Chapter 61: Hidden Meanings in Words

“The land foundation—if you rent it, it’ll be two yuan per year, and you can use work points to offset the cost.”

“As for the cost of building the house, that’ll be on you. It depends on how you choose to build it.”

“The price varies depending on the size of the house.”

“My suggestion is, since it’s just for your own living, build one room, add a kitchen and a toilet, and enclose the yard with a fence.”

“This way, the expenses won’t be too high, and if you ever return to the city, you won’t feel like you’ve wasted your money.”

“After all, no one can predict future policies. If you have certain skills and catch the eye of the leadership…”

“If you get a job and need to move out, you won’t feel bad about the cost, right?”

Hearing the brigade leader’s last sentence, Song Yue’s eyebrows twitched.

There was a hidden meaning in his words.

The brigade leader had said everything he needed to say. Now, it was up to the four of them to respond.

But none of them spoke. Silence.

While they remained quiet, the veteran educated youths on the other side were far from calm. They didn’t say anything, but they exchanged wide-eyed glances.

It was already annoying enough that these new educated youths were harder to deal with than the last batch. But now, they were actually planning to band together, move out, and even build their own houses?

Then they looked at themselves—the so-called veteran educated youths—and felt both envious and jealous. They regretted not coming from wealthy families.

The older ones could still handle it since they were used to it.

But Liu Wei, who was eavesdropping by the door, was nearly driven mad with jealousy!

Five people had arrived together, yet now four were moving out, leaving her alone with this group of “old relics.”

She hadn’t even managed to get on good terms with them these past few days. If those four really moved out, who knew what these old-timers would do to her?

Besides, that shameless Song Yue had offended all of them!

If they decided to take revenge, what if they took it out on her instead?

No way!

Liu Wei gritted her teeth, her fingers digging into the doorframe, veins bulging on the back of her hands!

She had to find a way to leech off that fool Li Xinyue and move out with them!

…

After the long silence—

Song Yue and Lin He both spoke at the same time.

“According to the village head—”

“What if—”

Then they both stopped simultaneously, locking eyes.

The brigade leader, Li Xinyue, and Zhao Zirui all turned to look at them.

Song Yue: “…”

Lin He smiled. “Song Yue, you go first.”

Song Yue looked at the brigade leader. “According to the standards you mentioned, how much would it cost to build?”

The brigade leader answered without hesitation, “About fifty to sixty yuan.”

That price was reasonable.

He glanced at the four of them and said, “If you male and female comrades share a house, adding just one more room, I think—”

Li Xinyue immediately shouted, “No way!”

Song Yue spoke calmly, “Brigade leader, I like peace and quiet.”

Brigade leader: “…”

Figures.

Girls were always troublesome.

“Alright then,” he said helplessly before turning to Lin He and Zhao Zirui. “What about you two?”

Zhao Zirui spoke first. “I don’t mind sharing with Lin He. It’s up to him.”

Lin He was direct. “I think it’s better to live separately. That way, there won’t be conflicts.”

Zhao Zirui’s expression stiffened slightly.

The brigade leader had nothing more to say. “Suit yourselves, then.”

“Are we finalizing it like this?” he asked. “Building according to my suggestion?”

“If you’re sure, you’ll need to pick a location tomorrow. There are currently three available, and you can only choose one.”

“That means all four of you have to build your houses together in the same location. You can’t be separated.”

“Once you decide on the location, I’ll help find workers to build it.”

“Right now, it’s the busy planting season, so the only time they can help is during their noon break or after work in the afternoon.”

“I’ll take you to see the locations tomorrow at noon.”

The brigade leader laid everything out.

Lin He nodded. “Alright.”

Song Yue: “Alright.”

Li Xinyue and Zhao Zirui also nodded.

The brigade leader stood up. “It’s getting late. You’ve all worked hard today. Get some rest.”

The four of them responded, “Mm.”

Song Yue also got up. “Brigade leader, I’ll walk you out.”

Lin He smiled. “Since Song Yue is walking you out, I won’t. I still need to wash my dishes.”

The brigade leader waved his hand as he walked. “No need, no need, go about your business.”

Song Yue ignored him and followed him out.

The brigade leader turned around. “Song Yue, no need to send me off. Get back to your own things.”

Song Yue smiled. “I have nothing to do, so I might as well see you off. If I were busy, I wouldn’t have come.”

The brigade leader was momentarily speechless. “…”

They walked out of the educated youth quarters.

The brigade leader stopped, thinking this was far enough.

Just as he halted, Song Yue took two steps forward and, without a sound, slipped two packs of Da Qianmen cigarettes into his bag before quickly stepping back to maintain distance.

The brigade leader hadn’t even processed what had happened.

Song Yue smiled. “Thank you for handling everything today, and for all the trouble with the house-building arrangements.”

“A small token of appreciation.”

“Ah—” The brigade leader realized what she’d done and wanted to return it, but the cigarettes were already in his bag. It would be hard to give them back.

He frowned in displeasure, but his tone softened as he called her something different—

“You little girl!”

Song Yue grinned. “Just a small token. Also, about what you mentioned earlier—what did you mean by ‘technician’?”

The brigade leader chuckled. “You sure are sharp, girl.”

“But I like smart people who can pick up on hints.”

Song Yue raised an eyebrow slightly.

The brigade leader glanced around, making sure no one was nearby, before lowering his voice.

“So here’s the thing… Our brigade is considered an advanced collective. They sent down a few machines for us. Meaning…”

“Well, you get the idea.”

He was vague, but Song Yue understood.

She had no experience with machinery. It had nothing to do with her.

The brigade leader continued, “If you educated youths have the skills, you can try to apply for it. There are benefits.”

“Girl, I’m only telling you this because we have a good relationship. I haven’t mentioned it to anyone else, so don’t spread it around.”

Song Yue nodded. “Alright. Thanks, brigade leader.”

The brigade leader pretended to be stern. “Calling me ‘brigade leader’ sounds too formal. Call me uncle.”

Song Yue squinted her eyes with a smile. “Alright, Uncle Li.”

The brigade leader waved. “If you need anything, come find me.”

He took a few steps, then suddenly turned back.

“Oh, right. If Li Hongjun and his mother come looking for you again, just ignore them. They talk big, but they won’t actually do anything.”

Song Yue nodded. “Got it.”

“Alright then, girl, I’m off.”

Song Yue: “Alright, Uncle Li. Be careful on your way back.”

“Okay.”

She watched the brigade leader leave, only turning back once his figure disappeared from sight.

Back at the educated youth quarters—

Lin He was washing dishes. Seeing her return, he asked, “Brigade leader left?”

Song Yue glanced at him. “Yeah.”

Lin He straightened. “We’re going to the market tomorrow. Need me to bring back anything for you?”