Chapter 167: Chapter 167

"Why on earth did this happen?!"

After replaying the infamous scene of Yan being taken away by the Red Guards countless times, the system still couldn't figure out the reason.

Did this happen in the previous life? No! Based on the plot it had inherited, that lackey had remained Yan's loyal dog for several more years back then!

Nothing major had happened this time either—just the village captain showing them some cold shoulders. Was that really enough to turn them into mortal enemies so completely?

The system couldn't comprehend it.

"Oh, it's more than enough."

Setting down the test tube in her hand, An Ning didn't bother explaining further.

Unless one had experienced it personally, they could never understand how harsh rural life was during this era—especially for spoiled officials' children like them.

And it wasn't just about the village captain's cold treatment. That meant no special privileges in these impoverished conditions, where even manure-carrying counted as "light work."

Of course, the decisive factor was still self-interest.

"System, imagine this—under such circumstances, seeing chances to escape this hell slip through your fingers again and again, from teacher selections to urban worker quotas, and now the village tractor driver position..."

That bitterness alone could drive anyone to extremes.

"Most importantly, besides driving skills, the tractor position requires basic mechanical knowledge. Among all the educated youths and villagers, only two meet the criteria..."

Given a choice between two candidates, faced with watching someone else ascend to heaven while you wallow in mud—what would you do?

An Ning smirked coldly. What decent person would willingly associate with someone like Yan anyway?

Moreover, with her subtle hints earlier, Zhang Aiguo—being no fool—had clearly mastered the art of creating conflicts and dividing them.

So this sudden betrayal wasn't accidental at all, but an inevitable outcome of human nature under pressure.

"But...but wasn't that lackey willing to serve as Yan's dog for years precisely because his family depended on them?"

An Ning nodded naturally, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"But there's an old Chinese saying—times have changed. Don't you find it strange, System? In the previous life, from noticing Third Sister's usefulness to blackmailing the original host, they took only two years..."

"Weren't they being too hasty?"

In An Ning's view, given Third Sister's obvious affection for him back then, wouldn't slowly milking benefits from such a golden finger be safer than outright blackmail?

The only explanation was that the Yan family's situation in Shanghai wasn't optimistic.

Hence sending their youngest son to the countryside per policy, hence scrambling to secure backup plans...

Not to mention their typical upper-class arrogance—just two village girls they could manipulate at will.

"A lackey who grovels for benefits, especially one so close to you—you'd better maintain absolute superiority over him forever, otherwise..."

Watching Yan's shocked, disbelieving face on screen, An Ning scoffed, lightly brushing the new buds between her fingers:

"Which is precisely why the next act will be even more interesting, don't you think?"

Hadn't this show already reached game over?

Only half a month later, when news broke about the Yan family abusing their positions for graft, undermining socialism, and hoarding gold, silver, and contraband—did the system finally understand.

"Holy crap! The Yan family aside, even this lackey's family went all out!"

Turning coats without hesitation, striking without mercy.

Whether the betrayal was family-instigated or not, having made an enemy, isn't eliminating them before they retaliate just common sense?

Watching the entire family meet their fate—some imprisoned, others exiled to labor camps in the northwest. Especially Yan himself, as one of the "sources" of this disaster, not only endured brutal struggle sessions but also faced curses and blame from relatives upon arrival. Assigned the hardest labor, he aged a decade in mere months, his former refined demeanor gone forever.

Only then did An Ning lose interest, refocusing on her research, occasionally going out with her sister or dating her newly-minted fiancé, catching a movie now and then.

Though this era was stricter, she had to admit—there was a certain thrill to these secret rendezvous.

In the pitch-black cinema, just as An Ning began feeling drowsy, a pair of calloused hands slowly covered hers.

Feeling their slight tremble, she couldn't resist teasing—her cool fingertips lingering briefly before pulling away...

In the darkness, Lu Ting drew a sharp breath before retaliating by firmly grasping his future wife's hand.

After the movie, seeing Lu Ting's reluctant parting at her doorstep, Third Sister couldn't help clicking her tongue.

"Ah, what a pitiful pair of star-crossed lovers!"

With that lingering farewell, one would think they were being separated by oceans rather than living next door!

Leaning against the doorway with crossed arms, Third Sister rolled her eyes, feeling she'd endured enough couple displays in these few years to last two lifetimes.

Couldn't they spare a thought for this single dog?

Since their engagement, Lu Ting had started visiting even more frequently. After a hard day's work, she still had to endure this mental torture.

Third Sister: "......"

This continued until six months later, when Third Sister finally escaped singlehood with relief.

Let someone else eat this dog food!

Though as for her choice...

Lu Ting: "Hmm...not bad. This Comrade Xu and our sister look perfectly matched."

Even their eyes hold the same spark!

An Ning nodded in agreement. Yes, quite fitting indeed.

Third Sister's beau, Xu Zhiyan, was a gentle, clean-cut young man—her colleague and senior from university. According to the system's investigation, his decently-off family lived in the provincial capital, and with both having savings, setting up their own household would be easy.

There had been better suitors before, including an army officer, but after years of her sister's warnings, Third Sister had grown more cautious.

Those who succeeded in the military possessed exceptional alertness and observation skills. With daily contact, she couldn't guarantee her secrets would remain hidden...

So despite some attraction, Third Sister had declined.

Too many real-life examples had taught her—never gamble with others' conscience!