Era: Starting with the struggle to refuse being taken advantage of

Chapter 19 Provocation
Rubbing his slightly swollen eyes, Wang Chengpeng yawned and struggled to get up.

As the roosters crowed one after another, the hardworking people were awakened and began to prepare for the day's work.

Early in the morning, Wang Chengpeng went to the fields with Wang Tieshan and began his work for the day under the arrangement of Wang Fucheng, the production team leader.

Perhaps because of their similar ages, Wang Chengpeng was assigned to work with the educated youth in the village, and it was precisely because of this that he was able to recognize Xia Mingyue at a glance in the dark.

The two did have some interaction at work.

However, since Xia Mingyue's heart was not in Wangjia Village, and Wang Chengpeng's heart was only in Liu Yanran, the two were just nodding acquaintances.

Xia Mingyue wore a simple long-sleeved shirt and trousers today, looking like the most ordinary rural woman, but her beautiful face made her look exceptionally pretty.

The profuse sweating during her work did not diminish Xia Mingyue's beauty; instead, it made her look even more youthful and radiant.

Wang Chengpeng was somewhat surprised, wondering why he hadn't noticed how beautiful Xia Mingyue was in his previous life.

Then he gave a self-deprecating laugh, thinking to himself that in his past life he only had eyes for Liu Yanran, so how could he possibly tolerate anyone else?

After putting down his hoe, Wang Chengpeng found a big tree to lean against and rest.

He was really tired after working all morning.

Although it's springtime and the weather is nice, and he has the physical foundation he already has, Wang Chengpeng is still not used to such high-intensity work.

Even so, Wang Chengpeng still had no intention of persuading his family to let him not participate in the village's labor.

The working people are the most glorious. In this era, labor has permeated every detail of people's lives.

Not participating in the team's work will not only draw criticism, but it will also make Wang Chengpeng stand out from the crowd and attract attention, which would be counterproductive.

It seems I'll have to work harder and put in more effort after I get home from work.

Fortunately, this era lacked entertainment, so repairing radios and reading books not only didn't bore Wang Chengpeng, but also gave him a strong sense of accomplishment.

Wang Chengpeng didn't like causing trouble, but he never expected that trouble would come knocking on his door.

Just as he was resting against a big tree, a young man approached him, his face filled with undisguised resentment.

The person who arrived was none other than Shen Wei, who was from the same production team as Wang Chengpeng. The moment he saw Wang Chengpeng, he became sarcastic and said:
"Let me see who's slacking off. It turns out to be Wang Chengpeng, the eldest son of the Wang family, who was kicked out of the house."

"They're not working properly during work hours, but resting here. They're a disgrace to Wangjia Village."

"Even the female educated youth in the village are still working, I really don't know where you get the nerve to rest."

Wang Chengpeng is a low-key person and was once the leader of the children, so it's unlikely that he would have any enemies in the village.

But love-struck people are unreasonable. When Shen Wei, who was a devoted admirer of Liu Yanran, learned that Wang Chengpeng had already negotiated with the Liu family and was about to propose marriage, he was furious.

Why should Wang Chengpeng get the goddess he couldn't have? That's why he took the initiative to go to Wang Chengpeng's door to pick a fight.

Having been reborn, Wang Chengpeng's mindset has changed drastically.

Too lazy to argue with Shen Wei, Wang Chengpeng simply said coldly, "Get lost."

Faced with Wang Chengpeng's reprimand, Shen Wei, already angry, became even angrier and said:
"What gives you the right to tell me to get lost?"

"Everything here belongs to the government, so what right do you have to tell me to get out?"

Without even lifting his eyelids, Wang Chengpeng calmly said, "Because a good dog doesn't block the way."

Pfft

The moment Wang Chengpeng finished speaking, a sneer came from nearby.

The voice was clear and melodious, and it actually came from An Qiuyun.

However, after laughing out loud, An Qiuyun immediately realized something was wrong and subconsciously covered her mouth.

Shen Wei was already pitiful enough to be indirectly insulted by Wang Chengpeng, and to be mocked by himself on top of that would be utterly humiliating. Unfortunately, An Qiuyun was a little too slow in covering his mouth, and Shen Wei's face visibly turned bright red from the ridicule.

He was still a young man, and he blushed with embarrassment at the mere sight of it.

However, with the blessing of true love, he finally spoke his true feelings, saying:

"Wang Chengpeng, if you really have any shame, then don't go to Yanran's house to propose marriage. You're not worthy at all!"

Wang Chengpeng glanced at Shen Wei with some surprise, and he was truly impressed that the other party could say such shameless things.

It's clearly a one-sided simp relationship, yet he keeps calling her "Yanran" so affectionately.

With a playful smile, Wang Chengpeng said, "I'm not good enough? It seems you think you're very good enough?"

"You think you're a perfect match for me, since you're neither as handsome, as tall, nor as academically successful as me, and you can't afford a dowry of 500 yuan for a three-ringed watch and a radio?"

Wang Chengpeng's words immediately stunned Shen Wei, who almost lost his composure in anger, because what Wang Chengpeng said was the truth.

Lies are always sweet, but the truth is the sharpest knife.

Liu Yanran's decision not to choose Shen Wei speaks volumes.

Looking at the carefree Wang Chengpeng, Shen Wei's eyes were bloodshot, but there was nothing he could do.

However, Wang Chengpeng had no intention of letting this person who had provoked him for no reason get away with it, and continued speaking slowly:

"If you have the strength, go and earn more work points. At least you can help ease the burden on your family."

"Don't yell at me. Even though I've rested for more than ten minutes, I've still done more work than you."

Having barely regained his composure, Shen Wei finally collapsed completely under Wang Chengpeng's provocation, roaring:
"Wang Chengpeng, you wait here, I'm going to propose to Yanran right now."

"Yanran will definitely realize how good I am and agree to this marriage."

"As for you, you can only watch helplessly as I get together with Yanran, and you're driven mad with jealousy."

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Shen Wei no longer had the courage to stay there and quickly fled the area.

This wasn't originally Shen Wei's place to work. If it weren't for targeting Wang Chengpeng, he would never have appeared here.

Whether he can fulfill his promise or not, only God knows.

Watching Shen Wei's departing figure, Wang Chengpeng shook his head slightly, not taking such a trivial matter to heart at all.

He closed his eyes and continued to rest.

……

On the other side, a group of educated youth rested under the shade of another large tree.

An Qiuyun glanced discreetly in the direction of Wang Chengpeng, then smiled and said to Xia Mingyue:
"Mingyue, have you noticed that Comrade Wang is quite interesting?"

"With just a few simple words, he left Shen Wei speechless."

"But what he said was true; Shen Wei wasn't even qualified to carry his shoes."

Xia Mingyue rolled her eyes at An Qiuyun, annoyed, and said:
"Comrade Wang is about to get married. It's a bit too late for you to find out he's interested now."

"I still need to read, so please stop bothering me."

After saying that, Xia Mingyue actually took out a book from where she kept her things and started reading it.

Before she could look around for long, she felt someone approaching. When she looked up, she saw an unexpected figure.

(End of this chapter)