Zhang Yunxi looked at the two people across from her and weakly explained, “Back then, wasn’t I going to town with Zhao Mo to buy some things? We ran into Wu Donglin from next door, who was being aggressive toward me. At the time, I called out to Zhao Rencheng for help, and later we had a meal together. That’s how we got to know each other.”

“And what’s your relationship now?” Deng Damei asked.

“Just friends,” Zhang Yunxi answered truthfully. There was another layer to their relationship—employer and employee—but neither of them had really acknowledged that yet.

“No way, absolutely no way!” Deng Damei slammed the table.

She wasn’t blind. How could she not see the way Zhao Rencheng looked at Zhang Yunxi?

“Why is that impossible? He’s not interested in me. Don’t overthink it,” Zhang Yunxi said, feeling quite justified given that Zhao Rencheng had been single for many years.

“You’re lying!” Deng Damei was furious.

Zhao Rencheng practically glued his eyes to Yunxi, sneaking glances at her no matter what he was doing. If that wasn’t interest, then what was?!

“That’s just how it is. Anyway, that’s the situation, and that’s the outcome. Whether you believe it or not, I really can’t say more.” Zhang Yunxi had already explained everything she could. She sat there, unbothered, like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water.

Deng Damei and He Xiaoxiao exchanged glances.

Neither of them believed her.

But Zhang Yunxi was the most articulate among them. If she didn’t want to talk, there was no way they could force her. So, they had no choice but to let it go.

Deng Damei issued a warning, “Don’t let me catch you slipping. If I do, you’re done for.”

“Definitely won’t happen.”

Zhang Yunxi was full of confidence.

He Xiaoxiao: What about me, someone who already has a “slip” to hide?
He Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and said, “Just don’t let a man hurt you, okay?”

“Probably not,” Zhang Yunxi felt she wouldn’t, but she also knew better than to be too certain about such things. Being too confident upfront often led to embarrassment later.

“Be careful!” He Xiaoxiao emphasized.

“Okay, okay, okay. I’m going to wash the dishes now.”

The best strategy is to retreat!
“Auntie.”

Zhao Mo called out.

“What’s up?” Zhang Yunxi responded.

“I’m here for my lesson.”

“Oh, oh, just wait a bit. Let me finish washing the dishes first.” Zhang Yunxi cleaned the dishes, put them in the cupboard, and then came out to teach Zhao Mo the second semester of first-grade Chinese.

Deng Damei glanced over and was shocked. “How is Zhao Mo learning so fast?”

“She’s smart. She takes after my sister,” Zhang Yunxi emphasized seriously.

“Got it, got it.”

Seeing that they were about to start studying, Deng Damei didn’t disturb them further and went about her own business.

Zhang Yunxi began teaching Zhao Mo.

Zhao Mo had a strong ability to grasp concepts. Most things only needed to be explained once, and if she didn’t understand, a second or third explanation would suffice. Once she understood, she rarely needed further instruction and rarely made mistakes.

“Zhao Mo!” Er Gouzi shouted. “My kingdom has been destroyed. Come and fight with me!”

“Right now, you’re my subordinate. I’m sending you out to fight first,” Zhao Mo said.

Er Gouzi: “Roger that!!!”

Soon, the sound of playful fighting could be heard outside.

Zhang Yunxi was truly impressed.

She continued teaching Zhao Mo, but her lessons weren’t limited to the textbook. She also talked about what big cities were like, some of China’s natural landscapes, and basic principles and etiquette that one should know.

So, the atmosphere during lessons was very relaxed.

Zhao Mo also enjoyed the lessons.

She loved every moment spent with her aunt.

When the lesson ended, Zhao Mo ran home with the other children. The next day, Er Gouzi’s kingdom was destroyed by the heavens. He stood on the tallest rock by the river, pointing at the sky and cursing, “This is too much! Since you destroyed my kingdom, you’ll have to pay me back. You can’t just do something bad and not take responsibility.”

A group of children echoed his sentiments.

Yesterday, they had worked so hard building their kingdom with their aunt’s help, only for it to be washed away by the rain the next day. It was incredibly frustrating.

The adults watched the children making a fuss and shook their heads helplessly.

After several days of rain, the weather finally cleared up, and it was time for the young people in the brigade to get married.

As someone who had been invited to many weddings, Zhao Rencheng had given away a lot of gifts.

Zhang Yunxi loved joining in the excitement. She went to watch the bride being welcomed.

Nowadays, welcoming the bride was very simple. After borrowing Brigade Leader Zhao’s bicycle, the groom brought the bride, who was wearing a red flower, back home. They then swore in front of Chairman Mao’s portrait to become good revolutionary partners. After that, they threw candies to the children outside, and then everyone ate.

Zhang Yunxi watched the entire process.

She thought this kind of wedding was fantastic!
First, they swore to contribute to the nation’s development, which was a lofty and inspiring goal. Second, the wedding was simple yet lively, with children adding to the festive atmosphere.

Simple, meaningful, and joyful.

It was just wonderful.

But since she wasn’t close to anyone in the brigade, she wasn’t qualified to sit at the table for the meal. She could only watch from a distance. Getting too close might make people think she was trying to steal the spotlight, which wouldn’t be good.

It was all because of her beauty.

But that was fine.

She fully accepted and enjoyed it.

When she went up the mountain that evening to work with Zhao Rencheng, he gave her some fried sweet potato balls to eat. “Try these.”

“Wow, I remember these were only given out one per person. How do you still have some?” Zhang Yunxi was surprised.

“I saw you. You were practically drooling.”

“I was not!”

Zhang Yunxi firmly denied it, though her eyes were shining as she looked at the sweet potato fritters.

Who could resist fried food?

No one.

Especially now, when everyone’s diet was very light, with no emphasis on heavy oil or salt. So, fried food was incredibly precious.

Only families in the brigade who were better off would give such things.

It was truly a luxury.

“Go ahead and eat. It’s not the end of the year yet, but if you want some then, I’ll fry a whole batch for you.”

“Really?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Boss, you’re so kind. Meeting a boss like you is truly the luck of three lifetimes for me.” Zhang Yunxi was deeply moved. She picked up a sweet potato fritter and took a small bite. The outside was crispy, while the inside was soft, sticky, and sweet. She was so happy.

She smiled at Zhao Rencheng, her eyes curving into crescents.

Seeing her smile, Zhao Rencheng felt that no delicacy in the world could compare.

During the rainy days earlier, he had been working alone, bored out of his mind. Now that Zhang Yunxi was here, he felt completely at ease!

Unfortunately, the goods would run out tomorrow, and she wouldn’t be able to come again.

“I need to go restock. Do you want me to buy you some malted milk powder?”