Chapter 28: From Now On, Our Ranran Will Cover You

“No work points deducted and still going to work? Don’t you understand such a simple principle? Truly uneducated!” one female educated youth said with disdain.

“Exactly. If you chose to go to the countryside, then behave properly and work with everyone. Who are you trying to show off to with that capital-lady attitude?”

A female youth who had a crush on Captain Yu spoke sarcastically. Seeing Jian Yueshi dressed fashionably and looking beautiful, jealousy bubbled up in her.

“Captain Yu~ I’m so scared~ This country bumpkin randomly slaps labels on people—it’s terrifying~” Jian Yueshi said in a coquettish tone, pointing at that girl.

“You… who are you calling a country bumpkin? My appearance is scary? Let’s see if you can still act like this after the Double Harvest!”

The female youth, provoked by Jian Yueshi, rolled up her sleeves and charged forward. “My appearance is scary? I’ll tear your clothes off right now!”

She had been in the countryside for three years, exposed to sun and rain daily, barely having enough to eat. Her originally fair skin had darkened, and her poise and elegance gradually vanished.

All that remained was a permanently darkened face that no amount of washing could remove, and lips cracked from years of dryness.

Seeing Ye Siran and the other stunningly beautiful educated youths, she felt a pang in her heart.

She should have been in the city, dressed properly, wearing light makeup, doing safe, predictable work.

Yesterday evening, beautiful Ye Siran had given her two milk candies, and this morning said she didn’t want to hold everyone back.

Ye Siran was not only beautiful but also behaved appropriately, leaving her no faults to pick on, only powerless fury inside.

When she saw Jian Yueshi acting coquettishly in front of the man she had secretly admired for so long, she couldn’t help but make a few snide remarks.

Now, she even wanted to scratch that flirtatious girl’s face. Yu Bingkun stepped forward and grabbed her wrist, shouting, “Enough! Why are you losing your mind for no reason?”

“Captain Yu~ She still says she’s not a country bumpkin. Look at her tantrum—how is it any different from a village woman?”

Jian Yueshi hid behind Yu Bingkun, fanning the flames. The girl’s hatred burned so fiercely her eyes seemed ready to shoot flames at Jian Yueshi.

But she didn’t dare say more. Yu Bingkun handled internal conflicts daily and was no longer surprised by such behavior.

He said coldly, “Jian, no work today, no points deducted. Next!”

“Captain Yu, my name is Xia Tiantian. I’ll choose weeding.” Xia Tiantian’s appearance matched her name—pretty and with a sweet voice.

She didn’t dare be as willful as Jian Yueshi. Her family had no money or rations to cover for her.

Yesterday evening, she had already gotten familiar with three male educated youths and knew she could slack off a bit while following them.

After work assignments were distributed, everyone followed their respective team leaders.

The tea-picking team was personally led by the village chief. “Educated youths, I choose An Tao as your temporary team leader. I’ll send you to the farm; I have other matters to attend to.”

“Since the village chief is busy, I’ll take them there,” An Tao said with a bright smile.

“Well…” The village chief hesitated, but then Ye Siran’s crisp voice rang out: “Village Chief, go handle your matters. An Tao can take us.”

“Alright!” The chief had specifically intended to take care of Ye Siran; otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered with the tea-picking crew.

Today, besides Ye Siran and Wen Lin, there were two new male educated youths: Four-Eyed Youth and Xiao Zhiyu.

Four-Eyed Youth had seen Wen Lin’s generosity yesterday. Seeing she was rich and beautiful, he wanted to pursue her, so he naturally chose to follow her.

Xiao Zhiyu had always liked beautiful things and people. He originally liked the lively Xia Tiantian.

But that morning, seeing the breathtakingly beautiful Ye Siran, he immediately changed his mind and followed the tea-picking team without hesitation.

Among the older educated youths, only An Tao and a woman in her twenties were present. Her round, coal-dark face was dotted with freckles.

She was from the south and still unaccustomed to the north, even after many years. Her family sent money and ration tickets, although she shared them with everyone.

Compared to others, she had it relatively easier, so she chose tea-picking.

Once the village chief walked away, An Tao said, “Ye, Wen, and the two newcomers, we’ll take it slow. After all, tea-picking doesn’t earn many points.”

“Thank you, An Tao,” Ye Siran politely replied, casually asking, “An Tao, do you often go to the farm to pick tea?”

“I’ve been there many times. When I first came, I often chose easier jobs because I didn’t care about work points.”

“From what you say, now work points matter a lot to you?” Wen Lin asked curiously.

“Yes. When you don’t want your family to send money or rations, you realize how important work points are. If you don’t earn enough, the team won’t top up your rations.”

“I see. Then I’m not afraid. My family’s money and rations are enough for me,” Wen Lin said proudly.

“Actually, the money and rations my family sent were also enough, but I wasn’t as assertive as you. I shared everything with everyone. But no matter how much was sent, it wasn’t enough for all, so I made the harsh decision to stop asking them to send anything,” An Tao said gravely.

“How could they do that? If you don’t give it, would they steal it?” Wen Lin asked indignantly.

“They wouldn’t steal, but they spoke harshly. I couldn’t bear it, so I gave them some voluntarily.”

“An Tao, didn’t that feel frustrating?” Xiao Zhiyu felt indignant on his behalf.

“Of course! That’s why I stopped asking my family to send anything!”

“Don’t worry. Since you’re helping us pick tea, from now on, your family can send money and rations safely—I’ll cover for you if needed,” Ye Siran said calmly.

“…”

An Tao was stunned. Ye Siran, though frail-looking, spoke so boldly. He didn’t know how to respond.

“Wen Lin, don’t be afraid. With our Ranran covering you, no one can force you to share your things,” Ye Siran said, clapping her hands.

“Oh my god! How scary! Last night and this morning, I felt awkward sharing the few candies and biscuits I had with neighbors. Will I end up like An Tao?”

Xiao Zhiyu exclaimed in despair, then turned to Ye Siran with a playful grin.

“Sister Ye, see me like this? Even if I work, I’m no good at it. I’d rather learn from you, so I don’t hold back the team. Will you cover me too?”

“Little one, I’ll cover him, but only if his family can provide enough for his needs. I don’t have money to subsidize you!”

“Sister Ye, my family has money. I don’t need your help. I’ll even give you a monthly allowance for your trouble,” Xiao Zhiyu said earnestly.

“Alright, that works. From now on, we’ll just pick easier jobs.”

“Good! I’ll follow your lead from now on,” Xiao Zhiyu nodded happily.

“Ye, I’ll take leave tomorrow to send a letter home. From now on, we’ll only pick easy jobs, hahaha…” An Tao laughed triumphantly.