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The phone buzzed, and when Su Xingchen checked it, she saw a transfer notification.

Su Qi had sent over a million yuan.

Su Xingchen couldn't help but laugh. "Brother, it's just a meal. Why would I need a million for that?"

"Take it, just keep it. It's a small amount. Buy yourself something you like. If it's not enough, ask your brother for more."

"And don’t save money for me; I'm still saving up your dowry."

At this point, Su Qi suddenly spat, his voice filled with resentment.

"That bastard Shen Yan—Liao Liao, listen to me, not a single penny of the dowry is allowed to be given to him!"

Knowing that Su Qi was still holding a grudge over this, Su Xingchen didn’t want to make the atmosphere too heavy, so she joked, "Don’t worry, brother. The money you give me, I'll keep for myself and spend on myself. No one else will get a cent, and Shen Yan won’t be able to take any of it!"

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"This rain is likely to continue," Wang Gang said.

Wei Shiguo nodded. Wang Gang then asked, "Since it’s raining now, you’d better put in more effort."

Wei Shiguo understood what he meant, but he didn’t elaborate. He was well aware that his wife at home was resistant.

Wang Gang noticed his reaction and said, "Didn’t you hear what I said last night? Don’t be foolish, alright? Educated Youth Su is behaving this way because she wants to be with you. My wife even said that now she has you in her heart. Even if she didn’t get pregnant before, if you put in more effort during this rainy period, it’ll be fine. If she gets pregnant this year, she’ll give birth next year. Then you’ll be a father next year. Twenty-five is quite late to become a father."

Many people marry early, and having children in their early twenties is common. At twenty-five, still not being a father is usually seen among those who struggle to find a wife or some intellectual youths.

For example, there’s a young intellectual who still isn’t married at twenty-six, one of the first to go to the countryside. His peers have already settled down in the village, but he still refuses. At twenty-six, he’s still holding out, and it seems like he plans to remain single if he can’t return to the city, which has been a topic of gossip among the villagers.

But that’s for intellectual youths; Wei Shiguo is from his own village. Despite his family background, being this old is still considered very late.

Wei Shiguo didn’t want to say much and replied, "I’m aware."

"Women need to be pampered. Don’t worry about whether she’s high-minded or proud. Shower her with sweet talk, and she’ll be dazed. There’s nothing wrong with saying nice things while you’re on your own kang. Say all the nice things you can. Along with your actions, Educated Youth Su will definitely fall for you. Make sure to seize the opportunity," Wang Gang advised.

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Su Erzhu, a bit worried, asked, "Little Sis, if I go out, will I get beaten?"

After what happened at the Lianhua Brigade, he was a little anxious. Su Erzhu had always treated his wife poorly.

Su Man replied, "Now that the commune has called for it, you have to go whether you want to or not. Don’t worry, Brother; as long as you haven’t done anything wrong, no one will lay a hand on you."

Su Erzhu: "…" But he did feel guilty.

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"Zhong Ling, I never interfered in your relationship. It’s Gu Mo who is fickle. I’ve never thought about competing with you for anything, not in the past, not now, and not in the future!"

As soon as the words were spoken, there was a sharp slap.

A slap landed on Jing Yuan in the dream. At that moment, Jing Yuan could no longer hold back and retaliated by slapping Nan Yinyue.

"Nan Yinyue, this is just acting. You, of all people, should know what kind of underhanded methods you used to get this chance at a comeback."

"Heh, abusing your power for personal revenge—do you really think you have the ability? If you don’t want to be blacklisted again, you’d better focus on acting and being a decent person. If you resort to dirty tricks again, don’t blame me for being ruthless."

After speaking, she flicked the dirt off her hand and looked at Nan Yinyue with an expression of utter disdain.

She turned her head toward Director Zhang and cleared her throat. "Director Zhang, I’m sorry, the last take wasn’t great. Let’s do it again."

Director Zhang heard Jing Yuan’s words, smiled slightly, and said calmly, "Okay, Miss Jing. When you speak, try to make your voice a bit sweeter, and your eyes more innocent—ideally with a teary, rain-soaked emotion."

"Got it, Director Zhang, I understand." Jing Yuan made a gesture of acknowledgment.

Not far away, her faintly glowing self watched everything unfold.

She didn’t understand whether the person manipulating things behind Nan Yinyue held hostility toward her or simply wanted to help Nan Yinyue.

But she knew that since this was a premonition dream, something bad was bound to happen here, and she might even find out who was pulling the strings behind Nan Yinyue.

She had only been lost in thought for a short time when an accident did occur.

In the dream, Jing Yuan was lightly pushed—no, she was forcefully shoved by Nan Yinyue, causing her to fall toward a large rock not far away.

