Su Manqing said with a smile, “Thank you, Comrade Xingmei, you’re so kind!”
“You’re… wel… come!”
Wang Xingmei’s voice was still squeezed through gritted teeth.
Such clumsy praise—she wouldn’t fall for it!
After saying that, she turned and walked out.
Su Manqing also followed along.
As they walked, she kept asking, “How do I transfer my grain and oil ration relationship?” and “Where do I collect the grain?”
Wang Xingmei didn’t want to pay her any attention, but she couldn’t withstand the other’s smooth talk.
With Su Manqing praising her left and right, it wasn’t long before Wang Xingmei began to feel a bit lightheaded.
By the time she realized what was happening, she had not only helped Su Manqing apply for furniture but also assisted her in transferring her grain and oil ration relationship, collecting grain, and even helped her fetch a vat of… uh… water?
Looking at the full vat of water in front of her and rubbing her nearly broken back, Wang Xingmei began to question her life choices.
Had she been possessed?
She must have been, right?
Otherwise, why would she have eagerly helped with so much work just because of a few nice words?
No, she had to leave this place! Get away from this toxic woman!
Putting down the bucket, Wang Xingmei angrily prepared to walk out.
But before she had taken more than a few steps, she heard Su Manqing’s voice from behind again.
“Xingmei, how do I light the fire? Can you teach me?”
Wang Xingmei: Light your head!
If she helped her boil water again, she’d be a fool!
Wang Xingmei thought angrily to herself.
But moments later, she was already sitting in front of the stove, holding a handful of dry leaves.
“Lighting a fire is really simple. Just like this, strike a match here, then use it to light these leaves for kindling…”
Wang Xingmei explained while carefully demonstrating.
Before long, a roaring fire was burning in the stove!
“Wow! Xingmei, you’re amazing!”
Su Manqing’s big eyes sparkled as if she were looking at some idol she admired.
Wang Xingmei immediately felt her legs go a bit weak.
“Of… of course! It’s just lighting a fire. I know a lot of things, like how to grow vegetables better than anyone else.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt the urge to bite off her own tongue.
Stupid mouth! Why couldn’t she control it?
Now this Su Manqing would surely take advantage again.
Sure enough, before Wang Xingmei could finish regretting it, she heard Su Manqing ask with a curious expression, “Wow! I never knew you could do so many things, Xingmei! I’ve tried growing vegetables before, but they all died. Could you teach me someday?”
Wang Xingmei really didn’t want to. All she wanted now was to stay as far away from this toxic woman as possible.
But for some reason, as soon as she opened her mouth, it came out as—
“What’s the big deal? Once you apply for a private plot, I’ll teach you!”
Su Manqing was immediately moved to tears.
“Xingmei, you’re so kind! Wait a moment, I’ll go get something.”
After saying that, she turned back to her room and returned with an oil-paper package in her hand.
“These are mung bean cakes I brought from Jingshi. Take them back and try them.”
Of course, the mung bean cakes weren’t actually brought from Jingshi.
In fact, apart from two sets of clothes, she hadn’t brought anything with her.
The mung bean cakes wrapped in the oil-paper bag were taken from her space.
She had eaten the apple and peach from last night, along with some snacks from the space.
Finding that the things inside were perfectly fine—just tastier than ordinary fruits and snacks—she had prepared them early on.
Since it doesn't cost anything, it's perfect for giving away.
Looking at the oil-paper package handed to her, Wang Xingmei was momentarily stunned.
A wave of guilt welled up in her heart.
Before meeting Su Manqing, she, like everyone else, had not a shred of goodwill toward her.
She thought she was delicate and willful—married for so long, yet not only had she never followed her husband to the military unit, she hadn't even visited the unit once.
It was clear she looked down on their harsh conditions here.
But after a brief interaction, she realized just how wrong she had been.
Not only was the woman not delicate, but she was also sweet-tongued and knew how to handle things.
It was hard for her to harbor any ill feelings toward such a female comrade.
"I can't accept this. The island conditions are tough, and there are many days ahead. You should keep it for yourself."
Wang Xingmei refused to take it, quickly waving her hands in refusal.
But the next moment, the mung bean cakes were already stuffed into her pocket.
Wang Xingmei: …
Su Manqing: …
"Isn't this how you give things?" Su Manqing blinked. "I've seen the aunties in the tube building stuff things into others' pockets like this."
Wang Xingmei's lips twitched.
What kind of messy things have you been learning?
But in the end, she didn't say anything more to refuse.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony. Just call me if you need anything in the future."
These words came from the heart, with no reluctance at all.
Having accepted a gift, she felt obliged. After taking the mung bean cakes, Wang Xingmei, worried that she couldn't cook, began teaching her step by step.
Not only did she help her cook sweet potato porridge, but she also stir-fried some greens for her.
The greens, of course, were ones she had picked from the field that morning.
Su Manqing truly couldn't cook. When she was young, her mother was around, so she never had to.
Later, after her mother passed away, Fang Peilan entered the household and, within a few years, urged her to cook.
Su Manqing enthusiastically tried cooking twice, but both times she nearly burned the house down.
Ever since then, the people in the residential building simply wouldn't allow her into the communal kitchen.
After waking from her dream, Su Manqing seemed to have grown up overnight, eager to mature quickly.
Thus, when Wang Xingmei taught her how to cook, she learned very seriously, looking as though she wished she could take notes with a pen.
Her earnest attitude once again won Wang Xingmei's favor.
Regardless of how well she learned, her attitude was at least commendable, making others feel comfortable just watching her.
After finishing the meal, Wang Xingmei didn't stay much longer.
After giving Su Manqing a few more instructions, she finally left.
Su Manqing had hardly slept the night before. After seeing Wang Xingmei off, she hastily ate her meal, returned to her room, and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.