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What Huang Yingying truly feared was that someone at the Educated Youth spot had been loose-lipped these past couple of days, and Zhao Sulan might have learned something she wasn’t supposed to know. That kind of thing could easily derail their entire plan.
“Once they get the marriage certificate, everything will be settled,” Qian Jun spoke again before picking up the bowl of noodles and heading to Lu Xingguang’s room.
The noodles had been made that morning by Huang Yingying. She’d used dried wheat noodles and tossed in a handful of leafy greens.
Qian Jun delivered the bowl to Lu Xingguang’s room. Lu Xingguang quickly took it and began eating without delay.
Last night, Huang Yingying had steamed some cornmeal buns that were tough as iron.
If it hadn’t been for the cornmeal porridge used to soften them, Lu Xingguang wouldn’t have been able to swallow a bite.
This morning’s noodles, at least, went down easily without much effort.
“Just now, Huang Yingying didn’t look too good—seemed a bit worried,” Qian Jun remarked casually after handing the noodles to Lu Xingguang.
“Hmph, she should be worried. If something happens to me, she won’t be able to get away unscathed either.”
“While Zhao Sulan still hasn’t figured things out, we should go get the marriage certificate in the next day or two. If she starts hearing any rumors around the village, there’s a real risk something might go wrong,” Lu Xingguang said, slurping up a mouthful of noodles.
“But Zhao Sulan originally wanted to be with you anyway. It’s not like she’s really losing out,” Qian Jun said.
“That may be true, but now there’s something we can use against her, isn’t there? Willingness and being forced—they’re completely different matters,” Lu Xingguang replied, fully aware of how serious the situation was.
The thing was, he just couldn’t afford to take the fall for it himself.
“Are you going to inform your old man about the marriage?” Qian Jun dragged a chair over and sat down.
“Of course not. I’ll wait until things calm down a bit, then I’ll get a divorce. This can’t reach my family,” Lu Xingguang replied.
“If you get married and then divorce, I’m afraid Zhao Sulan might stir up trouble,” Qian Jun remarked. “She may not seem too smart, but once you’re married, getting a divorce might not be that easy.”
“As long as this whole thing blows over, whether we divorce or not won’t be up to her,” Lu Xingguang said before slurping up another big mouthful of noodles.
“You go ahead and eat. I’m heading out to grab a bite too,” Qian Jun said as he got up, ready to leave the room.
“Don’t forget—you’re in this too. You won’t be able to walk away from it,” Lu Xingguang’s voice rang out behind him, not too loud, not too soft.
Qian Jun froze for a couple of seconds before finally walking out of the room.
At the doorway, a flicker passed through Qian Jun’s eyes, but he quickly replaced it with his usual expression and went off to eat breakfast.
Meanwhile, Huang Yingying also brought a bowl of noodles over to Zhao Sulan.
Zhao Sulan’s throat was terribly sore. Last night’s cornmeal wowo buns had been as hard as iron—she couldn’t swallow a single bite.
She had only managed to eat some cornmeal porridge, and her stomach had been growling like thunder ever since.
When she saw Huang Yingying bringing over the noodles, Zhao Sulan quickly took the bowl and began eating in big mouthfuls.
Although swallowing still made her throat ache, compared to that discomfort, Zhao Sulan felt that the hunger was far worse.
Especially during this period—she hadn’t eaten such refined food in a long time.
If she hadn’t fallen ill, she figured Huang Yingying wouldn’t have given her noodles at all.
With that thought, Zhao Sulan even felt a strange sense of luck in misfortune.
“Sulan,” Huang Yingying called softly, standing beside her.
“Mm?” Zhao Sulan paused mid-bite and looked up at Huang Yingying.
“You know, Lu Xingguang’s father is the director of a major factory—he’s a well-known figure in Huaguo City. So, for you to marry Lu Xingguang, there will definitely be a lot of people who envy and resent you,” Huang Yingying said gently.
“If you hear others slandering the two of you, don’t take it to heart.”
“After all, you’re going to marry Lu Xingguang. Don’t let those sour and jealous words from others get to you,” she added, her voice unusually soft and soothing.
Zhao Sulan thought for a moment and nodded.
“Since…” Now, Zhao Sulan could speak, but her words were still a little unclear.
To get the marriage certificate, she would still need to wait a few more days.
At that moment, a female Educated Youth called out from outside the door, asking Huang Yingying to go to work.
Huang Yingying patted Zhao Sulan’s hand, urging her to eat the noodles while they were still hot.
After stepping outside, Huang Yingying greeted the female Educated Youth, telling her that she wanted to stay and take care of Zhao Sulan, so she wouldn’t be going to work today.
“Alright,” the female Educated Youth responded before leaving.
Once she reached the door, she immediately began whispering with the other female Educated Youths.
“Really didn’t know Huang Yingying was such a good person. Zhao Sulan is like that, and she’s still willing to be friends with her, even taking care of her.”
“Yeah, this morning Huang Yingying even cooked a huge pot of noodles. She’s really generous.”
“Heh, generous my foot. She didn’t share with anyone else. I keep feeling like Huang Yingying’s expression was a bit off. Is there something we don’t know going on here?”
“Even if there’s something going on, it has nothing to do with us. Let’s just enjoy the show,” one of them said, and after chatting for a bit, they headed off to the threshing field together to get their daily work assignments.
At this moment, Su Niannian came out from the side, holding a cup of malt milk.
“It seems like Huang Yingying is worried someone might talk too much to Zhao Sulan. She’s probably keeping an eye on her,” Su Niannian thought to herself.
“Have you finished drinking? Once you’re done, we’ll head to the threshing field too,” Song Zhaodi said, having already washed the breakfast dishes.
Su Niannian leisurely finished her malt milk, taking her time.
“You’re drinking so quickly, it’s not good for your stomach,” Song Zhaodi said, urging her again. In response, Su Niannian quickly finished the last sip of the drink.
Earlier, Song Zhaodi had made a few cornmeal flatbreads, mixing in some wheat flour and shredded carrots, even cracking an egg into the batter. When they came off the stove, they were hot and fragrant.
Su Niannian quickly made two cups of malt milk, and the two of them enjoyed a hearty breakfast together.
The combination of Su Niannian and Song Zhaodi in the kitchen had always been a standout at the commune. Song Zhaodi was a skilled cook, and it was clear she had spent a lot of time cooking and working at home before.
During the time Su Niannian and Song Zhaodi had been together, Song Zhaodi had truly come to appreciate what it meant to be alive, what it meant to live. Compared to the days before, life now felt like a completely different world—much brighter and fuller.
Without parents who only made her do all the work, without a home where all the good food was saved for her younger brother, this was what it meant to live. Song Zhaodi truly felt grateful for meeting Su Niannian.
As they walked, they chatted and laughed, their voices ringing out from time to time. Song Zhaodi felt an unprecedented sense of ease, something she had never experienced before. The sun was shining brightly, and the smiles on the two young women’s faces were even brighter.
Song Zhaodi also had a feeling that, since coming to the countryside, her skin was slowly getting better. She had originally thought life in the countryside would be hard, but instead, she had reaped unexpected benefits. If life could continue like this, she would be completely content.
“Hey, do you think Lu Xingguang will really marry Zhao Sulan? After the wedding, he probably won’t stay at the commune anymore, right?” Song Zhaodi suddenly thought of something and casually asked Su Niannian.
“Probably. He might be able to get a piece of land in the base from the village,” Su Niannian thought for a moment before answering.