CHAPTER 686: CHAPTER 681: DISTANT MEMORIES

Luo Dashan’s eyes widened with shock and horror when he heard the words; he couldn’t accept that the secret he had guarded his entire life was discovered by Luo Honglan in such a manner. He stared at Luo Honglan, taking a long time to come back to reality.

Luo Honglan waved her hand in front of him and asked out loud, "Dad, what exactly is going on? Don’t hide it from me anymore. I came back when you were discussing Brother’s background. I’ve been listening outside. If I hadn’t been worried that she would actually spread the word about Brother’s origins, do you think I would’ve given Zhou Yunmei 20 yuan so easily to make her leave?"

When Luo Honglan mentioned Zhou Yunmei, she frowned with irritation. However, her curiosity outweighed her annoyance towards Zhou Yunmei, and she quickly continued questioning Luo Dashan, "But, let’s get back to it, Dad. What exactly is my Brother’s background?"

Upon hearing Luo Honglan’s words, Luo Dashan realized she had heard everything, and the secret he had planned to keep for a lifetime could no longer be concealed.

This girl, Luo Honglan, was usually easygoing, but once stubborn, she was unstoppable.

Moreover, at this point, he needed someone to confide in.

So, Luo Dashan began to recount the past to Luo Honglan.

Luo Zhiyong was born in 1957, a time when the country was in turmoil and everywhere was in chaos.

A few student-looking individuals arrived in their village, supposedly sent by the school or organization to experience life there. Officially, it was described with good intentions, but in plain terms, it was a punishment for these city dwellers to come to a rural area, somewhat similar to the later sent-down youth movement, though the term wasn’t used then.

Among those who arrived were five young people, including four men around twenty years old and one girl who was only sixteen or seventeen.

Although the young men had been raised in the city, their days in the countryside were less comfortable, but they still worked alongside the villagers doing farm work. As long as they could endure hardship, life in the countryside wasn’t too difficult for them.

However, the girl was different. Coming from the city and being young, pretty, and fair-skinned, the local young men and even grown men had never seen someone as beautiful, and of course, they all harbored thoughts.

Moreover, because the girl was alone, she couldn’t stay with the men she arrived with and was placed in a separate place to live by the village, which was somewhat secluded, attracting even more covetous glances from men.

During that time, the moral quality of people was generally low, with many men losing sight of decency, solely driven by lust, and planning to force the girl into their own homes.

For the girl, living in Luojia Village was extremely difficult, and anyone with a less stern character likely couldn’t have survived it.

It just so happened that the place the girl was staying in was near a thatched shed owned by Luo Dashan’s family. Luo Dashan, having free time, would often go there with his sister to gather thatch, and over time, his sister and the girl became acquainted.

Due to his natural shyness, Luo Dashan seldom spoke to the girl, but as they saw each other often, they weren’t strangers. Occasionally, Luo Dashan, seeing the girl alone and pitiable, would secretly keep some food from the communal pot to give to her.

In that closed era, a young man and woman meeting frequently would inevitably develop some affection, no matter what.

But as for Luo Dashan at that time, he didn’t understand what romance was. He simply felt sorry for the girl who had come to their rural area alone and without support. He wanted to help wherever he could.

As for the girl, she still hoped to return to the city and had never thought to settle down in the countryside. So, to Luo Dashan, she felt only gratitude. She even called Luo Dashan "Brother Luo," which he found completely appropriate and agreeable.

Luo Dashan gradually became more familiar with the girl, calling her by her name, Xiutao, and their relationship grew closer, though they never crossed any boundaries.

In truth, if they had continued in this way, nothing significant might have happened between them. Maybe when the girl eventually returned to the city and remembered Luo Dashan, she would simply think of him as a good person.

But some things never go as smoothly as one would wish.

On one winter night, a good-for-nothing villager, lusting after Xiutao’s beauty, lost control of his desires after drinking, and in the cover of darkness, he went to Xiutao’s house, recklessly broke in, and attempted to force himself on her.

Xiutao fought desperately, but a woman’s strength couldn’t compare to a man’s. Just as the scoundrel was about to succeed, Luo Dashan happened to bring a bowl of hot dumpling soup to Xiutao and walked in on them.

Enraged, Luo Dashan beat up the scoundrel, drove him away, fixed Xiutao’s door, and promised that he and his sister would come by more often in the evenings, which should help prevent such incidents.

Moved or grateful, after Luo Dashan finished speaking, Xiutao threw herself into his arms without reservation.

Luo Dashan, approaching twenty and having never touched a woman’s body, was so startled that he froze, arms extended, not daring to touch any part of Xiutao’s body.

But Xiutao had her own ideas, and after stepping out of Luo Dashan’s embrace, she began to unfasten her clothes one by one until she stood bare before him.

"You..." Luo Dashan was speechless as he stared at the pure white figure before him.

Xiutao came closer and whispered, "Brother Dashan, I don’t know how much longer I’ll be stuck in this godforsaken place, and I’m afraid I won’t be able to return to the city anytime soon. Given the vile thoughts of the men in this village, I might not be able to protect myself. Instead of giving myself to those filthy men, I’d rather give myself to you."

After speaking, Xiutao reached out to pull Luo Dashan towards her.

The honest Luo Dashan, though he had begun to harbor some thoughts, knew that there were things he shouldn’t do and immediately waved his hands, turning to leave.

But Xiutao grabbed Luo Dashan, tears streaming down her face, looking at him imploringly, and asked, "Brother Dashan, do you despise me? If you do, once you turn to leave, I’ll end my life for you to see."

Luo Dashan, who had been ready to flee, was completely frightened by Xiutao’s words and could only watch as she stood before him, her bare body exposed.

Seeing his reaction, Xiutao gave a soft smile and pressed her naked body against Luo Dashan’s chest.