Chapter 47
Luo Shanzhu wanted to explain, but Su Xiaoxiao didn’t give him a chance to speak. She reached out and tugged at Jiang Yexun, who was still wearing a cold expression.
“Don’t be angry. I promise I only eat what you give me,” she said with a sweet, coquettish smile, like a mountain flower blooming in an empty valley. In an instant, all the gloom in Jiang Yexun’s heart was dispelled.
After finishing the barbecue, the three friends packed up and left quickly, not daring to linger and disturb Brother Jiang and his wife’s time together.
Once they were far away and out of sight, Su Xiaoxiao immediately wrapped her arms around Jiang Yexun’s arm with a charming smile. “Were you really angry?”
“Why did you keep glancing at him earlier?” Jiang Yexun’s lowered eyes held a hint of darkness. He could accept everything about Su Xiaoxiao and loved her just the way she was. Regardless of her reasons for wanting to be with him, it was fine with him. However, she absolutely couldn’t develop feelings for another man; otherwise, he didn’t know what crazy things he might do.
“Because I thought he didn’t look like a good person,” Su Xiaoxiao pouted, pretending to be angry. In reality, she didn’t expect that the person who had cheated Jiang Yexun out of money in her previous life, more than a decade later, would be so close to him now.
Jiang Yexun was quite surprised with her answer. It seemed that the little educated youth still had some childishness in her.
“You don’t like him? I’ll try not to let him appear in front of you in the future,” Jiang Yexun indulged her. He didn’t bother saying anything good about his friend; his little educated youth only needed to like him.
They cuddled and played around for quite a while. When it got late, Jiang Yexun carried Su Xiaoxiao on his back and headed down the mountain. After dropping her off at the educated youth dormitory, he returned the firewood he had asked his friends to pick up and borrowed a pot for Su Xiaoxiao to heat water.
After she finished bathing, he took her dirty clothes to wash. Even though Jiang Yexun’s actions were full of affection, the female educated youths couldn’t help but feel envious. Afraid that Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t handle their teasing, they didn’t say much.
But amidst the harmonious atmosphere, there was always one troublemaker.
“Educated Youth Su, can you give me some brown sugar? I just got my period, and my belly hurts so much,” Dong Jiaxuan asked, clutching her stomach with a somewhat pale face.
“No way!” Su Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes and dived under her covers. But Dong Jiaxuan wasn’t willing to give up. She moved to Su Xiaoxiao’s spot and lifted the curtain that covered her.
“What’s wrong with you?” Su Xiaoxiao was infuriated and sat up. She hung the curtain to avoid seeing Dong Jiaxuan but ended up being rudely exposed.
“Educated Youth Su, my belly really hurts. Can’t you give me some brown sugar?” Dong Jiaxuan pleaded pitifully.
“Get lost! Why should I care if your belly hurts or not? You’ve had your period for two or three years now, and you used to have pain too. Since your parents know and don’t prepare brown sugar for you, why should I bother?” Su Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes dismissively, giving Dong Jiaxuan a harsh look.
Then, she reached over and yanked the curtain away from Dong Jiaxuan’s hands, threatening, “If you dare to lift my curtain again, don’t blame me for beating you up!”
Dong Jiaxuan stared at the tightly closed curtain, a hint of fear in her eyes.
She unconsciously rubbed her trousers.
In the end, she climbed back onto her bed reluctantly.
The next day, the broadcast announcing their work schedule came on as usual, but it informed them that they could have half a day off due to heavy rain. They repeated the message three times, making it clear that no one had the mood to sleep in.
“Three days left until the harvest, and now it’s raining. It’s definitely going to delay us, right?” Qian Siyu asked worriedly.
“Maybe not…” Other educated youths replied somewhat uncertainly. However, everyone knew that heavy rain at this time could have a significant impact on the harvest. If it rained for several more days, it would definitely cause problems. Plus, if their harvest was affected, they would have to spend more money to buy grain from the locals.