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Shen Yan’s voice was steady and unhurried, yet it always seemed to stir others’ emotions, making their hearts rise and fall.

“My grandfather arranged a marriage for me. The engagement ceremony, which was delayed due to personal reasons, will now be scheduled before the shareholders' meeting.”

“Before the shareholders' meeting?”

Some people’s expressions changed.

The marriage between the Shen and Su families would mean an additional ally, and the second Miss Su didn’t seem very bright; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so easily manipulated by Shen Duan.

But the key issue was, such a foolish woman would surely be no match for Shen Yan. It was possible that she might end up harming Shen Duan and even drag the entire Su family into trouble.

Scheduling the engagement ceremony before the shareholders' meeting was clearly a warning to them not to choose the wrong side.

Some shareholders' gazes briefly shifted to Shen Duan, but it was only for a moment. However, Shen Yan noticed everything and smiled as he continued.

“So, to honour the engagement banquet, I have to entrust the oversight of this project to my trusted younger brother.”

“Just in time, my brother has been promoted to the newly appointed overseas dispatched director of the marketing department, and he needs to achieve some results to prove his capabilities.”

Shen Yan’s remarks stirred the emotions of everyone again.

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Su Qing, pretending not to see the fleeting jealousy in Cai Meijia's eyes when she saw her, smiled and greeted her, "Meijia, come and sit down. I actually have something to discuss with you!"

"What is it? I heard you went to the supply and marketing cooperative at the commune. Did you go shopping?" Cai Meijia asked with a smile, speaking in a friendly manner.

"Yes," Su Qing nodded and said, "I just got back not long ago."

"Your life seems so enviable. Look at me, I've been working all day today, and my hands are really sore from all the work." Cai Meijia extended her hand and said.

Her hands looked quite rough. Ever since she moved to the countryside, she truly had to work hard; this life was really hard to endure!

"Farming work is indeed tough," Su Qing thought of herself as not particularly delicate, but just thinking about participating in such labour made her shiver.

The work in the fields was incredibly exhausting, not something an ordinary person could handle. She was not born and raised here; at most, she was a latecomer who could barely cope.

The reason she could adapt to this situation was that she had grown up in the countryside in her previous life, but that was about it.

"I'm not as lucky as you. You don't even have to work, and every month your parents send you so many things. By the way, what did you buy at the cooperative today?" Cai Meijia asked her.

Su Qing understood that this was probably the reason she had rushed over, seeking to benefit from her. With a hint of disinterest, she replied, "What else could I buy? Just some soy sauce and vinegar. There's nothing we need at home; it's really hard to manage."

"Didn't you say you spent all your money? Did your parents send you more?" Cai Meijia asked.

She had been thinking of going into town for some good food, and if Su's parents had sent money, she would have taken the opportunity to enjoy a nice meal on Su Qing's dime!

"No, I asked Wei Shiguo for some. I was almost embarrassed; it was my first time asking him for money. He only gave me a few dimes. Meijia, my parents might take a while longer to send money. You still owe me money, right? Altogether, you've borrowed about twelve yuan from me, haven't you? Please pay me back quickly. I'm so broke right now, and I'm really craving some White Rabbit cream candy," Su Qing said.

Cai Meijia's face stiffened. This was the first time Su Qing had asked her for money, and it was indeed that amount when she calculated it.

She had thought Su Qing was genuinely generous, not realizing she was keeping track of the money!

"Qingqing, you know my family situation. Since I moved to the countryside, they haven't sent me anything. The only way I've managed to get by is with your help. If you suddenly ask me for money, where am I supposed to get it? Especially twelve yuan," Cai Meijia said.

"I know it's not easy for you. I genuinely value you as a good friend I grew up with. Otherwise, why would I lend you so much money? Twelve yuan—people's monthly wages aren't even that much, and I lent it to you without a second thought," Su Qing said. You truly need to be wary of fire, theft, and friends. This was the female supporting character’s so-called good friend!

All that money was basically thrown to the wolves, and the wolves kept pushing her into an endless abyss!

Su Qing sneered inwardly but continued speaking, "You know my nature. I wouldn’t ask you for money unless absolutely necessary. I can't accept the fact that I have to ask Wei Shiguo for money, given that there's no emotional bond between us. Please find a way to pay me back soon."

Wei Shiguo, who had finished his farming work early and had returned to get his gear for fishing, happened to overhear this conversation.

His foot, which was about to step into the house, halted.

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After returning home, the Su family became lively again because of this matter.

Lin Xueju pouted and complained, "Little sister, we're all one family. Don’t you think of me, your sister-in-law, when something happens? Isn’t your older brother part of the family too? Or are you only related to your second brother?"

Her words carried a hint of instigation.

