Once her hands no longer felt sore, Yao Yunzhen sighed: “Ah, this is just too unlucky. We didn’t even get to watch the movie.”
The two brothers naturally couldn’t bear to see their beautiful cousin disappointed, so they quickly suggested: “Cousin, why don’t you put your mask back on and we’ll go watch it now?”
“Forget it, it’s getting late. We’ll go watch it tomorrow instead.”
They had only gone out in the afternoon, and after all that commotion earlier, the sun was already setting.
Yu Feng said: “Alright, we’ll accompany you to watch it tomorrow then.”
Yu Wen rested his chin in his hands and sighed: “If only we didn’t have to go to school, then we could play with cousin all day long.”
Yao Yunzhen gave him a light knock on the head.
“What nonsense are you talking about? If you don’t study, what do you plan to do? Don’t entertain such ridiculous thoughts – focus on your studies properly.”
Perhaps all Academic Scums share a desire to see others become Academic Geniuses.
Although both cousins were Academic Scums, as long as they remained in school, there was still hope, wasn’t there?
Moreover, if these two didn’t attend school, they would have to start working.
Job positions were becoming increasingly scarce these days. Given their uncle’s capabilities, he wouldn’t be able to secure formal employment for them – even for his own sons, he could only arrange temporary positions, and those were at the exhausting and difficult brick factory.
Rather than that, it would be better for them to focus on their studies properly.
“Did you hear me!”
Yu Wen responded with a pained expression: “I heard you, cousin. I’ll study hard.”
Although he really disliked school, he had to listen to his cousin’s words.
In front of the two brothers, Yao Yunzhen’s words carried more weight than even their biological mother Yao Liuzhi’s.
“Good boys. Later, I’ll treat you to some White Rabbit Candy.”
Her father occasionally brought back a couple of White Rabbit Candies, and Yao Yunzhen had fallen in love with the rich milky flavor after trying them.
Unfortunately, these candies were too expensive and required sugar ration coupons, so she could only occasionally satisfy her craving.
Yao Yunzhen naturally didn’t have any sugar coupons at the moment, but that didn’t stop her from making grand promises.
Yu Wen said: “I won’t eat any, I’ll save them all for you, cousin.”
Yu Feng, considering himself a gentleman, felt he should take care of her: “Cousin, just wait. When I save up enough money, I’ll buy some for you to eat.”
Yao Yunzhen showed no embarrassment whatsoever: “Then I’ll be waiting.”
Click.
At that moment, the sound of a lock turning came from the doorway.
The three of them turned to look.
Yao Meimei entered from outside.
The three of them turned their heads back, losing interest.
They had thought it was Yao Liuzhi returning.
Ever since Yao Yunzhen discovered that Yao Meimei had tried to trick her, she hadn’t shown her the slightest bit of courtesy when facing her.
Yu Feng and Yu Wen weren’t familiar with this cousin since they rarely saw her, but since Zhen cousin didn’t like her, they didn’t like her either.
They would always stand on Zhen cousin’s side!
Yao Meimei should have been angry seeing this scene, but perhaps because she had a guilty conscience, she didn’t say anything and instead proactively approached them.
“Here.”
She extended the paper-wrapped package in her hand toward Yao Yunzhen.
Yao Yunzhen tilted her head back: “What is it?”
“Steamed buns, for you to eat.”
Yao Yunzhen twitched her nose and sniffed – it did smell like steamed buns, which immediately made her suspicious.
“Why are you giving me steamed buns?”
“Didn’t I say earlier that I would take you to buy steamed buns? Since you refused to go, I went and bought some to bring back for you.”
Yao Yunzhen sneered: “Since when have you been so kind?”
Unrequested kindness always has an ulterior motive.
“The facts are right here, aren’t they? There really were steamed buns for sale there. You didn’t believe me earlier, but now you do, right? Hurry up and eat before they get cold.”
Of course, even if there hadn’t been steamed buns for sale there before, there were now.
After meeting Yao Yunzhen, Lu Yikang had fallen into complete infatuation. To maintain a good image and leave a favorable impression on her, he not only helped Yao Meimei cover her lie but also prepared many things for Yao Meimei to bring back to Yao Yunzhen.
Malted milk extract, powdered milk, canned goods… even imported chocolates.
Whether appropriate or not, he wanted to give all these fine things to Yao Yunzhen.
Remembering Yao Yunzhen’s craving for steamed buns, he even obtained a large bundle of them for Yao Meimei to deliver.
Yao Meimei was inwardly displeased. It was because of her that he had met Yao Yunzhen, yet not only did she not receive any of these goodies, but she also had to pass them along.
She instinctively wanted to refuse, but under Lu Yikang’s threatening gaze, she didn’t dare speak up.
Still, giving these fine things to Yao Yunzhen would be a waste. Coincidentally short on money, Yao Meimei promptly opened and sold off nearly all the items, even selling most of the steamed buns and keeping only two.
The current Yao Yunzhen was just an unsophisticated village girl, not the well-off, experienced Yao Yunzhen from her previous life.
In Yao Meimei’s view, two steamed buns were more than enough. If Lu Yikang asked later, she could confidently claim she had delivered them.
Yao Yunzhen knew nothing of this, but that didn’t stop her from refusing.
“I won’t eat them. Keep them for yourself.”
Although she craved steamed buns, since they came from Yao Meimei, she had no desire to eat them.
Yao Meimei had changed drastically since nearly drowning, and with the intensified jealousy and resentment in her eyes when she looked at her, Yao Yunzhen was on high alert.
Who knew where these buns came from or whether Yao Meimei had spit in them?
“You!” Yao Meimei felt a surge of anger but suppressed it.
“Fine, if you won’t eat them, I will.”
She withdrew her hand, opened the paper wrapping, and began eating herself.
In her past life, she certainly hadn’t lacked for steamed buns, but her current body was chronically underfed, lacking in fats and decent food, and craved them intensely.
As she ate, Yao Meimei watched Yao Yunzhen.
“If you change your mind, just tell me. I still have one left, untouched.”
Not giving Yao Yunzhen anything at all made her uneasy.
Weirdo.
Yao Yunzhen rolled her eyes and ignored her.
Yao Meimei felt a pang of frustration.
You brought this on yourself.
Any trace of guilt Yao Meimei had felt vanished.
She finished the bun in a few bites, retreated to her room, and began planning her next move.
Now that Lu Yikang had taken an interest in Yao Yunzhen, the initiative was in her hands.
She needed to make the most of this and maximize her gains.
Yao Sheng received the message Miao Cuilan had sent through someone, confirming nothing amiss in the village. Li Yunqi was honestly recuperating and hadn’t caused any trouble.
This increased Yao Meimei’s suspicion.
This niece had always had low visibility at home. Although he was her uncle, their relationship was distant, with almost no daily interaction, so he didn’t know her well.
In his past impressions, she had always kept her head lowered, looking like a pitiful little thing.
With doubts in his heart, Yao Sheng secretly observed Yao Meimei over the next two days whenever he returned.
He hadn’t noticed it before when he wasn’t paying attention, but upon closer observation, Yao Sheng felt goosebumps rising all over his body.