From this perspective, when the Yang family suffered misfortune, the Shen family seemed to be the biggest beneficiary.
From the angle of conspiracy theories, what Brother Yang Milan said might not be impossible… no, it was very likely to be true!
"Think about it again. After my family's disaster, what was your family's reaction? Was that how old friends should behave?" Yang Milan pressed.
Shen Chenlu fell silent. She remembered clearly: not long after the Yang family fell into trouble, her father had specifically warned all the children in the family to cut ties with the Yangs.
Her father, again and again, had reminded her personally not to contact Brother Yang Milan.
Given the deep relationship between the two families, if not for her father's strict orders, she would never have been so heartless.
Wiping her tears, Shen Chenlu asked bitterly, "So that's why you wronged yourself and married that country woman? Was it revenge on me?"
Yang Milan paused for a moment before replying, "Maybe at first… but not now."
He continued, "When I first came here, I was penniless, with a ruined family name. I didn't even have enough to eat and had to do the harshest, most exhausting labor. That kind of life wasn't even fit for a human being—sometimes I wanted to die!
At that time, Mercy appeared. She dared to love and hate boldly. She liked me, so she pursued me. And I… I desperately needed comfort. So I agreed to marry her.
At first, I thought I married her just to fill a void, but now—" Yang Milan's voice firmed—"now I know I truly love her."
Hearing these words, Shen Chenlu's eyes filled with tears. "Then what about me?"
Yang Milan's heart stirred. They had been childhood sweethearts; their bond of over ten years was not false.
But the fact remained—her father Shen Zhenguo had stabbed the Yang family in the back, almost destroying them completely.
It was only right for him to draw a line and marry someone else.
Still, Yang Milan had never expected Shen Chenlu to come all the way here from the capital and remain in this remote brigade for four years.
Over time, he came to understand: the Shen family was the Shen family, and Shen Chenlu was Shen Chenlu. She could not be blamed for everything.
"Lulu, there's no possibility between us anymore," Yang Milan said quietly. "I love my wife and daughter. Please don't disturb our lives. I only hope…"
"What do you hope for?" Shen Chenlu asked, her voice trembling.
"I hope you can be happy," Yang Milan said solemnly.
He no longer felt hatred toward the girl before him. In his heart, she was more like a younger sister now.
Though he could never marry her, he still wished her well.
Shen Chenlu's face twisted with sorrow. "Without you, how can I ever be happy? Since I was little, everyone said I would one day marry Brother Milan. I have always been prepared to be your bride, but now… wuwuwu…"
Breaking down, she squatted on the ground, crying bitterly.
Yang Milan did not comfort her. Instead, he said calmly, "You're too weak, and with your severe hypoglycemia, you can't stay here anymore. If possible, have your family apply for medical retirement for you."
With that, he turned and left the educated youth compound.
Some things had to be cut clean. Now that he had spoken clearly, there was no point lingering.
It wasn't that he didn't care for Shen Chenlu—he simply couldn't give her any false hope.
Otherwise, with her feelings, she might cling to him for life.
So Yang Milan walked away firmly, ignoring the heartbreaking sobs behind him.
After leaving, he felt heavy-hearted. The grudge between the Yangs and the Shens was complicated—not only personal jealousy, but also political struggles of the time.
Though Shen Zhenguo's betrayal was partly due to circumstance, Yang Milan had no intention of forgiving the Shen family.
Still, he knew the Shens weren't doing well either. In a few years, their turn for misfortune would come, and he didn't plan to waste energy fighting them.
After steadying his mood, Yang Milan walked back toward the fields. His duties weren't finished.
What he didn't know was that during this time, rumors of his "rekindled relationship" with Shen Chenlu were already spreading quickly through the brigade.