"Alright, then I'll go to the Educated Youth Office."
Gu Linjing took a step, then stopped again.
"What's wrong, don't want to go anymore? Then shall I go?" Feng Chuxiao stood up and said.
Gu Linjing frowned and said, "No, I'm just afraid that if I leave, you two might encounter some trouble."
"Go ahead, we'll be perfectly safe," Feng Chuxiao guaranteed, giving him a look that assured him.
Gu Linjing recalled the scene of this frail girl easily carrying a large bundle, and his heart eased slightly.
But he still cautioned, "Remember, things can be lost, just protect yourself."
Bai Yaoyao, however, was unwilling. She trusted no one but Gu Linjing. "No, Little Jing Gege, you can't leave me here!"
"How about you two go together? If you're okay with it, I'll help watch the luggage."
Feng Chuxiao said this to Gu Linjing, of course.
Gu Linjing only thought for a moment before nodding at Feng Chuxiao. He turned and looked at Bai Yaoyao, saying, "If you're not afraid of getting tired or sunburnt, then come with me."
Bai Yaoyao looked at the big sun overhead and hesitated. She didn't want to stay here, nor did she want to get sunburnt. Finally, she said, "Little Jing Gege, then come back quickly."
Gu Linjing turned and strode away without a word.
Feng Chuxiao glanced indifferently at Bai Yaoyao and warned, "Sit there honestly, don't run around. I won't be responsible if you get lost."
Bai Yaoyao originally wanted to retort. She didn't take this frail, stinky girl seriously at all. But when she looked up and saw Feng Chuxiao's serious expression, she didn't dare to say a word. How could she be as scary as Little Jing Gege?
After a while, perhaps a little scared of the unfamiliar environment, Bai Yaoyao still moved closer to Feng Chuxiao.
"Hey, what's your name?"
Feng Chuxiao glanced at her and replied slowly, "My name is Feng Chuxiao. What about you two?"
"My name is Bai Yaoyao, and my Little Jing Gege is Gu Linjing."
"Oh, you're not siblings, are you cousins?"
"We're not cousins, we're neighbors. Our families are very, very close, so I've called him Little Jing Gege since I was young..."
Feng Chuxiao saw her stop talking mid-sentence and didn't mind, closing her eyes to rest.
Bai Yaoyao annoyedly slapped her own mouth. Her family had told her not to say anything to outsiders, so how could she have revealed so much so easily?
She glared at Feng Chuxiao, blaming this stinky girl for asking her.
...
Gu Linjing made his way to the Educated Youth Office, asking for directions. He found that in the large office, there was only one man in his thirties working. It seemed, just as that little girl had said, the Educated Youth Office had forgotten about them.
"Is there only one person in the Educated Youth Office?" he asked calmly.
The man looked up at him and impatiently asked, "Who are you? What right do you have to question my work?"
"I'm an educated youth from the Provincial Capital who came to the countryside. We've been waiting at the bus station for two hours, but we haven't seen anyone from your Educated Youth Office."
Hearing this, the man showed a look of realization, but he only gave an awkward smile and offered no explanation.
"Since you're all here, wait here for now. More educated youths will be arriving later, and you'll all be sent to the commune together."
Gu Linjing immediately understood. The staff from the Educated Youth Office had gone to pick up other educated youths. It seemed those other new educated youths had unusual identities, causing the Educated Youth Office staff to subconsciously overlook them.
His eyes were unfathomable, and his imposing aura suddenly changed, an oppressive feeling washing over them. Zhao Sicheng, seated at the desk, was startled and involuntarily stood up.
Soon, sweat broke out on his forehead. The young man in front of him seemed to be less than twenty years old, but how could he possess such a strong aura? He had clearly thought this person was ordinary, apart from being good-looking.
However, he quickly understood. This person was angry that the Educated Youth Office hadn't picked them up, and that's why he was losing his temper.
Gu Linjing stared down at the man who had stood up and said in a deep voice, "Either go pick up my companions, or find me a vehicle!"
Zhao Sicheng quickly replied without thinking, "There's still a tricycle. I'll go pick them up myself!"
"Then go. I'll wait here. They are two girls, by the roadside outside the bus station." Gu Linjing sat on the chair, his posture noble and elegant.
Zhao Sicheng, about to leave, quickly turned back and introduced himself, "My name is Zhao Sicheng. You can call me Old Zhao."
Gu Linjing nodded faintly, saying nothing.
Zhao Sicheng went to push the tricycle, but he was complaining madly in his heart: These new educated youths are really damn difficult to serve. Those from the Capital City were notified in advance, so his colleagues went to pick them up. Who would have thought these ones from the Provincial Capital were also not simple!
In comparison, the young man inside the office was easier to deal with; he hadn't made a fuss despite waiting for two hours.
...
Hearing the commotion outside, Gu Linjing didn't move. He figured this must be the Educated Youth Office making a big fuss to pick up the new arrivals.
A group of people bustled into the room. Old Zhang saw an unfamiliar young man inside and asked, "Hey, young man, who are you?"
"Who am I? Heh, it seems you're too engrossed in your work to even remember how many educated youths are scheduled to arrive today?" Gu Linjing said sarcastically, his demeanor that of an unruly young master.
Old Zhang's expression changed, and then he suddenly remembered that three educated youths were also arriving from the Provincial Capital today. He had indeed forgotten about it.
He put on a smile, "You must be the educated youth from the Provincial Capital. Where are the other two comrades? Did they all come together?"
Gu Linjing didn't answer his question but pointed out directly, "You even treat picking up people differently. I don't know how you handle other matters, so how can I trust you?"
Old Zhang's face was truly losing its composure now. If this matter were pursued and reported further, his job would be in jeopardy.
He quickly glanced at the others in the office, noticing they were all fanning themselves, paying no attention to him. He moved closer to Gu Linjing and said in a lowered tone, "Heh heh, young comrade, we were a bit negligent just now. It was our oversight. But I guarantee you, wherever they are assigned, you will be assigned there too. How about that?"
Old Zhang then added, "I see you're a smart person. You understand what I mean, right?"
Gu Linjing certainly understood the implication. The Educated Youth Office had already chosen relatively good places for those few people, and letting him go with them meant he would also receive that preferential treatment.
"I'll thank you in advance, but there are three of us, and we need to go together."
"Of course, of course. Everyone together, unite and help each other," Old Zhang said jovially.
Damn it, what's with this batch of new educated youths? They're all spoiled brats.
At this moment, Zhao Sicheng also brought Feng Chuxiao and Bai Yaoyao over.
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