Chapter 751 - 747: Panic-stricken

"N-no..."

Although Hu Ziqiang had been pestered by Li Hongmei before, she had only ever insisted on talking to him or sitting with him at meals.

She had never thrown herself at him like this before.

In that instant, Hu Ziqiang was so flustered he began to stutter.

He knew Li Hongmei adored him—so much so that she couldn’t control herself. But he could never bring himself to like her.

As Hu Ziqiang was thinking this, he had no idea that Li Hongmei thought the same.

However, by the time Li Hongmei had given up on Yun Hao and decided to accept Hu Ziqiang, she had already talked herself into it.

Now, seeing Hu Ziqiang blush from a single touch, she felt this was the perfect opportunity to win him over.

She grabbed Hu Ziqiang’s hand, her expression full of deep affection.

"Ziqiang, the truth is, from the moment you and Yun Hao first arrived at the Educated Youth Point, while everyone else’s eyes were on Yun Hao, you were the first one I noticed."

Hu Ziqiang had been about to explain himself further and put an end to her notions, but then he heard her words...

’Well, if that’s the case...’

’...I can hear her out.’

After all, for as long as he could remember, whenever he and Yun Hao appeared together, Yun Hao was the exquisite flower while he was just the green leaves setting it off. And now, a girl was telling him that when they stood side-by-side, she had noticed *him* first.

Even though Li Hongmei had a big, round face and a very dark complexion, at that moment, he suddenly found her... a little easier on the eyes.

Seeing that Hu Ziqiang didn’t reject her, Li Hongmei’s eyes instantly brightened.

"We’ve been sent down to the countryside for years now. Some have been here for nine years. How many nine-year periods does a person get in their life? I watch the people around us get married one by one, settling down. We should also find someone to rely on."

"Comrade Hu Ziqiang, I want to become your revolutionary companion. I’ll take care of our home and keep it in perfect order. You’ll come home to hot meals, your clothes will be washed, the room will be clean. I’ll handle everything at home; all you’ll have to do is work outside."

"Are you willing?"

Despite her usual boldness, after saying all this, Li Hongmei showed a rare hint of shyness.

Hu Ziqiang, however, was shaken by her words.

He hadn’t been in the countryside for as long as some, but a quick count told him it had already been over three years. Those three years had worn down his temper and eroded his hope.

He was already twenty-three, and he’d always wanted to go back to the city.

But how could returning to the city be so easy? A while ago, he learned that Yun Hao had written home, hoping they could arrange his return. But the letter said things were tense right now; it was impossible to arrange anything.

If even Yun Hao couldn’t go back, what chance did he have?

’Am I really going to spend the rest of my life here all alone?’

Then again, he thought about the other educated youth who had married locals. Their lives weren’t so bad, were they? A couple working hard together, a hot meal on the table, a home... That was a way of settling down, too.

Hu Ziqiang was tempted, but still he hesitated.

"I... I..."

He was ready to get married, but he didn’t want to marry Li Hongmei.

The reason was simple: she was too ugly.

When Li Hongmei saw that Hu Ziqiang was about to refuse, she quickly cut in, "Ziqiang, I’m really not a bad choice. Compared to the village girls, I at least graduated from junior high. You did too. I know you have your own ambitions. I can understand that."

"If you marry one of the local girls and talk to them about your ambitions, will they understand?"

"Besides, if you marry a local girl, you’ll be here all by yourself, while they have a huge family. If something were to happen down the line..."

Li Hongmei glanced at Hu Ziqiang, leaving the rest unsaid.

Hu Ziqiang looked down at his own slight build. He wasn’t tall and he wasn’t strong. If he ever got into a fight with those people, he’d be the one getting beaten up.