Chapter 291

When the food was served, and everyone had finished eating, Luo Shanzhu glanced at Jiang Yexun with a somewhat ingratiating look.
“Brother Ye, since the matter with Dong Jiaxuan is settled, and we have nothing to do this afternoon, why don’t we go to the city and get the job transference done?”
Su Hongchen’s eyelashes fluttered slightly after hearing it. He then glanced at Luo Shanzhu out of the corner of her eye. Among Jiang Yexun’s three friends, this one had the most wandering thoughts. Giving him the job might end up being another pitfall.
Jiang Yexun looked outside, noting that not only had it not snowed, but the sun was also shining, a rare occurrence. He then nodded in agreement.
“Alright, then go get the money.”
“…”
Luo Shanzhu felt a sharp pang of pain as soon as he heard the mention of money. But Jiang Yexun was known for being resolute. If he insisted on that thousand yuan, there was no way to get the job without handing over the money. Luo Shanzhu had no choice but to brace himself and said, “Alright, wait here. I’ll go get the money now.”
Jiang Yexun nodded, and Luo Shanzhu hurried away.

Once he left, Jiang Yexun turned to Zhang Tiewa and He Xingzhi, “We need to buy tickets for tomorrow this afternoon. Xingzhi, you’ll come with me tomorrow. Tiewa, you move in here tomorrow and take care of the house. If anyone from the Jiang family tries to barge in, no matter the excuse, just throw them out.”
“Don’t worry, Brother Ye. I’ll make sure the house is well-guarded,” Zhang Tiewa assured him, thumping his chest.
Tao Junlan and Qian Siyu reluctantly held Su Xiaoxiao’s hand, “We won’t see each other all winter. Don’t forget about us.”
Although they didn’t spend much time with Su Xiaoxiao usually, their bond was stronger than with the other educated youths living under the same roof. Mainly, they got along well, always feeling comfortable and in sync when chatting together. Unfortunately, during the winter months, they wouldn’t be able to huddle together and chat.
Su Xiaoxiao, who had been eager to return home, also felt a bit reluctant after their affectionate farewell.
“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely think of you. We’ve left a lot of food at home. You can discuss with Tiewa to come over occasionally and have a meal together to improve your diet,” she said.
Even if she wasn’t there, her care for her friends would always be present.
“No way, how can we eat your food? Everyone knows it’s hard to get food in winter,” the three of them shook their heads vigorously.
“Food shouldn’t be wasted,” Su Xiaoxiao said helplessly. “We have prepared too much, and it won’t be fresh after we come back a few months later.”
In her previous life, Jiang Yexun was the same. Not only did they have more food than they could eat, but they also had an abundance of supplies. Just like now, whenever he went out, he would always bring something back. They even had piles of cloth for making clothes.
“Alright, we’ll help you consume it during winter. When food is easier to buy, and you come back, we’ll cook something nice for you,” Tao Junlan agreed generously.
Qian Siyu nodded in agreement.
Zhang Tiewa scratched his head with a smile, “Sister-in-law, Brother Ye said you like rabbit meat. When spring comes and the snow melts, I’ll catch rabbits for you every day.”
“And pheasants, they make good soup,” He Xingzhi added.
After quite some time, Luo Shanzhu finally returned with a satchel on his back.
Although Jiang Yexun and Su Xiaoxiao had never openly expressed any dislike for him in front of everyone, the atmosphere shifted the moment Luo Shanzhu stepped inside. The previous lively chatter vanished in an instant, and everyone lifted their heads, their gazes converging on him.
A chill crept over Luo Shanzhu as he felt the stares. “Why are you all looking at me like that?”
“You came back just in time, so we’re just looking at you,” Zhang Tiewa replied, finding his question oddly defensive.

It was hard to pinpoint exactly when, but at some point, he had started to feel a subtle, indescribable sense of distance between Luo Shanzhu and himself.
“Let’s count the money and head to the city. Traveling at night with the mountains on both sides isn’t safe,” Jiang Yexun urged.
“Do beasts come into the village here in winter?” Su Hongchen immediately frowned.
“That was more than ten years ago when we were just learning to walk. There haven’t been any beasts coming down the mountain in years,” Luo Shanzhu hastily reassured them, fearing they might change their minds about going if they thought it was too late.
However, Su Xiaoxiao tilted her head thoughtfully. In her past life, there seemed to be an incident where beasts entered the village.
But after marrying into the Jiang family, she was so consumed with self-pity that she couldn’t recall the exact date. She didn’t even know what kind of beast it was.
At that time, Jiang Yexun had put her in a cellar and covered it with a jar lid. She slept through the ordeal and woke up in Jiang Yexun’s arms. As for when it ended, she had no memory.
She only remembered Pan Yongsheng and Dong Jiaxuan using the incident as an excuse to borrow thirty yuan from her.