Chapter 36: Going to the Commune

“I have canned meat too.”

She turned around and pulled out a can of meat.

Liu Wei, who had been crying, had a fleeting glint in her eyes.

Li Xinyue shoved the canned meat into Liu Wei’s hands. “Just say you bought it yourself.”

Liu Wei looked at Li Xinyue through teary eyes, her lips moving as if to say something.

Li Xinyue spoke first, “Don’t worry, I won’t say anything. I’ll keep it a secret for you. It’s just the two of us here—Song Yue already left.”

This was exactly what Liu Wei had been waiting for.

She threw her arms around Li Xinyue. “Thank you, Xinyue. You’re the best.”

Li Xinyue, unused to being hugged, stiffened and quickly pushed Liu Wei away. “Let’s go.”

Liu Wei took the canned meat, completely unfazed by Li Xinyue’s reaction.

She wiped away her tears, tidied herself up, and left the house with Li Xinyue.

Outside, the others had somehow found two tables and put them together. They were already seated, leaving two empty spots for them.

“Beef jerky.”

“Canned meat.”

The two placed their food on the table.

Zhao Zirui immediately recognized that the can in Liu Wei’s hand belonged to Li Xinyue, and his brows furrowed. He felt uneasy but said nothing—after all, his canned meat was also…

“Tsk,” Lin He smacked his lips. “Li Xinyue, you’re really generous.”

Li Xinyue shot him a glare, afraid he’d say too much. “Lin He, shut your mouth!”

Song Yue glanced over. As long as everyone here wasn’t blind, they could see that the canned meat Liu Wei brought was the same as Zhao Zirui’s.

Chen Xue stood up and, without hesitation, started speaking.

“Alright, alright. First of all, welcome to our five new educated youths…”

He went through the usual formalities before getting to the important part.

Since the newly arrived educated youths had no work points, they would receive a monthly grain subsidy of twenty-five catties for their first year in the countryside, which would later be deducted when work points were settled at the end of the year.

If they were frugal, the grain could last them a month. If not, they’d either have to barter with the villagers or use ration tickets to buy more at the supply and marketing cooperative.

Everyone had to share the chores at the educated youth compound—fetching water, collecting firewood, cooking, and tending the small vegetable plot.

The commune was about thirteen kilometers away. A fast walker could get there in an hour and a half; slower ones would take over two hours.

Every morning, a bullock cart left from the village entrance for the commune. It would depart once full and return after lunch under the same conditions.

The fare was five cents one way, ten cents for a round trip.

If you paid for a round trip in advance, the cart would wait for you.

After these explanations, it was time for introductions.

Among the four male educated youths, besides Chen Xue and the chubby Liu Aiguo, there were two others—one was tall and well-built, named Li Tao, while the other was thin and frail-looking, named Niu Yifan.

Among the female educated youths, besides Wu Yun, the round-faced girl who had given Song Yue a stool earlier was Jiang Xuemei.

The last two were Zhu Jing and Liu Mei.

Both had indifferent expressions, making it hard to tell what kind of personalities they had.

After introductions, they began eating.

The older educated youths had prepared cabbage vermicelli… with diced meat, vegetable buns, and a porridge so thin you could count the grains of rice.

According to them, life was tough. Compared to when they first arrived in the countryside, this was already the best they could offer.

Song Yue and Liu Wei had no complaints and simply ate.

But Zhao Zirui, Lin He, and Li Xinyue found the food hard to stomach. Still, they couldn’t say anything and forced themselves to eat.

Song Yue had developed a habit from her past life—sometimes, when stuck in the wild with nothing to eat, you just had to endure… anyone who understood would understand.

After the meal, Chen Xue said that since it was their first day, they didn’t have to do chores. They should just clean up a bit and get some rest.

Work would start tomorrow.

Back in her room, Song Yue took out two quilts—an old one to lay on the bed and a better one to use as a cover.

She set up her sleeping space.

Then, she fetched a washbasin, scooped some hot water that the older educated youths had boiled, and carried it into her room.

After locking the door, she wiped herself down.

Then, she poured the remaining hot water into the basin, soaked her feet, and climbed into bed.

As she nestled into the covers, she thought about checking her system to see how many points she had earned… but before she could, she fell asleep.

When she woke up, it was already the next day.

The sky was bright.

Song Yue remembered that she needed to go to the commune’s post office today—to send a letter to Yang Duo and check if her package had arrived.

She glanced to the side.

Li Xinyue and Liu Wei were still asleep.

Li Xinyue had taken the middle spot, while Liu Wei slept on the farthest edge.

Song Yue carefully got up, climbed off the kang bed, and quietly combed her hair in front of the mirror.

She grabbed her washbasin, towel, and toothbrush, then gently opened the door and stepped outside.

Just as she exited, she saw Jiang Xuemei heading out as well.

Jiang Xuemei turned at the sound and, upon seeing Song Yue, greeted her, “Up so early, Comrade Song?”

Song Yue paused. “Is it early?”

Jiang Xuemei smiled warmly. “I’m heading to work. What do you think?”

“You guys don’t start until tomorrow. You could sleep a little longer.”

Song Yue smiled back. “No, I have business at the commune.”

“That works out. If you hurry, you can still catch the bullock cart.”

“I’ll get going, see you after work.”

With that, Jiang Xuemei hurried off.

Song Yue withdrew her gaze and went to the water vat to fetch water.

She set it aside and started brushing her teeth.

Just as she squeezed out some toothpaste, Lin He arrived with his own washbasin.

“I thought I was early, but you’re even earlier.”

Song Yue glanced at him. “I only just got up.”

Lin He looked a little guilty. “About yesterday… sorry.”

Song Yue frowned at him. “?”

Lin He chuckled. “If I hadn’t followed you, it wouldn’t have been an issue.”

Song Yue turned away. “People talk no matter what. That’s just how it is.”

“That may be true, but—”

Song Yue cut him off. “If you’re worried, step back. Ten steps away.”

Lin He: “…”

He looked at where they stood. If he stepped back ten steps, he’d be outside the educated youth compound.

“That’s a bit far.”

“Five steps then.”

Song Yue responded with two words. “Suit yourself.”

Lin He actually stepped back five steps.

Song Yue ignored him and continued brushing her teeth.

After she finished, she washed her face, splashed the water out, and picked up her basin to return inside.

Lin He asked, “Are you going to the commune later?”

“Yes.”

“Great, I’m going too.” Lin He hesitated. “I’ll drag Zhao Zirui along so he can go buy bedding and other things. Also, Li Xinyue.”

“I’ll go wake her up.”

Song Yue reminded him, “Better let Zhao Zirui do it.”

Lin He was startled but then nodded. “You’re right.”

Lin He ran back inside, and before long, Zhao Zirui got up.

He banged on the door and called out loudly until Li Xinyue finally woke up.

Since Li Xinyue got up, Liu Wei did too.

Song Yue put her things away and left.

As she walked off, Li Xinyue and the others were still washing up, while Lin He waited for them.

Seeing Song Yue leave, Lin He called out, “Hey, Song—”