitated, wondering if she should wash it herself before returning it, or just give it back as is.
"I'll wash it myself." Meng Yingying seemed to see through Song Nianchu's hesitation and held out her hand.
"Alright." Song Nianchu then handed it back.
"Get some good rest today. Don't ever entertain those foolish thoughts again. Live your life well. The future will definitely get better and better." Song Nianchu added another piece of advice for Meng Yingying.
"Mm." Meng Yingying nodded firmly, then remembered something. "That five yuan counts as a loan from you. I'll pay you back once I have money."
"No rush. Focus on getting your life in order first." Song Nianchu gave her a smile.
In that dim room, Song Nianchu's smile seemed to carry its own soft glow, making Meng Yingying firmly believe that the future would indeed get better and better.
"..."
By the time they left Meng Yingying's place, the distant horizon was already beginning to lighten.
Song Nianchu and Mu Shi'an walked home side by side. He had been quietly by her side all night.
Seeing Song Nianchu, who had been busy half the night yet still wore a smile, Mu Shi'an couldn't help but ask.
"You're happy?"
"Of course I'm happy. From now on, Comrade Meng can live a good life. No one will bully her anymore." Song Nianchu nodded.
"You care about her quite a bit." Mu Shi'an had thought Song Nianchu only concerned herself with their fellow villagers.
"I sympathize with her plight. When a girl goes through something like that, if no one lends a hand, she really might have no choice but to die." Song Nianchu sighed deeply.
Even in later times, many girls who were assaulted chose to end their own lives.
For Meng Yingying to step forward openly, to accuse Third Wu of his wrongdoing without evasion, that took immense courage.
Especially in this not-so-open era, it was truly rare.
She hoped her small, insignificant help could let more girls know that being assaulted is not their fault!
They have the right to live, and to live better and better lives.
"Very admirable." Mu Shi'an smiled and ruffled Song Nianchu's hair.
Song Nianchu tilted her head up slightly. "The way you're doing that feels like you're petting a dog."
"Petting a dog?" Mu Shi'an looked at her, puzzled. "Does it mean stroking a dog?"
"Yes, that's the meaning." Song Nianchu cleared her throat.
"Don't compare yourself to a dog. You're much cuter than a dog." Mu Shi'an didn't think much of it, assuming it was just local dialect from Qinghe Fishing Village.
Song Nianchu: "..."
You really can't joke with this guy.
"Alright, let's hurry home. Looks like we might still get an hour of sleep." Song Nianchu didn't continue the topic.
"Mm." Mu Shi'an nodded.
Due to the lost sleep the night before, everyone was yawning incessantly when work started the next morning.
To Song Nianchu's surprise, Meng Yingying also showed up for work.
"Aren't you going to rest for a few days?" Song Nianchu went over to ask.
"Why rest? I'm full of energy now." Meng Yingying's face was radiant.
"You seem a bit different from before." Song Nianchu smiled.
"You told me I've been reborn, so of course I should be different from before." Meng Yingying stated firmly.
"That's absolutely right." Song Nianchu nodded, feeling gratified.
Qinghe Fishing Village had many orders. Not only were canned goods selling like hotcakes, but the fishing gear factory had also placed another order for a hundred fishing nets.
Therefore, everyone was run off their feet every day. The matter of Third Wu was quickly forgotten by everyone; no one even had time to gossip about Meng Yingying.
That night.
Song Nianchu was propped up against the headboard, sketching something in a notebook with a pencil.
"What are you doing?" Mu Shi'an asked, approaching the bed after his shower.
