Chapter 14: Third Brother Saved Meat for You

Shen Jiaojiao turned around and saw Zhao Haitang looking at her nervously and somewhat awkwardly.  

She was a young girl of about seventeen or eighteen, around 1.6 meters tall, with two long braids, an oval face, and delicate features.  

“Thank you for your kindness, but my fiancé will be bringing me food later, so I won’t trouble you.”  

Shen Jiaojiao’s face lit up with a bright smile—sincere and endearing.  

Zhao Haitang was stunned.  

She actually said thank you?  

If this had been before, Shen Jiaojiao would have certainly given her a cold look, along with an eye roll.  

She might have even added: “Even a dog wouldn’t eat the food you cook.”  

Today, Zhao Haitang had simply felt sorry for her.  

After all, Shen Jiaojiao’s reputation had been ruined, and she was forced to marry at such a young age. That had stirred her sympathy.  

It had taken a great deal of courage for her to even ask.  

She had already prepared herself for rejection.  

Though the outcome was indeed rejection, it felt different.  

She was even moved by the fact that Shen Jiaojiao had thanked her.  

“Uh, it’s fine.”  

It took Zhao Haitang a long moment before she finally responded.  

“Then I’ll head back to my room first.” Shen Jiaojiao smiled again before returning to her bedroom.  

“Tch, so self-important. She doesn’t even acknowledge you, and yet you’re still eager to cozy up to her. You’re not trying to be the next Ye Huan, are you? Getting close to her just to scam her out of her money?”  

Huang Honghong, who had just stepped out of the dormitory, sneered coldly at Zhao Haitang.  

Huang Honghong was very beautiful, with well-defined features and a tall, slender figure, standing at about 1.75 meters.  

In the Educated Youth Residence, apart from Shen Jiaojiao, she was the best-looking.  

Her personality was somewhat similar to Shen Jiaojiao’s, but unlike Shen Jiaojiao, she didn’t have money.  

She had the temperament of a princess but not the life of one.  

Zhao Haitang was not good with words and couldn’t argue, so she chose to ignore Huang Honghong.  

Shen Jiaojiao returned to her bedroom, and before long, she heard a knock on the door.  

When she opened it, she saw Xu Mo standing at the entrance, holding a lunchbox.  

Beside him was Xu Meili.  

“Sister-in-law, we’ve brought you food! Today, Third Brother didn’t even eat the meat himself—he saved it all for you!” Xu Meili greeted Shen Jiaojiao cheerfully, acting as if they were already close.  

The young girl had delicate features, but at her age, she often played outside under the scorching sun, so her skin was deeply tanned.  

When she smiled, her white teeth stood out in contrast.  

Xu Mo immediately grabbed the back of Xu Meili’s neck, pressing her down slightly to make her behave and keep quiet.  

The reason he had brought his Fourth Sister along was to avoid others gossiping about Shen Jiaojiao.  

But now, it seemed he had been on guard against the wrong people.  

The one he really should have been wary of was this Fourth Sister.  

Xu Mo held Xu Meili down with one hand while handing the lunchbox to Shen Jiaojiao with the other.  

His ears burned slightly.  

Shen Jiaojiao quickly accepted it, feeling somewhat touched.  

Xu Mo had actually saved food for her.  

And it was meat—something so precious.  

She turned slightly, ready to invite them inside.  

“Come in and talk.”  

At this moment, Xu Meili was squirming, trying to break free from her Third Brother’s grip.  

“Third Brother, let go of me!”  

Xu Mo ignored her and hurriedly said: “We won’t go in. Eat while it’s hot. I’ll pick up the lunchbox when I bring food next time.”  

After saying that, he didn’t give Shen Jiaojiao a chance to respond. He held Xu Meili down and walked away.  

Shen Jiaojiao quickly carried the lunchbox back inside, then grabbed a pack of White Rabbit Creamy Candy from the cabinet where she kept snacks and rushed out after them.  

By the time she caught up, Xu Mo had already reached the large locust tree at the village entrance.  

“Xu Mo, wait a moment!”

