Chapter 25

When Lan Xiruo, Sun Yuqing, and Gu Xizhi returned to the educated youth station, they found someone already waiting at the door.

“Educated Youth Lan, Educated Youth Sun, congratulations! I never expected such a great thing to happen to you two,” Xu Mei said with a face full of envy.

Lan Xiruo glanced at her, shook the banner in her hand, and adjusted its tassels. “We didn’t expect to be this lucky either. Just casually fishing something up, and we happened to get a big treasure.”

Xu Mei’s nails dug into her palm, but she maintained a faint smile. “I’ve always had good luck since I was little. Maybe when I get a chance to go out to sea, I’ll find something too.”

“Mm-hmm,” Lan Xiruo responded perfunctorily, her eyes fixed on the banner, reluctant to look away.

Sun Yuqing: “…”

Should I play along with Xiruo and provoke Xu Mei a little more?

Xu Mei: “…”

I seriously appreciate it!

Wen Ze had been staring at Lan Xiruo since he saw her. He then spoke in what he thought was a gentle voice:

“Congratulations to Lan Xiruo… and Educated Youth Sun for receiving recognition. They say that beautiful girls always have good luck, and you two seem to prove that true.”

Gu Xizhi’s face darkened, and he clenched his fists, ready to punch Wen Ze. Lan Xiruo subtly held him back.

Xu Mei was even more furious, burning with jealousy. Just then, a mosquito landed on her calf and bit her. She smacked it so hard that blood splattered.

Wen Ze flinched at her sudden aggression and quickly added with a smile, “Of course, for a kind-hearted girl like Educated Youth Xu, your luck won’t be bad either.

“I’ve heard there are many sunken ships at sea, possibly even tombs. If you happen to come across a few and turn them in, you’ll surely get banners and rewards too.”

Wen Ze’s words slightly improved Xu Mei’s mood—but only slightly.

Hah! He called Lan Xiruo beautiful, but for me, he just says I’m kind? What a blind fool!

Forcing a smile, Xu Mei tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Haha, Wen Ze, you really know how to talk.”

Wen Ze scratched his head sheepishly. “You’re overpraising me. My mother always says I have no tact and don’t know how to speak properly.”

That’s actually true!

Xu Mei thought this in her heart but said instead, “How could that be? I think you’re quite eloquent and perceptive.”

Wen Ze laughed heartily. “Ah, haha! Really? Educated Youth Xu, you’re quite good with words yourself!”

Lan Xiruo found the two of them annoying, so she carried her things inside the hut with Sun Yuqing.

Seeing Xu Mei staring at their backs, Wen Ze comforted her in a low voice, “Educated Youth Xu, you’ll surely receive banners and rewards in the future too.”

Xu Mei confidently nodded. “Of course!”

Gu Xizhi glanced at the two of them and sneered, “Do you really think artifacts are so easy to find? Do you even recognize their historical value?

“With Educated Youth Xu’s personality, even if she picked up a jade piece, she’d probably just think it’s a regular rock. If she found a bronze vessel, she’d call it scrap metal and throw it away in disgust.”

Or worse—she might keep it for herself.

Of course, Gu Xizhi considered himself a good person, so he wouldn’t say that outright.

Even though he didn’t say it, Xu Mei was already fuming. “Gu Xizhi, I don’t think I’ve ever offended you. Why do you keep targeting me?”

Gu Xizhi scoffed. “Just because you say you haven’t offended me doesn’t mean it’s true. Do you know that the mere fact of you two talking in front of me offends me?”

After saying that, he ignored Xu Mei’s darkened expression and Wen Ze’s confusion, whistling as he walked inside.

Hah, even if he couldn’t get revenge for Xiruo right now, he could at least make them choke on their words.

Lan Xiruo listened to the commotion outside and imagined Gu Xizhi’s expression as he spoke. She couldn’t help but smile.

That man—his mouth is still as sharp as ever. But… she really liked it!

“I never expected someone as refined as Gu Xizhi to talk like that,” Sun Yuqing whispered in disbelief before covering her mouth and giggling.

“Haha, I bet that little white flower and that peacock’s faces must be quite a sight right now.”

Wen Ze, a peacock?

That’s actually quite fitting.

Lan Xiruo chuckled softly and leaned in. “Stop laughing. The little white flower is about to come in.”

Hearing this, Sun Yuqing immediately stifled her laughter and changed the subject.

“By the way, Xiruo, I bought some Ren Dan and Shi Di Shui from the supply store today, but I forgot to get some Golden Ointment. Did you buy any?”

Lan Xiruo smacked her forehead in frustration. “Ah? I forgot! Not just Golden Ointment—I even forgot to buy Ren Dan.”

She didn’t mind skipping Shi Di Shui, though. She couldn’t stand the taste.

She actually had Huoxiang Zhengqi Water in her personal space, but that wasn’t something she could take out openly.

“If you didn’t buy any, it’s fine. I got a lot. I’ll share some with you later.”

“Mm-hmm, thank you, Yuqing. Luckily, I have you, or else if I get heatstroke again, I won’t have anything to take.”

Her body was strange—normally fine, but every summer, she’d constantly get heatstroke.

—-

Xu Mei stood at the door, listening to their conversation, her eyes flashing before she turned and left.

She only returned in the evening.

Lan Xiruo and Sun Yuqing had taken a good nap in the afternoon.

By the time they woke up, it was already past four. Since it was Xu Mei’s turn to cook that day, they stayed in bed, each picking up a book to read.

Xu Mei glanced at them hatefully before turning toward the kitchen, subconsciously clutching something in her pocket.

She was a slow cook. Even though she was just making porridge, cold-dressed kelp, and stir-fried vegetables, she took a whole hour and a half.

During dinner, she acted unusually friendly. Before anyone even started eating, she eagerly picked up some vegetables and placed them into Lan Xiruo’s bowl, then did the same for Sun Yuqing.

Her enthusiasm startled them. It made them wonder if she had poisoned the food.

But seeing that others were eating normally, Lan Xiruo dismissed the idea. The little white flower wouldn’t be stupid enough to poison everyone.

She took a bite of the kelp—hmm, it was fishy, salty, spicy, and sour… but still edible.

Seeing her eat, Sun Yuqing followed suit. Xu Mei’s grip on her chopsticks loosened, and she turned to the other educated youths, saying with a smile:

“Today, Lan and Sun stood on stage, receiving awards. It made me envious! You all arrived here earlier than them—you should work hard too!”

That was a blatant attempt to sow discord.

“You think treasures grow like cabbages? Just put in effort and you’ll find them?

“Why don’t you drink a bucket of diesel and see if it helps you find something?

“You’re always making sarcastic remarks. Can’t we even eat in peace?”

“You… I…”

Xu Mei was left speechless by Gu Xizhi’s retort. In frustration, she slammed her chopsticks down and stormed off.

The others remained silent and quickly focused on finishing their meal.

“Xu Mei worked hard to cook for everyone. At least save some for her,” Wen Ze said, glancing around. Seeing them eat even faster, he quickly scooped some food into Xu Mei’s bowl.