Chapter 2

“Lu Zhiqing, don’t bother with her, I’ll help you fetch water,” a male educated youth said.

“I’ll help you light the fire,” another male educated youth added.

Lu Lanlan looked at the male educated youths in front of her. She had encountered this kind of situation countless times during her school days.

Her face was simply too deceptive. She always found it strange—wasn’t it said that one’s appearance reflects their heart?

Why did her looks completely contradict her inner self?

“Thank you for your kindness, but there’s no need. I prefer to do things myself and not trouble others,” Lu Lanlan declined directly.

Hearing this, the male educated youths exchanged glances, looking somewhat embarrassed.

“We’re all far from home. Helping each other is only natural, Lu Zhiqing. No need to be so formal,” one of them said.

“I’m not being formal. I can fetch my own water and light my own stove. I really don’t need help,” Lu Lanlan replied.

One of the young men hesitated before saying, “Well, if you ever need help, just call me. My name is—”

“You can call me, too. My name is—”

“Same here. I’m—”

They enthusiastically introduced themselves, not realizing that Lu Lanlan wasn’t listening to a word.

She had encountered this kind of situation too often. If she remembered every single name, she’d have to keep track of at least eight hundred, if not a thousand.

Who had the brain space for that?

After sending them away, Lu Lanlan quickly made herself a simple meal and carried it into her room to eat.

A short-haired female educated youth immediately left the room upon seeing her enter.

Lu Lanlan ignored her. After eating and tidying up, she took a short walk near the educated youth dormitory to digest her food.

She hadn’t gone far when a girl with two braids and tanned skin walked toward her.

“Are you the new educated youth?”

The girl’s expression was unfriendly. Lu Lanlan frowned—she had just arrived, who had she offended already?

“I arrived today. Are you sure you’re looking for me?”

“It should be you. At the village entrance, was it Xu Jianguo who helped you carry your things?” The girl eyed Lu Lanlan’s face, feeling certain but still double-checking.

Xu Jianguo? Who?

Lu Lanlan frowned slightly.

There had indeed been someone at the village entrance who had tried to help with her luggage but couldn’t lift it.

“Yes, someone tried to help me, but I didn’t let him. Are you looking for me because of that?”

Upon confirming the person, the girl’s face twisted with hostility. “Let me tell you, Xu Jianguo is mine. Stay away from him.”

Lu Lanlan understood the girl’s reason for coming and said, “I’ll stay far away from him. You should also tell him to stay far away from me.”

Hearing her response, the girl seemed satisfied. “Remember what you said. Don’t think you can get away with anything just because you’re pretty.”

Lu Lanlan was about to say that she wouldn’t interfere and that the girl should keep an eye on Xu Jianguo instead.

But before she could, the short-haired female educated youth walked over. She had clearly overheard the conversation, and her face was full of disdain.

Lu Lanlan was annoyed. What was wrong with this woman?

She hadn’t provoked her, yet she kept picking fights.

“Did you hear me?” the girl asked, pulling at Lu Lanlan’s arm when she didn’t respond immediately.

“I heard you. Just keep an eye on your man,” Lu Lanlan was so irritated by the short-haired woman that she couldn’t even recall the guy’s name. “Make sure he doesn’t come near me.”

The girl was stunned by the words “your man.”

Lu Lanlan gave her a glance, feeling that she had said enough, then turned and walked back to the educated youth dormitory.

She needed to have a word with that short-haired woman.

As soon as Lu Lanlan entered the room, the short-haired woman snorted coldly and turned her back to her.

Lu Lanlan walked up to her. “Gu Zhiqing, have I offended you somehow?”

“I just find you annoying. Is that not allowed?” The short-haired educated youth, Gu Yu, looked up at her, eyes full of contempt.

“That’s fine, but have you heard this saying? ‘Leave some room for others, so you may meet well in the future.’” Lu Lanlan asked.

People could have their preferences, but she’d rather they not display them so blatantly in her face. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be polite either.

“Heh,” Gu Yu sneered. “I don’t want to see someone like you at all. Why should I hold back?”

“Even if you don’t want to see me, we have to stay in this village for at least a year or two, maybe longer. Do you really want to make things ugly?” Lu Lanlan walked to her bed and sat down, looking at Gu Yu with deep eyes.

Gu Yu suddenly stood up. “I don’t want to see your disgusting face for even a minute.”

With that, she stormed out.

Gu Yu was so angry when she left that she didn’t notice—if she had stayed a second longer, Lu Lanlan would have hit her.

Watching her leave, Lu Lanlan let out a breath.

“What bad luck, running into a lunatic.”

At the same time, Lu Lanlan thought to herself—if Gu Yu came back later, she would strike first to prevent her from escaping.

Before Gu Yu returned, another female educated youth entered their room.

“Gu Zhiqing was asking to switch rooms at noon, right?” the girl asked timidly.

Lu Lanlan nodded. “But she’s out right now. Where is your room? I’ll go take a look.”

She didn’t mind switching rooms herself—if Gu Yu didn’t want to see her, she didn’t want to see Gu Yu either.

“Okay,” the girl led Lu Lanlan to her room.

As soon as they reached the door, Lu Lanlan was hit by a strong stench of feet and sweat.

This room was the closest to the male dorms, and the smell was overwhelming.

On top of that…

Lu Lanlan glanced inside. Though it was cleaned, a dustpan filled with garbage sat in the corner—obviously, it had just been cleaned up.

Among the garbage were food scraps crawling with maggots.

Suppressing the urge to vomit, Lu Lanlan quickly turned around and said, “Wait until Gu Zhiqing gets back and ask her.”

Then she rushed back to her room.

The female educated youth also seemed to realize something. After Lu Lanlan left, she took out the dustpan and dumped the garbage.

Then, she grabbed two pieces of candy of uncertain age and went to Lu Lanlan’s room.

“Lu Zhiqing, have some candy.”

Lu Lanlan refused and pushed it back. “Toothache. I don’t eat sweets.”

“Oh,” the girl smiled and put the candy away. “I heard that Gu Zhiqing wanted to switch rooms because she didn’t want to share with you.”

She had been out at noon, otherwise, she would have switched rooms earlier.

Lu Lanlan noticed black stains all over the girl’s arm, and alarm bells rang in her mind.

Was she the one who had that maggot-infested food in her room?

Thinking of those wriggling maggots, Lu Lanlan’s scalp tingled.

Gu Yu might dislike her, but a lunatic was still better than maggots.

If Gu Yu came at her, she could fight back. But with maggots? No way.