Song Wei didn’t care about Luo Yecheng’s overconfident thoughts and was busy cleaning the snake meat. She may not be a cook, but she knew how to clean and prepare a snake.

Slitting open the belly, she pulled out its innards, setting aside the gallbladder—it was a valuable medicinal ingredient. Then, with fluid motions, she skinned the snake.

Watching her, Li Juan couldn’t help but gulp. The sight of Song Wei smiling as she skinned the snake gave her chills.

“All done. The rest is on you,” Song Wei said, clapping her hands before heading off to start the fire.

Li Juan, an experienced educated youth, had her own setup in the back with a small outdoor stove. There wasn’t an iron pot, only a clay one—getting an iron pot required industrial coupons, and even then, it wasn’t guaranteed, as ironware was scarce at the supply center.

But for stewing snake meat, the clay pot would do.

Li Juan quickly chopped the snake into pieces, adding a little oil to the pot, letting it heat, and then tossing in some garlic and other seasonings before stirring in the snake meat.

Song Wei noticed she was using very little oil, but that was understandable; oil was precious. For rural folk, eating something cooked with oil was a luxury; often, they’d just boil ingredients in water, not daring to use much oil for frying.

Once the snake meat started to sizzle and release its aroma, Li Juan added water.

Song Wei thought for a moment, then brought over the mushrooms she’d gathered to add to the pot.

“Add these,” she said.

Li Juan’s eyes lit up. “Wow, you managed to find so many mushrooms!”

Song Wei smiled, “Lucky day.”

Few people go deep into the mountains, and now is the season when mushrooms emerge.

Snake meat doesn’t need long to cook, and soon the delicious aroma filled the courtyard.

The others ate their coarse grain, finding it harder to stomach as the rich scent of snake stew wafted by. They swallowed hard, enviously eying their own bland meals.

Unable to resist, Luo Yecheng grabbed a handful of greens and headed over to Li Juan’s place.

Other educated youth watched from the cracks in their doors, eager to see what would happen next.

Luo Yecheng strolled into the backyard, looking at the bubbling pot of stew, his mouth watering before he turned and gave Song Wei a warm, affectionate gaze.

“Song Wei, I know you’re hurt over Jiang Xiaowan, but believe me, you’re still special to me. Since we met, I’ve always thought of you as a sister. I didn’t realize you felt more than that, but please don’t be sad. Though I’m going to marry Jiang Xiaowan, you’ll always be my little sister, and I’ll be there for you whenever you need me.”

When he finished, Song Wei looked at him, genuinely shocked. Shocked at the sheer thickness of his skin.

Luo Yecheng straightened, wearing a soft, gentle smile.

But in the next moment, that smile vanished.

Song Wei sneered, “Where’d this big idiot come from?”

Li Juan almost choked on her laughter, quickly covering her mouth. She hadn’t expected that reaction at all.

In the past, Song Wei would’ve been moved, forgiving Luo Yecheng on the spot.

Luo Yecheng’s face stiffened. “I know you’re still upset…”

Song Wei cut him off, glancing at the handful of greens he was holding, ready to avoid hearing any more of his nonsense.

“Listen, Luo Yecheng, did you really bring those little greens here expecting to mooch off my snake meat? And with all that sentimental nonsense? Not a word of it was anything I wanted to hear. Now, turn around and get out.”

Looking hurt, Luo Yecheng replied, “You’re not acting like yourself. You weren’t like this before.”

Song Wei picked up a firewood stick from the pile, “Don’t push me. Do you have my tickets ready to return? Don’t make me show up at your wedding and make a scene.”

The way she brandished the stick made it clear she wasn’t kidding. Luo Yecheng took two steps back, flustered. “Song Wei, you…”

She threw the firewood stick, narrowly missing his face.

Terrified, he stumbled, leaving the greens behind as he hurried out. Song Wei picked them up and tossed them after him.

“Take your greens and scram. We don’t need them!”

Luo Yecheng left, humiliated. He couldn’t believe he’d been kicked out like that; his face felt scorched with embarrassment.

What had happened to the sweet, considerate Song Wei? How did she become so selfish and crude.

He consoled himself, thinking how lucky he was not to have fallen for her. Having to deal with such a shrew would have been unbearable.

When the educated youth who were observing secretly saw that Luo Yecheng had been driven out, they were sure that there was no hope for them. Xu Laidi, inhaling the delicious aroma of the stew, grumbled to herself.

“They eat and eat; they’re gonna eat themselves sick at this rate. What’s wrong with sharing a bit of the snake meat? No wonder Luo Yecheng didn’t like her. I wouldn’t, either, if I were a man…”

But whatever the other educated youth thought, Song Wei and Li Juan enjoyed their meal.

The stew was rich and flavorful, the soup a creamy white. Just dipping coarse bread into the broth was a treat.

Li Juan, feeling a bit guilty, said, “I’ll treat you next time. I’ve still got some cured meat I can share.”

Song Wei kept eating, not lifting her head, “Sounds good.”

As they ate, someone called from outside.

Song Wei took her bowl to the door, finding a middle-aged man standing outside.

“Song Zhiqing (educated youth), I’m here to build your kang.”

It was Aunt Ma’s husband, Jiang Erzhu.

Song Wei grinned, “Thank you, Uncle Erzhu.”

“No trouble. The job’s not hard, so it’ll be done soon.”

For him, farm work and manual labor were second nature. Nearly every household in the village had these heated beds, essential for surviving winter.

Jiang Erzhu efficiently unloaded bricks from the cart, while Song Wei, having nearly finished eating, asked Li Juan to keep the stew warm and joined him in unloading.

Eager to see her new room set up, she pitched in with enthusiasm.

“Song Zhiqing, you’re strong!” Jiang Erzhu remarked, watching her haul large stacks of bricks at an impressive pace, half-worried she’d overdo it.

Song Wei smiled modestly, “Just a little strength.”

Despite her delicate appearance, she was stronger than she looked.

Jiang Erzhu worked through the evening, almost completing the brick bed (kang) before he had to leave. Song Wei would have to wait a day before using it.

Just as he was about to head out, she offered him a bowl of snake stew, with thick chunks of meat and mushrooms.

“Uncle Erzhu, you worked so hard. Please take this home and try it.”

The aroma was tempting, but he waved it off. “No need, I’ve already eaten. I’m not hungry.”

But Song Wei pressed it into his hands, “It’s not much, just enough for your kids to try. Aunt Ma and I are close, so please let them have a taste.”

Thinking of his children, Jiang Erzhu chuckled and accepted the bowl with a grateful smile.

“Well, then, I’ll shamelessly accept it.”