“But it’s just rain! How can we let our enthusiasm for construction be hindered by a little rain? We need to get up and continue working, no matter what. We should work hard, even without ideal conditions. We must create opportunities even when there are none, and we can’t let a minor problem defeat us,” Dong Jiaxuan suddenly became passionate and inspirational.
Everyone was startled, looking at her as if she were a lunatic. It was pouring rain outside, and the roof of their dormitory barely held together. Was this still considered a little rain?
“Is that your attitude? We should maintain our enthusiasm for construction at all times, regardless of the circumstances. We shouldn’t fear hardship or fatigue. Even if we lack conditions, we should create them. Don’t let small problems defeat us.”
Dong Jiaxuan glanced disdainfully at the row of female educated youths lying on the bed.
“Is your belly no longer hurting?” Su Xiaoxiao blinked her big eyes, looking at her with curiosity.
Dong Jiaxuan, whose face was already pale, turned even paler at this reminder. But she had no choice. A few days ago, when she called home, she found out that her little nephew was hospitalized due to illness and urgently needed money. So, forget resting for a day; she wished she could work for ten work points in a day. This way, when the subsidies were distributed after the autumn harvest, she could send a few more money back home.
“I’m still willing to work even with period pain. Don’t you all want to work? Are you really going to let this little rain defeat you?” Dong Jiaxuan didn’t confront Su Xiaoxiao directly but continued to encourage the other female educated youth.
Those female educated youths, seeing her in this state, were as if they had seen a ghost. However, they didn’t dare to argue back, afraid of being labeled as lazy. Dong Jiaxuan was extremely frustrated but didn’t want to single out anyone, fearing that it might offend someone specifically. In the end, she decided to shift her focus onto Su Xiaoxiao.
They looked at her as if she were crazy. However, they didn’t dare to argue, fearing that they might be labeled as seeking comfort. Dong Jiaxuan was so angry but didn’t dare to confront all of them directly. She finally turned her attention to Su Xiaoxiao.
“Educated Youth Su, why don’t we go together? Aren’t you engaged with the son of the production team leader? It would be better if you go talk to him,” Dong Jiaxuan suggested, staring directly at the girl who had poked her head out from behind the curtain.
Su Xiaoxiao’s face was still flushed when she had just woken up early in the morning. Her hair was a bit messy, but it gave her a lazy and charming look. Even women would find her captivating, which made Dong Jiaxuan jealous and infuriated.
“I’m not going! The doctor said my body is weak, and I’m only getting two work points a day now. How could I go to work in the rain? I’m not like you, always seeking death,” Su Xiaoxiao said disdainfully, rolling her eyes.
Dong Jiaxuan was so frustrated but didn’t know how to refute her. In the end, she could only say with a hint of grievance, “If none of you want to go, I’ll go by myself.”
She finished speaking and left, disappointed but still glaring at all the educated youths.
They remained silent and didn’t say a word.
Dong Jiaxuan stomped her foot, quickly got ready, and left with an umbrella.
When she arrived at Team Leader Jiang’s house, Jiang Yexun was in the kitchen preparing breakfast. The door was wide open, so she could see inside.
The freshly cooked pancakes were adorned with eggs and looked especially appealing. There was also a salted duck egg on the side. In another pot, there was porridge made with chicken and rice, flavored with chicken broth, so fragrant that it made people salivate uncontrollably.
The eldest and the second brothers of the Jiang family hadn’t received any benefits in the last two days. So naturally, they wouldn’t go and seek trouble for themselves now.
It was Dong Jiaxuan’s turn.
“Brother Yexun, I didn’t know you are the one who cooks in your family. Your skills are amazing,” she walked into the kitchen, her words filled with admiration.
Jiang Yexun covered the pot and stared at her with cold eyes. “Get out.”
A shallow smile froze on Dong Jiaxuan’s face, and she quickly put on an appearance of wanting to cry.
“Brother Yexun, did Xiaoxiao tell you bad things about me? Don’t believe her; she’s just trying to ruin our relationship…”
“Dad! There’s a female rascal bothering your son. Aren’t you going to do something?” Jiang Yexun didn’t want to waste time on her and shouted.