Chapter 54: Lu Huaishen vs. Lin He—A Confrontation

She figured it out.

And just like that, she felt at ease.

Zhou Ye raised his voice and shouted, “It’s me, Zhou Ye.”

Zhou Ye?

Song Yue’s brow twitched. If Zhou Ye was here, then Lu Huaishen must be as well.

After all… Zhou Ye was his shadow.

Zhou Ye’s voice carried over. “Comrade Song, didn’t you go with the brigade leader and secretary last night to treat someone and prescribe medicine?”

“The herbs have been collected now, but the doctor who gathered them didn’t explain how to brew them… so I came to ask you.”

“I had Comrade Lu bring the medicine in. You can just tell him.”

Song Yue was about to say she could go outside instead.

Before she could speak—

A tall figure stepped inside, carrying a large bundle of medicine.

The older educated youths inside turned grim when they saw Lu Huaishen enter—except for Jiang Xuemei and Li Tao.

This man had a background issue.

Having him waltz into their educated youth spot—who knew if it would bring trouble down on them?

Of course, they only dared to think this, not say it aloud.

One, Song Yue wasn’t someone to mess with.

Two, someone with a background issue was even less so—crossing him might lead to a whole lot of trouble.

Better not risk it.

Lin He’s gaze flickered when he saw Lu Huaishen.

Lu Huaishen saw Lin He as well. His grip on the medicine bag tightened slightly, and a flash of hostility flickered through his eyes—gone in an instant.

Lin He glanced at Lu Huaishen before picking up a pot. “Comrade Song, you do your thing. I’ll help you wash this.”

Song Yue didn’t even have time to stop him before Lin He hurried off.

She: “…”

Lu Huaishen forcibly kept his emotions in check and handed over the medicine. “These were gathered according to the prescription.”

“Comrade Song, check if everything’s correct.”

Song Yue made to get up and take it.

Lu Huaishen’s voice dropped. “No need to get up. Just sit.”

Song Yue sat back down, took the medicine bundle, and brought it close to her nose. She sniffed through the wrapping paper, flipping the herbs back and forth to check them.

Lu Huaishen looked down at the girl from his height. Her face was still that same malnourished pale… Was the wound on her forehead healing?

One minute later.

Song Yue handed the medicine back. “No issues.”

Lu Huaishen snapped out of his thoughts and took it.

Song Yue spoke. “Before decocting the medicine, soak one packet in the clay pot first.”

“The water should cover the herbs by at least half an inch. Start with high heat, then simmer on low once it boils.”

“Let it brew for one hour.”

“Each packet is boiled twice.”

“After the second time, discard the dregs.”

When she finished, she asked, “Got all that?”

“If not, I can write it down for you.”

Lin He, who was supposedly scrubbing dishes, had actually perked his ears up, listening intently…

Lu Huaishen’s lips curled in a faint smile. “Then I’ll have to trouble you to write it down. I might not explain it clearly when I get back.”

A rare chance to be alone.

Naturally, he’d stall for as long as he could.

“Alright.” Song Yue stood up, pulling out a chair for Lu Huaishen. “Sit for a bit.”

“I’ll go get paper and a pen.”

Lin He hurried over, carrying the washed pot. “Comrade Song, the pot and bowls are done.”

Song Yue took them with both hands. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” Lin He grinned. “I’ll head back to my room.”

Before leaving, he glanced back at Lu Huaishen.

Lu Huaishen was looking at him too.

Their gazes met, tension crackling beneath the surface.

Lin He smirked and turned away.

Lu Huaishen sat there, watching Lin He’s retreating figure, his lips pressed into a thin line.

Song Yue came back out, holding a notebook and pen.

Lu Huaishen stood up and pulled out the chair for her again. “Sit.”

Song Yue refused. “No need.”

Lu Huaishen: “Easier to write while sitting.”

Song Yue thought about it and admitted he was right. “Fine.”

She sat back down, knees together, notebook on her lap, and started writing.

A few minutes later—

She tore out the page and handed it over. “Here, Comrade Lu.”

“Mm.” Lu Huaishen took it and tucked it into his pocket. “Thank you, Comrade Song.”

“I’ll get going now.”

Song Yue was about to stand and see him out—

Lu Huaishen mouthed three words at her. No need to.

Song Yue paused, then nodded. “Alright. Take care, Comrade Lu.”

She watched him leave.

She ignored whatever looks the older educated youths were giving her and simply turned to go rest.

Not even half an hour later—

She heard the others outside talking about heading to work.

Song Yue scrambled up, and beside her, Li Xinyue and Liu Wei got up as well.

She walked ahead.

They followed behind.

But…

Instead of leaving the educated youth dormitory, Li Xinyue and Liu Wei went to call Zhao Zirui and Lin He.

Just as Song Yue stepped out—

She ran into Jiang Xuemei.

Jiang Xuemei greeted her. “Comrade Song.”

Song Yue had a fairly good impression of Jiang Xuemei.

She was just about to return the greeting—

But Jiang Xuemei looked like she had something to say but hesitated.

“?” Song Yue changed her response and asked directly, “Comrade Jiang, what’s wrong?”

Jiang Xuemei glanced around warily. Seeing no one nearby, she lowered her voice.

“Comrade Song, I know it’s not right to speak ill of others behind their backs.”

“But I still want to say… you shouldn’t get too close to Comrade Lu. He could cause trouble for you.”

“His background isn’t good, and right now, he’s living in the cattle shed.”

“If you get entangled with him, then… then… It won’t be good. The villagers will also start treating you differently.”

Jiang Xuemei spoke earnestly, her eyes full of concern.

Song Yue thanked her. “Thank you, Comrade Jiang. I’ll be careful.”

Jiang Xuemei breathed a sigh of relief, seeing that Song Yue was taking her words seriously.

“I think you’re a good person, Comrade Song—straightforward, no petty tricks.”

Song Yue smiled. “Thank you for the compliment, Comrade Jiang.”

Jiang Xuemei reminded her again, “I’m off to work. But really, Comrade Song, keep what I said in mind.”

“I will.”

Jiang Xuemei waved. “See you later.”

“See you~”

As soon as Jiang Xuemei left—

Lin He, Li Xinyue, and the others came out.

Song Yue glanced at them and walked away.

She didn’t get far—

And Liu Wei’s complaints rang loud and clear behind her.

“Xinyue, we have to go earlier tomorrow morning. You don’t know how disgusting that fertilizer was…”

“The fertilizer was gross enough, but the country girl in my group was worse! She wouldn’t stop talking, just kept going on and on about how I… I…”

Mid-sentence, Liu Wei actually started crying. “I’ve never been treated like this at home.”

Song Yue: “…”

She didn’t like Liu Wei, but—today, Liu Wei had been miserable.

That girl Jiaojiao from her group had absolutely crushed her.

Li Xinyue consoled her. “Don’t cry, don’t cry. I was the same. The old woman in my group had a sharp tongue too…”

“I…”

“We’re both so unlucky.”

One comforting the other—

And now Li Xinyue started crying too.

Song Yue: “……”

Great.

Time to get moving.

Lin He and Zhao Zirui watched the two sobbing girls. “……”

Lin He rolled his eyes. “It’s only just started, and they’re already calling it suffering? The real suffering hasn’t even begun.”