Teacher Jin didn’t finish, but Yang Jiabo understood. In the end, they would still use that against him. The other reasons were manageable, but if word got out that he was mentally ill, he’d spend the rest of his life under discrimination. Was this a veiled threat?
And the only person he’d fought recently who also attended the same school was Zhou Lingling. They really were like fire and water. No, not just Zhou Lingling. He clashed with women in general. 'Three women make a drama,' and this one had cost him his education.
[三个女人一台戏 (sān gè nǚ rén yī tái xì): lit. three women make a drama; fig. where there are women, there’s gossip and conflict]
But Zhou Lingling was just a minor nuisance. The main instigator was probably Zhang Yi’s mother, right? Once Yang Jiabo pieced it together, he asked, "Does Zhang Yi’s mother have powerful connections?"
Teacher Jin stayed silent, which was as good as confirmation.
"I’ll say it again, I won’t withdraw voluntarily. My life has already been ruined by you all. I don’t mind ruining it completely. After all, 'those with bare feet aren’t afraid of those wearing shoes.' If they can make trouble, so can I." With that, Yang Jiabo turned and left.
[光脚的不怕穿鞋的 (guāng jiǎo de bù pà chuān xié de): lit. those with bare feet aren’t afraid of those wearing shoes; fig. those with nothing to lose fear no consequences]
He was stubborn by nature, if anyone told him to go east, and he’d deliberately head west out of sheer defiance. Even if he knew he’d hit a wall, he still wanted to resist. But 'the arm can't twist the thigh,' and in the end, Yang Jiabo was expelled officially, for harassing female classmates and fighting.
[胳膊拧不过大腿 (gē bo nǐng bù guò dà tuǐ): lit. the arm can’t twist the thigh; fig. the weaker can’t defeat the stronger]
None of this surprised him. He knew the smartest move would have been to withdraw quietly. He was just a farm boy with no power to fight back. Zhang Yi’s family came from scholarly prestige, if rumors spread that her mother had driven her to suicide, her parents’ reputations would be ruined. Better to shift the blame onto a student without background who was already on the verge of expulsion.
After his expulsion, Yang Jiabo briefly entertained the malicious thought of provoking Zhang Yi. In her current state, she’d probably attempt suicide again. But she wasn’t the one who deserved to die, if he did that, how would he be any better than her parents?
As for Zhou Lingling, out of respect for his aunt and uncle, Yang Jiabo wouldn’t do anything to her. But he decided to cut ties with that branch of the family to avoid further trouble. That could wait, though right now, his priority was calming his own family.
With school no longer an option, Yang Jiabo decided to move up his original plans. After his rebirth, he hadn’t set any grand goals, just taking care of his father and living well. His father had once dreamed of leasing a hillside to plant fruit trees and raise poultry. Over time, that became Yang Jiabo’s dream too. A reclusive, idyllic life, free from complicated social entanglements.
He rode his bicycle around the outskirts of the city, searching for a suitable plot to lease. He hadn’t told his family about the expulsion yet, he wasn’t sure how to break the news, afraid they wouldn’t take it well. He wanted to secure the land and get everything in order before explaining, proving that he could thrive even without formal education.
While scouting locations, Yang Jiabo didn’t forget to settle the score. He gave Sister Qiu some money to spread the truth, how Zhang Yi’s mother had driven her daughter to madness, how Director Zhang had repaid kindness with betrayal, how the Zhang family had bullied an ordinary student using their influence. The more the Zhang family tried to suppress the story, the more determined he was to expose it.
Sister Qiu had contacts in every school in the city, and with money motivating them, people worked eagerly. Soon, the story spread across schools and into parents’ circles.
Then, Director Zhang showed up at his doorstep, placing 20,000 yuan on the table. "I know your family is struggling. Consider this a token of gratitude."
"Twenty thousand to buy your daughter’s life, your reputation, and my future. Director Zhang, you’re really 'counting your chickens before they hatch,' aren’t you?" Yang Jiabo sneered. In his previous life, 20,000 would have been a fortune to the Yang family. Director Zhang probably hadn’t heard the rumors yet, otherwise, he wouldn’t have come offering money. Was this to ease his conscience?
"Jiajia, what’s going on?" Yang Jianjun’s expression was grave, while Li Guizhen’s eyes remained fixed on the money, she’d never seen so much cash.
"Dad, I’m sorry. There’s something I’ve been hiding from you." Seeing no way out, Yang Jiabo confessed everything.
Yang Jianjun flew into a rage, grabbing a carrying pole and driving Director Zhang out. "Take your dirty money and get out of my house!"
Li Guizhen, equally furious, cursed while hurling a freshly brewed cup of tea at him. Director Zhang fled in disgrace with money in hand.
"Jiajia, what will you do now?" Li Guizhen burst into tears.
Yang Jianjun seemed to age ten years in an instant, his back slightly hunched, face lined with worry, yet his eyes burned with anger.
"Don’t worry. I didn’t tell you because I was afraid you’d take it too hard. I’ve already planned my next steps, not going to school won’t change anything." Yang Jiabo tried to reassure them, but it didn’t help much.
So he took Yang Jianjun to see the site he’d chosen, a small hill on the city’s outskirts. Roughly 200 acres, overgrown with weeds and lacking decent trees.
But there was a natural spring on the hill, and at its base stood an abandoned pig farm from the old Red Flag production brigade. Though derelict, it still had a lotus pond. The roads were well-paved, allowing vehicles to drive right up. Close to the city with water and electricity, it had great potential if properly developed.
[红旗生产队 (hóng qí shēng chǎn duì): lit. Red Flag Production Brigade, a collective farming unit during China’s commune era (1950s–1980s).]
Yang Jianjun had only humored him at first to avoid disappointing him. But as Yang Jiabo outlined his vision and they toured the land, even he grew excited. Watching his father’s face light up while discussing future plans, Yang Jiabo sighed in relief.
But he’d forgotten about Li Guizhen. He never expected her to rally over a dozen relatives to confront Zhang Yi’s mother.