Su Dazhu also looked a bit sad.

Su Man said, "Alright, next time I’ll come up with a new script and ask you and my older brother to perform it. It will be a story about a wicked daughter-in-law oppressing her honest husband."

Lin Xueju and Su Dazhu: "……"

Li Chunhua immediately laughed, clapping her hands. "That's great! Your sister-in-law will definitely play it well. She's just a wicked daughter-in-law, and your brother is a coward."

"Mom…" Su Dazhu called out, feeling wronged.

Li Chunhua was too displeased to even respond. Usually, he followed his wife like a shadow, but when trouble arose, he called for his mother—dream on!

Under the combined attack of Su Man and Li Chunhua, Lin Xueju immediately lost her temper, dragging her husband back to their room.

Su Qiuyue looked at her little sister with a sour expression. Even after returning to the room, she kept looking at her with resentment.

If it were before, she would have started lecturing her. After all, as the older sister, it was only natural to educate the younger sister.

Now that there were too many handles for others to hold against her, Su Qiuyue didn’t dare to utter a word. She could only express her feelings through her eyes, hoping Su Man would understand.

Su Man said, "I told you I’d add more to your role, but you didn’t want it."

Su Qiuyue was so angry that she nearly bit through her pillow. "Can’t you give me a positive role? I at least got into high school through my own efforts."

"How many favours did you curry with the teachers? Should I bring that up in your role?"

"……"

Su Man lay on the bed and waved a fan. "If you want a positive role, then you need to perform well. As soon as you do, I’ll arrange one for you. Otherwise, you can keep playing the antagonist."

Su Qiuyue bit the pillow and pretended to fall asleep.

Before long, an official notice came from the commune. Director Hao of the Women’s Federation personally led a team to arrange for another cadre from the Daqiaowan brigade to take these actors to perform in other brigades.

Team Leader Guo knew that once his brigade’s cadre went out, they would definitely meddle in things. So, to avoid complicating Su Man’s work, he decided not to assign anyone else and let Su Man represent the brigade.

The women’s federation of the brigade was unhappy about it. "Is it appropriate for Teacher Su to go for our Women’s Federation work?"

"What’s inappropriate about it?" Team Leader Guo replied. "She does her job no worse than you in the Women’s Federation."

Team Leader Guo wasn’t genuinely defending Su Man; he understood the character of these cadres all too well. They weren’t very capable but knew how to take advantage. If they messed up the performance by blindly giving orders, it would be a blow to his reputation. He was counting on this event to go well so he could reap the benefits.

After all, he was the team leader of this brigade; any good work done by the people below was thanks to his brilliant leadership.

This matter was settled under Team Leader Guo's unilateral decision. From then on, Su Man and the others going out to perform would work in the morning and head out in the afternoon.

Su Man temporarily didn’t stop her classes but proposed to the team leader that Su Qiuyue take over a few days of lessons. It was better than letting the kids have nothing to do. It was hard to cultivate their habit of attending classes; she couldn’t let them become unruly again.

Su Man said, "This is just a suggestion. If the team leader thinks it's not suitable, I can give the kids a break."

Although Team Leader Guo looked down on Su Qiuyue, at least she had graduated from high school. Even if her grades weren’t good, that was better than having no education at all.

Considering how useless Su Qiuyue was at work, letting her teach for half a day was not out of the question.

"Then let her take over for half a day. Just half a day."

Su Man nodded in agreement.

After everyone finished work at noon, Su Man shared the news with Li Chunhua and the others.

Li Chunhua immediately smiled, looking at Su Tieshan, "Husband, why do you think the brigade likes me?"

Su Tieshan replied, "Because you perform well."

Li Chunhua smirked, holding back her smile.

Su Man rubbed her arms and then looked at Su Qiuyue, who was sunburned and looking dishevelled. "Also, big sister, I’ve already spoken with the team leader, and you’ll be taking over my classes for half a day in the afternoons."

Su Qiuyue, who had been slumped over the desk, perked up immediately as if she had been injected with adrenaline. "I—I get to teach?"

"Yes," Su Man nodded, her expression calm. "Work hard and don’t just go through the motions. If I come back and find you haven’t done well, I’ll send you back to work. I’d rather give the kids a break than let you teach badly."

"……"

"Don’t say I’m heartless; if you don’t do well, it’s my face on the line. The team leader will blame me and make my life difficult."

Li Chunhua immediately patted her elder daughter's hand when she heard that her little girl would be affected. "Daughter, you have to work hard! Don’t embarrass your little sister."

Su Qiuyue: "……Oh."

She had actually fallen to relying on her little sister to get by.

In the afternoon, Su Man took Su Qiuyue to class to observe her performance.