Reborn in 72, I hunt to support my family and spoil my younger sister rotten.

"It's getting late," Li's mother said, glancing out the window. "Xiangyang, why don't you take Xiaoyun back to the educated youth settlement?"

Li Xiangyang nodded and picked up the cotton-padded coat hanging on the wall: "Xiaoyun, let's go."

Under the moonlight, the two walked hand in hand, side by side, along the path back to the educated youth settlement.

After walking for a while, Li Xiangyang suddenly stopped and looked at Li Xiaoyun somewhat embarrassedly: "Xiaoyun, there's something I need to tell you."

"What's wrong?" Li Xiaoyun stopped and looked straight at him.

“You know, Su Yan came to see me a few days ago,” Li Xiangyang said, looking directly into Li Xiaoyun’s eyes. “She begged me to help her return to the city.”

Li Xiaoyun tightened her grip on his hand slightly: "And then?"

"And then, as you know, she'll promise anything to get back to the city. Of course, I didn't take advantage of her misfortune or try to take advantage of her by agreeing to what she said..."

"However, I still agreed to help her return to the city. Not for any other reason than to put an end to this past. Uncle Wang said he could help, so I thought I'd help her one last time, and then we'd be even."

"Besides, I think it's better for her to go back to the city, so she won't bother me anymore. The city has a bigger stage, enough for her to perform, and we'll have nothing to do with each other anymore."

Li Xiaoyun was silent for a moment, then asked softly, "Why are you telling me?"

“Since we’re going to be together,” Li Xiangyang said earnestly, “I don’t want to hide anything from you. Besides, how will you feel if you hear about this from others later?”

Li Xiaoyun looked into Li Xiangyang's eyes and suddenly laughed: "Silly boy. If you really still had feelings for her, you wouldn't have told me this. But the fact that you told me means you're serious about me."

So you're not angry?

"What's there to be angry about?" Li Xiaoyun gently punched him. "The fact that you think this way shows you're a sentimental person. However, you still don't understand women at all."

"Luckily you chose me as your partner. If it were anyone else, Su Yan could use this to manipulate you and push them away, believe it or not."

"Alright, we're best friends after all, let's just leave it at that. Oh, and in the future, if something like this happens, whether it's Su Yan or any other woman, you have to tell me."

Li Xiangyang held her hand tightly: "Of course. From now on, I'll discuss all my matters with you."

The two smiled at each other and continued walking forward.

Down the mountain, the lights were still on in the courtyard of the educated youth settlement, clearly indicating that everyone was still awake.

As soon as Li Xiangyang and Li Xiaoyun reached the door, they heard voices coming from inside the house.

The moment the door was opened, the conversation inside stopped abruptly.

All eyes were on the two of them, especially their clasped hands.

"Xiaoyun, you...you guys..." Zhang Li was so surprised she couldn't speak.

"Xiangyang and I are dating," Li Xiaoyun readily admitted, her tone frank.

"When did this happen?" someone asked curiously.

"today."

"Today?" Su Yan suddenly stood up, her voice shrill. "Li Xiaoyun, how dare you steal my man?"

"Your man?" Li Xiaoyun sneered. "Su Yan, are you mistaken? Xiang Yang and you have nothing to do with each other anymore, and you brought this on yourself."

"You...you..." Su Yan was so angry that her face turned pale.

"What do you mean, 'what about me'?" Li Xiaoyun stared at Su Yan. "When you and Wang Ming were exchanging glances, didn't you feel embarrassed at all? Now you're talking to me about morality?"

"I...I was..." Su Yan stammered.

"What are you doing? Trying to have your cake and eat it too? If one falls, you still have a backup plan?"

Li Xiaoyun bluntly exposed her thoughts, "Don't think everyone doesn't know what you're thinking. What? Now that Wang Ming's ship has capsized, you want to go back to Xiangyang? Su Yan, get this straight, not all the good things in the world should fall on your head."

These words elicited silent nods of agreement from everyone present.

Indeed, everyone has seen what Su Yan did before.

"You...you..." Su Yan's eyes reddened.

"Crying?" Li Xiaoyun scoffed. "What do you have to cry about? I'm not a man, I don't fall for that. Besides, when Xiangyang treated you so well, why didn't you cherish it? If you had just shown a little sincerity..."

"I was sincere back then..." Su Yan explained, her voice trembling with tears.

"Sincere?" Li Xiaoyun's voice was laced with sarcasm. "If you've put in the effort, why did you turn cold when Xiangyang failed to catch his prey? You've already done it, so why are you so hard to admit it? What are you pretending to be so devoted for now? Don't make me look down on you."

"What do you know?" Su Yan bit her lip. "I was doing it for his own good! If I hadn't forced him to hunt, would he be as skilled as he is now?"

"Oh," Li Xiaoyun sneered, "it's as if he learned to hunt for you. Then tell me, whose food did he catch end up in?"

"He gave it to me willingly!" Su Yan raised her voice. "I didn't force him!"

"Willingly?" Li Xiaoyun's voice suddenly turned cold. "What were you doing when his sister was dressed in rags and his mother couldn't afford meat? Were you hiding in the house with Wang Ming, eating and drinking well?"

These words were like a knife, striking Su Yan's weak spot: "You...you're talking nonsense! Wang Ming and I are completely innocent!"

"Innocent and pure?" Li Xiaoyun scoffed. "He is innocent here, but what if he could help you return to the city? Do you dare say you wouldn't repay him with your body?"

"So what?" Su Yan suddenly retorted, "Who here doesn't want to go back to the city? Who's more high and mighty than whom?"

"Don't tell me you don't want to go back. You want me to admit it? I will. Come on, tell me the truth. Given the chance, would you choose the same path as me?" Su Yan's eyes welled with tears. "Why are you saying this to me? Didn't you also fall for him now..."

“Su Yan, what do I need to acknowledge? It’s just a chance to go back to the city. Whether you believe me or not, I don’t care.” Li Xiaoyun interrupted her. “If I really wanted Xiang Yang because he’s capable now, didn’t I have a chance back when he was running around to you every day? Do you think I’m that much worse than you?”

Upon hearing this, everyone present agreed that it was indeed true.

At first glance, Li Xiaoyun may not be as stunning as Su Yan, but she is the kind of person whose beauty grows on you.

Of course, her mouth made it impossible for anyone to approach her.

That's why she became best friends with Su Yan, who was also disliked in the past.

When Li Xiangyang was pursuing Su Yan intensely, Li Xiaoyun never gave him a kind look, and every time they met, she would verbally abuse him.

Therefore, Li Xiaoyun's words are very convincing.

Everyone agreed.

"I..." Su Yan finally couldn't speak.

"Alright," Li Xiaoyun waved her hand, "If you really have any conscience, stop bothering Xiangyang. You chose this path, so don't look back. By the way, we're best friends, so when you go back to the city, I agree to let Xiangyang help you. Don't worry."

Su Yan couldn't hold back any longer, covered her face and ran out.