Chapter 24

The people who walked in were Gu Zhenghong, Liu Dayu, and two female educated youths from the same village, Zhang Yan and Lü Hongni. As soon as Gu Zhenghong saw Wu Xiaoxiao, he quickly stepped forward.

“If I had known you were coming to town today, I would have asked you to come with us! It’s been so long since we last met. How have you been? I just heard that you’ve been over at the orchard again. Weren’t you weeding in the fields a while ago? That must have been exhausting, especially with the sun being so hot these past few days.”

Ever since Wu Xiaoxiao returned the book to him last time, Gu Zhenghong hadn’t seen her again. Though she had been on his mind, he never found a good opportunity to visit. He hadn’t expected that he’d run into her in the shop today while picking up his parcel.

Gu Zhenghong’s eyes lit up as he looked at Wu Xiaoxiao. “Why haven’t you come by to borrow books from me lately? Oh, by the way, my mom sent me a package this time, and I think there are some new books in it, along with some snacks. I’ll bring them to you when we get back.”

Zhang Yan, one of the females educated youths, secretly curled her lips in disdain. On the way to pick up his parcel, Gu Zhenghong had been silent the whole time. When they asked what was inside after he got it, he brushed them off with a vague answer. But now, as soon as he saw Wu Xiaoxiao, he was spilling everything like beans from a bamboo tube.

Zhang Yan teased, “Hey, Zhenghong, we asked you for ages about what was in your package, and you wouldn’t say a word. But now, the moment you see Xiaoxiao, you’re telling her everything so clearly! Looks like our friendship as fellow educated youths can’t compare to your bond with Xiaoxiao, huh?”

Hearing Zhang Yan’s teasing, Gu Zhenghong felt a little embarrassed. “It’s just that the stuff in the package isn’t anything special to you guys. But Xiaoxiao and her family don’t get to see these things often—” He suddenly realized that his words might make it sound like he was implying that Wu Xiaoxiao was a country bumpkin with little experience. Quickly, he tried to correct herself. “Xiaoxiao, I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant…”

He found herself at a loss for words, struggling to explain.

Wu Xiaoxiao smiled. “It’s fine, it’s fine. The package your family sent must have been carefully prepared for you by your parents and relatives. I don’t really lack anything. Uncle Changfa and I came to town today to buy some pesticides and also to get some candy for their youngest son. We’ve already bought everything we need and were just about to head back, so you guys take your time shopping.”

“Hey, it’s already noon. Why don’t we all grab a meal before heading back? If you leave now, you won’t make it in time for lunch anyway.”

Gu Zhenghong knew he wouldn’t be staying in the village forever and that he shouldn’t act too eager toward Wu Xiaoxiao. But after more than half a month without seeing her, he didn’t want this meeting to end so quickly.

Now that Wu Xiaoxiao was heading to the orchard, he’d have even fewer chances to see her.

“There’s a noodle shop in town that makes great noodles. Let’s all go together—it’s my treat.”

“Oh, now that’s a deal! Xiaoxiao, you have to stay. Otherwise, we won’t get to enjoy Zhenghong’s treat. Your big brother here is broke and has been counting on this meal!”

—-

The moment Liu Dayu heard about a free meal, he immediately chimed in, and the others joined in, egging her on.

Uncle Changfa hesitated for a moment. But in this situation, if he and Xiaoxiao insisted on leaving, it would make them seem unsociable. After some polite refusals, they finally agreed to join them for noodles.

Having lunch with Wu Xiaoxiao and receiving a big package from home in the morning made Gu Zhenghong feel elated. Feeling generous, he turned to the shop assistant at the counter and said loudly, “Comrade, I heard you got a new stock of luncheon meat and malted milk powder—give me some of both!”

The shop assistant had noticed this group of educated youths from the moment they walked in. The young man leading them was dressed in a brand-new Dacron shirt, neatly pressed dark blue trousers, and had his hair combed tidily. With thick eyebrows, bright eyes, and a wristwatch on his hand, he looked like a well-spirited young man from a good family.

She immediately stood up and greeted him with a smile. “Of course! No problem at all. This canned luncheon meat is rare—I haven’t even put it on display yet. You sure have sharp ears, young comrade.”

Gu Zhenghong laughed heartily. “A friend of mine just happened to see it and told me. Aren’t supplementary food supplies in short supply these days? So, I had to hurry over!”

“No problem. Even though supplies are tight, we have to take care of you educated youths. You’re far from home—it’s not easy for you.” As she spoke, the shop assistant took out four large cans of luncheon meat from the cabinet behind her. “This much—will it be enough? But let me be clear, you’ll need to provide meat coupons and milk tickets.”

“No problem at all.” Gu Zhenghong pulled out a thick stack of ration tickets from his pocket, counted out a few meat and milk coupons, then took out some money and handed everything to the shop assistant.

She skillfully tied the cans and malted milk powder into a firm package using plastic string, wrapped it in paper, and then secured it with another layer of plastic string. “Now it’s solid—no matter how far you carry it, it won’t fall apart.”

“Great! Thank you, comrade. You really serve the people,” Gu Zhenghong said with a smile as he took the large package.

Standing nearby, Wu Xiaoxiao was dumbfounded. Was this the same shop assistant as before? Just a moment ago, when Uncle Changfa and she were shopping, the woman had been cold and indifferent. There was no double-layered wrapping service for them—she had barely bothered to wrap their items at all! But now, she was all smiles with Gu Zhenghong and his group.

Uncle Changfa, however, wasn’t surprised at all. These shop assistants had a natural eye for wealth. Normally, they wouldn’t be this enthusiastic toward just any educated youth. But this Gu comrade—he probably had some background. The shop assistant might not know his exact family situation, but from his well-pressed clothes and the wristwatch on his hand, she could make an educated guess.

Having been to town many times, Uncle Changfa didn’t feel resentful about it. If he got angry over things like this every day, he’d never stop being angry.

Besides, he mostly went to the farming tools shop, where Xiao Wu was a good kid and easy to deal with.

Aside from Gu Zhenghong, who spent generously, the other educated youths also seemed to come from well-off families. They had just received money and ration tickets from home, so naturally, they had to buy something at the grocery store.

The counter displayed gold coins, chocolates, and a few other rare items—things they eagerly picked out.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yan and Lü Hongni were whispering to each other.

“There’s still some time before lunch. Should we check out the clothing store?” Zhang Yan suggested.

Lü Hongni frowned. “The clothes there are all so old-fashioned. Nothing worth looking at. Let’s skip it.”

Zhang Yan sighed. Of course, she knew there wasn’t much worth buying there. “Let’s just go for fun. Hey, Xiaoxiao, want to come with us? You’re so pretty, but you always wear those plain front-button jackets and blue trousers—such a waste!”

Zhang Yan’s comment was quite bold for the time. Back then, people didn’t casually compliment someone’s looks. If they praised someone, it was usually for being ideologically sound, politically upright, and hardworking.