Li Juan has a somewhat submissive personality. Although she's a veteran educated youth, she's often bullied, unable to win arguments or fights.
Things like today's incident have happened more than once, but each time she either gets smoothed over by others or ends up worse off.
She's the one who grew the vegetables, she's done everything herself, but these people don't even greet her when they eat them. When she gets angry, they accuse her of being selfish and lacking a spirit of dedication.
If it weren't for Song Wei today, she would have wasted her vegetables and been scolded and ostracized—just thinking about it makes her angry.
At this moment, Song Wei is like Li Juan's pillar of support .
Bai Yunjiao, speechless after being confronted, immediately puts on a pitiful, tearful expression.
She and Song Wei were sent to the countryside in the same batch, and hadn't yet been ravaged by the scorching rural sun. Plus, she's good at using her advantages to get men to do chores for her, so her skin is still quite fair.
This grievance makes her suitors feel sorry for her.
"How can that be the same? That's meat, it belongs to Bai Zhiqing, why should we take it out? Li Zhiqing planted those vegetables in the private plot of the educated youth compound, which, strictly speaking, belongs to all the educated youth. Why can't we eat them!"
With Song Wei present, Li Juan's confidence was now much stronger, and her voice became much louder.
"Because I planted them, I turned the soil, I traded two eggs with the villagers for the seedlings, and after planting them, I weeded and watered them—I did everything myself. What did you do?
Why should you eat my food for free when you did nothing? I don't owe you anything. You're a man, if you want vegetables, you can go and plant your own.
The private plot belongs to all the educated youth. There's such a big plot of private land in the backyard, why don't you plant your own vegetables instead of waiting to eat mine?!"
Li Juan was quite formidable when she got angry.
And it was still escalating.
After angrily confronting the male educated youth, she turned her gaze to Xu Laidi.
"And you! When you call me selfish and stingy, do you ever look at yourself? Lazy, greedy, and always trying to take advantage.
You've secretly used my toothpaste several times already, and every time you say you'll buy more, but you haven't.
And the clothes you said you'd borrowed haven't been returned, and the one yuan you borrowed before—when are you going to give them back?
I grew these vegetables myself; I don't need you to pour that foot-washing water into them. I thought the smell was too strong, and you killed them all. You take my food and eat my food without saying a good word about me! You're such an ingrate!"
Li Juan seemed to be venting all her grievances, her voice loud and unyielding.
After making Xu Laidi blush, she turned and pointed at Liu Linlin, yelling at her.
This little fighter is amazing!
Song Wei: She only wished she had some melon seeds in her hand; she wanted to sit down and watch the show.
Those who had previously joined in criticizing Li Juan were now intimidated, stunned and speechless, unable to retaliate.
Finally, Li Juan snatched her food, her eyes red as she cried and cursed, her movements surprisingly swift.
"Ungrateful wretches! You're all ungrateful wretches, trying to eat my food? Dream on!"
She then called Song Wei and headed to her room.
Song Wei, satisfied with the spectacle, glanced at the ashen faces of the other educated youths, clapped her hands, and followed Li Juan to her room.
The educated youths in the front yard were eerily quiet for a while.
Then, a tall, slightly overweight male educated youth moved first. He grabbed his portion of food, stuffing a coarse grain bun into his mouth.
As he left, he rolled his eyes.
"What kind of person is he? So the food wasn't from the collective, and we didn't do this, yet we got scolded for nothing."
A male educated youth beside him silently took his food and left.
An older educated youth among the remaining group stepped forward and said, "Eat something, everyone. We have to get up early for work tomorrow."
In Li Juan's room, she placed the food on the table, lost in thought.
He gave an awkward smile when he saw Song Wei arrive.
But her eyes were bright.
"You've got guts, haven't you? How could they bully you like that?"
Song Wei teased.
Li Juan blushed. "I never thought I could say those things so loudly."
Now that she'd let out that anger, she found it hard to believe.
But it felt really good, as if she'd released all the pent-up frustration.
"Song Wei, come eat some vegetables. I grew them myself, and I even saved a plate for them since they cooked them."
Li Juan was now filled with gratitude towards Song Wei.
When those people were criticizing her, only Song Wei stood up for her.
It was Song Wei who gave her the courage to confront Xu Laidi and the others later.
Song Wei didn't hold back either.
"I'm planning to ask the brigade leader if I can fence off a plot of land in the backyard. If so, I'd like to enclose a small kitchen near the back gate so I can grow my own vegetables,"
Song Wei explained her idea. After what happened with Li Juan, she felt it was necessary to plan ahead and have everyone grow their own land to avoid future embarrassment.
Hearing this, Li Juan's eyes lit up, but she hesitated, "Will the brigade leader agree?"
Song Wei replied, "How will we know if we don't try? Shall we ask after we finish eating?"
Li Juan nodded vigorously. If she could fence off her own plot, she wouldn't have to worry about Xu Laidi and the others shamelessly stealing her vegetables.
She was even a little impatient, quickly finishing her food and preparing to leave.
Song Wei said, "Wait, we need to take something."
It wasn't about bribery; it wouldn't look good to ask someone for a favor empty-handed, and receiving something would make them more attentive.
Song Wei had just come to the countryside, and her stepmother and stepfather family wouldn't prepare anything nice for her.
There was still some sugar, but not much.
She picked some good-looking mushrooms, filling a basket to look presentable.
Inspired, Li Juan went back and got some things too: a few fruit candies and five eggs.
"I traded these eggs with an auntie in the village," she said.
She herself was reluctant to eat them, but now, for the sake of her private plot, she gritted her teeth and brought them along.
The two set off for the brigade leader's house under the cover of night.
It was only around eight o'clock, and the moonlight made it easy to see the road.
At this time, the moon was like a huge, bright lamp hanging in the sky, illuminating not only the sky but also the ground.
There were even many children playing in the moonlight, so there was no need to worry about not being able to see.
How wonderful…
Song Wei smiled; such a night scene would probably be hard to see in another ten years or so.
When they arrived at the brigade leader's house, they politely knocked on the door. They could faintly hear dogs barking and children calling for their parents.