Chapter Thirty-Two: As If Forsaken by the World

It was New Year's Eve, and the youth hostel was filled with a festive atmosphere. A fire burned brightly in the stove at the center of the room, simmering a pot of fragrant meat—the pork rationed by the village to the educated youth for the holiday. Several young women were busy folding dumplings, with cabbage and radish fillings laid out on the cutting board.

"It’s New Year's, and it’s fate that we’re all here together," Zhang Li remarked as she folded a dumpling. "I never expected the villagers to look after us so well."

"Indeed," Li Xiaoyun chimed in. "I heard the educated youth in the neighboring village didn't even get any meat."

Su Yan sat in the corner, holding a half-formed dumpling, her eyes drifting toward the window. Wang Ming had gone out early this morning, claiming he was preparing a surprise for her, but he had yet to return.

"Su Yan, your dumpling is losing its shape," Wang Ming’s voice suddenly came from behind her.

Su Yan turned around to see Wang Ming standing at the doorway, his face flushed red from the cold, holding a paper parcel in his hand.

"You’re finally back," Su Yan said with a playful pout. "If you hadn't returned, there wouldn't be any dumplings left for you."

Wang Ming smiled as he walked over and handed the parcel to Su Yan. "I bought you some peanut brittle. I know you love sweets."

Su Yan took the parcel, feeling a warmth spread through her heart. In these times, acquiring candy was no small feat.

"Come on, everyone, stop working for a moment and have some wine to warm up," someone suggested.

The youths set aside their tasks and gathered around. The wine was homemade rice wine—low in alcohol, but it warmed the stomach. Just as everyone was feeling the joy of the New Year’s Eve celebration, a series of footsteps sounded outside.

*Knock, knock, knock.* Someone was at the door.

Wang Ming stood up to open it. Two men in uniforms stood outside, accompanied by a village official.

"Is Comrade Wang Ming here?" one of the uniformed men asked.

"That’s me," Wang Ming replied, his voice tight.

"Please come with us."

"This is..." Wang Ming’s expression shifted instantly.

"We aren't at liberty to discuss the specifics. Please cooperate."

A deathly silence fell over the room. The chopsticks in Su Yan’s hand clattered to the floor with a crisp sound.

"Wait..." Su Yan rushed forward. "Where are you taking him?"

"This is classified. Please do not ask," the uniformed man said in an unquestionable tone.

Wang Ming looked back at Su Yan, his eyes full of apology. "You... don't worry. I’ll be back soon."

With that, he was taken away.

The atmosphere in the room turned frigid. The earlier laughter and joy seemed to have never existed. Su Yan stood there blankly, still clutching the bag of peanut brittle. Her mind was a complete void, save for one thought: It was over. Everything was over.

"Su Yan..." Zhang Li approached, trying to comfort her.

"It must be Li Xiangyang!" Su Yan suddenly shrieked. "It must be his doing!"

"Calm down first..."

"I’m going to get to the bottom of this!" Su Yan grabbed her coat and rushed toward the door.

"You're crazy!" Li Xiaoyun grabbed her. "It’s so cold outside..."

But Su Yan wouldn't listen to reason. She shook off Li Xiaoyun’s hand and bolted into the swirling snow.

Su Yan stumbled up the mountain path. The freezing wind howled, and the snowflakes stung her face like blades. She had walked this path countless times, usually to ask Li Xiangyang for game he had hunted. Back then, she had looked down on him, thinking he was nothing more than a fool she could exploit. But now, she was treading the same path to confront him about what he had done to Wang Ming.

A sharp pain twisted in Su Yan’s heart. She no longer cared about hiding the fact that she and Wang Ming were more than just friends. Wang Ming was her only hope of leaving this destitute mountain village. As this thought crossed her mind, tears welled up, only to freeze instantly in the biting wind.

Though Wang Ming’s father was currently in trouble, he still held some connections. When the time came for Wang Ming to return to the city, she would follow him and live a respectable life. This thought had sustained her through so long in this remote village. But now, that hope had been snatched away.

And Li Xiangyang... Su Yan shook her head with a bitter smile. The man who had once hung on her every word now looked at her with eyes as cold as ice. She had driven away the last person who might have helped her.

The mountain path felt unnaturally long. Every step served as a reminder of the reality she was about to face: she might truly be stuck here for the rest of her life. Stuck in the place she despised most, living a life of toil, facing the yellow earth and turning her back to the sky. No cinemas, no department stores, no bustling streets—only endless farm work and the grueling cycle of the seasons. For an educated youth who had once known a good life in the city, such a future was worse than death.

She couldn't help but think of the other female youths she had mocked. Some had married local farm boys; others had become involved with the production team leaders. She had ridiculed them for having no ambition, but now... she didn't even have those options. Her reputation was already ruined.

The path was icy, and she had to be careful with every step. Her cotton-padded shoes were soaked through, and her toes had gone numb. But she ignored it; she had only one thought: find Li Xiangyang and demand an answer.

Halfway up the mountain, a dark shadow flashed by.

Su Yan was startled. She looked closely and saw a black leopard cat. It crouched on a rock by the roadside, its amber eyes glowing in the dark, watching her coldly.

"Shoo! Go away!" Su Yan waved her hand, trying to drive it off.

The cat didn't budge; instead, it let out a low, warning growl. Su Yan gritted her teeth and pushed forward, forcing herself to keep walking. To her horror, the cat followed at a leisurely pace, as if monitoring her every move.

Finally, Li Xiangyang’s house appeared in view. Through the window, she could see the lamplight and hear intermittent laughter. Su Yan walked to the courtyard gate and raised her hand to knock, but she stopped when she heard a clear, bright laugh from inside: "Brother Li, tell us another hunting story!"

It was Wang Ying’s voice. Su Yan’s hand froze in mid-air. She suddenly realized that she, too, had once begged Li Xiangyang to tell her stories. Only back then, her only thought was how to get more meat out of him.

Just then, the gate opened. Li Xiangyang stood in the doorway, wrapped in a thick cotton jacket, the light from inside casting a long shadow behind him.

"Something you need?" he asked flatly.

"Where is Wang Ming?" Su Yan asked, her voice trembling. "Where did you take him?"

"What?" Li Xiangyang frowned.

"Don't play dumb!" Su Yan raised her voice. "It must be you! You’re the reason Wang Ming was taken away!"

Li Xiangyang sneered. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You're lying!" Su Yan screamed, losing control. "You're just getting revenge on us!"

"Enough!" Li Xiangyang cut her off sharply. "If I really wanted revenge, do you think I’d need to go to such lengths?"

Su Yan froze. It was true; with Li Xiangyang’s capabilities, he had plenty of ways to deal with them.

"I don't care if you believe me," Li Xiangyang continued, "but I truly know nothing about Wang Ming’s situation. It’s late; you should head back."

With that, he turned to close the door.

"Wait!" Su Yan lunged forward and grabbed his sleeve. "Please, help me..."

"Let go." Li Xiangyang’s voice was as cold as ice.

At that moment, the black leopard cat darted between them, baring its sharp teeth at Su Yan. Frightened, she stumbled backward and fell into the snow.

"Go back," Li Xiangyang looked at her one last time. "Some things are just the consequences of the seeds you planted yourselves."

The gate closed, leaving Su Yan slumped alone in the wind and snow. In the distance, the sound of firecrackers echoed through the mountains. The entire village was immersed in the joy of New Year’s Eve, but she felt as though she had been abandoned by the entire world.