To hide the traces of her cooking within the spatial dimension, Jun Ning intentionally prepared a pot of aromatic braised pork in her outside kitchen, allowing the mouthwatering scent to drift through the air.
As expected, the fragrance traveled for miles, awakening the “cravings” in the bellies of countless villagers.
While rural life in the mid-1970s was slightly better than in the 1960s, the land had not yet been redistributed to individual households. Families remained large, and the majority of rural folk still struggled to get enough to eat.
Many who caught the scent of the meat felt a pang of resentment because they couldn’t have any. A few ill-tempered villagers began to grumble and curse, calling the cook immoral and wishing they would choke on the food.
Xiao Yanru, Luo Dali, and the other “Educated Youth” knew that Jun Ning was hosting a dinner tonight. As soon as they caught the scent, they immediately guessed that she was the one cooking.
Hearing the foul language and curses of the bitter villagers, Xiao Yanru snapped back at them, “Oh please! Just because you can’t afford meat doesn’t mean others aren’t allowed to eat it. Besides, maybe they have something worth celebrating. What are you all so jealous for?”
These villagers were mostly bullies who preyed on the weak; once Xiao Yanru stood up to them, they didn’t dare utter another word.
After finally enduring their shift until knock-off time, Xiao Yanru and the others returned their farm tools. At the thought of Jun Ning’s delicious food, they all sprinted back to the Educated Youth station at high speed. They washed their hands and faces, changed into clean clothes, and—each carrying a small gift or a red envelope—walked in groups toward Jun Ning’s new home.
Jun Ning had already set up a large “Eight Immortals” table and chairs, and the dishes were already served. Every plate was covered with a lid to ensure the heat and aroma wouldn’t dissipate before the guests arrived.
Fu Jingwei was the first to arrive. Upon entering, he saw Jun Ning sitting there leisurely, sipping tea while waiting for them. He couldn’t help but smile at the sight.
He pulled a prepared red envelope from his pocket. A mesmerizing smile spread across his handsome face as he spoke with sincere warmth, “Ah Ning, congratulations on your new home. Here, a small red envelope for you. I wish you a life of prosperity, fulfillment, and happiness from now on.”
Jun Ning accepted the envelope and gave him a sweet smile. “Thank you!”
She then lowered her voice and whispered to him, “I’ve set aside some food in the kitchen. Take it over to the seniors in the ‘cowpen’ quickly, while the others aren’t here yet.”
Hearing her words, a flash of deep emotion flickered in Fu Jingwei’s dark, bright eyes. “Ah Ning…”
Jun Ning raised a hand to stop him. “Fu Jingwei, don’t say anything, and don’t be formal with me. Hurry up and deliver the food!”
Jun Ning knew from the original owner’s memories that the seniors living in the cowpen were all renowned figures in their respective fields. Two of them were Fu Jingwei’s own grandfather and grandmother. His decision to come down to the countryside as an Educated Youth was largely to care for his aging grandparents.
It was also for his own sake. During this decade of cultural rupture, he continued his advanced studies under the guidance of the masters in the cowpen.
Since childhood, Fu Jingwei had been known as a “prodigy.” He graduated high school at thirteen, and at fourteen, he was taken in as the final disciple of Wenren Bo, the President of the Guangzhou branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Unfortunately, after only one year of study under President Wenren, major political upheavals occurred.
Fu Jingwei’s grandparents suffered a similar fate. One had been the President of the Southern College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the other was a professor. This group of industry giants had exhausted all their connections just to be sent down together to Yucheng to lie low and wait for a chance at a comeback.
Fu Jingwei picked up the heavy basket Jun Ning handed him and walked swiftly toward the cowpen. Inside the basket were three large basins filled with food and a large container of white rice. Each basin was covered with a lid. In the gaps between the containers, a few fresh, bright red apples were tucked in. Jun Ning had even thoughtfully covered the entire basket with a thin cloth to disguise the contents.
Fu Jingwei was deeply moved, etching Jun Ning’s kindness into his heart. He vowed to repay her properly if he ever had the chance.
The seniors busy at the cowpen saw Fu Jingwei approaching with the basket and knew he was bringing food. They happily set down their work, washed up, and returned to their dilapidated shack to wait for the meal.
Fu Jingwei set the basket down and addressed them respectfully, “Grandfather, Grandmother, First Master, Second Master, Third Master—Jun Ning has moved out of the Educated Youth station. This is the food from her housewarming dinner. She asked me to bring some to you.”
Grandfather Fu immediately chuckled, “Ah Ning is such a good child. She never forgets us when there’s good food.”
The original owner of the body had always been a kind girl. She had always pitied the seniors in the cowpen and would secretly bring them whatever treats she had. Naturally, these elders all had a very high opinion of her.
Grandmother Fu looked at her precious grandson and teased him with a smile, “Xiao Wei, what’s the situation between you and Ah Ning now? Are you two…?”
Fu Jingwei said hurriedly, “No, no, Grandmother. I haven’t thought about that yet. Let’s wait until the political situation clears up before talking about it.”
Currently, he had nothing. What right did he have to promise happiness to someone else? Now was not the time for romance. Fearing the elders would start worrying and nagging about his marriage again, he said quickly, “Eat while it’s hot. I’ll come back for the containers later. I’m leaving now.”
Watching him dash out as soon as he finished speaking, the elders let out helpless, soft laughs.
“This boy, really… what is he running for?”
“Exactly. It’s only natural for a man to marry and a woman to wed. What is he so shy about?”
Grandfather Fu huffed, “This kid is nothing like I was when I was young. If you aren’t a bit bolder, how are you going to get a wife?”
Hearing their collective disapproval, Grandmother Fu immediately stepped up to defend her grandson. “He’s a young man, of course his skin is thin! You think everyone is like you old geezers? All thick-skinned and shameless!”
Seeing his wife’s displeasure, Grandfather Fu quickly offered a placating smile. “We were just joking! Aren’t we just doing it for the boy’s own good? We’re just worried he won’t find a wife!”
The other three seniors also chimed in with apologetic smiles. “Yes, yes, we were just joking. Don’t be angry.”
Grandmother Fu finally smiled. “I know you were joking. I can understand why Xiao Wei doesn’t want to look for a partner right now. Fortunately, he is still young. From the news coming in, the dawn is nearly here. Let’s just wait a little longer.”