Xu Mo turned around and saw Shen Jiaojiao catching up to him.  

She had run too fast, leaving her breathless, and the wind had blown her hair into disarray.  

Gasping for air, Shen Jiaojiao took a few deep breaths before handing the White Rabbit Creamy Candy to Xu Meili.  

“This is for you. Share it with the little ones at home.”  

Xu Meili’s eyes lit up, but she hesitated to take it.  

She glanced at her Third Brother, silently seeking his permission.  

Third Brother, can I take it?  

Xu Mo looked at the pack of White Rabbit Creamy Candy.  

There were quite a few in there.  

“You shouldn’t spoil the child—”  

“Oh, just take it! It’s just a little token of appreciation for you bringing me food in the future.”  

Knowing that Xu Mo was about to refuse, Shen Jiaojiao simply stuffed the candy into Xu Meili’s arms.  

Since Third Brother hadn’t explicitly rejected it, Xu Meili happily accepted it.  

“Thank you, Sister-in-law! You’re beautiful and kind, not the vixen they say you are.”  

Uh…  

The atmosphere instantly became awkward.  

“Xu Meili.” Xu Mo suddenly scolded her, his tone stern. “Don’t talk nonsense.”  

Xu Meili jumped in fright. Realizing her mistake, she quickly apologized to Shen Jiaojiao.  

“Sister-in-law, I’m sorry! I… I misspoke. Don’t be mad! Even if you were a vixen, my Third Brother would still marry you!”  

“Xu Meili.”  

Xu Mo truly wanted to shut this little troublemaker’s mouth.  

She usually seemed clever—why was she acting as foolish as a donkey now?  

Xu Meili immediately covered her mouth, not daring to utter another word.  

Shen Jiaojiao sighed.  

Her reputation was so infamous that even children were well aware of it.  

“It’s fine. Anyway, you two should hurry back! The sun is scorching—be careful not to get heatstroke. I’ll head back first.”  

With that, Shen Jiaojiao turned and ran toward the Educated Youth Residence.  

Xu Mo wanted to explain things to her, but she was already far away.  

Xu Meili, knowing she had likely angered her Third Brother, stayed quiet, feeling guilty.

Xu Meili cautiously called out to him: “Third Brother, are you mad?”  

Xu Mo glanced at her expressionlessly before snatching the White Rabbit Creamy Candy from her hands.  

“You’re not allowed to eat this.”  

Then, without paying her any more attention, he strode away.  

Xu Meili quickly caught up.  

“Third Brother, I was wrong! I swear I’ll never call Pretty Big Sister a vixen again. I’ll call her a fairy instead. A little fairy! No, no, I mean Sister-in-law! I’ll call her Fairy Sister-in-law…”  

—  

Back in her bedroom, Shen Jiaojiao opened the lunchbox.  

A rich, mouthwatering aroma of meat immediately filled the air.  

It was braised pork, its color vibrant and glossy, looking incredibly appetizing.  

She picked up a piece and placed it in her mouth.  

Though wild boar meat was tough, the flavor was undeniably delicious.  

Shen Jiaojiao usually avoided fatty meat, but today, she ate a small piece.  

After finishing her meal, she washed the lunchbox, put it away, and prepared to take a nap.  

—  

At two in the afternoon, everyone gathered for work.  

The commune members and educated youths headed to the tool warehouse to collect farming tools. After receiving their tasks, they made their way to the fields.  

Shen Jiaojiao followed along as well.  

When the Captain saw her, he wasn’t surprised. “Educated Youth Shen, are you hiring someone to work for you today, or are you paying to offset your work points?”  

Not only did the Captain assume this, but so did everyone else.  

After all, that was what Shen Jiaojiao had always done.  

She either paid someone to do her work or used money to buy work points.  

“Captain, I’m working myself today. No hiring, no paying.”  

“What? You’re going to work yourself?” Some of the aunts nearby, who hadn’t left yet, thought she was joking.  

Shen Jiaojiao nodded again. “Yes, I’m working myself.”  

At that, the crowd burst into laughter, enjoying the thought of her impending struggle.