Bai Ruxue arrived at the educated youth's site and discovered that the house there was also a crumbling earthen house, similar to hers, except this one was larger, unlike her home which only had one and a half rooms.
"Stop, what are you doing here?" Just as Bai Xue walked into the fenced courtyard of the educated youth's site, a female educated youth came out to meet her. She had an average appearance, was about 1.7 meters tall, skinny, with hair braided into two plaits, and a noticeable black mole on her lower left cheek, making her easy to recognize.
Upon seeing her, Bai Xue immediately knew who she was, because when the educated youths had just arrived, many people were discussing her large black mole on the lower left cheek.
"Comrade Zhao Hongmei! I'm here to find Comrade Zhang Yuan! Could you please call him for me?" Bai Xue spoke kindly to Zhao Hongmei, who was looking displeased.
She noticed that Zhao Hongmei was angry but didn't know the reason, so she didn't pay much attention.
"Comrade Zhang Yuan isn't here! Just leave!" Zhao Hongmei said irritably.
"Really? But I just heard he came back!" Bai Xue asked again.
"I said he's not here, so he's not! Are you leaving or not? I'm going to close the door!" Zhao Hongmei increased her volume with an attitude of wanting to drive her out.
"Zhang Yuan! Zhang Yuan, come out! I have something to tell you!" Seeing Zhao Hongmei's attitude, Bai Xue could sense something. Although she had never been in a romantic relationship in the past or present life, she had read plenty of novels and watched many TV dramas, so how could she not tell Zhao Hongmei liked Zhang Yuan.
Hence, she didn't ask Zhao Hongmei to summon anyone but shouted loudly herself.
The educated youth's site was in the middle of the village, and her shout caused a commotion with several people coming out from their homes to watch the spectacle.
The educated youths also came out.
There were eight educated youths in total at the site, four males and four females, and they were all present, including Zhang Yuan.
"Xiao Xue, why are you here? I was just about to come find you! Come in and talk! It's cold outside!" Zhang Yuan saw Bai Xue arrive and quickly came forward to greet her warmly.
This scene appeared unbelievable to the other seven educated youths.
"It's okay, I'm not cold. Let's just talk here! If we go inside, I'm afraid even more ridiculous rumors will spread!" Bai Xue didn't let Zhang Yuan get close, standing firm before him, speaking calmly without warmth.
If Zhang Yuan astonished the other youths earlier, Bai Ruxue's current demeanor made them incredulous, with Zhao Hongmei glaring at her fiercely, and the other three female educated youths also looking unfriendly.
"Then... go on!" Zhang Yuan responded uncertainly, seeing Bai Ruxue's indifferent expression.
"Comrade Zhang Yuan! Regarding the issue of my grandma coming over today to bother you... causing you trouble, I apologize first! I'm sorry! My grandma is just that way—impulsive and capricious. Her words can't be taken seriously!" Bai Xue spoke loudly, making sure the onlookers could all hear, presenting the situation as Grandma Bai's disturbance being pure folly.
"It's fine! Your grandma is just like my grandma. It's okay for elders to scold a bit!" Zhang Yuan suddenly said something that diverted the situation that Bai Xue had just managed to clarify.
What did he mean by your grandma being my grandma? This sentence was very ambiguous, wasn't it? Things between them were already somewhat difficult to explain, and while she wasn't concerned about reputation, her parents cared! Her mother was crying miserably!
"What? Are you two really dating?" Li Jianshe, the male educated youth closest to Zhang Yuan, stepped forward and grabbed Zhang Yuan's arm, asking.
Once this question was asked, the surrounding crowd erupted. Zhang Yuan glared at Li Jianshe, annoyed, "Back off!"
The glare frightened Li Jianshe into silence.
Yet, it couldn't stop the villagers' gossiping hearts as everyone began discussing.
"Grandma Bai wasn't wrong; they're already dating, no wonder she came asking for bride price!"
"Right! It's already at the stage of discussing marriage, with him eating at their house every day. It's normal for Grandma Bai to be anxious! Such a young maiden being taken advantage of, and not even having bride price!"
"How disgraceful! Bai Daliang's daughter being so loose, absolutely unacceptable!" An older woman over fifty pointed heavenward while speaking.
Bai Xue hadn't really minded before, but hearing this comment made her furious.
"Comrade Zhang Yuan! I hope you can speak clearly! Don't be ambiguous! It creates misunderstandings!" Bai Xue glared at Zhang Yuan and spoke clearly, "I came here today to apologize to you! Regarding the rumors between us, innocence will prove itself! I believe my future husband will not care about these rumors! I will not hold them in my heart! I've said my piece! If anyone from the Disciplinary Office comes, please cooperate and don't ruin my reputation!"
Zhang Yuan's face darkened upon hearing Bai Xue talking about her future husband. In his mind, she had long been his possession, and hearing her mention her future husband made him furious at the realization that he had no place in her heart, and she was even fantasizing about a future husband.
He hadn't managed to speak further when Bai Xue angrily headed toward the exit, but she turned back with a thought, "If you continue dining at our house, I have no objection, but if you don't join us anymore, I'll have my brother deliver your food!"
"Xiao Xue!" Zhang Yuan squeezed out the words from between his teeth in anger.
However, before he could say more, the impulsive Bai Xue interrupted, "Alright, I got it! I'll have my brother send your food back later!"
Bai Xue had initially decided that regardless of what the villagers said, she wouldn't drive Zhang Yuan out and would still let him eat at their house, but hearing him say that ambiguous line just now really angered her.
"Xiao Xue, listen to me!" Zhang Yuan ran over to stop Bai Xue, who was about to leave.
Beside them, Zhao Hongmei watched Zhang Yuan in this situation, clenching her fists tight, with rage in her eyes.
Li Jianshe also felt a bit guilty. If it weren't for his words just now, the villagers wouldn't be gossiping so much. He cursed his big mouth.
He lowered his head, minimizing his presence, hoping Zhang Yuan wouldn't vent his anger on him later.
"Comrade Zhang Yuan! Do you have anything else to say?" Bai Xue halted her steps and asked.
Zhang Yuan took a deep breath, steeling himself, and spoke.
"There's nothing embarrassing about expressing your feelings! Xiao Xue! Today, I'm telling you in front of the villagers of the Fifth Team! I like you! From the first moment I saw you, I liked you! Saving your life on the back mountain wasn't a coincidence; I was following you, wanting to say a few words. Unfortunately, I saw you fall, scaring me half to death." Looking deeply at Bai Xue, Zhang Yuan's heart and eyes were full of only her, completely ignoring the surrounding villagers pointing fingers.
"Zhang Yuan, you..." Bai Xue looked at this guy who resembled her idol and suddenly confessed to her, feeling a bit overwhelmed. She stared blankly, forgetting her anger, forgetting to react.
"Xiao Xue, if you don't dislike me, we can get engaged first!" Zhang Yuan wouldn't let love slip away; this was his first time, and he only spoke his true feelings.