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Su Niannian’s aggrieved voice landed in Gu Nan’s heart like a silent punch.
Hate her?
How could he possibly hate her??
Gu Nan couldn’t help but furrow his brows slightly.
But when Su Niannian saw his expression, she felt even more wronged.
Her eyes even started to turn red.
Having lived two lifetimes, Su Niannian wasn’t foolish—she could tell that Gu Nan had some feelings for her.
But Su Niannian also understood Gu Nan’s current family situation. He must have many concerns, not wanting to be with her, afraid of dragging her down.
Gu Nan was simply the kind of person who always put others first.
He wouldn’t say much, but he would quietly do a lot.
In his backpack, he had stored the five cuties of pork he received earlier that day. Su Niannian had already seen what was inside when she was at the Gu household.
The reason she asked that question was to push Gu Nan a little. She didn’t want to wait for a year or more, waiting until the Gu family finally shed their reputation of misfortune before being with him.
This time, she was going to be with him early!
She craved his body—sooner rather than later. This way, that way—she wasn’t going to wait that long.
In her past life, she had suffered losses because of him. In this life, he had to make it up to her as soon as possible.
Though her thoughts were sweet and smug, she didn’t let it show on her face. Instead, she still wore an aggrieved expression, pitiful and vulnerable.
A sight that could melt anyone’s heart.
Gu Nan watched as Su Niannian’s expression grew increasingly wronged, her steps slowly inching toward him.
The three words “I don’t hate you” lingered on Gu Nan’s lips, but he couldn’t say them.
Not only did he not hate her—he liked her very much.
But the more he liked her, the more he wanted her to live well.
If she ended up with him, she would likely be drowned in gossip and burdened by the entire Gu family.
That wasn’t what he wanted for her.
At this thought, his resolve wavered once again.
He turned around and continued walking forward.
However, his steps were noticeably slower.
Seeing him so conflicted gave Su Niannian a headache.
Her man—he always worried too much about others, always putting others before himself.
With a sigh, Su Niannian quickened her pace and caught up to him.
“Give it to me; I’ll carry it myself,” she said, blocking Gu Nan’s path.
“……”
Gu Nan hesitated for a moment. The educated youth’s quarters weren’t far now—if he lingered any longer, someone might see them together.
He couldn’t let the girl be misunderstood.
Even though he was reluctant and wanted to spend more time with her, he still handed over the lunchbox in his hands.
Then, he took out the meat from his backpack.
“This is for you.”
Gu Nan passed the tied-up bundle of meat to Su Niannian, placing the rope in her hands.
Su Niannian tossed the meat straight back into Gu Nan’s backpack.
“Give it to Auntie.”
Then, as if something had just occurred to her, she added,
“I’m leaving now. I need to bring food to Song Zhaodi, or she’ll go hungry!”
With that, she turned around without looking back and headed straight for the educated youth’s quarters.
Back at the Gu household, Su Niannian had suggested cooking with Song Zhaodi partly to see if Gu Nan would mind.
Right now, it was the same.
This conflicted, foolish man—let him worry all he wants!
Su Niannian shook off her earlier grievances and walked toward the educated youth’s quarters with a cheerful spring in her step.
Gu Nan watched her retreating figure… He hadn’t even had the chance to stuff the pork into her hands.
That Song Zhaodi—just who exactly was she?
But right now, the sky was still bright, and he couldn’t just follow her to the educated youth’s quarters to take a look.
On the way back, Gu Nan found himself with a pounding headache.
He clearly liked her, yet there were too many things he had to consider.
“Sigh.” Gu Nan let out a quiet sigh and returned home.
Meanwhile, back at the educated youth’s quarters, Su Niannian saw Song Zhaodi preparing to cook.
“Why are you only back now? I finished chopping firewood and didn’t see you when I got back—I was starting to worry about you.”
“If you hadn’t come back by the time I finished cooking, I was planning to go look for you,” Song Zhaodi said.
She had indeed been a little worried about Su Niannian, but since it was still light out, she figured nothing major could have happened and decided to finish cooking first.
“There’s no need to cook—I already ate. Here, this is for you.” Su Niannian handed the lunchbox to Song Zhaodi.
Taking the lunchbox, Song Zhaodi glanced at her. “You seem a little unhappy.”
She sat down at the table, asking while opening the lunchbox.
“It’s nothing.” Su Niannian waved it off, but her mind was still filled with thoughts of Gu Nan—specifically, how to win over that rough man as soon as possible.
Beside the dining table, a few other educated youths were also eating.
As soon as Song Zhaodi opened the lunchbox, the rich aroma of chicken soup wafted through the air.
Some of the youths caught the scent and couldn’t help swallowing their saliva.
“Su Niannian, where did you get this chicken soup? It smells amazing.”
“Yeah, I don’t think I’ve ever smelled chicken soup this good before.”
Even Lu Xingguang, who was quietly eating his meal, couldn’t help but have his eyes light up at the fragrance.
This aroma was even more enticing than the dishes served at the state-owned restaurant.
In this era, being able to afford a meal at a state-owned restaurant was already quite a luxury. By most people’s standards, the food there was considered the best available.
Yet, here was Su Niannian, with a chicken soup that smelled even better than anything from a state-owned restaurant.
How on earth did she manage to get her hands on something this fragrant?
Just as they were talking, Song Zhaodi had already taken a sip of the chicken soup and a bite of the tender, slow-cooked potato inside.
Her eyes widened in shock, round as copper bells.
This… wasn’t the best decision she had ever made in her life, teaming up with Su Niannian for meals?
“Tian! Su Niannian, did you make this? My goodness, this is way too delicious!”
Song Zhaodi was so stunned that she could barely form a sentence.
“Mm, a fellow townsman made it for me. Later, give me the measurements for the cabinet, and I’ll ask him to make one tomorrow.”
No matter what, having more interactions with him could only be a good thing.
“Oh! Right, Huang Yingying and Zhao Sulan went to the old carpenter Zhu at the village entrance to get their cabinets made. A one-meter by one-and-a-half-meter cabinet costs seven and a half yuan, including the wood.”
“That seems a bit expensive,” Song Zhaodi commented to Su Niannian.
For Song Zhaodi, seven yuan and five jiao was indeed quite expensive.
At this time, rice was bought with ration tickets, and a pound only cost about one yuan and six to two yuan.
With seven yuan and five jiao, one could buy around eighteen kilograms of rice.
Cornmeal was even cheaper, costing only eight or nine fen per pound.
“Mm, it is a bit expensive…” Su Niannian had just started speaking when Zhao Sulan scoffed and clicked her tongue.
“That fellow townsman—he’s a good person. He’ll definitely offer a much better price.”
Su Niannian ignored Zhao Sulan.
Hearing what Su Niannian said, Song Zhaodi thought that if it was affordable, she would get a cabinet.
If it was too expensive, she could settle for a larger wooden chest instead—it was simpler to make and should be cheaper.
After finishing their meal, the sky gradually darkened, and the two returned to their room to discuss what kind of cabinet they wanted.
Song Zhaodi shared her ideas with Su Niannian.
Su Niannian suggested that a cabinet would be sturdier and more practical. She told Song Zhaodi to decide on the dimensions first, and she would inquire about the exact price the next day.
Song Zhaodi nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, in the room, Huang Yingying was completely focused on reading.
Su Niannian glanced over and was surprised to see that she was studying high school textbooks.
Now, this was interesting. A thought suddenly emerged in Su Niannian’s mind.