Chapter 23

The Youth League Center

It wasn’t until the evening when the older Zhiqing returned from work that they learned that so many new Zhiqing had arrived that day. And their belongings had been rummaged through, left in a mess.

Some things were even thrown around, and the older Zhiqing were particularly angry, so they started arguing at The Youth League Center.

An Rongrong, an older Zhiqing, said, “Who among you threw my things around? Put them back where they belong, or I’ll go to the Captain to complain. Our things were fine, and you came and messed them up. You think everyone has to put up with you?”

“I’ll give you five minutes. Don’t say we older Zhiqing are bullying you. It’s your actions that are so outrageous. The Youth League Center is so small, and besides, it’s our place. Can’t you wait until we get back?”

Xu Yueyue, also an older Zhiqing, said, “As the person in charge of The Youth League Center, I agree with Rongrong. Whoever touched anything, put it back where it belongs, and we’ll pretend this never happened. Otherwise, we’ll have to go to the Captain. You don’t want to upset the Captain right after arriving, do you?”

“I’m not trying to scare you. Our Captain is not easy to talk to,” said Feng Shuwen, a new Zhiqing. “It’s just a little bit of your stuff. Is it really necessary? Besides, The Youth League Center is for everyone, not just you. We’re all Zhiqing, why are you so stingy? You keep running to the Captain.”

“Heh, you didn’t bring your brain when you came out, so don’t talk nonsense. It makes you look stupid and embarrassing,” said Yun Yutong, an older Zhiqing.

“Who are you calling ‘big sister’?” said Feng Shuwen. “How do you talk?”

“Whoever I’m talking to,” said Yun Yutong.

“Five minutes are up. Are you going to clean up or not?” said An Rongrong. “You need to say something. What’s wrong? Are you all mute? You were so talkative before.”

The new Zhiqing had no choice but to put the older Zhiqing’s things back in their original places. They hadn’t expected the older Zhiqing to be so tough. They thought that once they arrived here, they would become poor, peasant-like people, afraid to argue with them.

They wished they hadn’t touched those people’s things. They were all poor, with nothing but junk.

Yun Yutong looked at the cleaned room and felt a little better.

“Remember this, don’t touch other people’s things,” she warned.

Feng Shuwen rolled her eyes but didn’t dare to retort.

At that moment, Xiao Yichen walked in. His cold gaze swept across the room, ignoring everyone.

Yun Yutong looked up at him with surprise, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. This man was so handsome. Did he have a girlfriend? If not, could she be his girlfriend?

Xiao Yichen glanced at her, then walked to his bed and began to unpack his luggage.

Xiao Yichen was thinking that The Youth League Center was quite a mess. He would go to the Captain later and see if he could build a smaller house for himself. He didn’t want to live with these people.

The other female Zhiqing saw him and gathered around, trying to chat him up, but he remained indifferent.

Yun Yutong watched his back, her heart stirred. What kind of woman could be worthy of such a precious man? She looked at herself, feeling a little inferior. Was she not good enough for him?

Yan Shaokang, an older Zhiqing, said, “We’re all together now, it’s fate. Let’s introduce ourselves. It’s awkward to live in the same house and not know each other’s names.”

“I’ll start. My name is Yan Shaokang. I’m the male leader of The Youth League Center. Hello, I’m Xu Wenjie. I’m Chen Zexuan. I’m Su Jingchen.”

“I’m Xu Yueyue, the female leader of the older Zhiqing. I’m An Rongrong. I’m Cui Shurou. I’m Li Rolan.”

“Now it’s your turn, new Zhiqing,” said Yan Shaokang.

“Hello everyone, I’m Gu Beihui. This is my childhood friend, Xiao Yichen. Hello, I’m He Canming. I’m Zuo Wenqing.”

“Hello, I’m Feng Shuwen. I’m Yun Yutong. I’m Du Sile. I’m Zhu Mengyao.”

After everyone introduced themselves, Xiao Yichen said, “Grab your things and come with me.” Gu Beihui asked, “Eldest brother, what things should we take? Where are we going?”

Xiao Yichen rolled his eyes, exasperated. “What’s that thing hanging around your neck for? To make you look taller?”

Xiao Yichen whispered, “Of course, we’ll take some things to give to the Captain. We’re moving out. This Zhiqing Point is too small and messy. You can’t live here.”

“Let’s not talk about the size of The Youth League Center. Have you seen these people? They all have calculating eyes. With your brain, you’d probably be sold and still count the money for the buyer. How did you end up following me?”

“Heh, Eldest brother, it’s because I’m stupid that you have to take care of me. If you don’t watch over me, you’re afraid I’ll be eaten alive by those people.”

“Then hurry up and get your things and come with me. Otherwise, everyone will be asleep, and you’ll be sneaking around to watch them sleep?”

Gu Beihui almost tripped and fell flat on his face. His eldest brother always talked so sarcastically. Why were there so many girls in the compound who liked him? Was it just because he had a face that could topple a nation?

Those women were so shallow. They all liked him and fawned over him because he was handsome, but he didn’t even look at them. They were like little flies buzzing around.

But then again, his family background was so good, who wouldn’t want to marry him? If he were a girl, he would want to marry him too. This time, he didn’t let anyone know he was going to the countryside. Otherwise, there would be a bunch of flies following him down here.

He even specifically told the people at the Zhiqing Office not to reveal his address to anyone. The people at the Zhiqing Office, of course, knew who this troublemaker was. What could they do? They could only nod and agree. They didn’t want to lose their jobs.

Xiao Yichen and Gu Beihui quickly arrived outside the Captain’s house. Gu Beihui, being the obsequious one, shouted, “Captain, we’re the new Zhiqing. We have something to ask you. Can we come in?”

The Captain recognized the voice as belonging to the new Zhiqing who had arrived today. He put on his clothes and said, “Come in quickly.”

The two men were allowed to enter. The Captain said, “Please have a seat, comrades. What brings you here so late?”

“Captain, we want to build a house outside,” said Xiao Yichen. “The Youth League Center is too small, we can’t fit in. Otherwise, we’ll be arguing about trivial matters all day, which will affect everyone’s work.”

The Captain said, “You should think carefully. If you ever return to the city, the house you build will belong to the brigade.”